公开(公告)号：US09412892B2

公开(公告)日：2016-08-09

申请号：US13751761

申请日：2013-01-28

Applicant: First Solar, Inc.

Inventor： Stacy Ann Black

IPC: H01L31/18 ,  C23C14/24 ,  C23C14/56 ,  H01L21/677

CPC classification number: H01L31/18 ,  C23C14/24 ,  C23C14/562 ,  H01L21/67706 ,  H01L31/1828 ,  Y02E10/543 ,  Y02P70/521

Abstract: An apparatus and related process are provided for vapor deposition of a sublimated source material as a thin film on a photovoltaic (PV) module substrate. A deposition head is configured for sublimating a source material supplied thereto. The sublimated source material condenses onto a transport conveyor disposed below the deposition head. A substrate conveyor is disposed below the transport conveyor and conveys substrates in a conveyance path through the apparatus such that an upper surface of the substrates is opposite from and spaced below a lower leg of the transport conveyor. A heat source is configured adjacent the lower leg of the transport conveyor. The source material plated onto the transport conveyor is sublimated along the lower leg and condenses onto to the upper surface of substrates conveyed by the substrate conveyor.

公开(公告)号：US09331231B2

公开(公告)日：2016-05-03

申请号：US13751852

申请日：2013-01-28

Applicant: First Solar, Inc.

Inventor： Max William Reed ,  Stacy Ann Black ,  Scott Daniel Feldman-Peabody ,  Mark Jeffrey Pavol

IPC: B05D5/12 ,  H01L31/18 ,  C23C14/06 ,  C23C14/24 ,  C23C14/56

CPC classification number: H01L31/1876 ,  C23C14/0629 ,  C23C14/24 ,  C23C14/562 ,  H01L31/1828 ,  Y02E10/543 ,  Y02P70/521

Abstract: A method for vapor deposition of a sublimated source material, such as CdTe, onto substrates in a continuous, non-stop manner through the apparatus is provided. The sublimated source material moves through a distribution plate and deposits onto the upper surface of the substrates as they are conveyed through the deposition area. The substrates move into and out of the deposition area through entry and exit slots that are defined by transversely extending entrance and exit seals. The seals are disposed at a gap distance above the upper surface of the substrates that is less than the distance or spacing between the upper surface of the substrates and the distribution plate. The seals have a ratio of longitudinal length (in the direction of conveyance of the substrates) to gap distance of from about 10:1 to about 100:1.

Abstract translation: 提供了通过该装置以连续，不间断的方式将升华的源材料（例如CdTe）气相沉积到基板上的方法。 升华的源材料通过分布板移动，并且当它们被输送通过沉积区域时，沉积到基板的上表面上。 基板通过由横向延伸的入口和出口密封限定的入口和出口槽进入和离开沉积区域。 密封件设置在基板的上表面之上的间隙距离处，该距离小于基板的上表面与分布板之间的距离或间隔。 密封件具有纵向长度（基板的输送方向）与间隙距离的比例为约10:1至约100:1。

公开(公告)号：US09331213B2

公开(公告)日：2016-05-03

申请号：US13873317

申请日：2013-04-30

Applicant: First Solar, Inc.

Inventor： Stacy Ann Black

IPC: H01L31/0445 ,  H01L31/02 ,  H02S40/34 ,  H02S40/36 ,  H01R13/518 ,  H01R13/516 ,  H01R13/514 ,  H01R13/506

CPC classification number: H01L31/02013 ,  H01R13/506 ,  H01R13/514 ,  H01R13/516 ,  H01R13/518 ,  H02S40/34 ,  H02S40/36 ,  Y02E10/50

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices are provided that include a thin film stack (of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series to each other) on a transparent substrate, a first busbar electrically connected to the first terminal cell, and a second busbar electrically connected to the second terminal cell. An encapsulation substrate is on the plurality of thin film layers and defines a first connection aperture positioned over the first busbar and a second connection aperture positioned over the second bus bar. A first electrical connector is positioned on the encapsulation substrate and is electrically connected to the first busbar through the first connection aperture, and a second electrical connector is positioned on the encapsulation substrate and is electrically connected to the second busbar through the second connection aperture. Solar arrays and kits are also provided that include such photovoltaic devices and a connection cable.

Abstract translation: 提供了光电装置，其包括在透明基板上的彼此串联连接的多个光伏电池的薄膜堆叠，电连接到第一端子单元的第一母线和电连接到第二端子的第二母线 细胞。 封装衬底位于多个薄膜层上，并且限定位于第一母线上的第一连接孔和位于第二母线上的第二连接孔。 第一电连接器定位在封装基板上，并且通过第一连接孔电连接到第一母线，并且第二电连接器定位在封装衬底上，并且通过第二连接孔电连接到第二母线。 还提供了包括这种光伏器件和连接电缆的太阳能阵列和套件。

公开(公告)号：US20140318602A1

公开(公告)日：2014-10-30

申请号：US13873317

申请日：2013-04-30

Applicant: First Solar, Inc.

Inventor： Stacy Ann Black

IPC: H01L31/05 ,  H01L31/048

CPC classification number: H01L31/02013 ,  H01R13/506 ,  H01R13/514 ,  H01R13/516 ,  H01R13/518 ,  H02S40/34 ,  H02S40/36 ,  Y02E10/50

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices are provided that include a thin film stack (of a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series to each other) on a transparent substrate, a first busbar electrically connected to the first terminal cell, and a second busbar electrically connected to the second terminal cell. An encapsulation substrate is on the plurality of thin film layers and defines a first connection aperture positioned over the first busbar and a second connection aperture positioned over the second bus bar. A first electrical connector is positioned on the encapsulation substrate and is electrically connected to the first busbar through the first connection aperture, and a second electrical connector is positioned on the encapsulation substrate and is electrically connected to the second busbar through the second connection aperture. Solar arrays and kits are also provided that include such photovoltaic devices and a connection cable.

Abstract translation: 提供了光电装置，其包括在透明基板上的彼此串联连接的多个光伏电池的薄膜堆叠，电连接到第一端子单元的第一母线和电连接到第二端子的第二母线 细胞。 封装衬底位于多个薄膜层上，并且限定位于第一母线上的第一连接孔和位于第二母线上的第二连接孔。 第一电连接器定位在封装基板上，并且通过第一连接孔电连接到第一母线，并且第二电连接器定位在封装衬底上，并且通过第二连接孔电连接到第二母线。 还提供了包括这种光伏器件和连接电缆的太阳能阵列和套件。

公开(公告)号：US20140238849A1

公开(公告)日：2014-08-28

申请号：US13775613

申请日：2013-02-25

Applicant: First Solar, Inc.

Inventor： Scott Daniel Feldman-Peabody ,  Stacy Ann Black ,  Robert Dwayne Gossman ,  Patrick Lynch O'Keefe

IPC: C23C14/34 ,  C23C14/56

CPC classification number: C23C14/3407 ,  C23C14/086 ,  C23C14/3414

Abstract: Sputtering chambers including one or more first sputtering targets within the sputtering chamber and one or more second sputtering targets are generally provided. Each first sputtering target comprises a source material, and each second sputtering target comprises the source material and a dopant. A conveyor system is configured to transport a plurality of substrates through the sputtering chamber to deposit a thin film onto a surface of each substrate. A power source is electrically connected to each of the first sputtering targets and the second sputtering target. A target shield can also be included within the sputtering chamber, and can be positioned between a portion of the second sputtering target and the conveyor system. The dopant can be present within the second sputtering target as a discrete insert within a cavity defined by the source material. Methods are also provided for making a sputtering target and depositing a thin film.

Abstract translation: 通常提供包括溅射室内的一个或多个第一溅射靶和一个或多个第二溅射靶的溅射室。 每个第一溅射靶包括源材料，并且每个第二溅射靶包括源材料和掺杂剂。 输送机系统被配置为通过溅射室输送多个基板以将薄膜沉积到每个基板的表面上。 电源电连接到第一溅射靶和第二溅射靶中的每一个。 目标屏蔽也可以包括在溅射室内，并且可以位于第二溅射靶的一部分和输送系统之间。 掺杂剂可以作为在由源材料限定的空腔内的分立插入物存在于第二溅射靶内。 还提供了制造溅射靶并沉积薄膜的方法。