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Roofing products having receptor zones and photovoltaic roofing elements and systems using themRoofing products having receptor zones and photovoltaic roofing elements and systems using them description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20090159118, Roofing products having receptor zones and photovoltaic roofing elements and systems using them. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Ser. No. 61/014,902, filed Dec. 19, 2007; and Ser. No. 61/043,707, filed Apr. 9, 2008, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to roofing products. The present invention relates more particularly to roofing products for use with photovoltaic elements, and to photovoltaic systems that include one or more photovoltaic elements joined to a roofing substrate. 2. Technical Background The search for alternative sources of energy has been motivated by at least two factors. First, fossil fuels have become increasingly expensive due to increasing scarcity and unrest in areas rich in petroleum deposits. Second, there exists overwhelming concern about the effects of the combustion of fossil fuels on the environment due to factors such as air pollution (from NOx, hydrocarbons and ozone) and global warming (from CO2). In recent years, research and development attention has focused on harvesting energy from natural environmental sources such as wind, flowing water, and the sun. Of the three, the sun appears to be the most widely useful energy source across the continental United States; most locales get enough sunshine to make solar energy feasible. Accordingly, there are now available components that convert light energy into electrical energy. Such “photovoltaic cells” are often made from semiconductor-type materials such as doped silicon in either single crystalline, polycrystalline, or amorphous form. The use of photovoltaic cells on roofs is becoming increasingly common, especially as device performance has improved. They can be used to provide at least a significant fraction of the electrical energy needed for a building\'s overall function; or they can be used to power one or more particular devices, such as exterior lighting systems. Photovoltaic cells can be packaged as photovoltaic elements, in which one or more photovoltaic cells are electrically interconnected and provided in a common package. One common type of photovoltaic element is an encapsulated photovoltaic element, in which the photovoltaic cells are packaged together in between layers of layer material. The layer materials are often chosen to be highly light-transmissive, and to retain their transmissivity over time. Encapsulated photovoltaic elements can be convenient for integration with various substrates. Roofing products in which a photovoltaic element is integrated with a roofing substrate (such as a shingle or tile) have been proposed. Such “photovoltaic roofing elements” (also known as “roofing-integrated photovoltaics” or “RIPV”) can provide both protection from the elements and power generation capability in a single product. Moreover, photovoltaic roofing elements can provide aesthetic benefit, as they can be made to blend with the architecture of the overall roof much better than can conventional photovoltaic modules. Encapsulated photovoltaic elements can be convenient for integration with various substrates. However, in many circumstances, formation of a long-lived physical connection between the material of the encapsulated photovoltaic element and the material of a substrate can be difficult, especially when the materials used to make the encapsulated photovoltaic element have low surface tension. Notably, the surfaces used as the top layer of many roofing substrates, such as the coated granules typically used with bituminous roofing products, can be less than optimal for adhesion to a photovoltaic element. One disadvantage to the use of photovoltaic roofing elements is that they can require special skills and tools for installation, making them challenging for installation by a roofing professional. Moreover, once installed on a roof, they can be relatively susceptible to damage. Accordingly, at any point after a roof has photovoltaic roofing elements installed thereon, it can be more difficult for workers to perform any other necessary tasks on the roof. There remains a need for roofing products and photovoltaic roofing systems that can address these deficiencies. One aspect of the present invention is a roofing product including:
Continue reading about Roofing products having receptor zones and photovoltaic roofing elements and systems using them... Full patent description for Roofing products having receptor zones and photovoltaic roofing elements and systems using them Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Roofing products having receptor zones and photovoltaic roofing elements and systems using them patent application. Patent Applications in related categories: 20090293941 - Photovoltaic power farm structure and installation - The patent teaches an installation suitable for expansive surface area photovoltaic modules. Installation structure comprises conducting rails functioning as a power conduits to convey power from expansive modules. Multiple modules may be mounted on the installation structure in a parallel or series arrangement. The high current carrying capacity rails minimize ... ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Roofing products having receptor zones and photovoltaic roofing elements and systems using them or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Interconnector, solar cell string using the interconnector and method of manufacturing thereof, and a solar cell module using the solar cell string Next Patent Application: Technique and apparatus for manufacturing flexible and moisture resistive photovoltaic modules Industry Class: Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Roofing products having receptor zones and photovoltaic roofing elements and systems using them patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 2.45365 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry paws |
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