US 2011/0212647 A1 · ELECTRICAL CONNECTION APPARATUS FOR CONDUCTIVE CONTACTS, IN PARTICULAR BLADE CONTACTS

Abstract

A connector apparatus connects the flat electrical conductors of a photovoltaic panel with a plurality of insulated electrical output conductors, respectively. The terminal portions of the flat conductors are bent into electrical engagement with corresponding blade contacts mounted on the photovoltaic panel. A plurality of resilient first electrical contacts are clamped in electrical engagement with the flat conductor bent portions, respectively, and a plurality of second electrical contacts are connected with the output conductors, respectively. An electrical circuit including a plurality of diodes is connected between the first and second electrical contacts. In order to dissipate the heat generated by the diodes, the diodes are mounted on a heat conducting plate that transmits the heat toward the photovoltaic panel. A cover member formed of heat conducting material is adhesively secured to the panel to enclose the connector arrangement, thereby to also transfer the diode-generated heat to the panel.

Claims20

Dependent claims

Connector apparatus for connecting the flat electrical conductors (2) of a photovoltaic panel (1) with a plurality of insulated electrical output conductors (17), respectively, comprising:

(a) a photovoltaic panel (1) having a generally horizontal upper planar surface (1a), and a plurality of flexible flat conductors (2) extending from said panel planar surface;
(b) a plurality of blade contacts (14;
14′);
(c) blade contact mounting means (7, 11) mounting said blade contact means on said panel planar surface adjacent said flat conductors, respectively, said flat conductors having terminal portions that are bent into contiguous electrical engagement with said blade contacts, respectively;
(d) a plurality of first electrical contacts (15, 15a) in electrical engagement with said flat conductor bent portions, respectively;
(e) a plurality of second electrical contacts (16) adapted for connection with the output conductors, respectively;
(f) electrical circuit means (30) connected between said first and second electrical contacts, said circuit means including a plurality of diodes (5);
and
(g) heat dissipating means for transmitting the heat generated by said diodes toward said photovoltaic panel.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electrical connection apparatus for conductive contacts, in particular blade contacts

Life of this patent

Electrical connection apparatus for conductive contacts, in particular blade contacts

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20