Apparatus for making photovoltaic devices
US5372646A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 24, 1993 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 24, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S438/907
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A process and apparatus (70) for making a large area photovoltaic device (22) that is capable of generating low cost electrical power. The apparatus (70) for performing the process includes an enclosure (126) providing a controlled environment in which an oven (156) is located. At least one and preferably a plurality of deposition stations (74,76,78) provide heated vapors of semiconductor material within the oven (156) for continuous elevated temperature deposition of semiconductor material on a sheet substrate (24) including a glass sheet (26) conveyed within the oven. The sheet substrate (24) is conveyed on a roller conveyor (184) within the oven (156) and the semiconductor material whose main layer (82) is cadmium telluride is deposited on an upwardly facing surface (28) of the substrate by each deposition station from a location within the oven above the roller conveyor. A cooling station (86) rapidly cools the substrate (24) after deposition of the semiconductor material thereon to strengthen the glass sheet of the substrate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.