PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR MASONRY

MACONNERIE POUR RESEAU PHOTOVOLTAIQUE

English Abstract

An apparatus includes: (A) a masonry unit of a building, in which the masonry
unit is
configured to be load bearing; and (B) a collector unit configured to collect
solar energy;
and (C) a lens assembly configured to transfer sunlight to the collector unit,
and functions
as a rain screen for the collector unit; and (D) a casing configured to hold
the collector unit
and the lens assembly, and the casing also configured to be fixedly attached
to the masonry
unit; and (E) an output wire configured to: (a) be connectable to the
collector unit; and (b)
extend from the collector unit, and past the masonry unit, and extend beyond
the masonry
unit once the casing is fixedly attached to the masonry unit; and (c) be
connectable to a
circuit wire of the building.

French Abstract

Un appareil comprend : (A) une unité de maçonnerie dun bâtiment, dans laquelle lunité de maçonnerie est conçue pour être porteuse; et (B) une unité de collecteur conçue pour collecter lénergie solaire; et (C) un bloc de lentilles conçu pour transférer la lumière du soleil à lunité de collecteur, et fonctionne en tant quécran anti-pluie pour lunité de collecteur; et (D) un boîtier conçu pour contenir lunité de collecteur et le bloc de lentilles, et le boîtier étant également conçu pour être fixé de manière fixe à lunité de maçonnerie; et (E) un câblage de sortie conçu pour : (a) être raccordé à lunité de collecteur; et (b) sétendre de lunité de collecteur, et au-delà de lunité de maçonnerie, et sétendre au-delà de lunité de maçonnerie une fois le boîtier fixé de manière fixe à lunité de maçonnerie; et (c) être raccordé à un câblage de circuit du bâtiment.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege
is claimed
are defined as follows:
CLAIMS
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a masonry unit of a building, in which the masonry unit is configured to be
load bearing; and
a collector unit configured to collect solar energy; and
a lens assembly configured to transfer sunlight to the collector unit, and
functions as a rain screen for the collector unit; and
a casing configured to hold the collector unit and the lens assembly, and in
which the casing is also configured to be fixedly attached to the masonry
unit; and
an output wire configured to:
be connectable to the collector unit; and
extend from the collector unit, and past the masonry unit, and extend
beyond the masonry unit once the casing is fixedly attached to the masonry
unit; and
be connectable to a circuit wire of the building.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the collector unit is configured to collect the solar energy and convert the
solar energy that was collected to electricity.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the lens assembly includes a prism configured to uniformly redirect, and not
concentrate light, toward the collector unit.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the lens assembly includes a vertical array of elongated prisms in straight
line formation.
5. An apparatus, comprising:
Page 10

a casing configured to be securely connected to an exterior facing side of a
load bearing building block component, in which the load bearing building
block
component is configured to: (A) be installed to a wall of a building having a
circuit
wire, in which the wall is exposable to daylight, (B) carry a load from above,
(C)
have an exterior facing side configured to face the exterior of the building,
(D) have
an interior facing side configured to face the interior of the building, and
(E) define a
cavity extending from the exterior facing side to the interior facing side of
the load
bearing building block component; and
a solar energy collector unit configured to produce electricity, and to be
received, at least in part, by the casing in such a way that the solar energy
collector
unit, in use, faces away, at least in part, from the building once the casing
is securely
connected to the exterior facing side of the load bearing building block
component,
and once the load bearing building block component is installed to the wall of
the
building; and
an output wire configured to:
be connectable to the solar energy collector unit; and
extend from the solar energy collector unit through the cavity of the
load bearing building block component, and also extend beyond the interior
facing side of the load bearing building block component; and
be connectable to the circuit wire of the building.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:
a connector assembly configured to securely connect the casing to the
exterior facing side of the load bearing building block component.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein:
the connector assembly includes:
a threaded bolt extending from the casing; and
a nut configured to be threadably connected to the threaded bolt extending
from the casing; and
the nut configured to contact the interior facing side of the load bearing
Page 11

building block component once the nut is threadably connected to the threaded
bolt
extending from the casing.
8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein:
the connector assembly includes:
a wire raceway configured to allow the output wire from the solar energy
collector unit to get through the load bearing building block component once
the
load bearing building block component is securely attached to the casing.
9. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:
a cover having a predetermined architectural appearance; and
wherein the cover is configured to:
be positioned in front of the solar energy collector unit; and
face away, at least in part, from the building once the casing is securely
connected to the exterior facing side of the load bearing building block
component,
and once the load bearing building block component is installed to the wall of
the
building; and
transfer light to the solar energy collector unit; and
protect the solar energy collector unit from the rain.
10. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:
a lens assembly configured to:
be supported by the casing; and
be positioned in front of the solar energy collector unit; and
face away, at least in part, from the building once the casing is securely
connected to the exterior facing side of the load bearing building block
component,
and once the load bearing building block component is installed to the wall of
the
building; and
transfer light to the solar energy collector unit; and
protect the solar energy collector unit from the rain.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:
Page 12

the lens assembly includes a multi-line multi-prism lens configured to
redirect sunlight towards the solar energy collector unit.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:
the lens assembly includes a vertical array of elongated prisms in a straight
line formation.
13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:
the lens assembly includes a prism configured to uniformly redirect, and not
to concentrate, light toward the solar energy collector unit.
14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:
the lens assembly includes a layer of glass.
15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:
the lens assembly includes a cover having a predetermined architectural
appearance.
16. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:
a gasket sealant configured to seal the lens assembly to the casing in such a
way that the gasket sealant, in use, prevents, at least in part, an ingress of
the rain to
the interior of the casing.
17. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:
a spacer module configured to be positioned between the casing and the
solar energy collector unit.
18. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein:
the solar energy collector unit includes a photovoltaic cell.
19. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein:
the casing provides a spaced-apart threaded bolt; and
the cavity of the load bearing building block component includes a hole
configured to receive the threaded bolt of the casing; and
wherein a nut is configured to securely connect the threaded bolt of the
casing to the load bearing building block component once the hole of the load
Page 13

bearing building block component, in use, receives and facilitates passage of
the
threaded bolt of the casing.
20. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein:
the casing provides a threaded bolt; and
the cavity of the load bearing building block component includes a hole
configured to receive the threaded bolt of the casing; and
the threaded bolt provides a wire raceway configured to allow the output
wire from the solar energy collector unit to get through the load bearing
building
block component once the hole of the load bearing building block component, in
use,
receives and facilitates passages of the threaded bolt of the casing.
21. An apparatus, comprising:
a load bearing building block component configured to:
be installed to a wall of a building having a circuit wire, in which the
wall is exposable to daylight; and
carry a load from above; and
have an exterior facing side configured to face the exterior of the
building; and
have an interior facing side configured to face the interior of the
building; and
define a cavity extending from the exterior facing side to the interior
facing side of the load bearing building block component; and
a casing configured to be securely connected to the exterior facing side of
the
load bearing building block component; and
a solar energy collector unit configured to be received, at least in part, by
the
casing in such a way that the solar energy collector unit, in use, faces the
exterior of
the building once:
the casing is securely connected to the exterior facing side of the load
bearing building block component, and
the load bearing building block component is installed to the wall of
Page 14

the building; and
an output wire configured to:
be connectable to the solar energy collector unit; and
extend from the solar energy collector unit through the cavity of the
load bearing building block component, and beyond the interior facing side
of the load bearing building block component; and
be connectable to the circuit wire of the building.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:
a connector assembly configured to securely connect the casing to the
exterior facing side of the load bearing building block component.
23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein:
the connector assembly includes:
a threaded bolt extending from the casing; and
a nut configured to be threadably connected to the threaded bolt extending
from the casing; and
wherein the nut is configured to contact the interior facing side of the load
bearing building block component once the nut is threadably connected to the
threaded bolt extending from the casing.
24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein:
the connector assembly includes:
a wire raceway configured to allow the output wire from the solar energy
collector unit to get through the load bearing building block component once
the
load bearing building block component is securely attached to the casing.
25. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:
a cover having a predetermined architectural appearance; and
wherein the cover is configured to:
be positioned in front of the solar energy collector unit; and
face away, at least in part, from the building once the casing is securely
Page 15

connected to the exterior facing side of the load bearing building block
component,
and once the load bearing building block component is installed to the wall of
the
building; and
transfer light to the solar energy collector unit; and
protect the solar energy collector unit from the rain.
26. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:
a lens assembly configured to:
be supported by the casing; and
be positioned in front of the solar energy collector unit; and
face away, at least in part, from the building once the casing is securely
connected to the exterior facing side of the load bearing building block
component,
and once the load bearing building block component is installed to the wall of
the
building; and
transfer light to the solar energy collector unit; and
protect the solar energy collector unit from the rain.
27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein:
the lens assembly includes a multi-line multi-prism lens configured to
redirect sunlight towards the solar energy collector unit.
28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein:
the lens assembly includes a vertical array of elongated prisms in a straight
line formation.
29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein:
the lens assembly includes a prism configured to uniformly redirect, and not
concentrate, light toward the solar energy collector unit.
30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein:
the lens assembly includes a layer of glass.
31. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein:
the lens assembly includes a cover having a predetermined architectural
Page 16

appearance.
32. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising:
a gasket sealant configured to seal the lens assembly to the casing in such a
way that the gasket sealant, in use, prevents, at least in part, an ingress of
the rain to
the interior of the casing.
33. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:
a spacer module configured to be positioned between the casing and the
solar energy collector unit.
34. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein:
the solar energy collector unit includes a photovoltaic cell.
35. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein:
the casing provides a threaded bolt; and
the cavity of the load bearing building block component includes a hole
configured to receive the threaded bolt of the casing; and
wherein a nut is configured to securely connect the threaded bolt of the
casing to the load bearing building block component once the hole of the load
bearing building block component, in use, receives and facilitates passage of
the
threaded bolt of the casing.
36. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein:
the casing provides a threaded bolt; and
the cavity of the load bearing building block component includes a hole
configured to receive the threaded bolt of the casing; and
the threaded bolt provides a wire raceway configured to allow the output
wire from the solar energy collector unit to get through the load bearing
building
block component once the hole of the load bearing building block component, in
use,
receives and facilitates passage of the threaded bolt of the casing.
37. An apparatus, comprising:
a building having a wall and also haying a circuit wire, in which the wall is
exposable to daylight; and
Page 17

a load bearing building block component configured to:
be installed to the wall of the building; and
carry a load from above; and
have an exterior facing side configured to face the exterior of the
building; and
have an interior facing side configured to face the interior of the
building; and
define a cavity extending from the exterior facing side to the interior
facing side of the load bearing building block component; and
a casing configured to be securely connected to the exterior facing side of
the
load bearing building block component; and
a solar energy collector unit configured to be received, at least in part, by
the
casing in such a way that the solar energy collector unit, in use, faces the
exterior of
the building once:
the casing is securely connected to the exterior facing side of the load
bearing building block component, and
the load bearing building block component is installed to the wall of
the building; and
an output wire configured to:
be connectable to the solar energy collector unit; and
extend from the solar energy collector unit through the cavity of the
load bearing building block component and beyond the interior facing side of
the load bearing building block component; and
be connectable to the circuit wire of the building.
38. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising:
a connector assembly configured to securely connect the casing to the
exterior facing side of the load bearing building block component.
39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein:
Page 18

the connector assembly includes:
a threaded bolt extending from the casing; and
a nut configured to be threadably connected to the threaded bolt extending
from the casing; and
the nut configured to contact the interior facing side of the load bearing
building block component once the nut is threadably connected to the threaded
bolt
extending from the casing.
40. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein:
the connector assembly includes:
a wire raceway configured to allow the output wire from the solar energy
collector unit to get through the load bearing building block component once
the
load bearing building block component is securely attached to the casing.
41. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising:
a cover having a predetermined architectural appearance; and
wherein the cover is configured to:
be positioned in front of the solar energy collector unit; and
face away, at least in part, from the building once the casing is securely
connected to the exterior facing side of the load bearing building block
component,
and once the load bearing building block component is installed to the wall of
the
building; and
transfer light to the solar energy collectOr unit; and
protect the solar energy collector unit from the rain.
42. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising:
a lens assembly configured to:
be supported by the casing; and
be positioned in front of the solar energy collector unit; and
face away, at least in part, from the building once the casing is securely
connected to the exterior facing side of the load bearing building block
component,
Page 19

and once the load bearing building block component is installed to the wall of
the
building; and
transfer light to the solar energy collector unit; and
protect the solar energy collector unit from the rain.
43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein:
the lens assembly includes a multi-line multi-prism lens configured to
redirect sunlight towards the solar energy collector unit.
44. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein:
the lens assembly includes a vertical array of elongated prisms in a straight
line formation.
45. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein:
the lens assembly includes a prism configured to uniformly redirect, and not
concentrate, light toward the solar energy collector unit.
46. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein:
the lens assembly includes a layer of glass.
47. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein:
the lens assembly includes a cover having a predetermined architectural
appearance.
48. The apparatus of claim 42, further comprising:
a gasket sealant configured to seal the lens assembly to the casing in such a
way that the gasket sealant, in use, prevents, at least in part, an ingress of
the rain to
the interior of the casing.
49. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising:
a spacer module configured to be positioned between the casing and the
solar energy collector unit.
50. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein:
the solar energy collector unit includes a photovoltaic cell.
51. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein:
Page 20

the casing provides a threaded bolt; and
the cavity of the load bearing building block component includes a hole
configured to receive the threaded bolt of the casing; and
wherein a nut is configured to securely connect the threaded bolt of the
casing to the load bearing building block component once the hole of the load
bearing building block component, in use, receives and facilitates passage of
the
threaded bolt of the casing.
52. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein:
the casing provides extended a threaded bolt; and
the cavity of the load bearing building block component includes a hole
configured to receive the threaded bolt of the casing; and
the threaded bolt provides a wire raceway configured to allow the output
wire from the solar energy collector unit to get through the load bearing
building
block component once the hole of the load bearing building block component, in
use,
receives and facilitates passage of the threaded bolt of the casing.
Page 21

Description

CA 2820582
PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR MASONRY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The technical field pertains to, for instance, a product (such as a
photovoltaic solar
masonry product) that integrates solar and daylight collection into a masonry
unit (and is
not limited thereto).
BACKGROUND
Currently, there are a variety of products and inventions that use
photovoltaic cells to
convert solar energy to electricity for commercial or domestic use; however,
most of these
products are standalone units that are either architecturally too unattractive
or too bulky,
and they are mostly unattractive attachments to walls or roofs of buildings,
and none
before has attempted to incorporate the photovoltaic cells into a masonry
unit.
SUMMARY
Photovoltaic solar masonry (10) overcomes, at least in part, all these
shortcomings, by
incorporating solar collection into an architecturally attractive unit that
becomes a
permanent part of a building assembly.
In accordance with a first major aspect, there is provided an apparatus,
comprising:
a masonry unit of a building, in which the masonry unit is configured to be
load bearing; and
a collector unit configured to collect solar energy; and
a lens assembly configured to transfer sunlight to the collector unit, and
which functions as a rain screen for the collector unit; and
a casing configured to hold the collector unit and the lens assembly, and in
which the casing is also configured to be fixedly attached to the masonry
unit; and
=
an output wire configured to:
be connectable to the collector unit; and
extend from the collector unit, and past the masonry unit, and extend
beyond the masonry unit once the casing is fixedly attached to the masonry
unit; and
be connectable to a circuit wire of the building.
1
CA 2820582 2017-10-23

CA 2820582
In accordance with a second major aspect, there is provided an apparatus,
comprising:
a casing configured to be securely connected to an exterior facing side of a
load bearing building block component, in which the load bearing building
block
component is configured to: (A) be installed to a wall of a building having a
circuit
wire, in which the wall is exposable to daylight, (B) carry a load from above,
(C)
have an exterior facing side configured to face the exterior of the building,
(D) have
an interior facing side configured to face the interior of the building, and
(E) define
a cavity extending from the exterior facing side to the interior facing side
of the load
bearing building block component; and
a solar energy collector unit configured to produce electricity, and to be
received, at least in part, by the casing in such a way that the solar energy
collector
unit, in use, faces away, at least in part, from the building once the casing
is
securely connected to the exterior facing side of the load bearing building
block
component, and once the load bearing building block component is installed to
the
wall of the building; and
an output wire configured to:
be connectable to the solar energy collector unit; and
extend from the solar energy collector unit through the cavity of the
load bearing building block component and beyond the interior facing side
of the load bearing building block component; and
be connectable to the circuit wire of the building.
In accordance with a third major aspect, there is provided an apparatus,
comprising:
(A) a load bearing building block component configured to:
be installed to a wall of a building having a circuit wire, in which the
wall is exposable to daylight; and
carry a load from above; and
have an exterior facing side configured to face the exterior of the
building; and
2
CA 2820582 2017-10-23

CA 2820582
have an interior facing side configured to face the interior of the
building; and
define a cavity extending from the exterior facing side to the interior
facing side of the load bearing building block component; and
(B) a casing configured to be securely connected to the exterior facing side
of the load bearing building block component; and
(C) a solar energy collector unit configured to be received, at least in part,
by the casing in such a way that the solar energy collector unit, in use,
faces the
exterior of the building once:
the casing is securely connected to the exterior facing side of the
load bearing building block component, and
the load bearing building block component is installed to the wall of
the building; and
(D) an output wire configured to:
be connectable to the solar energy collector unit; and
extend from the solar energy collector unit, and extend through the
cavity of the load bearing building block component, and extend beyond the
interior facing side of the load bearing building block component; and
be connectable to the circuit wire of the building.
In accordance with a fourth major aspect, there is provided an apparatus,
comprising:
(A) a building having a wall and also having a circuit wire, in which the wall
is exposable to daylight; and
(B) a load bearing building block component configured to:
be installed to the wall of the building; and
carry a load from above; and
have an exterior facing side configured to face the exterior of the
building; and
have an interior facing side configured to face the interior of the
building; and
3
CA 2820582 2017-10-23

CA 2820582
define a cavity extending from the exterior facing side to the interior
facing side of the load bearing building block component; and
(C) a casing configured to be securely connected to the exterior facing side
of the load bearing building block component; and
(D) a solar energy collector unit configured to be received, at least in part,
by the casing in such a way that the solar energy collector unit, in use,
faces the
exterior of the building once:
the casing is securely connected to the exterior facing side of the
load bearing building block component, and
the load bearing building block component is installed to the wall of
the building; and
(E) an output wire configured to:
be connectable to the solar energy collector unit; and
extend from the solar energy collector unit, and extend through the
cavity of the load bearing building block component, and extend beyond the
interior facing side of the load bearing building block component; and
be connectable to the circuit wire of the building.
In accordance with an embodiment, there is provided an integrated building
component
that will act as a: 1. load bearing component, 2. solar collector, 3.
rainscreen, and 4.
decorative architectural block, and is henceforth called photovoltaic solar
masonry (10).
Photovoltaic solar masonry (10) intends to make solar energy collection a
permanent
component of buildings by means of integration with other building components
with other
functions. In this case, a masonry unit (11), which normally acts as a
rainscreen and is
also a decorative architectural component and sometimes acts as a load bearing
component in building construction, is modified to function as a solar
collector as well.
Photovoltaic solar masonry (10) incorporates a load bearing concrete block
component
(20), a casing (25) to hold all the parts together, photovoltaic cells (5) and
a simple glass
cover (Figure 3) or an advance flat straight-line multi-prism lens (3) (Figure
2) to redirect
sunlight toward the photovoltaic cells (5), thus avoiding the need for
perpendicular
alignment of the cell's panel to the direction of sunlight.
4
CA 2820582 2017-10-23

CA 2820582
The cover is made of the TEFLON (TRADEMARK) Model AF material with higher Tg
resins to create a durable and nonreactive surface with anti-reflective
properties. (Index
of Refraction = 1.29¨ 1.31) (TEFLON (TRADEMARK) is trademark of E. L. du Pont
de
Nemours and Company or its affiliates). The cover can be produced with various
tints of
colours for a desired architectural look.
BROAD DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Photovoltaic solar masonry (10) is a product that:
1. can be used in masonry construction, primarily in a masonry wall (9)
with
exposure to daylight and sunlight;
2. is used in conjunction with masonry units (11) in desired patterns and
quantities;
3. is produced in a variety of sizes and dimensions to match different
sized
masonry units produced and available in the market, so that for every size of
masonry unit (11) there is a corresponding photovoltaic solar masonry (10)
size;
4. uses photovoltaic cells (5) to collect sunlight and daylight and to
produce
direct current electricity. The electricity produced is wired (14) to a
battery storage
unit and from there, with the use of a convertor unit, the electricity is
converted to
alternative current, matching the local voltage specification. The produced
electricity can then be used domestically or supplied to the electricity grid
through
appropriate coordination with the local electricity supplier;
5. provides two options for lens assembly (29). Option 1 incorporates an
advance flat straight-line multi-prism lens (3) (Figure 2) to redirect the
sunlight
towards the photovoltaic cells (5), thus avoiding the need for perpendicular
alignment of the cell panel to the direction of sunlight. Option 2 is a simple
layer of
glass which is less efficient but costs less and is intended to provide a cost
alternative. Both options have the TEFLON (TRADEMARK) Model AF covers
(Figure 3); and
6. uses the TEFLON (TRADEMARK) Model AF cover (2), which can be
produced with various tints of colour for a desired architectural look.
CA 2820582 2017-10-23

CA 2820582
LIST OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows the behaviour of light from different directions on a 45-90-45
degree prism;
a component of flat straight-line multi-prism lens (3), which is made of the
CROWN
GLASS (TRADEMARK) Model BK7 material (index of refraction = 1.50 ¨ 1.54).
Figure 2 shows a flat straight-line multi-prism lens (3) made of the CROWN
GLASS
(TRADEMARK) Model BK7 material (index of refraction = 1.50 ¨ 1.54), with the
TEFLON
(TRADEMARK) Model AF cover (index of refraction = 1.29 ¨ 1.31) and the
behaviour of
light from different directions.
Figure 3 shows a simple glass layer made of the CROWN GLASS (TRADEMARK) Model
BK7 material (index of refraction = 1.50 ¨ 1.54), with the TEFLON (TRADEMARK)
Model
AF cover (index of refraction = 1.29 ¨ 1.31).
Figure 4 shows two exploded isometric drawings that illustrate the components
of the
photovoltaic solar masonry (10) and the order of assembly.
Figure 5 shows section drawings that illustrate the application of
photovoltaic solar
masonry (10) in a typical masonry veneer (cavity) wall (9) construction along
with the
identified components.
Figure 6 shows an elevation drawing that illustrates a structure with a
masonry veneer
(cavity) wall (9) and the application of photovoltaic solar masonry (10) to
create various
architectural patterns.
The drawings are accompanied with an index sheet that explains all the parts.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of photovoltaic solar masonry (10) is to integrate sunlight and
daylight
collection into masonry units (11), which will facilitate the use of renewable
energies in
building construction, and provides the architects, designers and masons with
a product
that can be used decoratively and permanently in a variety of patterns and
shades.
6
CA 2820582 2017-10-23

CA 2820582
DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR MASONRY
The photovoltaic solar masonry (10) unit is a multi-functioning building
component
comprises a load bearing concrete block component (20) that is intended to
carry the load
of above masonry units (11). The block contains two cylindrical cavity holes
that facilitate
passage of the two treaded bolts of main casing (25) through it, which then,
the casing
can be securely tightened to the block by two nuts (27). The two treaded bolts
of main
casing (25) contain cylindrical cavity holes, which act as wire raceways (23)
and allow the
output wires (7) from the photovoltaic cells (5) to get through, and then the
output wires
(7), by means of wire junction clips (28), get connected to the collector
circuit wires (14).
The circuit wires (14) connect the individual photovoltaic solar masonry (10)
units in a
parallel circuit, and transfer the 18v DC power to a typical 12v battery
storage unit for
storage and later conversion to AC output with matching local voltage
specification for
domestic use or for supply to the electricity grid through appropriate
coordination with a
local electricity supplier.
The main casing (25) from the front side receives the spacer (4) module and
then the
photovoltaic cells (5) panel, and, finally, the lens assembly (29) which comes
with the
gasket sealant (22) installed on the perimeter of the lens for the purpose of
sealing the
unit from the outside. To provide a complete seal and to prevent dust and
insect
penetration into the unit, silicon sealant (30) is applied at the end of the
treaded bolts of
main casing (25). This design provides two options for lens assembly (29).
Option 1, shown on Figure 2, incorporates an advance flat straight-line multi-
prism lens
(3) (Figure 2) to redirect light toward the photovoltaic cells (5), thus
avoiding the need for
perpendicular alignment of the cell panel to the direction of sunlight. The
flat straight-line
multi-prism lens (3) is made of a vertical array of elongated 45-90-45 degree
prisms
(Figure 1) in a straight line formation (Figure 2). As shown on Figure 2, this
arrangement
will redirect (but not to concentrate) the direct and indirect sunlight toward
the photovoltaic
cells (5). On the exterior side, the lens is glued to a TEFLON (TRADEMARK)
Model AF
cover, which has a matching mould of its surface patterns.
7
CA 2820582 2017-10-23

CA 2820582
Option 2 for lens assembly (29) is a simple glass layer with a cover (Figure
3). Although
it is less efficient in light gathering, it is able to provide a significant
amount of light toward
the photovoltaic cells (5) in certain times of the day, due to better
alignment with the
direction of sunlight. It costs less for production and, therefore, provides a
cost alternative.
In both options, the lens assembly (29) is made of two materials: the inner
layer made of
the CROWN GLASS (TRADEMARK) Model BK7 material (Index of Refraction = 1.50 ¨
1.54) and the outer layer made of the TEFLON (TRADEMARK) Model AF material
with
higher Tg resins for the purpose of creating a durable and non-reactive
surface with anti-
reflective properties (index of Refraction = 1.29 ¨1.31). TEFLON (TRADEMARK)
is a
trademark of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.
EXAMPLE OF INTENDED USE
Figure 5 and Figure 6 show an example of the integration of photovoltaic solar
masonry
(10) in a typical masonry veneer (cavity) wall (9) construction. In this
example, the
photovoltaic solar masonry (10) units function as:
1. a load bearing component just as masonry units (11) do.
2. a rainscreen component just as masonry units (11) do.
3. a collector of sunlight and convert the sunlight to electricity.
4. an architectural element to create various visual patterns.
For better results, photovoltaic solar masonry (10) should be used on the
sides of the
building that have direct exposure to sunlight.
8
CA 2820582 2017-10-23

CA 2820582
INDEX
1 Light Ray
2 Teflon AF with Higher Tg Resins
3 Flat Straight-Line Multi-Prism Lens. Made of Crown Glass (Bk7)
4 Spacer with Reflective Inner Surface
Photovoltaic Cells (18v DC output connected in parallel to main collector
line)
6 Air Pocket
7 Output Wires from the Photovoltaic Cell
. 8 Crown Glass (Bk7)
= 9 Masonry Veneer (Cavity) Wall
.1.9 Photovoltaic Solar Masonry Unit
11 Masonry Unit (Brick or Architectural Block)
12 Typical Cavity within Wall
Typical Mortar Joint
14 Collector Circuit Wires (18v DC to Battery Storage Unit)
Typical Air Barrier
18. Typical Exterior Sheathing
.17 Typical Vapour Barrier (Location varies according to regional location)
18. Typical Air Barrier
;19 Typical Gypsum Wall Board
2C. Load Beanng Concrete Block Component of Photovoltaic Solar Masonry Unit
21 Typical Air Barrier
22 Gasket Sealant
23 Wire Raceway within the Casing Unit
24 Void Space for Wire Passage
25. Main Casing with Threaded Bolts
26, Void Shafts within the Block to Receive Threaded Bolts
27. Nut to Secure the Casing Bolt to the Block
-28. Wire Junction Clips
29 Lens Assembly which is the combination of (2) and (3) as shown on Figure 2
or is a
is a combination of (2) & (8)as shown on Figure 3.
-30 Silicon Sealant
9
CA 2820582 2017-10-23

Representative Drawing