US3811181A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
New approach to shingling of solar cells
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
•
Filing: 1973-08-27
•
Granted: 1974-05-21
•
Expires: 1993-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A method of mounting solar cells in an array in which the cells are arranged on thermally conductive but electrically insulative wafer and promiences 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
2026-11-01 09:04
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F19/00; B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/22; B64G1/42; B64G1/44; B64G1/443; H10F77/00; H10F77/60; H10F77/63; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
A method for assembling a solar cell array to provide good thermal conductivity comprising the steps of: metallizing the top and bottom surfaces of a wafer with an inner layer of metal and an outer layer of solder, said wafer being formed from a material is thermally conductive and electrically insulative; fabricating a series of platens from a material which is thermally conductive and electrically insulative, 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 thicknesss of said step; metallizing the top and bottom surfaces of said platens in the same manner as said wafer surfaces were metallized; setting the first solar cell on the top surface of said wafer at its extreme left side; setting the platens in order of increasing height to the right of said first solar cell, each platen being spaced from the others and from said first solar cell; setting solar cells on the top surfaces of said platens, one on each platen, so that the bottom surfaces of said cells are parallel to the top surface of said wafer and the left side of each cell fits into the stepped corner of the cell at its left side, thereby forming a stepped, shingled configuration of cells with bottom surfaces parallel to the top surface of said wafer; applying heat to said array to solder together the cells, platens and wafer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
247 words
A method for assembling a solar cell array to provide good thermal conductivity comprising the steps of: metallizing the top and bottom surfaces of a wafer with an inner layer of metal and an outer layer of solder, said wafer being formed from a material is thermally conductive and electrically insulative; fabricating a series of platens from a material which is thermally conductive and electrically insulative, 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 thicknesss of said step; metallizing the top and bottom surfaces of said platens in the same manner as said wafer surfaces were metallized; setting the first solar cell on the top surface of said wafer at its extreme left side; setting the platens in order of increasing height to the right of said first solar cell, each platen being spaced from the others and from said first solar cell; setting solar cells on the top surfaces of said platens, one on each platen, so that the bottom surfaces of said cells are parallel to the top surface of said wafer and the left side of each cell fits into the stepped corner of the cell at its left side, thereby forming a stepped, shingled configuration of cells with bottom surfaces parallel to the top surface of said wafer; applying heat to said array to solder together the cells, platens and wafer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said wafer and platens are formed from berylLium oxide.
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) | 1977-05-20 | 1977-11-19 | 1978-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-20 | 1981-11-19 | 1982-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-20 | 1985-11-19 | 1986-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |