Photovoltaic device and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A photovoltaic device comprising:
- a photovoltaic cell assembly including;
at least one peripheral edge,at least one photovoltaic cell inboard of the at least one peripheral edge,a photoactive portion, andat least one bus terminal for transferring current to or from the photovoltaic cell assembly,wherein the at least one photovoltaic cell includes a surface that allows transmission of light energy to the photoactive portion for conversion into electrical energy;
a body portion including;
at least one peripheral edge,a bottom segment,a lower surface portion that contacts a building structure,a return circuit that extends through the body portion;
an upper surface portion that receives a fastener that attaches the photovoltaic device to the building structure; and
at least one locator including;
at least one electric terminal or1) a protrusion from one of the at least one peripheral edges of the body portion,2) a recess in one of the at least one peripheral edges of the body onion or3) a separate component that is configured to extend from and/or into one of the at least one peripheral edges,wherein the locator allows for rotational adjustment between the photovoltaic device and another photovoltaic device during installation of the photovoltaic device on the building structure;
wherein the body portion is at least partially joined to at least one of the at least one peripheral edges of the photovoltaic cell assembly along at least a portion of the bottom segment of the body portion while leaving the surface of the at least one photovoltaic cell exposed.
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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.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A photovoltaic device comprising:
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a photovoltaic cell assembly including; at least one peripheral edge, at least one photovoltaic cell inboard of the at least one peripheral edge, a photoactive portion, and at least one bus terminal for transferring current to or from the photovoltaic cell assembly, wherein the at least one photovoltaic cell includes a surface that allows transmission of light energy to the photoactive portion for conversion into electrical energy; a body portion including; at least one peripheral edge, a bottom segment, a lower surface portion that contacts a building structure, a return circuit that extends through the body portion; an upper surface portion that receives a fastener that attaches the photovoltaic device to the building structure; and at least one locator including; at least one electric terminal or 1) a protrusion from one of the at least one peripheral edges of the body portion, 2) a recess in one of the at least one peripheral edges of the body onion or 3) a separate component that is configured to extend from and/or into one of the at least one peripheral edges, wherein the locator allows for rotational adjustment between the photovoltaic device and another photovoltaic device during installation of the photovoltaic device on the building structure; wherein the body portion is at least partially joined to at least one of the at least one peripheral edges of the photovoltaic cell assembly along at least a portion of the bottom segment of the body portion while leaving the surface of the at least one photovoltaic cell exposed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of installing a photovoltaic system on a building structure,comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a first photovoltaic device including at least one locator that includes at least one integrally formed electrical terminal located in an inactive portion of the first photovoltaic device; b) providing a second photovoltaic device including at least one locator that includes at least one integrally formed electrical terminal located in an inactive portion of the second photovoltaic device; c) attaching the first photovoltaic device directly to the building structure by affixing a fastener through the inactive portion of the first photovoltaic device; d) attaching the second photovoltaic device directly to the building structure by affixing a fastener through the inactive portion of the second photovoltaic device; e) connecting the at least one integrally formed electrical terminal of the first photovoltaic device to the at least one integrally formed electrical terminal of the second photovoltaic device; and f) rotationally adjusting the first photovoltaic device relative to the second photovoltaic device about the at least one locater of the first photovoltaic device and the second photovoltaic device while the first photovoltaic device and the second photovoltaic device are connected. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification