US4717790A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contoured solar generator
Assignee: Telefunken Systemtechnik AG
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Filing: 1986-10-31
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Granted: 1988-01-05
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Expires: 2006-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A contoured solar generator whose solar cells and their associated electrical terminals and connecting lines are embedded in a laminate including at least the solar cells, an elastic thermosetting adhesive foil and a glass pane. To adapt the solar generator to a given external contour or to fit it into a given contour, the solar generator is configured as a curved laminate including at least one-dimensionally bent solar cells.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans Gochermann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:12
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B17/00; B32B17/06; B32B17/10; B32B17/10005; B32B17/10009; B32B17/10128; B32B17/10137; B32B17/10036; H; H10; H10F; H10F19/00; H10F19/80; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y10; Y10S; Y10S136/00; Y10S136/291; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1028; Y10T156/1031; Y10T156/1089; Y10T156/1092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A contoured solar generator with associated electrical terminals and connecting lines, comprising: a curved laminate composed of solar cells bent in at least one dimension, an elastic thermosetting adhesive foil in which said solar cells are embedded, and a curved glass pane overlaying one face of said elastic thermosetting adhesive foil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
51 words
A contoured solar generator with associated electrical terminals and connecting lines, comprising: a curved laminate composed of solar cells bent in at least one dimension, an elastic thermosetting adhesive foil in which said solar cells are embedded, and a curved glass pane overlaying one face of said elastic thermosetting adhesive foil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The contoured solar generator set forth in claim 1, including a curved substrate overlaying an opposite face of said elastic thermosetting adhesive foil from said face overlaid by said curved glass pane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The contoured solar generator set forth in claim 2, wherein said curved substrate and curved glass pane are thermally preformed and are manufactured in pairs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The contoured solar generator as set forth in claim 3, wherein said curved substrate is a second glass pane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The contoured solar generator as set forth in claim 4, wherein said curved substrate is a second glass pane and said curved laminate forms at least part of a vehicle window.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The contoured solar generator as set forth in claim 4, including chemically hardened glass panes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The contoured solar generator as set forth in claim 4, including thermally hardened glass panes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The contoured solar generator as set forth in claim 3, wherein said curved substrate is a sheet metal substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The contoured solar generator as set forth in claim 3, wherein said curved substrate is a thin sheet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The contoured solar generator as set forth in claim 9, wherein said curved substrate is a thin transparent sheet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The contoured solar generator as set forth in claim 2 wherein said curved laminate is an integral component of a vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The contoured solar generator as defined in claim 2, wherein said curved laminate is a vehicle sun roof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The contoured solar generator as set forth in claim 2, wherein said curved laminate is a vehicle spoiler.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The contoured solar generator as set forth in claim 2, wherein said glass pane is of white glass.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
102 words
A method of producing a solar generator as set forth in claim 2, comprising: preforming a substrate and a glass pane to a selected curvature to form a curved pre-laminate; inserting solar cells and a thermosetting adhesive foil between said substrate and said glass pane; applying external mechanical pressure on said substrate and on said glass pane to adapt said solar cells and thermosetting adhesive foil approximately to the curvature of said pre-laminate; and bonding said thermosetting adhesive foil and said solar cells to said curved substrate and said curved glass pane in a hot vacuum process to form a curved laminate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The contoured solar generator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the curved laminate is adapted to the aerodynamic shape of the vehicle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
69 words
A contoured solar generator, comprising: a curved laminate composed of solar cells bent in at least one dimension, an elastic thermosetting adhesive foil in which said bent solar cells are embedded, a curved thin transparent sheet overlaying one face of said elastic thermosetting adhesive foil, and a curved substrate overlaying an opposite face of said elastic thermosetting adhesive foil from said face overlaid by said curved thin transparent sheet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
69 words
A contoured solar generator, comprising: a curved laminate composed of solar cells bent in at least one dimension, an elastic thermosetting adhesive foil in which said bent solar cells are embedded, a curved thin transparent sheet overlaying one face of said elastic thermosetting adhesive foil, and a curved substrate overlaying an opposite face of said elastic thermosetting adhesive foil from said face overlaid by said curved thin transparent sheet.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-01-04 | 1991-07-06 | 1992-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-01-04 | 1995-07-06 | 1996-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-01-04 | 1999-07-06 | 2000-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |