Patent US4331494A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4331494A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Solar panel and method of manufacturing a solar panel
Assignee: BFG Glassgroup GIE
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Filing: 1980-04-18
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Granted: 1982-05-25
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Expires: 2000-04-18
Abstract
Abstract A solar panel comprising at least one solar energy transducer laminated between a transparent vitreous sheet and a second sheet in which the transducer is imbedded in a layer of transparent polymeric material which bonds the sheets together. The polymeric material comprises an acrylic compound. A method of making the aforesaid solar panel in which the acrylic compound is allowed to set in situ is described.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacques Duchateau
- 👤 Maurice Nicolas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 07:00
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F19/00; H10F19/80; H10F19/807; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31551; Y10T428/31598; Y10T428/31601
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of manufacturing a solar panel including at least one solar energy transducer laminated between a transparent vitreous sheet and a second sheet, which comprises the steps of effecting said lamination with a fluid medium which comprises an acrylic compound which polymerizes at low temperature without substantial change in volume and polymerizing said fluid medium in situ at a temperature below 60° C. to form a transparent polymeric layer in which said transducer is imbedded and which serves to bond said sheets together, said fluid medium comprising a mixture of methyl methacrylate resin and polyurethane prepolymer as main constituent.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of manufacturing a solar panel including at least one solar energy transducer laminated between a transparent vitreous sheet and a second sheet, which comprises the steps of effecting said lamination with a fluid medium which comprises an acrylic compound which polymerizes at low temperature without substantial change in volume and polymerizing said fluid medium in situ at a temperature below 60° C. to form a transparent polymeric layer in which said transducer is imbedded and which serves to bond said sheets together, said fluid medium comprising a mixture of methyl methacrylate resin and polyurethane prepolymer as main constituent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the total amount of acrylic compound in said fluid medium is at least 30% by weight of such medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the total amount of acrylic compound in said fluid medium is at least 90% by weight of such medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said transducer is held in position between said sheets by spacer means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein prior to the utilization of said fluid medium a desired number of transducers is positioned on one of said sheets, the other sheet is assembled thereto, and the margins of the assembly are sealed, leaving a gap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 5 wherein said fluid medium is introduced between said sheets through said gap after tilting the assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as defined in claim 6 wherein after the assembly is tilted as aforesaid the sheets are inclined at an angle measured with respect to the horizontal of less than 30° during the introduction of said fluid medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said transducer is totally encapsulated by said polymeric layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said vitreous sheet has a primer applied to the bonded surface thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said transparent vitreous sheet is made from a soda lime glass having a composition such that its total energy transmittance for solar radiation is greater than that of a similarly dimensioned ordinary soda lime glass which contains ferrous oxide, said glass having a composition which contains iron oxide with substantially all of said iron oxide being ferric oxide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said polymerizing is at a temperature between 20° and 40° C.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of manufacturing a solar panel including at least one solar energy transducer laminated between a transparent vitreous sheet and a second sheet, which comprises the steps of effecting said lamination with a fluid medium which comprises an acrylic compound which polymerizes at low temperature without substantial change in volume and polymerizing said fluid medium in situ at a temperature below 60° C. to form a transparent polymeric layer in which said transducer is imbedded and which serves to bond said sheets together, said fluid medium being mixed and/or poured in situ in a low pressure environment of 20 to 50 torr.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of manufacturing a solar panel including at least one solar energy transducer laminated between a transparent vitreous sheet and a second sheet, which comprises the steps of effecting said lamination with a fluid medium which comprises an acrylic compound which polymerizes at low temperature without substantial change in volume and polymerizing said fluid medium in situ at a temperature below 60° C. to form a transparent polymeric layer in which said transducer is imbedded and which serves to bond said sheets together, said fluid medium being mixed and/or poured in situ in a low pressure environment of 20 to 50 torr.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-05-24 | 1985-11-23 | 1986-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-05-24 | 1989-11-23 | 1990-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-05-24 | 1993-11-23 | 1994-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |