Patent ID: 8177566

Claim:
Connector apparatus for connecting the flat electrical conductors ( 2 ) of a photovoltaic panel ( 1 ) with a plurality of insulated electrical output conductors ( 17 ), respectively, comprising: (a) a photovoltaic panel ( 1 ) having a generally horizontal upper planar surface ( 1 a ), and a plurality of flexible flat conductors ( 2 ) extending from said panel planar surface; (b) a plurality of blade contacts ( 14 ; 14 ′); (c) blade contact mounting means ( 7 , 11 ) mounting said blade contact means on said panel planar surface adjacent said flat conductors, respectively, said flat conductors having terminal portions that are bent into contiguous electrical engagement with said blade contacts, respectively; (d) a plurality of first electrical contacts ( 15 , 15 a ) in electrical engagement with said flat conductor bent portions, respectively; (e) a plurality of second electrical contacts ( 16 ) adapted for connection with the output conductors, respectively; (f) electrical circuit means ( 30 ) connected between said first and second electrical contacts, said circuit means including a plurality of diodes ( 5 ); and (g) heat dissipating means for transmitting the heat generated by said diodes toward said photovoltaic panel.