Abstract: A convective method is employed to cool a solar concentrator device. The convective method employs formation of a vortex gas circulation inside an enclosure of the solar concentrator device, which is bounded by at least one light-path altering component, sidewalls, and a back panel. Optionally, a heat sink assembly can be provided within the enclosure. Internal convention through the vortex gas circulation transfers the heat generated at a photovoltaic cell to all surfaces of the solar concentrator device to facilitate radiative and/or convective cooling at the outside surfaces of the enclosure.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 3, 2012
Date of Patent:
January 27, 2015
Assignees:
International Business Machines Corporation, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Tehnology
Inventors:
Yves C. Martin, Robert L. Sandstrom, Theodore G. Van Kessel, Hussam Khonkar