Solar-energy extraction structure

Abstract

Solar-energy utility structure including (a) an elongate solar receptor and energy extractor (receptor) exposed to a time-change-defined reception arc of sunlight which is characterized by a changing angle of light incidence, and (b) light-flow modifying structure operatively interposed the receptor and such an arc, operable, relative to the receptor, to minimize the apparent angle-of-sunlight incidence changes which are experienced by the receptor. In one of its forms, the invention is characterized as modular building structure which includes integrated, modular, layered, extruded-component panels featuring, in plural, elongate, side-by-side channel structures, staged, convergence/divergence performance which is characterized by (a) sunlight convergence produced by the light-flow modifying structure, and (b) downstream sunlight divergence-reflectance, relative to opposite sides of the mentioned receptor, produced by channel-containing reflectors. Captured solar energy is coupled in different selectable forms into the building structure and/or elsewhere, as desired.

1 . Solar-energy utility structure comprising
 a solar receptor and energy extractor (receptor) exposed to a time-change-defined reception arc of sunlight which is characterized by a changing angle of sunlight incidence, and   light-flow modifying structure operatively interposed said receptor and such an arc, operable, relative to the receptor, to minimize the actual angle-of-sunlight incidence changes which are experienced by said receptor.   
     
     
         2 . The utility structure of  claim 1  which takes the form of an elongate panel possessing plural, side-by-side-adjacent, elongate and independent channels having long axes which substantially parallel one another, and wherein said receptor and said modifying structure are elongate components having respective long axes which substantially parallel the long axes of the channels, and each of said channels possesses at least one each of said receptor and said modifying structure. 
     
     
         3 . Solar-energy utility structure comprising
 an elongate, self-contained channel having spaced, opposite, outer, inner, and lateral sides,   an elongate, ribbon-like solar receptor and energy extractor (receptor) carried generally laterally centrally intermediate the channel's said lateral sides, and   elongate sunlight-receiving-and-concentrating (LRC) structure disposed adjacent and along said channel's said outer side, operable to receive, and to concentrate toward and along the length of said receptor sunlight which impinges said LRC structure from outside said channel.   
     
     
         4 . The utility structure of  claim 3  which takes the form of a generally planar panel which is defined by a plurality of next-adjacent channels as set forth in  claim 3 . 
     
     
         5 . The utility structure of  claim 4 , wherein each elongate channel forms an air-flow passage having open, opposite ends effectively in fluid communication with at least one of (a) the inside, and (b) the outside, adjacent environment, and which further comprises air-flow-velocity-changing structure operatively associated with the channel, effective to increase natural air-flow velocity at regions disposed within, and adjacent the opposite ends of, the channel. 
     
     
         6 . The utility structure of  claim 5 , wherein said flow-velocity-changing structure includes at least one air-flow constrictor. 
     
     
         7 . The utility structure of  claim 4 , wherein said panel is operatively associated with person-occupancy building structure, and energy extracted by said receptor is supplied to at least one of (a) the inside of that building structure, and (b) another appropriate reception structure. 
     
     
         8 . The utility structure of  claim 4 , wherein each channel is formed by at least one, elongate, extruded, structural component. 
     
     
         9 . The utility structure of  claim 4 , wherein each elongate channel forms an air-flow passage, having opposite ends, the channel is designed to be disposed whereby one of its ends is a lower end and the other is an upper end, and disposed adjacent each of said ends is an associated air-flow constrictor which is in fluid communication with, and intermediate, its associated end and the outside environment, operative to effect a change in the velocity of natural air flow entering and exiting the associate channel end, and flowing within the channel. 
     
     
         10 . The utility structure of  claim 9 , wherein the air-flow constrictor associated with said lower channel end has a smaller flow cross section than does the air-flow constrictor which is associated with the upper channel end. 
     
     
         11 . Solar-energy utility structure comprising
 an elongate, self-contained channel having spaced, opposite, outer, inner, and lateral sides,   elongate spanning structure disposed in, and extending along the length of, said channel between said channel's said spaced lateral sides dividing the channel into spaced, outer and inner chambers, said outer chamber including the channel's said outer side, and said inner chamber including the channel's said inner side,   an elongate, ribbon-like solar receptor and energy extractor (receptor) carried generally laterally centrally by said spanning structure spaced intermediate the channel's said lateral sides,   said spanning structure, on said opposite lateral sides of said receptor, being light-transmissive,   elongate sunlight-receiving-and-concentrating (LRC) structure disposed adjacent and along said channel's said outer side, operable to receive, and to concentrate toward and along the length of said receptor sunlight which impinges said LRC structure from outside said channel, and   elongate reflector structure disposed adjacent and along said channel's said inner side, operable to reflect, toward and along the length of said receptor, light transmitted into said inner chamber through said spanning structure.   
     
     
         12 . The utility structure of  claim 11  which takes the form of a generally planar panel defined by a plurality of next-adjacent channels as set forth in  claim 11 . 
     
     
         13 . The utility structure of  claim 11 , wherein said reflector structure includes a pair of laterally spaced reflectors disposed toward said channel's said opposite lateral sides. 
     
     
         14 . The utility structure of  claim 11 , wherein said LRC structure comprises a lens structure substantially spanning said channel's said outer side. 
     
     
         15 . The utility structure of  claim 14 , wherein said reflector structure includes a pair of laterally spaced reflectors disposed toward said channel's said opposite lateral sides. 
     
     
         16 . The utility structure of  claim 14 , wherein said lens structure takes the form of a lenticular lens. 
     
     
         17 . The utility structure of  claim 11 , wherein said receptor takes the form of at least one of (a) photovoltaic structure, and (b) light-to-heat conversion structure. 
     
     
         18 . The utility structure of  claim 17 , wherein said reflector structure includes a pair of laterally spaced reflectors disposed toward said channel's said opposite lateral sides. 
     
     
         19 . The utility structure of  claim 17 , wherein, in the case of said solar receptor being a photovoltaic structure, that photovoltaic structure has an opposite-two-sided operational characteristic. 
     
     
         20 . The utility structure of  claim 17 , wherein, in the case of said solar receptor being a light-to-heat conversion structure, that conversion structure takes the form of at least one darkened elongate fluid conduit. 
     
     
         21 . The utility structure of  claim 17 , wherein said LRC structure comprises a lens structure substantially spanning said channel's said outer side. 
     
     
         22 . The utility structure of  claim 21 , wherein said reflector structure includes a pair of laterally spaced reflectors disposed toward said channel's said opposite lateral sides. 
     
     
         23 . The utility structure of  claim 21 , wherein said lens structure takes the form of a lenticular lens. 
     
     
         24 . A staged, convergence/divergence utility structure for collecting solar energy comprising
 an elongate, sunlight-impingable convergence chamber structure having an inner side,   an elongate solar-energy collector disposed laterally centrally adjacent, and extending along the length of, the convergence chamber structure's said inner side, said collector having a first side facing into the convergence chamber structure, and an opposite, second side facing away therefrom,   elongate, sunlight-transmissive window structure extending along laterally opposite sides of said collector for passing windowed sunlight, and   an elongate, sunlight divergence chamber structure having an outer side which is disposed adjacent said convergence chamber structure's said inner side, and which is exposed both to said collector's said second side and to said window structure,   said divergence chamber structure being configured to concentrate toward and along the length of said collector's said first side sunlight which impinges said convergence chamber structure, and said divergence chamber structure being configured to reflect toward and along the length of said collector's said second side windowed sunlight which passes through said window structure from said convergence chamber structure.   
     
     
         25 . A modular building-structure system for collecting and utilizing extracted solar energy comprising
 a modular building structure,   an outside-exposed surface area in said building structure exposed to sunlight,   a modular, layered panel structure forming at least a portion of said surface area,   elongate channels within said panel structure, each containing (a) an elongate solar receptor and energy extractor, and (b) an elongate, outwardly exposed sunlight-receiving and-concentrating (LRC) structure operable to concentrate sunlight on said extractor, and   coupling structure operatively interposed said extractor and said building structure, operable to couple, in at least one form, to the interior of said building structure sunlight energy extracted by said extractor.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein each channel further contains reflector structure disposed functionally downstream from said LRC structure, operable to direct toward said extractor sunlight in the channel which is not concentrated on said extractor by the LRC structure. 
     
     
         27 . Solar-energy extraction structure comprising
 a broad-area expanse,   plural, individual, solar-energy extractors distributed over the area of said expanse, and   for each extractor, an individuated, associated, sunlight-directing concentrator operable to direct concentrated solar energy independently toward substantially only its respective, associated extractor.