Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to a light concentrator apparatus including a reflector with an open substantially hemispherical reflecting surface characterized by a radius R, and an aperture for admitting light onto the hemispherical reflecting surface. The light concentrator apparatus further includes a movable elongated light collector having a first end located proximal to the reflecting surface; and extending along a longitudinal axis in a direction substantially normal to the reflecting surface to a second end. The light concentrator further includes a tracker configured to move the first end of the collector to points proximal to the reflecting surface.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for converting incident light to electrical energy and heat. the apparatus includes an evacuated enclosure having at least a portion for admitting incident light; and an absorber member disposed at least partially in said enclosure to receive incident light. The absorber includes a selective surface which converts a portion of the incident light to heat. The selective surface comprises a photovoltaic layer which converts a portion of the incident light to electrical energy. In some embodiments, the absorber includes an elongated inner tube having an outer surface including the selective surface.

Abstract: An optical collector is disclosed which includes an imaging, aplanatic optical element having a front surface with a one-way light admitting portion, a back surface with a reflective portion, and an interior region of refractive material disposed between the front and backs surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including a wave-guide containing a luminescent material which responds to incident light by emitting frequency-shifted light. A first portion of the frequency-shifted light is internally reflected within the wave-guide to a wave-guide output, and a second portion of the frequency-shifted light is transmitted out of the wave-guide. The apparatus further includes a diffuse reflector positioned proximal to the waveguide to reflect at least some of the second portion of the frequency-shifted light hack in to the waveguide to be internally reflected within the wave-guide to a wave-guide output.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including: an entrance aperture for admitting light from a source; an optical collector configured to receive light admitted through the entrance aperture and concentrate the light onto a receiver element; and an optical homogenizer element configured and arranged to image the entrance aperture onto the receiver element.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting solar energy includes a receptacle adapted for receiving solar thermal energy; an insert located within the receptacle, the insert being a heat pipe adapted to transfer heat; and an absorption device positioned proximate to and substantially conforming to at least a portion of an internal surface of the receptacle and thermally coupled to the insert. The insert enters the receptacle substantially at a cross-sectional center of the receptacle, and further inside the receptacle, the insert shifts to become closer to the absorption fin.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including: a trough shaped reflector extending along a longitudinal axis and including at least one reflective surface having a shape which substantially corresponds to an edge ray involute of the absorber.

Abstract: An optical system for a solar energy device to produce electrical energy. The optical system includes an aplanatic optical imaging system, a non-imaging solar concentrator coupled to the aplanatic system and a multi-junction solar cell to receive highly concentrated light from the non-imaging solar concentrator.

Abstract: An optical concentrator is disclosed which includes an imaging, aplanatic optical element having a front surface with a one-way light admitting portion, a back surface with a reflective portion, and an interior region of refractive material disposed between the front and backs surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting solar energy includes a receptacle adapted for receiving solar thermal energy; an insert located within the receptacle, the insert being a heat pipe adapted to transfer heat; and an absorption device positioned proximate to and substantially conforming to at least a portion of an internal surface of the receptacle and thermally coupled to the insert. The insert enters the receptacle substantially at a cross-sectional center of the receptacle, and further inside the receptacle, the insert shifts to become closer to the absorption fin.

Abstract: An optical collector is disclosed which includes an imaging, aplanatic optical element having a front surface with a one-way light admitting portion, a back surface with a reflective portion, and an interior region of refractive material disposed between the front and backs surfaces.

Abstract: An optical device is disclosed including: a non-imaging secondary concentrator having an entry aperture and an exit aperture, and configured to receive light focused by a primary focusing element from a source onto the entry aperture. The non-imaging secondary concentrator includes: a first portion proximal the entry aperture which is rotationally symmetric about an optic axis; and a second portion proximal the exit aperture which is not rotationally symmetric about the optic axis.

Abstract: Methods for designing optical systems, including homogenizer element(s), that concentrate light from a distant source, such as the sun, onto a target device, such as a solar cell.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of refraction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination ?. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

Abstract: A solar thermal energy collector includes a receptacle and a tube positioned within the receptacle and having a closed end. The tube includes a divider cross-sectionally bifurcating the tube. The divider is spaced apart from the closed end of the tube to allow fluid communication between two bifurcated portions of the tube. A fluid is circulated through the two bifurcated portions of the tube for transferring of the solar thermal energy.

Abstract: A solar thermal energy collector includes a receptacle and a tube. The tube is adapted to fit within the receptacle and defines a first region within the tube and a second region between the tube and an internal surface of the receptacle. A fluid is circulated between the first region and the second region for transferring of the solar thermal energy.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting solar energy includes a receptacle adapted for receiving solar thermal energy; an insert located within the receptacle, the insert being a heat pipe adapted to transfer heat; and an absorption device positioned proximate to and substantially conforming to at least a portion of an internal surface of the receptacle and thermally coupled to the insert. The insert enters the receptacle substantially at a cross-sectional center of the receptacle, and further inside the receptacle, the insert shifts to become closer to the absorption fin.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting solar energy includes a receptacle adapted for receiving solar thermal energy, an insert adapted for counter-flow located within the receptacle, and an absorption device positioned proximate to and substantially conforming to at least a portion of an internal surface of the receptacle and thermally coupled to the insert.

Abstract: A solar collector with external reflector. A solar collector includes a glass housing having a heat pipe disposed within the housing and a light reflector disposed external to the housing.

Abstract: An optical system for a solar lighting device to provide highly concentrated sunlight to interior spaces with minimal disruption of building envelope. The optical system includes an aplanatic optical imaging system mounted on a dual-axis sun tracker, a non-imaging solar concentrator coupled to the aplanatic system, a liquid light pipe to convey the very intense solar flux to the interior of a building, a diffusing light fixture to spread the daylight into the interior space, and a control system to regulate the light output to a constant and desired level.