US4724010A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar cell module
Assignee: Teijin Ltd
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Filing: 1986-11-19
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Granted: 1988-02-09
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Expires: 2006-11-19
Abstract
Abstract A solar cell module is made lightweight without a substantial loss of the performance of the module by using a transparent hollow multilayer structure in which a plurality of transparent sheets are spaced at a distance by reinforcing members inserted between and connected to the transparent sheets as a window member as well as a supporting member of the module by disposing said transparent hollow multilayer structure on the light receiving side of a solar power generation element.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Okaniwa
- 👤 Kenji Nakatani
- 👤 Kazutomi Suzuki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:30
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F19/00; H10F19/30; H10F19/31; H02; H02S; H02S40/00; H02S40/40; H02S40/42; H02S40/425; H10F19/35; H10F19/80; H10F77/00; H10F77/10; H10F77/16; H10F77/169; H10F77/1692; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A solar cell module, comprising: window means defined by transparent hollow multilayer structure, comprising a plurality of transparent sheets spaced apart by a plurality of reinforcing strips inserted between and connected to said transparent sheets; solar power generation means having a light receiving side and a back side, said solar power generation means being adhered to and supported by said window means, said window means being disposed on said light receiving side of said solar power generation means; and sealing means for sealing at least one surface of said solar power generation means, said solar power generation means being sealed as a whole by a combination of said window means and said sealing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A solar cell module, comprising: window means defined by transparent hollow multilayer structure, comprising a plurality of transparent sheets spaced apart by a plurality of reinforcing strips inserted between and connected to said transparent sheets; solar power generation means having a light receiving side and a back side, said solar power generation means being adhered to and supported by said window means, said window means being disposed on said light receiving side of said solar power generation means; and sealing means for sealing at least one surface of said solar power generation means, said solar power generation means being sealed as a whole by a combination of said window means and said sealing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A module according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcing strips are arranged in parallel with each other to define parallel and linear pillar-like hollow chimney sections between the transparent sheets, each of said hollow sections being open to the atmosphere at ends thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A module according to claim 1, wherein said solar power generation means comprises an insulating substrate of a flexible polymer film and a plurality of amorphous semiconductor solar cell units formed on the insulating substrate, which units are electrically connected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A module according to claim 1, wherein said window means is made of polycarbonate resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A module according to claim 1, wherein said sealing means includes a transparent water vapor proof film on the back side of said solar power generation means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A module according to claim 1, wherein said window means further comprises a transparent abrasion resistant film on the surface thereof facing the atmosphere.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
110 words
A solar cell module, comprising; solar power generation means supported by a window member, said solar power generation means having collector electrodes each comprising a bus bar and fingers extending from the bus bar in the form of a comb on the light receiving side of the solar power generating means, said window member comprising a transparent hollow multilayer structure including a plurality of transparent sheets spaced by reinforcing members inserted between and connected to said transparent sheets, said window member being disposed on the light receiving side of the solar power generation means in such a manner that said reinforcing members of the window member overlap the bus bars.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
110 words
A solar cell module, comprising; solar power generation means supported by a window member, said solar power generation means having collector electrodes each comprising a bus bar and fingers extending from the bus bar in the form of a comb on the light receiving side of the solar power generating means, said window member comprising a transparent hollow multilayer structure including a plurality of transparent sheets spaced by reinforcing members inserted between and connected to said transparent sheets, said window member being disposed on the light receiving side of the solar power generation means in such a manner that said reinforcing members of the window member overlap the bus bars.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A module according to claim 7, wherein said window member is disposed on said solar power generation means in such a manner that all said reinforcing members of the window member overlap said bus bars.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A module according to claim 8, wherein said solar power generation means includes an insulating substrate and a plurality of solar cell units formed on the insulating substrate, which units are electrically connected.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A module according to claim 9, wherein said bus bars are present at portions between said respective cell units.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A module according to claim 10, wherein the reinforcing members are arranged in parallel with each other to define parallel pillar-like hollow sections between the transparent sheets, all of said pillar-like hollow sections being open to the atmosphere.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A module according to claim 9, wherein said insulating substrate is a flexible polymer film and said solar cell units comprise an amorphous semiconductor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A module according to claim 7, wherein the reinforcing members are arranged in parallel with each other to define parallel pillar-like hollow sections between the transparent sheets, all of said pillar-like hollow sections being open to the atmosphere.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A module according to claim 7, wherein said transparent hollow multilayer structure is made of a synthetic resin.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A module according to claim 14, wherein said transparent hollow multilayer structure is made of polycarbonate resin.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A module according to claim 14, wherein said module further comprises a transparent water vapor proof film on the module surface facing the solar power generation means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A module according to claim 14, wherein said window member further comprises a transparent abrasion resistant film on the surface thereof facing the atmosphere.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
A module according to claim 7, wherein the back of the solar power generation means, opposite to said window member, is sealed with a sealing material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
90 words
A solar cell module, comprising; (a) an array of solar power generating elements disposed on a common substrate; (b) light transparent window means adhered to the light incident surface of said array and at least dimensionally coextensive with said array; and (c) means for supporting said array and said window means; wherein said window means comprises a plurality of transparent sheets of synthetic resin spaced apart by reinforcing strips, said strips and said sheets together defining a plurality of substantially parallel chimneys open to the atmosphere at the ends thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
90 words
A solar cell module, comprising; (a) an array of solar power generating elements disposed on a common substrate; (b) light transparent window means adhered to the light incident surface of said array and at least dimensionally coextensive with said array; and (c) means for supporting said array and said window means; wherein said window means comprises a plurality of transparent sheets of synthetic resin spaced apart by reinforcing strips, said strips and said sheets together defining a plurality of substantially parallel chimneys open to the atmosphere at the ends thereof.
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) | 1991-02-08 | 1991-08-10 | 1992-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-02-08 | 1995-08-10 | 1996-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-02-08 | 1999-08-10 | 2000-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |