Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.

Sovonics Solar Systems

Other

Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.

Herbert C Ovshinsky

Masatsugu Izu

Prem Nath

Joachim Doehler

Peter H Klose

Timothy Ellison

Masatsugo Izu

Michael A Fetcenko

Srinivasan Venkatesan

Arthur Holland

Arindam Banerjee

Buddie R Dotter, Ii

Avtar Singh

Kevin Dean

Gerald F Marshall

Subnash Dhar

Buddy R Dotter, Ii

Apparatus and method for the vacuum deposition of at least two different layers of thin film material onto a substrate by two different vacuum deposition processes. Also disclosed is a novel linear applicator for using microwave enhanced CVD to uniformly deposit a thin film of material over an elongated substrate.

Apparatus for the simultaneous deposition by physical vapor deposition and chemical vapor deposition and method therefor

A resealable, ventable hydrogen impermeable cover assembly for sealing a rechargeable, metal hydride hydrogen storage alloy electrochemical cell. The cover assembly includes, inter alia, a multilayered vent septum comprising at least one layer of a substantially hydrogen impermeable, highly compressible material and at least one layer of a high durometer hardness material exhibiting low pressure hysteresis.

Hydrogen containment cover assembly for sealing the cell can of a

A method for the plasma coating of a layer of material atop a semiconductor body, said method and apparatus adapted to substantially prevent damage to the semiconductor body by energetic vaporized species developed during the coating process. The invention has particular utility in the high volume fabrication of thin film semiconductor devices and may be readily adapted to provide the transparent conductive electrode of photoresponsive devices in a continuous roll-to-roll deposition process.

Method for plasma - coating a semiconductor body

An improved large area photovoltaic device includes a plurality of electrically interconnected smaller area cells. The smaller area cells each have a laterally disposed bus bar and are disposed in overlapping relationships so that the bus bar of a given cell is beneath the substrate of the adjacent overlapping cell. In this manner the surface of the resulting large area device available for photovoltaic power generation is maximized. Also disclosed herein are methods for the manufacture of the improved device.

Photovoltaic cell having increased active area and method for producing

A continuous system for depositing at least one layer of amorphous semiconductor material upon a substrate. Feed and takeup sections provide reel-to-reel advancement of a thin film substrate through the system. At least one chamber is located between the feed and takeup sections. A plasma is generated therein by glow discharge decomposition of an appropriate mixture of reaction gases. Apparatus associated with the chamber allows the close regulation of the plasma/substrate surface equilibrium to assure the deposition of a uniform layer of amorphous material. At least one servocontrolled reel drive regulates the tension of the web-like substrate as it advances to avoid cracking and to assure its proper registration with a mask comprising a plurality of strips. A curtain of inert gas provides isolation between the interior of each chamber and the environment.

Continuous system for depositing amorphous semiconductor material

A method and a multiple chamber apparatus for the continuous production of tandem, amorphous, photovoltaic solar cells on substrate material, whereby, at least six amorphous layers are continuously and sequentially deposited on the substrate material under steady conditions. The substrate material is driven from a supply core, through at least two triads of deposition chambers, to a take-up core. Each amorphous layer of each p-i-n-type cell is produced in one chamber of the triad of deposition chambers. In the first chamber of each triad of chambers, dopant gases are introduced to deposit a first conductive layer. In the second chamber of each triad of chambers, reaction gases are introduced to deposit an intrinsic layer atop the first layer. And in the third chamber of each triad of chambers, dopant gases are introduced to deposit a second conductive layer, opposite in conductivity from the first conductive layer, atop the intrinsic layer. The multiple chamber apparatus is constructed to substantially prevent (1) the dopant gases in the first or third chamber from contaminating the intrinsic reaction gases in the second chamber of each triad of deposition chambers; and (2) the dopant gases in the third chamber of one triad of deposition chambers and the dopant gases in the first chamber of an adjacent triad of deposition chambers from cross-contamination. In the preferred embodiment, the intrinsic material is an amorphous silicon alloy which is doped by boron to form a p-type alloy and doped by phosphorous to form an n-type alloy. The preferred embodiment further contemplates the use of a glow discharge deposition process wherein vacuum pressure conditions, temperature levels, reaction gas mixtures, reaction gas flow rates, cathode power generation levels, and substrate speed of travel are precisely controlled.

Apparatus for continuously producing tandem amorphous photovoltaic cells

A method and a multiple chamber apparatus for the continuous production of tandem, amorphous, photovoltaic cells on substrate material, whereby, at least six amorphous semiconductor layers are continuously and sequentially deposited on the substrate material under steady state conditions. The substrate material is driven from a supply core, through at least two triads of deposition chambers, to a take-up core. Each amorphous layer of each p-i-n-type cell is produced in one chamber of the triad of deposition chambers. In the first chamber of each triad of chambers, a dopant gas mixture is introduced to deposit a first conductive semiconductor layer atop the substrate. In the second chamber of each triad of chambers, a gas mixture is introduced to deposit an intrinsic layer atop the first layer. And in the third chamber of each triad of chambers, a dopant gas mixture is introduced to deposit a second conductive layer, opposite in conductivity from the first conductive layer, atop the intrinsic layer. The multiple chamber apparatus is constructed to substantially prevent (1) the dopant gases in the first or third chamber of each triad from contaminating the intrinsic gases in the second chamber of each triad of deposition chambers; and (2) the dopant gases in the third chamber of a preceding triad of deposition chambers and the dopant gases in the first chamber of a succeeding triad of deposition chambers from cross-contamination. In the preferred embodiment, the intrinsic material is an amorphous silicon alloy which is doped by boron to form a p-type alloy and doped by phosphorous to form an n-type alloy. The preferred embodiment further contemplates the use of a glow discharge deposition process wherein vacuum pressure conditions, temperature levels, reaction gas mixtures, reaction gas flow rates, cathode power generation levels, substrate speed of travel, and substrate tension are precisely controlled.

Method for continuously producing tandem amorphous photovoltaic cells

An intermediate film strip cassette and associated drive apparatus provide a film dispensing system for positioning of intermediate images carried on the filmstrip as it is moved from an exposure station to a final station for image transfer to an archival microfiche film under conditions where bowing stresses are applied to the intermediate film at one or more of the processing stations. The cassette performs both supply and takeup functions, and requires no threading by the operator during film replacement. A combination of external locking drive motors engaging the cassette elements and a compliantly loaded takeup idler within the cassette provides a compliant tension to the film element extended into an imaging area, and suppresses erratic film shifts at the various stations while allowing adequate protection against film breakage arising from said bowing. A sensor associated with the tensioning idler aborts the replication process in case of film breakage, and thus guards against loss of archival records from such causes. In one version a system of film markings and external sensors serves to govern film advance and detect and warn of any incipient end-of-film condition. In an alternative version an encoder wheel sensing system driven by film passage over a transport roller serves to govern film advance.

Cassette and drive system for microfiche recording system with traveling

An improved annotatable microfiche film card archival recording system utilizes an intermediate film strip on a movable film head to transfer an image from an initial imaging station to a transfer station where the image on the intermediate film strip is transferred to the microfiche film card. There is provided an optical train including a pair of downwardly facing, inclined and horizontally spaced mirrors at the imaging station, the first of which mirror receives upwardly directed light reflected from hard copy. This mirror arrangement, cooperating with a horizontal film head movement in a direction transverse to the mirror spacing, minimizes the height and width requirements of the equipment. A ball joint supported backing means supporting the entire area of the active portion of the film improves image resolution. Controlled upward displacement of only the image-receiving portion of the intermediate film strip during image transfer allows full utilization of the peripheral areas of the microfiche film card when supported on a flange support frame. Controlled downward displacement of the intermediate film at the imaging station allows an intermediate film backing element and a microfiche film card image projection illuminator to be activated by a common lifting means. A selectively interposable corrector lens optimizes image resolution of this projection.

Microfiche recording system

A reflection sensing apparatus detects the prior exposure history of an annotatable archival microfiche film card frame. A light source used to expose the microfiche to the record image is positioned to convert a reserved sensing area, which is outside the record image but within the frame, from an opaque and reflecting area to an irreversibly clear and transparent area upon exposure. The reserved area of the microfiche film card frame is interrogated by automatic photoreflection sensing immediately prior to exposure of a given frame to disclose its prior exposure history. Suitable warning systems indicate the imminence of multiple exposure, and an automatic disabling feature prevents accidental re-exposure. A manual override means controlled by the operator must be actuated to allow re-exposure of a previously exposed frame. An alternative pre-exposure sensing of the reserved area by optical transmission methods is described. The apparatus also serves to detect failure of the light source on initial exposure of a chosen frame by a second photoreflection sensing after exposure, or alternatively by transmission sensing during exposure.

Double exposure control for microfiche recording system

A controllable film holding and tensioning system for a movable intermediate film strip dispensing head provides a stable and non-film damaging positioning of intermediate images carried on the film strip as it is moved from an exposure station to a final station for image transfer to an archival microfiche film under conditions where bowing stresses are applied to the intermediate film at one or more of the processing stations. An improved pretensioning feature for the source reel minimizes the occasional jamming encountered with conventional cassette film dispensers. Automatic protection is provided by an intermediate film strip break sensor and an end-of-film sensor to guard against archival record loss from these causes. Unique film cassette designs are also described.

Microfiche recording system with traveling film head

An imaging device for flash imaging, through an imaging mask at an imaging film plane, a dry-process imaging film having a layer of an energy dispersible image forming material on a surface thereof. The device comprises electromagnetic energy collecting means which is associated with a source of electromagnetic energy. The energy collecting means includes an energy transmitting body which directs, collimates and shapes the electromagnetic energy emitted by the energy source. The energy collecting means also includes energy intercepting and reflecting members which form a chamber in which the energy source and the energy transmitting body are at least partially encased. A housing is provided for maintaining the energy transmitting body and the energy intercepting and reflecting members in a predetermined position with relation to one another, the energy source and the imaging mask at the imaging film plane. The imaging device is especially adapted for flash imaging microfiche cards comprised of pre-formed areas or zones of an energy dispersible image forming material, and enables an electromagnetic energy source such as a Xenon flash tube to be operated at lower energy levels for shorter time periods thereby appreciably reducing energy costs and prolonging the useful life of the flash tube, while at the same time providing excellent image resolution in all directions in the imaging film.

Imaging device

The selective drive unit performs the function of dual tandem rear differential drive on heavy duty trucks. The drive unit is employed between the tires on the wheels on the driven axle and those on the dead axle. The drive embodies a rotatable axle mounted on the chassis frame or suspended from the two axles with a pneumatic tire fixed on each end of the axle. The inflatable tires are disposed between a set of tires on the driven and dead axle, preferably on or near the centerline therebetween. The drive tires are preferably expandable and simultaneously or selectively inflated to engage the tires on the driven and dead axle on one or both sides of the truck. The inner tires of the pair located on both sides of the chassis frame are engaged by the expandable tires which may have an extending thread which engages the recesses of a matching tread on the truck tires. This provides a positive non-slip drive between the driven tires and those on the dead axle. The air in the inflatable tires is controlled by the driver from within the cab using the air provided on the truck for operating the brake thereof. The air causes the tires to be pressurized and preferably to be expanded so as to have a substantially flat area of engagement with the tires on the truck. The inflatable tires have the soft rubber surface thereof project within the recessess in the truck tires or, as pointed out above, may have a projecting tread which will mate with the openings in the tire tread to provide a locking engagement which reduces slippage and provides positive and frictionless torque transmission when both of the tires are pressurized. When both of the inflatable tires fixed to the rotatable shaft are pressurized the free wheeling effect of the driven differential is locked and torque from the truck motor is distributed to all eight tires simultaneously. When it is hazardous to lock up all of the eight wheels, only one of the inflatable tires need be pressurized to thereby provide a drive for all of the four tires on one side of the truck.

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Oak Park, MI, United States of America

Herbert C Ovshinsky