The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 17, 2012
Filed:
Jun. 26, 2009
Jonathan Botkin, El Cerrito, CA (US);
Simon Graves, Berkeley, CA (US);
Carl J. S. Lenox, Oakland, CA (US);
Matthew Culligan, Berkeley, CA (US);
Matt Danning, Oakland, CA (US);
Jonathan Botkin, El Cerrito, CA (US);
Simon Graves, Berkeley, CA (US);
Carl J. S. Lenox, Oakland, CA (US);
Matthew Culligan, Berkeley, CA (US);
Matt Danning, Oakland, CA (US);
SunPower Corporation, San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
A photovoltaic (PV) module including a PV device and a frame. The PV device has a PV laminate defining a perimeter and a major plane. The frame is assembled to and encases the laminate perimeter, and includes leading, trailing, and side frame members, and an arm that forms a support face opposite the laminate. The support face is adapted for placement against a horizontal installation surface, to support and orient the laminate in a non-parallel or tilted arrangement. Upon final assembly, the laminate and the frame combine to define a unitary structure. The frame can orient the laminate at an angle in the range of 3°-7° from horizontal, and can be entirely formed of a polymeric material. Optionally, the arm incorporates integral feature(s) that facilitate interconnection with corresponding features of a second, identically formed PV module.