US4116718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photovoltaic array including light diffuser
Assignee: Siemens Solar Industries LP
•
Filing: 1978-03-09
•
Granted: 1978-09-26
•
Expires: 1998-03-09
Abstract
Abstract A photovoltaic array composed of a light transmitting member having a plurality of sides, at least one photovoltaic means carried by at least one of said sides, and a diffusive member covering a portion of said device.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Yerkes
- 👤 James E. Avery
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:24
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/40; H10F77/42; H10F77/488; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A photovoltaic array comprising a light transmitting member having at least one pair of opposed essentially parallel sides, each of said sides being joined by an edge face, a plurality of photovoltaic cells adapted to receive radiation transmitted through said member carried on at least one of said sides, said cells having interstices therebetween, and a light diffusive member on said at least one side covering at least part of said interstices whereby at least a part of the light internally reflected by said diffusive member is caused to impinge on said photovoltaic cells, thereby increasing photovoltaic conversion efficiency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A photovoltaic array comprising a light transmitting member having at least one pair of opposed essentially parallel sides, each of said sides being joined by an edge face, a plurality of photovoltaic cells adapted to receive radiation transmitted through said member carried on at least one of said sides, said cells having interstices therebetween, and a light diffusive member on said at least one side covering at least part of said interstices whereby at least a part of the light internally reflected by said diffusive member is caused to impinge on said photovoltaic cells, thereby increasing photovoltaic conversion efficiency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said light transmitting member is composed of at least one layer of a material selected from the group consisting of a polymeric material, glass, and combinations thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said light transmitting member is essentially planar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein all of said photovoltaic cells are carried on the same side of said light transmitting member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said diffusive member covers all interstices including any space between said cells and said edge face.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 5 wherein said diffusive member also covers said edge face.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said diffusive member is paint.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said diffusive member also covers said edge face.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device according to claim 8 wherein said diffusive member is paint.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device according to claim 9 wherein said paint is white paint.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said diffusive member is colored polymer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said diffusive member is frosted glass.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said diffusive member also constitutes a moisture barrier.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said photovoltaic cells are of a configuration which maximizes their edge area.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device according to claim 14 wherein said cells are rectangular strips.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device according to claim 14 wherein said cells are square.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device according to claim 14 wherein said cells are pie-shaped.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said light transmitting member is a thin optically clear film.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of the perimeter of each of said cells to the overall area of each of said cells is greater than the perimeter to area ratio of a round cell having the same overall area.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said cells are embedded in said light transmitting member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said light transmitting member is a superstrate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 21 wherein said superstrate is a structural support member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 21 wherein said superstrate is a thin film.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said cells are a plurality of spaced apart rectangular strips and diffuser is carried between said strips.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2904612A
Cited
US3310439A
Cited
US3973994A
Cited
US3977904A
Cited
US4025786A
Cited
US3971672A
Cited
US4053327A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-09-25 | 1982-03-27 | 1982-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-25 | 1986-03-27 | 1986-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-25 | 1990-03-27 | 1990-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |