Photovoltaic device and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A photovoltaic device comprising:
- a photovoltaic cell assembly including one or more photovoltaic cells, one or more protective layers and at least some electrical circuitry wherein the photovoltaic cell assembly has an upper surface portion, a lower surface portion and a sidewall portion therebetween forming at least one peripheral edge, and the upper surface portion allows transmission of light energy to the one or more photovoltaic cells for conversion into electrical energy;
a body portion comprising a polymeric framing material having a main body portion including a lower surface portion that contacts a building structure, and an upper surface portion that receives a fastener that attaches the photovoltaic device to the building structure, at least two side body portions and a locator;
wherein the body portion is join by overmolding to the photovoltaic cell assembly to enclose at least three sides of the peripheral edge of the photovoltaic cell assembly while leaving the upper surface portion of the photovoltaic cell assembly exposed, and further wherein the locator is adapted to locate the photovoltaic device relative to another photovoltaic device during installation of the photovoltaic device directly to the building structure and the locater is disposed on a peripheral edge of the body portion and includes;
a) at least one electrical terminal, and providesb) rotational adjustment between the photovoltaic device and another photovoltaic device;
wherein the locator protrudes from the peripheral edge of the body portion such that a small gap is maintained between adjacent photovoltaic devices attached to the building structure.
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Abstract
The present invention is premised upon an improved photovoltaic device (“PVD”) and method of use, more particularly to an improved photovoltaic device with an integral locator and electrical terminal mechanism for transferring current to or from the improved photovoltaic device and the use as a system.
39 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A photovoltaic device comprising:
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a photovoltaic cell assembly including one or more photovoltaic cells, one or more protective layers and at least some electrical circuitry wherein the photovoltaic cell assembly has an upper surface portion, a lower surface portion and a sidewall portion therebetween forming at least one peripheral edge, and the upper surface portion allows transmission of light energy to the one or more photovoltaic cells for conversion into electrical energy; a body portion comprising a polymeric framing material having a main body portion including a lower surface portion that contacts a building structure, and an upper surface portion that receives a fastener that attaches the photovoltaic device to the building structure, at least two side body portions and a locator; wherein the body portion is join by overmolding to the photovoltaic cell assembly to enclose at least three sides of the peripheral edge of the photovoltaic cell assembly while leaving the upper surface portion of the photovoltaic cell assembly exposed, and further wherein the locator is adapted to locate the photovoltaic device relative to another photovoltaic device during installation of the photovoltaic device directly to the building structure and the locater is disposed on a peripheral edge of the body portion and includes; a) at least one electrical terminal, and provides b) rotational adjustment between the photovoltaic device and another photovoltaic device; wherein the locator protrudes from the peripheral edge of the body portion such that a small gap is maintained between adjacent photovoltaic devices attached to the building structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A photovoltaic device comprising
a photovoltaic cell assembly including one or more photovoltaic cells, one or more protective layers and at least some electrical circuitry wherein the photovoltaic cell assembly has an upper surface portion, a lower surface portion and a sidewall portion therebetween forming at least one peripheral edge, and the upper surface portion allows transmission of light energy to the one or more photovoltaic cells for conversion into electrical energy; -
a body portion comprising a polymeric framing material having a main body portion including a lower surface portion that contacts a building structure, and an upper surface portion that receives a fastener that attaches the photovoltaic device to the building structure, at least two side body portions and a locator; wherein the body portion is join by overmolding to the photovoltaic cell assembly to enclose at least three sides of the peripheral edge of the photovoltaic cell assembly while leaving the upper surface portion of the photovoltaic cell assembly exposed, and further wherein the locator is adapted to locate the photovoltaic device relative to another photovoltaic device during installation of the photovoltaic device directly to the building structure and the locater is disposed on a peripheral edge of the body portion and includes; a) at least one electrical terminal, and provides b) rotational adjustment between the photovoltaic device and another photovoltaic device; wherein the at least one peripheral edge contains a female connector housing; and
the locator is pant, of a separate component comprising a connector assembly having a bearing wall shaped to complement and is connected to the female connector housing and protrudes from the peripheral edge of the body portion in a direction of the another photovoltaic device. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A photovoltaic device comprising a photovoltaic cell assembly including one or more photovoltaic cells, one or more protective layers and at least some electrical circuitry wherein the photovoltaic cell assembly has an upper surface portion, a lower surface portion and a sidewall portion therebetween forming at least one peripheral edge, and the upper surface portion allows transmission of light energy to the one or more photovoltaic cells for conversion into electrical energy;
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a body portion comprising a polymeric framing material having a main body portion including a lower surface portion that contacts a building structure, and an upper surface portion that receives a fastener that attaches the photovoltaic device to the building structure, at least two side body portions and a locator; wherein the body portion is join by overmolding to the photovoltaic cell assembly to enclose at least three sides of the peripheral edge of the photovoltaic cell assembly while leaving the upper surface portion of the photovoltaic cell assembly exposed, and further wherein the locator is adapted to locate the photovoltaic device relative to another photovoltaic device during installation of the phtovoltaic device directly to the building structure and the locater is disposed on a peripheral edge of the body portion and includes; a) at least one electrical terminal, and provides b) rotational adjustment between the photovoltaic device and another photovoltaic device; wherein the locator is part of an embedded connector integral to the at least one peripheral edge of the photovoltaic device assembly and protrudes from the peripheral edge in a direction of the another device and comprises a bearing wail shaped to complement and connect to a female connector housing of the another photovoltaic device assembly.
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Specification