Ambidextrous cassette and methods of using same
First Claim
1. A solar cell carrying cassette adapted for use in a solar cell carrying pod having a removable base with a coupling mechanism, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a plurality of protruding features including a motor-driven collet, the cassette comprising:
- a pair of end plates having a plurality of rods extending therebetween and dimensioned to hold a plurality of solar cells between the pair of end plates;
a first and second interfacing feature in each of the pair of end plates configured for operably engaging with the coupling mechanism in the base of the solar cell carrying pod that facilitates releasable coupling of the cassette with the base, wherein the first interfacing feature comprise a central aperture configured to engage with the motor-driven collet of the base and the second interfacing feature comprises a plurality of alignment holes arranged and configured to receive a plurality of alignment protrusions of the base, the base being operable to facilitate sealing and attachment of the base with a cover of the solar cell carrying pod, wherein the plurality of holes are disposed in substantially the same arrangement in each end plate such that either end plate is operably engageable with the same coupling mechanism in the base to operate in substantially the same manner regardless of which end plate is operably engaged with the coupling mechanism; and
an identifier in each of the pair of end plates, the identifier allowing for ready identification of the cassette when disposed within the solar cell carrying pod or coupled to the base of the solar cell carrying pod.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
34 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A solar cell carrying cassette adapted for use in a solar cell carrying pod having a removable base with a coupling mechanism, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a plurality of protruding features including a motor-driven collet, the cassette comprising:
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a pair of end plates having a plurality of rods extending therebetween and dimensioned to hold a plurality of solar cells between the pair of end plates; a first and second interfacing feature in each of the pair of end plates configured for operably engaging with the coupling mechanism in the base of the solar cell carrying pod that facilitates releasable coupling of the cassette with the base, wherein the first interfacing feature comprise a central aperture configured to engage with the motor-driven collet of the base and the second interfacing feature comprises a plurality of alignment holes arranged and configured to receive a plurality of alignment protrusions of the base, the base being operable to facilitate sealing and attachment of the base with a cover of the solar cell carrying pod, wherein the plurality of holes are disposed in substantially the same arrangement in each end plate such that either end plate is operably engageable with the same coupling mechanism in the base to operate in substantially the same manner regardless of which end plate is operably engaged with the coupling mechanism; and an identifier in each of the pair of end plates, the identifier allowing for ready identification of the cassette when disposed within the solar cell carrying pod or coupled to the base of the solar cell carrying pod. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A cassette adapted for carrying components formed in a semi-conductor fabrication process to facilitate storage in a solar cell carrying pod having a removable base with a coupling mechanism, the coupling mechanism comprising a plurality of protruding alignment features and a collet, the cassette comprising:
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a pair of end plates having a plurality of rods extending therebetween and configured to support the pair of end plates in a parallel position and to support the semi-conductor components therebetween, wherein the pair of end plates comprise a first end plate and a second end plate; one or more interfacing features in each of the pair of end plates for operably engaging with the coupling mechanism for facilitating loading or unloading of the components from the carrier and/or handling of the cassette, wherein the one or more interfacing features comprise a plurality of holes in each plate configured for interfacing with the plurality of protruding alignment features and the collet, wherein the plurality of holes are of substantially the same configuration such that either end plate is operably engageable with the couple mechanism to allow the motor-driven collet of the base to operate in substantially the same manner regardless of which end plate is interfaced with the coupling mechanism of the base of the solar cell carrying pod; and an identifier disposed on each of the pair of end plates, the identifier allowing for ready identification of the cassette and/or the components supported within the cassette. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 21)
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19. A solar cell carrying cassette adapted for use in a solar cell carrying pod having a removable base with a coupling mechanism, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a plurality of protruding features, the cassette comprising:
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a pair of end plates having a plurality of rods extending between and supporting the pair of end plates parallel to each other, wherein the plurality of rods being are configured to support a stack of solar cells therebetween and arranged to define an open front of the cassette through which the stack of solar cells are inserted and removed, the pair of end plates includes; one or more interfacing features comprising a plurality of holes in each of the pair of end plates configured for operably engaging with one or more corresponding features associated with a base of the solar cell carrying pod, the base being operable to sealingly couple with a cover of the solar cell carrying pod with the cassette coupled therebetween, wherein the pair of end plates are configured such that the plurality of holes mirror one another relative to a mid-plane between and parallel to the pair of end plates such that the cassette can be oriented with either of the pair of end plates coupled to the base, wherein the plurality of holes are disposed in substantially the same arrangement in each end plate such that either end plate is operably engageable with the same coupling mechanism in the base to operate in substantially the same manner regardless of which end plate is operably engaged with the coupling mechanism; and an RFID chip disposed in each of the pair of end plates on opposite sides of the respective end plates relative each other 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. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification