Abstract: A method and apparatus for laser scribing coatings on glass sheet substrates.

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 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 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: An apparatus and method for electrocoriolysis, the separation of ionic substances from liquids in the electrodynamic mode. The method maximizes centrifugal forces on a fluid contained in a chamber having oppositely polarized electrodes. A feed fluid is fed into the chamber. Spacing of the electrodes can be minimized for enhancement of the process. A constant voltage can be applied. Centrifugal force and the electric potential across the chamber create enhanced separation. Concentrated solution can be removed from a location in the chamber and depleted solution from another location.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating and removing ionizable components dissolved in fluids, such as for example, water, by separating said ionizable substances into fractions by the action of electric current and of Coriolis force. Liquid containing ionizable components is continuously fed in and the purified solvent and the solute in a concentrated solution are continuously removed while the liquid is rotated. Compound centrifugal force or Coriolis force causes the concentrated solution to move to a location where it can be effectively and continuously removed as well as causes the depleted liquid to move to a separate location where it also can be effectively and continuously removed. The invention can operate in several modes, the modes being electrolytic and electrostatic. The invention allows for almost universal application to removal of ionizable components and provides a cost effective and energy efficient continuous process to do so.

Abstract: An extremely lightweight, interconnected array of semiconductor devices, such as solar cells, is formed from a large continuous area of semiconductor material disposed on an unconventionally thin, electrically conducting substrate. The interconnections are formed by removing portions of the substrate to form substrate islands underlying a layer of semiconductor material which underlies a transparent conductive oxide. The oxide layer may likewise be formed into mutually isolated islands that overlay the areas between the substrate islands. Individual units or cells so formed may be interconnected by depositing a conducting material on, alongside and at least partially between islands of oxide and/or semiconductor, by depositing a metal grid on the oxide layer and burning conducting paths to the substrate islands, or by piercing the layers and disposing a conducting material in the holes pierced.

Abstract: A large area solar photovoltaic power module comprises a plurality of flexible large area solar panels interconnected by a flexible hinge. The module may thus be folded and subsequently rolled into a compact, stowable cylindrical configuration.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for contiuously producing a relatively large-area, lightweight array of thin film semiconductor alloy photovoltaic cells having no substrate includes depositing a semiconductor alloy film, such as amorphous silicon, on a traveling surrogate substrate, applying a support material to the traveling film to give it mechanical strength and separating the film and support material from the traveling surrogate substrate. The surrogate substrate is preferably an endless stainless steel band from which the deposited alloy film is repeatedly stripped and on which deposits are repeatedly made. The apparatus may provide for the deposition and patterning of a back electrode on the substrate before deposition of the alloy film to form one set of electrical interconnections for the array.

Abstract: A retractable power supply including a solar cell for converting incident radiation to electrical energy and a base member for (1) storing the solar cell when said cell is not operatively deployed and (2) supporting the solar cell when said cell is in an operative condition. A rechargeable battery pack may be included in the base member for storing electrical energy generated by the solar cell. In one particularly noteworthy embodiment, the solar cell may be employed as a retractable window shade.

Abstract: A continuous, in-line deposition system is disclosed for coating large substrates. The apparatus includes loadlock chambers for loading and unloading substrates arranged in carriers. The carriers transport through the apparatus a plurality of pairs of substrates with their principal faces, that is faces to be coated, held in a plane that is both parallel to the electric field of the glow discharge reaction and perpendicular to the direction of motion of the substrates through the apparatus.

Abstract: An electroplated substrate, characterized by a substantially reduced number of surface defects, for the fabrication of thin film electronic devices. The substrate is prepared in an electroforming process by electroplating onto and removing a metallic layer from the surface of a specifically prepared, substantially defect-free mandril. The substrate may be provided with a preselected surface finish by either (1) texturing the mandril or (2) controlling the parameters of the electroplating process to control the morphology of the deposit. The substrate is especially adapted for the fabrication of thin film photoresponsive devices which incorporate specular or diffuse back reflectors, since the texture may be controlled to provide for the appropriate type of reflectivity. Large area, thin film semiconductor devices incorporating the electroplated substrate are readily scribed to form electrically isolated small area segments for the fabrication of modules, arrays and the like.

Abstract: Photovoltaic quantum efficiency of semiconductor samples is determined directly, without requiring that a built-in photovoltage be generated by the sample. Electrodes are attached to the sample so as to form at least one Schottky barrier therewith. When illuminated, the generated photocurrent carriers are collected by an external bias voltage impressed across the electrodes. The generated photocurrent is measured, and photovoltaic quantum efficiency is calculated therefrom.

Abstract: An array of an even number of amorphous silicon solar cells are serially connected between first and second terminals of opposite polarity. The terminals are connected to one input terminal of a DC motor whose other input terminal is connected to the mid-cell of the serial array. Vane elements are adjacent the end cells to selectively shadow one or the other of the end cells when the array is oriented from a desired attitude relative to the sun. The shadowing of one cell of a group of cells on one side of the mid-cell reduces the power of that group substantially so that full power from the group of cells on the other side of the mid-cell drives the motor to reorient the array to the desired attitude. The cell groups each have a full power output at the power rating of the motor. When the array is at the desired attitude the power output of the two groups of cells balances due to their opposite polarity so that the motor remains unpowered.

Abstract: A photovoltaic array comprises a continuous semiconductor body with a plurality of spaced apart first and second electrical contacts on respective opposed surfaces of the body, thereby forming a plurality of photovoltaic cells with the cells series-connected to provide a higher output voltage. The invention is a series-connected array wherein the series connection between a pair of adjacent photovoltaic cells comprises a plurality of openings extending through the semiconductor body with an electrical contact of one cell extending into the plurality of openings to provide a connection with an opposed electrical contact of the next adjacent cell.

Abstract: An electroplated substrate, characterized by a substantially reduced number of surface defects, for the fabrication of thin film electronic devices. The substrate is prepared in an electroforming process by electroplating onto and removing a metallic layer from the surface of a specifically prepared, substantially defect-free mandril. The substrate may be provided with a preselected surface finish by either (1) texturing the mandril or (2) controlling the parameters of the electroplating process to control the morphology of the deposit. The substrate is especially adapted for the fabrication of thin film photoresponsive devices which incorporate specular or diffuse back reflectors, since the texture may be controlled to provide for the appropriate type of reflectivity. Large area, thin film semiconductor devices incorporating the electroplated substrate are readily scribed to form electrically isolated small area segments for the fabrication of modules, arrays and the like.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the controlled deposition of a layer of hydrogenated amorphous silicon on a substrate. Means is provided for the illumination of the coated surface of the substrate and measurement of the resulting photovoltage at the outermost layer of the coating. Means is further provided for admixing amounts of p type and n type dopants to the reactant gas in response to the measured photovoltage to achieve a desired level and type of doping of the deposited layer.

Abstract: A large area photovoltaic cell tolerant of puncture damage to small area segments thereof, and exhibiting only a proportional loss of electrical output from low resistance current paths formed through those small area segments. The small area segments are arrayed in a plurality of rows and columns upon an electrically insulating substrate. The small area segments in each of the rows or columns are electrically connected in series, while the series connected rows or columns of small area segments are electrically connected in parallel. The large area cell also includes a pressurized sealant which is released when the surface of the cell is pierced. The sealant flows through the damaged portion and protects the edges thereof from degradation by ambient conditions. Also disclosed is a method for the manufacture of such defect-tolerant large area photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: An improved method for the deposition of a semiconductor layer from the positive column of a glow discharge is disclosed. The improvement comprises dividing an electrically conducting layer on a surface of an insulator into a plurality of electrically isolated segments. The width of each segment is preferably less than or equal to the maximum allowable difference in the relative plasma potential over the conducting substrate divided by the plasma potential gradient. Data for amorphous silicon photovoltaic devices are also disclosed which show a greatly improved uniformity in V.sub.oc and J.sub.sc with relative position in the positive column for segmented as compared to unsegmented devices.