US4563976A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for manufacturing large-surface, tape-shaped silicon bodies for solar cells
Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 1983-07-11
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Granted: 1986-01-14
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Expires: 2003-07-11
Abstract
Abstract In an exemplary embodiment, tape-shaped silicon bodies for solar cells are formed by continuous coating of a carrier body having a mesh structure. A melt bath receives the silicon melt and has a floor part with capillary openings therein for supplying the melt, the capillary openings leading perpendicularly toward the exterior of the vat and proceeding parallel to one another, and wherein a channel for the guidance of the carrier body proceeding in a horizontal direction is disposed below the melt vat in the region of the capillary openings. The guide channel for the carrier body can also be disposed above a body with capillaries proceeding parallel in a vertical direction, the body being partially immersed in the vat containing the silicon melt for the purpose of supplying the melt via the capillaries. The devices enable continuous tape drawing from a silicon melt wherein convection currents are avoided in the melt.
Inventors
- 👤 Helmut Foell
- 👤 Josef Grabmaier
- 👤 Richard Falckenberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:42
CPC Classifications
C; C30; C30B; C30B15/00; C30B15/007; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S117/00; Y10S117/903; Y10T; Y10T117/00; Y10T117/10; Y10T117/1024; Y10T117/1032; Y10T117/1036; Y10T117/1044; Y10T117/1048; Y10T117/1056
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
In an apparatus for manufacturing large-surface, tape-shaped silicon bodies for solar cells by coating a carrier body with molten silicon, said carrier body having a mesh structure and being resistant to the silicon melt but being wettable by said melt, said apparatus having a melt vat accepting the silicon melt and guide devices for ensuring that the carrier body to be coated is continuously brought into contact with the melt, the improvement comprising: a capillary body disposed in said melt vat having a system of parallel capillary passages extending in a vertical direction in the capillary body and terminating in a substantially horizontal top surface of said body for drawing melt from said vat to form a melt pool at said top surface; and said guide devices comprising a horizontal guide channel communicating with said capillary passages and completely filled by said melt pool for guiding the carrier body to be coated in a horizontal direction through said melt pool.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
In an apparatus for manufacturing large-surface, tape-shaped silicon bodies for solar cells by coating a carrier body with molten silicon, said carrier body having a mesh structure and being resistant to the silicon melt but being wettable by said melt, said apparatus having a melt vat accepting the silicon melt and guide devices for ensuring that the carrier body to be coated is continuously brought into contact with the melt, the improvement comprising: a capillary body disposed in said melt vat having a system of parallel capillary passages extending in a vertical direction in the capillary body and terminating in a substantially horizontal top surface of said body for drawing melt from said vat to form a melt pool at said top surface; and said guide devices comprising a horizontal guide channel communicating with said capillary passages and completely filled by said melt pool for guiding the carrier body to be coated in a horizontal direction through said melt pool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the improvement further comprises direct current means for heating said capillary body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the improvement further comprises a downwardly expanded discharge opening in said guide channel, a heating device disposed adjacent to the discharge opening above the coated carrier body, and a cooling device disposed adjacent to the discharge opening below the coated carrier body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the improvement further comprises means for heating said guide channel.
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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) | 1989-01-13 | 1989-07-15 | 1990-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-13 | 1993-07-15 | 1994-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-13 | 1997-07-15 | 1998-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |