Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
  • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
  • E06B3/00—Window sashes, door leaves, or like elements for closing wall or like openings; Layout of fixed or moving closures, e.g. windows in wall or like openings; Features of rigidly-mounted outer frames relating to the mounting of wing frames
  • E06B3/66—Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together
  • E06B3/67—Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together characterised by additional arrangements or devices for heat or sound insulation or for controlled passage of light
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
  • H02S40/00—Components or accessories in combination with PV modules, not provided for in groups H02S10/00 - H02S30/00
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
  • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
  • E06B7/00—Special arrangements or measures in connection with doors or windows
  • E06B7/28—Other arrangements on doors or windows, e.g. door-plates, windows adapted to carry plants, hooks for window cleaners
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
  • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
  • H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
  • H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
  • H01L31/048—Encapsulation of modules
  • H01L31/0488—Double glass encapsulation, e.g. photovoltaic cells arranged between front and rear glass sheets
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
  • H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
  • H02S20/20—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object
  • H02S20/22—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings
  • H02S20/26—Building materials integrated with PV modules, e.g. façade elements
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
  • Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
  • Y02B10/10—Photovoltaic [PV]
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
  • Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to window structures, and more particularly to window structures comprising photovoltaic panels.
• a basic insulating window that is well-known is constructed from two panes of glass within a rigid frame. The air space between the panes provides heat insulation.
• Photovoltaic units when disposed between the two panes, heat the air entrapped within the insulating glass unit, which causes the seal to fail prematurely.
• U.S. Patent 4,137,098 to Gillard discloses photovoltaic cells enclosed between two panes of glass of a window housing that is cooled by a forced air system.
• U.S. Patent 5,128,181 to Kunert discloses photovoltaic cells enclosed between two panes of glass of a window housing in which excess solar radiation is dissipated outwardly by convection.
• U.S. Patent 5,221,363 to Gillard discloses photovoltaic cells enclosed between two panes of glass of a window housing having valves so that excess heat may be removed by convection. However, if the entrapped air is vented, when the window cools and air reenters the unit, condensation may occur which impairs the transparency of the window unit.
• the present invention is directed to a pressure equalized heat insulation window comprising photovoltaic cells. Therefore, in one aspect, the invention comprises a heat insulation window comprising:
• the conduit means comprises a desiccant.
• the frame encloses an interior space and comprises an access means.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heat insulation window enclosing photovoltaic cells and a diagrammatic representation of electrical connections;
• FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the window of Fig. 1 (photovoltaic cells not shown), showing the interior space enclosed by the window frame and access means; and
• FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the embodiment of Fig. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• the present invention provides for an energy efficient, heat insulating window design.
• all terms not defined herein have their common art-recognized meanings.
• Figure 1 shows a perspective view of photovoltaic cells (2) mounted on the inner surface of outer glass pane (12) and a diagrammatic representation of electrical connections (4).
• FIGS 2 and 3 show the heat insulation window with a pressure equalization system as described in co-owned Canadian Patent Application 2,507,108, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
• Figure 2 shows a view of a window unit comprising dual glass panes (10, 12) and a frame (14).
• Figure 3 shows cross-sections of the glass panes (10, 12) spaced apart by a spacer (16) and held together by the frame (14).
• the frame comprises an outer channel member (18), an inner channel member (20) and dual intermediate web members (22) which join the inner and outer channel members.
• the inner channel member may include an installation flange (24) which projects outwardly and will abut a window jamb (not shown) when installed into a wall frame.
• a removable desiccant concealing member (26) is attached to the inner channel member (20) opposite the installation flange (24) which serves to retain the glass unit but does not serve any other structural function.
• the desiccant concealing member (26) is tube-shaped defining a single elongate channel (28). One edge of the channel defines a first lip (30) while the other edge of the channel defines a second lip (32).
• the two lips (30, 32) mate with corresponding grooves (31, 33) formed in the inner channel member (20).
• the glass planes are positioned and retained by resilient seals (34, 36, 38).
• Seal (34) is attached to the outer channel member (18) while seal (36) is attached to the inner channel member (20).
• Air seal (38) is attached to the desiccant concealing member (26).
• the seals are preferably formed from a material having low thermal conductivity and relatively impervious to moisture, such as neoprene, EPDM or silicone rubber.
• a dual desiccant system is employed.
• the spacer (16) is a hollow rectangular member which is filled with a suitable desiccant (40).
• the spacer defines pores which allow air to circulate between the air space between the glass panes (10, 12) and the interior volume of the spacer (16) which contains the desiccant.
• a small conduit (42) connects the interior space of the spacer to a sealed tube (44) within the desiccant concealing member (26) which is filled with desiccant (40).
• the sealed tube (40) has a cap (46) which receives the conduit (42) thereby providing gas communication between the spacer interior volume and the desiccant tube (44).
• the desiccant concealing member (26) may be removed from the frame (14) by disengaging the lips (30, 32) from the inner channel member (20), thereby exposing the desiccant tube (44).
• the desiccant tube (44) can then be easily disconnected from the conduit (44) and replaced with a fresh desiccant tube if necessary.
• the desiccant in the desiccant tube may be different from the desiccant contained in the spacer and has a higher affinity for water than the desiccant in the spacer.
• air which is drawn into the air space must pass through the replaceable desiccant tube, thereby preserving the dry atmosphere within the window unit.
• Desiccant tubes (44) may be placed in one, two, three or all four desiccant concealing (20) members (26) in any orientation.
• the outer, intermediate and inner channel members which comprise the frame (14) may be formed from a thermoplastic material having low thermal conductivity such as polyvinylchloride or polyamide.
• the inner and outer channel members may be metallic members such as aluminum while the intermediate member is non-metallic, thereby avoiding a thermal bridge between the two.
• the desiccant concealing members may be any suitable material such as a metal or a plastic, and is preferably resilient to facilitate its installation and removal from the inner channel member.
• a solar cell, or photovoltaic cell (2) is a semiconductor device consisting of a large-area p-n junction diode, which, in the presence of sunlight is capable of generating usable electrical energy.
• Any suitable type photovoltaic cell (2) can be used in the window described herein.
• silicon, calcium sulfide, gallium arsenide and other types of cells are suitable.
• the cells can be of any desired configuration such as square, circular.
• the photovoltaic cells may be any suitable cell, such as crystalline wafers, or thin film cells.
• photovoltaic laminated glass can also be produced using thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) cells.
• PV thin-film solar photovoltaic
• the fabrication of a thin-film solar cell involves depositing very thin, consecutive layers of atoms, molecules, or ions of semiconductor material (such as amorphous silicon, copper indium diselenide, or cadmium telluride) on a low- cost substrate, such as glass, metal, or plastic.
• Thin- film cells have certain advantages over crystalline solar cell wafer technologies.
• Thin-film cells are also usually amenable to large-area fabrication (more than 1 m ) and are suitable for automated, continuous production, arraying, and packaging. They can also be deposited on flexible substrate materials.
• the photovoltaic cells (2) are disposed between the two glass panes of glass (10, 12) as a photovoltaic laminate, with the photovoltaic cells laminated between two glass panels.
• a sheet of glass is bonded to a layer of polymer adhesive film, and a further sheet or layer of material is bonded to the other side of the adhesive film layer, so that the adhesive film is sandwiched between two outer layers.
• a number of methods for producing such laminates are known, for example, see U.S. Patent Nos: 5,268,049; 5,118,371; 4,724,023; 4,234,533; and 4,125,669.
• Laminated glass has been generally manufactured by a process wherein a stack of at least two sheets of glass having a plastic film called an intermediate film or laminating film, typically a plasticized polyvinyl butylal (PVB) film, is sandwiched between each pair of adjacent sheets of glass which is subjected to evacuation, pressing and heating.
• an intermediate film or laminating film typically a plasticized polyvinyl butylal (PVB) film
• the photovoltaic cells (2) are usually electrically connected (4) together in a series circuit to achieve desired voltage, and a plurality of series circuits of photovoltaic cells can then be connected in parallel, as desired.
• the electrical energy can then be fed by electric lines (4) from
• Such conventional electrical circuitry would preferably include an isolator, to a main power bus.
• an inverter would be used to produce alternating current (AC) from direct current (DC) produced by the photovoltaic cells.
• AC alternating current
• DC direct current
• a plurality of photovoltaic cells are grouped in parallel to raise the voltage and each group is provided with a three pole disconnect DC switch and an inverter, the AC current then passing to a 208 volt distribution panel.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
• Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
• Power Engineering (AREA)
• Securing Of Glass Panes Or The Like (AREA)
• Special Wing (AREA)
• Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
• Joining Of Glass To Other Materials (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=38845082

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (15)

Families Citing this family (17)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 2006
  • 2006-06-30 CA CA 2551356 patent/CA2551356A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2007
  • 2007-06-29 AP AP2009004743A patent/AP2009004743A0/xx unknown
  • 2007-06-29 AU AU2007264366A patent/AU2007264366A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2007-06-29 KR KR20097001856A patent/KR20090035553A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2007-06-29 MX MX2009000293A patent/MX2009000293A/es unknown
  • 2007-06-29 EP EP07763830A patent/EP2035643A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2007-06-29 WO PCT/CA2007/001163 patent/WO2008000084A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2007-06-29 JP JP2009516842A patent/JP2009541622A/ja active Pending
  • 2007-06-29 EA EA200900012A patent/EA200900012A1/ru unknown
  • 2007-06-29 CN CNA2007800249455A patent/CN101484655A/zh active Pending
• 2008
  • 2008-12-25 IL IL196204A patent/IL196204A0/en unknown
• 2009
  • 2009-01-27 NO NO20090397A patent/NO20090397L/no not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2009-01-29 CR CR10588A patent/CR10588A/es not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2009-01-30 EC ECSP099101 patent/ECSP099101A/es unknown
  • 2009-01-30 CO CO09008788A patent/CO6160250A2/es unknown

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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