Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric – Photoelectric – Panel or array
Reexamination Certificate
2003-03-07
2004-10-26
Diamond, Alan (Department: 1753)
Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric
Photoelectric
Panel or array
C136S244000, C136S291000, C052S173300, C438S064000, C257S433000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06809253
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Air moving across an array of photovoltaic (PV) assemblies mounted to the roof of a building, or other support surface, creates wind uplift forces on the PV assemblies. Much work has been done in the design and evaluation of arrays of PV assemblies to minimize wind uplift forces. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,316,592; 5,505,788; 5,746,839; 6,061,978; and 6,148,570. Reducing wind uplift forces provides several advantages. First, it reduces the necessary weight per unit area of the array. This reduces or eliminates the need for strengthening the support surface to support the weight of the array, thus making retrofit easier and reducing the cost for both retrofit and new construction. Second, it reduces or eliminates the need for the use of roof membrane-(or other support surface-) penetrating fasteners; this helps to maintain the integrity of the membrane. Third, the cost of transporting and installing the assembly is reduced because of its decreased weight. Fourth, lightweight PV assemblies are easier to install than assemblies that rely on ballast weight to counteract wind uplift forces. Fifth, when designed properly, the assembly can serve as a protective layer over the roof membrane or support surface, shielding from temperature extremes and ultraviolet radiation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Various aspects of the invention are based upon the discovery and recognition that (1) wind uplift forces are spatially distributed, both dynamically and randomly, so that wind uplift forces on a particular PV assembly within an array of PV assemblies changes rapidly in magnitude; and (2) interengaging the various PV assemblies within an array of PV assemblies causes wind uplift forces acting on a single PV assembly to be transferred to other, typically adjacent, PV assemblies.
A first aspect of the invention is directed to an array of pressure-equalizing photovoltaic (PV) assemblies mountable to a support surface. Each PV assembly comprises a base, a PV module and a support assembly securing the PV module to a position overlying the upper surface of the base. Vents are formed through the base. A pressure equalization path extends from the outer surface of the PV module, past the PV module, to and through at least one of the vents, and to the lower surface of the base. This provides pressure equalization between the outer surface of the PV module and the lower surface of the base to help reduce wind uplift forces on the PV assembly. The PV assemblies may be interengaged, such as by interengaging the bases of adjacent PV assemblies. The array may also include a deflector and a multi-position deflector support securing the deflector to the base at shipping and inclined-use angles. The array maybe circumscribed by a perimeter assembly. Cross strapping, extending above, below or through the array, or some combination of above, below and through the array, may be used to secure one perimeter element to a non-adjacent perimeter element.
A second aspect of the invention is directed to a PV system comprising a support surface and an array of pressure-equalizing photovoltaic (PV) assemblies mounted to the support surface, Each PV assembly comprises a base, a PV module and a support assembly securing the PV module to a position overlying the upper surface of the base. Vents are formed through the base. A pressure equalization path extends from the outer surface of the PV module, past the PV module, to and through at least one of the vents, and to the lower surface of the base. This provides pressure equalization between the outer surface of the PV module and the lower surface of the base to help reduce wind uplift forces on the PV assembly. The peripheral edges of adjacent PV assemblies are separated by an average distance of about d.
A third aspect of the invention is directed to a PV assembly, for use on a support surface. Each PV assembly comprises a base, a PV module and a module support assembly securing the PV module to a position overlying the upper surface of the base. The PV module is oriented at a first angle to the base by the module support and a deflector is oriented at a second angle to the base by a deflector support. Vents are formed through the base. A pressure equalization path extends from the outer surface of the PV module, past the deflector, to through at least one of the vents and to the lower surface of the base. This provides pressure equalization between the outer surface of the PV module and the lower surface of the base to help reduce wind uplift forces on the PV assembly.
A fourth aspect of the invention is directed to a PV system comprising a support surface, comprising alternating ridges and troughs, and an array of pressure-equalizing photovoltaic (PV) assemblies mounted to the support surface. Each PV assembly comprises a base, a PV module and a support assembly securing the PV module to a position overlying the upper surface of the base. A vent is formed through the base between the center of the PV module and the support assembly. A pressure equalization path extends from the outer surface of the PV module, past the PV module, to through the vent and to the lower surface of the base. This provides pressure equalization between the outer surface of the PV module and the lower surface of the base to help reduce wind uplift forces on the PV assembly.
A fifth aspect of the invention is directed to a method for reducing wind uplift forces on an array of pressure-equalizing photovoltaic (PV) assemblies mountable to a support surface. Each PV assembly comprises a base, a PV module and a support assembly securing the PV module to a position overlying the upper surface of the base. The method comprises forming vents through the base and creating a pressure equalization path extending from the outer surface of the PV module, past the PV module, to and through at least one of the vents, and to the lower surface of the base. The PV module may be oriented at an angle to the base and a deflector may be mounted at an angle to the base, the module and deflector having portions defining a gap therebetween.
A sixth aspect of the invention is directed to a method for reducing wind uplift forces on an array of pressure-equalizing photovoltaic (PV) assemblies mountable to a support surface comprising alternating ridges and troughs. Each PV assembly comprises a base, a PV module and a support assembly securing the PV module to a position overlying the upper surface of the base. The method comprises forming vents through the base and creating pressure equalization paths extending from the outer surface of the PV module, past the PV modules, to and through at least one of the vents, and to the lower surface of the base.
The provision of the vents in the base of the PV assembly provides for pressure equalization to reduce or eliminate wind uplift forces. Appropriately positioning the array on the roof of a building also helps to reduce wind uplift forces. Reducing wind uplift forces provides several advantages. First, it reduces the necessary weight per unit area of the array. This reduces or eliminates the need for strengthening the support surface to support the weight of the array, thus making retrofit easier and reducing the cost for both retrofit and new construction. Second, it reduces or eliminates the need for the use of roof membrane-(or other support surface-) penetrating fasteners; this helps to maintain the integrity of the membrane. Third, the cost of transporting and installing the assembly is reduced because of its decreased weight. Fourth, lightweight PV assemblies are easier to install than assemblies that rely on ballast weight to counteract wind uplift forces. In addition, using a PV assembly comprising a base permits the PV assembly to help protect the support surface from the effects of sun, wind, rain, etc., and also, when the base comprises thermal insulation, increases the thermal insulation qualities of the support surface. Further, the interengagement of the PV assemblies, and the maintenance of the interengagement of the PV assemblies, helps t
Diamond Alan
Hann James F.
Haynes Beffel & Wolfeld LLP
PowerLight Corporation
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