Daniel A Simon

US Patent:

8281782, Oct 9, 2012

Filed:

Aug 3, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/849075

Inventors:

Daniel Simon - Chicago IL, US

International Classification:

F24J 2/46

US Classification:

126623, 126596, 126621, 126622, 126684, 126685, 126687, 126692, 126702, 126704, 136248, 136251

Abstract:

A system and method of arranging a solar cell and reflector to replace a typical solar cell oriented normal to the incoming sunlight inside a module (i. e. parallel to a module's transparent cover plate or opening). The present invention in a preferred embodiment uses a solar cell oriented at a 45 degree angle to the incoming sunlight, and a reflective surface oriented perpendicular to the cell and at a 45 degree angle to the incoming sunlight. The solar cell and the mirror are the same length/size and form a V shape where the angle between the sloped sides is 90 degrees. Any light falling normally on the arrangement will hit the solar cell either directly or after reflection. In another embodiment, two adjacent reflectors can be used making angles of around 60 degrees and around 30 degrees with respect to the cover or opening. An alternate embodiment can include a second reflector added to the base of the cell and reflector pairings also at an approximate 45 degree angle with the cover or opening. The second reflector can run along an entire row of cell and first reflector pairs such that the first reflectors form 90 degree angles with both the cells and with the second reflector.

US Patent:

20080029149, Feb 7, 2008

Filed:

Aug 2, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/497755

Inventors:

Daniel Simon - Chicago IL, US

International Classification:

H02N 6/00

US Classification:

136246

Abstract:

A system and method of arranging a solar cell and reflector to replace a typical solar cell oriented normal to the incoming sunlight inside a module (i.e. parallel to a module's transparent cover plate or opening). The present invention in a preferred embodiment uses a solar cell oriented at a 45 degree angle to the incoming sunlight, and a reflective surface oriented perpendicular to the cell and at a 45 degree angle to the incoming sunlight. The solar cell and the mirror are the same length/size and form a V shape where the angle between the sloped sides is 90 degrees. Any light falling normally on the arrangement will hit the solar cell either directly or after reflection. In another embodiment, two adjacent reflectors can be used making angles of around 60 degrees and around 30 degrees with respect to the cover or opening. An alternate embodiment can include a second reflector added to the base of the cell and reflector pairings also at an approximate 45 degree angle with the cover or opening. The second reflector can run along an entire row of cell and first reflector pairs such that the first reflectors form 90 degree angles with both the cells and with the second reflector.

US Patent:

20080073198, Mar 27, 2008

Filed:

Aug 3, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/498455

Inventors:

Daniel Simon - Chicago IL, US

International Classification:

B01D 3/00

US Classification:

202 81

Abstract:

A solar distiller with a two part distilling chamber and a concentrating mirror which is designed to be lightweight and compact for ease of transport. The distilling chamber has two main parts; a trough for holding a liquid that will be distilled, and a condensing roof on which the liquid will condense that has channels for collecting the distilled liquid. The two part distilling chamber allows for simple operation and easy maintenance. The concentrating mirror is made from a flexible reflective sheet, which is formed into a nearly parabolic shape by the mirror frame. The mirror is designed so that it can be easily assembled and then later disassembled for storage or transport. A stand holds the distilling chamber at the approximate focus of the concentrating mirror. The concentrating mirror allows a relatively large amount of sunlight to be focused onto the distilling chamber producing a proportionately large amount of distilled liquid. The solar distiller is made from inexpensive materials and can be assembled and disassembled multiple times.

US Patent:

20090194096, Aug 6, 2009

Filed:

Feb 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/012688

Inventors:

Daniel Simon - Chicago IL, US

International Classification:

F24J 2/16

US Classification:

126684

Abstract:

A holographic planar concentrator for collecting and concentrating solar radiation with light trapping elements. A holographic planar concentrator (HPC) comprises a transparent planar plate with at least one holographic film mounted on the face of the planar plate and a solar energy collecting device attached to at least one edge of the planar plate with a reflective surface or coating mounted along the remaining edges of the planar plate. A holographic planar concentrator with light trapping elements reduces potential light losses, and the amount solar energy collecting material required while enabling a more uniform visual appearance and lower manufacturing and installation costs.

US Patent:

20090194146, Aug 6, 2009

Filed:

Feb 6, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/012801

Inventors:

Daniel Simon - Chicago IL, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/058
H01L 31/0232
F24J 2/46

US Classification:

136248, 136259, 126704

Abstract:

A system and method of arranging multiple flat reflective facets around solar cells within a solar panel, or around a standard solar panel to increase the amount of light striking the solar cells or panel. The present invention in the preferred embodiment uses multiple reflector facets arranged to form an inverted pyramid shell where the apex of the pyramid is removed and replaced by a solar cell or panel. Accordingly each flat reflective facet has an isosceles trapezoid shape and has its shorter parallel side located adjacent and at a 120 degree angle to the solar cell or panel. This geometry ensures uniform illumination of the solar cell provided the reflector is approximately the same width as the solar cell; such uniform illumination may be especially helpful for PV generating applications. An alternate embodiment employs only three flat reflective facets, rather than four, around a standard solar panel. Flat reflective facets cost less than solar cells or panels, so employing these arrangements should lower the average cost of solar power.

US Patent:

20090316361, Dec 24, 2009

Filed:

Jun 23, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/214831

Inventors:

Daniel Simon - Chicago IL, US

International Classification:

H05K 7/20

US Classification:

361699

Abstract:

A method to control the temperature of a circulating fluid and thereby control the electrical output of a PV array is provided along with an apparatus for doing so which adds simple mechanical, data measurement and control elements to prior art systems. Given a set amount of sunlight, electrical output from a solar PV array will change if the temperature of the array changes. One can change the temperature of a PV array by circulating a fluid through a loop in thermal contact with the array. Controlling the temperature of this circulating fluid, allows one to control the electrical output from the array.