Abstract:
A solar energy power supply system includes a solar battery, an electrolyte supply device, an electrolyte recycling device, a hydrogen recycling device, a fuel cell, a heating device and a power management device. Electric power generation is accomplished by first activating the electrolyte supply device to inject electrolyte into the solar battery. The electrolyte is a compound of water and a photo catalyst. The solar battery receives light or heat to generate electric power. Water vapor and hydrogen are generated and recycled through the electrolyte recycling device and the hydrogen recycling device. When the light or heat is not available the recycled hydrogen gas is delivered to the fuel cell to continuously generate the electric power or the heating device provides heat to the solar battery to continuously generate electric power. Electric current generated by the solar battery and fuel cell is controlled by the power management device to comply with electric power specification for final usage.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a solar energy power supply system and particularly to a power supply system that utilizes the heat of solar energy to automatically supply electrolyte so that a solar battery can generate electric power by light or heat. The system has a hydrogen recycling device which provides recycled hydrogen to a fuel cell to continuously generate the electric power when light and heat are not available, or provides heat to the solar battery by a heating device to continuously generate the electric power. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The conventional solar energy power supply system generally includes a solar battery that contains a solar module formed by a plurality of solar cells (silicon chips at a thickness of 0.3 mm) on a glass panel. The quantity of the solar cells coupled in series and parallel determines the voltage and current values of the solar module. In the event that any one of the series or parallel connection point is defective, total performance will be seriously affected. During fabrication process the delicate chips are easily damaged. Moreover, the solar module almost is not functional when sun light is not available. It also stops functioning when the temperature is higher than 90-100. The crystallized solar cells must have their light receiving surface laid on a same plane. In the event that a portion thereof is shaded or masked, power output declines or stops. Furthermore, a vast size of solar cells is needed for the solar module to generate high electric power. It has only one light receiving surface which must face the direction of sun constantly to get a desired efficiency. Power supply at night relies on the power stored in a storage battery which charged during day time by the solar battery. The amount of stored power is greatly affected by weather conditions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The primary object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the conventional solar energy power supply system by providing a novel solar energy power supply system that is a full time power supply system to improve practicality. 
         [0004]    The solar energy power supply system of the present invention includes a solar battery which is an improved version of the one previously proposed by Applicant (U.K patent No. GB2418056). A photo catalyst is added to the electrolyte and a transparent and heat-resistant insulation shell is provided to encase a positive electrode substrate, a negative electrode substrate and the electrolyte. It can receive light or heat to enhance electric power generation. 
         [0005]    According to the solar energy power supply system of the present invention, the solar battery can generate electric power day and night as long as light or heat is available. It is simply constructed and sturdy, and is not affected by partial shading. It has multiple light receiving surfaces and its electric power generation is further enhanced at high temperature of 90-100 or above. It overcomes the drawbacks of the conventional solar module. It also coupled with an electrolyte supply device, an electrolyte recycling device, a hydrogen recycling device, a fuel cell, a heating device and a power management device to become a more comprehensive solar energy power supply system. 
         [0006]    The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the solar energy power supply system of the present invention to generate electric power in a condition of no light or heat. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the solar energy power supply system of the present invention to generate electric power in a condition of receiving sunlight or heat. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the solar energy power supply system of the present invention to generate electric power through heat produced by the stored hydrogen gas. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of the solar energy power supply system of the present invention to generate electric power through a fuel cell by using the stored hydrogen gas. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of an embodiment of the solar battery of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the solar battery of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the solar energy power supply system according to the present invention includes a solar battery  1 , an electrolyte supply device  2 , an electrolyte recycling device  3 , a hydrogen recycling device  4 , a fuel cell  5 , a heating device  6  and a power management device  7 . 
         [0014]    The solar battery  1  includes a positive electrode substrate  11  which is a low potential conductor with oxidation-resistant or a low potential conductor that is oxidation-resistant but can activate or ionize water, a negative electrode substrate  12  which is a high potential conductor, a film  13  which is a porous or osmotic layer covering the negative electrode substrate  12 , electrolyte  15  which is a compound consisting of water or weak acid and a photo catalyst and a non-photo catalyst, an insulation shell  14  which is a container made from a transparent and heat-resistant material to receive light and heat from multiple sides to cover the positive electrode substrate  11 , negative electrode substrate  12  and electrolyte  15 , and has at least one connection port, a water absorbent  16  to adsorb the electrolyte  15 , a safety valve  17  and a permanent magnet  8 . When the pressure of hydrogen gas and water vapor  9  inside the insulation shell  14  is higher than a preset pressure, the safety valve  17  automatically opens to release the pressure to the atmosphere. The permanent magnet  8  generates a magnetic field to activate or ionize water. 
         [0015]    The solar battery  1  generates ions from the water or weak acid by the photo catalyst and non-photo catalyst that serve as electricity transfer media in the battery and become the source of power supply of the battery through the potential difference between the positive electrode substrate  11  and the negative electrode substrate  12 . During generation of the electric power the water vapor  9  is produced. A portion of the water may also be electrolyzed to produce hydrogen and oxygen gases. 
         [0016]    The photo catalyst can activate or ionize water in the electrolyte  15  when light exists, and can enhance activation or ionization of water when heat is applied. It includes at least TiO2, ZnO, SnO2, ZrO2, CdS or ZnS formed at a nanometer scale. The non-photo catalyst also can activate or ionize water in the electrolyte  15  when light or heat is not available. It includes at least infrared nano ceramics, nano anion material, nano carbon, nano carbon tubes, nano silver ions, nano gold ions, active carbon, an acid root or the like. The positive electrode substrate  11  may be a conductor capable of emitting electromagnetic waves or a compound formed by mixing the material of the non-photo catalyst (except acid root) with conductor particles or fibers according to a suitable ratio. In the event that a water absorbing conductor (such as active carbon or fibers thereof) capable of activating or ionizing water is used as the positive electrode substrate  11 , it can replace the absorbent  16 . 
         [0017]    The voltage value and the potential difference between the positive electrode substrate  11  and the negative electrode substrate  12  is direct proportional, but is inverse proportional against the distance between the two. Hence the positive electrode substrate  11  is preferably made from a conductor of a low potential that is oxidation-resistant. The negative electrode substrate  12  is preferably made from a conductor of a high potential (such as aluminum, zinc, alloys of aluminum and zinc, alloys of aluminum and zinc and lithium, alloys of aluminum and zinc and magnesium, alloys of aluminum and zinc and lithium and magnesium, alloys of aluminum and lithium, alloys of aluminum and magnesium, alloys of aluminum and lithium and magnesium, alloys of zinc and lithium, alloys of zinc and magnesium, or alloys of zinc and lithium and magnesium). The film  13  is a polymer membrane or proton exchange membrane or a conversion coating, or the like. 
         [0018]    The electrolyte supply device  2  includes a cylinder  21 , a piston  22 , an actuator  23 , an injection orifice  24  and a first check valve  25 . The actuator  23  is a shape memory alloy or bimetal and has an expandable shape under heat. The electrolyte  15  is injected through the injection orifice  24 . The actuator  23  expands under heat to push the piston  22  to deliver the electrolyte  15  from the cylinder  21  to the insulation shell  14  through a tubing b (which connects the electrolyte supply device  2  to the solar battery  1 ) to replenish the electrolyte  15 . On the other hand, when the heat is absent, the actuator  23  retracts, and the piston  22  withdraws the electrolyte  15  from the insulation shell  14  to the cylinder  21  through the tubing b. 
         [0019]    The electrolyte recycling device  3  includes a cooler  31  and a first recycling tubing c. 
         [0020]    The hydrogen recycling device  4  includes a container  41 , a second check valve  42  and a filter  43 . The filter  43  filters out impurities from the hydrogen gas so that only hydrogen gas is allowed to pass through. 
         [0021]    The fuel cell  5  has a third check valve  51 , a first solenoid valve  52  and a second recycling tubing e. 
         [0022]    The heating device  6  includes an automatic igniter  61 , a gas nozzle  62  and a second solenoid valve  63 . 
         [0023]    The power management device  7  includes a controller  71 , a DC socket  72 , an AC socket  73  and a storage battery  74 . The controller  71  aims to charge the storage battery  74  with electric current generated by the solar battery  1  and fuel cell  5  through a circuit m. The storage battery  74  also delivers the stored electric power through the circuit m to the controller  71  to supply AC and DC power to the AC socket  73  and DC socket  72 , and controls power ON/OFF of the first solenoid valve  52 , automatic igniter  61  and second solenoid valve  63  through circuits k, j and i. The first, second, and third check valves  25 ,  42  and  51  force fluid to flow according to a set direction (such as the ones indicated by the arrows shown in  FIG. 4 ) without flowing backwards. 
         [0024]    Refer to  FIG. 1  for the electric power generating process of the solar energy power supply system of the present invention in a condition of no light or heat. 
         [0025]    The actuator  23  retracts, the absorbent  16  adsorbs the electrolyte  15 , the permanent magnet  8  and the non-photo catalyst in the electrolyte  15  activate or ionize water in the electrolyte  15  to become ions. A potential difference occurs between the positive electrode substrate  11  and negative electrode substrate  12 , electric current is sent to the controller  71  through a circuit g, and to charge the storage battery  74  through the circuit m. Meanwhile hydrogen gas and water vapor  9  are generated and sent to the cooler  31  through a tubing a (which connects the electrolyte recycling device  3  to the solar battery  1 ). The water vapor is cooled and condensed to become liquid water to be sent to the insulation shell  14  through the first recycling tubing c. The hydrogen gas is sent to the container  41  through a tubing d (which connects the hydrogen recycling device  4  to the electrolyte recycling device  3 ). 
         [0026]    Refer to  FIG. 2  for the electric power generating process of the solar energy power supply system of the present invention in a condition of receiving sunlight or heat. 
         [0027]    The actuator  23  expands under heat to push the piston  22 , and the electrolyte  15  is delivered to the insulation shell  14  (i.e. the solar battery  1 ) from the cylinder  21  through the tubing b. The permanent magnet  8  and the photo catalyst and non-photo catalyst in the electrolyte  15  quickly activate or ionize water in the electrolyte  15  to become ions. A potential difference occurs between the positive electrode substrate  11  and negative electrode substrate  12 , electric current is sent to the controller  71  through the circuit g, and to charge the storage battery  74  through the circuit m. Meanwhile hydrogen gas and water vapor  9  are generated and sent to the cooler  31  through the tubing a. The water vapor is cooled and condensed to become liquid water to be sent to the insulation shell  14  through the first recycling tubing c. The electrolyte  15  is expanded under heat and overflows to the cooler  31  through the tubing a, and is sent to the insulation shell  14  though the first recycling tubing c. The hydrogen gas is sent to the container  41  through the tubing d. 
         [0028]    Refer to  FIG. 3  for the electric power generating process of the solar energy power supply system of the present invention through heat produced by the stored hydrogen gas in the condition of no light or heat. 
         [0029]    The storage battery  74  delivers the stored electric power to the controller  71  through the circuit m. The controller  71  activates the second solenoid valve  63  through the circuit i. The hydrogen gas is sent from the container  41  to the gas nozzle  62  through a tubing f (which connects the hydrogen recycling device  4  to the heating device  6 ). The controller  71  activates the automatic igniter  61  through the circuit j to burn the hydrogen gas to provide heat for the solar battery  1  and electrolyte supply device  2 . The actuator  23  expands under heat to push the piston  22 , and the electrolyte  15  is sent to the insulation shell  14  from the cylinder  21  through the tubing b. The permanent magnet  8  and the photo catalyst and non-photo catalyst in the electrolyte  15  quickly activate or ionize water in the electrolyte  15  to become ions. A potential difference occurs between the positive electrode substrate  11  and negative electrode substrate  12 , electric current is sent to the controller  71  through the circuit g. Meanwhile hydrogen gas and water vapor  9  are generated and sent to the cooler  31  through the tubing a. The water vapor is cooled and condensed to become liquid water to be sent to the insulation shell  14  through the first recycling tubing c. The electrolyte  15  is expanded under heat and overflows to the cooler  31  through the tubing a, and is delivered to the insulation shell  14  through the first recycling tubing c. The hydrogen gas is sent to the container  41  through the tubing d. 
         [0030]    Refer to  FIG. 4  for the electric power generating process of the solar energy power supply system of the present invention through a fuel cell  5  by using stored hydrogen gas in the no light or heat condition. 
         [0031]    The actuator  23  retracts, the storage battery  74  delivers the stored electric power to the controller  71  through the circuit m. The controller  71  activates the first solenoid valve  52  through the circuit k. The hydrogen gas is sent from the container  41  to the fuel cell  5  through the tubing f (which connects the fuel cell  5  to the hydrogen recycling device  4 ). The fuel cell  5  generates electric current which is delivered to the controller  71  through a circuit h. Water or water vapor being generated is sent to the cooler  31  through the second recycling tubing e. After cooling, water is sent to the insulation shell  14  through the first recycling tubing c. 
         [0032]    Refer to  FIG. 5  for an embodiment of the solar battery of the present invention. In this embodiment the solar battery  1   a  differs from the solar battery  1  shown in  FIG. 1  by having the positive electrode substrate  11   a  serving as the shell. 
         [0033]    The solar battery la includes a positive electrode substrate  11   a  which is a low potential conductor with oxidation-resistant or a low potential conductor that is oxidation-resistant but can activate or ionize water, a negative electrode substrate  12  which is a high potential conductor, a film  13  which is a porous or osmotic layer covering the negative electrode substrate  12 , a shell which is also the positive electrode substrate  11   a  to cover the negative electrode substrate  12  and electrolyte  15  and has at least one connection port, an insulation member  14   b  located on the connecting surface of the positive electrode substrate  11   a  and negative electrode substrate  12  to prevent short circuit, the electrolyte  15  which is a compound consisting of water or weak acid and a photo catalyst and a non-photo catalyst, a safety valve  17  which automatically opens when the pressure of hydrogen gas and water vapor  9  in the positive electrode substrate  11   a  is greater than a preset pressure to release the pressure in the atmosphere, and a permanent magnet  8  to generate a magnetic field to activate or ionize water. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  shows another embodiment of the solar battery of the present invention. The solar battery  1   b  in this embodiment differs from the solar battery  1   a  depicted in  FIG. 5  by adding an absorbent  16  between the positive electrode substrate  11   a  and the film  13  of the negative electrode substrate  12 , and the positive electrode substrate  11   a  is covered by a conductive shell  14   a  to serve as the shell. 
         [0035]    When the solar battery  1  receives light or heat electric power generation increases. However, the solar batteries  1   a  and  1   b  increase electric power generation only when heat is applied. 
         [0036]    The film  13  in the embodiments set forth above further includes an additive (a nano scale photo catalyst or a nano scale non-photo catalyst) to enhance water activating or ionizing efficiency. 
         [0037]    In short, the solar energy power supply system of the present invention can generate electric power whether light or heat is available or not. It is a full time power supply system. In practice it can be assembled to form various combinations according to different requirements of product sizes, costs, utilization or the like. The operation principle remains unchanged.