Method Of Forming A Photovoltaic Cell Module
First Claim
1. A method of forming a photovoltaic cell module including a photovoltaic cell with the use of a cell press having a table, a lid, and a plate pneumatically coupled to the lid between the lid and the table and moveable relative to the lid toward and away from the table, said method comprising:
- disposing the photovoltaic cell between the plate and the table;
supporting the photovoltaic cell with the plate;
applying a vacuum between the lid and the plate to space the photovoltaic cell and the plate from the table;
introducing a substrate and a tie layer between the photovoltaic cell and the table with the substrate supported by the table and with the tie layer supported by the substrate between the substrate and the photovoltaic cell with a space between the photovoltaic cell and the tie layer;
moving one of the photovoltaic cell and the table toward the other until the photovoltaic cell contacts the tie layer; and
applying a vacuum between the photovoltaic cell and the tie layer such that the space between the photovoltaic cell and the tie layer is evacuated as the photovoltaic cell contacts the tie layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of forming a photovoltaic cell module uses a cell press having a table and a plate that is spaced from and moveable relative to the table. The method includes supporting the cell with the plate between the plate and the table. A substrate and a tie layer disposed on the substrate are introduced between the cell and the table with the substrate supported by the table and with the tie layer facing the cell. One of the cell and the table are moved toward the other until the cell contacts the tie layer. A vacuum is applied between the cell and the tie layer to evacuate the space between the cell and the tie layer as the cell contacts the tie layer. This evacuation eliminates the possibility of air bubbles being formed between the cell and the tie layer as the cell contacts the tie layer.
33 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of forming a photovoltaic cell module including a photovoltaic cell with the use of a cell press having a table, a lid, and a plate pneumatically coupled to the lid between the lid and the table and moveable relative to the lid toward and away from the table, said method comprising:
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disposing the photovoltaic cell between the plate and the table; supporting the photovoltaic cell with the plate; applying a vacuum between the lid and the plate to space the photovoltaic cell and the plate from the table; introducing a substrate and a tie layer between the photovoltaic cell and the table with the substrate supported by the table and with the tie layer supported by the substrate between the substrate and the photovoltaic cell with a space between the photovoltaic cell and the tie layer; moving one of the photovoltaic cell and the table toward the other until the photovoltaic cell contacts the tie layer; and applying a vacuum between the photovoltaic cell and the tie layer such that the space between the photovoltaic cell and the tie layer is evacuated as the photovoltaic cell contacts the tie layer. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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2. (canceled)
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19. A method of forming a photovoltaic cell module including a photovoltaic cell with the use of a cell press having a table, a lid, and a plate that is pneumatically coupled to the lid and moveable relative to the lid toward and away from the table, the plate defining an aperture, said method comprising:
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disposing the photovoltaic cell between the plate and the table; moving one of the photovoltaic cell and the plate toward the other until the plate contacts the photovoltaic cell; applying a vacuum through the aperture between the aperture and the photovoltaic cell to pull the photovoltaic cell toward the plate; applying a vacuum between the lid and the plate to move the photovoltaic cell and the plate away from the table; introducing a substrate and a tie layer between the photovoltaic cell and the table with the substrate supported by the table and with the tie layer supported by the substrate between the substrate and the photovoltaic cell with a space between the photovoltaic cell and the tie layer; moving one of the photovoltaic cell and the table toward the other until the photovoltaic cell contacts the tie layer; and applying a vacuum between the photovoltaic cell and the tie layer such that the space between the photovoltaic cell and the tie layer is evacuated as the photovoltaic cell contacts the tie layer.
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20. A cell press for forming a photovoltaic cell module, said cell press comprising:
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a table for supporting a substrate and a tie layer supported by the substrate; a plate spaced from said table; at least one of said table and said plate being moveable toward and away from the other; said plate being configured to suspend a photovoltaic cell spaced from said substrate and said tie layer to define a space between said photovoltaic cell and said tie layer; a lid pneumatically coupled to said plate defining a chamber between said lid and said plate and a first vacuum system in communication with said chamber for moving said plate relative to said lid; wherein said plate defines an aperture and wherein a second vacuum system is in communication with said aperture for drawing vacuum through said aperture to suspend the photovoltaic cell; and a third vacuum system in communication with said space between the photovoltaic cell and the tie layer for evacuating the space between the photovoltaic cell and the tie layer as at least one of said table and said plate moves toward the other. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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21. (canceled)
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22. (canceled)
Specification