Solar panel

• US 4,686,322 A
• Filed: 08/12/1985
• Issued: 08/11/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RCA Corporation (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: RCA Corporation (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Kujas, Erich F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weisstuch, Aaron
• Application Number:
  US06/764,572
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 136/244, 136/245, 136/292, 244/173
• US Class Current: 136/245
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/05 5 or more layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/24 All layers being polymeric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2262/0238 Vinyl halide, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2305/08 Reinforcements
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2327/06 PVC, i.e. polyvinylchloride
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2367/00 Polyesters, e.g. PET, i.e. polyethylene terephthalate
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/12 next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/304 comprising vinyl halide (co)polymers, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/36 comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/28 impregnated with or embedded in a plastic substance not used
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/443 Photovoltaic cell arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/042 PV modules or arrays of single PV cells supporting structures for PV modules H02S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/52 PV systems with concentrators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/292 Space - satellite

Abstract

A novel solar panel is disclosed which has a supporting substrate which is comprised of one or more plies of resin reinforced novoloid fabric.

Claims

1. In a solar panel having a substrate with a face surface and an array of solar cells attached to the face surface the improvement wherein the substrate is comprised of at least one ply of a resin reinforced novoloid fabric.

2. The solar panel according to claim 1 wherein the novoloid fabric comprises between about 40 to 60% by weight of the substrate with the remainder being comprised of said resin.

3. The solar panel according to claim 1 wherein the substrate is comprised of a plurality of overlying plies of said novoloid fabric with the resin forming an interlocking matrix between and through said plies.

4. The solar panel according to claim 1 wherein the novoloid fabric has a weight of about 9 to about 10 ounces per square yard (278-286 grams/sq. meter).

5. The solar panel according to claim 1 which includes at least six plies of novoloid fabric.

6. The solar panel according to claim 1 wherein the resin is a polyester resin.

7. The solar panel according to claim 1 wherein the resin is an isophthalic polyester resin.