Patent · US Expired

Universal solar cell/conductor junction element and solar panel embodying same

US4257821A · kind A · utility

67Cited by
5References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 13, 1978
Grant dateMar 24, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 13, 1998

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/50
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A solar electric power generating panel (solar panel) includes one or more universal electrical junction elements of approximately the same size and shape as conventional solar cells mounted along with the cells on a solar array substrate at any selected cell position or positions of the cell array. Each junction element has terminals which may be electrically connected to interconnects of the solar cells and electrical conductors such as lead wires of the cell array in such a way as to condition the element to serve as a series string termination with or without blocking diodes, an electrical voltage tap with or without blocking diodes, or a mounting for cell shunting diodes. Automatic assembly tooling may be utilized to assemble and electrically connect the solar cells, conductors, and junction elements into a completed solar array.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.