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US4184903A
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Method of fabricating a photovoltaic module of a substantially transparent construction
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1978-07-26
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Granted: 1980-01-22
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Expires: 1998-07-26
Abstract
Abstract A method characterized by the steps of positioning a plurality of uniformly dimensioned photovoltaic cells in registered relation with a plurality of openings formed in a planar tool for affording access to the P contact surface of each of the cells, connecting the N contact surface of alternate cells to the P contact surface of the cells interposed therebetween, removing therefrom residue of solder flux, applying to the N contact surfaces of the cells a transparent adhesive, placing a common transparent cover plate in engaged relation with the adhesive, placing a film over the circular openings for hermetically sealing the openings, and establishing a vacuum between the film and the cover plate for thus simultaneously forcing the cells into vacuum bonded relation with the cover plate.
Inventors
- 👤 with respect to an invention of Lovelace Alan M. Acting Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- 👤 Paul A. Dillard
- 👤 Walter M. Fritz
- 👤 Dan R. Lott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:18
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F19/00; H10F19/90; H10F19/902; H10F19/904; H10F19/80; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1089; Y10T156/1092; Y10T156/1093; Y10T156/1097; Y10T156/1098
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
In a method of fabricating a transparent photovoltaic module wherein a plurality of electrically interconnected solar cells are bonded to a rigid transparent support panel, the step of: depositing on one face of each solar cell of a plurality of electrically interconnected solar cells a film of substantially transparent adhesive, positioning said one face of each cell in contiguous relation with a common surface of a substantially transparent support panel and simultaneously vacuum-bonding said plurality of cells to the panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a method of fabricating a transparent photovoltaic module wherein a plurality of electrically interconnected solar cells are bonded to a rigid transparent support panel, the step of: depositing on one face of each solar cell of a plurality of electrically interconnected solar cells a film of substantially transparent adhesive, positioning said one face of each cell in contiguous relation with a common surface of a substantially transparent support panel and simultaneously vacuum-bonding said plurality of cells to the panel.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of fabricating a photovoltaic module, including a plurality of photovoltaic cells substantially transparent to substantially all solar energy not used by the cells to produce electricity energy comprising the steps of: A. forming a uniform, planar array of a plurality of interconnected solar cells; B. depositing a quantity of substantially transparent adhesives on a first face of each of the cells of the plurality; C. simultaneously vacuum-bonding the first face of each of the plurality of cells to a common, substantially transparent cover plate comprising a support panel for the module; and D. depositing on the opposite face of each of the cells an encapsulating layer of transparent adhesive.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of fabricating a photovoltaic module, including a plurality of photovoltaic cells substantially transparent to substantially all solar energy not used by the cells to produce electricity energy comprising the steps of: A. forming a uniform, planar array of a plurality of interconnected solar cells; B. depositing a quantity of substantially transparent adhesives on a first face of each of the cells of the plurality; C. simultaneously vacuum-bonding the first face of each of the plurality of cells to a common, substantially transparent cover plate comprising a support panel for the module; and D. depositing on the opposite face of each of the cells an encapsulating layer of transparent adhesive.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the step of forming the array comprises the steps of: positioning a plurality of uniformly dimensioned solar cells in an abutted relationship and electrically interconnecting the cells in a common circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step of positioning the solar cells in a uniform array comprises the step of arranging the plurality of cells in a coplanar relation on a common surface of a panel having defined therein a plurality of uniformly spaced openings for affording access to the opposite faces of each of said cells of said array.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step of electrically interconnecting the cells in a common circuit includes the steps of electrically interconnecting the plurality of cells in circuit series.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the first face of each solar cell of the plurality is provided with an N contact and the opposite face thereof is provided with a P contact, and the step of interconnecting the cells in a common circuit includes the step of attaching an interconnect to the N contact of one cell of the array and to the P contact of an adjacent cell of the array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
128 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the step of vacuum-bonding the first face of each cell of the plurality of cells to the cover plate includes the steps of: A. placing a film in occluding relation with the circular openings; B. placing the cover plate in supported relation with the first face of each of the cells of the plurality to form an assembly; C. evacuating the assembly by applying vacuum to both sides of the film; and D. introducing atmospheric pressure to the film while maintaining vacuum between the film and the cover, for thus establishing a pressure differential across said film, whereby the cells are forceably pressed against said cover plate in response to applied atmospheric pressure for thus vacuum-bonding the cells to the cover plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of relieving the vacuum and depositing thereon an encapsulating cover layer of transparent adhesive.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of fabricating a substantially transparent solar module comprising the steps of: A. positioning a plurality of uniformly dimensioned photovoltaic cells of circular configurations against a plurality of alignment pins provided in a planar tool characterized by a plurality of circular cells openings disposed in uniform positional relationship with the pins for affording access to the P contact surface of each of the cells; B. connecting to the N contact surface of alternate cells the P contact surface of the cells interposed therebetween and removing therefrom the residue of solder flux; C. applying to the N contact surface of each cell a transparent adhesive; D. placing a common transparent cover plate in engaged relation with the adhesive; E. placing a diaphragm film over said cell openings; and F. establishing a vacuum between the film and the cover plate for simultaneously forcing the cells into vacuum-bonded relation with the cover plate.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of fabricating a substantially transparent solar module comprising the steps of: A. positioning a plurality of uniformly dimensioned photovoltaic cells of circular configurations against a plurality of alignment pins provided in a planar tool characterized by a plurality of circular cells openings disposed in uniform positional relationship with the pins for affording access to the P contact surface of each of the cells; B. connecting to the N contact surface of alternate cells the P contact surface of the cells interposed therebetween and removing therefrom the residue of solder flux; C. applying to the N contact surface of each cell a transparent adhesive; D. placing a common transparent cover plate in engaged relation with the adhesive; E. placing a diaphragm film over said cell openings; and F. establishing a vacuum between the film and the cover plate for simultaneously forcing the cells into vacuum-bonded relation with the cover plate.
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) | 1983-01-21 | 1983-07-23 | 1984-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-01-21 | 1987-07-23 | 1988-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-01-21 | 1991-07-23 | 1992-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |