Systems with photovoltaic cells
US10600928B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 15, 2017 |
| Grant date | Mar 24, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 11, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An item may include circuitry, a battery that powers the circuitry, and one or more photovoltaic cells that are used to recharge the battery. The photovoltaic cell may be a thin-film photovoltaic cell with a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate may be formed from fabric, leather, polymer, or other soft materials. In arrangements where the substrate is formed from fabric with conductive strands, the photovoltaic cell may include a first electrical terminal coupled to a first conductive strand and a second electrical terminal coupled to a second conductive strand. The first and second conductive strands may be coupled to control circuitry. The control circuitry may route the electricity from the photovoltaic cell to a battery or other circuitry. Items such as cases, covers, bands, headphones, interiors, and other items may have flexible or soft surfaces that can form substrates for photovoltaic films.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.