公开(公告)号：US10236406B2

公开(公告)日：2019-03-19

申请号：US14866817

申请日：2015-09-25

Applicant: SolarCity Corporation

Inventor： Pablo Gonzalez ,  Bobby Yang

IPC: H01L31/18 ,  H01L31/05 ,  H05K3/12 ,  H01L21/67

Abstract: A targeted-annealing system can automatically cure a conductive paste that may bind cascaded strips of a string. The targeted-annealing system can include a first heat-treating bar that may be heated to a first curing temperature, and can include a second heat-treating bar that may be heated to a second curing temperature. During operation, a controller of the targeted-annealing system can activate one or more actuators to conform the first heat-treating bar to a top surface of two cascaded strips, and conform the second heat-treating bar to a bottom surface of two cascaded strips. The first and second heat-treating bars may be aligned along an overlap portion between the two cascaded strips, and can heat the overlap portion to 160 degrees Celsius.

公开(公告)号：US20170179331A1

公开(公告)日：2017-06-22

申请号：US15451326

申请日：2017-03-06

Applicant: SolarCity Corporation

Inventor： Pablo Gonzalez ,  Bobby Yang

IPC: H01L31/18 ,  H01L31/05 ,  H01L31/02

CPC classification number: H01L31/188 ,  H01L31/0201 ,  H01L31/0504 ,  Y02E10/50

Abstract: A string-forming system is described. The string-forming system may include at least a first cell-lifting mechanism and a second cell-lifting mechanism that can automatically arrange a set of strips of a photovoltaic structure into a cascaded formation. During operation, a controller can cause the first cell-lifting mechanism to lift a first strip from a first platform, and can cause the second cell-lifting mechanism to lift, from the first platform, a second strip that may follow the first strip on the first platform. The controller may then activate a first shifting actuator of the first cell-lifting mechanism or a second shifting actuator of the second cell-lifting mechanism to place a leading edge of the second strip above a trailing edge of the first strip.

公开(公告)号：US10424680B2

公开(公告)日：2019-09-24

申请号：US14977523

申请日：2015-12-21

Applicant: SolarCity Corporation

Inventor： Pablo Gonzalez ,  Rey Ilagan

IPC: H01L31/0463

Abstract: A targeted-annealing system can automatically cure a conductive paste that may bind cascaded strips of a string together without damaging the strips. The targeted-annealing system can process strings of cascaded strips on a supporting surface, and can anneal conductive paste between overlapping strips by blowing heated air on the overlapping sections of the strips. An air nozzle shaped to target the overlapping sections may provide the heated air. The supporting surface may include a porous material that allows a vacuum to pull on the cascaded strips from below the surface during the annealing process.

公开(公告)号：US10043937B2

公开(公告)日：2018-08-07

申请号：US14877870

申请日：2015-10-07

Applicant: SolarCity Corporation

Inventor： Pablo Gonzalez ,  Bobby Yang

IPC: H05K3/02 ,  H05K3/10 ,  H01L31/18 ,  H01L31/049

CPC classification number: H01L31/18 ,  H01L31/049 ,  H01L31/1876 ,  Y02E10/50 ,  Y02P70/521

Abstract: A method for constructing a photovoltaic (PV) substrate. A moving frame can be lowered towards a stack of back sheets and a back sheet of the stack of back sheets may be secured to the moving frame. The back sheet can be transferred from the moving frame to a vacuum table. An adhesive can be dispensed to the back sheet using an adhesive dispenser. At least one string may be placed onto the adhesive applied to the back sheet. The vacuum table can be rotated, and the back sheet can be released from the vacuum table onto a glass sheet.

公开(公告)号：US20170170037A1

公开(公告)日：2017-06-15

申请号：US14985260

申请日：2015-12-30

Applicant: SolarCity Corporation

Inventor： Pablo Gonzalez

IPC: H01L21/677 ,  H01L21/673

CPC classification number: H01L21/6773 ,  H01L21/67201 ,  H01L21/67303 ,  H01L21/67309 ,  H01L21/67313 ,  H01L21/67373 ,  H01L21/67379 ,  H01L21/67386 ,  H01L21/67393 ,  H01L21/67757 ,  H01L21/67766 ,  H01L21/67772 ,  H01L21/67778 ,  H01L21/68707

Abstract: Devices and methods for transferring solar cells while maintaining a controlled environment are provided. Such devices include a solar cell carrying cassette adapted to support a stack of solar cells within a solar cell carrying pod that maintains a sealed micro-environment of inert gas and allows for automated transfer of solar cells between the pod and a fabrication line. The solar cell carrying cassette includes a pair of end plates and a plurality of rods extending therebetween that are configured to support a stack of solar cells. An identifier, such as an RFID chip, is included in each of the pair of end plates so as to allow for ready identification of the cassette from a single location relative the pod, while the cassette is coupled within the pod, regardless of the orientation of the cassette within the pod.

公开(公告)号：US20160163910A1

公开(公告)日：2016-06-09

申请号：US14866817

申请日：2015-09-25

Applicant: SolarCity Corporation

Inventor： Pablo Gonzalez ,  Bobby Yang

IPC: H01L31/18 ,  H05K3/12 ,  H01L31/05

CPC classification number: H01L31/1864 ,  H01L21/67103 ,  H01L31/0504 ,  H01L31/188 ,  H05K3/1283 ,  Y02E10/50

Abstract: A targeted-annealing system can automatically cure a conductive paste that may bind cascaded strips of a string. The targeted-annealing system can include a first heat-treating bar that may be heated to a first curing temperature, and can include a second heat-treating bar that may be heated to a second curing temperature. During operation, a controller of the targeted-annealing system can activate one or more actuators to conform the first heat-treating bar to a top surface of two cascaded strips, and conform the second heat-treating bar to a bottom surface of two cascaded strips. The first and second heat-treating bars may be aligned along an overlap portion between the two cascaded strips, and can heat the overlap portion to 160 degrees Celsius.

Abstract translation: 靶向退火系统可以自动固化可能结合串联的级联条的导电浆料。 目标退火系统可以包括可以被加热到第一固化温度的第一热处理棒，并且可以包括可以被加热到第二固化温度的第二热处理棒。 在操作期间，目标退火系统的控制器可以激活一个或多个致动器以使第一热处理棒与两个级联条的顶表面相一致，并使第二热处理棒与两个级联条的底表面相一致 。 第一和第二热处理棒可以沿着两个级联的条带之间的重叠部分排列，并且可以将重叠部分加热到160摄氏度。

公开(公告)号：US20160163909A1

公开(公告)日：2016-06-09

申请号：US14866776

申请日：2015-09-25

Applicant: SolarCity Corporation

Inventor： Pablo Gonzalez ,  Bobby Yang

IPC: H01L31/18

CPC classification number: H01L31/188 ,  H01L31/0201 ,  H01L31/0504 ,  Y02E10/50

Abstract: A string-forming system is described. The string-forming system may include at least a first cell-lifting mechanism and a second cell-lifting mechanism that can automatically arrange a set of strips of a photovoltaic structure into a cascaded formation. During operation, a controller can cause the first cell-lifting mechanism to lift a first strip from a first platform, and can cause the second cell-lifting mechanism to lift, from the first platform, a second strip that may follow the first strip on the first platform. The controller may then activate a first shifting actuator of the first cell-lifting mechanism or a second shifting actuator of the second cell-lifting mechanism to place a leading edge of the second strip above a trailing edge of the first strip.

Abstract translation: 描述了弦形成系统。 弦线形成系统可以包括至少第一电池提升机构和第二电池提升机构，其可以将一组光伏结构的条带自动地布置成级联地层。 在操作期间，控制器可以使第一电池提升机构从第一平台抬起第一条带，并且可以使第二电池提升机构从第一平台升起第二条带，其可以跟随第一条带 第一个平台。 然后，控制器可以激活第一电池提升机构的第一移动致动器或第二电池提升机构的第二移动致动器，以将第二条带的前缘放置在第一条带的后缘上方。

公开(公告)号：US20160163908A1

公开(公告)日：2016-06-09

申请号：US14877870

申请日：2015-10-07

Applicant: SolarCity Corporation

Inventor： Pablo Gonzalez ,  Bobby Yang

IPC: H01L31/18

CPC classification number: H01L31/18 ,  H01L31/049 ,  H01L31/1876 ,  Y02E10/50 ,  Y02P70/521

Abstract: A method for constructing a photovoltaic (PV) substrate. A moving frame can be lowered towards a stack of back sheets and a back sheet of the stack of back sheets may be secured to the moving frame. The back sheet can be transferred from the moving frame to a vacuum table. An adhesive can be dispensed to the back sheet using an adhesive dispenser. At least one string may be placed onto the adhesive applied to the back sheet. The vacuum table can be rotated, and the back sheet can be released from the vacuum table onto a glass sheet.

Abstract translation: 一种用于构建光伏（PV）衬底的方法。 移动框架可以朝向背片的堆叠降低，并且后片的堆叠的背片可以固定到移动框架。 背板可以从移动框架转移到真空工作台。 粘合剂可以使用粘合剂分配器分配到背板。 可以将至少一根绳子放置在施加到背板上的粘合剂上。 真空台可以旋转，背板可以从真空台释放到玻璃板上。

公开(公告)号：US20160163907A1

公开(公告)日：2016-06-09

申请号：US14826129

申请日：2015-08-13

Applicant: SolarCity Corporation

Inventor： Pablo Gonzalez ,  Bobby Yang

IPC: H01L31/18

CPC classification number: H01L31/18 ,  B28D5/0052 ,  B28D5/0094 ,  B32B38/10 ,  B32B43/006 ,  H01L21/3043 ,  H01L21/683 ,  H01L21/6838 ,  H01L21/68735 ,  H01L21/68778 ,  Y10T156/1179 ,  Y10T156/1184 ,  Y10T156/1967 ,  Y10T156/1983

Abstract: A cleaving system is described. The system can include a holding apparatus to retain a photovoltaic structure at a center section of a cleaving platform. The system can further include a contact apparatus to make contact with the photovoltaic structure and separate it into a plurality of strips. During operation, the system can activate an actuator to move the contact apparatus against the photovoltaic structure, thereby separating the photovoltaic structure into strips.

Abstract translation: 描述劈裂系统。 该系统可以包括保持装置，以将光伏结构保持在劈裂平台的中心部分。 该系统还可以包括与光伏结构接触并将其分离成多个条的接触装置。 在操作期间，系统可以启动致动器以使接触装置抵靠光伏结构移动，从而将光伏结构分离成条带。

公开(公告)号：US10242897B2

公开(公告)日：2019-03-26

申请号：US14985284

申请日：2015-12-30

Applicant: SolarCity Corporation

Inventor： Pablo Gonzalez

IPC: H01L21/677 ,  H01L21/67 ,  H01L21/673 ,  H01L21/687

Abstract: Devices and methods for transferring solar cells while maintaining a controlled environment are provided. Such devices can include a solar cell carrying pod adapted to support and maintain a stack of solar cells within a sealed micro-environment of inert gas. The solar cell carrying pod can further allow for ready removal of a solar cell carrier to facilitate automated transport of solar cells. The solar cell carrying pod can include a cover adapted to receive a solar cell carrier cassette securely mounted on a base that is sealably coupled with the cover to maintain solar cells within the carrier cassette in a sealed micro-environment for an extended period of time. The base can include a collet-operated gear train to facilitate unlocking and removal of the base from the cover in an automated process to facilitate large-scale solar cell fabrication.