Solar collector

Abstract

A solar collector comprising an array of solar cells, each of which is spaced-apart from a subset of solar cells adjacent thereto, defining a hiatus therebetween; a first substrate disposed to cover the array of solar cells; and a second substrate disposed to cover the array of solar cells, with the array begin position between the first and second substrates, with a plurality of throughways, each of which extends from an aperture in the first substrate, traversing the hiatus and terminating in an opening in the second substrate.

1 . A solar collector comprising:
 an array of solar cells, each of which is spaced-apart from a subset of solar cells adjacent thereto, defining a hiatus therebetween;   a first substrate disposed to cover said array of solar cells; and   a second substrate disposed to cover said array of solar cells, with said array being positioned between said first and second substrates, with a plurality of throughways, each of which extends from an aperture in said first substrate, traversing said hiatus and terminating in an opening in said second substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The solar collector as recited in  claim 1  wherein a sub-portion of said throughways are radially symmetrically disposed about an axis and have a portion disposed proximate to said aperture with a radius greater than a radius of remaining portions thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The solar collector as recited in  claim 1  wherein a sub-portion of said throughways are radially symmetrically disposed about an axis and have a portion disposed proximate to said aperture with a radius that varies over a length thereof to be greatest proximate to said aperture and larger than the radius of the remaining portions thereof and smallest proximate to the remaining portions. 
     
     
         4 . The solar collector as recited in  claim 1  wherein a sub-portion of said throughways are radially symmetrically disposed about an axis and have a first portion disposed throughway proximate to said aperture, a second portion disposed proximate to said opening and a third portion disposed therebetween, with said first and second portions having a radius that is greater than a radius of said third portion. 
     
     
         5 . The solar collector as recited in  claim 1  wherein a sub-portion of said throughways are radially symmetrically disposed about an axis and have a first portion disposed proximate to said aperture, a second portion disposed proximate to said opening and a third portion disposed therebetween, with said first portion having a radius that is varies over a length of said first portion to be greatest proximate to said aperture and smallest proximate to said third portion, said second portion having a radius that varies over a length of said second portion to be greatest proximate to said opening and smallest proximate to said third portion. 
     
     
         6 . The solar collector as recited in  claim 1  wherein said solar cells are photovoltaic cells. 
     
     
         7 . The solar collector as recited in  claim 1  wherein said first substrate is transparent to optical energy. 
     
     
         8 . The solar collector as recited in  claim 1  wherein said first substrate is glass. 
     
     
         9 . The solar collector as recited in  claim 1  wherein said first and second substrates are transparent glass. 
     
     
         10 . A solar collector comprising:
 an array of photovoltaic cells, each of which is spaced-apart from a subset of solar cells adjacent thereto, defining a hiatus therebetween;   a glass substrate covering said array of solar cells; and   a second substrate covering said array of solar cells, with said array being positioned between said glass substrate and said second substrate, with a plurality of throughways, each of which extends from an aperture in said glass substrate, traversing said hiatus and terminating in an opening in said second substrate.   
     
     
         11 . The solar collector as recited in  claim 10  wherein a sub-portion of said throughways are radially symmetrically disposed about an axis and have a portion disposed proximate to said aperture with a radius greater than a radius of remaining portions thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The solar collector as recited in  claim 10  wherein a sub-portion of said throughways are radially symmetrically disposed about an axis and have a portion disposed proximate to said aperture with a radius that varies over a length thereof to be greatest proximate to said aperture and larger than the radius of the remaining portions thereof and smallest proximate to the remaining portions. 
     
     
         13 . The solar collector as recited in  claim 1  wherein a sub-portion of said throughways are radially symmetrically disposed about an axis and have a first portion disposed throughway proximate to said aperture, a second portion disposed proximate to said opening and a third portion disposed therebetween, with said first and second portions having a radius that is greater than a radius of said third portion. 
     
     
         14 . The solar collector as recited in  claim 10  wherein a sub-portion of said throughways are radially symmetrically disposed about an axis and have a first portion disposed proximate to said aperture, a second portion disposed proximate to said opening and a third portion disposed therebetween, with said first portion having a radius that is varies over a length of said first portion to be greatest proximate to said aperture and smallest proximate to said third portion, said second portion having a radius that varies over a length of said second portion to be greatest proximate to said opening and smallest proximate to said third portion. 
     
     
         15 . The solar collector as recited in  claim 10  wherein said second substrate is transparent glass. 
     
     
         16 . A solar collector comprising:
 an array of photovoltaic cells, each of which is spaced-apart from a subset of solar cells adjacent thereto, defining a hiatus therebetween;   a first glass substrate covering said array of solar cells; and   a second glass substrate covering said array of solar cells, with said array being positioned between said first and second glass substrates, with a plurality of throughways, each of which extends from an aperture in said glass substrate, traversing said hiatus and terminating in an opening in said second substrate.   
     
     
         17 . The solar collector as recited in  claim 16  wherein a sub-portion of said throughways are radially symmetrically disposed about an axis and have a portion disposed proximate to said aperture with a radius greater than a radius of remaining portions thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The solar collector as recited in  claim 16  wherein a sub-portion of said throughways are radially symmetrically disposed about an axis and have a portion disposed proximate to said aperture with a radius that varies over a length thereof to be greatest proximate to said aperture and larger than the radius of the remaining portions thereof and smallest proximate to the remaining portions. 
     
     
         19 . The solar collector as recited in  claim 16  wherein a sub-portion of said throughways are radially symmetrically disposed about an axis and have a first portion disposed throughway proximate to said aperture, a second portion disposed proximate to said opening and a third portion disposed therebetween, with said first and second portions having a radius that is greater than a radius of said third portion. 
     
     
         20 . The solar collector as recited in  claim 16  wherein a sub-portion of said throughways are radially symmetrically disposed about an axis and have a first portion disposed proximate to said aperture, a second portion disposed proximate to said opening and a third portion disposed therebetween, with said first portion having a radius that is varies over a length of said first portion to be greatest proximate to said aperture and smallest proximate to said third portion, said second portion having a radius that varies over a length of said second portion to be greatest proximate to said opening and smallest proximate to said third portion.