Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Combined – With a sunlight activated device
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-30
2001-08-07
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Combined
With a sunlight activated device
C052S091300, C052S464000, C052S469000, C136S244000, C126S621000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06269596
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a roof member incorporating a solar cell. More particularly, the invention concerns a roof member easy to install and excellent in electric safety and an electrically grounding method of a metal reinforcing member of a combination solar cell and roof member.
2. Related Background Art
In use of the solar cell the durability is required against influence from the external environments such as the temperature, the humidity, or impact. Therefore, the ordinary solar cell modules are constructed in such structure that a photovoltaic element is sealed in a filling material, the surface is covered with a weather-resistant film or glass as a protective material, and a metal reinforcing member is attached to the circumference or the back surface.
In terms of the electric safety, in order to avoid the worst case of electric shock when a man touches a part of the metal reinforcing member being the outside part of the solar cell module, a method for electrically grounding the outside part of solar cell module has been adopted heretofore.
FIGS. 13 and 14
show a conventional frame mount type solar cell device.
As seen in
FIG. 13
, the solar cell module array of this conventional example is constructed of a plurality of solar cell modules
1301
fixed to frame
1302
.
As shown in the cross-sectional view of
FIG. 14
, a solar cell module used in this conventional example is constructed in such structure that a solar cell element
1401
is sealed in resin
1404
, the top surface is protected by glass
1403
, the bottom surface by weather-resistant film
1402
, and an aluminum frame
1405
for reinforcement and mounting to the frame is attached to the circumference.
The electric grounding of such solar cell modules of the conventional example will be described referring to FIG.
14
. In order to achieve electric conduction of the three members of the aluminum frame
1405
attached to the solar cell module, stainless-steel bolt
1407
, and stainless-steel frame
1406
through the stainless-steel bolt
1407
, a cable is attached to a part of the frame
1406
set on the roof and the cable is electrically grounded, thereby achieving the electric grounding of each solar cell module.
There is, however, no practical method developed yet for electric grounding of the metal reinforcing member adapted for a roof member and solar cell combination incorporating a roof member and a solar cell element without the frame described above. It is needless to mention that a method for providing each module with a cable for electric grounding greatly increases the cost and lowers the work efficiency, thus posing a problem.
The present invention provides a specific method for electric grounding of a combination solar cell and roof member (a solar-cell-incorporated roof material) installed on the roof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Roof members of the present invention are those fixed to the roof, each roof member being a combination solar cell and roof member having a solar cell element and a metal reinforcing member, wherein a metal member is provided below the combination solar cell and roof member or a metal member is provided along an adjacent portion between adjacent combination solar cell and roof members, wherein the metal member is made electrically conductive to metal reinforcing members of plural combination solar cell and roof members and wherein the metal member is electrically grounded.
The metal member is preferably a metal sheet disposed below the combination solar cell and roof member, a metal sheet disposed between adjacent combination solar cell and roof members, or a metal sheet mounted on a wood rafter. The metal member is preferably one also serving as a metal rafter, a long retaining clip, or a cover for the adjacent portion of the combination solar cell and roof member.
Further, electric conduction is preferably achieved between the metal reinforcing member of combination solar cell and roof member and the metal member provided on the roof substrate through a partially conductive retaining clip.
It can also be contemplated that the retaining clip has a screw and that the electric condition is made surer between the metal reinforcing member of the combination solar cell and roof member and the retaining clip through the screw.
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Fukae Kimitoshi
Mimura Toshihiko
Mori Masahiro
Ohtsuka Takashi
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Glessner Brian E.
Stephan Beth A.
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