Abstract: A method of storing solar energy in the immediate vicinity of available solar energy comprising the steps of generating electrical current with the available solar energy and charging a strip of electret producing material directly with the electrical current so that the strip of material is changed into a strip of electret means that can be subsequently utilized to produce work, such as forming part of an electrostatic separator unit, whereby the available solar energy need not be transmitted in any form other than by the produced electret means.

Abstract: A system for extracting energy from the sun's rays including a bank of solar energy cells which generate electrical current when exposed to the rays of the sun, immersed in a bath of liquid formed to serve as a lens, concentrating the sun rays on the cells, and transmitting heat away from the cells. The cells are shaped so as to cause a trapping effect of radiation incident thereon. The improved solar converting unit additionally includes a method for preheating the interior thereof. The converting unit is preferably equipped with light gathering and focusing means thereby providing coherent optically output.

Abstract: A solar-powered thermionic-photoelectric current generator is disclosed employing a paraboloidal telescope for collecting and concentrating sunlight into a narrow beam which is incident upon a thorium-doped tungsten cathode target within an evacuated envelope, the light being incident on the target at a very large angle of incidence. An anode arranged substantially parallel to the beam of light incident on the cathode target surrounds the major portion of the cathode target and extends an appreciable distance rearwardly from the cathode target. A gas impervious envelope maintains the region of space immediately surrounding the anode and cathode target at a desired vacuum. Electrical conductors leading from the anode and cathode target to points outside the gas impervious envelope can connect the anode and cathode target to an appropriate load.

Abstract: There has been provided a concentrating solar receiver of the type including a closed envelope having a window and reflective portions. A photocell is disposed at a focal zone for the reflector. Heat and/or electricity may be produced from received solar energy and the envelope is manufactured in the configuration of a specially formed bulb preferably having a thin wall glass structure.

Abstract: Apparatus for concentrating radiant energy such as solar radiation, collected over a large area, to a smaller area for more efficient conversion of the radiant energy to a more useful form of energy. Fluorescent material in a thin film form is optically bonded by an adhesive or viscous, transparent medium to a massive slab of transparent material such as glass or plastic. Energy conversion devices, such as photovoltaic cells, are disposed around the edges of the slab.

Abstract: An improved method of fabricating thermoelectric power generator modules, which are particularly useful in converting solar energy into electrical power and heat, is disclosed. This method involves the formation of an array of longitudinally elongated n- and p-type semiconductor elements tightly contained in a supporting matrix; slicing the supporting matrix containing the semiconductor elements to provide a plurality of matrix plates; and the application of a pattern of electrically conductive pads on opposite surfaces of the matrix plates to connect n- and p-type semiconductor elements, in series, thereby forming a thermoelectric power generator module. This method is simpler, less expensive and more adaptable to large scale production than methods heretofore proposed.

Abstract: This invention provides a solar energy collector including a Fresnel lens substantially fixed in orientation and position relative to the Earth, a receiver situated at a focal point of the said Fresnel lens, a mounting mechanism which constrains the receiver to move along the focal surface of the Fresnel lens, and orientation means for continually orientating the receiver so that the said receiver remains in a region of high intensity of radiation during periods of direct sunlight.The solar energy collector according to the invention is particularly suitable for inclusion in building structures.

Abstract: Modular structures for the collection, concentration and conversion of solar energy to another usable form such as electrical energy. The structures feature three conic section reflective surfaces, two of which focus in front of a receiver element and off the axis of the structure. The third reflective surface is utilized to redirect that energy which would otherwise miss the receiver element to improve overall efficiency.

Abstract: The elements of the solar panel are arranged generally in parallel planes that, starting from the top, include a transparent sheet, a plurality of converging lenses, a plurality of solar cells arranged in electrical series respectively aligned with the converging lenses, an electrically insulating support plate that together with the sides of the solar unit and the top sheet form a vacuum chamber for the lenses and solar cells to reduce heat transfer by convection and conduction upwardly from the solar cells, a thermopile, a heat sink plate receiving heat from the thermopile, heat transfer fins receiving heat from the heat sink plate, a serpentine conduit in heat exchange with the heat fins, thermal insulation, and a bottom plate that is connected to the side walls.

Abstract: The invention provides for a linear reflective device having a plurality of concave reflective regions disposed along a reference line, such that normal incident light is focussed to a focal region by all of the reflective regions. The reflective device may be curved in a direction normal to the reference line or be planar. The invention further provides a method and means for manufacturing the reflective device by rolling, pressing, or molding. The invention still further provides optical, radio, or acoustical apparatus having the reflective device.

Abstract: There is provided a radiant energy transmission device capable of operation in a concentrative mode in which energy incident on an entrance area is directed toward and concentrated on an exit area of smaller area than the entrance area. The device includes a solid radiant energy transmission medium having surfaces coincident with the entrance and exit areas and particularly contoured reflective side walls. The surface coinciding with the entrance area is coupled to a cover plate formed of a radiant energy transmissive material. An energy transducer is coupled to the surface of the medium coinciding with the exit area.

Abstract: A system including a non-tracking reflector-collector for the concentration and collection of solar energy. An energy-collecting plate is disposed upright along a substantially horizontal axis substantially coincident with the east-west direction of the earth. The collector plate is positioned within a semi-tubular reflector having parabolic sidewalls. The reflector surfaces on opposite sides of the collector plate are parabolic surfaces, each having a focal point approximately coincident with the upper terminal edge of the collector plate. The axes of the parabolas which define the respective surfaces are rotated about or diverge from their common focal point at a substantial angle. The reflector sides are of laminated construction having a base portion of a lightweight rigid plastic sheet, an underlayer of plastic corrugated board and a reflective film on the interior surface. The collector plate receives energy entering the aperture between the reflective surfaces.

Abstract: An efficient converter of photon energy to heat has been devised comprising a dense array of metal whiskers grown with spacings between the whiskers of a few wavelengths of visible light. The material selected, and tungsten is exemplary of such materials, has low emissivity, but achieves significant optical absorption by trapping the light impinging on the dense array by a geometric maze effect. The characteristics of the surface are excellent for the conversion of solar energy to heat.

Abstract: An electromagnetic energy collection device is provided which does not require a solar tracking capability. It includes an energy receiver positioned between two side walls which reflect substantially all incident energy received over a predetermined included angle directly onto the energy receiver.

Abstract: The battery is of the type including a plurality of laminar semi-conductor bodies arranged on a dielectric support in parallel relation to each other and each comprising respectively layers of two different but oppositely conducting semi-conductor material forming a photovoltaic junction, with the layer adjacent the support being of the same conducting type in all of the semi-conductor bodies, and including contact strips electrically interconnecting oppositely conducting layers of adjacent semi-conductor bodies and extending throughout the length thereof. The support has one surface thereof formed with a plurality of V-shape notches extending parallel to each other and separated by lands, and the semi-conductor bodies are applied directly to the lands. The contact strips extend in the notches between two adjacent lands and are, along the edge of one land, in electrical contact with the inner layer of the respective semi-conductor body on the one land and which is directly adjacent the support.

Abstract: A self-sustaining solar energy conversion system for converting solar heat energy to electrical energy comprising a finite heat sink having a first heat exchange means and drive means disposed therein. The finite heat sink comprises an enclosure having a thermopile formed in the side walls thereof wherein the cold junctions are arranged to communicate with the interior of the finite heat sink and the hot junctions are arranged to communicate with the exterior surrounding infinite heat sink. The first heat exchange is coupled to an external liquid gas supply to cool the interior of the finite heat sink and cold junctions. The drive means is electrically coupled to the thermopile and mechanically coupled to an electrical generator means disposed externally of the finite heat sink such that the electrical energy derived from the thermopile is used to electrically power the drive means which, in turn, is used to mechanically drive the electrical generator means to generate an electrical output of the system.

Abstract: A method of mounting and interconnecting solar cells to form a solar cell array particularly suited to space applications. In the present invention, the solar cells, which are already silver plated on the underside, are diffusion welded to a suitably plated polymide film substrate. The attachment area and current conductor patterns are provided in the plating on the substrate and electrical connection of the solar cells is accomplished by soldering or diffusion welding directly to the plated pattern on the substrate.

Abstract: A grid pattern for a solar cell of the type including a semiconductive layer doped to a first polarity and a top counter-doped layer. The grid pattern comprises a plurality of concentric conductive grids of selected geometric shapes which are centered about the center of the exposed active surface of the counter-doped layer. Connected to the grids is one or more conductors which extend to the cell's periphery. For the pattern area, the grids and conductors are arranged in the pattern to minimize the maximum distance which any injected majority carriers have to travel to reach any of the grids or conductors. The pattern has a multi-axes symmetry with respect to the cell center to minimize the maximum temperature differentials between points on the cell surface and to provide a more uniform temperature distribution across the cell face.

Abstract: A metal layer made of a high heat conductivity material such as silver or aluminum is provided at the rear surface of a solar battery with the use of vacuum evaporation technology. A thermoelectric converter is attached to the metal layer in a manner to convert solar energy into electric energy by means of not only the optoelectric effect but also the thermoelectric effect. The solar battery can be maintained at its preferred operative temperature by the metal layer and the thermoelectric converter.

Abstract: The photovoltage and photocurrent, and therefore, the power output of photovoltaic cells (solar cells) are markedly enhanced by depositing, on an exposed semiconductor surface of a solar cell, a layer of any one of a very large number of prophyrinic compounds.