Miasole

Applied Materials, Inc.

Beijing Apollo Ding Rong Solar Technology Co., Ltd.

Apollo Precision Fujian Limited

Apollo Precision Kunming Yuanhong Limited

Hanergy Holding Group Ltd.

Michael Meyers

Jason Stephen Corneille

Adam Sherman

Michael Robert Rice

Eric Andrew Englhardt

Dean C Hruzek

Michael C Kuchar

Sushant Suresh Koshti

John Joseph Mazzocco

Nazir Ahmad

Penchala N Kankanala

Roger Laurentius Balyon

A transfer chamber configured to be used during semiconductor device manufacturing is described. Transfer chamber includes at least one first side of a first width configured to couple to one or more substrate transfer units (e.g., one or more load locks or one or more pass-through units), and at least a second set of sides of a second width that is different than the first width, the second set of sides configured to couple to one or more processing chambers. A total number of sides of the transfer chamber is at least seven. Transfers within the transfer chamber are serviceable by a single robot. Process tools and methods for processing substrates are described, as are numerous other aspects.

Transfer chambers with an increased number of sides, semiconductor device manufacturing processing tools, and processing methods

Provided are novel building integrable photovoltaic (BIP) modules and methods of fabricating thereof. A module may be fabricated from an insert having one or more photovoltaic cells by electrically interconnecting and mechanically integrating one or more connectors with the insert. Each connector may have one or more conductive elements, such as metal sockets and/or pins. At least two of all conductive elements are electrically connected to the photovoltaic cells using, for example, bus bars. These and other electrical components are electrically insulated using a temperature resistant material having a Relative Temperature Index (RTI) of at least about 115&#xb0; C. The insulation may be provided before or during module fabrication by, for example, providing a prefabricated insulating housing and/or injection molding the temperature resistant material. The temperature resistant material and/or other materials may be used for mechanical integration of the one or more connectors with the insert.

Electrical connectors of building integrable photovoltaic modules

Provided are novel structures for electrically interconnecting two or more building integrable photovoltaic (BIP) modules with a pin connector. Each module has a cavity and a conductive element positioned inside the cavity. The conductive element may be electrically coupled to one or more photovoltaic cells. In a photovoltaic assembly formed by two modules, a conductive portion of the pin connector extends between two cavities of the respective modules and provides an electrical communication between the two conductive elements. The two cavities are generally coaxially aligned. In certain embodiments, one or both cavities are through holes. A portion of the pin connector may extend outside of such cavities and protrude into a building structure to mechanically secure the modules with respect to the structure. A pin connector may have an insulating head for handling the connector during installation and/or sealing the through hole under the head from the environment.

Photovoltaic module pin electrical connectors

Apparatus and techniques for mounting frameless photovoltaic modules reduce module stress induced by the mounting configuration. Interface strips and strip/rail spacing configured to relieve module stress by reducing or eliminating module sag are used.

Photovoltaic module support with interface strips

Provided are novel interconnecting strips for electrically connecting building integrable photovoltaic (BIPV) modules in a photovoltaic array. An interconnecting strip can be provided between a building structure and the BIPV modules, with electrical connections established by lowering the modules onto the strip previously positioned on the structure. The strip can includes two or more terminal groups aligned with different rows of BIPV modules. Each terminal group includes two or more connector terminals for connecting to the modules in that row. The interconnecting strip also includes leads extending between terminal groups and connecting connector terminals of different groups. In certain embodiments, terminal groups are offset with respect to adjacent groups to align with BIPV modules that are similarly offset to provide a moisture barrier. The interconnecting strip may be reconfigured in the field to provide different electrical connection schemes among BIPV modules.

Interconnecting strips for building integrable photovoltaic modules

Provided are novel building integrable photovoltaic (BIPV) modules having integrated jumpers for interconnecting similar modules in adjacent rows. An integrated jumper is provided on a back side of the photovoltaic portion of the module and includes at least two interconnected jumper contact points. The module also has two connectors provided on the front side of its flap portion. Each connector has at least one connector contact point connected to one or more photovoltaic cells of the module. When a module is positioned over flap portions of two other modules previously installed in an adjacent row, the two jumper contact points on the back side of this new module make electrical connections to the two connector contact points on the front side of the installed modules. In turn, these connections interconnect the photovoltaic cells of the two modules without any need for additional connectors or operations.

Integrated jumpers for building integrable photovoltaic modules

Building integrable photovoltaic (BIP) modules include photovoltaic inserts for producing electrical power and supporting structures for mechanically attaching and supporting the insert with respect to a building structure, such as roof tops. The supporting structures may include ventilation ribs that form ventilation channels under the photovoltaic insert and, in certain embodiments, under other components of the module. These ribs may be used to provide mechanical support to the entire module. In specific embodiments, ventilation channels of one module are configured to coincide with ventilation channels of one or more other like modules and to form a continuous channel along the roof edge. The supporting structures may be used to form moisture barriers in between two modules, such as side glitters. In certain embodiments, supporting structures are separate components and are attached to the insert to form a module during fabrication or installation of the module on a building structure.

Supporting structures for building integrable photovoltaic modules

Provided are electrical routing structures for installing on buildings and for interconnecting adjacent rows of building integrable photovoltaic (BIPV) modules at the ends of these rows. The electrical routing structures may be also used for sealing interfaces with other building components, such as asphalt shingles. An electrical routing structure may include a base, top flap, side flap, and one or two connectors. After the structure is installed, the base is aligned with photovoltaic portions of BIPV modules in one row and bridges a gap between photovoltaic portions of BIPV modules in two adjacent rows. The connectors may be used to interconnect BIPV modules positioned at the ends of two adjacent rows.

Electrical routing structures for building integrable photovoltaic arrays

Provided are novel building integrable photovoltaic (BIP) modules having flexible connectors and methods of interconnecting thereof. According to various embodiments, a BIP module includes one or more photovoltaic cells positioned on a support sheet and two or more electrical connectors attached to the support sheet. At least two conductive elements of these connectors are electrically coupled to the photovoltaic cells. One connector includes a connector body and an arm, which allows the connector body to move with respect to the support sheet at least in a direction perpendicular to the support sheet. This flexibility may be used to electrically interconnect modules as well as other purposes. Another connector also has a connector body, which may be flexibly or rigidly attached to the same support sheet. Positioning two connectors on opposite edges of the module allows forming a row of electrically interconnected modules.

Electrical connectors for building integrable photovoltaic modules

Provided are low profile, water-resistant and touch safe electrical connectors for solar modules. According to various embodiments, the electrical connectors include a low-profile conductive stud, a low-profile sheath that surrounds the stud, and a socket to mate with the stud. According to various embodiments, the sheath and socket mate via keyed inter-engageable features. Also according to certain embodiments, the socket is fastened to the stud and/or sheath via snap fastening.

External electrical connectors for solar modules

Provided are low profile, water-resistant and touch safe safe electrical connectors for solar modules. According to various embodiments, the electrical connectors include a low-profile conductive stud, a low-profile sheath that surrounds the stud, and a socket to mate with the stud. According to various embodiments, the sheath and socket mate via keyed inter-engageable features. Also according to certain embodiments, the socket is fastened to the stud and/or sheath via snap fastening.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Michael Meyers