Cover for an object using solar radiation

Abstract

A cover for an object using solar radiation includes a cover sheet made of a material transparent to solar radiation, wherein, viewed in cross-sectional view with respect to the sheet, the sheet has a zigzag profiled surface structure on either side. A combination of two covers has cover plates of each of the covers above one another, in particular running parallel to one another. Moreover, a combination of a cover and an object has the cover covering the object and the object uses, absorbs, and converts solar radiation.

1 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . Cover for an object using solar radiation, wherein the cover comprises:
 a cover sheet made of a material transparent to solar radiation;   wherein, viewed in cross-sectional view with respect to the sheet, the sheet has a zigzag profiled surface structure on either side; and   wherein the distance between two neighboring peaks of the zigzag surface structure is L and the thickness of the sheet is D; and wherein L<0.25D.   
     
     
         36 . Cover according to  claim 35 , wherein the flanks of the zigzag surface structure run at an angle β with respect to the plane of the sheet; and
 wherein for the range of β: 45°≦β≦85°.   
     
     
         37 . Cover according to  claim 36 , wherein β≦51°. 
     
     
         38 . Cover according to  claim 36 , wherein β≧47°. 
     
     
         39 . Cover according to  claim 36 , wherein β=49°±2°. 
     
     
         40 . Cover according to  claim 36 , wherein β=49°±1°. 
     
     
         41 . Cover according to  claim 35 , wherein the distance between two neighboring peaks of the zigzag surface structure is L; and
 wherein for the range of L: 0.5 μm≦L≦8 mm.   
     
     
         42 . Cover according to  claim 41 , wherein L≦200 μm. 
     
     
         43 . Cover according to  claim 41 , wherein L≦100 μm. 
     
     
         44 . Cover according to  claim 41 , wherein L≦50 μm. 
     
     
         45 . Cover according to  claim 41 , wherein L≧10 μm. 
     
     
         46 . Cover according to  claim 41 , wherein L≧20 μm. 
     
     
         47 . Cover according to  claim 41 , wherein the zigzag surface structure has a different value for L on the one side than the other side. 
     
     
         48 . Cover according to  claim 35 , wherein the thickness of the sheet is D; and
 wherein 20 μm≦D≦12 mm.   
     
     
         49 . Cover according to  claim 41 , wherein L<0.1 D. 
     
     
         50 . Cover according to  claim 35 , wherein the flanks of the zigzag profiled surface structure that terminate at the same peak intersect one another at said peak. 
     
     
         51 . Cover according to  claim 35 , wherein the zigzag surface structure includes a multiplicity of grooves parallel to one another. 
     
     
         52 . Cover according to  claim 35 , wherein the zigzag surface structure includes a multiplicity of pyramid-shaped elevations. 
     
     
         53 . Cover according to  claim 52 , wherein the base plane of each of the pyramid-shaped elevations or depressions runs in the direction in which the transparent sheet extends; and
 wherein said base plane has a 3-cornered, 4-cornered, 6-cornered, or 8-cornered shape or includes a combination of 4-cornered and 8-cornered base planes.   
     
     
         54 . Cover according to  claim 53 , wherein the 3-cornered, 4-cornered, 6-cornered, or 8-cornered base plane or the combination of 4-cornered and 8-cornered base planes is shaped such that the pyramid-shaped elevations or, alternatively, depressions essentially fill the entire surface, or at least a surface zone, of the transparent sheet. 
     
     
         55 . Cover according to  claim 35 , wherein the cover sheet is flat or at least contains flat segments. 
     
     
         56 . Cover according to  claim 35 , wherein the cover sheet is at least partially curved. 
     
     
         57 . Cover according to  claim 56 , wherein the curvature is arc-shaped; and
 wherein said curvature preferably extends over 150° to 180°.   
     
     
         58 . Cover according to  claim 35 , wherein the cover sheet, or at least segments thereof, is arranged at an angle and wherein the zigzag surface structure is made such that this drains along the slope. 
     
     
         59 . Cover according to  claim 35 , wherein the cover sheet is a glass cover sheet containing silicon dioxide. 
     
     
         60 . Cover according to  claim 35 , wherein the cover sheet is made of a plastic selected from the group consisting of PMMA plastic, PC plastic, or PET-G plastic. 
     
     
         61 . Combination of two covers according to  claim 35 , wherein the cover plates of each of the covers are above one another to run parallel to one another. 
     
     
         62 . Building, in particular a greenhouse for the cultivation of plants, provided with a roof including a cover according to  claim 35 . 
     
     
         63 . Combination comprising:
 a cover according to  claim 35 ; and   an object;   wherein the cover covers the object; and   wherein the object uses, absorbs, and converts solar radiation.   
     
     
         64 . Combination according to  claim 63 , wherein the object includes at least one of an earth substrate and a plant. 
     
     
         65 . Combination according to  claim 63 , wherein the object includes one or more solar cells of a type containing semiconductor material. 
     
     
         66 . Combination according to  claim 65 , wherein the one or more solar cells are positioned in contact with one side of the cover sheet. 
     
     
         67 . Combination according to  claim 66 , wherein the one or more solar cells have been applied to the cover sheet by deposition selected from the group consisting of vapor deposition, sputtering, CVD, and PVD. 
     
     
         68 . Combination according to  claim 63 , wherein the object includes a solar collector.