The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 30, 1991
Filed:
Sep. 08, 1989
Edward M Gaddy, Potomac, MD (US);
Ramon Dominguez, Rockville, MD (US);
Solarex Corporation, Rockville, MD (US);
Abstract
A solar panel in which the bus-and-interconnect structures are visually masked, to improve not only aesthetics but also the operational characteristics of the panel. A transparent superstrate for the panel has on a surface juxtaposed to the radiation-receiving surfaces of the cells a pattern masking material just sufficient, with manufacturing tolerances, to mask the generally non-symmetrical interconnect structure in a substantially more uniform, symmetrical manner. The masking material may be matte-finish (paint) or highly reflective (a metallic deposit), and in either case may be applied by the same process (e.g., silk screen). The reflective mask structure inhibits heat build-up in the panel; and the matte-finish mask structure is generally unobtrusive and aesthetically pleasing, as required for example, in vehicular applications. A redundant bus structure yields surprisingly compact interconnects, with increased versatility in arrangement of grid patterns of collector electrodes, and is highly compatible with the masking structures and techniques.