Modular System for Continuous Deposition of a Thin Film Layer on a Substrate
First Claim
1. A system for vapor deposition of a thin film layer on photovoltaic (PV) module substrates, comprising:
- a vacuum chamber, said vacuum chamber further comprising a vapor deposition apparatus configured for depositing a thin film of a sublimed source material onto an upper surface of substrates conveyed therethrough;
a conveyor system operably disposed within said vacuum chamber and configured for conveying the substrates in a serial arrangement through said vapor deposition apparatus at a controlled constant linear speed; and
,a post-heat section disposed within said vacuum chamber immediately downstream of said vapor deposition apparatus in the conveyance direction of the substrates, said post-heat section configured to maintain the substrates conveyed from said vapor deposition apparatus in a desired heated temperature profile until the entire substrate has exited said vapor deposition apparatus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and associated process for vapor deposition of a thin film layer on a photovoltaic (PV) module substrate is includes establishing a vacuum chamber and introducing the substrates individually into the vacuum chamber. A conveyor system is operably disposed within the vacuum chamber and is configured for conveying the substrates in a serial arrangement through a vapor deposition apparatus within the vacuum chamber at a controlled constant linear speed. A post-heat section is disposed within the vacuum chamber immediately downstream of the vapor deposition apparatus in the conveyance direction of the substrates. The post-heat section is configured to maintain the substrates conveyed from the vapor deposition apparatus in a desired heated temperature profile until the entire substrate has exited the vapor deposition apparatus.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A system for vapor deposition of a thin film layer on photovoltaic (PV) module substrates, comprising:
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a vacuum chamber, said vacuum chamber further comprising a vapor deposition apparatus configured for depositing a thin film of a sublimed source material onto an upper surface of substrates conveyed therethrough; a conveyor system operably disposed within said vacuum chamber and configured for conveying the substrates in a serial arrangement through said vapor deposition apparatus at a controlled constant linear speed; and
,a post-heat section disposed within said vacuum chamber immediately downstream of said vapor deposition apparatus in the conveyance direction of the substrates, said post-heat section configured to maintain the substrates conveyed from said vapor deposition apparatus in a desired heated temperature profile until the entire substrate has exited said vapor deposition apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification