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:
May. 29, 2012
Filed:
Nov. 12, 2008
Howard W. H. Lee, Saratoga, CA (US);
Chester A. Farris, Iii, Yorba Linda, CA (US);
Howard W. H. Lee, Saratoga, CA (US);
Chester A. Farris, III, Yorba Linda, CA (US);
Stion Corporation, San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
A system for large scale manufacture of thin film photovoltaic cells. The system includes a chamber comprising a plurality of compartments in a common vacuum ambient therein. Additionally, the system includes one or more shutter screens removably separating each of the plurality of compartments. The system further includes one or more transfer tools configured to transfer a substrate from one compartment to another without breaking the common vacuum ambient. The substrate is optically transparent and is characterized by a lateral dimension of about 1 meter or greater for a solar module. Embodiments of the invention provide that at least some of the plurality of compartments are configured to subject the substrate to one or more thin film processes to form a Cu-rich Cu—In composite material overlying the substrate and at least one of the plurality of compartments is configured to subject the Cu-rich Cu—In composite material to a thermal process to form a chalcogenide structured material.