# US 4,392,009 A · Solar power module

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- Number: US 4,392,009 A
- Document ID: US4392009A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/312,032
- Filed: 1981-10-16
- Granted: 1983-07-05
- Earliest claimed: 1981-10-16
- Assignees: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
- Inventors: Joseph D. Napoli
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4392009A

## CPC

- H02S 40/34: comprising specially adapted electrical connection means to be structurally associated with the PV module, e.g. junction boxes
- H02S 30/10: Frame structures
- H10F 19/80: Encapsulations or containers for integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, having photovoltaic cells
- Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- H02S: GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES (obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources G21H1/12; light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices H10F; light sensitive organic semiconductor devices H10K30/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00; pyroelectric devices H10N15/00)
- H10F: INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A solar power module comprising an array of solar cells arranged on a flat panel, said panel being supported by a substantially rigid, easily assembled frame comprising spaced apart side channels that each interlock with adjacent and channels.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A mass-produced solar power module, comprising:
an array of current-generating solar cells arranged upon a substantially flat panel; and
a substantially rigid, easily assembled frame supporting said solar panel, said frame having spaced-apart side channels that each interlock with adjacent end sections about said panel to form a rigid, integral, easily-assembled, supporting frame for said panel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The solar power module of claim 1, wherein each of said end sections comprise projecting tabs each of which extend into a hollow end portion of each of said channels to rigidly secure said end sections to said side channels.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The solar power module of claim 2, wherein each of said tabs have a snap connector which locks said tabs firmly within each hollow end portion of each of said channels to provide a rigidly fastened, interlocking integral frame for said solar panel.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The solar power module of claim 3, further comprising a junction box supported by said frame.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The solar power module of claim 4, wherein said junction box comprises injection molded plastic.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The solar power module of claim 4, wherein said junction box has an aperture in a mid-portion thereof, for receiving electrical leads from said solar panel.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The solar power module of claim 6, wherein said aperture has a substantially circumferential seal upon its periphery adjacent said solar panel.

### Claim 8 (depends on 3)

The solar power module of claim 3, wherein each of said tabs has a split construction for allowing each of said tabs to compressively fit within said hollow end portion of each of said channels.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The solar power module of claim 1, further comprising a junction box supported by said frame.

### Claim 10 (depends on 5)

The solar power module of claim 5, wherein said junction box comprises injection molded plastic.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The solar power module of claim 9, wherein said junction box has an aperture in a mid-portion thereof, for receiving electrical leads from said solar panel.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The solar power module of claim 11, wherein said aperture has a substantially circumferential seal upon its periphery adjacent said solar panel.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The solar power module of claim 1, wherein said side channels comprise extruded aluminum.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The solar power module of claim 1, wherein said end sections comprise injection molded plastic.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The solar power module of claim 1, wherein each of said side channels contain an internal channel for securing an anchor bolt.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The solar power module of claim 1, wherein said frame is substantially black in order to have approximately the same absorption coefficient as said solar cells and glass, in order to provide temperature uniformity in said module.