Trw Limited

David M Carberry

Dean Tran

Alan M Hirschberg

George J Vendura, Jr

David H Boger

A simplified method and system for interconnecting solar cell arrays which does not utilize cause damage to the solar cells while at the same time minimizing process steps. In particular, in accordance with the present invention, interconnection between solar cell are made by way of a conductive epoxy, patterned on a substrate. The use of the epoxy eliminates the need for wire bonding as well as eliminates additional processing steps to interconnect the solar cell arrays.

Wireless solar cell array electrical interconnection scheme

A vacuum chuck (,) for holding thin sheet material, particularly during high-temperature manufacturing processes, and an apparatus (,) for forming a substantially uniform coating of a substance on a thin sheet material. The vacuum chuck includes a chuck body (,) having a gas-permeable support surface (,) for supporting the thin sheet material to define a vacuum chamber (,) having an inlet (,), a valve member (,) for controlling fluid flow through the vacuum chamber inlet, and a locking shim (,) for holding the valve member in the vacuum chamber inlet. The locking shim is responsive to the vacuum chamber inlet being coupled to a vacuum source for permitting the valve member to partially withdraw from the vacuum chamber inlet, to permit drawing of a vacuum in the vacuum chamber, supporting the thin sheet material on the gas-permeable support surface in a substantially flat position, and is responsive to the vacuum chamber inlet being removed from the vacuum source for inserting the valve member more fully into the vacuum chamber inlet, to seal the vacuum chamber and retain the vacuum therein, holding the thin sheet material on the gas-permeable support surface. One vacuum is attained, temperature excursions during the deposition process will cause the locking shim to press against the valve member with more force. Assuring a sound vacuum through the entire process. The manufacturing apparatus includes a conveyor (,) on which the vacuum chuck is conveyed, with the thin sheet material held thereon, and a source (,) of coating substance.

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Redondo Beach, CA, United States of America

David M Carberry