Patent Description:
Devices for laminating flat substrates are known from <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

It is also known from <CIT> to laminate together the different layers of a photovoltaic solar collector unit, on a profiled metallic panel, via pressure exerted by a roll and by heat supplied by a temperature chamber as illustrated in <FIG> of this patent. During this process, the films surrounding the solar cells fuse and embed them in the collector unit. Nevertheless, the roll doesn't provide a pressure homogeneous enough to provide a uniform lamination of the collector unit on the length of the profiled metallic panel, which affects the performances of the collector unit.

Furthermore, there is a need for lamination devices which can laminate consecutively metallic panels with different profiles without any device shutdown to adapt the device to the profile to be laminated.

A first aim of the present invention is therefore to remedy the drawbacks of the process and equipment of the prior art by providing a lamination device offering a uniform lamination when laminating profiled metallic panel.

A second aim of the invention is therefore to provide a lamination device which can laminate consecutively metallic panels with different profiles.

For this purpose, a first subject of the present invention consists of a lamination device for laminating a photovoltaic stack on a profiled metallic panel, the lamination device comprising:.

wherein the lid is capable of sealably laying on the chassis so that the cavity between the lower flexible pressure membrane and the upper flexible pressure membrane forms an airtight intermediate chamber that may be ventilated or evacuated.

This lamination device may also have the optional features listed below, considered individually or in combination:.

A second subject of the invention consists of a process for laminating a photovoltaic stack on a profiled metallic panel, comprising:.

This process may also have the optional feature according to which the profiled metallic panel comprises a first longitudinal rib along its first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal rib along its second longitudinal edge and a central part in-between, intended to be covered at least partially by the photovoltaic stack, and comprising consecutively a first flange, an elevated plateau and a second flange and, during step (iii), the lower end sections of the crenellated cross-section of the lower heating device are in contact with the flanges of the profiled metallic panel.

A third subject of the invention consists of a process for laminating a photovoltaic stack on a profiled metallic panel, comprising:.

This process may also have the optional feature according to which the profiled metallic panel comprises a first longitudinal rib along its first longitudinal edge, a central part intended to be covered at least partially by the photovoltaic stack and a second longitudinal rib along its second longitudinal edge and, during step (iii), the upper end sections of the crenellated profile of the upper heating device are in contact with the longitudinal rib of the profiled metallic panel.

A fourth subject of the invention consists of a process for laminating photovoltaic stacks on two differently profiled metallic panels consecutively, comprising:.

This process may also have the optional features listed below, considered individually or in combination:.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be described in greater detail in the following description, which is provided purely for purposes of explanation and is in no way intended to be restrictive, with reference to:.

It should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "below", "above", "underneath". as used in this application refer to the positions and orientations of the different constituent elements of the lamination device when the latter is standing on the ground, ready for use.

It should be noted that, as used herein, the term "in contact" inclusively includes "directly in contact" (no intermediate materials or elements disposed therebetween) and "indirectly in contact" (intermediate materials or elements disposed therebetween). For example, having the upper sections of the crenellated profile in contact with the longitudinal ribs can having them in direct contact, as well as having a flexible pressure membrane and/or a release sheet pressed in-between the upper sections and the longitudinal ribs.

Throughout the text, a photovoltaic stack is understood to mean a stack of a plurality of layers which comprises a layer capable of converting solar energy into electricity and protected from the outside by insulating layers. Photovoltaic stacks usually comprise a foil of insulating material called back-sheet, a first layer of encapsulation material, solar cells connected via ribbons, a second layer of encapsulation material and a transparent foil of insulation material called front-sheet. The solar cells are usually themselves composed of several layers among which a substrate, a back-electrode, a p-n junction and a front electrode. The cells can notably be wafer-based crystalline silicon cells or thin-film cells.

Throughout the text, a panel is understood to mean an element that has a flat shape, i.e., its thickness is low compared to its other dimensions. Generally speaking, its thickness is <NUM> to <NUM> times lower than its width. The panel may be made of a single material or a composite assembly. In the latter case, the panel is a stack of a plurality of layers of the same material or different materials. The material in question may be, among others, a metallic material or a polymer. Steel, aluminum, copper and zinc may be cited as non-restricting examples of metallic materials. The panel is preferably a metallic sheet. It is preferably made of previously galvanized and pre-coated steel to protect it against corrosion. The panel may optionally be foamed on its bottom surface and thereby constitute the exterior facing of a sandwich panel.

Within the framework of the invention, the panel will have been previously formed with the aid of any known forming method, including, by way of non-restricting examples, bending, forming, stamping and molding so as to obtain a profiled panel. By "profiled", it is meant that the surface of the panel is not flat anymore.

This forming leads for example to the formation of ribs, projecting parts, stiffeners or grooves on the surface of the sheet. Throughout the text, a rib is understood to mean a projection formed on the surface of the sheet. The rib may have a trapezoidal shape or a rectangular, corrugated, sinusoidal or even omega shape, for example. It generally includes a top central part and two lateral wings. A stiffener is a rib of limited height, generally <NUM> to <NUM> times lower than a rib. A groove is a recess formed on the surface of the panel. The groove can have shapes similar to the ones offered for ribs. Ribs, stiffeners or grooves are generally placed in parallel to the longitudinal edges of the sheet notably to render the sheet more rigid.

The profiled panel is preferably a construction panel, i. e a panel intended for the construction of building envelopes and more particularly intended to be assembled for the construction of building roofs bearing photovoltaic cells.

The profiled panel <NUM> comprises principally a first longitudinal edge <NUM>, a central part <NUM> intended to be at least partially covered by the photovoltaic stack <NUM> and a second longitudinal edge <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the invention illustrated in <FIG>, the panel <NUM> comprises, in cross-section perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, a first longitudinal rib <NUM> along its first longitudinal edge <NUM>, a flat central part <NUM> and a second longitudinal rib <NUM> along its second longitudinal edge <NUM>. The first and second longitudinal ribs have the same height and corresponding shapes so that one can overlap the other when two panels are assembled on a building structure. According to a variant, the central part <NUM> comprises a central rib dividing the central part into two flat sub-parts, each of them being intended to be at least partially covered by the photovoltaic stack <NUM>. Preferably, the central rib has the same height than the longitudinal ribs.

According to another embodiment of the invention illustrated in <FIG>, the panel comprises, in cross-section perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, a first longitudinal rib <NUM> along its first longitudinal edge <NUM>, a second longitudinal rib <NUM> along its second longitudinal edge <NUM> and a central part <NUM> in-between comprising consecutively a first flange <NUM>, an elevated plateau <NUM> comprising an upper portion <NUM> intended to be at least partially covered by the photovoltaic stack <NUM> and two lateral wings <NUM> extending from the upper portion on either side and downwards and a second flange <NUM>. The first and second longitudinal ribs <NUM>, <NUM> have the same height and corresponding shapes so that one can overlap the other when two panels are assembled on a building structure. The elevated plateau <NUM> is less elevated than the ribs so that the solar cells covering it are not in the shadow of the ribs while the watertightness of the roof formed by the assembly of panels is maintained. According to a variant illustrated in <FIG>, the panel comprises two elevated plateaus <NUM> separated by a central rib <NUM>, preferably of the same height than the longitudinal ribs.

With reference to <FIG>, the lamination device <NUM> according to the invention first comprises a chassis <NUM> and a lid <NUM> capable of being sealably laying on the chassis.

The chassis <NUM> is schematically a box with a bottom <NUM> and a lateral wall <NUM> surrounding the bottom so as to form a convex cavity, referred to in the rest of this description as the lower chamber <NUM>.

The lid <NUM> is schematically a box with a top <NUM> and a lateral wall <NUM> surrounding the top so as to form a concave cavity, referred to in the rest of this description as the upper chamber <NUM>. The shape of the lid <NUM> is adapted to the shape of the chassis <NUM> so that the lid is capable of laying on the chassis and enabling the cavity formed by the connection of the chassis and the lid to be airtight. That cavity can be either the lower chamber <NUM>, the upper chamber <NUM> or an intermediate chamber described later one. The cavity can thus be ventilated and evacuated. By "ventilated" it is meant that air or gas may be admitted into the cavity at atmospheric pressure or at an overpressure. By "evacuated", it is meant that air or gas may be removed from the cavity. In both cases, fluids such as oil may be used instead of air or gas.

In particular, the lower edge of the lateral wall <NUM> is adapted to the shape of the upper edge of the lateral wall <NUM> of the chassis. Preferably, a circumferential joint is positioned on the lower edge of the lateral wall of the lid and/or on the upper edge of the lateral wall of the chassis.

According to a first variant of the invention, the chassis is covered on its top with a flexible pressure membrane <NUM>, referred to in the rest of this description as the lower flexible pressure membrane in contrast to an upper flexible pressure membrane described later on. By "flexible pressure membrane", it is meant a film made in a flexible and elastic material capable of adapting its shape and size depending on the pressures applied above and below the film. The material can be, among others, silicone or PTFE. The lower flexible pressure membrane is clamped pressure tight on the chassis with the aid of clamping devices, for example, as a result of which the lower chamber <NUM> is airtight. This airtight chamber is delimited by the bottom <NUM> and lateral wall <NUM> of the chassis and by the lower flexible pressure membrane <NUM>. It can be ventilated or evacuated.

According to the first variant of the invention, the lid comprises on its underside a heating device, for example an electrical heating plate or a heat exchanger device, referred to in the rest of this description as an upper heating device <NUM> in contrast to a lower heating device described later on. The heating device is attached in the upper chamber <NUM> at a height such that there is enough space, between the heating device and the lower flexible pressure membrane <NUM>, for the panel to be laminated when the lid <NUM> lays on the chassis <NUM>.

Thanks to the upper heating device <NUM> and the lower flexible pressure membrane <NUM>, the profiled panel inserted in the lamination device can be pressed against the upper heating device and the photovoltaic stack can be laminated. This will be described in greater details when describing the lamination process. Such way of laminating "by the above" offers advantages with reference to the quality of the laminates. In particular, the lower flexible pressure membrane uniformly presses the photovoltaic stacks against the upper heating device. This significantly reduces the risk of having the different layers of the photovoltaic stack move relative to each other. Moreover, since the photovoltaic stack is heated only when it is pressed against the upper heating device, it remains flat and can be more effectively and more uniformly cross-linked over the surface area of the photovoltaic stack. Moreover, it is possible to laminate a photovoltaic stack on a sandwich panel comprising an insulation layer between <NUM> metallic sheets.

The bottom side of the heating device <NUM> has a crenellated profile so that it is possible to laminate profiled metallic panels, notably as illustrated in <FIG>. The crenellated profile comprises consecutively at least a first upper end section <NUM>, a first lower central section <NUM> and a second upper end section <NUM> so that the crenellated profile is adapted to the profile of the profiled metallic panel. By "adapted" it is meant that the crenellated profile is such that the photovoltaic stack is not prevented from being pressed against the upper heating device by the longitudinal ribs of the profiled metallic panel.

Each section of the crenellated profile is separated from the adjacent one by a wing which can be vertical or not. Preferably, the orientation of the wing differs from the orientation of the corresponding lateral wing of the panel rib so that the crenellated profile can tolerate slight variations in the shape of the profiled panel, these slight variations being due to manufacturing tolerances. In three dimensions, the bottom side of the upper heating device is thus a succession of flat plateaus, alternatively positioned at an upper position and a lower position. Thanks to the crenellated profile, the longitudinal ribs from the profiled panels do not prevent the lower flexible pressure membrane from pressing the photovoltaic stack against the upper heating device while maintaining the longitudinal ribs close enough from a heating source so that there is no significant thermal gradient within the profiled panel. Moreover, the two upper end sections can prevent the profiled metallic panel from significantly bending if the lower flexible pressure membrane is exerting too much pressure on the longitudinal ribs of the panel, which are in cantilevered arrangement with the lower central section of the crenellated profile. In a similar manner to the shape of the profiled panel, the first upper end section and second upper end section are preferably in the same horizontal plane.

When the profiled panel is according to <FIG>, the crenellated profile comprises consecutively a first upper end section <NUM>, a first lower central section <NUM>, an upper intermediate section <NUM>, a second lower central section <NUM> and a second upper end section <NUM>. In a similar manner to the shape of the profiled panel, the first lower central section and second lower central section are preferably in the same horizontal plane. Similarly, the first upper end section, the upper intermediate section and the second upper end section are preferably in the same horizontal plane.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is a gap between the longitudinal ribs of the profiled panel and the upper sections <NUM>, <NUM>, optionally <NUM>, of the upper heating device during the lamination of the photovoltaic stack. The gap is preferably less than <NUM> so that the longitudinal ribs are warmed by the upper heating device which limits thermal gradients within the profiled panel and/or so that the two upper end sections <NUM>, <NUM> can prevent the profiled metallic panel from significantly bending if the lower flexible pressure membrane is exerting too much pressure on the longitudinal ribs of the panel.

Preferably, the crenellated profile is adjusted so that the profiled panel doesn't curve when it is pressed against the upper heating device <NUM> thanks to the lower flexible pressure membrane <NUM>. Practically speaking, this means that the upper sections <NUM>, <NUM>, optionally <NUM>, of the crenellated profile are in contact with the longitudinal ribs of the profiled panel while the lower central section <NUM>, optionally <NUM>, is in contact with the photovoltaic stack. In other words, the height between the upper sections and the lower central section corresponds to the height between the top of the longitudinal ribs and the photovoltaic stack. Preventing the panel from curving, i.e. keeping it flat, during the lamination process further helps homogenizing the pressure applied on the photovoltaic stack and helps reducing the number of air bubbles trapped in the photovoltaic stack.

As illustrated on <FIG>, the upper heating device <NUM> preferably comprises a base <NUM>, which bottom side is substantially flat, and at least one insert <NUM> bound to the bottom side of the base so as to obtain the crenellated profile. The insert is preferably bound to the base through mechanical fasteners, such as screws or clamping devices. Alternatively, the base bottom side comprises grooves in which the insert can slide. Thanks to this variant, the profile of the upper heating device can be easily and rapidly modified by replacing the insert(s) in the lamination device by insert(s) with another shape.

The insert <NUM> can be made of the same material than the base <NUM> of the heating device or any other material as long as it is heat conductive. It can be for example made of aluminium.

Alternatively, as illustrated on <FIG>, the upper heating device <NUM> comprises a multiplicity of longitudinal segments <NUM>, each of them being vertically slidable. The height of each segment can be easily adjusted so that the profile of the upper heating device can be easily and rapidly modified to adapt to another profiled panel.

According to a second variant of the invention, the lid <NUM> is covered on its underside with a flexible pressure membrane, referred to in the rest of this description as the upper flexible pressure membrane <NUM>. It is similar to the lower flexible pressure membrane. The upper flexible pressure membrane <NUM> is clamped pressure tight on the lid so that the upper chamber <NUM> is airtight and may be ventilated or evacuated. It can be clamped pressure tight on the lid lateral wall <NUM> with the aid of clamping devices, for example. This airtight upper chamber <NUM> is delimited by the top <NUM> and lateral wall <NUM> of the lid <NUM> and by the upper flexible pressure membrane <NUM>. Thanks to the airtightness of the upper chamber <NUM>, the upper flexible pressure membrane <NUM> can advantageously be ventilated to press the profiled panel against the chassis <NUM> as it will be described in more details later on in relation to the lamination process. Consequently, when the lid is sealably laying on the chassis, the lower chamber <NUM> of the chassis, located below the upper flexible pressure membranes, is airtight and may be ventilated or evacuated.

According to the second variant of the invention, the chassis comprises a lower heating device <NUM>, for example an electrical heating plate or a heat exchanger device. The lower heating device is located in the lower chamber <NUM> and is positioned high enough in the chamber so that a profiled panel can be pressed against it during the lamination process. It is intended and capable of supplying the photovoltaic stack with the heat necessary for lamination. In other words, it can heat the photovoltaic stack to a cross-linking temperature.

According to this second variant, the upper side of the lower heating device <NUM> has a crenellated cross-section so that it is possible to laminate profiled panels, notably as illustrated in <FIG>.

When the profiled panel is according to <FIG>, the upper side of the lower heating device can comprise a first lower end section <NUM>, a first upper central section <NUM> and a second lower end section <NUM>, as illustrated on <FIG>, so that the crenellated cross-section is adapted to the profile of the profiled metallic panel. Each section is separated from the adjacent one by a wing which can be vertical or not. Preferably, the orientation of the wing differs from the orientation of the corresponding lateral wing of the panel rib so that the cross-section of the upper side of the lower heating device can tolerate slight variations in the shape of the profiled panel, these slight variations being due to manufacturing tolerances. In 3D, the upper side of the lower heating device is thus a succession of flat plateaus, alternatively positioned at an upper position and a lower position. Thanks to this cross-section, the longitudinal ribs from the profiled panels do not prevent the upper flexible pressure membrane from pressing the photovoltaic stack and the upper portion of the elevated plateau of the profiled panel against the lower heating device while maintaining the flanges <NUM>, <NUM> close enough from a heating source so that there is no significant thermal gradient within the profiled panel. Moreover, the two lower end sections <NUM>, <NUM> can prevent the profiled metallic panel from significantly bending if the upper flexible pressure membrane is exerting too much pressure on the longitudinal ribs of the panel, which are in cantilevered arrangement with the upper central section <NUM> of the upper side of the lower heating device.

When the profiled panel is according to <FIG>, the upper side of the lower heating device <NUM> comprises consecutively a first lower end section, a first upper central section, a lower intermediate section, a second upper central section and a second lower end section. In a similar manner to the shape of the profiled panel, the first upper central section and second upper central section are preferably in the same horizontal plane. Similarly, the first lower end section, the lower intermediate section and the second lower end section are preferably in the same horizontal plane.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is a gap between the flanges <NUM>, <NUM> of the profiled panel and the lower end sections <NUM>, <NUM>, optionally lower intermediate section, of the lower heating device during the lamination of the photovoltaic stack. The gap is preferably less than <NUM> so that the flanges are warmed by the lower heating device <NUM> which limits thermal gradients within the profiled panel and/or so that the two lower end sections <NUM>, <NUM> can prevent the profiled metallic panel from significantly bending if the upper flexible pressure membrane is exerting too much pressure on the longitudinal ribs of the panel.

Preferably, the cross-section of the upper side of the lower heating device <NUM> is adjusted so that the profiled panel doesn't curve when it is pressed against the lower heating device <NUM> thanks to the upper flexible pressure membrane <NUM>. Practically speaking, this means that the lower sections <NUM>, <NUM>, optionally lower intermediate section, of the cross-section are in contact with the flanges <NUM>, <NUM> of the profiled panel while the upper central section <NUM>, optionally the second upper central section, is in contact with the upper section of the elevated plateau of the profiled panel. In other words, the height between the lower end sections and the upper central section corresponds to the height between the flanges and the upper section of the elevated plateau. Preventing the panel from curving, i.e. keeping it flat, during the lamination process further helps homogenizing the pressure applied on the photovoltaic stack and helps reducing the number of air bubbles trapped in the photovoltaic stack.

Like the upper heating device <NUM> illustrated on <FIG>, the lower heating device <NUM> can comprise a base, which upper side is substantially flat, and at least one insert bound to the upper side of the base so as to obtain the cross-section. The insert is preferably bound to the base through mechanical fasteners, such as screws or clamping devices. Alternatively, the base upper side comprises grooves in which the insert can slide. Thanks to this variant, the cross-section of the lower heating device can be easily and rapidly modified by replacing the insert(s) in the lamination device by insert(s) with another shape.

Alternatively and like the upper heating device <NUM> illustrated on <FIG>, the lower heating device <NUM> can comprise a multiplicity of longitudinal segments <NUM>, each of them being vertically slidable. The height of each segment can be easily adjusted so that the cross-section of the lower heating device can be easily and rapidly modified to adapt to another profiled panel.

According to a third variant of the invention, the lid <NUM> comprises on its underside the upper heating device <NUM>, as described above, and the upper flexible pressure membrane <NUM>, as described above, underneath the upper heating device. As for the chassis <NUM>, it is covered on its top with the lower flexible pressure membrane <NUM>, as described above, and it further comprises the lower heating device <NUM>, as described above, located below the lower flexible pressure membrane.

Consequently, when the lid is sealably laying on the chassis, the room between the lower and the upper flexible pressure membranes forms an airtight intermediate chamber <NUM> that may be ventilated or evacuated.

According to this third variant, the upper side of the lower heating device <NUM> has a cross-section which differs from the crenellated profile of the bottom side of the upper heating device <NUM> so that it is possible to laminate profiled panels, notably as illustrated in <FIG>, whose profiles differ from the one of the profiled panels laminated thanks to the upper heating device.

When the profiled panel is according to <FIG>, the upper side of the lower heating device can have the cross-sections similar to those described for the second variant of the invention.

Especially for this third variant, when the profiled panel is according to <FIG>, the upper side of the lower heating device <NUM> can be flat since the longitudinal ribs from the profiled panel do not prevent the upper flexible pressure membrane <NUM> from pressing the photovoltaic stack <NUM> and the flat central part <NUM> of the profiled panel against the lower heating device <NUM>.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the lid further comprises a release sheet <NUM> located below the upper heating device <NUM> or below the upper flexible pressure membrane <NUM>. During the lamination process, the release sheet is thus positioned in-between the photovoltaic stack and either the upper heating device or the upper flexible pressure membrane. It absorbs the lamination residues, such as film residues, that are expelled from the photovoltaic stack during pressing, thereby protecting the heating device or the upper flexible pressure membrane from being contaminated. The release sheet is preferably made of a glass fiber fabric. It can be unwound from a coil at the entry of the lamination device and rewound at the exit of the lamination device so that the part of the release sheet located in the lamination device can be replaced very easy from time to time. This facilitates the cleaning of the release sheet. It can also be in the form of an endless belt.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower flexible pressure membrane <NUM> or the lower heating device <NUM> is covered on its top with a conveyor belt <NUM>. The conveyor belt runs through the lamination device and transports the profiled panel through, into or out of the lamination device. It can be in the form of an endless belt. It can be, for example, made of carbon fibers.

The crenellated cross-section of the lower heating device <NUM> is not covered on its top by any other part of the lamination device than the lower flexible membrane <NUM>, if any, and the conveyor belt <NUM>, if any. In other words, the first lower end section <NUM> and the second lower end section <NUM> are not covered on their top by structural parts of the lamination device, i.e. by any part of the lamination device that would prevent the profiled metallic panel, and in particular its flat central part <NUM>, from being pressed against the first upper central section <NUM>.

Similarly, the crenellated profile of the upper heating device <NUM> is not covered on its underside by any other part of the lamination device than the upper flexible pressure membrane <NUM>, if any, and the release sheet <NUM>, if any. In other words, the first upper end section <NUM> and the second upper end section <NUM> are not covered on their underside by structural parts of the lamination device, i.e. by any part of the lamination device that would prevent the profiled metallic panel and in particular its flat central part <NUM>, from being pressed against the first lower central section <NUM> and against the second lower central section <NUM>, if any.

During the lamination process, a profiled panel <NUM> whose profile is compatible with the profile of the heating device and at least one photovoltaic stack <NUM> positioned on the central part of the panel are introduced into the lamination device <NUM>. This can optionally be done thanks to the conveyor belt <NUM>. The lamination device is then air-tightly closed by closing the lid <NUM> on the chassis <NUM>. Then, the airtight chamber (respectively chambers) comprising the profiled panel and/or the heating device is (respectively are) evacuated while the remaining airtight chamber is ventilated. Consequently, the photovoltaic stack is pressed against the heating device and is laminated by the action of heat. Then, the evacuated chamber (respectively chambers) is (respectively are) ventilated again so that the profiled panel returns to its initial position and can be removed.

When the lamination device is according to the first variant of the invention, the upper chamber <NUM> is evacuated and the lower chamber <NUM> is ventilated as a result of which the profiled panel is lifted by the lower flexible pressure membrane <NUM> and the photovoltaic stack is pressed against the upper heating device <NUM>. In the next step, the upper chamber <NUM> is ventilated so that the profiled panel returns to its initial position and can be removed. Optionally, the ventilation of the lower chamber is adjusted, by decreasing the pressure, or the lower chamber is evacuated so that the lower flexible pressure membrane more easily returns to its initial position.

When the lamination device is according to the second variant of the invention, the upper chamber <NUM> is ventilated and the lower chamber <NUM> is evacuated so that the upper flexible pressure membrane <NUM> presses the photovoltaic stack <NUM> against the lower heating device <NUM>. In the next step, the lower chamber <NUM> is ventilated so that the profiled panel returns to its initial position and can be removed. Optionally, the ventilation of the upper chamber is adjusted, by decreasing the pressure, or the upper chamber is evacuated so that the lower flexible pressure membrane more easily returns to its initial position.

When the lamination device is according to the third variant of the invention, and as illustrated on <FIG>, a profiled panel <NUM>, whose profile is compatible with the profile of the upper heating device <NUM>, and at least one photovoltaic stack <NUM> positioned on the central part of the panel are introduced into the lamination device <NUM> so as to lay above the lower flexible pressure membrane <NUM>. This can optionally be done thanks to the conveyor belt <NUM>. The lamination device is then air-tightly closed by closing the lid <NUM> on the chassis <NUM>. Then, as illustrated on <FIG>, the intermediate chamber <NUM> and the upper chamber <NUM> are evacuated and the lower chamber <NUM> is ventilated, as a result of which the profiled panel is lifted by the lower flexible pressure membrane <NUM> and the photovoltaic stack is pressed against the upper heating device <NUM> and is laminated by the action of heat.

After the photovoltaic stack <NUM> has been pressed against the upper heating device <NUM>, the intermediate chamber <NUM> and the upper chamber <NUM> are ventilated and the lower chamber <NUM> may be evacuated so that the profiled panel is back in its initial position.

Once the profiled panel has been removed from the lamination device, a differently profiled panel can be laminated. Accordingly, a differently profiled panel <NUM>, whose profile is compatible with the cross-section of the lower heating device, and at least one photovoltaic stack <NUM> positioned on the central part <NUM> of the panel are introduced into the lamination device so as to lay above the lower flexible pressure membrane <NUM>. The lamination device is then air-tightly closed by closing the lid on the chassis. Then the upper chamber <NUM> is ventilated while the intermediate chamber <NUM> and the lower chamber <NUM> are evacuated as a result of which the profiled panel and the photovoltaic stack are pressed against the lower heating device <NUM> by the upper flexible pressure membrane <NUM>. After the photovoltaic stack has been laminated against the lower heating device, the lower chamber <NUM> and the intermediate chamber <NUM> are ventilated and the upper chamber <NUM> may be evacuated so that the differently profiled panel is back in its initial position.

Thanks to a lamination device according to the third variant, it is thus very easy to switch production from one kind of profiled panels to another. This is done very rapidly without any device shutdown to adapt the device to the new profile. Moreover, when the first profiled panel is laminated against the upper heating device <NUM>, the photovoltaic stack <NUM> is not in direct contact with the upper heating device. It has been observed that it did improve the quality of the laminated photovoltaic stack, in particular in that it further reduces the number of air bubbles trapped in the photovoltaic stack.

Claim 1:
Lamination device (<NUM>) for laminating a photovoltaic stack (<NUM>) on a profiled metallic panel (<NUM>), the lamination device comprising:
- A lid (<NUM>) covered on its underside with an upper flexible pressure membrane (<NUM>) so as to form an airtight upper chamber (<NUM>) that may be ventilated or evacuated and comprising an upper heating device (<NUM>), located above the upper flexible pressure membrane, whose bottom side has a crenellated profile comprising consecutively at least a first upper end section (<NUM>), a lower central section (<NUM>) and a second upper end section (<NUM>),
- A chassis (<NUM>) covered on its top with a lower flexible pressure membrane (<NUM>) so as to form an airtight lower chamber (<NUM>) that may be ventilated or evacuated and comprising a lower heating device (<NUM>), located below the lower flexible pressure membrane, whose upper side has a cross-section which differs from the crenellated profile of the bottom side of the upper heating device (<NUM>),
wherein the lid is capable of sealably laying on the chassis so that the cavity between the lower flexible pressure membrane and the upper flexible pressure membrane forms an airtight intermediate chamber (<NUM>) that may be ventilated or evacuated.