The Standard Oil Company

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.

Robert A Hartman

Paul E Koch

David A Dilts

Ronald C Cull

Gary C Catella

A process and apparatus for continuously producing a relatively large-area, lightweight array of amorphous semiconductor alloy photovoltaic cells having no substrate includes depositing a semiconductor alloy film, such as amorphous silicon, on a travelling surrogate substrate, applying a support material to the traveling film to give it mechanical strength and separating the film and support material from the traveling surrogate substrate by exposing them to a thermal shock. The surrogate substrate is preferably an endless stainless steel band from which the deposited alloy film is repeatedly stripped and on which deposits are repeatedly made. The apparatus may include a cleaning station for cleaning the surrogate substrate after an alloy film is removed from the substrate and before another alloy film is deposited. The apparatus may provide for the deposition and patterning of a back electrode on the substrate before deposition of the alloy film to form one set of electrical interconnections for the array. The apparatus may also provide for the deposition and patterning of a transparent, electrically conducting layer on the alloy film, before application of the support material, in order to form a second set of electrical interconnections for the array. The apparatus may also apply a protective, support material to the rear of the alloy film.

Process and apparatus for continuous production of lightweight arrays of

A semirigid support member is provided for deploying flexible photovoltaic modules in a manner that imparts a degree of rigidity and permanence to the deployment. The semirigid support members provide lightweight economical means for lending structural support to flexible photovoltaic modules. The support members may be interconnected and additionally connected to a permanent base foundation.

Semirigid photovoltaic module assembly and structural support therefor

An apparatus for making a photovoltaic module having a plurality of cell strips. The apparatus (10) includes a frame (11) and a support drum (25) rotatably received in the frame (11). The support drum (25) has a substantially curved surface (42) having a plurality of paired dowel guides (45) for registering cell strips (50) relative to the surface (42) and an interconnect mesh (36) relative to the cell strip (50). A plurality of paired complementary clamp sets (51, 52) receive and secure the cell strips (50) and the interconnect mesh (36) to the support drum (25).

Apparatus for making photovoltaic modules

A bypass diode assembly (10) for a photovoltaic module (11) incorporating a plurality of electrically conductive strips (12), each having a long leg (13) and a short leg (14). The long leg (13) of each conductive strip (12) is in overlapped relation with the long leg (13) of another conductive strip (12). A diode (21) is interposed between successive conductive strips (12) in the vicinity of the overlapped relation and is electrically associated therewith. A bridging portion comprising diagonal arm (20) is carried by each long leg (13) and is oriented to dissipate stress experienced by the conductive strip (12). The short leg (14) is suitably located and configured for electrically communicating with the substrate layer (15) of a corresponding photovoltaic cell strip (16).

Bypass diode assembly for photovoltaic modules

A photovoltaic array module incorporating a plurality of photovoltaic cell strips (11). Each cell strip (11) incorporates an electrically conductive substrate layer (22), a semiconductor body (23) deposited on the substrate layer (22), and a transparent electrically conductive layer (24) deposited on the semiconductor body (23). Electrically conductive filaments (20) are alternately connected to contact points (31) on the electrically conductive substrate layer (22) of one cell strip (11) and to contact points (32) on the transparent electrically conductive layer (24) of another cell strip (11). A first busbar (12) and a second busbar (13) are connected to the end cell strips (11) of the array to collect the electrical energy generated thereby.

Flexible, rollable photovoltaic cell module

An apparatus for making a photovoltaic module having a plurality of cell strips. The apparatus (10) includes a frame (11) and a support drum (25) rotatably received in the frame (11). The support drum (25) has a substantially curved surface (42) having a plurality of paired dowel guides (45) for registering cell strips (50) relative to the surface (42) and an interconnect mesh (36) relative to the cell strip (50). A plurality of paired complimentary clamp sets (51, 52) receive and secure the cell strips (50) and the interconnect mesh (36) to the support drum (25).

Growing community of inventors

Chagrin Falls, OH, United States of America

Robert A Hartman