CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Serial No. 17/481,654 filed September 22, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002| The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that use direct solar energy without voltaic conversion for energy intensive processes such as heating and curing.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Advances to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and use other energy sources are underway. A popular and prevalent alternative energy source is solar power. However, modern systems and methods for harnessing solar power rely on voltaic conversion (i.e., converting solar radiation from its original state to electric energy). For example, solar panels rely on a photo-voltaic processes for converting sunlight into electricity via chemical reactions. Although electricity is convenient for most applications and storage, the voltaic process requires chemicals and can be inefficient. This conversion is not necessary for every application.

SUMMARY

[0004] An apparatus for using solar energy directly is provided. The apparatus includes a housing having a window, a secondary radiation source, a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon and a fixture positioned within the housing. The window is configured to transmit a first radiation into the housing and the secondary radiation source is configured to emit a second radiation which may supplement the first radiation. The instructions are configured to be executed by a processor to measure a first amount of the first radiation and actuate the secondary radiation source to emit a second amount of radiation based on the first amount of the first radiation. The fixture may be configured to position an article for receiving the first and second radiation.

[0005] A system for using solar energy directly is provided. The system includes a housing that defines a window and has a secondary radiation source, a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon and a fixture. The secondary radiation is configured to emit a second radiation. The computer instructions are to be executed by a computer to measure a first amount of the first radiation and actuate the secondary radiation source to emit a second amount of the second radiation in response to the first amount. The fixture is configured and positioned to supplement the first amount of the first radiation with the second amount of the second radiation thus obtaining a combined radiation.

[0006] A method for directly using solar energy is provided. The method includes measuring a first amount of a first radiation, radiating a second radiation at a second amount in response to the first amount and directing the first and second amounts to a fixture. The first radiation being transmitted through a window of a housing. The second radiation is emitted from a second radiation source within the housing. The fixture is configured to receive the first and second amount of radiation or configured to position an article for receiving the first and second amount of radiation.

[0007] A system for use of solar energy is provided. The system includes a housing defining a window, an absorptive material within the housing, a secondary heater, a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable instructions, and a fixture. The window is configured to transmit solar radiation into the housing and the absorptive material is positioned to receive that radiation and emit a first amount heat of within the housing. The secondary heater is configured to supplement or provide an additional amount of heat. The computer readable instructions are configured to be executed by a processor and include determining the first amount of heat and actuating the second heater to emit the additional heat based on the first amount of heat. The fixture is configured to receive the first and additional amounts of heat.

10008] Another system for use of solar radiation is provided. The system includes a housing defining a window, a secondary ultraviolet radiation source, a non-transitory computer-readable medium with computer-readable instructions configured to be executed by a processor, and a fixture within the housing. The window is configured to transmit solar radiation into the housing. The secondary radiation source is configured to emit an additional amount of ultraviolet radiation as provided by the computer readable instructions after determining a first amount of ultraviolet radiation in the solar radiation received through the window. The instructions actuate the secondary radiation source to emit the additional amount of ultraviolet radiation in response to the first amount of ultraviolet radiation. The fixture is positioned within in the housing and configured to position an article for receiving the first and additional amounts of ultraviolet radiation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is an apparatus for using solar radiation.

[0010] FIG. 2 is an apparatus with reflective material for directing solar radiation and refractive material for concentrating or focusing solar radiation.

[0011] FIG. 3 A and 3B are systems for using solar radiation directly on a production line.

10012] FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting a method of using solar radiation.

[0013] FIG. 5 is an apparatus for converting solar radiation into thermal radiation without voltaic conversion.

[0014] FIG. 6 is another apparatus for converting solar radiation to thermal radiation.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a system for curing or drying a composition using thermal radiation generated from solar radiation without voltaic conversion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments can take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments of the present invention. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations.

[0017] Moreover, except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this disclosure are to be understood as modified by the word “about” in describing the broader scope of this disclosure. Practice within the numerical limits stated is generally preferred. Also, unless expressly stated to the contrary: percent, “parts of,” and ratio values are by weight; the term “polymer” includes “oligomer,” “copolymer,” “terpolymer,” and the like; the description of a group or class of materials as suitable or preferred for given purpose implies the mixtures of any two or more of the members of the group or class are equally suitable or preferred; molecular weights provided for any polymers refers to number average molecular weight; description of constituents in chemical terms refers to the constituents at the time of addition to any combination specified in the description, and does not necessarily preclude chemical interactions among the constituents of a mixture once mixed; the first definition of an acronym or other abbreviation applies to all subsequent uses herein of the same abbreviation and applies mutatis mutandis to normal grammatical variations of the initially defined abbreviation; and, unless expressly stated to the contrary, measurement of a property is determined by the same technique as previously or later referenced for the same property.

[0018] This disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments and methods described below, as specific components and/or conditions may vary. Furthermore, the terminology used herein is used only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting in any way.

10019] As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular form “a,” “an,” and “the” comprise plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, reference to a component in the singular is intended to comprise a plurality of components.

[0020] The term “substantially” or “generally” may be used herein to describe disclosed or claimed embodiments. The term “substantially” may modify a value or relative characteristic disclosed or claimed in the present disclosure. In such instances, “substantially” may signify that the value or relative characteristic it modifies is within ± 0%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% or 10% of the value or relative characteristic.

[0021] With respect to the terms “comprising,” “consisting of,” and “consisting essentially of,” where one of these three terms is used herein, the presently disclosed and claimed subject matter can include the use of either of the other two terms.

[0022] It should also be appreciated that integer ranges explicitly include all intervening integers. For example, the integer range 1-10 explicitly includes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Similarly, the range 1 to 100 includes 1, 2, 3, 4 . . . 97, 98, 99, 100. Similarly, when any range is called for, intervening numbers that are increments of the difference between the upper limit and the lower limit divided by 10 can be taken as alternative upper or lower limits. For example, if the range is 1.1. to 2.1 the following numbers 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, and 2.0 can be selected as lower or upper limits.

(0023] An apparatus for using solar energy without the need for voltaic conversion is provided. In FIG. 1, apparatus 100 includes housing 110 defining window 112, secondary radiation source 120, fixture 140 within housing 110 and a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable instructions. Window 112 is configured to transmit first radiation Ri such as solar radiation into housing 110. Secondary radiation source 120 is configured to emit second radiation R2 such as UV light, near UV light (/.<?., 300-450), or thermal radiation which may supplement first radiation Ri and/or may be configured to radiate fixture 140. The instructions are configured to be executed by a processor to measure a first amount of first radiation Ri and actuate secondary radiation source 120 thus providing a second amount of second radiation R2 based on the first amount of first radiation Ri. Fixture 140 may be configured to position article 150 such that it receives the first amount and second amount of radiation.

[0024] Housing 110 is not particularly limited and may be any suitable housing for defining window 112. In one embodiment, the housing may serve to at least partially separate the environment inside the housing from the environment outside the housing which may make managing or controlling the environment in housing 110 easier. For example, it may be desirable to control the temperature and or humidity in housing 110. Window 112 defined by housing 110 is not particularly limited in shape or size but should transmit first radiation Ri. First radiation Ri may be solar radiation. In one variation, the window may be empty (/.<?., an open orifice) however more preferably window 112 is any suitable material for transmitting solar radiation such as but not limited glass or an organic polymer. In a variation, window 112 may or may not absorb UV light, i.e., having a wavelength of 100-400 nm on the electromagnetic spectrum. In a refinement, window 112 may have a solar transmittance (r _e ) of at least 60, or more preferably 70, or even more preferably 80 according to JIS R 3106 using a 5 mm thick material and as measured over a wavelength of 250-2500 nm. In still another refinement, window 112 may have a solar factor (g-value) of greater than 0.5, or more preferably greater than 0.6, or even more preferably greater than 0.7 per NFRC 201. Housing 110 may preferably be located on a roof or form a portion of a roof for better accessibility to the sun.

[0025] Secondary radiation source 120 may be any suitable source for generating a desired radiation. Secondary radiation source 120 may be a light, lamp, or heater for emitting UV light (e.g., 100-400 nm), near UV light (e.g., 300-450 nm), visible light (e.g., 400-700 nm) or thermal radiation (e.g., 100-100,000 nm). For example, secondary radiation source 120 may be one or more UV lamps, IR lamps, heating coils, heat lamps, and/or any other heaters. Secondary radiation source 120 may supplement or be combined with first radiation Ri. Secondary radiation source 120 may emit second radiation R2 at a second amount based on the first amount of first radiation Ri such that fixture 140 and/or article 150 receive a combined amount of radiation. Secondary radiation source 120 may also provide all the necessary or desired radiation when first radiation Ri (e.g., solar radiation) is unavailable. For example, secondary radiation source 120 may provide all the desired radiation at night when solar radiation is not available.

[0026] Fixture 140 may be positioned in the housing 110 for receiving the first and second radiation Ri, R2. Fixture 140 may be any suitable fixture for positioning or holding article 150 in a position for receiving the first and second radiation Ri, R2. Fixture 140 may be entirely or partially located in housing 110. Fixture 140 may hold or position more than one article for receiving the first and second radiation Ri, R2. For example, fixture 140 may be a table or rack for holding article 150 or fixture 140 may be a conveyor system for transporting a plurality of articles into housing 110 and positioning them for receiving the first and second radiation Ri, R2 for a period of time as shown in FIG. 3 A. Article 150 is not particularly limited and may be any article that may benefit from the exposure to radiation. In a refinement, article 150 may include a wet or uncured composition that may be dried or cured by the first and second radiation Ri, R2. For example, article 150 may be industrial equipment, a vehicle or a component thereof. Article 150 having a wet or uncured composition may be positioned for exposure to the first and second radiation Ri, R2 for a predetermined period of time such as at least 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes or 30 minutes. The predetermined time may be not more than 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 25 minutes, 30 minutes, or 1 hour. The predetermined period of time may be fixed based on the composition of the coating and/or may be based on the amount and/or intensity of the first and second radiation Ri, R2.

[0027] Fixture 140 may be configured to absorb solar radiation and convert it to heat. Many materials may be suitable for absorbing solar radiation and converting it to heat, however dark materials may be more efficient because of their high absorption properties. In a refinement, suitable materials may withstand high UV and/or thermal exposure without degradation or without significant degradation. Fixture 140, for example, may include a dark surface or have a dark (e.g., black) backing or coating. In a variation, fixture 140 may be coated with a material that facilitates absorption and the conversion of solar radiation to heat (e.g., an absorptive material). When solar radiation enters through window 112 it will be absorbed by fixture 140 and release heat. Non-refl ective materials or coatings may more effectively absorb solar radiation and convert it to heat. In a refinement, fixture 140 may be made of or coated with a material that is designed to withstand direct solar radiation for extended periods of time. Fixture 140 may further include a material that has a high thermal conductivity such that it can easily transfer heat to article 150 or another object such as a duct 142 as shown in FIG. 3B. For example, the fixture may include a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 1 W/mK, more preferably, at least 100 W/mK, or even more preferably at least 200 W/mK per ASTM Cl 77. Fixture 140 may be immediately adjacent to a (zephyr) duct 142 to conduct heat generated by absorbing solar radiation to the duct 142 for heating. Fixture 140 may be a stone, mineral, cement, ceramic, or metal material. More preferably a coated metallic material may be used. In another refinement, first and second radiation Ri, R2may be directly transmitted to a duct 142 (i.e., fixture 140 may be a duct 142). The duct 142 may contain a volume of air that is heated by fixture 140 and can be transferred to another location. Fixture 140 may be any shape and size suitable for receiving first radiation Ri.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, the duct may transport heated air to an oven such as for curing an uncured coating or drying a wet coating. Referring to FIG. 5, a radiation source 500 such as from the sun is received through window 502 disposed in a housing 504. In a refinement, the first radiation source may be focused such as with one or more refractive and/or reflective materials (e.g., lenses and/or mirrors). The first radiation source such as solar rays may be concentrated into fixture 506 such as a ceramic bowl which is in contact with duct 508 having an airflow Ai. The fixture 506 heats the duct 508 and airflow Ai. The airflow Ai may be transferred to an oven for curing or drying a composition. In a refinement, the airflow Ai may also receive a second radiation from a second radiation source prior to being used to cure or dry a composition.

[0029] In a variation, as shown in FIG. 6, the window 602 and fixture 606 may be disposed directly in the vent or duct 608 such that the first radiation source is received and/or concentrated through the window 602 by a reflective/refractive material 610 and directly converted to thermal radiation in the duct 608. The fixture 606 may generate heat as the airflow Ai passes directly over or through it such that the passing air is heated. In a refinement, the fixture 608 may be a bowl (as shown), one or more solid plates, a wavy or corrugated plate, a mesh material, and/or a plurality of bars such that the airflow Ai flows around and/or through the fixture 606. In yet another refinement, a portion of the duct 608 such as the inner surface may be coated with an absorbent coating 612 such as a ceramic coating. In still another refinement, the bowl may include an absorbent material disposed therein. For example, the absorbent material may more efficiently covert the solar radiation into thermal radiation.

[0030] The non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions configured to be executed by a processor such as a controller provides for carrying out various functions for operation of apparatus 100 such as measuring an amount and/or intensity of first radiation Ri. A sensor may be used to measure the amount and/or intensity of first radiation Ri or a proxy parameter for determining the amount of first radiation Ri. Alternatively, time and/or weather may be used to calculate an anticipated amount of solar radiation and/or the most suitable locations and/or directions for receiving that radiation. For example, UV irradiance/intensity and/or spectral distribution may be measured. Various sensors at different locations may be used to measure the first radiation from different locations (i.e., a plurality of measurements).

[0031] A specific location may yield a greater amount of radiation compared to other or adjacent locations. This location or direction may change, for example, throughout the day based on the movement of the sun, weather conditions, or obstructions interfering with the path of solar radiation (i.e., trees, clouds, pollution, wildlife). Housing 110, portions thereof, or window 112 may be altered or adjusted to receive the first radiation from a location corresponding to a max amount. For example, the housing may include multiple windows or a moveable window such that the window faces the east during the early portion of a day and the west during the later portions of the day. The window may also face or primarily face the equator.

[0032] The controller may coordinate the use of multiple energy sources according to a predetermined hierarchy. For example, the controller may direct the system such that the sole source or primary source of energy is the non-voltaic use as described herein. The controller may also supplement the non-voltaic use with additional sources such as photovoltaic (e.g., solar panels), established electric grids, and/or natural gas. In a refinement, the controller may prefer to use non- voltaic solar energy, photovoltaic solar energy, an electric grid, and/or natural gas in that order. In a variation, the hierarchy may be predetermined according to environmental impacts, cost, and/or operational needs.

100331 The controller may be configured to coordinate the various radiation sources such that a composition cures or dries properly without under-curing, over-curing, underbaking and/or overbaking. In a production line such as those depicted FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 7, various sensors may gather temperature data from the oven and/or anticipate changes in the availability of the various sources such that continuous processing or uninterrupted operation occurs. For example, the controller may receive current temperature data and additional data such as historical or weather data to anticipate changes such the availability of sunlight such that the secondary sources, e.g., heaters may be actuated to maintain the oven temperature throughout a transition period (e.g., day to night, sunny to cloudy, or vice versa).

[0034] The processor may include one or more devices selected from high-performance computing systems including high-performance cores, microprocessors, micro-controllers, digital signal processors, microcomputers, central processing units, field programmable gate arrays, programmable logic devices, state machines, logic circuits, analog circuits, digital circuits, or any other device that manipulate signals (analog or digital) based on computer-executable instructions residing in the memory. The memory may include a single memory device or a number of memory devices including, but not limited to, random access memory (RAM), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), flash memory, cache memory, or any other device capable of storing information. The non-volatile storage may include one or more persistent data storage devices such as a hard drive, optical drive, tape drive, non-volatile solid state device, cloud storage or any other device capable of persistently storing information.

[0035] Executable instruction may reside in a software module. The software module may include operating systems and applications. The software module may be compiled or interpreted from a computer program created using a variety of programming languages and/or technologies, including, without limitation, and either alone or in combination, Java, C, C++, C#, Objective C, Fortran, Pascal, Java Script, Python, Perl, and PL/SQL. Non-volatile storage may also include data supporting the functions, features, calculations, and processes.

[0036] Computer readable storage media, which is inherently non-transitory, may include volatile or non-volatile, and removable and non-removeable tangible media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computer readable storage media may further include RAM, ROM, erasable programable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other solid state memory technology, portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired information and which can be read by a computer. Computer readable program instructions may be downloaded to a computer, another type of programmable data processing apparatus, or another device form of a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network.

10037] Computer readable program instructions stored in a computer readable medium may be used to direct a computer, other types of programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions that implement functions, acts, and/or operations described herein. The functions, acts, and/or operations described herein may be re-ordered, processed serially, and/or processed concurrently.

[0038] In a refinement, a medium or material that changes the direction of solar radiation (e.g., reflection and refraction) such as mirrors or lenses may be used to collect, direct and/or focus the solar radiation from the location corresponding to the max amount or from multiple locations, which may or may not include the location corresponding to the max amount, through window 112. For example, reflective material 114 (e.g., a mirror) may be used to direct solar radiation from a large area through window 112 as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, or in combination, a refractive material 116 (e.g., a magnifying lens) may be used to direct solar radiation from a large area or focus solar radiation through window 112 as shown in FIG. 2. For example, a Fresnel magnifying lens may be used. The materials responsible for collecting, directing or focusing solar radiation may be aimed at locations or in direction that provide greater solar radiation. The instructions to be executed by a processor may automate aiming based on the plurality of measurements from different locations. The measured amount of the first radiation Ri may be used to actuate the secondary radiation source 120 to emit the second amount of radiation. In other words, the second amount of radiation may be based on the first amount of radiation. For example, the instructions may provide that the processor determines the max or greatest amount from the plurality of measurements and then alters the reflective or refractive materials such that the face of those materials faces towards the direction(s) or location(s) corresponding to the max or greatest amount(s). The materials responsible for collecting, directing or focusing solar radiation (e.g., reflect and/or refractive materials) and/or the window 112 may be aimed at a location for capturing the most solar radiation by being mobile along an x-axis, y-axis and/or z- axis and/or being pivotal and/or rotational. In a variation, the window 112 may be a refractive and/or reflective material itself. For example, a lens may be disposed in the housing 110 as the window 112.

|0039| In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the housing 710 may be disposed on the roof 702 of for example an industrial manufacturing facility (e.g., production line) and include one or more (e.g., a plurality of) windows 712 which may be lenses such as Fresnel lenses configured to receive a first radiation source 700 such as from the sun. The housing 710 may receive an airflow Ai via an air intake 705. The air may be fresh air, conditioned air, and/or recirculated air. The airflow Ai is heated as it passes by one or more (e.g., a plurality of) fixtures 706 configured to receive the first radiation 700 through the one or more windows 712 and generate heat. The airflow Ai may be propelled by a fan/blower 714 such that it circulates through the housing 710 and to an oven 718 with a conveyor 720 for transporting a plurality of articles 722 such as vehicles in and out of the oven 718. In a refinement, the airflow Ai may be exposed to a secondary radiation source 716 prior to being circulated to the oven 718 to achieve a predetermined temperature.

[0040] In FIG. 4, method 400 for use of solar energy is provided. Method 400 includes measuring a first amount of a first radiation such as solar radiation transmitted or to be transmitted through a window of a housing (i.e., step 410), radiating a second radiation at a second amount in response to the first amount (/.< ., step 420) and directing the first and second radiation to a fixture (i.e., step 430). The fixture may be configured to position an article in a first position for receiving the first and second radiation. A processor may be configured to receive instructions to radiate the second radiation at a second amount via a secondary radiation source in response to the first amount of the first radiation. Method 400 may include measuring a third amount of the first radiation and adjusting the second radiation to a fourth amount based on the third amount of the first radiation measured. This process may be continually repeated, for example, to ensure that any deviation in the first radiation is compensated for by the second radiation. A processor may be configured to receive instruction to continually or intermittently measure the first radiation and adjust the second radiation accordingly. Measurements may be taken every second, 5 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 second, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes or hour and used to adjust the second radiation. The instructions may further provide for aiming materials capable of changing the direction of solar radiation towards different location with a desired or greater amount of solar radiation and/or adjusting the location of the window. For example, the processor may open a window facing the east in the morning and aim a mirror and/or lens towards the sun for directing the solar radiation through the eastward facing window. In the evening a westward facing window may be used. Method 400 may also include positioning an article in the fixture for a predetermined period of time. The article may have a wet or uncured composition that may be cured (i.e., step 432) or dried (i.e., step 434) after the predetermined period of time and exposure to the first and second radiation. The uncured composition may for example, be cured by UV light or thermal exposure. Alternatively, the fixture may be heated (i.e., step 436) for heating another object or substance such as a duct.

[0041] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the invention that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes can include, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. As such, embodiments described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure and can be desirable for particular applications.