US3769091A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shingled array of solar cells
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1972-03-31
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1992-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A method of mounting solar cells in an array, and a solar cell array, in which the cells are arranged on thermally conductive but electrically insulative wafer and prominences so that they overlap each other in a shingled structure but their bottom surfaces are supported and remain parallel to the top surface of the mounting wafer, the array structure permitting series wiring of the cells and providing a rugged structure having a thermally conductive path from the solar cells through the mounting elements.
Inventors
- 👤 C Leinkram
- 👤 W Oaks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:41
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F19/00; H10F77/00; H10F77/60; H10F77/63; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
16 words
An array as in claim 1, wherein said wafer and platens are formed from beryllium oxide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
23 words
An array as in claim 1, wherein said inner layer of metal consists mainly of copper coated on a thin coating of chromium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An array as in claim 1, wherein said solder coatings are of a tin-lead eutectic alloy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
An array as in claim 1, further including a first wire lead soldered to the step of the solar cell at the extreme right side of said array and a second wire lead soldered to the top surface of said wafer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
259 words
The combination comprising: a metallic mounting panel; and a solar cell array comprising: a metallized wafer formed from a material having good thermal conductivity and electrical insulativity, said material having its top and bottom surfaces each coated with an inner layer of metal and an outer layer of solder, a plurality of platens formed from a material having good thermal conductivity and electrical insulativity, the top and bottom surfaces of said platens being metallized in the same manner as said wafer surfaces, said platens increasing in height by steps which equal the thickness of the step at one edge of each solar cell, the first platen''s height being just equal to the thickness of said step, and a plurality of solar cells, the number being one more than the number of said platens, the first solar cell being set at the extreme left side of the top surface of said metallized wafer, the platens being set on said top surface of said wafer at spaced intervals to the right of said first cell in order of increasing height, a different solar cell being set on top of each platen with its left side fitting into the step in the corner of the solar cell at its left so that a stepped, shingled configuration of cells is formed with their bottom surfaces parallel to the top surface of said wafer, the cells, platens and wafer then being soldered to each other, the bottom surface of said wafer than being set upon and soldered to the surface of said mounting panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 6, wherein said wafer and platens are formed from beryllium oxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 7, wherein said inner layer of metal consists mainly of copper coated on a thin coating of chromium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |