Multi-functional skin incorporating a photo-voltaic array and a RF antenna
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
H01Q-001/28
H01Q-001/22
H02S-010/40
H01L-031/0216
출원번호
US-0556211
(2014-11-30)
등록번호
US-9570795
(2017-02-14)
발명자
/ 주소
Bruce, Allan James
Frolov, Sergey
Cyrus, Michael
출원인 / 주소
SUNLIGHT PHOTONICS INC.
대리인 / 주소
Mayer, Stuart H.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
6
초록▼
A multi-functional, multi-layer film or skin which may be used as a covering for a structure or platform incorporates an integrated photovoltaic element and an integrated RF antenna element. The film or skin is suitable for use in various applications, including those involving autonomous, self-powe
A multi-functional, multi-layer film or skin which may be used as a covering for a structure or platform incorporates an integrated photovoltaic element and an integrated RF antenna element. The film or skin is suitable for use in various applications, including those involving autonomous, self-powered, mobile communication systems and especially for use as a skin or covering for solar powered aircraft and UAVs. Planar PV cells and planar RF antenna are used to facilitate their integration into the film or skin. The PV cells and RF antenna are configured to face operate outward from opposite faces of the skin. The film or skin addresses potential problems arising from conflicting directional requirements for PV orientation and antenna pointing on mobile platforms. This is accomplished by employing wide angle AR coatings on the PV elements and electrical controls to steer the RF antenna.
대표청구항▼
1. A multifunctional structure, comprising: a self-supporting, open frame;a multilayer skin or film extending over and secured to the self-supporting, open frame, the multilayer skin or film including: a first layer that includes at least one photovoltaic (PV) cell, the first layer being disposed wi
1. A multifunctional structure, comprising: a self-supporting, open frame;a multilayer skin or film extending over and secured to the self-supporting, open frame, the multilayer skin or film including: a first layer that includes at least one photovoltaic (PV) cell, the first layer being disposed within the multilayer skin or film such that the first layer and the PV cell is exposable to electromagnetic radiation being received by a first surface of the film or skin, the at least one photovoltaic cell being configured to generate electrical power from the electromagnetic radiation; anda second layer that includes at least one RF antenna, the second layer being disposed within the multilayer skin or film such that the second layer and the RF antenna is exposable to RF radiation received by a second surface of the film or skin, the first and second surface being opposing surfaces of the multilayer skin or film, wherein the PV cell receives the electromagnetic radiation from the first surface of the skin or film along a path through the skin or film that does not traverse the second layer. 2. The multifunctional structure of claim 1, wherein the multilayer skin or film further comprises at least one retaining, protective layer disposed over the first or second layer. 3. The multifunctional structure of claim 2, wherein the multilayer skin or film further comprises at least one other retaining, protective layer disposed over the other of the first and second layers. 4. The multifunctional structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one photovoltaic cell includes one or more PV cell arrays. 5. The multifunctional structure of claim 4, wherein the at least one RF antenna includes one or more RF antenna arrays. 6. The multifunctional structure of claim 5, wherein the multilayer skin or film further comprises at least one first electrical interconnection layer for electrically connecting RF antennas in the RF antenna array. 7. The multifunctional structure of claim 6, wherein the first electrical interconnection layer includes a patterned backplane. 8. The multifunctional structure of claim 6, wherein the first electrical interconnection layer also electrically connects solar cells in PV cell array. 9. The multifunctional structure of claim 1, wherein the PV cell includes one or more thin film photovoltaic absorber layers formed from a material selected from the group consisting of amorphous Silicon, Cadmium Telluride, Cu—In—Ga—Se and GaAs. 10. The multifunctional structure of claim 9, further comprising a flexible substrate, the one or PV cell arrays being disposed on the flexible substrate. 11. The multifunctional structure of claim 1, wherein the RF antenna is a planar antenna. 12. The multifunctional structure of claim 11, wherein the planar antenna is micro-strip antenna. 13. The multifunctional structure of claim 1, wherein the RF antenna is a meta-material antenna. 14. The multifunctional structure of claim 1, wherein the multilayer skin or film further comprises at least one anti-reflective layer for capturing the electromagnetic radiation to which the PV cell is exposed. 15. The anti-reflection layer of claim 14, wherein the anti-reflective layer is configured to transmit therethrough solar energy having optical wavelengths. 16. The anti-reflective layer of claim 14, wherein the anti-reflective film is configured to transmit therethrough electromagnetic radiation received at angles of incidence between 0-180 degrees. 17. The multifunctional structure of claim 5, wherein the RF antenna array is an actively steerable antenna. 18. The multi-functional structure of claim 1, further comprising an electrical interconnect electrically coupled to the PV cell for providing electrical power to an external element. 19. The multi-functional structure of claim 1, further comprising a self-powered, operationally mobile platform or device, the self-supporting open frame being located on an external portion of the operationally mobile platform or device. 20. The multi-functional structure of claim 1, wherein the self-supporting open frame constitutes at least a portion of an aircraft wing. 21. The multifunctional structure of claim 1, wherein the PV cell includes a plurality of solar cells operating at different wavelengths. 22. The multifunctional structure of claim 1, wherein the PV cell includes a multi-junction PV cell. 23. The multifunctional structure of claim 1, where the first layer includes at least one PV cell operational with electromagnetic energy other than solar energy. 24. The multifunctional structure of claim 1, wherein the second layer includes a plurality of RF antennas operational at different frequencies. 25. The multifunctional structure of claim 1, wherein the second layer includes an antenna configured to receive beamed microwave energy from a remote source and convert the microwave energy to electrical energy. 26. The multifunctional structure of claim 1, wherein the multi-functional skin is a continuous element. 27. The multifunctional structure of claim 1, wherein the multi-functional skin comprises a plurality of modular elements laterally disposed across the open-frame structure. 28. A multi-functional structure, comprising: a self-supporting substrate;a multilayer skin or film disposed on the substrate, the multilayer skin or film including: a first layer that includes at least one photovoltaic (PV) cell, the first layer being disposed within the multilayer skin or film such that the first layer and the PV cell is exposable to electromagnetic radiation being received by a first surface of the film or skin, the at least one photovoltaic cell being configured to generate electrical power from the electromagnetic radiation; anda second layer that includes at least one RF antenna, the second layer being disposed within the multilayer skin or film such that the second layer and the RF antenna is exposable to RF radiation received by a second surface of the film or skin, the first and second surface being opposing surfaces of the multilayer skin or film, the self-supporting substrate being transparent to at least one of electromagnetic radiation being received by the first surface or the RF radiation received by the second surface, wherein the PV cell receives the electromagnetic radiation from the first surface of the skin or film along a path through the skin or film that does not traverse the second layer.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (6)
Christian Bendel DE; Norbert Henze DE; Joerg Kirchhof DE, Apparatus for converting solar energy into electrical energy and for radiating and/or receiving high frequency electromagnetic waves.
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