Patent ID: 6252155
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: F24S,H01L,Y02E

Abstract:
A space-based concentrator for concentrating solar radiation onto a solar cell, said concentrator comprising:(a) a first stage, said first stage comprising a rectilinear entrance, a rectilinear exit, and four sides joining said entrance and said exit, said four sides including inner mirrored surfaces between said entrance and said exit, said inner mirror surfaces configured to accept said solar radiation from said entrance and to direct said solar radiation to said exit; and(b) a second stage, said second stage comprising mirrored inner surfaces, said second stage having a rectilinear entrance, a rectilinear exit, and four sides joining said entrance and said exit, said entrance abutting said exit of said first stage, and said exit of said second stage adapted to receive said solar cell,wherein two of four sides of each of said first stage and said second stage are longer than the other two of said sides of each of said first stage and said second stage, wherein at least said two longer sides comprise optimized Bezier surfaces which approximate a parabolic surface, and wherein said concentrator is configured to nest with other concentrators comprising said first and second stages.