FORM-FITTING SOLAR PANEL FOR ROOFS AND ROOF VENTS

• US 20080098672A1
• Filed: 10/24/2007
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: O'Daniels LLC
• Original Assignee: Gregory S. Daniels, O'Hagin, Carolina Stollenwerk
• Inventors: Daniels, Gregory S., O'Hagin, Carolina Stollenwerk
• Granted Patent: US 8,607,510 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/173.3
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 1/2918 the fastening means taking hold directly on adjacent elements of succeeding rows
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 1/30 Special roof-covering elements, e.g. ridge tiles, gutter tiles, gable tiles, ventilation tiles E04D3/40 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 2001/309 Ventilation tiles
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/25 Roof tile elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

A roof of a building is provided. The roof comprises a roof frame, a layer of curved roof cover elements (e.g., tiles) above the roof frame, and a solar panel secured to one or more of the roof cover elements. The solar panel substantially conforms to one or more curved surfaces of the one or more roof cover elements. Another aspect provides a roof comprising a roof frame, a layer of curved roof cover elements (e.g., tiles) above the roof frame, a vent member within the roof cover element layer, and a solar panel. The vent member has a curved surface and is sized and shaped to mimic the appearance of one or more of the roof cover elements. The vent member also has an opening allowing a ventilation airflow from the building interior toward an airspace above the vent member and the roof cover element layer. The solar panel is secured to and substantially conforms to the curved surface of the vent member.

Claims

1. A roof of a building, the roof comprising:

a roof frame;

a layer of curved roof cover elements above the roof frame; and

a solar panel secured to one or more of the roof cover elements, the solar panel substantially conforming to one or more curved surfaces of the one or more roof cover elements.

2. The roof of claim 1, wherein the roof cover elements comprise tiles.

3. The roof of claim 2, wherein the tiles are S-shaped or M-shaped.

4. A roof of a building, the roof comprising;

a roof frame;

a layer of curved roof cover elements above the roof frame;

a vent member within the roof cover element layer, the vent member having a curved surface and being sized and shaped to mimic the appearance of one or more of the roof cover elements, the vent member having an opening allowing a ventilation airflow from an interior of the building to an airspace above the vent member and the roof cover element layer; and

a solar panel secured to and substantially conforming to the curved surface of the vent member.

5. The roof of claim 4, wherein the roof cover elements comprise tiles.

6. The roof of claim 5, wherein the tiles are S-shaped or M-shaped.

7. The roof of claim 4, further comprising:

a roof deck supported on the roof frame, the roof deck having an aperture; and

a subflashing secured to the roof deck and positioned within the aperture, the subflashing having an opening in fluid communication with the aperture;

wherein the vent member is secured to and positioned above the subflashing, the vent member being positioned to prevent ingress of water through the opening of the subflashing.

8. The roof of claim 4, further comprising a roof deck supported on the roof frame, the roof deck supporting the layer of curved roof cover elements, wherein the vent member comprises:

a primary vent member secured to the roof deck, the primary vent member having an opening in fluid communication with an aperture in the roof deck, the opening allowing a ventilation airflow between an interior of the building and an area above the primary vent member; and

a secondary vent member located within the roof cover element layer, the secondary vent member having a curved surface and being sized and shaped to mimic the appearance of one or more of the roof cover elements, the secondary vent member positioned above the primary vent member to prevent ingress of water through the opening while allowing said ventilation airflow to travel from the building interior through the aperture and the opening toward an airspace above the secondary vent member,

wherein the solar panel is secured to and substantially conforming to the curved surface of the secondary vent member.

9. The roof of claim 8, wherein the secondary vent member is secured to the primary vent member.

10. The roof of claim 8, wherein the secondary vent member is secured to adjacent roof cover elements of the roof cover element layer, the secondary vent member not being secured to the primary vent member.

11. The roof of claim 8, wherein the secondary vent member has an opening that conveys said ventilation airflow.

12. A roof member configured to form a portion of the top surface of a roof, the roof member comprising:

a body having a curved surface; and

a solar panel secured to and substantially conforming to the curved surface.

13. The roof member of claim 12, wherein the body comprises a roof tile.

14. The roof member of claim 13, wherein the roof tile is S-shaped or M-shaped.

15. The roof member of claim 12, wherein the body comprises a portion of a vent which comprises:

a primary vent member having an opening allowing a ventilation airflow between regions below and above the primary vent member; and

a secondary vent member forming at least a portion of the body, the secondary vent member having a curved surface, the secondary vent member being positioned above the primary vent member to prevent ingress of water through the opening while allowing said ventilation airflow to travel from the region below the primary vent member through the opening toward an airspace above the secondary vent member.

16. A method comprising:

providing a roof member configured to form a portion of the top surface of a roof; and

attaching a flexible, form-fitting solar panel to the roof member.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein providing the roof member comprises providing a roof tile.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein providing the roof tile comprises providing a roof tile that is S-shaped or M-shaped.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein providing the roof member comprises providing a roof vent.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein providing the roof vent comprises providing a roof vent that mimics an appearance of one or more roof tiles of a tile roof.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein providing the roof member comprises providing a roof member with a curved surface, and wherein attaching the solar panel to the roof member comprises substantially conforming the solar panel to the curved surface.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein providing the roof member comprises providing a roof member with a flat surface, and wherein attaching the solar panel to the roof member comprises substantially conforming the solar panel to the flat surface.