U.S. patent application number 11/028987 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-30 for solar tile assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Powertile Ltd. Invention is credited to Bahaj, Abubakr S., Ballard, James R., James, Patrick A.B., Mucci, Peter E.R..
Application Number | 20050141153 11/028987 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 10855237 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050141153 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mucci, Peter E.R. ; et
al. |
June 30, 2005 |
Solar tile assembly
Abstract
A solar tile assembly having a removable outer panel (1) that
includes a number of photovoltaic cells (3) disposed on an
outermost surface thereof, and an inner support structure (2). The
photovoltaic cells cover a lower portion of the outer panel. The
outer panel is secured to the inner support structure using
fasteners disposed at a front end of the solar tile assembly. The
inner support structure includes a framework having a lower stepped
interlockable section. In use the interlockable section is disposed
under a portion of an adjacent tile assembly. The removable outer
panel is provided with electrical connectors (19a) in the underside
thereof, which electrical connectors form an electrical connection
with connectors (13) provided on the inner support structure when
the outer panel is slid towards the inner support structure.
Inventors: |
Mucci, Peter E.R.;
(Southampton, GB) ; Bahaj, Abubakr S.;
(Southampton, GB) ; James, Patrick A.B.;
(Southampton, GB) ; Ballard, James R.;
(Southampton, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTENSEN, O'CONNOR, JOHNSON, KINDNESS, PLLC
1420 FIFTH AVENUE
SUITE 2800
SEATTLE
WA
98101-2347
US
|
Assignee: |
Powertile Ltd
|
Family ID: |
10855237 |
Appl. No.: |
11/028987 |
Filed: |
January 3, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11028987 |
Jan 3, 2005 |
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09980471 |
Mar 26, 2002 |
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6856496 |
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09980471 |
Mar 26, 2002 |
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PCT/GB00/02159 |
Jun 14, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
361/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02E 10/50 20130101;
H02S 20/25 20141201; H01L 31/048 20130101; Y02B 10/12 20130101;
Y02B 10/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/020 |
International
Class: |
H02H 007/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 14, 1999 |
GB |
9913705.1 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A solar tile assembly comprising a removable outer panel that
comprises photovoltaic means and a first electrical connector, the
first electrical connector being provided underneath the outer
panel, and an inner support structure that comprises a second
electrical connector, the arrangement being such that in use an
electrical connection between the first electrical connector and
the second electrical connector is achieved by bringing together
the outer panel and the inner support structure.
2. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
electrical connection between the first electrical connector and
the second electrical connector is broken by the removal of the
outer panel from the inner support structure.
3. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the outer
panel is slidably attached to the inner support structure by
attachment means comprising a channel section formed to receive an
attachment element.
4. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the
removable outer panel is adapted to be slidable on the inner
support structure.
5. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer
panel is slidably attached to the inner support structure by
attachment means comprising a channel section formed to receive an
attachment element.
6. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer
panel comprises the attachment element and the inner support
structure is formed with the channel for receiving and retaining
the attachment element of the outer panel.
7. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer
panel comprises a pair of attachment elements and the inner support
structure is formed with a pair of channels for receiving and
retaining the attachment elements of the outer panel.
8. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
electrical connection between the first electrical connector and
the second electrical connector is broken by sliding the outer
panel in a direction that is substantially parallel to a plane of
an outermost surface of the outer panel.
9. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer
panel is removed from the inner support structure by first sliding
the outer panel in a slide direction that is substantially parallel
to a plane of an outermost surface of the outer panel and then
lifting the outer panel in a direction perpendicular to the slide
direction.
10. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
electrical connection between the first electrical connector and
the second electrical connector is broken by the removal of the
outer panel from the inner support structure, and wherein the outer
panel is removed from the inner support structure by first sliding
the outer panel in a slide direction that is substantially parallel
to a plane of an outermost surface of the outer panel and then
lifting the outer panel in a direction perpendicular to the slide
direction.
11. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
outer panel is slidably attached to the inner support structure by
attachment means comprising a channel section formed to receive an
attachment element, and wherein the outer panel is removed from the
inner support structure by first sliding the outer panel in a slide
direction that is substantially parallel to a plane of an outermost
surface of the outer panel and then lifting the outer panel in a
direction perpendicular to the slide direction.
12. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
outer panel is slidably attached to the inner support structure by
attachment means comprising a channel section formed to receive an
attachment element, wherein the outer panel comprises the
attachment element and the inner support structure is formed with
the channel for receiving and retaining the attachment element of
the outer panel, and wherein the outer panel is removed from the
inner support structure by first sliding the outer panel in a slide
direction that is substantially parallel to a plane of an outermost
surface of the outer panel and then lifting the outer panel in a
direction perpendicular to the slide direction.
13. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in use,
the inner support structure can be attached to the outer surface of
a structure such as a building or attached to an independent
support structure inside or outside a building.
14. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
inner support structure comprises an electrical junction box that
comprises the second electrical connector.
15. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
outer panel comprises an electrical junction box formed with the
first electrical connector, the assembly being such that in an
assembled state of the solar tile assembly the first connector and
the second connector provide electrical communication between the
two electrical junction boxes.
16. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
electrical junction box of the inner support structure comprises an
electrical input terminal and an electrical output terminal, the
arrangement being such that the electrical input terminal and the
electrical output terminal provide electrical communication between
corresponding solar tile assemblies.
17. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the
outer panel comprises an electrical junction box formed with the
first electrical connector, the assembly being such that in an
assembled state of the solar tile assembly the first connector and
the second connector provide electrical communication between the
two electrical junction boxes.
18. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 17 in which the
outer removable panel comprises a pair of electrical
connectors.
19. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 18 in which the
pair of electrical connectors extend outwardly from the junction
box.
20. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
support structure comprises means for providing electrical
connections between adjacent solar tile assemblies,
21. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the
means for providing electrical connections between adjacent solar
tile assemblies comprises an electrical connector on opposite sides
of the support structure.
22. The solar tile assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the
first electrical connector is located with the area bounded by the
outer panel when viewed in plan.
23. A removable solar tile comprising photovoltaic means and a
first electrical connector, the first electrical connector being
provided underneath the tile, the tile being such that in use an
electrical connection between the electrical connector of the
removable solar tile and a second electrical connector of an inner
support structure is achieved by bringing together the outer panel
and the inner support structure.
24. An inner support structure for a removable tile that comprises
photovoltaic means, the inner support structure comprising an
electrical connector, the arrangement being such that in use an
electrical connection between the electrical connector of the inner
support structure and an electrical connector of the removable tile
is achieved by bringing together the removable tile and the inner
support structure and the electrical connector of the inner support
structure being adapted to connect with the electrical connector of
the removable tile which is provided underneath the removable tile.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/980,471, filed Mar. 26, 2002, which is the
national stage of International Patent Application No.
PCT/GB00/02159, filed Jun. 14, 2000, the disclosures of which are
hereby expressly incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a solar tile assembly and
is concerned particularly with a two part solar roofing tile and a
method for providing electrical connection between the respective
parts of the two part solar roofing tile.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is known to use solar panels comprising photovoltaic
modules that may be placed onto the exterior of a building or
replace the existing roof tiles. Examples of such photovoltaic
modules are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,495, U.S. Pat. No.
5,112,408 and EP 0710806. The photovoltaic modules systems normally
comprise a plurality of solar panels that are electrically
connected to form a circuit. The solar panels may require routine
maintenance that necessitates the removal of one or more of the
solar panels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided a solar tile assembly comprising a removable outer
panel that comprises photovoltaic means and a first electrical
connector, and an inner support structure that comprises a second
electrical connector, the arrangement being such that in use an
electrical connection between the first electrical connector and
the second electrical connector is achieved by bringing together
the outer panel and the inner support structure.
[0005] The electrical connection between the first electrical
connector and the second electrical connector is preferably broken
by the removal of the outer panel from the inner support
structure.
[0006] Preferably, the outer panel is slidably attached to the
inner support structure by attachment means comprising a channel
section formed to receive an attachment element.
[0007] Preferably, the outer panel comprises the attachment element
and the inner support structure is formed with the channel for
receiving and retaining the attachment element of the outer
panel.
[0008] The outer panel conveniently comprises a pair of attachment
elements and the inner support structure is formed with a pair of
channels for receiving and retaining the attachment elements of the
outer panel.
[0009] The electrical connection between the first electrical
connector and the second electrical connector is preferably broken
by sliding the outer panel in a direction that is substantially
parallel to plane of outermost surface of the outer panel.
[0010] Preferably the outer panel is removed from the inner support
structure by first sliding the outer panel in a direction that is
substantially parallel to plane of outermost surface of the outer
panel and then lifting the outer panel in a direction perpendicular
to the direction of the slide direction.
[0011] In use the inner support structure can be attached to the
outer surface of a structure such as a building. If necessary a
damaged outer panel can be easily removed from the solar tile
assembly whilst still leaving the inner support structure fixed to
the building. A new outer panel can then replace the damaged outer
panel. Also, the outer panel and the inner support structure can be
easily inspected by removing the outer panel.
[0012] The inner support structure preferably comprises an
electrical junction box comprising the second electrical
connector.
[0013] The electrical junction box of the inner support structure
preferably comprises an electrical input terminal and an electrical
output terminal, the arrangement being such that the electrical
input terminal and the electrical output terminal provide
electrical communication between corresponding solar tile
assemblies. In use the photovoltaic means of the respective solar
assemblies generate electrical energy and there may be an
electrical network provided between the plurality of solar title
assemblies.
[0014] It is preferable that the outer panel comprises an
electrical junction box formed with the first electrical connector,
the arrangement being such that in the assembled state of the solar
tile assembly the first connector and the second connector provide
electrical communication between the two electrical junction
boxes.
[0015] The solar tile assemblies may be conveniently fixed to roof
battens of a conventional roof structure and may replace the
roofing tiles.
[0016] According to an embodiment of the first invention the
support structure comprises means for providing electrical
connections between adjacent solar tile assemblies.
[0017] The means for providing electrical connections between
adjacent solar tile assemblies preferably comprises an electrical
connector on opposite sides of the support structure.
[0018] According to a second aspect of the present invention there
is provided a removable solar tile comprising photovoltaic means
and an electrical connector, the arrangement being such that in use
an electrical connection between the electrical connector of the
removable solar tile and a second electrical connector of an inner
support structure is achieved by the bringing together of the outer
panel and the inner support structure.
[0019] According to a third aspect of the present invention there
is provided an inner support structure for a removable tile
comprising photovoltaic means, the inner support structure
comprising an electrical connector, the arrangement being such that
in use an electrical connection between the electrical connector of
the inner support structure and an electrical connector of the
removable tile is achieved by the bringing together of the
removable tile and the inner support structure.
[0020] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there
is provided a method for providing an electrical connection for a
solar tile assembly comprising a removable outer panel that
comprises photovoltaic means and a first electrical connector, and
an inner support structure that comprises a second electrical
connector, the method comprises sliding the outer panel towards the
inner support structure in a direction substantially parallel to
the plane of the outer panel until the first electrical connector
contacts the second electrical connector.
[0021] Preferably the electrical connection between the respective
parts of the solar tile assembly is broken by sliding the outer
panel in the opposite direction.
[0022] The invention may include any combination of the features or
limitations referred to herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The invention can be put into practice is various ways, but
an embodiment will now be described by way of example only with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a solar tile assembly in a
closed assembled condition;
[0025] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the solar tile assembly shown
in FIG. 1 and shows the assembly in a partially open condition;
[0026] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the solar tile assembly shown
in FIG. 1 and shows the outer panel separated from the inner
support frame;
[0027] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the solar tile assembly shown
in FIG. 1 and shows the outer panel removed from the inner support
frame; and
[0028] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the solar tile assembly shown
in FIG. 1 and shows more detail of a variable gauge clip, more
detail of the outer panel structure and three partial cut-away
sections of the outer panel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] With reference to the FIGS. 1 to 5, a solar tile assembly 1A
comprises a removable rectangular outer panel 1 that comprises ten
photovoltaic cells 3 disposed on the outermost surface thereof, and
a substantially rectangular inner support structure 2. The
photovoltaic cells 3 cover the lower portion of the outer panel 1.
Any suitable photovoltaic means may be used for the solar tile
assembly.
[0030] The outer panel 1 is secured to the inner support structure
2 using two fasteners 5a, 5b disposed at the front end of the solar
tile assembly 1A. The fasteners 5a, 5b may typically be quarter or
half turn captive fasteners. These types of fasteners have the
added advantage of being retained by the outer panel 1 during
assembly/disassembly processes.
[0031] The inner support structure 2 comprises a framework at one
of which there is formed a lower stepped interlockable section 4.
In use the interlockable section 4 is disposed under a portion of
an adjacent tile assembly, as is well known in the art of roof tile
design. The inner support structure 2 is formed with three sets of
holes 6. These holes 6 allow fixing nails or screws to be used to
attach the inner structure 2 to roof tiling battens located
underneath the inner structure 2. For certain roof designs no
fixing nails or screws will be needed to hold the tile assembly 1A
onto the roof. Disposed within the frame of the support structure 2
there is an electrical junction box 7. The inner support structure
2 comprises two parallel end members 7a, 7b (shown in FIGS. 3 to
5). Formed within each of the respective end members 7a, 7b there
are respective slide channels 8a, 8b. At one end of the slide
channel 8a there is formed a cutaway access port 9a. At the
corresponding end of the slide channel 8b (not shown) there is
formed a cutaway access port 9b.
[0032] The outer panel 1 comprises a pair of attachment elements
17a, 17b fixed to the inner surface of the outer panel 1 (see FIG.
5). The attachment elements 17a, 17b are a triangular wedge shape.
A heel portion 17c extends from each of the respective vertical
faces of the wedge shapes. The attachment elements 17a, 17b are
shaped to be received by the access ports 9a, 9b.
[0033] Also formed in the inner support structure 2 there are two
substantially parallel channels 10 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). At one
end of each channel 10 there is provided an access port 10a, 10b.
Each port 10a, 10b has a greater width than the width of the
remaining portions of the respective channels 10. The ports 10a,
10b provide access to the channels 10 for two variable gauge clips
11a, 11b.
[0034] It will be appreciated by the skilled person in the art that
the channels 10 may be used in place of the slide channels 8a, 8b.
Channels 10 can operate to perform the function of channels 8a, 8b
by comprising two sets of slide fixtures, one set being attached to
the outer panel 1.
[0035] Should added retention for the solar tile assembly be
required, for example in high winds, the clips 11a, 11b may slide
along the channels 10 and are used to fix the outer panel 1 to an
outer panel of an adjacent solar panel assembly located below.
[0036] The electrical junction box 7 of the inner support structure
2 comprises a pair of electrical connectors 13, an electrical
output lead 14 and an electrical input connector 15. The outer
panel 1 comprises an electrical junction box 19 that comprises a
pair of electrical connectors 19a. In the assembled closed
condition off the solar tile assembly 1A (as shown in FIG. 1) the
electrical connectors 13 are in electrical contact with the
electrical connectors 19a.
[0037] To disassemble the solar tile assembly 1A the outer panel 1
is first slid in a direction Z and this causes a break in the
electrical connection between the connectors 13 and the connectors
19a. The outer panel 1 is slid in the direction Z until the
attachment elements 17a, 17b abut the respective lowermost ends of
the channels 10. The outer panel 1 will stay in this position
without sliding completely off the support structure 2 (as shown in
FIG. 2). In order to separate the outer panel 1 from the inner
support structure 2 the outer panel 1 is moved back a small
distance in the opposite direction to direction Z until the
attachment elements 17a, 17b align with the respective access ports
9a, 9b. The outer panel 1 can then be lifted away from the inner
support structure 2 (as shown in FIG. 3).
[0038] When the solar tile assembly 1A is reassembled and the outer
panel 1 is slid back up into position, the inwardly-extending lip
20 on the front underside of the outer panel 1 fits under a recess
12 that is formed in the lowermost edge of the inner support
structure 2 so providing secure anchorage against high wind.
[0039] The outer panel 1 is constructed typically of two planar
sheets of material (see FIG. 5). The uppermost sheet is a
transparent material 22a that permits sunlight to reach the
photovoltaic elements. In the embodiment shown, the uppermost sheet
22a is larger on three sides than the lowermost sheet 22b and all
the fixing arrangements are mounted underneath and inside this
area. Hence, no joints exist which could cause water ingress when
exposed to the weather. The materials that may be used for the
construction of the parts of the solar tile assembly 1A include
metallic or non-metallic including plastics, glass, metal and
ceramics/clay/cement.
[0040] The underside of the inner support structure 2 has location
points to allow it to be easily positioned on the roof of a
building and also to retain it in position whilst fixing down. The
variable gauge clips 11a, 11b may be used to fix the outer panel 1
to a tile assembly located in a row below, should added retention
be required for example in high wind speed areas.
[0041] The electrical connection between the outer panel 1 and the
inner support structure 2 of the solar tile assembly 1A is made as
the outer panel 1 is assembled onto the inner support structure 2.
The electrical connection between the outer panel 1 and the inner
support structure 2 of the solar tile assembly 1A is broken as the
outer panel 1 is disassembled from the inner support structure
2.
[0042] It will be noted by those skilled in the art that electrical
connection between the outer panel 1 and the inner support
structure 2 can be broken without the complete separation of the
parts because the outer panel 1 has a sliding arrangement with the
inner support structure 2.
[0043] When the solar tile assembly 1A is assembled, the electrical
connection between the connectors 13 and the connectors 19a is
retained by use of fasteners 5a, 5b located on the front edge of
the outer panel 1. When the fasteners 5a, 5b are undone and outer
panel 1 is released the electrical connection will be broken as the
outer panel 1 slides in direction Z. When the outer panel 1 stops
at the lower part off the channels 10 the junction box 7 will be
exposed, therefore allowing access to all necessary electrical
components.
[0044] Flying leads 14 may be used to connect adjacent solar tile
assemblies together to complete a circuit. Fixed connections 16 may
also be used on the sides of the inner support structure 2 such
that as a solar tile assembly is positioned adjacent to another
solar tile assembly, an electrical connection can be made because
the two parts of the connector 16 (male and female) are integral
with the parts of adjacent tiles assemblies.
[0045] As a row of tile assemblies is completed in the horizontal
plane and the next row started, a cable would normally have to run
from the end of the last row along the roof to the start of the
second row. This uses a considerable amount of cable and therefore
incurs electrical losses. An alternative arrangement may be made
where the wiring of the connections is reversed in alternate rows.
The end tile assembly can then be directly connected with a short
wire to the next row above or below. In order to distinguish
between the tile assemblies with the two types of wiring, the inner
support structure 2 of the tile assembly may be colour coded so
that during assembly it is easy to lay alternative rows with the
correct wiring arrangement.
[0046] The dimensions of the solar panel assembly 1A can be made to
correspond with the dimensions of conventional roof tiles. Hence,
the solar tile assembly can be easily fitted onto an existing roof.
The roof may be partially covered by an array of solar tile
assemblies and partially covered by conventional roof tiles. Due to
the construction and configuration of the solar rile assembly 1A,
the outer panel 1 of an assembly 1A can be removed from the array
of assemblies without disturbing the other assemblies.
[0047] When there is an array of assemblies, the upper portion 40
of the outer panel 1 that is not formed with photovoltaic cells 3
because this area is normally covered by a lower portion of an
upper adjacent solar tile assembly.
[0048] It will be appreciated that the solar tile assembly can be
attached to any suitable structure outside or inside a
building.
* * * * *