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Method of manufacturing flexible, lightweight photovoltaic array

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-12-10
ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a low-cost, flexible, lightweight photovoltaic array.
[0009]In one embodiment, a substantial reduction in manufacturing costs is achieved by bonding the one or more photovoltaic cells to the printed circuit board using automated assembly equipment such as for example, surface-mount technology placement systems (e.g., pick-and-place machines).

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, traditional photovoltaic array manufacturing methods involve extensive manual labor, which gives rise to relatively high manufacturing costs.

Method used

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  • Method of manufacturing flexible, lightweight photovoltaic array

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Embodiment Construction

[0016]To provide an overall understanding of the invention, certain illustrative embodiments will now be described, including a flexible lightweight photovoltaic array and a method for manufacturing the photovoltaic array. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the systems and methods described herein may be adapted and modified as is appropriate for the application being addressed and that the systems and methods described herein may be employed in other suitable applications, and that such other additions and modifications will not depart from the scope hereof.

[0017]Individual photovoltaic cells are connected in series so as to obtain a desired voltage, according to characteristics of the photovoltaic cells, to create photovoltaic cell strings. The photovoltaic cell strings are then connected in parallel so as to obtain a desired output capacity, thus creating a photovoltaic cell array. FIG. 1 shows the assembly of individual photovoltaic cell stri...

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Abstract

A flexible, lightweight photovoltaic cell array includes one or more individual photovoltaic cell strings attached to a polyimide film substrate and covered with a polyvinyl fluoride film. Each photovoltaic cell string includes one or more photovoltaic cells attached to a flexible printed circuit board. The photovoltaic cell array may be manufactured by a method that includes bonding at least one photovoltaic cell to a flexible printed circuit board, mounting the flexible printed circuit board on a polyimide film substrate, and covering the flexible printed circuit board with a substantially transparent polyvinyl fluoride film.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 471,094 filed May 22, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 128,510 filed May 22, 2008, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 130,148 filed May 27, 2008, the entirety of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to photovoltaic arrays. More particularly, the invention relates to flexible, lightweight photovoltaic arrays suitable for mounting directly on a surface of, or being deployed from, a spacecraft or an airplane.[0003]Photovoltaic cell strings include individual photovoltaic cells connected in series so as to obtain a desired voltage, according to characteristics of the photovoltaic cells. The photovoltaic cell strings are then connected in parallel so as to obtain a desired output capacity or current, thus creating a photovoltaic cell array.[0004]Traditionally, photovoltaic ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): H01L31/042H01L31/0216
CPCH01L31/048H01L31/188H05K1/189H05K3/0058Y02E10/50H05K3/305H05K2201/015H05K2201/0154H05K2201/10121H05K3/281Y02P70/50H01L31/02008H01L31/0504
Inventor MINELLI, ROBERT
Owner ORBITAL SCIENCES CORPORATION
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