Patent · US Active

System and method for producing modular photovoltaic panel assemblies for space solar arrays

US9899559B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by

4References

3Claims

0Family size

Inventors

Brian J Spence · Corona, US
Stephen F White · Ventura, US
Tiffany N Allmandinger · Goleta, US
Paul Cronin · Oxnard, US

Key dates

Filing date	Aug 8, 2016
Grant date	Feb 20, 2018
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Aug 11, 2036

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY02P70/50
WIPO fieldMachine tools
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An automated system provides automated manufacturing of photovoltaic standard power modules for utilization in a space solar array, in both rolled blanket and z-folded configurations. The automated system provides robotically controlled systems for CIC-ing, glassing, stringing, laydown and acceptance testing of interconnected photovoltaic devices. A method of manufacturing the photovoltaic standard power modules includes the steps of robotic positioning of diodes, interconnects and busbars onto a SPM stringing tray followed by the robotic positioning of bare cells into position adjacent to the diodes, interconnects and busbars to form strings. The SPM stringing tray is thereafter robotically positioned adjacent to an integral welder for welding of the front side of the string. Cover glass is thereafter robotically placed over the cells. The string is flipped and the backside of the string is robotically positioned for welding.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.