JPS593661B2 - Radiant energy transfer device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the transmission of radiant energy, and in particular to focusing radiant energy from within a field of selected angular characteristics or focusing radiant energy within a field of selected angular characteristics. relates to a device configured to emit, or both.

Thus, the present invention relates to the concentration and radiant operation of radiant energy that can be used for purposes such as energy display, transformation, and connection of other energy transfer devices.

The device according to the invention includes radiant energy reflecting guide wall means formed at the interface of media of different refractive indexes and operative under optimal conditions to substantially enhance the total white reflection of such radiant energy. Contains.

The art known in the art has proposed many structures and devices for the purpose of detecting, focusing, concentrating, transmitting, transforming, propagating and radiating a wide variety of forms of electromagnetic waves or radiant energy; J, Opt, published in 1971.
Soc, Volume 61 of Am, Volume 8, 1120-1121
Page 0 "Having photosensitizing effects in animals such as those described"
"optical" elements, ie, those that occur in nature, such as imaging lenses, fibers, etc., reflective layers and coatings for focusing and dispersion, and uncoated transparent fibers, light-conducting tubes, etc.

Most devices and systems effective in one mode of energy transfer have been inefficient or inadequate when attempting to operate in an alternate mode.

Furthermore, technological advances in certain areas of radiant energy transfer have not been matched by advances in related technical fields.

There are countless examples of situations like this.

Photovoltaic cells have been developed that have a capacity to convert radiant energy into electrical energy that exceeds the normal capacity of transmission devices, and the ``trade-off'' that occurs in economically practical energy conversion has been developed. Radiant energy is supplied to the working surface of the battery in a manner that performs the following steps.

Similarly, methods for focusing and/or dispersing radiant energy using reflective (e.g., silver) layers and mirror surfaces may be less efficient due to the relatively "poor" absorption properties of such layers or surfaces. This has often led to failures in applications where multiple reflections occur, which is a major hindrance to good transmission of signals.

As another example, imaging systems such as lenses, which are generally very effective at transmitting energy emitted from a fixed radiation source, are useful when the energy source is instantaneous and/or dispersive. Requires "exchange action" from the perspective of tracking.

Energy transfer systems with multiple internal reflections, such as optical fibers and light conduits, work perfectly well for transmitting a source beam at one angle, but are completely useless when applied to transmitting energy at a different angle. It is inefficient and causes "leakage".

Recently proposed methods for the use of "ideal" radiant energy reflecting surfaces, generally trough-shaped and conically shaped, have had substantial success, particularly in applications involving focusing and concentrating solar energy. Ta.

In this way, for example, the inventor's U.S. Patent No. 392,338
No. 1 includes, inter alia, reflecting surfaces at opposite positions inclined to reflect the energy rays at the largest angle within the acceptance field of the device in the energy trap, permitting the concentrated action of a substantial amount of the transient energy source. This invention discloses a non-imaging type radiation energy focusing device that can avoid tracking and minimize absorption loss due to multiple reflections.

Similarly, Levi 5etti
), US Pat. No. 3,899,672, among others, discloses a non-imaging cone-shaped energy focusing concentrator having similarly advantageous energy transfer characteristics.

Introductory articles on this subject can be found in Solar Energy, Vol. 16, 1974, pp. 89-95, "Principles of a Progressive Solar Energy Concentrator," and in NSF/B, February 1975.
ANN AET (75-01065) "Report on the Development of Solar Energy Concentration Methods" [The latter includes a special form of cylindrical trough-like reflection action that concentrates the maximum amount of radiant energy possible, especially by phase space transformation. It concerns the principle of maximally concentrating radiant energy into a tubular receiver by using wall beam channels.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,923,381, U.S. Pat. No. 3,899,672, et al., 1974, Solar Energy Vol.
NSF/RANN AER for February and 7 wrestlers 1j
No. 75-01065, “Method for concentrating solar energy, its development report” contains the “essential materials” necessary to support the claims of the present invention, provides the background of the present invention, and is a legal document indicating the state of the art. To the extent that they provide sufficient disclosure or "non-limiting subject matter," such disclosures are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

The following patents and publications are specifically incorporated by reference herein for the purpose of setting forth the background and state of the art of the present invention:

That is, "Solar Energy" by Tabor, published in 1958.
1eeper) U.S. Pat. No. 3,125,091, 19
``Physics Today'' by Meinel et al., Volume 25, pp. 684 onwards, published in 1972, Fabel
U.S. Pat. No. 3,179,105, published in 1966 by Hinterberg
``Perspectives on Scientific Instruments'', Vol. 37, A8, pp. 1094-1095, by Er and Winston);
Winston, published in 1970 [J, Opt, So
c, AmJ vol. 60, Bian 2.245-247, 19
Volume 61 of the same author published in 1971, A8.1120-1121
Williamson, published in 1952.
``J.

Opt, Soc, AmJ Volume 42 1. /#;, 10
．． pages 712-715, Witch (wii) published in 1965
Te) [Infrared Physics] Volume 5, 179-185,
Emmets U.S. Patent No. 980505
．． Published in 1966 by Baranov et al.
Soviet Journal of Optical Technology Volume 133, A5.408~
411 pages, volume 34 of the same magazine published in 1967, width 1.67
~70 pages, published in 1968 by the same agency [Applied Solar Energy 1
Volume 2, pages 3.9-12, Newton
), US Pat. No. 2,969,788, Phillips (Ph.
111 ips) et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,971,083;
Florence US Patent No. 35
No. 91798, V. K. Baranov Soviet inventor's certificate issued on January 4 and March 18, 1965, August 1967.
V, K, Baranov's Soviet inventor certificates issued on October 15th and October 31st, Per1mutter (Per1mutter)
) et al., U.S. Pat.
Page 283, published in 1975 by Winston, "Solar Energy J Vol. 4, pp. 255-258.

According to the invention, an apparatus is provided for use with external radiant energy transfer media and configured to operate selectively in focused and radiant modes.

These configurations are of a corresponding form to many that have been disclosed for use in energy concentration and are commonly referred to as compound parapolar (CPC) structures (e.g., 1975
Mc Graw-Hi l in New York
Published by 1 company, J, F, Kreider,
(See "Solar Heating and Cooling, Its Practical Design and Economics" by F. Krei-th).

For CPC-type devices filled with an energy transfer medium, due to the wide variation of the internal angles of the energy rays incident on the reflective wall, only a portion of all the rays are present in the case without an externally provided reflective coating. This is often considered to be total reflection.

The present invention presents an unexpected situation in which the conditions required for total internal reflection and the construction of a device of type CI) coexist with cases of great practical importance.

The device of the present invention includes a radiant energy transmitting structure that is broadly defined as moss, generally trough-like (cylindrical), or conical.

This structure provides an acceptance (or radiation) field and radiation that participates in the formation of energy reflection and guiding walls at the interface between the external medium and the internal medium of the structure or to the structure and/or formed by this interface. Contains an energy inlet (or outlet).

This structure is used in conjunction with a radiant energy trap (or source).

The energy reflecting walls of the structure are sloped in a generally concave manner in a manner consistent with optimum conditions for allowing some external light rays characterized by an acceptance (or emission) field to reach or radiate from the energy trap or source. ing.

Symmetrical and asymmetrical transfer structures combined with energy traps or radiation sources located both inside and outside the reflective wall are formed according to the invention.

Structures of particular interest according to the present invention include structures where the ratio of the refractive index of the internal medium to the external medium exceeds the square root of two.

It is further object of the present invention that "compensatory" features (such as reflective coatings on reflective walls or optical coupling with compensatory slopes) are functional approximations of substantially all-white reflectivity. Method O
Together with the auxiliary structure provided here, it is a transmission structure that has almost total white reflectivity for energy lines with angular problems.

Further aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Concerning the bimodal acting capability of the device according to the invention, the following detailed description will aid in understanding, since this same acting characteristic, generally in opposite directions, is applicable to the radial mode, but the focusing of the radiant energy is and the operating characteristics available in intensive mode.

Thus, references to "concentrators" of radiant energy shall include references to "emitters" and bimodally acting (eg, retroreflecting) devices, absent other references.

According to this method, for example, in the description of a concentrated action device, the expression "input part" means "one exit part for the radiation action structure".
Contains information regarding.

As used herein and in the claims, the term "energy trap" refers to the detection, utilization and (
or) further means and includes any device or material having the capability of transmitting.

Thus, the term includes, but is not limited to, radiant energy conversion devices or transducers such as photovoltaic cells.

As used in this text and in the claims, the term "energy source" means any device or material that has the ability to radiate or re-radiate (e.g., by reflection) radiant energy; shall be included.

This numbering includes, but is not limited to, devices such as light emitting diodes and mirrors.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a concentrated action radiant energy transfer element 10 for use with an external radiant energy transfer medium 11c.

As shown, the element 10 comprises at least a relevant portion of a material that is itself an energy transfer medium with a refractive index η1, and the external medium 11 consists of a material with a refractive index η2.

When η1 and η2 are unequal, according to well-known fiber optics principles, an optically reflective wall or surface 12 is formed at the interface of these media.

Thus, in the illustrated embodiment in which η1 is greater than η2, surface 12 is reflective to energy impinging on it from within element 10.

In other words, the wall or surface 12 provides inversion against and within the transfer element 10D.

FIG. 1 This particular embodiment shows an energy transfer element in a form that generally corresponds to an effective CPC structure for energy concentration effects.

In view of the configuration of known CPC structures, the surface 12 at least partially begins at the radiant energy input section 13 and ends at the radiant energy exit section 14 (optically coplanar with the input section 13), and Similarly, it can be seen that O here is defined.

The energy input section 13 is a radiant energy transfer medium 15 having a refractive index η3 that is the same as or different from η1 and/or η2.
is in optical contact with.

Its contour curve corresponds to the maximum reflection through or to the energy exit part 14 (with an energy trap cooperating therewith) of an external energy ray entering the energy entry part from within the acceptance field of the CPC structure. It exhibits a pair of opposing reflecting walls or surfaces 12 that are sloped in a generally parabolic manner.

Other general characteristics of the CPC configuration can be used similarly to the embodiment of FIG.

This type of structure generally includes, for example, a field sufficiently formed to accept radiant energy and an incident acceptance angle θmax for such energy within such field that can be determined relative to the energy input. , opposite "edges" of the energy input section 13 and the energy output section 14 (13a, 13a, 1, respectively) depending on the particular implementation used.
4a, 14a).

Similarly, the ratio of the transverse dimensions of the exit section 14 and the entrance section 13 in this embodiment is 5ine (
cosine) is desirable.

The parabolic curve of the reflective wall surface 12 has as its focal point the opposing "edges" of the energy exit portion 14 and as its optical axis a line forming an angle with an optical axis equal to the acceptance angle θmax.

The total height of this embodiment is Cotan at the acceptance angle θmax.
It is desirable that it be equal to half of the product of the sum of the transverse dimensions of the entrance section 13 and the exit section 14 multiplied by gent (surplus liquid).

Some truncations of this concentrator may be done for practical (i.e., ease of manufacturing) purposes, although it does not obviously reduce the acceptance angle, but does result in a corresponding loss in convergence capacity.

Similarly, the effective energy incidence is parallel to the optical axis without substantially changing the acceptance angle of the concentrating effect element.
2 can be extended linearly (from this [extension] or [position change -1]).

Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, all refractive indices were considered to be stoichiometric as in the immediately preceding discussion.

The geometrical relationship shown in Figure 1 is that CPC of θmax of 6°
Figure 2 O shows the slightly lower quarter of the mold structure.
Here it is displayed even more clearly.

Clearly, the relationships shown in the cross-sections represented by Figures 1 and 2 are similar to those of the conical concentrator (see Figures 7 and 8).
Similarly to ζ, 0 can be used equally as a trough-like form (see Figures 6 and 9).

The modified trough-shaped CP shown in Figures 1 to 6 and Figure 9
The following description of the working characteristics of the C-shaped structure can equally be used for various embodiments of an ideal cylindrical focusing device in trough-like form, for example with a general shape (in particular an elliptical shape). ,
circular or oval cross-sectional shapes) are concentrated as much as possible on a tubular receiver 16, which is arranged within the concentrator 10 and/or between reflective wall elements 12, 12 of the concentrator.

For trough-like and cone-shaped CPC structures, it is generally possible to obtain a concentration ratio X according to the following formula.

X=η/sinθmax (bridge shape) (1) X= y72
/ 5in2 θmax (conical shape) (2) However, θ
max is the acceptance angle (half angle), and η is the refractive index of the focusing device with respect to the medium at the energy incidence.

If the trough or cone is filled with air and the entrance is in contact with the air, η=1.

This concentration ratio is considered the maximum value allowed by physical principles.

According to the invention, for a certain value of a parameter of considerable practical importance, a medium of content for the wall of a structure of the CPC type surrounds the wall of the structure (and this wall G is optically The interface between the (coupled) medium provides an almost completely internally reflecting surface that prevents or minimizes leakage of radiation, thereby providing a guided reflection of the energy, e.g. of a metallic reflective coating. It will eliminate the need.

If the internal medium of element 10 has a refractive index η1 greater than the refractive index η2 of the contacting external media 11 and 13 (i.e. η2 − η3), then the acceptance angle θma of the trough-like CPC-type structure
The incident ray at O in x has half mirror angle θ'max and θC
The elliptical conical part O is refracted.

In this case, η = η1/η2 - refractive index ratio (3) Si
nθ'may−(] /y) ) sinθmax, and (4) Oc = Arcsin (1/η), critical angle (5) For conical CPC-type structures, the angular range is a single O half angle θ' ITI a It is a cone of X.

These rays are focused at the exit exit, possibly after one or more reflections.

Since the light ray undergoes total white reflection on the wall surface, 0 is a half angle θ
It must be 0 outside the critical cone of C.

In the trough and possibly in the cone, the most severe situation of this condition occurs for the ultimate meridional rays incident on the exit edge of the reflective wall (FIG. 4).

Therefore, this condition is as follows.

That is, Sinθ'max<(1-2/y72)
(6) Therefore, ′ SinθmaX η(1-2/η2) (7)X
max = 1 / (1-2/ 772) (Bridge shape) (8) Xmax = 1 / (1----2y72)
2 (conical shape) (9) Sin θmax = 1 &C, it can be seen that equation (7) has a solution η≧2, and as a result, η:2 obtains a full field of view of 180°.

Also, at η-v/2, a field of view approaching Oc is obtained.

These relationships will be better understood by consideration of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.

Figure 3 shows the acceptance angle θ' in the medium filling the concentration device.
FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a CPC type structure (trough-like or cone-like) according to the invention O in which max is approximately 1794°;

(To simplify the display, assume the following.

That is, the medium filling the concentrating element 10 is completely homogeneous;
The medium 11 outside the wall surface 12 is the energy incidence part 13
(l!l - same refractive index as the optically contacting medium 15 (i.e. η2 - η3)) The line OA indicates the optical axis of the element.

θC is the critical angle measured with respect to the normal NO to the interface.

Radiation that strikes at an angle greater than or equal to θC will be completely inverted.

The actual state of this property is shown in FIG. 4, in which the aforementioned polar meridian ray is indicated by M.

For either a trough-like or conical CPC-type concentrator, the radiant energy impinging on a point 14a outside the cone defined by axis N and half-angle θC is completely opposed.

Any rays impinging from within the receiving field (within the cone) are therefore reflected towards or through the exit section 14.

For a conically shaped CPC type concentrator, the cone C′
is a right circular cone with a half angle equal to its axis P parallel to the optical axis and θ'maxt.

For a trough-like CPC type concentrator, the cone C' is the fifth
It is shown in the figure, namely an elliptic cone with its circular mirror angle θ'max and semi-major angle θC.

(Note, for example, if the entrance section 13 is in optical contact with a medium 15 that differs in refractive index from that in contact with the table 12 (
That is, in the case η3/η2), the semi-long angle of the cone C' changes and approaches 90°.

) It is clear that if the total reflection condition at point 14a is satisfied, this condition is also met at each point along wall surface 12c relatively close to the incident part.

Multiple reflections in a CPC-type trough concentrator O, including reflections of twisted rays, occur only on the same wall surface O and clearly satisfy the above conditions (for example, the rays shown along the line MRI).

The multiple reflections of the meridional rays in the CPC type conical concentrator O also occur only on the same wall contour and also satisfy the above conditions.

The twisted rays in a conical concentrator of the CPC type are
It is clearly seen that the all-white reflection condition including up to two reflections is satisfied.

By tracing the path of light, all oblique rays are almost always reversed, regardless of the number of reflections.

According to the above relationship, if θ'max = 17, 94°
If so, the structure in Fig. 3 becomes a trough-like CPC type filled with a uniform medium, in which case η = 1.7 and the wall surface 1
2 and the entrance part 13 (i.e. η3 - η2) air (η
2=1)c: optically in contact, so θmax (acceptance angle of the concentrator element) is equal to 31.57° and the concentrating capacity is less than or equal to 3.25.

Table 1 below graphically provides some relationships for a trough CPC type concentrator of varying parameters.

The concentrating ability of a CPC type conical concentrator is, in theory, in the case of a complementary shape, when 1/Sinθ'max, l/(Sin
θ'max ) approaches 2.

When the ratio of refractive index η〉2, the acceptance angle θmax=90°
It is possible to increase the degree of concentration by lowering θ'max by 30 degrees.

(For infrared applications, energy transfer materials generally have a refractive index that is two orders of magnitude higher.

) Each of the relationships shown in Table 1 shows that the value of the variable η corresponds, almost coincidentally, to the refractive index of most "transparent" solids with respect to the refractive index of air. Indicates the closest acceptance angle that can be obtained for a particular value of the variable η when in the range.

Obviously, the configuration in which θ'max takes the minimum value can of course be constructed so that the concentration ability is increased without impairing the all-white reflection ability.

In this way, for example, a complementary-shaped CP filled with an acrylic resin medium (in this case, the medium 11 is air) with η ~ 1.5
The C-type concentrator is configured so that the value of θ'max is 3°.In this case, θmax=4.5°, and the maximum concentration capacity is 1.
Approaching 9.00.

Similarly, when filled with glass (η ~ 1.6) θ'ma
The concentrator with x = 6.00° has θmax = 9.
63°, providing a maximum concentration capacity of approximately 9.57°.

It should be noted that these numbers represent an exceptional margin in the construction of the transfer element for diurnal tracking (especially solar energy concentration).

In the case where the medium 15 in optical contact with the energy incidence part 13 is in contact with the wall surface 12 and has a different refractive index (η3/η2) than the medium surrounding it, the description of all the above relationships is such that θmax It is valid except for the point calculated by the following.

Sinθmax=(11/η3) Sinθ'max
x (10) Filling the concentrator If the concentrator 10 is not uniform, an adjustment in the angular characteristic O can be made, consistent with the well-known theory of optical fibers.

For complementary concentrators of the CPC type, the end wall surfaces are generally arranged perpendicular to the plane of incidence.

Since the light beam incident on the medium is restricted to an angle up to θC, the maximum incident angle to the end wall surface is θC≦45°.
Equal to or greater than C (condition for total white reflection) 90
°-θC.

This requires that η≧J7, which coincides with the condition (Equation 7) necessary for the trough to act due to total white reflection.

For the condition θc<45°, the end face is tilted to provide some additional concentration while maintaining full circular reflectivity.

FIG. 10 shows a cylindrical bridge-shaped channel specifically configured to maximize the concentration of radiant energy onto a tubular receiver or energy trap.

As previously noted, the compensating optical coupling having reflective coatings R, C along a portion of the wall 12 is such that the maximum angle of the ray is incident on the wall 12 at an angle less than or equal to the critical angle θCG. This assists in functionally approximating the full circle reflectivity for the structure part %O below the point R2R'.

For the selected refractive index, points R, R' are at receiver 1
The "top" partial level of 6 or below.

From the previous discussion, a device "filled" with an energy transfer medium will take the maximum tilt of the external light entering the energy input in the field of view of the device to match the reflection on the selected energy trap. It is clear that by configuring the contour curve of the reflective surface as shown in FIG.

J7≦η 2 depends on the shape of the contour curve of the reflective surface as shown in FIGS. Appropriate parabolic or functional O for distance
The device is configured to allow the use of media (surrounding locations and internal media) to include shapes that provide a corresponding contour curve, etc.

If a range of medium refractive index ratios (V/T≦η〈2) is not available or undesirable, then the optical acceptance field of view for a certain purpose (the relationship between η and (such as in cases where it is not particularly suitable), to the extent that some modification of the contour curve is suitable to the extent that it corresponds to substantially total white reflectance.

! 4′! The curve of the contour is formed in the manner shown in Figures 11.12 and 13 so that it is substantially fully reflective (the included angle between the external light ray and its reflection from the reflective wall surface is less than 2θC). to provide the maximum slope consistent with both maintaining optimal concentration of energy from within the desired angular range.

Creating a maximum slope according to the CPC type specification is equivalent to providing a minimum included angle to match the reflection of external rays into the energy trap.

The total white reflectance requirement sets a lower limit on 2θC for this angle angle, which ignores the standard CPC slope specification and requires compensatory slope specifications along a portion of the reflective wall. do.

In Figures 11 to 13, for ease of display, θ'
max is shown as 45° even if this condition is met if η1/η3<V7.

FIG. 11 shows that the energy trap indicated by line B-8' is flat in morphology (e.g., the trap is a flat photoelectric energy transducer or has an opening into a cavity) and the energy trap of interest is 2 illustrates the application of the above-described "compensatory specification" to the configuration of concentrator elements such that the concentrator elements effectively emit from sources infinitely far away.

In the illustrated case, the energy ray R that collides with the dot circle of the parabolically inclined (focal point S/) reflective wall surface 12 at an angle greater than θC always reaches the zero trap as expected; This is because the included angle is larger than 2θC.

External energy lines R1 or R2 colliding with points A and Bc, respectively, at an angle equal to θC, if the parabolic slope is continued beyond point A (upwards O in the figure), it will become radial. The slope will not result in complete reflection to the trap.

In this way, the compensatory method of configuring the contour curve sections A-B and A'-B' of the wall surface 12 so as to have a linear slope is as follows:
It can be ensured that any such external rays always reach the trap.

It will be seen that the total slope of wall 12 thus has one or more simple curves, ie, a parabolic slope smoothly joined to a straight slope.

This configuration ensures the desired relationship of inversion and maximum condition concentration within a selected angle through the use of an inclined reflective surface 12 to pass energy from within the receiving field of view of the concentrator. Note that we take the maximum slope to coincide with the reflection of the external energy ray onto the energy trap.

Linear slope angle α shown in “compensated” contour curve
[Geometric analysis shows that a flat receiver (
The maximum angle of incidence on ) in the cross section is θ'max + 2α
It turns out that it is.

This fact is valid for the design of all-white reflective CPC-type focusing devices, which essentially eject the radiation from a flat receiver.

For example, if the external refractive index of the receiver is
It is the same as that for 2, and θ'max+2α=θ
C, radiation effectively occurs.

If you are trying to create a total white reflection along a sloped wall,
It is necessary that θC≦90°−(α+θ′max).

Therefore, as long as θ'max≦180°−3θC, this design is effective.

The maximum concentration obtained is (Sinθc / Sinθ'm
ax).

If η3=η2) Sinθmax = y7
Sinθ'max, Sinθc-1/η,
The resulting convergence is 1/Sinθmax, which is the same as for an unfilled CPC focuser.

FIG. 12 shows a "compensatory specification" with a geometrically flat energy trap R-B', but with the energy in question coming from a source denoted D-D' at a fixed distance from the concentrator. A concentrator element configured to be used when radiation is emitted.

Again, the energy ray R that collides at an angle greater than θC and is reflected at the point PG (focal point, D', B') which is inclined in an elliptical shape always reaches the trap.

When external rays R1 and R2 collide with point A at an angle equal to θC, if they continue beyond point A, they will not be totally reflected on the trap due to the inclination of the ellipse.

Therefore, the contour curve sections A-B, A'- of the wall surface 12
The compensatory method of constructing B' brings the slope into the shape of an arc of equiangular spirals.

Figure 13 shows an example of the application of the "compensatory specification" to a concentrator element, where the energy trap is defined by the arc B -B'
The energy is effectively emitted from a source at an infinite distance.

An energy ray R that impinges at an angle greater than θC at a point P on the reflecting wall 12 (the standard CPC configuration (which tends at least in part to this), represented by the tubular configuration of the trap, reflected.

External energy rays R1 and R2 that impinge on points A and B at angles equal to θcc will not be totally reflected on the trap if the standard curvature continues beyond point A.

Therefore, the compensating method of configuring the sections A-B, A'-B' of the contour curve of the wall surface 12 in order to have a straight-line slope is such that the external light always reaches the trap point reliably.
I can do this.

Although not shown, substantial guarantees of full-white reflectivity for concentrators associated with tubular energy traps and configured to focus light emanating from a source at a fixed distance are provided for the necessary compensatory gradients. it is obvious.

The reflective wall surface is configured to have a compensatory configuration that requires a contour curve in order to receive external light (this is configured to have the slope of the arc of the conformal spiral line).

In all of the embodiments described above, the portions of the reflective wall surface that require compensatory action may follow standard CPC slope specifications and may be "compensated" by the use of reflective coatings.

Thus, FIGS. 10 and 13 illustrate alternative embodiments of compensatory configurations.

Listed below are exemplary applications of the compensatory gradient structure shown in FIGS. 11-13.

If, for example, the concentration device as shown in FIG.
．． 4) and immersed in the polymeric vinylcarbazole (η2 = 1.683, i.e., an effective number of 1.7 for the purpose of this example), the above equation (5
), θc-55°, which is the standard CP
There is clearly a problem with the use of C specifications,
This is because η<,i, requiring a compensating slope of the reflective wall of the concentrator.

If elementary geometrical analysis requires that θ'max be 15°, then the slope of the straight section A-B in Figure 11 is α = 90° - (θC + θ'max) from the optical axis. )
= 90° - (55° + 15°) = 20° angle.

In order to maintain substantial white reflectivity, the maximum concentration effect for this compensatingly tilted trough-like CPC type concentrator is 5i.
n(2α+θ'max)/Sinθ'max = Si
n 55°/Sin 15°=3.16.

The concentration obtained for a conically shaped compensatingly sloped concentrator is 10.

This concentration is smaller than theoretically possible with an uncompensated J CPC-type bridge or cone shape, but retains full white reflectivity.

As another example, η>, /T but standard CPC
If the specification limits θ'max (eg, as in Table 1) to an undesirable value, a compensatory slope is used in the manner described above to accommodate relatively large values of θ'max.

Figures 6 and 7 show that one transmission element is
8 shows an example of a CPC-type energy transfer element of the present invention in combination with a radiant energy source or trap device shown in FIGS.

In FIG. 6, the bridge-shaped element 17 is aligned in a longitudinally extending manner and has one or more energy transducers 18 in the form of a ribbon at its exit for concentrated action.
(e.g. photovoltaic) energy traps may be provided.

Similarly, the conical transmission element 19 of FIG. 7 may be provided with a substantially circular photovoltaic cell 20 at its energy output portion.

Alternatively, the columns of Figures 6 and 7 may be used in a radiation mode with an energy source such as a light emitting diode in place of the energy trap 18, 20.

Clearly, an array of small conical transfer elements as in FIG. 9 is very useful in numerical displays where the selective action of low intensity light emitting diodes forms patterns with sharp angular characteristics. things are expected.

The following examples illustrate the operation of the device according to the invention.

Two radiant energy concentrator elements combined with a photovoltaic cell (
A row section of the original shape (of the form shown in FIG. 6) was constructed.

Each concentrator element had a substantially homogeneous acrylic internal medium (η, = 1.5) surrounded by air (η2-1) on its reflective sidewalls and energy input.

Each element is approximately 178mm (twitch) long and approximately 15m long.
m (0,6 inches), the horizontal dimension of the input part is about 12 mm (0,4765 inches), the horizontal dimension of the injection part is about 2.5 mm (0,10 inches), and the silicon The width of the photocell was approximately 2.2 mm (0,085 inches).

The calculated θ'max was equal to 718°.

The calculated θmax value was 10.8°. The concentrator row is
A crystal/halogen light source with a magnitude of 1F sunlight (measured with a calibrated standard solar cell placed near the entrance of the column) was exposed, with a measured gain of 3.97 cell output. I got it.

(This geometric analysis corresponds to 4.051 times, so the original system worked at about 98% efficiency.

) A further graphical representation of this prototype column was made from the observed capacity O, illuminated by a light source of approximately 5000 solar rays and at the same time an AM/FM radio was activated.

Apart from the intended use of solar energy transmission, the wide variety of applications for the device according to the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

An example is a trough-like or cone-like element with a reflective material optically coupled to a useful energy "exit" with a retroreflective screen or display of acute blocking action in the receiving and emitting regions. It can be assembled using.

As another example, a highway directional display can be constructed, which is arranged to specifically emit or reflect a beam of light to motorists within a well-defined directional field of view. .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a cross-sectional view of a radiant energy transfer element of the present invention in a radiant energy transfer medium; FIG. 2 is a view of the lower quarter of the radiant energy transfer element of FIG. 1; and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the radiant energy transfer element of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating one operating characteristic of a radiant energy transfer element as in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is another graph illustrating the operating characteristic shown in FIG. 4; FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an array of radiant energy transfer elements of the present invention capable of operating in either concentrated mode or radiant mode; FIG. , FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one radiant energy transfer element of the present invention showing operation in a radiant and/or focused mode, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a radiant energy transfer element showing operation in a radiant and/or focused mode. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cylindrical trough-like channel of the present invention configured to provide maximum concentration of radiant energy onto a tubular energy receiver or trap O and showing a compensating reflective coating. , FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the invention showing a compensating shape of the reflective surface consistent with maximum concentrated action and total circular reflection, and FIG. 12 shows a concentrated action on a source at a fixed distance of radiant energy. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a compensating shape of the reflective surface consistent with maximum concentration and total white reflection so as to be particularly usable in a tubular radiant energy source or FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a compensating shape of the reflective surface consistent with maximum concentration and all-white reflective behavior to make it suitable for use in a trap. 10...Energy transmission medium element, 11...
... External energy transmission medium, 12 ... Optical reflection surface, 13 ... Energy incidence part, 14 ...
... Energy injection part, 15 ... Energy transmission medium, R ... External energy line.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A radiant energy transfer device operating in a concentrated mode and used with an external radiant energy transfer medium, comprising a generally concavely inclined radiant energy transfer device with a device for guiding the radiant energy and forming an energy entrance. reflective wall means; means including the energy incidence portion and forming a receiving field for radiant energy; a transmitting means having an internal medium having a radiant energy refraction effect; and for receiving radiant energy guided by the wall means. radiant energy trapping means operatively associated with said reflective wall means of said reflective wall means having an interface between said refractive internal medium and said external radiant energy transfer medium; the medium has a greater refractive index relative to the radiant energy O than said external medium, the ratio of the refractive index of said external medium to that of said internal medium is at least the square root of 2, and at least said concave slope In a portion of the section, the reflecting wall means is configured to substantially eliminate a maximum slope corresponding to a reflection action onto the energy trap of external energy rays entering the energy input section within the receiving field. 1. A radiant energy transmission device characterized by having a contour curve inclined to . 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the internal medium having a refractive effect has a substantially uniform refractive index. 3. Further comprising a device comprising said refractive internal medium and reflective wall means for substantially completely reversing radiant energy entering said input portion within said receiving field. Apparatus described in section. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said concavely sloping reflecting wall means has a pair of opposing longitudinally extending energy reflecting and guiding surfaces. 5. said transmission device having an optical axis, said acceptance field comprising an acceptance angle, and a longitudinally extending energy input section having a lateral edge at the end of said reflective wall means in said input section. wherein the energy trap has an energy exit section extending in a longitudinal direction, the energy trap having a substantially common plane with the energy entrance section and a lateral edge;
The contour curve of each of said reflective guiding surfaces is parabolic in shape, with opposite lateral edges of said energy exit part as the focus of the parabola and aligned with said optical axis quantitatively equal to said acceptance angle as the axis of the parabola. The acceptance field of the transmission device is an ellipse with a minor axis equal to 5ine values of the acceptance angle and a major axis equal to 10 when expressed in cosine of the optical direction with lines forming an angle. The device according to scope item 4. 6. The distance separating the energy input section from the energy output section is not less than half the sum of the lateral dimensions of the input section and the exit section multiplied by a cotangent value of the acceptance angle. Apparatus described in section. 7. The above-mentioned claim, wherein the wall means has a substantially conical shape and defines a substantially circular energy input portion, and the energy trap has a substantially circular energy output portion that is substantially coplanar with the energy input portion. The device according to item 1. 8. the transmission means has an optical axis, the acceptance field has an acceptance angle, the profile curve of the reflective wall means is parabolic and has opposite edges of the exit part as a focus of the parabola; , the acceptance field of the transmission means is a right circular cone when expressed cosine F in the direction of the optical axis, with the optical axis equal to the acceptance angle as the axis of a parabola; The device according to item 7. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the energy trap is external to the transmission means. 10 The trapping means comprises a device for converting radiant energy into electrical energy.
Apparatus described in section. 11. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said transmission devices. 12. Said reflective wall means further comprises said internal medium optically coupled with a layer of reflective material.
Apparatus described in section. 13. The device according to claim 1, wherein said energy input portion is optically coupled to a medium having the same refractive index as a medium external to said transmission means, and forms said reflective wall means. 14. A radiant energy transmitting device for use with an external radiant energy transmitting medium and capable of operating in a radiant mode, comprising: a generally concavely inclined radiant energy reflecting wall means comprising means for guiding radiant energy and forming an energy exit portion; means for forming a radiant field of radiant energy; a transmitting means having an internal medium for refracting the radiant energy; and reflecting wall means for radiating the radiant energy guided by the wall means. an associated radiant energy source, said reflective wall means having an interface between said refractive internal medium and an external radiant energy transfer medium, said internal medium being more radiative than said external medium. energy O, wherein the ratio of the refractive index of the external medium to the internal medium is at least the square root of 2, and at least a portion of the concave (sloping) reflecting wall means is
characterized in that it comprises reflective means having a profile curve sloping so as to cause substantially the maximum slope corresponding to the reflection of all energy rays from the energy source passing through the energy exit in the radiation field; A radiant energy transfer device. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the refractive internal medium has a substantially uniform refractive index. 16. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a device comprising said refractive internal medium and reflective wall means for substantially completely redirecting radiant energy through said exit portion within said receiving field. Device. 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said concavely sloped reflective wall means has a pair of opposing longitudinally extending energy reflecting and guiding surfaces. 18 The transmission means has an optical axis, the radiation field has a radiation angle, and the end of the reflective wall at the exit defines an energy exit extending longitudinally with a lateral edge. The energy source has an energy source substantially coplanar with the energy emitting portion and extending in the longitudinal direction ζ having lateral edges, and each of the reflecting and guiding surfaces has a contour curve such that: having the shape of a parabola, having as the focus of its parabola the opposite lateral edges of the energy incidence part, and having as the axis of its parabola a line forming an angle with the optical axis quantitatively equal to the radiation angle; , optical direction cos i
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the radiation field of the transmission means, when expressed in terms of ne values, is an ellipse with a minor axis equal to the 5ine value of the radiation angle and a major axis equal to 1. 19. The distance separating the energy input section from the energy exit section is not greater than half the sum of the lateral dimensions of the input section and the exit section multiplied by the cotangent value of the acceptance angle. The device according to item 18. 20 The wall means has a generally conical shape and defines a generally circular energy emitting portion, and the energy trapping means includes:
15. The apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a substantially circular energy input section that is substantially coplanar with the energy output section. 21. the transmission means has an optical axis, the radiation field has a radiation angle, the profile curve of the reflective wall means is parabolic in shape, with the edge opposite the incident part as the focus of the parabola; having as the axis of a parabola a line forming an angle with the optical axis equal to the radiation angle, c of the optical direction;
21. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the radiation field of the transmission means when expressed in os i ne values is a right circular cone. 22. The device according to claim 14, wherein the energy source is external to the transmission means. 23. The energy source comprises a device for converting electrical energy into radiant energy. 24. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of said transmission means. 25. The reflective wall surface further comprises said internal medium optically coupled with a further layer of reflective material. Said Claim No. 14
Apparatus described in section. 26. The device according to claim 14, wherein the radiant energy output portion is optically coupled to a medium having a refractive index equal to that of the medium external to the transmission means. 27 Used for an external radiant energy transmission medium. A radiant energy transmission device O for use in a concentrated mode, comprising: generally concavely inclined radiant energy reflecting wall means having a device for guiding radiant energy and defining an energy input portion; means for forming a radiant energy receiving field; and a transmitting means having a radiant energy refracting internal medium;
radiant energy trapping means operatively associated with said reflective wall surface for receiving radiant energy guided by said wall surface, said reflective wall means comprising said reflective internal medium and external radiant energy transfer medium. said internal medium has a higher index of refraction for radiant energy than said external medium; A radiant energy transfer device, characterized in that it has a contour curve sloped so as to reduce the maximum slope to substantially zero, which coincides with the total white reflection of an external energy ray entering the entrance part to the energy trap. 28. A radiant energy transmitting device for use with an external radiant energy transmitting medium and operable in a radiant mode, comprising substantially concavely inclined radiant energy reflecting wall means having a device for guiding radiant energy and forming an energy exit; a transmitting means including the energy emitting portion and having a device for forming a radiation field for the radiant energy, a radiant energy refracting internal medium, and the reflecting means for radiating the radiant energy guided by the wall means. a radiant energy source operatively associated with wall means, said reflective wall means having an interface between said refractive internal medium and an external radiant energy transmitting medium, said internal medium having a lower surface area than said external medium; radiant energy, wherein at least a portion of said concavely inclined reflective wall means has a large refractive index, and said at least a portion of said concavely inclined reflective wall means absorbs all energy rays from said energy source via said energy exit within said radiation field. A radiant energy transmitting device characterized in that it comprises a reflecting means having a contour curve sloped to provide a maximum gradient of substantially 0 corresponding to a total white reflection.