William T Sanders

US Patent:

8062384, Nov 22, 2011

Filed:

Jun 12, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/483499

Inventors:

Bruce Krein - Campbell CA, US
Darin Birtwhistle - San Francisco CA, US
Jeff Thompson - San Jose CA, US
William Sanders - Palo Alto CA, US
Paul Alexander - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Miasole - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

H01L 21/68
H01L 21/683
H01L 21/58

US Classification:

29 2501, 438 3, 414936, 414941

Abstract:

Provided herein are methods, apparatuses and systems for fabricating photovoltaic cells and modules. In certain embodiments, the methods, apparatuses and systems involve coating ferromagnetic substrates with thin film solar cell materials and using magnetic force to constrain, move or otherwise manipulate partially fabricated cells or modules. According to various embodiments, the methods, apparatuses and systems provide magnetically actuated handling throughout a photovoltaic cell or module fabrication process, from forming photovoltaic cell layers on a substrate to packaging the module for transport and installation. The magnetically manipulated processing provides advantages over conventional photovoltaic module processing operations, including fewer mechanical components, greater control over placement and tolerances, and ease of handling. As a result, the methods, apparatuses and systems provide highly efficient, low maintenance photovoltaic module fabrication processes.

US Patent:

20070283996, Dec 13, 2007

Filed:

Jun 13, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/451604

Inventors:

Bruce Hachtmann - San Martin CA, US
Shefali Jaiswal - Dublin CA, US
David Pearce - Saratoga CA, US
William Sanders - Mountain View CA, US
Ben Tarbell - Palo Alto CA, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/042

US Classification:

136244

Abstract:

A photovoltaic module includes a first photovoltaic cell, a second photovoltaic cell, and an interconnect comprising an electrically insulating carrier and at least one electrical conductor which electrically connects the first photovoltaic cell to the second photovoltaic cell.

US Patent:

20070283997, Dec 13, 2007

Filed:

Jun 13, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/451616

Inventors:

Bruce Hachtmann - San Martin CA, US
Shefali Jaiswal - Dublin CA, US
Puthur Paulson - Cupertino CA, US
William Sanders - Mountain View CA, US
Ben Tarbell - Palo Alto CA, US

International Classification:

H02N 6/00

US Classification:

136244

Abstract:

A photovoltaic module includes a first photovoltaic cell, a second photovoltaic cell, and a collector-connector which is configured to collect current from the first photovoltaic cell and to electrically connect the first photovoltaic cell with the second photovoltaic cell. The collector-connector may include an electrically insulating carrier and at least one electrical conductor which electrically connects the first photovoltaic cell to the second photovoltaic cell.

US Patent:

20080142071, Jun 19, 2008

Filed:

Dec 15, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/639428

Inventors:

Randy Dorn - Santa Clara CA, US
Bruce Hachtmann - San Martin CA, US
David Harris - Carpinteria CA, US
Ilan Gur - San Francisco CA, US
David Pearce - Saratoga CA, US
William Sanders - Mountain View CA, US
Ben Tarbell - Palo Alto CA, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/045
H01L 31/042

US Classification:

136245, 136244

Abstract:

A photovoltaic (PV) module includes a plurality of PV cells and a plurality of reconfigurable interconnects which electrically interconnect the plurality of PV cells.

US Patent:

20080314432, Dec 25, 2008

Filed:

Jun 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/812515

Inventors:

Puthur Paulson - Cupertino CA, US
William Sanders - Mountain View CA, US
Ben Tarbell - Palo Alto CA, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/05

US Classification:

136244

Abstract:

One photovoltaic module has a plurality of photovoltaic cells including a first photovoltaic cell and a second photovoltaic cell, a collector-connector configured to collect a current from the first photovoltaic cell and electrically connect the first photovoltaic cell to the second photovoltaic cell and at least one diode configured to bypass at least one of the photovoltaic cells. Another photovoltaic module has a plurality of cells including a first photovoltaic cell and a second photovoltaic cell, such that the first photovoltaic cell contains an active portion and a shaded portion, that is configured as a diode bypassing the second photovoltaic cell. Methods of making photovoltaic modules that incorporate bypass diodes are also provided.

US Patent:

20090208725, Aug 20, 2009

Filed:

Jan 23, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/359019

Inventors:

Robert J. Bailey - Scotts Valley CA, US
William A. Sanders - Palo Alto CA, US
Ronald J. Mosso - Fremont CA, US
Henry Hieslmair - San Francisco CA, US
Julio E. Morris - Fremont CA, US
Martin E. Mogaard - Scotts Valley CA, US
Jacob A. Hernandez - Morgan Hill CA, US

International Classification:

B32B 5/18
B05D 1/12
C23C 16/00
B29C 65/78

US Classification:

4283122, 427203, 42725528, 156538, 156344

Abstract:

Layer transfer approaches are described to take advantage of large area, thin inorganic foils formed onto a porous release layer. In particular, since the inorganic foils can be formed from ceramics and/or crystalline materials that do not bend a large amount, approaches are described to provide for gradual pulling along an edge to separate the foil from a holding surface along a curved surface designed to not excessively bend the foil such that the foil is not substantially damaged in the transfer process. Apparatuses are described to perform the transfer with a rocking motion or with a rotating cylindrical surface. Furthermore, stabilization of porous release layers can improve the qualities of resulting inorganic foils formed on the release layer. In particular, flame treatments can provide improved release layer properties, and the deposition of an interpenetrating stabilization composition can be deposited using CVD to stabilize a porous layer.

US Patent:

20100294352, Nov 25, 2010

Filed:

May 20, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/469101

Inventors:

Uma Srinivasan - Mountain View CA, US
Neeraj Pakala - Cupertino CA, US
William A. Sanders - Palo Alto CA, US
Henry Hieslmair - San Francisco CA, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/00
C22F 1/00
C21D 1/34
B32B 3/00
H01L 21/306

US Classification:

136256, 148527, 148525, 428601, 438745, 257E21219

Abstract:

Layered metal structures are patterned to form a surface with some locations having an alloy along the top surface at some locations and the original top metal layer at other locations along the surface. The alloy and original top metal layer can be selected to have differential etching properties such that the pattern of the alloy or original metal can be selectively etched to form a patterned metal interconnect. In general, the patterning is performed by localized heating that drives formation of the alloy at the heated locations. The metal patterning can be useful for solar cell applications as well as for electronics applications, such as display applications.

US Patent:

20120003777, Jan 5, 2012

Filed:

Sep 15, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/233912

Inventors:

Bruce Krein - Campbell CA, US
Darin Birtwhistle - San Francisco CA, US
Jeff Thompson - San Jose CA, US
William Sanders - Palo Alto CA, US
Paul Alexander - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

MIASOLE - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

H01L 31/18
H05K 13/00

US Classification:

438 68, 29742, 29744, 257E31054

Abstract:

Provided herein are methods, apparatuses and systems for fabricating photovoltaic cells and modules. In certain embodiments, the methods, apparatuses and systems involve coating ferromagnetic substrates with thin film solar cell materials and using magnetic force to constrain, move or otherwise manipulate partially fabricated cells or modules. According to various embodiments, the methods, apparatuses and systems provide magnetically actuated handling throughout a photovoltaic cell or module fabrication process, from forming photovoltaic cell layers on a substrate to packaging the module for transport and installation. The magnetically manipulated processing provides advantages over conventional photovoltaic module processing operations, including fewer mechanical components, greater control over placement and tolerances, and ease of handling. As a result, the methods, apparatuses and systems provide highly efficient, low maintenance photovoltaic module fabrication processes.