US5228925A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photovoltaic window assembly
Assignee: United Solar Systems Corp
•
Filing: 1991-12-23
•
Granted: 1993-07-20
•
Expires: 2011-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A photovoltaic window assembly suitable for use in building and vehicular applications. The window assembly includes an optically-transmissive substrate having one or more photovoltaic devices disposed thereon. A decorative template having cut-outs coextensive with each of the photovoltaic devices is disposed on the substrate such that the photovoltaic devices extend through the cut-outs. A window opening is also formed in the decorative template for transmission of light. An encapsulating layer is formed on the substrate, solar cells and decorative template to protect the solar cells and assembly from environmental damage and deterioration.
Inventors
- 👤 Prem Nath
- 👤 Avtar Singh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:16
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02S; H02S40/00; H02S40/30; H02S40/34; B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; B60J7/02; B60J7/04; B60J7/043; H10; H10F; H10F19/00; H10F19/80; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/80; Y02T10/90; Y10; Y10S; Y10S136/00; Y10S136/291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A modular photovoltaic window assembly comprising: a rigid or semi-rigid, optically-transmissive substrate; at least one large area photovoltaic device disposed on and overlying a portion of said substrate and including at least one electrical connector in electrical communication with said photovoltaic device and disposed proximate an edge thereof; a decorative template disposed on said substrate and having a first aperture coextensive with said photovoltaic device such that said first aperture exposes all but said electrical connector thereof, and a second aperture defining a window opening; and a layer of optically-transmissive, environmentally-impervious material encapsulating said photovoltaic device and said substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A modular photovoltaic window assembly comprising: a rigid or semi-rigid, optically-transmissive substrate; at least one large area photovoltaic device disposed on and overlying a portion of said substrate and including at least one electrical connector in electrical communication with said photovoltaic device and disposed proximate an edge thereof; a decorative template disposed on said substrate and having a first aperture coextensive with said photovoltaic device such that said first aperture exposes all but said electrical connector thereof, and a second aperture defining a window opening; and a layer of optically-transmissive, environmentally-impervious material encapsulating said photovoltaic device and said substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The window assembly of claim 1 wherein said template is disposed adjacent said photovoltaic device on one surface of said substrate, and said layer or impervious material further encapsulates said template.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The window assembly of claim 2 further comprising a layer of ethylene vinyl acetate disposed between said template and adjacent photovoltaic device and said substrate to bond said template and adjacent photovoltaic device to said substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The window assembly of claim 1 wherein said substrate has first and second surfaces, said photovoltaic device being disposed on said first surface, and said template being disposed on said second surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The window assembly of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of photovoltaic devices disposed on said substrate and a plurality of first apertures coextensive respectively therewith.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The window assembly of claim 1 wherein the large area photovoltaic device is a thin film, silicon alloy photovoltaic device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The window assembly of claim 1 wherein the layer of impervious material is ethylene vinyl acetate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The window assembly of claim 7 further comprising an optically transmissive, polymeric coating disposed on said layer of impervious material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The window assembly of claim 8 wherein said coating is formed of a fluoropolymer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The window assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one electrical connector in electrical communication with said photovoltaic device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
121 words
A photovoltaic sunroof module for use with a motor vehicle, said module comprising: a rigid, optically-transmissive substrate; at least one large area photovoltaic device disposed on and overlying a portion of said substrate; a decorative template disposed adjacent said photovoltaic device and having means forming a first aperture coextensive with said photovoltaic device and a second aperture defining a window opening; an encapsulating layer of optically transmissive material disposed on said substrate, photovoltaic device and template; an optically-transmissive polymeric coating disposed on said impervious layer; and an electrical connector in electrical communication with said photovoltaic device for electrical communication with the electrical system of said motor vehicle, wherein said first aperture exposes all of said device except for said connector thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
121 words
A photovoltaic sunroof module for use with a motor vehicle, said module comprising: a rigid, optically-transmissive substrate; at least one large area photovoltaic device disposed on and overlying a portion of said substrate; a decorative template disposed adjacent said photovoltaic device and having means forming a first aperture coextensive with said photovoltaic device and a second aperture defining a window opening; an encapsulating layer of optically transmissive material disposed on said substrate, photovoltaic device and template; an optically-transmissive polymeric coating disposed on said impervious layer; and an electrical connector in electrical communication with said photovoltaic device for electrical communication with the electrical system of said motor vehicle, wherein said first aperture exposes all of said device except for said connector thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The sunroof panel of claim 11 further comprising an adhesive layer disposed between said template and adjacent photovoltaic device and said substrate to bond said template and adjacent photovoltaic device to said substrate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sunroof panel of claim 12 wherein said adhesive layer is formed of ethylene vinyl acetate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sunroof panel of claim 11 further comprising a plurality of photovoltaic devices and a plurality of first apertures coextensive respectively therewith.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sunroof panel of claim 11 wherein the large area photovoltaic device is a thin film, silicon alloy photovoltaic device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sunroof panel of claim 11 wherein the encapsulating layer is formed of ethylene vinyl acetate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sunroof panel of claim 11 wherein the coating is formed of a fluoropolymer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4327316A
Cited
US4475031A
Cited
US4724010A
Cited
US4773944A
Cited
US5011544A
Cited
US5066338A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-19 | 1997-01-18 | 1997-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-19 | 2001-01-18 | 2001-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-19 | 2005-01-18 | 2005-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |