Primestar Solar, Inc.

First Solar, Inc.

Primestar, Inc.

Edwin Jackson Little

Christopher Rathweg

Mark Jeffrey Pavol

Max William Reed

Russell Weldon Black

Brian Robert Murphy

Shane P Ballard

An apparatus and associated method for vapor deposition of a sublimated source material as a thin film on a photovoltaic (PV) module substrate includes a deposition head wherein a source material is sublimated. A distribution manifold is provided with a plurality of passages defined therethrough for passage of the sublimated source material to the substrate. A shutter plate is disposed above the distribution manifold and includes a plurality of passages therethrough that align with the passages in the distribution manifold in a first position of the shutter plate. The shutter plate is movable to a second position wherein the shutter plate blocks the passages in the distribution manifold to flow of sublimated material therethrough. A lifting mechanism is configured between the shutter plate and the distribution manifold to lift and move the shutter plate between the first and second positions without sliding the shutter plate on the distribution manifold.

Non-wear shutter apparatus for a vapor deposition apparatus

A metering mechanism is configured for transferring measured doses of a granular material from a first location to a second location, and is particularly suited for metering source material in a vapor deposition apparatus. A receiver is disposed to receive the granular material from the first location. A discharge port is axially offset from an outlet of the receiver. A reciprocating delivery member having a passage defined therethrough is moved in a reciprocating path by a controllable drive device between a load position wherein the passage is aligned with the receiver outlet and a discharge position wherein the passage is aligned with the discharge port. The amount of granular material transferred from the first location to the second location is a function of the volume of the passage and the reciprocating rate of the delivery member.

Apparatus for metering granular source material in a thin film vapor deposition apparatus

A system for vapor deposition of a thin film layer on a photovoltaic module substrate is provided. The system includes a vacuum chamber having a pre-heat section, a vapor deposition apparatus, and a cool-down section; and a conveyor system operably disposed within said vacuum chamber and configured for conveying the substrates in a serial arrangement from said pre-heat section and through said vapor deposition apparatus at a controlled constant linear speed. The vapor deposition apparatus is configured for depositing a thin film of a sublimed source material onto an upper surface of the substrates as the substrates are continuously conveyed by said conveyor system through said vapor deposition apparatus.

Modular system and process for continuous deposition of a thin film layer on a substrate

A system and associated process for vapor deposition of a thin film layer on a photovoltaic (PV) module substrate is includes establishing a vacuum chamber and introducing the substrates individually into the vacuum chamber. A conveyor system is operably disposed within the vacuum chamber and is configured for conveying the substrates in a serial arrangement through a vapor deposition apparatus within the vacuum chamber at a controlled constant linear speed. A post-heat section is disposed within the vacuum chamber immediately downstream of the vapor deposition apparatus in the conveyance direction of the substrates. The post-heat section is configured to maintain the substrates conveyed from the vapor deposition apparatus in a desired heated temperature profile until the entire substrate has exited the vapor deposition apparatus.

An apparatus for securing an article, a carrier including the apparatus, and a method involving the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a base having a channel and a pivot post, an engagement member for selectively engaging the article, a rotatable actuation member having a pivot feature corresponding to the pivot post, and a positioning member secured to the base. The engagement member is slidably positionable in the channel of the base, the positioning member establishes travel limits for the rotatable actuation member, and the positioning member urges the engagement member toward the article. Rotation of the rotatable actuation member slides the engagement member along the channel of the base, thereby securing the article by the force provided by the positioning member.

Apparatus, carrier, and method for securing an article for coating processes

A conveyor assembly for conveying substrates through a vapor deposition system includes a first carriage rail and a second carriage rail disposed at an opposite side of the conveyor assembly. The first and second carriage rails include a plurality of roller positions spaced longitudinally therealong. The carriage rails further include a pair of wheels at each of the roller positions, with the wheels spaced apart so as to define a cradle at the respective roller position. At least one of the wheels at each roller position on is drive wheel. A plurality of rollers extend between the first and second carriage rails. The rollers have ends that drop into the cradles at the roller positions such that the rollers are removable from the carriage rails by being lifted out of the cradles at the roller positions.

Conveyor assembly with removable rollers for a vapor deposition system

A feed system and related process are configured to continuously feed measured doses of source material to a vapor deposition apparatus wherein the source material is sublimated and deposited as a thin film on a substrate. The system includes a bulk material hopper, and an upper dose cup disposed to receive source material from the hopper. A lower dose cup is disposed in a vacuum lock chamber to receive a measured dose of source material from the upper dose cup. A transfer mechanism is disposed below the vacuum lock chamber to receive the measured dose of source material from the lower dose cup and to transfer the source material to a downstream deposition head while isolating the deposition conditions and sublimated source material within the deposition head.

Automatic feed system and related process for introducing source material to a thin film vapor deposition system

A process and associated system for vapor deposition of a thin film layer on a photovoltaic (PV) module substrate is includes establishing a vacuum chamber and introducing the substrates individually into the vacuum chamber. The substrates are pre-heated as they are conveyed through the vacuum chamber, and are then conveyed in serial arrangement through a vapor deposition apparatus in the vacuum chamber wherein a thin film of a sublimed source material is deposited onto an upper surface of the substrates. The substrates are conveyed through the vapor deposition apparatus at a controlled constant linear speed such that leading and trailing sections of the substrate in a conveyance direction are exposed to the same vapor deposition conditions within the vapor deposition apparatus. The vapor deposition apparatus may be supplied with source material in a manner so as not to interrupt the vapor deposition process or non-stop conveyance of the substrates through the vapor deposition apparatus.

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Denver, CO, United States of America

Edwin Jackson Little