Patent ID: 8704081
Filing Date: 2014-04-22
Classification: F24S,H01L,H02S,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A light energy conversion (LEC) system for generating electrical and thermal energy, the system comprising: a fluid circuit including upstream and downstream fluidic ports, the fluid circuit configured to allow a working fluid to flow therethrough; a plurality of point-focus primary optical elements configured to concentrate light energy toward corresponding point-focal regions; and a plurality of receiver units for converting the concentrated light energy into electrical and thermal energy, wherein the plurality of receiver units include first and second receiver units fluidicly coupled in series along the fluid circuit such that the working fluid progressively absorbs thermal energy while flowing through the first and second receiver units, an amount of thermal energy in the working fluid exiting the second receiver unit being greater than an amount of thermal energy in the working fluid exiting the first receiver unit; wherein the first receiver unit includes an energy conversion member and a secondary optical element having a fixed position with respect to the energy conversion member, the first receiver unit also including inlet and outlet fluidic ports, the inlet and upstream fluidic ports forming a sealed engagement through an interference fit and the outlet and downstream fluidic ports forming a sealed engagement through an interference fit, wherein the first receiver unit is removably coupled to the fluid circuit, the first receiver unit receiving light energy from one of the primary optical elements and being movable with respect to said primary optical element when the first receiver unit is removed from the fluid circuit; wherein the fluid circuit includes a unit holder having a body with an open end, the inlet and outlet fluidic ports of the first receiver unit forming respective interference fits with the upstream and downstream fluidic ports when the first receiver unit is advanced in an axial direction into the open end of the body and plugged into the unit holder.