Abstract

A passive skylight dome and method of making the dome. The dome is unitarily formed from a diffusive material. The dome has a plurality of sides each with an average thickness, a roof limit, and a top limit. The roof limits collectively, when installed, circumscribe a roof opening. The top limit defines a top perimeter. The dome has a top portion extending from the top perimeter, the top portion having an average thickness 10% to 60% thicker than the average thickness of the sides. The projected area onto the plane of the portion of the dome where the incidence angle onto the dome of 90-degree sun elevation angle light is greater than or equal to 55° exceeds half of the projected area onto the plane of the entire dome.

IPC Classes  ?

• E04D 13/03 - Sky-lightsDomesVentilating sky-lights
• F21S 11/00 - Non-electric lighting devices or systems using daylight

Abstract

The present subject matter comprises a simple, passive skylight dome with relatively tall partially vertical sides comprising partially transparent material which diffuses the transmitted light, and a mostly opaque sun shade near the top of the relatively tall partially vertical sides. The partially vertical sides are able to better intercept sunlight from low sun elevation angles than conventional horizontal skylights. The mostly opaque sun shade is able to block sunlight from high sun elevation angles to prevent such sunlight from entering the building below the dome. By enhancing the collection of low-sun-elevation-angle light, the subject matter improves the daylight performance of the skylight early and late in the day, and all day in the winter months. By reducing the collection of high-sun-elevation-angle light, the subject matter reduces the solar heat gain near solar noon in the summer months, thereby reducing air conditioning loads and related costs.

IPC Classes  ?

• E04D 13/03 - Sky-lightsDomesVentilating sky-lights
• F21S 11/00 - Non-electric lighting devices or systems using daylight
• E06B 9/24 - Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshineSimilar screens for privacy or appearance

Abstract

A passive collimating skylight system includes an energy-receiving aperture defining a first plane and an energy-delivering aperture defining a second plane that is spaced apart from and non-parallel to the first plane. An energy-directing passageway extends between the energy-receiving aperture and the energy-delivering aperture to redirect radiant energy incident on the energy-collecting aperture over a range of incidence angles to the energy- delivering aperture so that the redirected radiant energy emerges from the energy-delivering aperture over a range of emergence angles that is smaller than the range of incidence angles. The passageway is defined by a wall having a first end that defines the energy-delivering aperture and a second end that defines the energy-collecting aperture, the wall tapering inwardly and having a reflective inner surface along substantially the entire length from the first end to the second end. At least a portion of the wall of the passageway can be made of a flexible reflective film.

IPC Classes  ?

• F21S 11/00 - Non-electric lighting devices or systems using daylight
• F21V 8/00 - Use of light guides, e.g. fibre optic devices, in lighting devices or systems

Abstract

A photovoltaic receiver for a concentrating photovoltaic module comprises a photovoltaic cell comprising an active area with an electrically conductive gridline, where an encapsulating layer comprises a transparent portion disposed over a predetermined portion of the photovoltaic cell active area, and a prismatic cell cover attached to the transparent portion The prismatic cell cover is dimensioned and configured to refract focused sunlight away from the electrically conductive gridline on the solar cell The receiver may comprise a earner, a first thermally loaded adhesive layer disposed above the earner, a dielectric layer disposed above the first thermally loaded adhesive layer, a second themlally loaded adhesive layer disposed above the dielectric layer, a solar cell assembly disposed above the second thermally loaded adhesive layer, further comprising a photovoltaic cell comprising an active area further comprising an electrically conductive gridline, an encapsulating layer disposed substantially about a predetermined portion of the photovoltaic cell.

IPC Classes  ?

• H01L 31/00 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS - Details thereof

Abstract

A solar photovoltaic concentrator panel comprises a Fresnel lens concentrator which may be arched and a photovoltaic receiver within a container comprising a top window. The lens, photovoltaic cell, and window may be affixed in a container with no internal sun-tracking mechanisms or related internal moving parts such as motors, drive systems, or bearings. The window is transparent and the bottom of the container typically dimensioned and configured as a heat exchanger to passively dissipate waste heat from the photovoltaic receiver to the ambient environment. The Fresnel lens concentrator is typically a free-standing Fresnel lens concentrator disposed within the container at a fixed position relative to an interior dimension of the container, optically forming a focal region of concentrated sunlight. The photovoltaic receiver comprises a photovoltaic cell or group of such cells disposed within the container and attached to the bottom at a fixed position relative to an interior dimension of the container.

IPC Classes  ?

• H01L 31/042 - PV modules or arrays of single PV cells