The Boeing Company

John Michael Bodeau

Philip L Leung

Jesse N Matossian

Joel A Schwartz

Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for protecting solar cells from cellular degradation caused by an electrostatic discharge pulse. In one embodiment, a diode may bypass current generated from an electrostatic discharge so that the pulse current does not reverse bias the solar cell. Advanced diodes, capacitors and/or multiple diodes located on multiple bypass current paths, may be used. In another embodiment, the transient impedance of the current path that reverse biases the solar cell is increased by using inductors placed along the reversing current path. In another embodiment, the pulse current rise rate is reduced by extending the harness length of cell contacts. In another embodiment, solar cells in a serpentine pattern may be protected from electrostatic discharge damage by coupling bypass current paths to the open ends of the serpentine. Inductors may also be placed in series with the serpentine series of cells.

Method and apparatus to protect solar cells from electrostatic discharge damage

A control circuit () for controlling electrostatic discharge in an electric component includes a heater () that is thermally coupled to the component. A sensor () is used for sensing a sensed condition. A controller is coupled to the heater and the sensor. The controller () heats the component in response to the sensed condition. The sensor () may include an electron flux level near the component or a surface potential of the component itself.

Growing community of inventors

Yorba Linda, CA, United States of America

John Michael Bodeau