EP0325369A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photovoltaic module
Assignee: Siemens Solar Industries LP
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Filing: 1989-01-12
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-01-12
Abstract
Abstract A photovoltaic panel is supported, sealed and isolated from the environment by being encased in a reaction injection molded elastomer which encapsulates the back, sides and a portion of the front side of the photovoltaic panel.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerome A. Anderson
- 👤 Norman L. Beze
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:41
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B17/00; B32B17/06; B32B17/10; B32B17/10005; B32B17/10009; B32B17/10082; B32B17/10091; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/14; B29C45/14336; B32B17/10018; B32B17/10036; B32B17/10165; B32B17/10293; H; H02; H02S; H02S40/00; H02S40/30; H02S40/34; H10; H10F; H10F19/00; H10F19/80; H10F19/804; H10F77/00; H10F77/93; H10F77/933; H10F77/935; B29C45/14418; B29C67/00; B29C67/24; B29C67/246; B29K; B29K2709/00; B29K2709/08; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B10/00; Y02B10/10; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A photovoltaic module comprising: a panel having front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter and at least one photovoltaic cell capable of converting radiation incident on the front of the panel to electrical energy; and a unitary, reaction injection molded elastomer partially encapsulating the panel and forming a seal against a portion of the front side of the panel bordering the perimeter, continuing around the perimeter and sealing against at least a portion of the back side of the panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A photovoltaic module comprising: a panel having front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter and at least one photovoltaic cell capable of converting radiation incident on the front of the panel to electrical energy; and a unitary, reaction injection molded elastomer partially encapsulating the panel and forming a seal against a portion of the front side of the panel bordering the perimeter, continuing around the perimeter and sealing against at least a portion of the back side of the panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The photovoltaic module of claim 1 wherein the panel further includes means for establishing external electrical connection to the photovoltaic cell including an internal portion electrically connected to the cell and an external portion extending from the panel, and the unitary elastomer further encapsulates the internal portion of the connecting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The photovoltaic module of claim 1 or 2 wherein the unitary elastomer encapsulates the back and perimeter edges of the panel and forms a seal against a portion of the front side of the panel bordering the perimeter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
113 words
A photovoltaic module comprising: a first sheet having front and back sides, and edges forming a perimeter, and at least one photovoltaic cell capable of converting radiation incident on the front of the sheet to electrical energy; a second sheet disposed parallel to the first and adjacent the back side thereof; a unitary, reaction injection molded elastomer disposed between the back side of the first sheet and the second sheet, the elastomer partially encapsulating the first sheet, forming a seal against a portion of the front side of the first sheet bordering the perimeter, continuing around the perimeter of the first sheet and sealing against at least a portion of the second sheet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
113 words
A photovoltaic module comprising: a first sheet having front and back sides, and edges forming a perimeter, and at least one photovoltaic cell capable of converting radiation incident on the front of the sheet to electrical energy; a second sheet disposed parallel to the first and adjacent the back side thereof; a unitary, reaction injection molded elastomer disposed between the back side of the first sheet and the second sheet, the elastomer partially encapsulating the first sheet, forming a seal against a portion of the front side of the first sheet bordering the perimeter, continuing around the perimeter of the first sheet and sealing against at least a portion of the second sheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The module of claim 4 wherein the second sheet has front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter, and the front side of the second sheet is secured to the back side of the first sheet by the reaction injection molded elastomer, the elastomer further encapsulating the edges of the second sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
157 words
A photovoltaic module comprising: a first sheet having (a) front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter, (b) at least one photovoltaic cell capable of converting radiation incident on the front of the sheet to electrical energy, and (c) means for establishing external electrical connection to the photovoltaic cell, including an internal portion electrical connected to the cell and an external portion extending from the sheet; a second sheet, having front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter, the second sheet being disposed parallel to the first and adjacent the back side thereof; and a unitary, reaction injection molded elastomer a) encapsulating the perimeter edges and a portion of the front side of the first sheet bordering the perimeter, b) disposed between the back side of the first sheet and the front side of the second, c) encapsulating the edges of the second sheet, and d) further encapsulating the conductive portion of the terminal means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
157 words
A photovoltaic module comprising: a first sheet having (a) front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter, (b) at least one photovoltaic cell capable of converting radiation incident on the front of the sheet to electrical energy, and (c) means for establishing external electrical connection to the photovoltaic cell, including an internal portion electrical connected to the cell and an external portion extending from the sheet; a second sheet, having front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter, the second sheet being disposed parallel to the first and adjacent the back side thereof; and a unitary, reaction injection molded elastomer a) encapsulating the perimeter edges and a portion of the front side of the first sheet bordering the perimeter, b) disposed between the back side of the first sheet and the front side of the second, c) encapsulating the edges of the second sheet, and d) further encapsulating the conductive portion of the terminal means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
128 words
A photovoltaic module comprising: a first sheet having front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter and at least one photovoltaic cell capable of converting radiation incident on the front of the sheet to electrical energy; a second sheet, having front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter, disposed parallel to the first and adjacent the back side thereof; and the first and second sheets being joined by a unitary, reaction injection molded elastomer disposed between the back side of the first sheet and the front side of the second, encapsulating the perimeter edges and a portion of the front side of the first sheet bordering the perimeter, and continuing around the perimeter edges of the first sheet and encapsulating the edges of the second sheet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
128 words
A photovoltaic module comprising: a first sheet having front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter and at least one photovoltaic cell capable of converting radiation incident on the front of the sheet to electrical energy; a second sheet, having front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter, disposed parallel to the first and adjacent the back side thereof; and the first and second sheets being joined by a unitary, reaction injection molded elastomer disposed between the back side of the first sheet and the front side of the second, encapsulating the perimeter edges and a portion of the front side of the first sheet bordering the perimeter, and continuing around the perimeter edges of the first sheet and encapsulating the edges of the second sheet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The module of claim 7 which further includes means for establishing external electrical connection to the photovoltaic cell, including an internal portion electrically connected to the cell and an external portion extending from the sheet, and wherein the internal portion of the terminal means is further encapsulated in the unitary, reaction injection molded elastomer.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for forming an elastomeric casing on a predetermined portion of a photovoltaic panel having front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter, and at least one photovoltaic cell capable of converting radiation incident on the front of the panel to electrical energy, the method comprising the steps of: placing the panel in a mold having interior walls which cooperate with the predetermined portion of the panel to define a cavity encompassing the perimeter and at least a portion of the back of the panel; and introducing a flowable reaction injection molding material into the cavity and curing the material to form the casing.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for forming an elastomeric casing on a predetermined portion of a photovoltaic panel having front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter, and at least one photovoltaic cell capable of converting radiation incident on the front of the panel to electrical energy, the method comprising the steps of: placing the panel in a mold having interior walls which cooperate with the predetermined portion of the panel to define a cavity encompassing the perimeter and at least a portion of the back of the panel; and introducing a flowable reaction injection molding material into the cavity and curing the material to form the casing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the casing-forming cavity is disposed to partially encapsulate the panel in the reaction injection molding material, the material encapsulating the back and perimeter edges of the panel and forming a seal against a portion of the front side of the panel bordering the perimeter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 9 or 10 wherein the panel further includes means for establishing external electrical connection to the photovoltaic cell including an internal portion electrically connected to the cell and an external portion extending from the panel, and wherein the mold includes means for defining a cavity portion which includes at least the internal portion of the connecting means of the panel, and the internal portion is embedded in the cured reaction injection molding material.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for forming an elastomeric casing on a predetermined portion of a photovoltaic panel having front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter, and at least one photovoltaic cell capable of converting radiation incident on the front of the panel to electrical energy, the method comprising the steps of: placing the panel in a mold defining a chamber for receiving the panel, the mold chamber having seal means positioned to be adjacent the periphery of the front side of the panel to seal the portion of the panel located interiorly of the seal means against the influx of liquid, surfaces located exteriorly of the seal means which form a casing shaping portion which cooperates with the seal means and the predetermined portion of the panel to define a cavity within the mold chamber, and introducing the flowable reaction injection molding material into the mold and curing the material to form the casing.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for forming an elastomeric casing on a predetermined portion of a photovoltaic panel having front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter, and at least one photovoltaic cell capable of converting radiation incident on the front of the panel to electrical energy, the method comprising the steps of: placing the panel in a mold defining a chamber for receiving the panel, the mold chamber having seal means positioned to be adjacent the periphery of the front side of the panel to seal the portion of the panel located interiorly of the seal means against the influx of liquid, surfaces located exteriorly of the seal means which form a casing shaping portion which cooperates with the seal means and the predetermined portion of the panel to define a cavity within the mold chamber, and introducing the flowable reaction injection molding material into the mold and curing the material to form the casing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the panel includes means for establishing external electrical connection to the photovoltaic cell including an internal portion electrically connected to the cell and an external portion extending from the panel, and wherein the casing shaping portion comprises means for defining a cavity portion which includes at least the internal portion of the connecting means of the panel, and said internal portion is embedded in the cured reaction injection molding material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 12 or 13 wherein the casing forming portion is disposed to partially encapsulate the panel in the reaction injection molding material, the material encapsulating the back and perimeter edges of the panel and forming a seal against a portion of the front side of the panel bordering the perimeter.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for forming an elastomeric casing on a predetermined portion of a photovoltaic panel having front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter, and at least one photovoltaic cell capable of converting radiation incident on the front of the panel to electrical energy, the method comprising the steps of: placing the panel in a mold including (a) two cooperating mold sections defining a chamber for receiving the panel, (b) seal means in one of the mold sections positioned to be adjacent the periphery of the front side of the panel to support the panel within the panel-receiving chamber and seal the portion of the panel located interiorly of the seal means against the influx of fluid, (c) facing surfaces of the mold sections located exteriorly of the seal means, provided with a casing shaping portion which cooperates with the seal means and the predetermined portion of the panel to define a cavity when the mold sections are in contacting relationship, and (d) inlet means for introducing a flowable reaction injection molding material into the cavity when the mold sections are in contacting relationship; and injecting the flowable reaction injection molding material into the mold and curing the material to form the casing.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for forming an elastomeric casing on a predetermined portion of a photovoltaic panel having front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter, and at least one photovoltaic cell capable of converting radiation incident on the front of the panel to electrical energy, the method comprising the steps of: placing the panel in a mold including (a) two cooperating mold sections defining a chamber for receiving the panel, (b) seal means in one of the mold sections positioned to be adjacent the periphery of the front side of the panel to support the panel within the panel-receiving chamber and seal the portion of the panel located interiorly of the seal means against the influx of fluid, (c) facing surfaces of the mold sections located exteriorly of the seal means, provided with a casing shaping portion which cooperates with the seal means and the predetermined portion of the panel to define a cavity when the mold sections are in contacting relationship, and (d) inlet means for introducing a flowable reaction injection molding material into the cavity when the mold sections are in contacting relationship; and injecting the flowable reaction injection molding material into the mold and curing the material to form the casing.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
262 words
A method for forming an elastomeric casing on a predetermined portion of a photovoltaic panel having front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter, and including (a) a first front sheet having front and back sides, and at least one photovoltaic cell capable of converting radiation incident on the front of the panel to electrical energy, and (b) a second sheet disposed planar to the first, and adjacent to and spaced from the back side of the first sheet; the method comprising the steps of: placing the panel in a mold defining a chamber for receiving the panel, the mold chamber having seal means positioned to be adjacent the periphery of the front side of the panel to seal the portion of the panel located interiorly of the seal means against the influx of liquid, surfaces located exteriorly of the seal means which form a casing shaping portion which cooperates with the seal means and the predetermined portion of the panel to define a cavity within the mold chamber, and introducing the flowable reaction injection molding material into the mold, the material flowing into the casing shaping portion and between the back side of the first sheet and the second sheet, and curing the material to form a unitary elastomeric casing which is disposed between the back side of the first sheet and the second and forms a seal against a portion of the front side of the panel bordering the perimeter, continuing around the perimeter of the first sheet and sealing against at least a portion of the second sheet.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
262 words
A method for forming an elastomeric casing on a predetermined portion of a photovoltaic panel having front and back sides and edges forming a perimeter, and including (a) a first front sheet having front and back sides, and at least one photovoltaic cell capable of converting radiation incident on the front of the panel to electrical energy, and (b) a second sheet disposed planar to the first, and adjacent to and spaced from the back side of the first sheet; the method comprising the steps of: placing the panel in a mold defining a chamber for receiving the panel, the mold chamber having seal means positioned to be adjacent the periphery of the front side of the panel to seal the portion of the panel located interiorly of the seal means against the influx of liquid, surfaces located exteriorly of the seal means which form a casing shaping portion which cooperates with the seal means and the predetermined portion of the panel to define a cavity within the mold chamber, and introducing the flowable reaction injection molding material into the mold, the material flowing into the casing shaping portion and between the back side of the first sheet and the second sheet, and curing the material to form a unitary elastomeric casing which is disposed between the back side of the first sheet and the second and forms a seal against a portion of the front side of the panel bordering the perimeter, continuing around the perimeter of the first sheet and sealing against at least a portion of the second sheet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the panel includes means for establishing external electrical connection to the photovoltaic cell, including an internal portion electrically connected to the cell and an external portion extending from the panel, and wherein the casing shaping portion comprises means for defining a cavity portion which includes at least the internal portion of the connecting means of the panel, and said internal portion is embedded in the cured reaction injection molding material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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