| US 7,569,764 B2 | ||
| Solar modules with tracking and concentrating features | ||
| Wei Shan, Fremont, Calif. (US); Gang Wang, Milpitas, Calif. (US); and Xiao Dong Xiang, Danville, Calif. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Intematix Corporation, Fremont, Calif. (US) | ||
| Filed on Jan. 25, 2007, as Appl. No. 11/698,748. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/762298, filed on Jan. 25, 2006. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/789427, filed on Apr. 04, 2006. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/787932, filed on Mar. 31, 2006. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/830387, filed on Jul. 11, 2006. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/838943, filed on Aug. 18, 2006. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2007/0251569 A1, Nov. 01, 2007 | ||
| Int. Cl. H01L 31/052 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 136—246 [136/259; 136/251] | 10 Claims |
| 1. A solar-electric module comprising:
an array comprising four or more concentrator assemblies each separately pivotably mounted in the same plane with two degrees
of freedom and each assembly comprising a photovoltaic receiver or thermoelectric receiver, and each comprising one or more
optical reflectors or lenses configured concentrate sunlight by reflection or refraction onto the photovoltaic receiver or
thermoelectric receiver; and,
a tracking mechanism configured to separately move each member of the concentrator array through two degrees of rotational
freedom; wherein the tracking mechanism comprises:
a top plate comprising a perforated plane;
a bottom plate that can be linearly translated relative to the top plate in two perpendicular directions along the plane;
and,
one or more spheroids attached to each concentrator array member and retained between the top plate and bottom plate with
the optical concentrators projecting above the top plate;
whereby relative motion of the top and bottom plate rolls the spheroids and rotates the concentrators in unison through one
or two degrees of rotational freedom; whereby the array members of the concentrator array are moved in unison to each follow
the relative movement of the sun across the sky.
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