CORD PLATE FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE
A cord plate for a photovoltaic module is configured to receive one or more flowable sealants.
1 . A cord plate for a photovoltaic module, the cord plate comprising:
a bottom surface; and
an inner cavity comprising:
a first partition separating a first chamber from a second chamber;
a second partition separating the second chamber from a third chamber;
a first passage extending from the first chamber to the bottom surface;
a second passage extending from the second chamber to the bottom surface; and
a third passage extending from the third chamber to the bottom surface.
2 . The cord plate of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first conductor housing connected to the first chamber; and
a second conductor housing connected to the second chamber.
3 . The cord plate of claim 2 , wherein the first conductor housing comprises a first filling hole.
4 . The cord plate of claim 2 , wherein the second conductor housing comprises a second filling hole.
5 . The cord plate of claim 1 , wherein the inner cavity further comprises a first access hole extending from the first chamber to the bottom surface, and wherein the inner cavity further comprises a second access hole extending from the third chamber to the bottom surface.
6 . The cord plate of claim 1 , further comprising a cap configured to attach atop the inner cavity, the cap comprising a vent hole.
7 . A method for assembling a photovoltaic module, the method comprising:
providing a photovoltaic module comprising a cover plate;
positioning a bottom surface of a cord plate proximate to a hole in the cover plate, wherein the cord plate comprises an inner cavity comprising a plurality of chambers extending to the bottom surface; and
filling the plurality of chambers with a flowable sealant wherein the flowable sealant flows from the inner cavity to the hole in the cover plate.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising applying an adhesive layer between the cover plate and the cord plate, wherein the adhesive layer comprises an opening aligned with the hole in the cover plate.
9 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising inserting a first conductor into the inner cavity through a first opening in the cord plate.
10 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising inserting a second conductor into the inner cavity through a second opening in the cord plate.
11 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the inner cavity further comprises a first filling hole.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the inner cavity further comprises a second filling hole.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the inner cavity further comprises a vent hole.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of chambers are interconnected to form a filling pathway extending from the first filling hole to the vent hole.
15 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the inner cavity comprises:
a first partition separating a first chamber from a second chamber;
a second partition separating the second chamber from a third chamber;
a first passage extending from the first chamber to the bottom surface;
a second passage extending from the second chamber to the bottom surface; and
a third passage extending from the third chamber to the bottom surface.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the inner cavity further comprises a cap comprising a vent hole extending from the second chamber to an external surface of the cap.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the cord plate further comprises a first conductor housing connected to the first chamber, wherein the first conductor housing comprises a first filling hole.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising injecting a first flowable sealant into the first filling hole.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the first flowable sealant flows from an inner surface of the first conductor housing into the first chamber.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the first flowable sealant flows from the first chamber through the first hole to the bottom surface of the cord plate.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the first flowable sealant flows from the bottom surface through the second hole to the second chamber.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the first flowable sealant flows from the second chamber through the vent hole in the cap.
23 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the cord plate further comprises a second conductor housing connected to the second chamber, wherein the second conductor housing comprises a second filling hole.
24 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising injecting a second flowable sealant into the second filling hole.
25 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the second flowable sealant flows from an inner surface of the second conductor housing into the third chamber.
26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the second flowable sealant flows from the third chamber through the third hole to the bottom surface of the cord plate.
27 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the second flowable sealant flows from the bottom surface through the second hole to the second chamber.
28 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the second flowable sealant flows from the second chamber through the vent hole in the cap.
29 . The method of claim 16 , wherein a flowable sealant is injected into the inner cavity through the vent hole.
30 . A photovoltaic module comprising a cord plate, wherein the cord plate comprises:
a bottom surface; and
an inner cavity comprising:
a first partition separating a first chamber from a second chamber;
a second partition separating the second chamber from a third chamber;
a first passage extending from the first chamber to the bottom surface;
a second passage extending from the second chamber to the bottom surface; and
a third passage extending from the third chamber to the bottom surface.
31 . The photovoltaic module of claim 30 , further comprising:
a first conductor housing connected to the first chamber; and
a second conductor housing connected to the second chamber.
32 . The photovoltaic module of claim 31 , wherein the first conductor housing comprises a first filling hole.
33 . The photovoltaic module of claim 31 , wherein the second conductor housing comprises a second filling hole.
34 . The photovoltaic module of claim 30 , wherein the inner cavity further comprises a first access hole extending from the first chamber to the bottom surface, and wherein the inner cavity further comprises a second access hole extending from the third chamber to the bottom surface.
35 . The photovoltaic module of claim 30 , further comprising a cap configured to attach atop the inner cavity, the cap comprising a vent hole.
36 . The photovoltaic module of claim 35 , further comprising a first weep hole in the cap and a second weep hole in the cap.