Abstract:
A housing for a solar panel is provided that includes a glazed element and a tray, the tray including a plate, side walls a top end cap, a bottom end cap, a top surface and a lip, the lip configured to seat the glazed element, wherein the tray is formed of a single material, wherein the plate, the side walls, the top and the bottom end cap are collectively configured to form a cavity, and wherein the top end cap includes a top header, the top end cap positioned between the top header and the cavity and including at least one pipe extending outwardly from the top header at both side ends and extending a length and throughout an interior space of the to header, and at least one void extending a length and throughout the interior space of the to header, the void positioned proximate the pipe.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims the benefit of priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/474,277 filed on Apr. 12, 2011, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to solar panels for converting solar energy into electrical and thermal energy and, more particularly, to a lightweight and inexpensive solar panel housing. 
     2. Background Art 
     As the world demand for natural resources, such as petroleum oil, petroleum products, natural gas, coal and the like, continues to rise, there is an ever increasing need to identify and use alternative forms of energy in an attempt to conserve what remains of a finite supply of natural resources. Alternative forms of energy are in use today and may include water or hydro, wind, and solar power to name a few. Of these alternative forms of energy, most often, solar power is seen as one of the most abundant forms of renewable energy. 
     Generally, solar power may be collected from the sun and transformed into electrical or thermal energy through the use of solar panels. Photovoltaics are typically used to collect solar energy and covert the solar energy directly into electricity. Many photovoltaics may be connected to form a solar panel. Many solar panels may be arranged in an array on the tops of buildings or on the ground and are generally required to produce enough electrical energy to supply electrical power to a building. 
     Alternatively, solar panels may be used to change the sun&#39;s solar energy into thermal energy to heat water that may be used for bathing, washing and swimming. As with photovoltaic solar panels, thermal solar panels may be arranged in an array on the roof or a building or on the ground such that each of the panels may be connected together through plumbing to allow water or other fluids to circulate through the pipes of the panels. As the water or other fluids circulate through the pipes and solar panels, the solar energy captured by the thermal panels will increase the temperature in the water or other fluids. The heated water or fluids may then been stored or used right way. 
     Although solar energy is quite useful and abundant, presently the conversion from solar energy to electricity is quite inefficient. Because of this inefficiency, many photovoltaic panels are connected together through an array of solar panels, as described above, such that enough solar energy may be collected and converted to electrical power to operate lighting and appliances in a home. In commercial applications, there is a need for even more solar panels to collect and convert enough electrical energy to operate a large commercial building. 
     While the conversion from solar energy to thermal energy may be done so more efficiently than the conversion of solar energy to electrical energy, there is still a need to use an array of solar panels to convert the sun&#39;s energy to heat fluids for a building or home. As with photovoltaic panels, a number of solar panels are needed to facilitate an adequate thermal energy transfer to heat a sufficient amount of water for use. 
     Often, the sizes of these solar panels are very large to accommodate the electrical or thermal internals required for energy transfer and they may weigh tens of pounds. Typically, a commercial solar panel may be as large as four feet in width by eight feet in length. The housing of the solar panels are generally fabricated from a metal, such as steel, aluminum and the like, to provide rigidity and structure to the panel and to protect the internal energy transfer components from the elements of rain, wind, snow and the like. The metal housing or trays contribute to the weight of the panel and often make the panels difficult to manipulate as they are installed and often add a significant amount of weight to a non-load bearing roof. 
     Another drawback with present day solar panel designs is that they may be only used in daylight hours when the sun is shining to transfer solar energy to solar or thermal energy. Solar panels provide no functional benefit during the night hours. Providing a means to use the solar panels during the evening will further improve the efficiency of the solar panels, lower the costs of energy use and ultimately help to ensure we conserve our natural resources. 
     Therefore, a need exists for a lightweight and inexpensive solar panel housing that may be used in conjunction with a solar panel for converting solar energy from the sun into useful electrical or thermal energy. Also, there exist a need for a solar panel housing that may be manufactured such that components of the solar panel may be used during night hours or times of little or no sunlight. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A housing for a solar panel is provided that includes a glazed element and a tray, the tray including a plate, a pair of side walls extending generally vertical from the plate, the pair of side walls include at least one first aperture, the at least one first aperture configured to allow passage of a tube or conduit, a top end cap, a bottom end cap, a top surface of the pair of side walls, the top end cap and the bottom end cap, a lip, the lip positioned proximate the junction of the top surface of the pair of side walls, the top end cap and the bottom end cap and an interior wall of the pair of side walls, the top end cap and the bottom end cap, the lip including a seating surface that is positioned below the top surface of the pair of side walls, the top end cap and the bottom end cap, the lip extending the interior perimeter of each of the pair of side walls, the top end cap and the bottom end cap, and the lip configured to seat the glazed element such that a top surface of the glazed element is flush to the top surface of the pair of side walls, the top end cap and the bottom end cap wherein the plate, the pair of side walls, the top end cap, the bottom end cap, the top surface of the pair of side walls, the top end cap and the bottom end cap and the lip are formed of a single material and configured as a single integral component wherein the plate, the pair of side walls, the top end cap and the bottom end cap are collectively configured to form a cavity; and wherein the top end cap is configured to include a top header, the top header configured such that the top end cap is positioned between the top header and the cavity, the to header including at least one pipe extending outwardly from the top header at both side ends of the top header and extending a length of the top header and throughout an interior space of the top header, and at least one void extending a length of the top header and throughout the interior space of the top header, the void positioned proximate the pipe and distinct from the pipe. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and inventive aspects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, claims, and drawings, of which the following is a brief description: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a solar panel according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a solar panel according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a solar panel housing according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of a solar panel housing according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of a solar panel housing according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4C  is a cross-sectional view of a solar panel housing according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a solar panel housing according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view of a solar panel housing according to still another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of a solar panel housing according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a solar panel housing according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a solar panel glazing according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are cross-sectional views of a solar panel housing according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  are cross-sectional views of a solar panel housing according to still another embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are cross-sectional views of a solar panel housing according to still yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, preferred illustrative embodiments of the present invention are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to better illustrate and explain the present invention. Further, the embodiments set forth herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise to limit or restrict the invention to the precise forms and configurations shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description. 
     Now referring to the drawings, a solar panel  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . This particular solar panel  10  may be used to generate electrical power from the solar energy supplied by the sun. Solar panel  10  includes an array of photovoltaic cells  12  that may be arranged and positioned in a housing  11 . Housing  11  may be rectangular in shape and sized to accommodate a number of photovoltaic cells  12 . Housing  11  includes a tray  14  and a piece of glazing  16 , such as glass, low thermal emissivity glass, Halar® and the like, that covers much of tray  14  to enclose cells  12 . A conduit  18  may extend from each of four corners of housing  11  such that electrical wiring may extend from photovoltaic cells  12  of panel  10  out through conduit  18 . Conduit  18  will provide means to connect the electrical wiring of an array of panels  10  together so that more than one panel  10  may be electrically connected together as well as allowing for electrical connections into the building such that the electrical power generated by panel  10  may be supplied to the buildings for generating light, operating appliances and the like. 
     Solar Panel  10  may also be used to generate thermal energy from the solar energy supplied by the sun for the heating of fluids, such as water.  FIG. 2  illustrates solar panel  10  that is configured with a number of fin tubes  20  rather than photovoltaic cells  12 . Fin tubes  20  are configured to allow fluids to flow through them. Fin tubes  20  are heated by the solar energy supplied by the sun which, in turn, transfers the heat to the fluid within tubes  20 . Pipes  22  may extend from each of four corners of housing  11  so that more than a one panel may be connected together as well as allowing for plumbing connections into the building such that fluid heated by panel  10  may be supplied to buildings for use in bathing, swimming, cleaning and the like. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, tray  14  is shown in  FIG. 3  and includes a bottom plate  24  and a pair of side walls  26  and  28 . Tray  14  further includes a top surface  38  as well as a top end cap  30  and a bottom end cap  32 . Plate  24 , side walls  26  and  28 , top end cap  30  and bottom end cap  32  may be configured to create a cavity  34  to house components of solar panel  10 . 
     Each of the pieces of tray  14  may be manufactured from foam such as polystyrene and the like and assembled together with glazing  16  to produce a very light weight housing  11  for encasing photovoltaic cells  12  or fin tubes  20 . Any number of processes may be used to manufacture each of the pieces, such as cutting each piece from a block of material, blow molding each of the pieces, forming each piece from the material, injection molding, rotational molding and like processes. The foam tray may then be encased in a coating, such a polyurea, to strengthen tray  14  and to protect the tray from the weather elements. Manufacturing tray  14  in this manner will help to decrease the weight of housing  11  and solar panel  10  versus conventional metal panels that are widely known in the art. Although tray  14  has been described above as being manufactured from a foam product, tray  14  may easily be manufactured from any materials such as any type of plastic, woods, metals, ceramics and the like and yet still maintain light weight properties. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 4A , a typical cross-section of tray  14  is shown to illustrate side wall  28  (typical for side wall  26 ). Side walls  26  and  28  each include a lip  36  that extends the length of each of walls  26  and  28  near a top surface  38 . Side walls  26  and  28  further include an interior wall  29  as well as a first step joint  66  for accepting a second step joint  68  of plate  24  to provide a secure and sealed joint between side walls  26  and  28  and plate  24 .  FIG. 4B  illustrates a typical cross section of top end cap  30  (typical for bottom end cap  32 ). Both top end cap  30  and bottom end cap  32  include an interior wall  29  as well as lip  36  near top surface  38 , such that when tray  14  is assembled, lip  36  extends the inside perimeter of side wall  26  and  28 , top end cap  30  and bottom end cap  32 . Lip  36  includes a seating surface  37  that is positioned below top surface  38 . Lip  36  may be configured in this manner and sized to accept and seat glazing  16  such that a top surface  17  of glazing  16  is flush to top surface  38  and cavity  34  and housing  11  may be sealed to protect the solar components. Also illustrated by  FIG. 4B  is an aperture  64  that may be sized to accept conduit  18  or tube  22  and may be positioned proximate each of the four corners of tray  14 . 
     Alternatively, side walls  26  and  28  may be designed such that they manufactured with bottom plate  24  as one piece. In this particular embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 4C , side walls  26  and  28  extend generally perpendicular outward from bottom plate  24 . Plate  24  and side walls  26  and  28  may be manufactured in this manner to streamline the assembly process of tray  14 . Top end cap  30  and bottom end cap  32  may be assembled to bottom plate  24  and side walls  26  and  28  in the same manner as above to create cavity  34 . 
     Tray  14  may also be manufactured as a single unitized body having plate  24 , side walls  26  and  28 , top end cap  30  and bottom end cap  32  all continuously connected together to further reduce assembly costs. The entire tray  14  may be molded or stamped as one piece and be manufactured of plastic, foam such as polystyrene, woods, metals, ceramics and the like and yet still maintain light weight properties. 
     No matter the manufacturing or assembly process or the materials used to create housing  11 , housing  11  may be made in various sizes and shapes. Housing  11  may be manufactured to account for ease of maneuverability during installation, yet allow for a large enough size of solar panel  10  to limit electrical or plumbing connections if a number of panels are being used. Housing  11  may also be designed and manufactured with flexibility to adapt to various roof types and styles as well. For example, a roof may have a curvature that may make mounting a typical solar panel very difficult. Housing  11  may be manufactured in a manner that could accommodate the roof curvature and enable installation of solar panel  10 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 5 , tray  14  is illustrated with a top header  40  according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this particular embodiment of the present invention, top end cap  30  may be modified to include a header  40  and provide housing  11  and solar panel  10  with further operational features. Header  40  may include at least one pipe  42  that extends a length of header  40 . Pipe  42  may be plumbed into the any conventional plumbing system of a building to allow fluid to flow from the building through pipe  42  of header  40  and back to building. Header  40  may include a void  44  that will allow air to enter header  40 , circulate around pipe  42  and exit header  40 . Alternatively, header  40  may include another pipe (not shown) for directing an air flow proximate pipe  42 . When used in this manner, header  40  may be an air-to-fluid heat exchanger. 
     In this particular embodiment, housing  11  may be used to take advantage the night air, which may typically be at a lower temperature than the air during the sunlit day. Water or other fluids that may be passed through pipe  42  of header  40  will encounter air that is at a lower temperature then the fluid passing though pipe  42 . As with any type of heat exchange, the fluid passing through pipe  42  that is at a higher temperature than the air will begin to lower in temperature and approach the temperature of the air as the temperature of the air increases to that of the fluid temperature. A constant supply of cool air into header  40  through void  44  and around pipe  42  will continue to lower the temperature of the fluid passing though pipe  42 . As stated previously, a number of housings  11  and solar panels  10  may be assembled in an array such that the length of pipe  42  may be increased in length to maximize exposure to the air. While header  40  has been described in use with a single pipe  42  for directing a fluid through header  40 , it is important to note, however, that multiple pipes may be plumbed through header  40  and, yet, still achieve the same results of cooling heated water. 
     Providing for means to raise and lower the temperature of the fluid in the above described manner will not only provide means to heat and cool the fluid but also allows for virtually around the clock usage of housing  11  and solar panel  10 . Solar panel  10  may be used during sunlight hours to raise the temperature of fluids such as potable water for drinking, swimming, bathing and heating residences and commercial buildings. Solar panel  10  may also be used during the night hours to lower the temperature of fluids such as potable water for drinking, creating ice for storage and use at a later time and cooling residences and commercial buildings. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 6A , header  40  may be designed to package a pair of plates  50  and  52 , electrical hardware  46  (such as a thermoelectric device) and plumbing such that the fluids passing though housing  11  and solar panel  10  may be used to generate electricity. In this particular embodiment of the present invention, a second pipe  48  may be added to header  40 . Pipes  42  and  48  may be configured with plates  50  and  52  and electrical hardware  46  to be used in the generation of electricity due to a temperature differential that may be induced in two fluids that will pass through pipes  42  and  48 . Electrical hardware  46 , plates  50  and  52  that contact pipes  42  and  48  respectively, may generally extend the length of header  40 . 
     Generally, plates  50  and  52  and pipes  42  and  48  will be manufactured of a metal such as copper, steel, aluminum and the like to maximize the heat transfer between the fluids, pipes  42  and  48  and plates  50  and  52 . As stated previously, pipe  42  may be plumbed into a supply of building fluids such as city supplied water while pipe  48  may be connected to solar panel  10  for a supply of fluids such as water that may be at higher temperature than the fluids supplied though pipe  42  during daylight hours. As pipe  42  contacts plate  50  and pipe  48  contacts plate  52 , a transfer of heat will occur between pipes and plates. Plate  50  will lower in temperature and plate  52  will rise in temperature causing a temperature differential between the plates. The temperature differential will be realized by electrical hardware  46  positioned proximate to plates  50  and  52  thus leading to a generation of electricity. Generation of electricity in this manner is well known in the art. Alternatively, during times of no sunlight, such as during evening hours, the fluids flowing though pipe  48  may be at a lower temperature than the fluids flowing through pipe  42  thus reversing the temperature differential and creating electricity during hours of no sun light. The electricity generated may be used to generate any of the number of pumps used to circulate the fluids throughout the building and array of solar panels  10  or for other electrical accessories requiring power throughout the building such as lighting, televisions and the like. 
     Alternatively, plate  52  may be directly connected to fin tubes  20  as illustrated in  FIG. 6B . In this particular embodiment of the present invention, pipe  48  may be omitted as fin tubes  20  are plumbed and connected directly to plate  52 . The heated water from fin tubes  20  will flow directly to plate  52 , thereby raising the temperature of plate  52  relative to plate  50 , thus enabling the generation of electricity as described above. 
     While the above improvements to housing  11  have been described with enhancements to top header  40 , it is important to note, however, that these same enhancements may be added to a bottom header and side walls and these components work equally as well to heat and cool fluids. Housing  11 , when designed and manufactured in this manner will enable virtually round the clock use of housing  11  and solar panel  10 , versus conventional solar panels that may be used only during sunlight, to not only generate electrical and thermal energy, but to also provide for cooling aspects as well. 
     Typically, and as expected, solar panels will tend to increase in heat when exposed to sun. With photovoltaic cells, as is well known in the art, they will tend to operate at an optimal level within a specific temperature range. If the temperature of the cells decrease or increase outside of the range, the cells will begin to operate less efficiently in their operation of converting solar energy to electrical energy. One means to control the overheating of the panels is to allow some ambient or cool air to flow throughout panel  10  and the cells to help maintain the temperature in panel  10  at an optimal level for electrical power generation. In another embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 7 , side walls  26  and  28  as well as bottom end cap  32  may include an aperture  54  that may be covered with bristles to allow the escape of air from solar panel  10  while at the same time helping to limit the amount of air and debris entering solar panel  10 . An air flow may be introduced at header  40  through void  44  and directed through holes  56  of header  40  and into cavity  34 , across cells  12  and out aperture  54  in an effort to maintain the temperature of cavity  34  at the optimal level for electrical generation. 
     The same aperture and bristle configuration described above may be used with thermal solar panels as well. In this particular embodiment of the present invention, fluid may be pumped through fin tubes  20  during the night hours. Ambient night air may be introduced through void  44  in header  40  and directed through holes  56 , into cavity  34 , across fin tubes  20  and out aperture  54 . As stated above, when solar panel  10  is used in this manner, the fluid circulating in fin tubes  20  will tend to cool thus providing potable water for drinking, creating ice for storage and use at a later time and cooling residences and commercial buildings. 
     As stated previously, housing  11  includes glazing  16  that is designed and configured to seat at lip  36  such that cavity  34  may be sealed. Glazing  16  may be configured with any number of layers to adequately seal cavity  34  while providing an optimal pass through of solar radiation to photovoltaic cells  12  and fin tubes  20  to promote the generation of electrical power and thermal energy, respectively. 
     In this particular embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 8 , glazing  16  is configured as two layers. A frame  60  may be configured such that a ‘U’-channel  62  is created to capture a portion of glazing  16 . Frame  60  may include four sides and may be sized to seat in lip  36  and may be manufactured of any material such as any metal, plastic and the like. In this particular embodiment, glazing  16  may be produced in sheets that are double the size of what may be needed to fit within housing  11 . Glazing  16  may be designed in this manner such that when it is folded over upon itself, a double layer of glazing may be created. Frame  60  may be positioned in between the two sheets of glazing, such that a gap  15  may be created between the two sheets of glazing. The folded end of glazing  16  may then be pushed into channel  62  and a piece of rope or the like may be added into channel  62  to seat glazing  16  in channel  62  and on fame  60 . The same assembly process may be used to assemble the ends of glazing  16  of the other three sides to frame  60 . Once assembled in this manner, glazing  16  and frame  20  may be seated in lip  36  to seal cavity  34 . 
       FIGS. 9A-10B  illustrate alternative means to secure glazing  16  to tray  14  to create housing  11 . In this particular embodiment of the present invention, a trough  70  may be added at top surface  38  to each of side walls  26  and  28 , top end cap  30  and bottom end cap  32 . Trough  70  may be molded into top surface  38  of each of side walls  26  and  28 , top end cap  30  and bottom end cap  32  and sized to accept and secure a trim cap  72 , a portion of which may be snapped into trough  70 . Alternatively, trough  70  may be a separate metal frame that is secured to top surface  38  with typical fasteners. Trim cap  72  may be configured to extend around the perimeter of tray  14  at trough  70 . Alternatively, cap  72  may be configured such that cap  72  may be positioned in trough  70  are selected positions around the perimeter of tray  14 .  FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate one exemplary use of cap  72  and trough  70  with a particular type of glazing  16 . In this particular illustration, glazing  16  is configured to be captured in trough  70  by cap  72 . Glazing  16  may be stretched across cavity  34  and tray  14  and the edges of glazing  16  may be captured in trough  70  by cap  72  thereby securing glazing  16  to tray  14 . 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate a further exemplary use of trough  70  and a second trim cap  74 . In much the same manner as cap  72  secured glazing  16  to tray  14 , second trim cap  74  can also be used to secure glazing  16  to tray  14 . In this particular illustration, glazing  16  may be at such a thickness that may prevent glazing  16  from being captured in trough  70  by cap  74 . In this instance, cap  74  may be configured such that it captures glazing  16  against lip  36 , thereby securing glazing  16  to tray  14 . Second trim cap  74  may be configured to engage trough  70  around the entire perimeter of tray  14 , or alternatively, second trim cap  74  may be configured such that cap  74  may be positioned at selected locations around the perimeter of tray  14  just as cap  72 . In either embodiment, trim cap  72  and second trim cap  74  are configured to engage trough  70  and secure glazing  16  to tray  14  to create housing  11 . 
     In still yet another embodiment of the present invention illustrated by  FIGS. 11A and 11B , tray  14  may include a header key  76 . In this particular embodiment, at least one section of tray  14  is configured to accept and secure header key  76 . In this instance, header key  76  includes aperture  64  as well as mounting holes to accept fasteners that will allow for header key  76  to be secured to tray  14  (tray  14  includes a mating fastener, such as a molded tapped insert and the like for accepting fasteners that will pass through the fastening holes of header key  76 ). Header key  76  will allow for interchangeability of the header key with the rest of tray  14 . The size and shape of aperture  64  may be varied depending on the size of the conduit of pipe that may pass through aperture  64 , or, alternatively, header key may be a solid piece if no aperture is needed. Allowing for header key  76  to be changed out with different types of header keys may provide for uniform manufacturing of tray  14  in an effort to lower costs and reduce material use. The trays can be manufactured to one standard or size and various, smaller, header keys may be produced and easily added to trays or exchanged with other header keys to meet the component requirements of the job. 
     Housing  11  has been described above having a number of improvements that will ensure the optimal operation of any solar panel during both the sunlight and evening hours as well. The functional design aspects of housing  11  along with the operational aspects for solar panel  10  described above take advantage of our abundant renewable resources and will help to ensure that we can extend the life of our limited natural resources. 
     The present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing embodiment, which is merely illustrative of the best modes presently known for carrying out the invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the embodiment of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that the method within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. This description of the invention should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combination of elements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any novel non-obvious combination of these elements. Moreover, the foregoing embodiment is illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application.