KR20200083408A - light transporting media and solar power generation system adopting the media - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a solar power generation unit which can generate large-capacity power even in a limited space. The disclosed solar power generation unit comprises: at least one optical fiber provided with a light output region in which a light output window is formed and a light guide region for guiding light waves to the light output region; a tube-type housing having a space surrounding the light output region of the at least one optical fiber; and a power generation part including a solar panel provided on at least one side of the interior of the housing to generate power by the light waves incident from the light output region of the optical fiber.

Description

Light transporting media and solar power generation system adopting the media}

One or more embodiments relate to a light transport medium and a solar power system applying the same.

Photovoltaic power generation using solar energy, an infinite energy source, uses a panel or sheet provided with a large number of solar cells in a structure in which high-energy solar light enters. Such a photovoltaic power generation system does not have high photoelectric conversion efficiency, and therefore a very large installation area is required for large-capacity power generation.

The sunlight has a very wide range of wavelengths, including the visible range of 400 to 700 nm. In this aspect, the intensity is not constant for each wavelength band. Currently, high-purity crystalline silicon-based solar panels commonly used in photovoltaic power generation absorb about 90% only in the wavelength range of 500 to 850 nm, and have low or little efficiency for other wavelengths.

The solar panel unit of the photovoltaic power generation system is divided into a direct method of directly dimming the solar panel by directly reaching the plane of the solar panel and a condensing method of using a reflective mirror or a condensing lens on the solar panel. Direct sunlight is mainly applied to a solar power installation installed on a roof of a building or on the ground, but this is inferior to a light collecting method using a lens or a mirror. The condensing method that compensates for the shortcomings of the direct method should include a complex optical structure and a structure supporting the condensing structure. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of these conventional systems is high, and the shortening of the life of the solar panel due to high concentration cannot be avoided.

One or more embodiments efficiently use light and provide an optical transmission medium that can be used in various fields.

One or more embodiments (solar power generation unit) and a solar power generation system using the same (solar power generation unit) capable of generating a large amount of power even in a limited space of a small area using an optical transmission medium ).

Specifically, one or more embodiments include a bar type solar power generation unit capable of massive integration and a solar power system applying the same.

According to one or more embodiments,

Solar power unit;

At least one optical fiber having a light output region in which a light output window is formed and a light guide region for guiding light waves to the light output region;

A tube type housing having an inner space in which the optical fiber is located; And

A power generation part provided on at least one side of the inside of the housing and including a solar panel for generating power by light waves incident from an exit region of the optical fiber; It includes; a solar power generation unit comprising a.

According to one or more embodiments, the housing may have a circular, elliptical triangular, or more polygonal cross-sectional structure.

According to one or more embodiments, the housing has a plurality of walls forming the interior space, the optical fiber is located in a central area of the interior space of the housing, and the solar panel is installed on at least one of the plurality of walls. It can be formed or installed.

According to one or more embodiments, one or more protruding ribs supporting the optical fiber positioned in the interior space may be formed on the wall of the housing.

According to one or more embodiments, the light exit window may be provided by a continuous or discontinuous groove formed in a spiral shape on the outer peripheral surface of the optical fiber.

According to one or more embodiments, the housing has a plurality of walls surrounding the optical fiber, the optical fiber is located in at least one of a plurality of corners between the walls in the interior space, and the plurality of walls A solar panel through which light from the optical fiber is incident may be formed or installed on at least one of them.

According to one or more embodiments, the inner space of the tube-shaped housing surrounding the inner space of the housing has a wavy corrugated inner wall, and a solar panel may be formed on the inner wall.

According to one or more embodiments, a rib supporting an optical fiber may be formed on the inner wall of the housing.

According to one or more embodiments, the housing has a wavy corrugated inner wall, the solar panel is formed on the inner wall, and the optical fiber can be spaced apart from the inner wall.

According to one or more embodiments, the inside of the housing is isolated from the outside by a sealing part to maintain an air tightly state, and the internal air pressure is lower to the outside, for example, vacuum You can keep it.

According to one or more embodiments, the power generation unit may include a solid solar panel or a flexible solar panel.

According to one or more embodiments, the power generation unit may include an organic polymer or an inorganic semiconductor solar cell.

According to one or more embodiments, the power generation unit may include an amorphous or polycrystalline silicon-based solar panel.

According to one or more embodiments, the power generation unit may include an organic polymer or inorganic compound solar panel formed on a substrate on a flexible metal or inorganic film.

According to one or more embodiments, the power generation unit may include a perovskite solar panel.

According to one or more embodiments, the power generation unit may include a dye-sensitized solar cell.

According to one or more embodiments, the power generation unit may include a photoelectric conversion material formed directly on the inner wall of the housing.

According to one or more embodiments, a solar power system comprises;

At least one optical fiber having a light output region in which an outgoing light window is formed and a light guide region for guiding light waves to the light output region, of the at least one optical fiber Power generation including a tube type housing having a space surrounding the light exit area, and a solar panel provided on at least one side of the housing to generate power by light waves incident from the light exit area of the optical fiber A solar power structure including a plurality of power generation parts; And

And an optical structure that converges sunlight to a light guide region of the optical fiber to supply light waves to the solar power unit.

According to one or more embodiments, the end portions of the light guide portions of the optical fiber extended to the power generation unit are integrated into one or more bundles, and thus the light incident surface by the integration of the facets of the multiple optical fibers One or more light incident portions having a light incident surface may be formed, and light waves may be concentrated by an optical structure on the light incident surface of the light incident portion.

According to one or more embodiments, the optical structure: may include a condensing lens focusing light waves at the optical fiber end of the solar power unit.

According to one or more embodiments, a solar power unit and system in the form of a circular pillar or a square pillar is provided. This power generation unit has a structure in which a solpa panel is arranged around a space in which one or more optical fibers are located. The bar-type photovoltaic power generation unit can be integrated three-dimensionally, so that large-capacity power generation is possible in a narrow space, and the main body of the power generation system excluding the light entrance surface can be installed indoors. According to such a photovoltaic power generation unit, a large-capacity photovoltaic power plant and a medium-sized and small-sized power generation system can be popularly distributed while significantly reducing mobility, cost, and installation area. In particular, in order to secure a small area when installing a conventional solar power plant, it is possible to innovatively improve the increase in management costs due to the degradation of the environment and the decrease in life due to changes in the surrounding environment. Furthermore, it is effective in a wide range of applications such as solar energy for home use, solar power generation in areas where it is difficult to secure a site, space engineering, large ships, electric vehicles, and portable electric products.

1 is a perspective view showing a concept of a power generation system by a single optical fiber and a plurality of solar panels surrounding it according to an exemplary embodiment.
Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II in Fig. 1 showing the relationship between the optical fiber and the solar panel.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining the progress (emission) of light waves through the light exit window of the light exit region and the light wave entrance to the core of the optical fiber in the light guide region Ri.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the optical fiber shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber shown in Fig. 3;
6 illustrates an optical fiber having a spiral light output portion formed in a clad according to one embodiment.
7 schematically shows a solar power unit in the form of a square bar according to one embodiment.
Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 7;
FIG. 9 shows the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 in three dimensions.
10 shows a partial structure of a photovoltaic unit in which a plurality of optical fibers are installed inside a housing according to another embodiment.
FIG. 11 illustrates an optical fiber that can be applied to the photovoltaic power generation unit shown in FIG. 10.
Fig. 12 illustrates the light exit direction from the optical fiber in the space inside the housing.
13 is a three-dimensional view of the internal structure of a schematic housing of a photovoltaic unit according to another embodiment.
Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 13;
15 schematically illustrates the structure of a housing of a photovoltaic unit according to another embodiment.
16 schematically shows a solar power structure of a power generation system by a plurality of solar power units.
FIG. 17 partially shows the lower portion of the solar power structure shown in FIG. 16.
18 illustrates a schematic configuration of a solar power system according to an exemplary embodiment.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, embodiments of the inventive concept may be modified in various other forms, and the scope of the inventive concept should not be interpreted as being limited by the embodiments described below. It is preferred that the embodiments of the inventive concept be interpreted as being provided to more fully explain the inventive concept to a person skilled in the art. The same sign means the same element. Furthermore, various elements and areas in the drawings are schematically drawn. Therefore, the concept of the present invention is not limited by the relative size or spacing drawn in the accompanying drawings.

Terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from other components. For example, the first component may be referred to as a second component, and the second component may be referred to as a first component without departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

The terms used in this application are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the concept of the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the expression “comprises” or “haves” is intended to indicate that a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification exists, or that one or more other features or It should be understood that the presence or addition possibilities of the number, operation, components, parts or combinations thereof are not excluded in advance.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the inventive concept belongs, including technical terms and scientific terms. In addition, commonly used terms, as defined in the dictionary, should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with what they mean in the context of related technologies, and in excessively formal meanings unless explicitly defined herein. It will be understood that it should not be interpreted.

When an embodiment can be implemented differently, a specific process order may be performed differently from the described order. For example, two processes described in succession may be performed substantially simultaneously, or may be performed in an order opposite to that described.

In the accompanying drawings, for example, depending on manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, deformations of the illustrated shapes can be expected. Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to a specific shape of a region shown in the present specification, but should include a change in shape resulting from, for example, a manufacturing process. All terms “and/or” as used herein include each and every combination of one or more of the components mentioned. In addition, the term "substrate" as used herein may mean a laminate structure including a substrate itself, or a predetermined layer or film formed on the substrate and its surface. In addition, in this specification, the term “surface of the substrate” may mean an exposed surface of the substrate itself, or an outer surface of a predetermined layer or film formed on the substrate. In addition, what is described as "upper" or "upper" may include not only that which is directly above in contact, but also that which is above in a non-contact manner.

The solar panel or the solar cell of the power generation unit applied to the exemplary embodiments described below is not limited to a specific structure. That is, the solar panel applied to one or more embodiments can be replaced with any type of photoelectric conversion device or photoelectric conversion element that generates electricity by light waves.

According to preferred embodiments, the power generation unit may include a solid solar panel including a rigid substrate or a flexible solar panel including a flexible substrate. According to another embodiment, the power generation unit may include an organic polymer or an inorganic semiconductor solar cell. According to another embodiment, the power generation unit may include an amorphous or polycrystalline silicon-based solar panel. According to one or more embodiments, the power generation unit may include an organic polymer or an inorganic compound photoelectric conversion material formed on a substrate on a flexible metal or inorganic film. According to one or more embodiments, the power generation unit may include a perovskite solar panel or a dye-sensitized solar panel. According to one or more embodiments, the power generation unit is directly formed on the inner wall of the housing. Of course, it may include a photoelectric conversion structure, and the solar panel or solar cell mentioned in the following description is not limited to the specific structure as described above.

1 is a perspective view showing the concept of a power generation system by a single optical fiber and a plurality of solar panels surrounding it according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a view showing the relationship between the optical fiber and the solar panel II of FIG. 1 It is a line section.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of light exit windows 11c through which the light waves 1 pass are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the light exit area Ro of the optical fiber 11, and a number of solar cells are formed around the optical fiber 11. The power generation unit by the panel 30 is arranged. Here, a portion of the optical fiber partially or wholly enclosed by the solar panel 30 corresponds to the light emitting portion or the light emitting region Ro, and the portion where the light wave 1 is injected is the light guide portion or the light guiding region ( Ri).

The light wave 1 is injected into the light guiding region Ri through the core 11a of the optical fiber 11, and a part of the light wave 1 that has progressed through the core 11a in the light exit region RO is the core 11a ) Passes through the light exit window 11c formed in the clad 11b covering it.

The light exit window 11c of the light exit area Ro is formed by partial removal of the clad 11b, and the core 11a is exposed at the bottom. In this embodiment, corresponding to the four solar panels 30 arranged in four directions, the light output portion 11c of the optical fiber 11 is formed in four radial directions.

The solar panels 30 are disposed on a light wave traveling path from the light exit window 11c of the optical fiber 11. The number of the solar panels 30 is not limited, and according to another embodiment, two or three or four, or more, are provided so that the light emitting area of the optical fiber 11 is partially or entirely the solar panel ( 30). In addition, according to another exemplary embodiment, the solar panel 30 may be installed inside a rectangular pillar or a polygonal pillar-shaped housing 12 having a plurality of walls 12a surrounding the optical fiber 11.

The optical fiber 11 is installed in an inner space provided by the housing 12 or a plurality of solar panels 30 therein to supply the light wave 1 to all the solar panels 30.

FIG. 3 illustrates the incidence (emission) of light waves through the light exit window 11c of the light wave 1 from the light guide area Ri to the core 11a of the light fiber 11 and the light exit area Ro. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the optical fiber 11, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber 11.

3, 4, and 5, the core 11a through which the light wave 1 travels is covered with the clad 11b. The clad 11b traps the light wave 1 in the core 11a through interfacial reflection to guide the light wave to proceed inside the core 11a. The surface of the core 11a is exposed at the bottom or the bottom of the light exit window 11c formed in the clad 11b in the light exit region, and thus a portion of the light wave 1 traveling through the core 11a is exposed to this part. Comes out to the outside.

Fig. 6 illustrates an optical fiber 11 having a spiral outgoing portion 11d formed on a clad. The spiral light output portion 11d may be formed by a groove formed in a spiral shape while rotating the outer circumferential surface of the optical fiber 11. This groove may be formed continuously throughout the optical fiber outer circumferential surface or may be partially cut off to form a discontinuity in the clad. However, it should be understood that various embodiments are not technically limited by an exit window of a specific structure or shape formed in the clad.

7 schematically illustrates a photovoltaic unit in the form of a square bar according to one embodiment.

The photovoltaic unit 10 shown in FIG. 7 includes a housing 12 having a plurality of walls 12a forming an interior space in which the light exit area Ro of the optical fiber 11 is embedded. Inside the housing 12, as mentioned in the description of FIGS. 1 and 2, one or more solar panels 30 that partially or wholly enclose the light exit area Ro of the optical fiber 11 are disposed. .

The sealing member or the end caps 13 and 14 are coupled to both ends of the housing 12, and the optical fiber 11 penetrates the end cap 13 on one side. In the end caps 13 and 14, the inner space of the housing 12 is isolated from the outside, and may be in a vacuum state. The space inside the housing 12 in a vacuum state prevents light scattering or absorption by moisture or foreign matters, thereby increasing light utilization efficiency for power generation.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional view of the sectional view in FIG.

7, 8, and 9, the housing 12 has a shape of a square bar having a square cross section, and the light exit area of the optical fiber 11 is located at the center thereof. Then, diagonal ribs lib and 12a extending from the four corners of the housing toward the inner center extend a predetermined length to support the optical fiber 11 provided at the inner center of the housing. Then, the solar panel 30 is installed on each of the inner surfaces of the four walls 12a inside the housing 12.

The solar panel 30 is not limited by a specific material or structure, and may be installed on an inner wall of the housing 12 in a state of a finished body formed on a separate substrate, and according to another embodiment, the housing ( It may be formed by coating the photoelectric conversion material and the electrodes on both sides of the inner wall itself.

FIG. 10 shows a partial structure of a photovoltaic unit in which a plurality of optical fibers are installed inside a housing according to another embodiment, and FIG. 11 illustrates an optical fiber that can be applied to the photovoltaic unit shown in FIG. And Fig. 12 illustrates the light exit direction from the optical fiber in the housing.

Referring to FIG. 10, a solar panel 30 is installed or formed on the inner wall of the rectangular hollow rod-shaped housing 12. Then, the optical fibers 11 are installed at four corners of the inner side of the housing 12. In this structure, as shown in FIG. 11, an optical fiber 11 in which an outgoing light window 11c in which light waves are emitted only in one direction is formed is applied. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, the optical fiber 11 causes the light output direction (arrow) to face the interior space of the housing 12. At this time, the light output direction is deviated from the inner center (solid arrow) or two opposite sides. It can be oriented to face any one of the solar panels (dotted arrow).

13 is a three-dimensional view of the internal structure of a schematic housing of a photovoltaic unit according to another embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 13.

13 and 14, the housing 15 has a shape of a circular or elliptical pipe or tube, and has a plurality of ribs 15a extending in the direction from the inner wall of the housing 15 to its center at its inner center. The optical fiber 11 supported by it is located, and a solar panel 33 is attached or formed on its inner surface of the housing 15. The solar panel 30 may be formed directly on the inner wall as a laminated structure including a photoelectric conversion material and an electrode on the inner wall itself of the housing 15, and according to another embodiment, the flexible solar panel is based on a flexible film. Can be replaced by panels. In this embodiment, the difference in the traveling distance of the light wave for each solar panel portion from the optical fiber 11 is smaller than the difference in the traveling distance in the solar power unit of the rectangular housing of the above-described embodiment.

15 schematically illustrates the structure of a housing of a photovoltaic unit according to another embodiment. The housing 16 in this embodiment has a hollow cylindrical shape, and an inner wall 16a of a corrugated shape is formed therein. Therefore, in the cross section of the housing, the space inside the housing has a corrugated wavy or star shape. According to this structure, the wavy inner wall 16a thus has a largely expanded area.

A photoelectric conversion structure for solar power generation may be stacked on the corrugated inner wall 16a, and one or more of the above-described various types of optical fibers may be installed therein.

In addition, the protrusion of the inner wall of the corrugation can support the optical fiber located in the central region of the inner space.

FIG. 16 schematically shows a solar power structure of a power generation system by a plurality of photovoltaic units, and FIG. 17 partially shows a lower portion of the solar power structure shown in FIG.

16 and 17, the photovoltaic power generation units 10 aligned in one direction (up and down in the drawing) are arranged in a plurality of two-dimensional clusters on one plane. The photovoltaic power generation unit 10 includes a square tube-shaped housing 12 and an optical fiber in which the light exit area Ro on one side thereof is located inside the housing 12. The photovoltaic power generation unit 10 is densely packed in two directions to realize a large-scale solar power generation structure 40.

In the solar power generation structure shown in FIG. 16, the light guide regions Ri of the myriad of optical fibers 11 provided thereon are bundled (bundled) into one or a plurality of bundles. Converge.

18 is a schematic configuration diagram of a power generation system to which the solar power generation structures shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 are applied.

As shown in FIG. 18, the outer optical fiber of the solar power generating structure 40 shown in FIG. 16, that is, the front end portion of the optical guide portion Ri of the optical fiber is bundled into one, resulting in integration of the facets of the multiple optical fibers. One common light incidence surface or light incidence part 41 is formed, and an optical system 50 for converging sunlight to the light incidence part 41 is installed.

In the exemplary embodiment as described above, the solar panel of the solar power unit may employ a well-known perovskite solar panel or cell. The perovskite solar panel or solar cell contains a perovskite structural compound.

Although shown and described in relation to a specific embodiment in the present disclosure, it is understood in the art that the present invention can be variously improved and changed within the limits that do not depart from the spirit or field of the present invention provided by the following claims. It is intended to be revealed that a person with ordinary knowledge can easily know.

Claims (16)

An optical fiber including a core having a predetermined length through which light travels;
It is provided in one region of the optical fiber, and one or more light exit windows that refract the light passing through the core to the outside of the optical fiber are formed in a form surrounding the core around the light traveling direction. A light output region; And
A light guide region guiding light incident from one side of the core to the light exit region; Optical transport medium containing. According to claim 1,
The optical fiber includes a clad covering the core, and the light exit window is formed in the clad. According to claim 2,
The light exit window is provided by a groove formed in the clad, the light transport medium. According to claim 3,
The groove has a continuous spiral or discontinuous discontinuous spiral or helix shape. According to claim 1,
The light exit window has a spiral shape surrounding the core, the light transport medium. The optical transport medium according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
A tube type housing having an inner space in which the light transport medium is located; And
A power generation part provided on at least one side of the inside of the housing and including a solar panel for generating power by light waves incident from an exit region of the optical fiber; Solar power generation unit comprising a. The method of claim 6,
The inner space of the tube-shaped housing surrounding the inner space of the housing has a wavy corrugated inner wall,
Solar power generation unit, wherein a solar panel is formed on the inner wall The method of claim 6,
The inner wall of the housing is formed with a rib for supporting the light transport medium,
Solar power generation unit, wherein a solar panel is formed on the inner wall and rib of the housing The method of claim 6,
The housing has a wavy corrugated inner wall,
The solar panel is formed on the inner wall, and the light transport medium is spaced apart from the inner wall. The method of claim 6,
The inner space of the housing is isolated from the outside by an end cap to maintain an air tightly or vacuum state. The solar power generation unit according to claim 6; And
And an optical structure that converges sunlight to a light guide region of the optical fiber to supply light waves to the solar power unit. The method of claim 11,
The housing has a cross-sectional shape of any one of rectangular, polygonal, circular, and oval, solar power system. The method of claim 11,
The housing has a number of walls forming the interior space,
The optical fiber is located in a central region of the inner space of the housing,
The solar panel is formed or installed on at least one of the plurality of walls, a solar power system. The method of claim 12,
The wall of the housing is formed with one or more protruding ribs (lib) for supporting the optical fibers located in the interior space, a solar power system. The method of claim 12,
The housing has a number of walls surrounding the optical fiber,
The optical fiber is located in at least one of a plurality of corners between the walls in the interior space,
A photovoltaic power generation system in which a solar panel in which light from the optical fiber is incident is formed or installed on at least one of the plurality of walls. The method of claim 12,
The inner space of the housing is isolated from the outside by an end cap to maintain an air tightly or vacuum state, a solar power system.

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