US4625070A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laminated thin film solar module
Assignee: Siemens Solar Industries LP
•
Filing: 1985-08-30
•
Granted: 1986-11-25
•
Expires: 2005-08-30
Abstract
Abstract A thin film solar module structure comprising a front face untempered glass sheet having a thin film photovoltaic structure fabricated on the back surface thereof, a second glass sheet formed of high strength or tempered glass and a layer of potting or bonding material laminating the two glass sheets into a single composite structure. In the laminated structure, the impact resistance and structural strength of the second glass sheet is effectively transmitted to the untempered front glass sheet which is then suitable for use in unprotected terrestrial applications.
Inventors
- 👤 Elliot Berman
- 👤 Kimberly P. Eisner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:52
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B17/00; B32B17/06; B32B17/10; B32B17/10005; B32B17/1055; B32B17/10788; B32B17/10009; B32B17/10036; B32B17/10082; B32B17/10091; B32B17/10761; B32B17/10798; H; H10; H10F; H10F19/00; H10F19/80; H10F19/807; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A solar module comprising: a first untempered glass sheet having a first side forming a light receiving face of a solar module and a second side, a thin film photovoltaic device fabricated on the second side of said first glass sheet, a second tempered glass sheet spaced from the second side of said first sheet and forming the primary structural member of said solar module; and a pottant layer filling substantially all space between said first and second glass sheets and bonding said sheets together.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A solar module comprising: a first untempered glass sheet having a first side forming a light receiving face of a solar module and a second side, a thin film photovoltaic device fabricated on the second side of said first glass sheet, a second tempered glass sheet spaced from the second side of said first sheet and forming the primary structural member of said solar module; and a pottant layer filling substantially all space between said first and second glass sheets and bonding said sheets together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A solar module according to claim 1 wherein said first untempered glass sheet has a thickness of from about 0.35 millimeters to about two millimeters and said second glass sheet has a thickness of from about three to about four millimeters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A solar module according to claim 1 wherein said first untempered glass sheet has a thickness of about 1.1 millimeters and said second glass sheet has a thickness of about 3.3 millmeters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A solar module according to claim 1 wherein said thin film photovoltaic device comprises a PIN amorphous silicon structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A solar module according to claim 1 wherein said pottant material includes as its major constituent a material selected from the group consisting of polyvinylbutyral, silicone, and ethylene vinyl acetate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A solar module according to claim 1 further including a second thin film photovoltaic device fabricated on a surface of said second tempered glass sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A solar module according to claim 6 wherein said photovoltaic device on said first glass sheet includes only conductors which are substantially transparent to light, said pottant layer is substantially transparent to light and said second thin film device is positioned to receive light which has passed through said photovoltaic device on said first glass sheet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4400577A
Cited
JPS5994882A
Cited
US4461922A
Cited
US4517403A
Cited
US4571446A
Cited
US4578526A
Cited
US4510344A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-11-24 | 1990-05-26 | 1990-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-11-24 | 1994-05-26 | 1994-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-11-24 | 1998-05-26 | 1998-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |