Building Integrated Photovoltaic Conversion System Implemented In Both Vision and Spandrel Areas
AssigneeArchitectural Glass and Aluminum Corporation, Inc.
InventorJoe Brescia
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power generating system is manufactured, integrated and operated within an exterior shell or façade of a building structure. The system components—energy generating devices (which can be photovoltaic), control units and associated power/signal wiring are incorporated and operated within individual unitized curtain wall units making up the façade including both in vision and spandrel areas.
Claims18
A building integrated photovoltaic power generating system comprising:
- a plurality of unitized curtain wall units adapted as part of an exterior shell for a building structure;
- said unitized curtain wall units being adapted to be hung from and situated in front of said building structure and including vertical areas formed of glazing and/or cladding materials;
- wherein at least one such unitized curtain wall unit includes vertical and horizontal framing members defining a plurality of glazing areas in both vision and spandrel areas;
- wherein at least two of said plurality of glazing areas, including both said vision and spandrel areas each contain one or more integrated photovoltaic conversion devices;
- said integrated photovoltaic conversion devices being electrically connected to control units integrated within said unitized curtain wall unit;
- wherein said unitized curtain wall units form a photovoltaic power generating array.
A method of making a building integrated photovoltaic power generating system comprising:
- forming an exterior shell for a building structure from a plurality of unitized curtain wall units;
- said unitized curtain wall units being hung from and situated in front of said building structure and including vertical areas formed of glazing and/or cladding materials;
- providing a plurality of glazing areas defined by vertical and horizontal framing members of such unitized curtain wall units in both vision and spandrel areas;
- providing one or more integrated photovoltaic conversion devices within at least two of said plurality of glazing areas including in both vision and spandrel areas;
- said integrated photovoltaic conversion devices being electrically connected to control units integrated within said unitized curtain wall unit;
- wherein said unitized curtain wall units form a photovoltaic power generating array.
A method of operating a building integrated photovoltaic power generating system comprising:
- providing a plurality of unitized curtain wall units adapted as part of an exterior shell for a building structure;
- said unitized curtain wall units being hung from and situated in front of said building structure and including vertical areas formed of glazing and/or cladding materials;
- providing a plurality of glazing areas defined by vertical and horizontal framing members of such unitized curtain wall units in both vision and spandrel areas;
- operating one or more integrated photovoltaic conversion devices within at least two of said plurality of glazing areas including in both vision and spandrel areas;
- coupling said integrated photovoltaic conversion devices to control units integrated within said unitized curtain wall unit to optimize a power output of such devices;
- wherein said unitized curtain wall units form a photovoltaic power generating array.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.