Diode-included connector, photovoltaic laminate and photovoltaic assembly using same

Abstract

One embodiment relates to a connector that includes a diode. The diode has an anode and a cathode. The connector further includes a first electrical connection which connects to the anode, a second electrical connection which also connects to the anode, and a third electrical connection which connects to the cathode. Another embodiment relates to a photovoltaic laminate which includes a string of photovoltaic cells and three electrical conductors extending out of two discrete penetrations of the laminate. A first electrical conductor is connected to a first end of the string, a second electrical conductor is connected to a second end of the string, and a third electrical conductor is also connected to the second end of the string. The first and third electrical conductors extend out of the first discrete penetration, while the second electrical conductor extends out of the second discrete penetration. Other features and embodiments are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A photovoltaic laminate comprising:
 a string of photovoltaic cells, the string of photovoltaic cells having a first end and a second end;   a first connector;   a first electrical conductor that is electrically connected to the first end of the string of photovoltaic cells and extends out of the first connector;   a second connector;   a second electrical conductor that is electrically connected to the second end of the string of photovoltaic cells and extends out of the second connector; and   a third electrical conductor that is electrically connected to the second end of the string of photovoltaic cells and extends out of the first connector.   
     
     
         2 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a bus bar that is embedded in the photovoltaic laminate and connects the second end of the string of photovoltaic cells to the third electrical conductor.   
     
     
         3 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first discrete penetration, wherein the first electrical conductor is electrically connected to first end of the string of photovoltaic cells by way of the first discrete penetration.   
     
     
         4 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a second discrete penetration, wherein the second electrical conductor is electrically connected to the second end of the string of photovoltaic cells by way of the second discrete penetration.   
     
     
         5 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a sealant inserted into the first and second discrete penetrations to seal the first and second discrete penetrations from external moisture.   
     
     
         6 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 5 , wherein the first discrete penetration is located near the first end of the string of photovoltaic cells and exits the photovoltaic laminate through a back or edge of the photovoltaic laminate, and wherein the second discrete penetration is located near the second end of the string of photovoltaic cells and exits the photovoltaic laminate through a back or edge of the photovoltaic laminate. 
     
     
         7 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 1 , wherein the third electrical conductor is electrically connected to the second end of the string of photovoltaic cells by way of a fourth electrical conductor that is external to the photovoltaic laminate. 
     
     
         8 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector is removably connected to an end of a diode that is external to the photovoltaic laminate. 
     
     
         9 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 8 , wherein the first connector is removably connected to a port that is electrically connected to the end of the diode, and
 wherein the diode is housed in a housing that is external to the photovoltaic laminate and that includes the first port.   
     
     
         10 . A photovoltaic laminate comprising:
 a string of photovoltaic cells, the string of photovoltaic cells having a first end and a second end;   a first discrete penetration of the photovoltaic laminate;   a first electrical conductor that is electrically connected to the first end of the string of photovoltaic cells and extends out of the first discrete penetration;   a second electrical conductor which is electrically connected to an interior point of the string of photovoltaic cells and extends out of the first discrete penetration;   a second discrete penetration of the photovoltaic laminate;   a third electrical conductor that is electrically connected to the interior point of the string of photovoltaic cells and extends out of the second discrete penetration; and   a fourth electrical conductor that is electrically connected to the second end of the string of photovoltaic cells and extends out of the second discrete penetration.   
     
     
         11 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a sealant inserted into the first and second discrete penetrations to prevent external moisture from entering the photovoltaic laminate through the discrete penetrations; and   a strain relief mechanism incorporated into the discrete penetration such that forces applied to the external conductors are not transferred to a connection point.   
     
     
         12 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 10 , wherein the first discrete penetration is located near the first end of the string of photovoltaic cells, and wherein the second discrete penetration is located near the second end of the string of photovoltaic cells. 
     
     
         13 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a first connector, a second connector, a third connector, and a fourth connector,   wherein the first electrical conductor extends out of the first connector, the second electrical conductor extends out of the second connector, the third electrical conductor extends out of the third connector, and the fourth electrical conductor extends out of the fourth connector.   
     
     
         14 . A photovoltaic laminate comprising:
 a string of photovoltaic cells, the string of photovoltaic cells having a first end and a second end;   a first connector;   a first electrical conductor that is electrically connected to the first end of the string of photovoltaic cells and extends out of the first connector;   a second electrical conductor which is electrically connected to an interior point of the string of photovoltaic cells and extends out of the first connector;   a second connector;   a third electrical conductor that is electrically connected to the interior point of the string of photovoltaic cells and extends out of the second connector; and   a fourth electrical conductor that is electrically connected to the second end of the string of photovoltaic cells and extends out of the second connector.   
     
     
         15 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a first discrete penetration, wherein the first electrical conductor is electrically connected to the first end of the string of photovoltaic cells by way of the first discrete penetration.   
     
     
         16 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a second discrete penetration, wherein the fourth electrical conductor is electrically connected to the second end of the string of photovoltaic cells by way of the second discrete penetration.   
     
     
         17 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a sealant inserted into the first and second discrete penetrations to prevent external moisture from entering the photovoltaic laminate through the discrete penetrations; and   a strain relief mechanism incorporated into the discrete penetration such that forces applied to the external conductors are not transferred to a connection point.   
     
     
         18 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 16 , wherein the first discrete penetration is located near the first end of the string of photovoltaic cells, and wherein the second discrete penetration is located near the second end of the string of photovoltaic cells. 
     
     
         19 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 10 , wherein the first connector is removably connected to an end of a first diode. 
     
     
         20 . The photovoltaic laminate of  claim 19 , wherein the second connector is removably connected to an end of a second diode.