US4714510A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of bonding protective covers onto solar cells
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
•
Filing: 1986-08-25
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Granted: 1987-12-22
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Expires: 2006-08-25
Abstract
Abstract A method for bonding a protective cover to a solar cell is described comprising the steps of depositing onto a substrate a metallic gridwork corresponding to that which surrounds and defines the active photovoltaic areas of the solar cell; overlaying a protective cover, such as of glass, in contact with the gridwork on the substrate, heating under light pressure to soften the cover and impress the gridwork into a surface of the cover, and removing the cover and gridwork assembly from the substrate; applying a thin metallic adherent layer and, optionally, a compatibility layer on the solar cell in configuration corresponding to that of the intended gridwork of the solar cell; overlaying the cover and gridwork assembly onto the solar cell with the gridwork aligned with the layer(s); and bonding the gridwork to the layer(s).
Inventors
- 👤 James F. Holt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:48
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F71/00; H10F19/00; H10F19/80; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A method for bonding a protective cover to a solar cell having on an active surface thereof at least one area including the photovoltaic junction of said solar cell and a metallic gridwork defining said at least one area and providing an electrical contact for said solar cell, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a substrate; (b) depositing onto said substrate said metallic gridwork of said solar cell; (c) overlaying said cover in contact with said metallic gridwork on said substrate; (d) heating said cover, metallic gridwork and substrate under pressure to impress said metallic gridwork into the surface of said cover contacting said metallic gridwork; (e) removing said cover and metallic gridwork from said substrate; (f) applying a thin metallic adherent layer on said solar cell in configuration corresponding to that of said metallic gridwork of said solar cell; (g) applying a metallic compatibility layer to said solar cell over said metallic adherent layer in substantially identical configuration thereto; (h) overlaying said cover and metallic gridwork onto said solar cell with said metallic gridwork in registration with said metallic compatibility layer; and (i) bonding said metallic gridwork to said metallic compatibility layer where said cover is protectively attached to said solar cell.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
205 words
A method for bonding a protective cover to a solar cell having on an active surface thereof at least one area including the photovoltaic junction of said solar cell and a metallic gridwork defining said at least one area and providing an electrical contact for said solar cell, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a substrate; (b) depositing onto said substrate said metallic gridwork of said solar cell; (c) overlaying said cover in contact with said metallic gridwork on said substrate; (d) heating said cover, metallic gridwork and substrate under pressure to impress said metallic gridwork into the surface of said cover contacting said metallic gridwork; (e) removing said cover and metallic gridwork from said substrate; (f) applying a thin metallic adherent layer on said solar cell in configuration corresponding to that of said metallic gridwork of said solar cell; (g) applying a metallic compatibility layer to said solar cell over said metallic adherent layer in substantially identical configuration thereto; (h) overlaying said cover and metallic gridwork onto said solar cell with said metallic gridwork in registration with said metallic compatibility layer; and (i) bonding said metallic gridwork to said metallic compatibility layer where said cover is protectively attached to said solar cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said cover comprises glass and said heating step is characterized by heating said cover, metallic gridwork and substrate to temperature sufficient to soften said glass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method recited in claim 2 wherein said heating step is performed at a temperature of from about 500° C. to about 650° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said solar cell comprises a silicon chip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said metallic adherent layer comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, silver, platinum, and nickel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said metallic compatibility layer comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of palladium, tungsten, rhenium, rhodium, nickel, and aluminum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein step (i) is characterized by electrostatically bonding said metallic gridwork to said metallic compatibility layer.
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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) | 1990-12-21 | 1991-06-22 | 1991-12-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-12-21 | 1995-06-22 | 1995-12-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-12-21 | 1999-06-22 | 1999-12-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |