US5460660A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for encapsulating a photovoltaic module
Assignee: Photon Energy Inc
•
Filing: 1993-07-21
•
Granted: 1995-10-24
•
Expires: 2013-07-21
Abstract
Abstract The subject inventions concern various photovoltaic module designs to protect the module from horizontal and vertical impacts and degradation of solar cell efficiency caused by moisture. In one design, a plurality of panel supports that are positioned adjacent to the upper panel in a photovoltaic module absorb vertical forces exerted along an axis perpendicular to the upper panel. Other designs employ layers of glass and tempered glass, respectively, to protect the module from vertical impacts. A plurality of button-shaped channels is used around the edges of the photovoltaic module to absorb forces applied to the module along an axis parallel to the module and direct moisture away from the module that could otherwise penetrate the module and adversely affect the cells within the module. A spacer is employed between the upper and lower panels that has a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially equivalent to the coefficient of thermal expansion of at least one of the panels.
Inventors
- 👤 Scot P. Albright
- 👤 Larry M. Dugan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:30
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02S; H02S30/00; H02S30/10; H10; H10F; H10F19/00; H10F19/80; H10F19/807; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for converting light into electricity in a terrestrial environments comprising; an energy generating means to convert light into electricity; a first panel that is sealed to a second panel, said first and second panels forming an interior space between said first and second panels that is shielded from the exterior environment, said energy generating means located within said interior space; and a plurality of means, positioned in said interior space adjacent to said first panel, for resiliently absorbing a vertical force exerted on at least one of said first and second panels along an axis substantially perpendicular to at least one of said first and second panels, wherein all of said plurality of means for absorbing a vertical force are separated from one another by a space to permit deformation of each of said plurality of means for resiliently absorbing a vertical force.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for converting light into electricity in a terrestrial environments comprising; an energy generating means to convert light into electricity; a first panel that is sealed to a second panel, said first and second panels forming an interior space between said first and second panels that is shielded from the exterior environment, said energy generating means located within said interior space; and a plurality of means, positioned in said interior space adjacent to said first panel, for resiliently absorbing a vertical force exerted on at least one of said first and second panels along an axis substantially perpendicular to at least one of said first and second panels, wherein all of said plurality of means for absorbing a vertical force are separated from one another by a space to permit deformation of each of said plurality of means for resiliently absorbing a vertical force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: at least one of said plurality of means absorbs force by one of the following: compression along said axis and elongation along said axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: each of said plurality of means for absorbing forces comprises a resilient rubber material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: each of said plurality of means for absorbing is attached to said second panel and detached from said first panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said first panel is attached to said energy generating means, said energy generating means receiving light through said first panel; and each of said plurality of means for absorbing is located between said energy generating means and said second panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said plurality of means for absorbing having substantially an even distribution over said first panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said first panel has an interior side bounding the area defined by said interior space; and the distance between said plurality of means for absorbing forces and said interior side of said first panel is less than about 0.030 inches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said plurality of means for absorbing forces comprises a material having a displacement of about 1/32 inches at about 5.0 psi.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: each of said plurality of means for absorbing forces has a face adjacent to said first panel having a cross-sectional area of at least about 0.19 square inches.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spacing between each of said plurality of means for absorbing forces is no greater than about 6 inches.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the spacing between said plurality of means for absorbing forces and the cross-sectional area of each of said plurality of means for absorbing forces is a function of the following: the composition, structure and thickness of said first panel and the maximum probable vertical force to be applied to said first panel along an axis perpendicular to said first panel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
208 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a third panel comprising tempered glass having a lower surface located adjacent to an exterior side of said first panel; sealing means for establishing a seal between said second panel and said first panel to create said interior space, said sealing means having substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion as at least one of said second panel and first panel to reduce the possibility of said seal being broken and thereby exposing said energy generating means to the exterior environment; framing means to support said third panel, first panel and second panel; and plurality of means for absorbing a force applied to at least one of said third panel, first panel, and second panel along an axis substantially parallel to at least one of said third panel, first panel, and second panel wherein at least one of said plurality of means has an interior surface that is located adjacent to said sealing means and an exterior surface that is located adjacent to said framing means and has a centrally located portion that is elevated over portions of said exterior surface located on both sides of said centrally located portion to substantially direct water away from said sealing means.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
221 words
An apparatus for converting light into electricity in a terrestrial environment comprising: an energy generating means to convert light into electricity; enclosure means for protecting said energy generating means from the terrestrial environment, said enclosure means includes a first panel, a second panel that is operatively connected to said first panel, and a peripheral edge, said energy generating means located between said first panel and said second panel; and frame means for holding said enclosure means about said peripheral edge, said frame means includes a first portion positioned over said first panel and a second portion positioned over said second panel, said first and second portions cooperatively constraining vertical movement of said enclosure means, said frame means further includes means for absorbing vertical shocks adjacent to said peripheral edge of said enclosure means, wherein said means for absorbing is located in between said first portion of said frame and said first panel and in between said second portion of said frame means and said second panel; wherein said means for absorbing includes a plurality of force absorbing devices, with at least two adjacent force absorbing devices being separated by a space to permit water to flow away from said enclosure means and thereby reduce the possibility of water penetrating said enclosure means and adversely affecting said energy generating means contained therein.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
221 words
An apparatus for converting light into electricity in a terrestrial environment comprising: an energy generating means to convert light into electricity; enclosure means for protecting said energy generating means from the terrestrial environment, said enclosure means includes a first panel, a second panel that is operatively connected to said first panel, and a peripheral edge, said energy generating means located between said first panel and said second panel; and frame means for holding said enclosure means about said peripheral edge, said frame means includes a first portion positioned over said first panel and a second portion positioned over said second panel, said first and second portions cooperatively constraining vertical movement of said enclosure means, said frame means further includes means for absorbing vertical shocks adjacent to said peripheral edge of said enclosure means, wherein said means for absorbing is located in between said first portion of said frame and said first panel and in between said second portion of said frame means and said second panel; wherein said means for absorbing includes a plurality of force absorbing devices, with at least two adjacent force absorbing devices being separated by a space to permit water to flow away from said enclosure means and thereby reduce the possibility of water penetrating said enclosure means and adversely affecting said energy generating means contained therein.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 13, wherein: said frame means further includes a third portion located outside of said peripheral edge.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
181 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 13, further comprising: a third panel comprising tempered glass having a lower surface located adjacent to an upper side of said first panel; sealing means for establishing a seal between said first and second panels wherein said sealing means has substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion as at least one of said first and second panels to reduce the possibility of said seal being broken and thereby exposing said energy generating means to the exterior environment; and plurality of means for absorbing a force applied to at least one of said first, second and third panels along an axis substantially parallel to at least one of said panels, wherein at least one of said plurality of means has an interior surface that is located adjacent to said sealing means and an exterior surface that is located adjacent to said frame means and has a centrally located portion that is elevated over portions of said exterior surface located on both sides of said centrally located portion to substantially direct water away from said sealing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 13, wherein: said energy generating means absorbs light passing through said second panel.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
182 words
An apparatus for converting light into electricity in a terrestrial environment comprising: a first panel that is transparent to light and has a first upper surface that is exposed to the exterior environment and a first lower surface that is shielded from the exterior environment; a second panel that is separate from said first panel, with a space located between said first and second panels, said second panel being transparent to light and having a second upper surface and a second lower surface that is shielded from the exterior environment with said second upper surface being located adjacent to said first lower surface of said first panel; and an energy generating means located adjacent to said second lower surface of said second panel, wherein said energy generating means receives light that passes through said first and second panels; wherein said first panel is rigid to absorb forces applied to said first panel along an axis perpendicular to said first panel and wherein said first panel is composed of a material having a modulus of elasticity of at least about 10×10 6 psi.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
182 words
An apparatus for converting light into electricity in a terrestrial environment comprising: a first panel that is transparent to light and has a first upper surface that is exposed to the exterior environment and a first lower surface that is shielded from the exterior environment; a second panel that is separate from said first panel, with a space located between said first and second panels, said second panel being transparent to light and having a second upper surface and a second lower surface that is shielded from the exterior environment with said second upper surface being located adjacent to said first lower surface of said first panel; and an energy generating means located adjacent to said second lower surface of said second panel, wherein said energy generating means receives light that passes through said first and second panels; wherein said first panel is rigid to absorb forces applied to said first panel along an axis perpendicular to said first panel and wherein said first panel is composed of a material having a modulus of elasticity of at least about 10×10 6 psi.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 17, wherein: said first and second panels comprise glass.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 17, wherein: the distance between said first lower surface of said first panel and second upper surface of said second panel is no greater than about 0.25 inches.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
255 words
The apparatus, as claimed in claim 17 further comprising: a third panel located below said second lower surface to form a space containing said energy generating means; framing means to support said first, second and third panels; sealing means for establishing a seal between said second and third panels to create a substantially closed environment for said energy generating means that is protected from the exterior environment, said sealing means having substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion as at least one of said second and third panels to reduce the possibility of said seal being broken and thereby exposing said energy generating means to said exterior environment; plurality of means, located within the area bounded by said second and third panels and said sealing means, for absorbing a vertical force exerted on said first panel along an axis perpendicular to said panel; and plurality of means, located in between said sealing means and said framing means, for absorbing a force applied to at least one of said first, second and third panels along an axis substantially parallel to at least one of said first, second, and third panels, wherein at least one of said plurality of means has an interior surface that is located adjacent to said sealing means and an exterior surface that is located adjacent to said framing means and having a centrally located portion that is elevated over portions of said exterior surface located on both sides of said centrally located portion to substantially direct water away from said sealing means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 17, wherein: all of the first lower surface of said first panel and all of the second upper surface of said second panel are substantially flat.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for converting light into electricity in a terrestrial environment comprising: a first panel that is transparent to light and has a first upper surface that is exposed to the exterior environment and a first lower surface that is shielded from the exterior environment; a second panel that is separate from said first panel, with a space located between said first and second panels, said second panel being transparent to light and having a second upper surface and a second lower surface that is shielded from the exterior environment with said second upper surface being located adjacent to said first lower surface of said first panel; and an energy generating means located adjacent to said second lower surface of said second panel, wherein said energy generating means receives light that passes through said first and second panels; wherein said first panel comprises tempered glass.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for converting light into electricity in a terrestrial environment comprising: a first panel that is transparent to light and has a first upper surface that is exposed to the exterior environment and a first lower surface that is shielded from the exterior environment; a second panel that is separate from said first panel, with a space located between said first and second panels, said second panel being transparent to light and having a second upper surface and a second lower surface that is shielded from the exterior environment with said second upper surface being located adjacent to said first lower surface of said first panel; and an energy generating means located adjacent to said second lower surface of said second panel, wherein said energy generating means receives light that passes through said first and second panels; wherein said first panel comprises tempered glass.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for converting light into electricity in a terrestrial environment comprising; an energy generating means to convert light into electricity; a means for protecting said energy generating means, said means for protecting includes a first panel comprising substantially transparent tempered glass that has an exterior side which is exposed to the exterior environment and an interior side that is shielded from the exterior environment and a second panel spaced from said interior side of said first panel, said energy generating means being located adjacent to said interior side of said first panel, wherein said tempered glass protects said energy generating means from projectiles in said exterior environment; means for absorbing shocks from said projectiles located adjacent to at least one of said first and second panels; and a space between said first panel and said energy generating means.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for converting light into electricity in a terrestrial environment comprising; an energy generating means to convert light into electricity; a means for protecting said energy generating means, said means for protecting includes a first panel comprising substantially transparent tempered glass that has an exterior side which is exposed to the exterior environment and an interior side that is shielded from the exterior environment and a second panel spaced from said interior side of said first panel, said energy generating means being located adjacent to said interior side of said first panel, wherein said tempered glass protects said energy generating means from projectiles in said exterior environment; means for absorbing shocks from said projectiles located adjacent to at least one of said first and second panels; and a space between said first panel and said energy generating means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 23, wherein: said space contains a selected gas.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 24, wherein: said gas comprising at least 2 percent by volume oxygen.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 23, wherein: said space is substantially a vacuum.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein: said space contains a gas at a selected pressure to transfer a portion of the shock from said projectiles to said second panel located below said first panel in said protecting means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 23, wherein: said first panel comprises a material having a modulus of elasticity of about 10×10 6 psi.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
237 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 23, further comprising: a third panel comprising tempered glass having a lower surface located adjacent to said exterior side of said first panel; framing means to support said first, second, and third panels; plurality of means, located within said space, for absorbing a vertical force exerted on said third panel along an axis perpendicular to said third panel; means for sealing said first panel and said second panel to form said space; and plurality of means, located in between said means for sealing and said framing means for absorbing a force applied to at least one of said first, second, and third panels along an axis substantially parallel to at least one of said first, second, and third panels, wherein at least one of said plurality of means has an interior surface that is located adjacent to said means for sealing and an exterior surface that is located adjacent to said framing means and has a centrally located portion that is elevated over portions of said exterior surface located on both sides of said centrally located portion to substantially direct water away from said means for sealing; and wherein said means for sealing has substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion as at least one of said first and second panels to reduce the possibility of said seal being broken and thereby exposing said energy generating means to said exterior environment.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 23, wherein: said absorbing means includes a plurality of shock absorbing devices.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 23, wherein: said protecting means has a peripheral edge; and further comprising: frame means for holding said protecting means about said peripheral edge, said frame means includes a portion positioned over at least one of said first and second panels and said absorbing means is located between said frame means portion and said protecting means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
72 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 31, wherein: said frame means includes a first portion positioned over said first panel and a second portion positioned over said second panel, said first and second portions cooperatively constraining vertical movement of said protecting means, wherein said absorbing means is located between said first panel and said first portion of said frame means and said second panel and said second portion of said frame means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 32, wherein: said absorbing means includes a plurality of shock absorbing devices with at least two adjacent shock absorbing services being separated by a space to permit water to flow away from said protecting means and thereby reduce the possibility of water penetrating said protecting means and adversely affecting said energy generating means contained therein.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
138 words
An apparatus for converting light into electricity in a terrestrial environment comprising: a photovoltaic panel that includes a photovoltaic cell and means for enclosing said photovoltaic cell to protect said photovoltaic cell from fluids in the external environment; a framing means to support said photovoltaic panel; and a plurality of means, located in between said photovoltaic panel and said framing means, for absorbing a force applied to said photovoltaic panel along an axis substantially parallel to said photovoltaic panel with a space between at least two adjacent means for absorbing a force so that said at least two adjacent force absorbing means do not abut one another, said space permitting water to flow away from said photovoltaic panel and thereby reducing the possibility of water penetrating said means for enclosing and adversely affecting said photovoltaic cell contained therein.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
138 words
An apparatus for converting light into electricity in a terrestrial environment comprising: a photovoltaic panel that includes a photovoltaic cell and means for enclosing said photovoltaic cell to protect said photovoltaic cell from fluids in the external environment; a framing means to support said photovoltaic panel; and a plurality of means, located in between said photovoltaic panel and said framing means, for absorbing a force applied to said photovoltaic panel along an axis substantially parallel to said photovoltaic panel with a space between at least two adjacent means for absorbing a force so that said at least two adjacent force absorbing means do not abut one another, said space permitting water to flow away from said photovoltaic panel and thereby reducing the possibility of water penetrating said means for enclosing and adversely affecting said photovoltaic cell contained therein.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
73 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 34, wherein: at least one of said plurality of means having an interior surface that is located adjacent to said photovoltaic panel and an exterior surface that is located adjacent to said framing means and having a centrally located portion that is elevated over portions of said exterior surface located on both sides of said centrally located portion to substantially direct water away from said photovoltaic panel.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 34, wherein: at least one of said plurality of means includes means for absorbing a force applied to said photovoltaic panel along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to said photovoltaic panel.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 34, wherein: said plurality of means for absorbing a force comprises a material having a durometer shore of about 50 to 70.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus,,as claimed in claim 34, wherein: the distance between each of said plurality of means for absorbing a force is about 3.0 to 7.0 inches.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 34, wherein: each of said plurality of means for absorbing a force have a width of no less than about 0.25 inches.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 34, wherein said photovoltaic panel movably connects each of said means for absorbing a force to form an interface along which gases and liquids may travel.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
127 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 34, wherein: said means for enclosing includes first and second panels and sealing means located in between said first and second panels, for establishing a seal between said panels, said sealing means having substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion as at least one of said panels to reduce the possibility of said seal being broken and thereby exposing said photovoltaic cell to said exterior environment and further comprising; a third panel comprising tempered glass having a lower side located adjacent to the upper side of said first panel; and plurality of means, located in the space bounded by said means for enclosing, for absorbing a vertical force exerted on said third panel along an axis perpendicular to said third panel.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 34, wherein: said photovoltaic panel has a peripheral edge and a portion of said framing means is located outside of said peripheral edge.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus for converting light into electricity in a terrestrial environments comprising: a photovoltaic panel that includes a photovoltaic cell and means for enclosing said photovoltaic cell to protect said photovoltaic cell from fluids in the external environment; framing means to support said photovoltaic panel; and means, located in between said photovoltaic panel and said framing means, for absorbing a force applied to said photovoltaic panel along an axis substantially parallel to said photovoltaic panel, said means for absorbing having an interior surface that is located adjacent to said photovoltaic panel and an exterior surface that is located adjacent to said framing means and having a centrally located portion that is elevated over portions of said exterior surface located on both sides of said centrally located portion.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus for converting light into electricity in a terrestrial environments comprising: a photovoltaic panel that includes a photovoltaic cell and means for enclosing said photovoltaic cell to protect said photovoltaic cell from fluids in the external environment; framing means to support said photovoltaic panel; and means, located in between said photovoltaic panel and said framing means, for absorbing a force applied to said photovoltaic panel along an axis substantially parallel to said photovoltaic panel, said means for absorbing having an interior surface that is located adjacent to said photovoltaic panel and an exterior surface that is located adjacent to said framing means and having a centrally located portion that is elevated over portions of said exterior surface located on both sides of said centrally located portion.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 43, wherein: a plurality of means for absorbing is located in between said photovoltaic panel and said framing means to permit water to flow away from said photovoltaic panel.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
125 words
An apparatus, as claimed in claim 43, wherein: said means for enclosing includes first and second panels and sealing means, located in between said panels, for establishing a seal between said panels, said sealing means having substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion as at least one of said panels to reduce the possibility of said seal being broken and thereby exposing said energy generating means to said exterior environment and further comprising: a third panel comprising tempered glass having a lower side located adjacent to the upper side of said first panel; and plurality of means, located in the space bounded by said means for enclosing for absorbing a vertical force exerted on said third panel along an axis perpendicular to said third panel.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
140 words
An apparatus for converting light into electricity in a terrestrial environment comprising: an upper panel being substantially transparent to light; a lower panel spaced a desired distance from said upper panel; an energy generating means to convert light into electricity that is located between said upper and lower panels and responsive to light that passes through said upper panel; and sealing means for establishing a seal between said upper and lower panels to create a substantially closed environment for said energy generating means that is protected from the exterior environment, said sealing means having a different composition than at least one of said panels and has substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion as at least one of said panels to reduce the possibility of said seal being broken and thereby exposing said energy generating means to said exterior environment.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
140 words
An apparatus for converting light into electricity in a terrestrial environment comprising: an upper panel being substantially transparent to light; a lower panel spaced a desired distance from said upper panel; an energy generating means to convert light into electricity that is located between said upper and lower panels and responsive to light that passes through said upper panel; and sealing means for establishing a seal between said upper and lower panels to create a substantially closed environment for said energy generating means that is protected from the exterior environment, said sealing means having a different composition than at least one of said panels and has substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion as at least one of said panels to reduce the possibility of said seal being broken and thereby exposing said energy generating means to said exterior environment.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus, as claimed in claim 46, wherein: said sealing means has substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion as said upper panel.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus, as claimed in claim 46, wherein: said sealing means has substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion as said lower panel.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus, as claimed in claim 46, wherein: said sealing means has substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion as both said upper panel and said lower panel.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus, as claimed in claim 46, wherein: said upper panel comprises glass and said sealing means comprises stainless steel.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus, as claimed in claim 46, wherein: said upper panel comprises glass and said sealing means comprises glass.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
191 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 46, further comprising: a first panel comprising tempered glass having a lower side located substantially adjacent to the upper side of said upper panel; framing means to support said first, upper, and lower panels; plurality of means, located in the space bounded by said upper and lower panels and said sealing means, for absorbing a vertical force exerted on said first panel along an axis perpendicular to said first panel; and plurality of means, located in between said sealing means and said framing means, for absorbing a force applied to at least one of said first, upper, and lower panels along an axis substantially parallel to at least one of said first, upper, and lower panels, wherein at least one of said plurality of means for absorbing parallel forces has an interior surface that is located adjacent to said sealing means and an exterior surface that is located adjacent to said framing means and a centrally located portion that is elevated over portions of said exterior surface located on both sides of said centrally located portion to substantially direct water away from said sealing means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-10-23 | 1999-04-24 | 1999-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-23 | 2003-04-24 | 2003-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-23 | 2007-04-24 | 2007-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |