WO2017017482A1

WO2017017482A1 - Method for optimizing efficiency of optical semiconductor devices

Info

Publication number: WO2017017482A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/001263
Authority: WO
Inventors: István ABONYI
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-07-27
Filing date: 2015-07-27
Publication date: 2017-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 2018-01-27
Also published as: EP3295769A4; EP3295769A1

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a method for optimizing efficiency of optical semiconductor devices, allowing optical semiconductor devices such as light-emitting optical semiconductor devices, e.g. LEDs, and light-absorbing optical semiconductor devices converting light into electrical energy such as solar cells and solar panels to operate more optimally and with higher subsequent efficiency increase and longer lifetime than before, The essence of the solution is, if the voltage of the light-emitting optical semiconductor devices is interrupted with a short duty cycle, possibly of 1-5%, then they can cool down to a greater extent, and thereby their ambient temperature will be lower, and so their characteristic efficiency valid for all optical semiconductor devices resulting from the temperature reduction will increase. In one case the optical semiconductor devices are optical light emitting semiconductor devices, in given case high power LEDs. In other case the optical semiconductor devices are devices converting light energy into electric power, in given case solar cells or solar panels.

Description

Method for optimizing efficiency of optical semiconductor devices

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention is a method for optimizing efficiency of optical semiconductor devices, allowing optical semiconductor devices such as light-emitting optical semiconductor devices, e.g. LEDs, and light-absorbing optical semiconductor devices converting light into electrical energy such as solar cells and solar panels to operate more optimally and with higher subsequent efficiency increase and longer lifetime than before.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

All optical semiconductor devices used in electronics have parameters that significantly depend on the temperature of use or operation. Consequently, the parameters of the optical semiconductor devices may significantly change at a specific temperature value. The parameters of all optical semiconductor devices significantly deteriorate with the increase of temperature. Therefore the aim is to make sure that the power amplifier unit converts the energy converted by the optical semiconductor devices with the best possible efficiency. This new application or connection method contributes to the subsequent optimisation or reduction of losses in optical semiconductor devices.

This is achieved by reducing the temperature generated by the optical semiconductor device, while increasing the electric power transmitted by the optical semiconductor device rather than reducing it. This means that the heat losses of the optical semiconductor devices will be minimised. Consequently, the connected or excited optical semiconductor device is able to operate with higher efficiency.

Two main applications of this new procedure are highlighted: - Firstly, solar cells created with optical semiconductor devices.

- Secondly, high capacity light-emitting optical semiconductor devices, i.e. LEDs.

In the first case, it may be used for energy optimisation and subsequent efficiency increase in energy conversion. In the second case, the subsequent capacity optimisation of the optical semiconductor device is performed as loading.

STATE OF THE ART

According to the state of the art the US2009184668 patent description makes known high efficiency boost led driver with output, which current driver for powering a string of LEDs has a boost converter coupled to an input voltage source. A voltage multiplier circuit is coupled to the boost converter and to the string of LEDs. A latch is provided having an output coupled to the boost converter. A current sense element is coupled to the boost converter. A current comparator is provided having an output coupled to a first input of the latch, a first input coupled to the current sense element, and a second input coupled to a reference current. A zero-volt detector circuit is provided having an output coupled to a second input of the latch and an input coupled to the boost converter and the voltage multiplier circuit.

The US2011 156593 patent description makes known boosting driver circuit for light- emitting diodes. The various embodiments relate to an light-emitting diode (LED) driver and related method that drives various LEDs in an LED string beyond their isolated nominal luminance. Individual LEDs in an LED string may be thermally dependent so that specific LEDs may operate at higher temperatures without degradation. This may include driving specific LEDs beyond isolated nominal luminance when associated LEDs dim below their isolated nominal luminance. Such operation allows the LED to receive higher amounts of current and therefore exhibit higher luminous intensity. A control circuit may monitor the forward voltage and temperature in a feedback loop to ensure that the LEDs in the string are operating below a defined maximum junction temperature.; The control circuit may signal a processing unit to adjust adjacent circuits to compensate when the controlled LEDs cannot produce a requested luminance without operating beyond a maximum junction temperature.

The US201 1068637 patent description makes known a method for Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) a photovoltaic cell by a power converter that provides an output current at voltages useful to operate electronics or charge batteries. This invention also relates to a method for Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) multiple photovoltaic cells by a power combiner that combines the output of the multiple photovoltaic cells into a single output. The power combiner is comprised of multiple power converters, one for each photovoltaic cell. Each power converter used in these methods has an input-regulating element that has an output waveform with a characteristic that is related to the photovoltaic cell voltage and current. As a result only the photovoltaic cell voltage is directly measured in these methods and the photovoltaic cell current is determined indirectly.

The US2006174939 patent description makes known efficiency booster circuit and technique for maximizing power point tracking. The invention provides an efficiency booster circuit and accompanying switch mode power conversion technique to efficiently capture the power generated from a solar cell array that would normally have been lost, for example, under reduced incident solar radiation. In an embodiment of the invention, the efficiency booster circuit generates an output current from the solar cell power source using a switch mode power converter. A control loop is closed around the input voltage to the converter circuit and not around the output voltage. The output voltage is allowed to float, being clamped by the loading conditions. If the outputs from multiple units are tied together, the currents will sum. If the output(s) are connected to a battery, the battery's potential will clamp the voltage during charge. This technique allows all solar cells in an array that are producing power and connected in parallel to work at their peak efficiency. The CN203193940 patent description makes known a boosting long-acting LED drive circuit without an electrolytic capacitor. The output end of an input power supply Vi is connected with a series circuit formed by an inductance L and a switch element K in sequence. The above circuit forms a boosting converting circuit, thereby providing stable DC output voltage for loads. One end of the inductance L is connected with the anode of the DC power supply Vi, and the other end is connected with a collector electrode of the switch element K. The collector electrode of the K is connected with the inductance L. An emitting electrode is connected with a cathode of the DC power supply Vi. A load LED is connected in parallel with the K. A cathode of the LED is connected with the collector electrode of the K. An anode of the LED is connected with the emitting electrode of the K. The drive circuit just uses the inductance L, and the switch tube K to form the current converting circuit, thereby providing unidirectional pulse current for the load. In the circuit, no electrolytic capacitor is used, thereby prolonging service life of an LED driver.

The CN201499008 patent description makes known a pulse current charging connecting circuit for a solar panel belongs to a charging circuit which uses the solar energy as power supply, comprising a high-efficient solar panel, an electrolytic capacitor and a voltage mediating circuit. Two poles of the high-efficient solar panel are in parallel connection with the electrolytic capacitor and the voltage mediating circuit. The output voltage of the voltage mediating circuit can be connected with a LED light or a rechargeable battery. The solar panel uses the high-efficient solar panel with two poles diaphanous. The electrolytic capacitor in parallel connection with the solar panel is 10000 Uf/25V. The solar panel provides a voltage of 1.5V. The output voltage from the parallel connected electrolytic capacitor and voltage mediating circuit is 6V which can lighten the LED light and charge 3.7V lithium cell. The utility model can be made into chargeable products or power supply, having simple structure, small volume, portability, convenient use, and the like.

The US201231961 1 patent description makes known a boost circuit for an LED (Light Emitting Diode) backlight driver circuit is disclosed; said boost circuit includes a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) chip, a second capacitor, and a signal processing circuit. A VCC pin of the PWM chip is coupled to the input node, and the PWM chip is utilized to generate a PWM signal. One end of the second capacitor is coupled to an output pin of the PWM chip, and the second capacitor is utilized to filter out a direct current component of the PWM signal. One terminal of the signal processing circuit is coupled to the second capacitor, and another terminal thereof is coupled to a gate of the switch. The signal processing circuit is used to adjust the filtered PWM signal for generating corresponding high levels and low levels. A regulator is omitted in the present invention, therefore reducing costs.

The WO2009134885 patent description makes known wide voltage, high efficiency led driver circuit. An electrical circuit and method for driving light emitting diodes with a constant current via a high efficiency DC-DC converter controlled by a digital controller through pulse width modulation (PWM). The light emitting diodes may be powered by a variety of power sources including batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors.

The CN2882028 utility model makes known a winder bracket comprising a reel structure, a socket structure removably assembled on the reel structure, and a power cord that can be wound and one end of which is electrically connected with the socket structure. The reel structure comprises two circular isolating baffles that are located at front and rear and parallel, and a hollow winding ring that is communicated and assembled between the inner circumferences of the baffles. The socket structure comprises a reel body that can be assembled in removable way on the front end of the winding ring, and a plurality of sockets that are inlayed in the reel body and are electrically connected each other. The power cord comprises a flexible conductive wire that is wound on the winding ring, and two plugs that are connected respectively at the two opposite ends of the wire and plugged respectively in the sockets in a removable way. The removable structure of the socket structure allows a user to change the using pattern of the winder bracket as desired. Comparing and drawbacks the solutions according the state of the art:

During comparisons with similar patented solutions, I have not found any patent covering both applications to any extent.

Elements of comparison similar to the technical specifications provided by me to minimum extent are as follows:

The first patent to be compared with is U.S. patent number US 8 093 873 B2 submitted on Jan 10, 2012: METHOD FOR MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING OF PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS BY POWER CONVERTERS AND POWER COMBINERS. Only one part of this patent is similar to the solution outlined by me. This is a buffer condenser which is included also in the patent in question. However, the composition of the patent in question is different. In the U.S. patent, the buffer condenser is important only for voltage increase, as it is connected to a coil and a switch element in an inverter mode. While in my solution, the switch element (Q) connects the solar cell (SC) directly to the buffer condenser (C). In the U.S. patent, the solar cell directly connects to the buffer capacity, and the circuit is not interrupted. Therefore it is used in a completely different way. As regards my solution, the energy efficiency is achieved by connecting the buffer condenser to the solar cell not continuously, but with 1-3% interruptions.

The next patent is a Chinese patent number CN 2882082 Y, title: SOLAR MODULE USING HIGH POWER SUPERHIGH CAPACITOR.

This is a Chinese patent which is similar to my concept in using a buffer condenser. But the above patent applies a much larger capacity than my patent. It is provided as a superhigh capacity intended not to increase capacity (since the leakage current of the superhigh capacity is significantly higher than that of a battery) but to equalize the changes of the input energy, similarly to a battery. This circuit is not able to increase the original efficiency of the solar cell either, it is only able to equalize the input energy by storing it (however, by using the superhigh capacity it inserts additional losses into the existing system). This patent is definitely intended to make sure that the capacity does not suddenly reduce in a cloudy weather or lower capacity periods, and that the energy stored in super capacities compensates the energy change during that time, similarly to a battery.

The next patent to be compared is another U.S. patent number US 8,106,597 B2, title: HIGH EFFICIENCY BOOST LED DRIVER WITH OUTPUT.

This U.S. pattern is similar to my concept only in using a buffer condenser the design of which within the circuit is completely different. In addition, the buffer condenser connects to the circuit via an inductivity connected in series. In the above patent, the buffer condenser operates in an inverter. As any other inverters, it converts the input energy with losses. In the above patent, the several diodes connected in series result in losses in the inverter design, since there is a drop of 0.06V on the diodes, and the voltage drop on the three diodes significantly reduce the efficiency as the voltage drop on the diodes is converted into heat.

In this current circuit announced by me, the buffer condenser is located after the AC LED driver, then this is interrupted with a duty cycle from 1 to 5%. As a result of the short switches, the LED optical semiconductor device has enough time to cool down. Consequently, its light efficiency capacity increases. This minimum interruption time allows us to achieve higher energy efficiency by utilizing the persistence time of the luminescent materials used in the light-emitting optical semiconductor devices, i.e. the LED. The following patent to be compared is U.S. patent number US 8,193,741 B2, title BOOSTING DRIVER CIRCUIT FOR LIGHT-EMITTING DIODES.

The above U.S. patent is specifies as if were a LED booster. In fact, this patent only measures and controls the voltage on the light-emitting optical semiconductor devices, in this case on the LEDs, and therefore it is intended to keep the current value specified by the LED chips at the set value. The circuit itself does not boost or increase the efficiency of the LED chips in question. This circuit is one of the common inverter solutions, and it equalises the potential pulse induced by the inductivity by means of an inductivity connected in series and a switch element, and then stabilises it via a buffer condenser.

This patent is compared only because it includes a buffer capacity, and the title of the patent contains the term "boost". In fact, it is not a real boost, as it only connects the circuit to the LED applied as an optical semiconductor device. As in the above cases, this solution does not boost or increase the efficiency of the LED used as an optical semiconductor device. It only allows the LED to use the characteristic changes caused by the temperature fluctuation in a more optimal way.

In accordance with the state of the art, the characteristics indicated on FIG 7 attached as an annex show how the brightness of LEDs used as high capacity optical semiconductor devices changes depending on the temperature. This clearly indicates that even a change by a few C degrees dramatically affects the efficiency of the optical semiconductor device.

In accordance with the state of the art, FIGs 8 and 9 attached as annexes show correlations with the temperatures of solar cells used as optical semiconductor devices. The figures clearly indicate that the higher the temperature the lower the efficiency. This definitely confirms that any temperature reduction results in efficiency increase. This temperature reduction can be achieved by using a duty cycle from 1 to 5% to subsequently increase the efficiency.

AIM

With my invention, i.e. my technical solution, my aim was, among others, to increase the efficiency of light-emitting optical semiconductor devices. In addition, my aim was to subsequently increase the efficiency of optical semiconductor devices generating electricity from light energy, such as solar panels, on the basis of this invention, of the same principle.

RECOGNITION

I have come to the recognition by realizing the identical physical properties of the two optical semiconductor devices. The recognition is based on a physical property valid for all optical semiconductor devices, which has not been utilised in this field until now. That is, all optical semiconductor devices, i.e. optical semiconductor components operating on this principle change their parameters depending on the temperature. Both the high capacity light-emitting optical semiconductor devices, or the LEDs in specific cases, and the high capacity light energy converting optical semiconductor devices, or solar cells in specific cases, follow the same principle.

Therefore if their ambient temperature becomes higher, their efficiency reduces.

Based on this finding, I have come to the conclusion that if the light-emitting optical semiconductor devices are interrupted with short duty cycles from 1 to 5% at a specific frequency, then they are able to cool down to a greater extent. Thereby, their ambient temperature will be lower. As a result of the temperature reduction, the characteristic efficiency valid for all optical semiconductor devices will increase. In the concept announced by me, real efficiency increase can be subsequently achieved in light-emitting optical semiconductor devices, or LEDs in specific cases, which I can confirm with measurements. According to my experiences and concept, this effect results in similar significant efficiency increase in optical semiconductor devices converting light energy into electricity, i.e. in solar cells.

STATEMENT

The invention is a method for optimizing efficiency of optical semiconductor devices, allowing optical semiconductor devices such as light-emitting optical semiconductor devices,, and light-absorbing optical semiconductor devices converting light into electrical energy to operate more optimally and with higher subsequent efficiency and longer lifetime than before, where in if the voltage of the light-emitting optical semiconductor devices is interrupted with a short duty cycle, possibly of 1-5%, then they can cool down to a greater extent, and thereby their ambient temperature will be lower, and so their characteristic efficiency valid for all optical semiconductor devices resulting from the temperature reduction will increase.

In one of a preferable application of the method according to the invention, where the optical semiconductor devices are light-emitting devices in one case, and high capacity LEDs in the other case.

In another preferable application of the method according to the invention, where in the case of light-emitting optical semiconductor devices (LEDs), the luminescent material is illuminated by means of excited light only for a certain period, and not continuously, and the excitation is followed by a certain break to allow us to utilize the maximum persistence energy, and the switching frequency is specified so as to result in the maximum light output during the excitation time of the luminescent material. In a further preferable application of the method according to the invention, where in the case of light-emitting optical semiconductor devices (LEDs), the circuit subsequently increasing the efficiency of the LEDs is largely similar to the drive of pulse laser diodes, however, while in that case the circuit is switched on only for 1-5% of the time and is interrupted during the rest of the time, and the energy accumulated in condenser C is discharged to the pulse laser diode for the time of the short pulse, then in the case of the invented solution this is on the contrary, and the circuit is switched off for 1-5% of the time, and is switched on during the rest of the time.

In a further preferable application of the method according to the invention, where the optical semiconductor devices are devices converting light energy into electric power, in certain cases solar cells or solar panels in the second case.

In a further preferable application of the method according to the invention, where the solar cell connects to buffer energy storage condenser C via a switch element, and the optimizing circuit is a control circuit with a processor which activates the switch element on the basis of the signal from a heat sensor and a voltage meter, and the switch element may be any type of switch element having the specific properties.

In a further preferable application of the method according to the invention, where in the case of solar cells, the signal from the solar cell steeply charges buffer condenser C, and then the switch element controlled by a unit with a processor interrupts the signal in function of the preset value of the heat sensor element, and thereby the solar cell is not continuously loaded, and a short break between 1 and 5% is enough to avoid heating up of the solar cell under the load to a great extent.

In a further preferable application of the method according to the invention, where in the case of solar cells, the short break and the capacity value of buffer C have proven to be sufficient to significantly increase the efficiency of the solar cells, and therefore the capacity value can be increased by up to 30% depending on the parameters set in accordance with the system of the solar cells.

In a further preferable application of the method according to the invention, where in an actual advantageous application, condenser C is a buffer condenser the size of which depends on the specific capacity.

In a further preferable application of the method according to the invention, where in an actual advantageous application, a transistor - or in a specific case - a FET transistor is used as a switch element, which must have the lowest inner resistance.

In a further preferable application of the method according to the invention, where in an actual advantageous application, an element with a microprocessor is used, which activates the switch element in function of the preset values of the heat sensor element.

The invented solution is presented on the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

Fig 1 shows the layout of the circuit block implementing the procedure in the first case, i.e. in high capacity LED drives.

Fig 2 shows a potential circuit diagram for the blocks indicated on Fig 1.

The pulse series shown on Figs 3 and 4 indicate the connection interval of the LED efficiency optimizing circuit covered by this invention.

Fig 5 shows the block diagram of the subsequent efficiency increasing circuit covered by this invention for the control of the control circuit of the solar cell. Fig 6 shows a potential circuit diagram for the blocks indicated on Fig 4 and intended to control solar cells.

The characteristic curve shown on Fig 7 indicates the connection interval of the drive of the solar cell control circuit using the solution covered by the invention.

The characteristics shown on Fig 8 indicate how the brightness of high capacity light- emitting (LED) optical semiconductor devices changes depending on the temperature according to the state of the art.

Figs 9 and 10 show the correlations between the efficiency and temperature of solar cells converting light energy by means of optical semiconductor devices according to the state of the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

On Fig 1, box 1 contains the LED driver, box 2 contains the optimizing circuit, while box 3 contains the LED chip.

Fig 2 shows a potential circuit diagram for the blocks indicated on Fig 1.

Fig 2 shows that component 1, the buffer component in this case, is an energy storage condenser C. Component 2 is a control circuit with a processor. Component 4 is a sensor measuring both voltage and temperature. Components 3 are switch elements, which can be, in fact, any type of switch element having the specific properties. Voltage points +UT1 and UT2 are indicated on the figure. The circuit is driven from point +UT1, and the LED or solar cell is located always at point +UT2. The LED subsequent efficiency increasing circuit is largely similar to the drive of the pulse laser diodes. However, in that case the circuit is switched on only for 1 to 5% of the time, and is interrupted during the rest of the time. In that case, the energy accumulated in condenser C is discharged to the pulse laser diode for the time of the short pulse, as it is shown on Fig 3.

On Fig 2, component 1 is buffer condenser C, the size of which depends on the specific capacity. Component 2 is a circuit marked with micro symbol, which is a microprocessor switch element. Component 3 is a switch element (Q), which is a semiconductor switch element. In this case, this is a FET transistor, as it is very important for it to have the minimum inner resistance. On Fig 2, right hand point UT2 connects to both the solar controller and the optical semiconductor LED drive circuit. As regards the use of the circuit, right hand point UT2 connects to both the optical semiconductor solar cell and the optical semiconductor LED.

On the figure, I indicated repetition time T of the pulse series as well as On condition Tl and Off condition T2.

In the case of the LED efficiency increasing circuit, the drive is performed not at 20-50 times the specific current, but with l-2x impulse currents, and only for a period allowed on the basis of the data of the LED chip provided by the manufacturer.

In the case of the LED optimising circuit, this procedure could not be used because the continuous LEDs are not designed for large surges of current. Therefore if somebody drove the LEDs in pulse mode, they would get damaged in a very short time. (They would melt due to the high current.) All LED chips operate by projecting the light excited by the chip itself to a multilayer and multispectral luminescent material. The luminescent material covers several band widths with various wave lengths. Each luminescent material has a relaxation time. This means that it emits light with different wave lengths in response to illumination, for a few msec in certain cases.

Alternatively, the luminescent material may be illuminated by means of excited light only for a certain period, and not continuously. The excitation is followed by a certain break to allow us to utilize the maximum persistence energy. The switching frequency is specified to result in the maximum light output during the excitation time of the luminescent material.

Fig 5 shows the block diagram of the optimizing circuit covered by this invention for the control of the control circuit of the solar cell. In the case of the latter application, this block diagram has been created to subsequently increase the efficiency of the solar cell. On Fig 5, box 1 contains the solar cell, box 2 contains the optimizing circuit, while box 3 contains the control circuit of the solar cell.

Fig 6 shows a potential circuit diagram for the blocks indicated on Fig 5 and intended to control solar cells.

Fig 6 shows that the right hand input connects from the solar cell via switch element 3 to the buffer, energy storage condenser C. Component 2 is a control circuit with a processor. Component 3 is the switch element itself, which can be, in fact, any type of switch element having the specific properties (steep ramp and minimum inner resistance). The last component connects to the solar cell controller at the two blue output points. As regards the pulse series shown on Fig 7, the horizontal line represents time t, the vertical line represents voltage U for the solar cell controller. This figure shows that the circuit is switched on for more than 95% of the given period.

Figure 7 shows that the signal from the solar cell steeply charges buffer condenser C. Then, in response to the switch element, it interrupts it in accordance with the preprogrammed function of circuit 2 provided with a processor, which depends on the Therefore the solar cell will not be continuously loaded. The short break between 1 to 5% is enough for the solar cell not to warm up during that time under the load. This short break has proven to be enough to increase the efficiency of the solar cells. The parameters set depending on the system of solar cells may increase the capacity value by up to 20-30%. Based on these two applications, it is clear that significant capacity increase can be achieved in both applications. Additional Figs 8, 9, and 10 present comparisons between the above solutions mentioned in the state of the art.

The characteristics shown on Fig 8 well illustrate how the brightness of LEDs implemented as high capacity optical semiconductor devices changes depending on the temperature. This clearly indicates that even a change by a few C degrees dramatically affects the efficiency of the optical semiconductor device.

Figs 9 and 10 show the correlations between the efficiency and temperature of solar cells implemented with optical semiconductor devices. The characteristics shown on these figures clearly indicate that the higher the temperature of the energy converting optical semiconductor device the lower the efficiency. This definitely confirms that any temperature reduction results in efficiency increase. This temperature reduction can be achieved by using a duty cycle from 1 to 5% to increase the efficiency. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS, ADVANTAGES:

As regards the invented solution, two major applications of the new procedure are highlighted:

Firstly, high capacity light-emitting devices implemented with optical semiconductor devices, LEDs.

Secondly, solar cells implemented with optical semiconductor devices.

While in the first case the capacity of the light-emitting optical semiconductor device (LED) is optimised as a load, in the second case subsequent efficiency increase may be obtained in energy conversion.

In the first case related to the high capacity LED drive, inserting the circuit between the factory LED drive input and the factory LED chip can significantly increase the light- emitting capacity of the LED, while the capacity does not change, only the efficiency of light conversion increases.

The differential energy is achieved by increasing the efficiency of the electricity/light conversion of the LED. The current high capacity LED chips does not reach 50% efficiency. Using this circuit layout allows up to 75% efficiency, which is proved by laboratory measurements.

In a specific case, i.e. in the case of the advantageous application, I use an element with a microprocessor, which activates the switch element in function of the values of the heat sensor element.

The benefit of the new solution and the circuit layout created for the application is that this capacity increase can be achieved by inserting the efficiency boosting circuit between the factory LED driver and the LED chip. List of references:

1 - power connection PC

2 - power optimizer circuit (POC)

3 - photo semiconductor (PS) - LED chip or solar cell

4 - sensors (measuring both voltage and temperature)

10 - sunlight

11 - p-n transition

12 - semiconductor layer type p

13 - semiconductor layer type n

14 - load (in the circuit)

C - condenser

R -resistance

COM - common connection point, common cable

U - voltage

t - time

T- period

Tl - interval

T2 - interval

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Method for optimizing efficiency of optical semiconductor devices, allowing optical semiconductor devices such as light-emitting optical semiconductor devices, and light- absorbing optical semiconductor devices converting light into electrical energy to operate more optimally and with higher subsequent efficiency and longer lifetime than before, where in if the voltage of the light-emitting optical semiconductor devices is interrupted with a short duty cycle, possibly of 1-5%, then they can cool down to a greater extent, and thereby their ambient temperature will be lower, and so their characteristic efficiency valid for all optical semiconductor devices resulting from the temperature reduction will increase.

2. Method according to claim 1, where the optical semiconductor devices are light-emitting devices in one case, and high capacity LEDs in the other case.

3. Method according to claim 2, where in the case of light-emitting optical semiconductor devices (LEDs), the luminescent material is illuminated by means of excited light only for a certain period, and not continuously, and the excitation is followed by a certain break to allow us to utilize the maximum persistence energy, and the switching frequency is specified so as to result in the maximum light output during the excitation time of the luminescent material.

4. Method according to claim 3, where in the case of light-emitting optical semiconductor devices (LEDs), the circuit subsequently increasing the efficiency of the LEDs is largely similar to the drive of pulse laser diodes, however, while in that case the circuit is switched on only for 1-5% of the time and is interrupted during the rest of the time, and the energy accumulated in condenser C is discharged to the pulse laser diode for the time of the short pulse, then in the case of the invented solution this is on the contrary, and the circuit is switched off for 1-5% of the time, and is switched on during the rest of the time.

5. Method according to claim 1, where the optical semiconductor devices are devices converting light energy into electric power, in certain cases solar cells or solar panels in the second case.

6. Method according to claim 1, where the solar cell connects to buffer energy storage condenser C via a switch element, and the optimizing circuit is a control circuit with a processor which activates the switch element on the basis of the signal from a heat sensor and a voltage meter, and the switch element may be any type of switch element having the specific properties.

7. Method according to claim 1, where in the case of solar cells, the signal from the solar cell steeply charges buffer condenser C, and then the switch element controlled by a unit with a processor interrupts the signal in function of the preset value of the heat sensor element, and thereby the solar cell is not continuously loaded, and a short break between 1 and 5% is enough to avoid heating up of the solar cell under the load to a great extent.

8. Method according to claim 7, where in the case of solar cells, the short break and the capacity value of buffer C have proven to be sufficient to significantly increase the efficiency of the solar cells, and therefore the capacity value can be increased by up to 30% depending on the parameters set in accordance with the system of the solar cells.

9. Method according to any of claims 1 to 8, where in an actual advantageous application, condenser C is a buffer condenser the size of which depends on the specific capacity.

10. Method according to any of claims 1 to 8, where in an actual advantageous application, a transistor - or in a specific case - a FET transistor is used as a switch element, which must have the lowest inner resistance.

11 Method according to any of claims 1 to 8, where in an actual advantageous application, an element with a microprocessor is used, which activates the switch element in function of the preset values of the heat sensor element.