Method and apparatus to protect solar cells from electrostatic discharge damage
US7082019B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 4, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 25, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 13, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/443
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for protecting solar cells from cellular degradation caused by an electrostatic discharge pulse. In one embodiment, a diode may bypass current generated from an electrostatic discharge so that the pulse current does not reverse bias the solar cell. Advanced diodes, capacitors and/or multiple diodes located on multiple bypass current paths, may be used. In another embodiment, the transient impedance of the current path that reverse biases the solar cell is increased by using inductors placed along the reversing current path. In another embodiment, the pulse current rise rate is reduced by extending the harness length of cell contacts. In another embodiment, solar cells in a serpentine pattern may be protected from electrostatic discharge damage by coupling bypass current paths to the open ends of the serpentine. Inductors may also be placed in series with the serpentine series of cells.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.