TW201703423A - Thermophotovoltaic generator - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a thermal-radiation light source structure for reducing radiation and heat dissipation that do not contribute to power generation in a thermophotovoltaic generation, and also provided is an optimum thermophotovoltaic generator using the thermal-radiation light source structure. The thermophotovoltaic generator has a thermal radiation light source 1 and a solar battery cell 2 and generates power in such a way that: the thermal radiation light source 1 is irradiated with light 4 collected by a collecting lens 3 to accumulate the light 4; and the solar battery cell 2 is irradiated with radiation light from the thermal radiation light source 1. The thermal radiation light source 1 is provided with: an absorber 11 for receiving light; a light blocking member 12 made close contact with and connected to the absorber 11 so as to be thermally conductive; a heat conduction member 13 made close contact with and connected to the light blocking member 12 so as to be thermally conductive; and a heat-light conversion element 14 made close contact with and connected to the heat conduction member 13 so as to be thermally conductive and converting the heat received from the heat conduction member 13 to light. The solar battery cell 2 is provided in parallel with the radiation surface of the heat-light conversion element 14 while facing the radiation surface of the heat-light conversion element 14 so as to be able to receive the radiation light radiated from the heat-light conversion element 14 of the thermal radiation light source 1.

Description

Thermal generator

The present invention relates to a thermal generator that converts heat into light.

Generally, when an object is heated, light having a spectrum of a substance constituting the object and a temperature of the object is generated, that is, radiation is generated. A method of generating this radiant light by solar cells and generating electricity is called thermal power generation (TPV) (Patent Document 1). As a heating method of a substance for obtaining radiation, for example, sunlight or various combustion flames are used, and heat is emitted as a by-product of other industrial activities.

The radiant light has a substance that becomes an object of its light source, and an illuminating spectrum that is defined by the temperature of the object. In general, when a normal object is heated as a light source, the luminescence spectrum has a distribution over a wide wavelength band.

In the conventional thermal power generation, a semiconductor such as a metal such as tantalum or tungsten or a semiconductor such as tantalum carbide is used as a light source, and an insulator is used, and a periodic structure is applied to such a metal or a semiconductor or an insulator. The method of controlling the radiation, etc. Solar energy In the pool unit, light that cannot be used for power generation is also emitted from the light source, and the light energy that cannot be utilized for power generation is discarded, and the power generation efficiency (photoelectric conversion efficiency) of the solar battery unit is lowered.

Therefore, a thermal power generator having a high photoelectric conversion efficiency is used as a thermo-optical conversion element (for example, a single element, a secondary element, a three-dimensional photonic crystal) which can obtain a light source having the desired peak wavelength of the radiation. This method is one in which a high photoelectric conversion efficiency can be obtained by combining a solar cell and a thermo-optical conversion element having radiation light suitable for the peak wavelength of the solar cell.

[Previous Technical Literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 4710161

However, this method has an effect of improving the photoelectric conversion efficiency due to the luminescence spectrum of the thermo-optical conversion element, but has a space for the heating method of the thermo-optical conversion element.

The photonic crystal system is, for example, a rod-shaped structure of tantalum. In order to use such a photonic crystal as a light source that can be industrially used as a thermo-optical conversion element, it is a combination of a substrate that holds the photonic crystal in combination, or a solar absorber that is converted into heat, and is transmitted from the absorber. This photonic crystal The heated heat conducting member or the like is required as a heat radiation source. At this time, the member constituting the heat radiation source, for example, the radiation or heat dissipation from the heat conduction member does not contribute to power generation, and is a loss of energy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a structure for reducing a heat radiation source that does not contribute to wasteful radiation or heat generation of such power generation in thermal power generation, and the use of such an optimum thermal generator.

The heat generator of the present invention for achieving the above object has a heat radiation source and a solar battery unit, and the light collected by the collecting lens is irradiated to the heat radiation source to be accumulated, and the radiation from the heat radiation source is radiated. The heat generator that generates light by the solar battery unit and generates electricity is characterized in that the heat radiation source has an absorber that receives light and a material that is thermally conductively connected to the absorber to transmit infrared light. a thermally conductive member configured to be thermally coupled to the heat conducting member, and converting heat received from the heat conducting member into a thermo-optic conversion element suitable for photoelectric conversion of the solar cell, wherein the solar cell The unit is a point at which the radiation light radiated by the aforementioned thermo-optical conversion element is light-receiving.

According to this characteristic configuration, light is received by the absorber, and light can be converted into heat efficiently. Further, the infrared ray-permeable material constitutes a heat-conducting member that conducts heat to the heat-converting element of the heat-absorbing member, thereby reducing radiation of infrared rays from the heat-conducting member, and further efficiently radiating the self-absorbing body. Communication to the thermo-optic conversion element By. Further, the thermal-thermal conversion element that transmits heat is radiated by a wavelength suitable for power generation of the solar cell unit, and the solar cell unit can receive light by receiving radiation, thereby achieving high photoelectric conversion efficiency. And the generator. As a result, it is possible to perform power generation with high power generation efficiency.

Further, the thermal generator according to the present invention is characterized in that between the absorber and the heat-conducting member, a light-blocking member that blocks radiation on the solar cell side within the heat radiation of the absorber is thermally conductively disposed. point.

According to this characteristic configuration, the thermal conductivity of the self-absorbing body to the heat-conducting member is improved, and the radiation on the solar cell side within the radiation of the self-absorbing body is blocked, and the sunlight can be efficiently converted into heat. Further, in the temperature of the absorber, the temperature of the thermo-optical conversion element is likely to rise, and the radiation of the heat-radiating light source can be improved while blocking the radiation on the photoelectric conversion unit side of the self-absorber. As a result, it is possible to perform power generation with high thermo-optical power generation efficiency.

A further feature of the thermal generator according to the present invention is that the thermo-optical conversion element is constituted by a photonic crystal.

According to the present feature, the photonic crystal functions as a thermo-optical conversion element, and emits radiation having an emission spectrum suitable for a strong wavelength of power generation in the solar cell, thereby improving photoelectric conversion in the solar cell. Efficiency.

The thermal generator of the present invention is further characterized by the opposite of the light-receiving surface of the solar cell unit that receives the aforementioned radiant light. The surface is provided with a point of a light reflector that reflects the transmitted light of the radiant light passing through the solar cell to the heat radiation source.

According to the present configuration, among the radiant light received by the solar cell, the solar cell can be electrically converted, and the light reflector reflects the transmitted light transmitted through the solar cell, and is irradiated to the heat source as reflected light. . Further, the heat radiation source that receives the reflected light is heated by the heat conducted by the heat conduction member and the radiation of the self-absorber and the reflected light of the received light. In other words, the heat radiation source converts the transmitted light, which is received as reflected light, into heat energy, and then converts it into radiation light. In this way, the loss of energy is reduced, and as a result, the generator can be performed with high thermo-optical power generation efficiency.

Further, the thermal generator according to the present invention is characterized in that the heat radiation source and the solar battery unit are disposed in a vacuum vessel.

According to this characteristic configuration, by using the periphery of the heat radiation source as a vacuum, heat conduction from the heat radiation source can be suppressed and the heat can be kept. In addition, it prevents radiation from being absorbed by the air.

A further feature of the thermal generator of the present invention is the point of having a light reflector that reflects light within the vacuum vessel.

According to the present feature, the light reflecting system provided inside reflects the radiation inside the container inside the container of the heat radiation source or other generators, and a part of the reflected light is reflected in the reverse reflection process. It is irradiated to the heat radiation source and converted into heat energy again. In addition, because it is inside the vacuum container, it can prevent the reflected light from being empty. The person absorbed by the gas.

1‧‧‧thermal radiation source

11‧‧‧Acceptor

12‧‧‧Light interrupting members

13‧‧‧Heat conductive members

14‧‧‧Thermal light conversion element

2‧‧‧Solar battery unit

3‧‧‧ Collecting lens

4‧‧‧Light

Fig. 1 is a view showing a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of a thermo-optical conversion element.

Fig. 3 is a view showing an example of an emission spectrum.

Fig. 4 is a view showing a second embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a view showing the power generation efficiency of the second embodiment.

[First Embodiment]

A heat generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 .

The thermal power generator according to the present embodiment has a solar battery cell as the heat radiation source 1 and the solar battery cell 2, and illuminates the light 4 collected by the collecting lens 3 to the heat radiation source 1 to be accumulated, and will be derived from the heat radiation. The radiation light of the light source 1 is irradiated toward the solar battery cell 2 to generate electricity.

The heat radiation source 1 is a flat-shaped absorber 11 that receives light and a flat plate-shaped crucible that is permeable to heat-conductingly connected to the light-blocking member 12 of the absorber 11, and is thermally conductive with the light-blocking member 12. Infrared infrared light formed by the plaque-like MgO of the heat conducting member 13 which is closely connected to the ground The line transparent glass is thermally and conductively connected to the heat conduction member 13, and the heat received from the heat conduction member 13 is converted into a thermo-optical conversion element 14 suitable for photoelectric conversion of the solar battery cell 2.

Further, the solar cell 2 is a thermo-optical conversion element 14 of the heat radiation source 1 in a state in which the radiation radiation is received, and the light-receiving surface of the solar cell 2 is opposed to the radiation surface of the thermo-optical conversion element 14. The radiation surface of the thermo-optical conversion element 14 is disposed in parallel.

The absorber 11 is formed into, for example, a flat plate having a diameter of about 5 mm. Typically, it is used as a flat plate with a diameter of 1 to 30 mm, but depends on the size of the generator.

Further, the thickness of the absorber 11 is set to about 1 μm to 2 mm.

In the present example, the absorber 11 is shown as an example of the configuration of the black body. The absorber 11 is configured to convert light into heat by receiving light, and it is of course possible to use a so-called black body.

The area of the connection surface between the light blocking member 12 and the heat conduction member 13 may be larger than the area of the connection surface between the absorber 11 and the light blocking member 12.

According to this configuration, the heat transfer efficiency from the light-blocking member 12 to the heat-conducting member 13 is increased, and as a result, the temperature of the heat-converting element 14 is likely to rise as the temperature of the absorber 11, and the self-inhibition can be suppressed. At the same time as the radiation of the absorber 11, the radiation efficiency of the heat radiation source 1 is increased. As a result, it is possible to perform power generation with high thermo-optical power generation efficiency.

The light blocking member 12 is exemplified by a flat plate-shaped crucible, but may be formed of other materials. The thermal conductivity of the light blocking member 12 is higher than that of the absorber 11, and the heat transfer efficiency of the heat conducting member 13 is high, and may be other materials. As other materials which can be utilized, for example, a metal such as molybdenum or tungsten is preferable.

The thickness of the light blocking member 12 is set to be about 100 nm to 200 μm . In this case it is 200 μm .

Further, the light blocking member 12 is generally configured to be larger than the absorbent body 11. When the absorber 11 has a diameter of 5 mm, the light blocking member 12 is configured to have a size of 6 mm or more.

Further, the thickness of the light blocking member 12 is set to be about 100 nm to 100 μm .

As the heat conduction member 13, the infrared ray transparent glass that transmits infrared rays is used, and the radiation of the infrared rays from the heat conduction member 13 is extremely small. Further, the radiation from the absorber 11 to the thermo-optical conversion element 14 can be efficiently conveyed.

As the infrared transparent glass of the heat conduction member 13, for example, MgO, SiC, diamond, sapphire, alumina, gallium nitride, gallium fluoride, magnesium fluoride, zinc selenide, barium fluoride or the like can be used.

Further, the thickness of the heat conduction member 13 is set to about 10 μm to 3 mm. In this example, MgO was used at 0.5 mm. The case of using SiC is, for example, about 50 μm .

A photonic crystal system is particularly suitable as the thermo-optical conversion element 14. For example, the best use of a photonic crystal, SiC photonic crystal, Ta light Subcrystals, W photonic crystals, etc. Even for other photonic crystals, such as those who can control the spectrum of radiation, ask for their kind.

In this example, the thermo-optical conversion element 14 is an example in which a photonic crystal is used as an example.

The thermo-optical conversion element 14 is used as a thermal generator, for example, in a square or circular shape of 3 inches, and is typically used in a size of 0.5 to 10 inches.

The thickness of the thermo-optical conversion element 14 is set to about 50 to 2000 nm. In the case of being composed of Si, the thickness is particularly preferably from 500 to 900 nm.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a germanium photonic crystal used as the thermo-optical conversion element 14. The thermo-optical conversion element 14 is a base 141 composed of tantalum and a rod 142 provided on the surface of the base 141 to form a radius r of the rod 142 of about 110 nm. In addition, the height h of the rod 142 is approximately 500 nm. The rods 142 are arranged in a square lattice shape, and the period a of the square lattice (the distance between the centers of the adjacent rods) is approximately 500 nm. The luminescence spectrum of the luminescence of the bismuth photonic crystal of the thermo-optical conversion element 14 is shown in Fig. 3 as "photonic crystal". For comparison, the luminescence spectrum of the radiation of the black body of the absorber 11 is also shown in Fig. 3 as a "black body".

In the case of the 矽 photonic crystal shown in this example, for example, the wavelength of the radiation can be changed by changing the radius r of the rod 142 and the period a of the square lattice.

The luminescence spectrum of the radiation of the thermo-optical conversion element 14 of this example Comparing with the luminescence spectrum of the absorber 11, it is understood that the band gap has a value of about 1.25 eV (the peak wavelength of the luminescence spectrum of the radiation is about 990 nm) having a narrow band of peaks.

In other words, the heat radiation source 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that the absorber 11 that receives the light 4 and the light blocking member 12, and the light blocking member 12 and the heat conducting member 13 are thermally conductively connected. As a specific example of the configuration of the heat radiation source 1, as shown in the present embodiment, it is possible to form a heat transfer coefficient between the mutually connected surfaces and to increase the thermal conductivity.

In this case, since the thermal conductivity of the entire heat radiation source 1 is increased, the temperature of the heat-converting element 14 is easily increased in temperature of the absorber 11, and the radiation of the self-heating radiation source 1 can be suppressed and improved. Photoelectric conversion efficiency. As a result, it is possible to perform power generation with high photoelectric conversion efficiency.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the absorber 11 and the light-shielding member 12, the heat-conducting member 13, and the thermo-optical conversion element 14 constitute the heat radiation source 1 as follows.

The absorber 11 and the light blocking member 12 are connected to each other at a center of gravity which is a flat plate of each other.

Further, the light-blocking member 12 and the heat-conducting member 13 are connected to each other at a center of gravity which is a flat plate of each other.

Further, the heat conduction member 13 and the thermo-optical conversion element 14 are connected to each other at a center of gravity which is a flat plate of each other.

In this way, heat conduction from the mutual connection faces The rate is improved. As a result, the thermal conductivity of the entire heat radiation source 1 is increased, so that the temperature of the heat-radiating element 14 is easily increased in temperature of the absorber 11, and the radiation of the self-heating radiation source 1 can be suppressed, and the photoelectricity can be improved. Transform efficiency. As a result, it is possible to perform power generation with high photoelectric conversion efficiency.

The heat radiation source 1 configured as described above converts the light 4 into radiation light suitable for the light emission spectrum of the power generation by the solar battery cell 2 as follows.

When the absorber 11 receives light (for example, sunlight) as light 4, the absorber 11 converts the light energy into heat. Further, the heat-based self-absorbing body 11 of the absorber 11 is diffused by the light-shielding member 12 having high thermal conductivity, transmitted to the heat-conducting member 13, and further passed through the heat-conducting member 13 to be transmitted to the photonic crystal of the thermo-optical conversion element 14. Thereafter, it is irradiated as radiation light.

At this time, the heat radiation source 1 is heated, for example, to about 1500K.

The solar battery unit 2 can be a general solar battery. For example, a solar cell, a gallium antimonide solar cell, a germanium solar cell, or an indium gallium solar cell can be used. Of course, it is necessary to use a combination suitable as the wavelength of the solar cell 2 and the luminescence spectrum of the radiation of the thermo-optical conversion element 14.

For example, when a solar cell is used as the solar cell 2, the peak of the wavelength of the emission spectrum of the thermo-optical conversion element 14 is preferably less than 1120 nm. This is because the solar cell system is generally unable to photoelectrically change light having a wavelength of more than 1120 nm. In the case of using other solar battery cells, the peak wavelength of the light emission spectrum of the thermo-optical conversion element 14 can be similarly set.

The solar battery cell 2 is disposed with a distance set to the heat radiation source 1. The solar cell unit 2 is not in direct contact with the heat radiation source 1.

The distance between the solar cell unit 2 and the heat radiation source 1 is only likely to be close to it.

In the present embodiment, the solar battery cell 2 is disposed with a distance of 2 mm from the heat radiation source 1.

Further, the solar cell unit 2 can be provided with the thermo-optical conversion element 14 such that the radiated radiation can be received by light. For example, the solar battery cell 2 may be provided in a state of being opposed to the radiation surface of the thermo-optical conversion element 14 which is formed in a plane.

The solar battery cell 2 may be the same as the heat radiation source 1, or may be configured to be slightly larger than the heat radiation source 1. According to this configuration, since the heat radiation of the heat radiation source 1 can be efficiently received, the power generation can be performed with high thermal power generation efficiency.

Further, the thermothermal conversion element 14 that transmits heat radiates radiation of a wavelength suitable for power generation by the solar battery cell 2, but the solar battery unit 2 can receive light by receiving radiation, thereby enabling high photoelectric conversion. Efficiency and power generation. As a result, it is possible to perform power generation with high thermo-optical power generation efficiency.

However, the collecting lens 3 may be a known configuration. In this example, a convex lenticular lens is used, typically, for example, A lens with a diameter of 100 to 300 mm. However, when the thermal generator becomes larger, the collecting lens 3 can be enlarged.

[Second embodiment]

Next, a heat generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4 .

The thermal generator according to the present embodiment is configured such that the thermal generator of the first embodiment is disposed in a vacuum vessel 5 having a light reflector 7 that reflects light into the inside of the vacuum vessel. Hereinafter, the same configurations as those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

The vacuum container 5 is insulated by suppressing heat conduction from the heat radiation source 1 by using the periphery of the heat radiation source 1 as a vacuum. In addition, the radiation is prevented from being absorbed by the air.

The light 4 collected by the collecting lens 3 provided outside the vacuum container 5 is transmitted through the window 6 having the airtightness provided in the vacuum container 5 and permeable to light, and is irradiated to the heat radiation source 1.

The light reflector 7 provided inside the vacuum vessel 5 reflects the radiation light emitted in a direction different from the solar cell unit toward the heat radiation source 1. In this embodiment, as one embodiment, the radiation reflector 71 that reflects the radiation light from the heat radiation source 1 toward the heat radiation source 1 is configured.

As a result, the radiation light radiated from each portion of the self-heating radiation source 1 is reflected by the light reflector 71 inside the vacuum vessel 5, and is irradiated to the heat radiation source 1 to be converted into heat energy again.

However, when the reflected light of the light reflector 71 is reflected toward the heat radiation source 1, the heat conduction member 13 is a material that transmits infrared light, and the reflected light is irradiated to the thermo-optical conversion element 14 .

That is, the thermo-optical conversion element 14 can directly receive energy from the reflected light by the material that can transmit infrared rays as the heat conduction member 13, and is again converted into radiation. As a result, it is possible to perform power generation with high thermo-optical power generation efficiency.

Here, a specific arrangement example of the light reflector 71 will be described.

When the light reflector 71 is disposed on the opposite side of the solar cell 2 from the heat radiation source 1, the self-heating radiation source 1 can be radiated to the radiation light on the opposite side of the solar cell 2, and again heated. The radiation source 1 is converted into thermal energy, which can reduce energy loss. As a result, it is possible to perform power generation with high thermo-optical power generation efficiency.

In Fig. 2, the light reflector 71 is disposed between the heat radiation source 1 and the window 6, and the reflection surface of the light reflector 71 is directed toward the heat radiation source 1, and is provided by a space. Further, the light reflector 71 is light-emitting to the absorber 11, and has an opening at the center portion of the light path for securing the light 4. In the present embodiment, an example in which the light reflector 71 is formed as a larger heat radiation source 1 in a ring shape is exemplified.

Further, in the present embodiment, the opposite side of the light receiving surface of the solar battery cell 2 that receives the radiation from the heat radiation source 1 is provided with the transmitted light that transmits the radiation light from the solar battery cell 2 toward the thermo-optical conversion element. 14 reflected light reflector 72.

In this case, among the radiant light received by the solar battery cell 2, the solar battery cell 2 can be electrically converted, and the light reflector 72 reflects the transmitted light transmitted through the solar battery cell 2, and is again irradiated to the heat as reflected light. The light conversion element 14 is. Then, the thermo-optical conversion element 14 that receives the reflected light is heated by the heat that is transmitted through the heat conduction member 13 and the transmitted light that is received by the light. In other words, the thermo-optical conversion element 14 converts the transmitted light that is received as reflected light into heat energy again, and then converts it into radiation light again. In this way, the loss of energy is reduced, and as a result, the generator can be performed with high thermo-optical power generation efficiency.

The light reflector 72 may be configured to be slightly larger than the solar battery cell 2.

According to this configuration, since the solar battery cells 2 are not electrically converted and can reflect all of the transmitted light transmitted through the solar battery cells 2, it is possible to perform power generation with high thermal power generation efficiency.

Here, the light reflector 7 may be configured to reflect light. In particular, the material which is the best constituent reflection surface is made of gold, silver or aluminum, and the material may be exposed on the mirror surface.

Further, in the present embodiment, the cooling mechanism 9 that can be connected to the solar battery cell 2 in heat exchange is provided on the opposite side of the light receiving surface of the solar battery cell 2 that receives the radiation.

In this way, the solar battery unit 2 can be cooled, and the solar battery unit 2 can be used at a temperature suitable for power generation. As a result, it is possible to improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar battery cell 2.

When it is added, a part of the radiant light that is irradiated to the solar cell 2 is electrically converted, and most of the ray is transmitted through the solar cell 2, and the remaining part is converted into heat that raises the temperature of the solar cell 2. Due to energy, the temperature of the solar cell unit 2 in power generation generally rises. In particular, in the interior of the vacuum vessel 5, heat conduction by air is suppressed, and the solar battery cell 2 is placed in an environment where the temperature is likely to rise.

However, the solar battery unit 2 can be cooled by the cooling mechanism 9 that is connected to the solar battery unit 2 in a heat exchange manner, and the solar battery unit 2 can be used at a temperature suitable for power generation. As a result, it is possible to improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar battery cell 2.

At this time, the connection surface with the solar battery cell 2 of the cooling mechanism 9 may be slightly larger than the solar battery cell 2.

According to this configuration, since the solar battery cell 2 can be reliably cooled, it is possible to generate electricity by high thermal power generation efficiency.

When the cooling mechanism 9 is excessively cooled, energy loss is accompanied, and if it is not moderately cooled, the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar battery cell 2 is lowered. It is adjusted to about 0~100 °C, but it is typically maintained at 25 °C.

In the present embodiment, the cooling mechanism 9 is cooled by cooling water as a refrigerant, but the medium to be cooled is not limited to water. In addition to water, for example, it may be ethanol or ethylene glycol, and so-called antifreeze may also be used. Alternatively, it may be cooled by a method such as a heat pump. If you can cool, don't ask for its method.

Further, in the present embodiment, the cooling mechanism 9 is connected by the light reflector 72. Further, the solar battery cells 2 and the light reflectors 72 are each in close contact with each other. Further, the light reflector 72 and the cooling mechanism 9 are each in close contact with each other.

As described above, the cooling mechanism 9 can configure the light reflector 72 to be small.

When the cooling mechanism 9 is connected by the light reflector 72, the cooling mechanism 9 may be formed similarly to the light reflector 72 or may be slightly larger than the light reflector 72.

According to this configuration, since the solar battery cell 2 can be reliably cooled, it is possible to generate electricity by high thermal power generation efficiency.

Hereinafter, other features of the embodiment will be described.

The heat radiation source 1 is housed in the vacuum container 5, and is preferably held by a member having a small heat conduction efficiency. It is possible to suppress the heat of the heat radiation source 1 by being held by a member having a small heat conduction efficiency, and to be separated from the outside of the vacuum container 5 by heat conduction.

In the present embodiment, the heat radiation source 1 is supported in the vacuum container 5, and is supported by a support 8 having a support having a reduced thermal conductivity. Specifically, the pillars 81 that have passed through at least one pair of pillars are held by the metal thin wires 82 of the metal thin wires elongated by the pillars 81.

The window 6 is constructed of a material that transmits sunlight. In this example, an infrared transparent glass that transmits infrared rays is used.

The shape of the window 6 is in this example as a flat plate. The other shape of the window 6 may be, for example, a semicircular shape that protrudes from the collecting lens 3 with respect to the absorber 11.

Further, the window 6 may function as a lens that functions as a function of the collecting lens 3 at the same time. In this case, for example, the window 6 may be a convex lens shape.

The fine metal wires 82 are thin wires, and the thermal conductivity is small because of the fineness. Therefore, the heat of the heat radiation source 1 can be suppressed, and the self-heating radiation source 1 passes through the vacuum vessel 5 via heat conduction, and the heat is released from the outside.

The fine metal wire 82 is preferably fine for high temperature and excellent for mechanical strength, but is preferably, for example, tantalum, molybdenum or tungsten fine wire. In the case of using a thin metal wire, the diameter is, for example, about 150 to 500 μm .

According to the above configuration, for example, the thermo-optical power generation efficiency as shown in FIG. 5 can be obtained. When the complement is shown in Fig. 5, the horizontal axis of the graph shows the voltage (V) of the output voltage of the solar battery cell 2, and the vertical axis shows the light energy given to the thermal generator of the present embodiment, and the solar battery unit 2 can be powered. The ratio of the energy of the sexual transformation (ie, efficiency (%)). That is, in the configuration of the present embodiment, power generation can be performed with an efficiency of at most about 60%.

[Other embodiment]

(1) In the above embodiment, the solar cell 2 is configured such that the thermo-optical conversion element 14 formed of a flat surface receives radiation from the radiation. In a state opposite to the radiating surface of the thermo-optical conversion element 14, the radiating surface of the thermo-optical conversion element 14 is disposed in parallel, but the solar cell unit 2 is configured to receive the radiated light of the radiation. The setting may be, and specifically, the incident angle of the solar cell 2 for radiating light is not 90°. In addition, as the radiation light radiated from the thermo-optical conversion element 14 is separately provided with a reflector and reflected, and the direction of the radiation is converted, the light-receiving optical mechanism may be used to receive the light.

According to this configuration, the solar battery cell 2 can set the positional relationship of the thermo-optical conversion elements 14 as an arbitrary positional relationship other than the parallel direction. For example, when a large-sized thermal generator is constructed, the device can be installed. It is ideal as a space for miniaturization.

(2) In the above embodiment, the connection between the absorber 11 and the light blocking member 12, and the connection between the light blocking member 12 and the heat conducting member 13, and the connection between the heat conducting member 13 and the thermo-optical conversion element 14 are used as a close connection. The configuration may be followed by or in combination. That is, if it is connected for heat transfer with high efficiency, the method is not asked. Then, for example, on the joint surface, the mutual materials may be mutually diffused, and the joint surface may be formed by migration.

According to this configuration, the thermal conductivity at each of the joint faces is increased, and as a result, the generator can be performed with high thermo-optical power generation efficiency.

(3) In the above embodiment, the light reflector 72 and the cooling mechanism 9 may be formed of individual materials, but these may be integrally formed. Specifically, for example, the opposite of the cooling mechanism 9 may also be The surface of the solar battery unit 2 is polished to a mirror shape and serves as a light reflector 72.

According to this configuration, the light reflector 72 and the cooling mechanism 9 can be configured to be small. Further, it is possible to expand the heat conductivity of the light reflector 72 and the cooling mechanism 9. As a result, it is possible to efficiently cool the solar battery cell 2, and it is possible to perform power generation with high thermo-optical power generation efficiency.

(4) In the above embodiment, a convex lens type lens is illustrated as the collecting lens 3, but a reflecting plate may be used as the collecting lens 3. For example, a plurality of reflecting plates may be combined to form an assembly of the reflecting plates for collecting light, and the collecting lens 3 may be used. Further, the collecting lens 3 may be configured by a parabolic mirror. The lens is similarly an optical mechanism that can collect light, regardless of its method.

In such a configuration, when it is desired to collect more light (when the collecting lens 3 is to be increased in size), the collecting lens 3 can be constructed at a lower cost than the convex lens.

(5) In the above embodiment, the light blocking member 12 is disposed between the absorber 11 and the heat conducting member 13 so as to be thermally conductive. However, the absorber 11 and the heat conducting member 13 may be thermally conductively connected. This connection is, for example, an absorbent body 11, and the heat conduction member 13 may be in close contact with each other. The heat transfer coefficient between the absorber 11 and the heat conduction member 13 can be reduced by the contact, and the heat conductivity can be increased. Further, the temperature of the thermo-optical element 14 is more likely to increase the temperature of the absorber, and the radiation from the heat radiation source 1 can be suppressed. As a result, it is preferable to perform power generation with high photoelectric conversion efficiency.

At this time, the heat conduction member 13 and the thermo-optical conversion element 14 may be thermally conductively connected as in the above embodiment. This connection is, for example, such that the heat conduction member 13 and the thermo-optical conversion element 14 are in close contact with each other. The heat transfer coefficient between the heat conduction member 13 and the thermo-optical conversion element 14 can be reduced by the contact, and the thermal conductivity can be increased. As a result, the temperature of the thermo-optical element 14 is likely to increase in the temperature of the absorber 11, and the radiation from the heat radiation source 1 can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to perform power generation with high photoelectric conversion efficiency.

1‧‧‧thermal radiation source

2‧‧‧Solar battery unit

3‧‧‧ Collecting lens

4‧‧‧Light

11‧‧‧Acceptor

12‧‧‧Light interrupting members

13‧‧‧Heat conductive members

14‧‧‧Thermal light conversion element

Claims (10)

A thermal generator comprising a heat radiation source and a solar battery unit, wherein light collected by the collecting lens is irradiated to the heat radiation source to be accumulated, and the radiation light from the heat radiation source is used by the solar battery unit. A heat generating device that generates light by light, wherein the heat radiation source includes: an absorber that receives the light, and a heat conduction member that is thermally conductively connected to the absorber and is made of a material that transmits infrared rays, and Heat-conductingly coupled to the heat-conducting member, converting heat received from the heat-conducting member into a thermo-optical conversion element suitable for photoelectric conversion of the solar cell, wherein the solar cell unit can convert the thermo-optic The radiation light radiated by the element is set by light. The thermal generator according to claim 1, wherein the thermo-optical conversion element is composed of a photonic crystal. The thermal generator according to claim 2, wherein a light blocking member having a higher thermal conductivity than the heat conducting member is disposed between the absorber and the heat conducting member. The thermal generator according to claim 2, wherein the opposite side of the light receiving surface of the solar battery cell that receives the radiation light is provided with the transmitted light that transmits the radiation light from the solar battery cell toward the front side The light reflector reflected by the heat radiation source. For example, the thermal generator described in item 3 of the patent application, wherein The light-reflecting surface of the solar cell of the solar cell that receives the radiation is provided with a light reflector that reflects the transmitted light of the radiant light passing through the solar cell and is reflected toward the heat radiation source. The thermal generator according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the light-shielding member having a higher thermal conductivity than the heat-conducting member is disposed between the absorber and the heat-conducting member. The heat generator according to claim 6, wherein the light-emitting surface of the solar battery cell that receives the radiation light is provided with the transmitted light that transmits the radiation light from the solar battery cell, The light reflector reflected by the heat radiation source. The heat generator according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the light-transmitting surface of the solar battery cell that receives the radiation light is provided with the transmitted light that transmits the radiation light from the solar battery cell, The light reflector reflected by the heat radiation source. The heat generator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the heat radiation source and the solar battery unit are disposed in a vacuum container. The heat generator according to claim 9, wherein the vacuum container has a light reflector that reflects light.