A method characterized by the steps of positioning a plurality of uniformly dimensioned photovoltaic cells in registered relation with a plurality of openings formed in a planar tool for affording access to the P contact surface of each of the cells, connecting the N contact surface of alternate cells to the P contact surface of the cells interposed therebetween, removing therefrom residue of solder flux, applying to the N contact surfaces of the cells a transparent adhesive, placing a common transparent cover plate in engaged relation with the adhesive, placing a film over the circular openings for hermetically sealing the openings, and establishing a vacuum between the film and the cover plate for thus simultaneously forcing the cells into vacuum bonded relation with the cover plate.
An apparatus for laminating a solar cell structure includes upper and lower housing members and an intermediate member which includes a flexible membrane. The members form upper and lower sealed chambers which can be selectively evacuated. The solar cell structure is placed between the membrane and a parallel rib structure in the lower chamber. Heater elements and reflectors between the ribs are employed for radiating heat energy to the solar cell structure during the laminating process for melting a potting material therein, while both chambers are evacuated. Then air is admitted to the upper chamber to cause the membrane to compress the laminated structure against the parallel rib support means while the laminated structure cools.
An assembly comprising a plurality of solar cells arrayed on and adhesively bonded to a sheet of non-woven heat-actuatable fabric is provided which offers significant advantages in the fabrication of solar cell panels, particularly fabrication of panels by vacuum lamination techniques.
A method of precisely aligning and fastening a glass cover plate over an image sensor includes the use of first and second sets of spacers arranged so that the glass cover plate is provided on the base plate and the image sensor is provided on the first set of spacers and spaced from a carrier mounted on the second set of spacers. An adhesive secures the glass cover plate to the image sensor as well as the image sensor to the carrier.
A first set of pre-tabbed solar cells are assembled in a predetermined array with at least part of each tab facing upward, each tab being fixed to a bonding pad on one cell and abutting a bonding pad on an adjacent cell. The cells are held in place with a first vacuum support. The array is then inverted onto a second vacuum support which holds the tabs firmly against the cell pads they abut. The cells are exposed to radiation to melt and reflow the solder pads for bonding the tab portions not already fixed to bonding pads to these pads.
A process for preparing low-cost photovoltaic modules based on crystalline silicon. The silicon wafers are treated while supported on a substrate having properties compatible with the process.
