HOMOGENEOUS TRANSPARENT COATED GREENHOUSE ELECTRICAL GENERATING DEVICES, AND INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTIONS

Abstract

A greenhouse electricity-generating system includes a homogeneous transparent electricity-generating glass or plastic device (TEGD) and an electrical junction box electron transfer device (E-JBTD). The homogeneous transparent electricity-generating glass or plastic device (TEGD) supplies an even homogeneous supply of light, and the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) is a water and weather tight connection that supplies electricity safely and securely. The electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) maintains a secure electrical connection between modules or homogeneous transparent electricity-generating glass or plastic devices (TEGD) and may not be removed after installation and reinstalled on another module or homogeneous transparent electricity-generating glass or plastic device (TEGD).

Claims

1. A system comprising: an organic photovoltaic (OPV) homogeneous coated electrical generating laminated device (TEGD) including a double laminated coated electrical device; and an electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) including: a body; one or more electrical connectors on the body; and a non-conductive dielectric insulating material protecting the one or more electrical connectors.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the organic photovoltaic (OPV) homogeneous coated electrical generating laminated device (TEGD) includes one low iron lite coated with a homogeneous organic photovoltaic (OPV) coating and laminated between one or more lites utilizing a laminate film.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the organic photovoltaic (OPV) homogeneous coated electrical generating laminated device (TEGD) further comprises: two electrical buss bars contained between two lites of laminated glass or plastic egressing out of two openings in a bottom lite of glass or plastic.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the organic photovoltaic (OPV) homogeneous coated electrical generating laminated device (TEGD) further comprises: a glass or plastic portion having two drilled holes and capped with an insulating material that is configured to provide a liquid-tight connection.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more electrical connectors of the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) includes at least two electrical connectors, and wherein the non-conductive dielectric insulating material physically separates the at least two electrical conductor connectors.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) further comprises: one or more single-contact electrical conductor connectors electrically connected to the one or more electrical connectors.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the one or more single-contact electrical conductor connectors includes an MC-4 connection.

8. The system of claim 5, further comprising at least two single-contact electrical connectors electrically connected to the at least two electrical connectors, wherein the at least two single-contact electrical conductor connectors include MC-4 connections.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein one of the MC-4 connections includes a male MC-4 connection and another of the MC-4 connections includes a female MC-4 connection.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein an edge of the body of the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) is capped with an insulating material that is configured to provide a liquid-tight connection to the organic photovoltaic (OPV) homogeneous coated electrical generating laminated device (TEGD).

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more electrical connectors are completely isolated from each other by the non-conductive dielectric insulating material.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising: an internal buss-bar encapsulated with the non-conductive dielectric insulating material.

13. The system of claim 6, further comprising: an internal buss-bar electrically connecting the one or more single-contact electrical connectors to the one or more electrical connectors and encapsulated within the non-conductive dielectric insulating material.

14. A greenhouse electricity-generating system comprising: the organic photovoltaic (OPV) homogeneous coated electrical generating laminated device (TEGD) and the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) of claim 1, wherein the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) is on the organic photovoltaic (OPV) homogeneous coated electrical generating laminated device (TEGD).

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) is integrated into an edge of the organic photovoltaic (OPV) homogeneous coated electrical generating laminated device (TEGD).

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising: an insulating material between the organic photovoltaic (OPV) homogeneous coated electrical generating laminated device (TEGD) and the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) and configured to provide a liquid-tight connection between the organic photovoltaic (OPV) homogeneous coated electrical generating laminated device (TEGD) and electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD).

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the organic photovoltaic (OPV) homogeneous coated electrical generating laminated device (TEGD) includes one or more electrical tabs, and wherein the one or more electrical connectors of the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) are configured to be respectively coupled to the one or more electrical tabs of the organic photovoltaic (OPV) homogeneous coated electrical generating laminated device (TEGD).

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more electrical connectors are configured to respectively press fit on the one or more electrical tabs.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) is configured to be connected to the organic photovoltaic (OPV) homogeneous coated electrical generating laminated device (TEGD) such that the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) is not removable from the organic photovoltaic (OPV) homogeneous coated electrical generating laminated device (TEGD) once connected.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) is configured to be connected to the organic photovoltaic (OPV) homogeneous coated electrical generating laminated device (TEGD) such that, once connected, the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) is not reusable on another organic photovoltaic (OPV) homogeneous coated electrical generating laminated device (TEGD).

21. The system of claim 14, wherein the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) is one of disposed on a frame and integrated into the frame of the greenhouse electricity-generating system.

22. The system of claim 14, wherein the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) is disposed on an interior side of the frame of the greenhouse electricity-generating system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] These and other aspects and features embodiments of the present invention will be better understood after reading the following detailed description, together with the attached drawings, contained herein:

[0021] FIG. 1A illustrates an example of a conventional male and female MC-4 connector of a photovoltaic (PV) module;

[0022] FIG. 1B illustrates an example of a conventional bi-facial photovoltaic (PV) module;

[0023] FIG. 1C illustrates an example of a conventional transparent photovoltaic (PV) module;

[0024] FIG. 2A illustrates a schematic side view of an electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0025] FIG. 2B illustrates a schematic top view of an electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0026] FIG. 3A illustrates a schematic left side view of an electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) connected with a homogeneous electricity-generating glass or plastic device (TEGD) according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0027] FIG. 3B illustrates a schematic front side view of an electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) connected with a homogeneous electricity-generating glass or plastic device (TEGD) according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates the bottom view of a homogeneous transparent electricity-generating device (TEGD) system including the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0029] FIG. 5A illustrates a schematic bottom view of a greenhouse electricity-generating system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

[0030] FIG. 5B illustrates a side view of a greenhouse electricity-generating system according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0031] The present invention now is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention, however, may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0032] Referring now to the drawings, exemplary embodiments of a homogeneous transparent electricity-generating device (TEGD) and electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) will now be described.

[0033] For background and purposes of comparison, FIG. 1A illustrates an example of a conventional MC-4 connector that is configured to fasten and connect an electricity-generating glass or plastic device (EGD) outside rated insulated conductor to a module or other device. As explained, such MC-4 connections are single-contact electrical connectors commonly used for connecting solar panels and the typical industry standard with regard to module-to-module, or module-to-balance of systems (BOS) terminal wire connections. FIG. 1B illustrates an example of a conventional c-Si (Black Body) photovoltaic (PV) module and FIG. 1C illustrates an example of a conventional transparent lane coated photovoltaic (PV) module.

[0034] FIGS. 2A-5B illustrate exemplary embodiments of a system for a transparent greenhouse electrical generating module (GEGM) including an electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) 200 and a homogeneous transparent electricity-generating glass or plastic device (TEGD) 300 according to exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0035] Particularly, FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate a side and top view of an example of an electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) 200. As shown in the front side (FIG. 2A) of the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) 200, the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) 200 can have a body 201 including internal connection clips 202 (e.g., electron transfer clips; CLIP A 202 in FIGS. 3A, 3B) that are configured to be pressed on to the electrical tabs (e.g., TAB A 302 in FIGS. 3A, 3B) emerging from the front leading edge of the homogeneous transparent electricity-generating glass or plastic device (TEGD) 300. The electron transfer clips (CLIP A 202) are connected internally within the body 201 to the outside integrated MC-4 connectors 208, 210 that will allow for seamless connection to the universally used electrical connectors (e.g., electrical connectors commonly used for connecting solar panels in compliance with typical industry standards with regard to module to module, or module to balance of systems (BOS) terminal wire connections). The electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) 200 can include a non-conductive dielectric insulating material 204 that isolates the electrical contact points between the positive and negative conductor terminals to prevent arcing. For example, the non-conductive dielectric insulating material 204 can be a separate component provided to isolate the electrical contact points between the positive and negative conductor terminals to prevent arcing, or the non-conductive dielectric insulating material 204 can be integrally formed with the body 201, or a portion thereof, to isolate the electrical contact points between the positive and negative conductor terminals to prevent arcing. In an example, a leading edge of the body 201 of the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) 200 can be capped with an insulating silicone material 206 and 207, or the like, allowing for a liquid-tight connection. Additionally, the top view (FIG. 2B) of the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) 200 illustrates an example in which the electrical conductor points of contact are completely encased in non-conductive dielectric insulating material 204. Also, the top view illustrates an example of an internal bus bar 212 or the like, that is encapsulated with a non-convective dielectric material 204 and runs from the internal clip 202 to the output wire connections (e.g., 208, 210). The MC-4 male 208 and female 210 connections are connections typically used to secure the output of positive and negative conductor terminal connections. In industry, the female connector 210 is typically positive (+) and the male connector 208 is typically negative (). This plug and socket connection is designed to prevent accidental conductor connections.

[0036] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate exemplary side and front views of an electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) 200 as it fits onto a laminated homogeneous transparent electricity-generating glass or plastic device (TEGD) or module 300. FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate examples of both the side and front views and how the electrical tab 302 extending from the EGP device/module 300 connects seamlessly to the electrical connector clip 202 of the E-JBTD 200. Also, FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate examples including a silicone insulating, watertight seal 206 and 207 that fit between the E-JBTD 200 and the glass/glass or plastic/plastic laminate of the TEGD or module 300 (e.g., between the body 201, or a portion thereof, of the E-JBTD 200 and the glass/glass or plastic/plastic laminate of the TEGD or module 300).

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a top-down view of the homogeneous transparent electricity-generating glass or plastic device (TEGD) with an electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) 200 connected. FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a fully connected electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) 200 on an TEGD or module 300. In the illustrated examples, the size of the homogeneous transparent electricity-generating glass or plastic device (TEGD) is based upon the typical art used today for mounting greenhouse glass or plastic. The size, however, is not limited to the size shown in this example, and other examples can be configured differently with different sizing. For example, the size of the homogeneous transparent electricity-generating glass or plastic device (TEGD) 300 can be reduced or enlarged based upon the design of the greenhouse opening. FIG. 3B illustrates an example in which the fixture connection of the (E-JBTD) 200 can be configured to be secured with one click (i.e., a single click connection) to the TEGD or module 300. The electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) 200 can be configured to be easily applied to the module or homogeneous electricity-generating glass or plastic device (TEGD) 300 allowing for a safe and secure connection. In an example, once a connection between the electrical module junction box transfer devices (E-JBTD) 200 is made with the homogeneous electricity-generating glass or plastic device (TEGD) 300, it is not to be removed and reinstalled on another module or transparent electricity-generating glass or plastic device (TEGD) 300. In some examples, the electrical module junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) 200 can be such that it is not reusable, and is not intended to be removed (e.g., is not capable of being removed) once installed at the factory.

[0038] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an example of a greenhouse electricity-generating system 500 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a portion of a greenhouse can include a module having a frame 502 (i.e., a greenhouse frame) supporting one or more homogeneous transparent panels permitting sunlight to enter or pass through the module into an interior of the greenhouse. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other configurations of a greenhouse or a greenhouse module can be provided. The embodiments of the invention are not limited to any particular type of greenhouse arrangement or configuration.

[0039] The exemplary greenhouse electricity-generating system can include a homogeneous coated transparent electricity-generating glass or plastic device (TEGD) 300 and an electrical junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) 200. The homogeneous coated transparent electricity-generating glass or plastic device (TEGD) 300 can permit transmission of light into the greenhouse and onto plants within the greenhouse. In contrast with conventional transparent c-Si (Black Body) photovoltaic (PV) modules, for example, as shown in FIG. 1B and conventional transparent photovoltaic (PV) modules with lane coated lines, for example as shown in FIG. 1C, the exemplary embodiments of the invention can permit a larger amount of light to pass through the system, as well as a homogeneous transmission of light through the system, thereby enabling transmission of sufficient amounts of even and uniform homogeneous light for proper or desired plant growth.

[0040] Similar to the example embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 2A-4, the electrical junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) 200 in the example of FIGS. 5A and 5B can include a body, one or more electrical connectors on the body, and a non-conductive dielectric insulating material protecting the one or more electrical connectors. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the exemplary electrical junction box transfer device (E-JBTD) 200 can be located on the homogeneous transparent electricity-generating glass or plastic device (TEGD) 300 such that interference or obstruction of light transmission through the coatings into the interior of the greenhouse can be prevented or minimized, thereby resulting in a larger amount of light and transmission of light into the greenhouse and onto plants within the greenhouse to improve, even and efficient growth of such plants, while at the same time providing desired amounts of electricity generation.

[0041] The present invention has been described herein in terms of several preferred embodiments. However, modifications and additions to these embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. It is intended that all such modifications and additions comprise a part of the present invention to the extent that they fall within the scope of the several claims appended hereto.