US4287382A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar cell assembly and fabrication of solar cell panels utilizing same
Assignee: BP Solar International LLC
•
Filing: 1980-05-09
•
Granted: 1981-09-01
•
Expires: 2000-05-09
Abstract
Abstract An assembly comprising a plurality of solar cells arrayed on and adhesively bonded to a sheet of non-woven heat-actuatable fabric is provided which offers significant advantages in the fabrication of solar cell panels, particularly fabrication of panels by vacuum lamination techniques.
Inventors
- 👤 Hollis E. French
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:11
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F71/00; H10F71/137; B; B32; B32B; B32B17/00; B32B17/06; B32B17/10; B32B17/10005; B32B17/10009; B32B17/10018; B32B17/1055; B32B17/10761; B32B17/10788; B32B27/00; B32B27/12; H10F19/00; H10F19/80; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1089; Y10T156/1092; Y10T156/1093
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A solar cell assembly for use in forming a solar cell panel comprising: a sheet of non-woven, heat-actuatable sheet material selected from the group consisting of non-woven synthetic fibers having a thermally activated adhesive thereon and non-woven filaments of thermoplastic adhesive material, said sheet material having a major top surface; and a plurality of solar cells arrayed on and adhesively bonded to the top surface of the sheet material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A solar cell assembly for use in forming a solar cell panel comprising: a sheet of non-woven, heat-actuatable sheet material selected from the group consisting of non-woven synthetic fibers having a thermally activated adhesive thereon and non-woven filaments of thermoplastic adhesive material, said sheet material having a major top surface; and a plurality of solar cells arrayed on and adhesively bonded to the top surface of the sheet material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
138 words
In the method of forming a solar cell panel by laminating an array of solar cells between protective sheet material, the improvement comprising: forming a solar cell assembly by providing a sheet of non-woven, heat-actuatable sheet material having a major top surface; placing a plurality of solar cells on the top of said sheet in a predetermined pattern, said cells having interconnectors bonded to the bottom electrode of said cells; attaching the interconnector of one cell to the top electrode of an adjacent cell by soldering or welding whereby said cells are electrically interconnected and whereby at least a portion of said cells becomes sufficiently heated to activate said heat-actuatable sheet material and become adhesively bonded thereto, thereby providing a solar cell assembly; and thereafter laminating said assembly between protective sheet material to provide a solar cell panel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
138 words
In the method of forming a solar cell panel by laminating an array of solar cells between protective sheet material, the improvement comprising: forming a solar cell assembly by providing a sheet of non-woven, heat-actuatable sheet material having a major top surface; placing a plurality of solar cells on the top of said sheet in a predetermined pattern, said cells having interconnectors bonded to the bottom electrode of said cells; attaching the interconnector of one cell to the top electrode of an adjacent cell by soldering or welding whereby said cells are electrically interconnected and whereby at least a portion of said cells becomes sufficiently heated to activate said heat-actuatable sheet material and become adhesively bonded thereto, thereby providing a solar cell assembly; and thereafter laminating said assembly between protective sheet material to provide a solar cell panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 2 including placing the sheet of heat-actuatable sheet material over a cell layout diagram defining a predetermined pattern and wherein said heat-actuatable sheet material is sufficiently transparent that when it is placed in contact with said diagram at least a portion of the diagram can be seen through the sheet material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said heat-actuatable material is thermally activated at temperatures in the range of from about 90° C. to about 150° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said heat-actuatable sheet material is selected from the group consisting of synthetic fibers having a thermally activated adhesive thereon and non-woven filaments of thermoplastic adhesive material.
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) | 1984-08-31 | 1985-03-02 | 1985-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-31 | 1989-03-02 | 1989-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-31 | 1993-03-02 | 1993-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |