Abstract: A system and a method for feeding a solid into a solid deposition system is described. Solid contained in a hopper is directed into a vibratory bowl. The frequency of the vibrations of the vibratory bowl can be modulated by a feedback system. The solid can then be entrained in a carrier gas which can flow to a distributor for deposition on a substrate.

Abstract: A mounting bracket mounts a photovoltaic module to a support structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (42) for laser scribing coatings on glass sheet substrates by conveying the substrate adjacent a laser source (83) that provides a pulsed laser beam (84) with a wavelength at a near-infrared fundamental frequency and having a frequency in the range of 50 to 100 kilohertz and a pulse duration in the range of 8 to 70 nanoseconds, and by reflecting the beam by an XYZ galvanometer controlled mirror system (90) toward an uncoated surface of the substrate for passage therethrough to the coating on the other surface to provide overlapping ablations through the coating and scribing at a speed of at least 1000 millimeters per second.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition system (10) includes a housing (12) having an entry (30) and an exit (32) through which glass sheet substrates (G) to be coated are introduced and exited from a deposition chamber (14) defined by lower and upper housing portions (16, 18) having a seal assembly (22) at their horizontal junction which is higher than both the entry and the exit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (42) for laser scribing coatings on glass sheet substrates by conveying the substrate adjacent a laser source (83) that provides a pulsed laser beam (84) with a wavelength at a near-infrared fundamental frequency and having a frequency in the range of 50 to 100 kilohertz and a pulse duration in the range of 8 to 70 nanoseconds, and by reflecting the beam by an XYZ galvanometer controlled mirror system (90) toward an uncoated surface of the substrate for passage therethrough to the coating on the other surface to provide overlapping ablations through the coating and scribing at a speed of at least 1000 millimeters per second.

Abstract: Novel ligated compounds of tin, titanium, and zinc are useful as metal oxide CVD precursor compounds without the detriments of extreme reactivity yet maintaining the ability to produce high quality metal oxide coating by contact with heated substrates.

Abstract: A photovoltaic array (20, 20′) includes a plurality of elongated rails (28) each of which has a lower base (30) and an upper cap (32) of an extruded resin construction defining a pair of grooves (36) that open in opposite directions from each other to receive edges 36 of rectangular photovoltaic modules (22) so as to provide mounting thereof on a support surface (20, 24). The photovoltaic modules (22) are arranged in pairs (38) with the modules of each pair abutting each other and with each pair of modules being spaced along the elongated lengths of the rails from each adjacent pair of modules to provide openings (40) therebetween. Cross members (42) extend between the lower bases (30) of the rails to space the rails from each other and have upwardly opening shapes that receive electrical wiring (44).

Abstract: A photovoltaic array (20, 20′) includes a plurality of elongated rails (28) each of which has a lower base (30) and an upper cap (32) of an extruded resin construction defining a pair of grooves (36) that open in opposite directions from each other to receive edges 36 of rectangular photovoltaic modules (22) so as to provide mounting thereof on a support surface (20, 24). The photovoltaic modules (22) are arranged in pairs (38) with the modules of each pair abutting each other and with each pair of modules being spaced along the elongated lengths of the rails from each adjacent pair of modules to provide openings (40) therebetween. Cross members (42) extend between the lower bases (30) of the rails to space the rails from each other and have upwardly opening shapes that receive electrical wiring (44).

Abstract: A method and apparatus (42) for laser scribing coatings on glass sheet substrates by conveying the substrate adjacent a laser source (83) that provides a pulsed laser beam (84) with a wavelength at a near-infrared fundamental frequency and having a frequency in the range of 50 to 100 kilohertz and a pulse duration in the range of 8 to 70 nanoseconds, and by reflecting the beam by an XYZ galvanometer controlled mirror system (90) toward an uncoated surface of the substrate for passage therethrough to the coating on the other surface to provide overlapping ablations through the coating and scribing at a speed of at least 1000 millimeters per second.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition system (10) includes a housing (12) having an entry (30) and an exit (32) through which glass sheet substrates (G) to be coated are introduced and exited from a deposition chamber (14) defined by lower and upper housing portions (16, 18) having a seal assembly (22) at their horizontal junction which is higher than both the entry and the exit.

Abstract: A method of accelerated life testing of a solar cell includes directing a high-intensity diode laser light through at least one lens onto a small area of the solar cell continuously for a predetermined period of time to simulate long-term sun exposure. Performance of the solar cell is measured before and after exposure to the laser light so that life expectancy unless long-term sun exposure may be determined.

Abstract: Novel ligated compounds of tin, titanium, and zinc are useful as metal oxide CVD precursor compounds without the detriments of extreme reactivity yet maintaining the ability to produce high quality metal oxide coating by contact with heated substrates.

Abstract: Novel ligated compounds of tin, titanium, and zinc are useful as metal oxide CVD precursor compounds without the detriments of extreme reactivity yet maintaining the ability to produce high quality metal oxide coating by contact with heated substrates.

Abstract: Novel ligated compounds of tin, titanium, and zinc are useful as metal oxide CVD precursor compounds without the detriments of extreme reactivity yet maintaining the ability to produce high quality metal oxide coating by contact with heated substrates.

Abstract: A system for reclaiming cadmium and tellurium from cadmium telluride solar cell. The system comprises a crushing apparatus for crushing cells into pieces, a first conveyor for transporting solar cells to the crushing apparatus, a barrel for receiving etchant for etching the crushed cell pieces, a second conveyor for transporting crusehed pieces of cells from the crushing apparatus to the barrel, and a screen separator for separating the crushed cell pieces into at least three components.

Abstract: A method for etching substrates, comprising providing at least a first and a second substrate having a coating selected from the group consisting of semiconductor coatings, metallic coatings, and mixtures thereof and introducing at least the first substrate and an etchant into a first tank to etch at least a portion of the coating from the first substrate, introducing at least the second substrate into a second tank and transferring the etchant from the first tank to the second tank to provide etch of at least a portion of the coatings from the second substrate, and removing the etched first substrate from the first tank.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) and a method for laser scribing a coated substrate (22) utilizes a rotating polygonal mirror (36) to split a pulsed laser beam (30) in order to provide spaced ablations (34) in a coating (26) on the substrate. The laser pulses are directed through at least one lens (56, 60) and may be passed through fiber optics (62). A laser detector (68) may be used to detect the rotational position of the rotating polygonal mirror (36). A controller (76″, 76′″) allows a second set of scribes to be generated with reference to the first set of scribes.

Abstract: A method for reclaiming a metallic material from a article including a non-metallic friable substrate. The method comprising crushing the article into a plurality of pieces. An acidic solution capable of dissolving the metallic material is provided dissolving the metallic material in the acidic material to form an etchant effluent. The etchant effluent is separated from the friable substrate. A precipitation agent, capable of precipitating the metallic material, is added to the etchant effluent to precipitate out the metallic material from the etchant effluent. The metallic material is then recovered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recycling crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules comprising (a) providing a crystalline silicon photovoltaic module having (i) a glass substrate, (ii) at least one layer of polymeric material, and (iii) at least one solar cell, (b) providing an inert atmosphere, and (c) heating the module in the inert atmosphere.

Abstract: A deposition system (20) for depositing a material layer on a glass sheet substrate includes a lateral alignment mechanism (28) for laterally aligning glass sheet substrates with an ingress seal (48) of a deposition station (22). The lateral alignment mechanism (28) includes a pair of banks (164, 166) of alignment members (168) spaced laterally with respect to each other along the direction of conveyance. Round alignment surfaces (170) of the alignment members (168) are located above conveyor rolls (96) upstream from the housing of the deposition station and are rotatable about associated vertical axes. A positioner (172) moves one of the banks of alignment members (168) laterally with respect to the direction of conveyance toward the other bank of alignment members to laterally align the glass sheet substrate along the direction of conveyance with the ingress seal assembly (48).