Photovoltaic device assembly and method

Title: Photovoltaic device assembly and method

Abstract

The present invention is premised upon a connector device and method that can more easily electrically connect a plurality of PV arrays and/or locate these arrays upon a building or structure. It also can optionally provide some additional components (e.g. a bypass diode and/or an indicator means) and can enhance the serviceability of the array.

Inventors:: Keenihan, James R.; Langmaid, Joseph A.; Cleereman, Robert J.; Graham, Andrew T.

Issue Date:: 2015-09-29

Research Org.:: Dow Global Technologies LLC, Midland, MI (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:: USDOE

OSTI Identifier:: 1221875

Patent Number(s):: 9147786

Application Number:: 12/989,743

Assignee:: Dow Global Technologies LLC (Midland, MI)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):: Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y10 - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC Y10T - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

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Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y10 - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC Y10T - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
Y10T29/49826 - Assembling or joining

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
Y02E10/50 - Photovoltaic [PV] energy

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01R - ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS
H01R31/00 - Coupling parts supported only by co-operation with counterpart

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y10 - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC Y10T - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
Y10T29/49355 - Solar energy device making

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02B - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
Y02B10/10 - Photovoltaic [PV]

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01R - ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS
H01R13/055 - {co-operating with sockets having a rectangular transverse section}

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01L - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
H01L31/02013 - {comprising output lead wires elements}

H - ELECTRICITY H02 - GENERATION H02S - GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRA-RED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
H02S20/23 - specially adapted for roof structures
H02S20/25 - Roof tile elements

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02A - TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Y02A30/60 - Planning or developing urban green infrastructure

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01L - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
H01L31/05 - Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01R - ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS
H01R13/113 - {co-operating with pins or blades having a rectangular transverse section}

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y10 - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC Y10T - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
Y10T29/49117 - Conductor or circuit manufacturing

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01R - ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS
H01R12/79 - connecting to rigid printed circuits or like structures

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01L - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
H01L31/18 - Processes or apparatus peculiar to the manufacture or treatment of these devices or of parts thereof
H01L31/048 - Encapsulation of modules
H01L31/02008 - {for solar cells or solar cell modules}

H - ELECTRICITY H02 - GENERATION H02S - GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRA-RED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
H02S40/34 - comprising specially adapted electrical connection means to be structurally associated with the PV module, e.g. junction boxes

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01R - ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS
H01R13/7032 - {making use of a separate bridging element directly cooperating with the terminals}
H01R13/639 - Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, {e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap}

H - ELECTRICITY H02 - GENERATION H02S - GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRA-RED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
H02S40/36 - characterised by special electrical interconnection means between two or more PV modules, e.g. electrical module-to-module connection

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01L - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
H01L31/0508 - {the interconnection means having a particular shape}

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DOE Contract Number:: FC36-07GO17054

Resource Type:: Patent

Resource Relation:: Patent File Date: 2009 May 01

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

Subject:: 14 SOLAR ENERGY

Citation Formats


                    Keenihan, James R., Langmaid, Joseph A., Cleereman, Robert J., and Graham, Andrew T. Photovoltaic device assembly and method.  United States: N. p., 2015. 
        Web.

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                    Keenihan, James R., Langmaid, Joseph A., Cleereman, Robert J., & Graham, Andrew T. Photovoltaic device assembly and method.  United States.

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                    Keenihan, James R., Langmaid, Joseph A., Cleereman, Robert J., and Graham, Andrew T. Tue .  
        "Photovoltaic device assembly and method".  United States.  https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1221875.

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@article{osti_1221875,

  title        = {Photovoltaic device assembly and method},

  author       = {Keenihan, James R. and Langmaid, Joseph A. and Cleereman, Robert J. and Graham, Andrew T.},

  abstractNote = {The present invention is premised upon a connector device and method that can more easily electrically connect a plurality of PV arrays and/or locate these arrays upon a building or structure. It also can optionally provide some additional components (e.g. a bypass diode and/or an indicator means) and can enhance the serviceability of the array.},

  doi          = {},

  journal      = {},
number       = ,

  volume       = ,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {2015},

  month        = {9}

}

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Works referenced in this record:

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Title: Photovoltaic device assembly and method

Abstract

Citation Formats

Photovoltaic power generation patent, March 1982

Photovoltaic shingle system patent, August 1995

Photovoltaic shingle system patent, November 1996

Solar roofing system patent, January 1997

Solar cell roof tile and method of forming same patent, November 1999

Photovoltaic solar roof patent, November 1999

Cable connector for connecting solar cell modules patent, January 2005

Photovoltaic roofing structure patent, April 2005

Method and system for mounting photovoltaic material patent, April 2008

Photovoltaic power generation
patent, March 1982

Photovoltaic shingle system
patent, August 1995

Photovoltaic shingle system
patent, November 1996

Solar roofing system
patent, January 1997

Solar cell roof tile and method of forming same
patent, November 1999

Photovoltaic solar roof
patent, November 1999

Cable connector for connecting solar cell modules
patent, January 2005

Photovoltaic roofing structure
patent, April 2005

Method and system for mounting photovoltaic material
patent, April 2008