Socket assembly for a photovoltaic package
AssigneeTyco Electronics Corporation
InventorsScott Stephen Duesterhoeft, Stephen Daniel Gherardini, Henry Otto Herrmann, JR.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A socket assembly includes a photovoltaic package having a substrate with a photovoltaic cell and contact pads electrically connected to the photovoltaic cell. A dielectric housing removably receives the photovoltaic package. The dielectric housing holds contacts in mating engagement with the contact pads. A metal shell receives the housing and the photovoltaic package, and the metal shell has a window providing access to the photovoltaic cell.
Claims20
A socket assembly comprising:
- photovoltaic package having a substrate with a photovoltaic cell and contact pads electrically connected to the photovoltaic cell;
- a dielectric housing removably receiving the photovoltaic package, the dielectric housing holding contacts in mating engagement with the contact pads;
- and
- a metal shell receiving the housing and the photovoltaic package, the metal shell having a window providing access to the photovoltaic cell.
A socket assembly for mounting a photovoltaic package to a heat sink, the socket assembly comprising:
- a dielectric housing configured to hold the photovoltaic package, the dielectric housing holding contacts having mating interfaces, the mating interfaces defining a separable interface being configured for mating engagement with contact pads of the photovoltaic package;
- and
- a metal shell receiving the housing, the shell having mounting features for mounting to the heat sink such that the photovoltaic package is in thermal communication with the heat sink.
A socket assembly comprising:
- photovoltaic package having a substrate with an upper surface and a lower surface, the photovoltaic package having a photovoltaic cell and contact pads electrically connected to the photovoltaic cell on the upper surface, the lower surface being configured to be in thermal communication with a heat sink;
- a dielectric housing holding the photovoltaic package, the dielectric housing holding contacts in mating engagement with the contact pads;
- and
- a metal shell receiving the housing and the photovoltaic package, the metal shell having mounting features for mounting the metal shell, housing and photovoltaic package to the heat sink such that the photovoltaic package is in thermal communication with the heat sink.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.