Title: Edge coating apparatus with movable roller applicator for solar cell substrates

Abstract

A non-contact edge coating apparatus includes an applicator for applying a coating material on an edge of a solar cell substrate and a control system configured to drive the applicator. The control system may drive the applicator along an axis to maintain a distance with an edge of the substrate as the substrate is rotated to have the edge coated with a coating material. The applicator may include a recessed portion into which the edge of the substrate is received for edge coating. For example, the applicator may be a roller with a groove. Coating material may be introduced into the groove for application onto the edge of the substrate. A variety of coating materials may be employed with the apparatus including hot melt ink and UV curable plating resist.

Inventors:

Pavani, Luca; Abas, Emmanuel

Issue Date:

Tue Dec 04 00:00:00 EST 2012

Research Org.:

SunPower Corporation, San Jose, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1082495

Patent Number(s):

8322300

Application Number:

12/069,043

Assignee:

SunPower Corporation (San Jose, CA)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B05 - SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL B05C - APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LIQUIDS OR OTHER FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B05 - SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL B05D - PROCESSES FOR APPLYING LIQUIDS OR OTHER FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B05 - SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL B05C - APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LIQUIDS OR OTHER FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL

B05C1/006 - {for applying liquid or other fluent material to the edges of essentially flat articles}
B05C1/0873 - {Controlling means responsive to conditions of the liquid or other fluent material, of the ambient medium, of the roller or of the work}
B05C13/02 - for particular articles

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B05 - SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL B05D - PROCESSES FOR APPLYING LIQUIDS OR OTHER FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL

B05D1/002 - {the substrate being rotated}
B05D1/28 - performed by transfer from the surfaces of elements carrying the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. brushes, pads, rollers

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01L - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

H01L21/30 - Treatment of semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups H01L21/20 - H01L21/26
H01L31/02161 - {for devices characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier}
H01L31/186 - {Particular post-treatment for the devices, e.g. annealing, impurity gettering, short-circuit elimination, recrystallisation}

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E10/50 - Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02P - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

Y02P70/50 - Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

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DOE Contract Number:  

FC36-07GO17043

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

42 ENGINEERING