Patent ID: 9029683
Filing Date: 2015-05-12
Classification: F24S,H01L,H02S,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A self-contained and highly efficient multi-fluid energy conversion and management system for converting solar energy to electric and thermal energy, the system comprising: a core component that includes (i) a photovoltaic layer for converting solar energy into electrical energy, (ii) a gas thermal exchange layer containing a plurality of channels comprising a gas for heat transfer into gas media, (iii) a liquid thermal exchange layer containing a plurality of channels comprising a liquid for heat transfer into liquid media; wherein each of the thermal exchange layers are in operable thermal contact with at least one other layer; wherein the gas thermal exchange layer and the liquid thermal exchange layer are formed together as a single unit, the channels of the thermal exchange layers form a jagged pattern, and the operable thermal contact between the gas thermal exchange layer and the liquid thermal exchange layer occurs through a separator floor in the single unit; and a manifold component formed as a single unit operable for distributing thermal energy from the core component compilation of layers and channels; wherein each channel of the gas thermal exchange layer in the jagged pattern is disposed between two channels of the liquid thermal exchange layer.