US5232518A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photovoltaic roof system
Assignee: United Solar Systems Corp
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Filing: 1992-01-16
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Granted: 1993-08-03
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Expires: 2012-01-16
Abstract
Abstract A photovoltaic roofing system includes a plurality of roofing panels each having a photovoltaic device thereupon and each including an electrical connector engageable with a connector on another panel. The panels includes upstanding flanges and a batten and seam roof construction may be readily configured by interconnecting the panels, fastening them to the roof and covering adjoining flanges with the battens.
Inventors
- 👤 Prem Nath
- 👤 Timothy Laarman
- 👤 Avtar Singh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:27
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04D; E04D3/00; E04D3/36; E04D3/366; E04D3/3605; F; F24; F24S; F24S20/00; F24S20/60; F24S20/67; F24S25/00; F24S25/60; F24S25/67; H; H02; H02S; H02S20/00; H02S20/20; H02S20/22; H02S20/23; H02S30/00; H02S30/20; H02S40/00; H02S40/30; H02S40/36; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/17; H10F10/172; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A30/00; Y02A30/60; Y02B; Y02B10/00; Y02B10/10; Y02B10/20; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44; Y02E10/47; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/548; Y10; Y10S; Y10S136/00; Y10S136/291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
A modular batten and seam type photovoltaic roofing system comprising: I) a plurality of photovoltaic panels, each panel including: a base member having a generally planar central portion at least partially bounded by two upturned flanges; a photovoltaic device disposed on said central portion, said device including a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a positive terminal region associated with said base member and including a first electrical conductor in electrical communication with the positive terminal of said photovoltaic device; a negative terminal region associated with said base member and including a second electrical conductor in electrical communication with the negative terminal of said photovoltaic device; a first electrical connector affixed to said positive terminal region, in electrical communication with said first electrical conductor; a second electrical conductor affixed to said negative terminal region, in electrical communication with said second electrical conductor; said roofing system further including: II) a coupling member having a first end reversibly attachable to one of said electrical connectors on a first one of said plurality of panels and a second end reversibly attachable to one of said electrical connectors on a second one of said panels, said coupling member being operable to establish electrical communication between said first and second panels; III) a plurality of batten members, each configured to cover one upturned flange of each of two of said plurality of panels, when said two panels are adjacently disposed on a roof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
A modular batten and seam type photovoltaic roofing system comprising: I) a plurality of photovoltaic panels, each panel including: a base member having a generally planar central portion at least partially bounded by two upturned flanges; a photovoltaic device disposed on said central portion, said device including a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a positive terminal region associated with said base member and including a first electrical conductor in electrical communication with the positive terminal of said photovoltaic device; a negative terminal region associated with said base member and including a second electrical conductor in electrical communication with the negative terminal of said photovoltaic device; a first electrical connector affixed to said positive terminal region, in electrical communication with said first electrical conductor; a second electrical conductor affixed to said negative terminal region, in electrical communication with said second electrical conductor; said roofing system further including: II) a coupling member having a first end reversibly attachable to one of said electrical connectors on a first one of said plurality of panels and a second end reversibly attachable to one of said electrical connectors on a second one of said panels, said coupling member being operable to establish electrical communication between said first and second panels; III) a plurality of batten members, each configured to cover one upturned flange of each of two of said plurality of panels, when said two panels are adjacently disposed on a roof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein said coupling member is expansible.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
229 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein: said first and second conductors are generally L-shaped metallic members including a base leg configured to be affixable to a respective terminal region of said panel and a connector leg angularly disposed with regard to the base leg and including a hole defined therethrough; said connector includes a connector housing which is made of an electrically insulating, moisture impervious material and which is configured to enclose the connector leg, said housing including a passageway defined therethrough generally aligned with the hole in the connector leg; said coupling member includes an elongated electrical conductor having a passage defined therethrough and further includes a coupling housing surrounding a portion of the length of the elongated conductor so that a portion thereof projects from either end of said coupling housing, said connector housing and coupling housing configured so that the elongated conductor contacts the coupling leg of the connector of the first one of said panels when engaged therewith and the coupling leg of the second one of said panels when engaged therewith so that the passageway through said elongated conductor aligns with the holes defined in said connector legs, said system further including: a fastener configured to pass through the passage in the elongated conductor and the holes in the connector legs and operable to retain the legs and the elongated conductor in engagement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as in claim 1, which further includes an O-ring disposed so as to provide a seal between the coupling member and one of the connectors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein the central portion of said base member is generally rectangular and one of said upturned flanges is disposed along each long edge thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as in claim 5, wherein said positive terminal region and said negative terminal region are each disposed on opposite edges of said central portion and proximate an end of said panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as in claim 5, wherein said positive terminal region and negative terminal region are each disposed along opposite edges of said central portion and intermediate of the ends of said panel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system as in claim 7, wherein said terminal regions are asymmetrically disposed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as in claim 5, wherein said terminal regions comprise tabs projecting from the central portion of the base member in a coplanar relationship therewith.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein said photovoltaic device is a thin film photovoltaic device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as in claim 10, wherein said photovoltaic device includes a semiconductor alloy material including a member selected from the group consisting of silicon, germanium, and combinations thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein each of said batten members is further configured to cover an electrical connector of each of said two adjacently disposed panels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein said positive terminal region is disposed upon a first one of said upturned flanges and said negative terminal region is disposed upon a second one of said upturned flanges.
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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) | 1996-08-02 | 1997-02-01 | 1997-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-02 | 2001-02-01 | 2001-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-02 | 2005-02-01 | 2005-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |