Patent US4152175A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4152175A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Silicon solar cell assembly
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1978-07-24
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Granted: 1979-05-01
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Expires: 1998-07-24
Abstract
Abstract A silicon solar cell assembly comprising a large, thin silicon solar cell bonded to a metal mount for use when there exists a mismatch in the thermal expansivities of the device and the mount.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward L. Burgess
- 👤 Robert D. Nasby
- 👤 Donald G. Schueler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 06:45
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/60; H10F77/63; H10F77/20; H10F77/206; H10F77/211; H10F77/93; H10F77/933; H10F77/935; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A silicon solar cell assembly comprising a metallic support block of good thermal and electrical conductivities having projecting therefrom a multiplicity of discrete pedestals with upper ends providing a multiplicity of support surfaces and each pedestal with its associated support surface being spaced from the others entirely about its circumference, a silicon solar cell having an underside supported on said support surfaces of the pedestals and spanning the spaces between the pedestals, and means fixedly securing said pedestal support surfaces to correspondingly spaced apart areas at the underside of said silicon solar cell whereby stress and strain in said silicon solar cell due to thermal expansions and contractions of said silicon solar cell and metal support block are accommodated and cracking of the silicon solar cell minimized.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A silicon solar cell assembly comprising a metallic support block of good thermal and electrical conductivities having projecting therefrom a multiplicity of discrete pedestals with upper ends providing a multiplicity of support surfaces and each pedestal with its associated support surface being spaced from the others entirely about its circumference, a silicon solar cell having an underside supported on said support surfaces of the pedestals and spanning the spaces between the pedestals, and means fixedly securing said pedestal support surfaces to correspondingly spaced apart areas at the underside of said silicon solar cell whereby stress and strain in said silicon solar cell due to thermal expansions and contractions of said silicon solar cell and metal support block are accommodated and cracking of the silicon solar cell minimized.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The silicon solar cell assembly of claim 1 wherein the metallic support block is comprised of copper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The silicon solar cell assembly of claim 1 wherein the pedestals have a height to width ratio of at least 2.5.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The silicon solar cell assembly of claim 1 wherein the sum of the areas of the support surfaces is about 40% of the area of the underside of the silicon solar cell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the pedestals are provided by forming a plurality of intersecting grooves in a surface of the metallic support block and each pedestal has a top surface area of about 0.0006 square inch, a height of about 0.06 inch, and separated from adjacent pedestals by about 0.016 inch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The silicon solar cell assembly of claim 1 wherein the means for fixedly securing the silicon solar cell comprises solder applied by placing a sheet of solder between the underside of the silicon solar cell and the support surfaces of the pedestals and then simultaneously applying heat and pressure.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-04-30 | 1982-10-30 | 1983-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-30 | 1986-10-30 | 1987-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-30 | 1990-10-30 | 1991-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |