Patent · US Active

Volume compensation within a photovoltaic device

US8093493B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
11References
40Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 30, 2007
Grant dateJan 10, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 8, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/541

Abstract

A photovoltaic device having (i) an outer transparent casing, (ii) a substrate, the substrate and the outer transparent casing defining an inner volume, (iii) at least one solar cell on the substrate, (iv) a filler layer sealing the at least one solar cell and (v) a container within the inner volume is provided. The container decreases in volume when the filler layer expands, and increases in volume when the filler layer contracts. In some instances, the container is sealed and has a plurality of ridges. In some instances, the container has an opening that is sealed by a spring loaded seal. In some instances, the container has a first opening and a second opening, where the first opening is sealed by a first spring loaded seal and the second opening is sealed by a second spring loaded seal. In some instances, the container has an elongated asteroid shape.

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