Non-Imaging Concentrator With Spacing Nubs
The present invention is a solar energy system which includes an optical assembly and a non-imaging concentrator. The optical assembly includes a primary mirror and a secondary mirror. The optical assembly reflects solar radiation to the non-imaging concentrator where the radiation is output to a photovoltaic cell for conversion to electricity. Spacing nubs, or protrusions, may be configured on one or more surfaces of the non-imaging concentrator or the optical assembly to set a uniform gap for adhesive to fill and to assist in alignment of the components being bonded together.
1 . A solar energy system, comprising:
an optical assembly;
a non-imaging concentrator to collect light from said optical assembly, wherein said non-imaging concentrator has a mounting surface for being mounted to said optical assembly;
a solar cell receiving light from said non-imaging concentrator, said solar cell creating an electrical output;
a plurality of nubs with nub heights on said mounting surface of said non-imaging concentrator; and
an adhesive substance, wherein said non-imaging concentrator is secured to said optical assembly by said adhesive substance, and wherein said nub heights provide a substantially uniform gap between said optical assembly and said mounting surface of said non-imaging concentrator.
2 . The solar energy system of claim 1 , wherein said nub heights determine the bond thickness of said adhesive substance.
3 . The solar energy system of claim 1 , wherein said nubs heights are substantially equal, and wherein said nubs are configured on said perimeter of said mounting surface of said non-imaging concentrator.
4 . The solar energy system of claim 1 , wherein said nubs are integral to said mounting surface of said non-imaging concentrator.
5 . The solar energy system of claim 1 , wherein said optical assembly comprises a primary mirror and a secondary mirror, and wherein the space between said primary mirror and said secondary mirror includes a dielectric.
6 . The solar energy system of claim 1 , wherein said non-imaging concentrator provides total internal reflection.
7 . The solar energy system of claim 6 , wherein said non-imaging concentrator is a prism.
8 . The solar energy system of claim 1 , wherein said non-imaging concentrator is a light tunnel.
9 . The solar energy system of claim 1 , wherein said non-imaging concentrator comprises a refractive lens.
10 . The solar energy system of claim 1 , wherein said non-imaging concentrator further comprises a bottom surface, said bottom surface comprising a second set of nubs, wherein said second set of nubs provides a substantially uniform gap between said bottom surface of said non-imaging concentrator and said solar cell.
11 . The solar energy system of claim 1 , wherein said non-imaging concentrator further comprises outer walls with a lateral set of nubs located on said outer walls, and wherein said lateral set of nubs sets a gap between said non-imaging concentrator and said optical assembly.
12 . The solar energy system of claim 1 , wherein said optical assembly further comprises indentations for mating with said plurality of nubs, and wherein said mating of said indentations with said plurality of nubs aligns said non-imaging concentrator with said optical assembly.
13 . A solar energy system, comprising:
a substantially planar surface;
a primary mirror radially symmetric about a first axis, said primary mirror having a perimeter wherein at least a portion of said perimeter is attached to said planar surface;
a secondary mirror radially symmetric about a second axis, said secondary mirror having a mounting surface wherein at least a portion of said mounting surface is attached to said planar surface;
a non-imaging concentrator positioned to receive light reflected from said primary mirror and from said secondary mirror, said non-imaging concentrator having a bottom surface;
a solar cell receiving light from said non-imaging concentrator, said solar cell creating an electrical output;
a plurality of nubs on said bottom surface of said non-imaging concentrator, said nubs having nub heights, wherein said nub heights are substantially equal; and
an adhesive substance, wherein said solar cell is secured to said non-imaging concentrator by said adhesive substance, and wherein said nubs provide a substantially uniform gap between said solar cell and said non-imaging concentrator for said adhesive substance.
14 . The solar energy system of claim 13 , wherein said plurality of nubs are integral to said non-imaging concentrator.
15 . The solar energy system of claim 13 , wherein said non-imaging concentrator is a total internal reflection prism.
16 . The solar energy system of claim 13 , wherein said non-imaging concentrator is an optical rod.
17 . A method of attaching and aligning a non-imaging concentrator with integral nubs to a mating component in a solar energy system, comprising:
dispensing an adhesive onto said non-imaging concentrator;
positioning said non-imaging concentrator with said integral nubs with respect to said mating components;
applying pressure to said non-imaging concentrator and to said mating component until said nubs are in contact with said mating component; and
confirming contact of said nubs with said mating component;
wherein said integral nubs have nub heights, and wherein said nub heights provide a substantially uniform gap in which to distribute said adhesive substance.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein said mating component is a solar cell.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein said mating component is a recessed area within an aplanatic optical imaging system.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein said non-imaging concentrator further comprises a second set of nubs on an outer surface of said non-imaging concentrator, wherein said second set of nubs centers said non-imaging concentrator within said recessed area.