Solar cell window fitting

• US 5,221,363 A
• Filed: 08/27/1992
• Issued: 06/22/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Space Operations Company (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Gillard, Calvin W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KIEN T
• Application Number:
  US07/933,919
• Time in Patent Office: 299 Days
• Field of Search: 52/173, 52/213, 52/788, 52/790, 52/473, 136/246, 136/291, 136/247, 136/248
• US Class Current: 136/248
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/264 Combinations of lamellar blinds with roller shutters, screen windows, windows, or double panes; Lamellar blinds with special devices
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/32 Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor operation of tilting bars E06B9/307
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 50/80 for controlling collection or absorption of solar radiation
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0488 Double glass encapsulation, e.g. photovoltaic cells arranged between front and rear glass sheets
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/70 Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/40 Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/291 Applications

Abstract

An array of solar cells for supplying electrical energy to a building (e.g., for operating air-conditioning equipment) is mounted in a window fitting, which comprises a pair of transparent glass panes between which a window blind (e.g., of the venetian blind type) is mounted. Solar cells are secured to slats of the window blind so as to be exposed to sunlight incident thereon.

Claims

1. A window fitting comprising:

a) a frame structure dimensioned to fit in a window opening of a building;

b) a pair of transparent panes supported by said frame structure in substantially parallel disposition with respect to each other to define a space therebetween;

a window blind secured to said frame structure so as to be disposed in said space between said transparent panes, said window blind comprising a plurality of slats mounted in generally parallel disposition with respect to each other for substantially simultaneous rotation of said slats so that each of said slats moves through an angular range from a CLOSED configuration in which said slats overlap each other so as to block passage of sunlight through said window opening to a fully OPEN configuration in which a maximum amount of sunlight can pass through said window opening;

d) a plurality of solar-chargeable batteries for storing electrical energy, said batteries being mounted on said slats;

e) a plurality of solar cells mounted on said batteries so as to be exposed to sunlight incident upon said slats, said batteries thereby being sandwiched between said solar cells and said slats, said solar cells being electrically connected to said batteries so that said batteries can be electrically charged by said solar cells; and

f) means for removing from said batteries the stored electrical energy that has been generated by said solar cells.

2. The window fitting of claim 1 wherein said window blind is of the venetian blind type.

3. The window fitting of claim 1 further comprising means for removing heated air from said space between said transparent panes.

4. The window fitting of claim 3 wherein said means for removing heated air from said space between said transparent panes comprises valve means attached to said frame structure for removing said heated air by convection.

5. The window fitting of claim 3 wherein said means for removing heated air from said space between said transparent panes comprises means for selectively directing said heated air into or out of said building.

6. The window fitting of claim 1 wherein said slats comprising said window blind are mounted so as to extend generally horizontally within said frame structure when said frame structure is fitted into said window opening.

7. The window fitting of claim 1 wherein said slats comprising said window blind are mounted so as to extend generally vertically within said frame structure when said frame structure is fitted into said window opening.

8. The window fitting of claim 1 wherein said solar-chargeable batteries are of a nickel-cadmium type.