System and method for removing coating from an edge of a substrate
AssigneeFirst Solar, Inc.
InventorsMichael Catalano, Stephen P. Murphy, Roland Mayerhofer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A coating-removal apparatus may include a source positioned on a mounting plate, and operable to emit a laser beam at a first path, where the mounting plate is configured to receive an edge of a photovoltaic module in a designated region substantially proximate to the mounting plate, such that the first path intersects the designated region, and where the mounting plate is further configured to reposition the source to create an additional path that intersects with the designated region, where the additional path is distinct from the first path.
Claims20
A method for scribing a coated surface, comprising:
- providing a substrate having at least one coated surface and at least one uncoated surface;
- directing a laser beam to at least one entry point on the uncoated surface;
- passing the laser beam through the substrate from the entry point to at least one portion of the coated surface;
- and,
- scribing at least one portion of the coated surface with the laser beam, wherein the step of scribing comprises controlling at least one property of the laser beam to facilitate scribing of the layer of coating.
A method for removing coating from an edge of a substrate, comprising:
- providing a substrate having at least one coated surface and at least one uncoated surface;
- directing a laser beam to at least one entry point on the uncoated surface;
- passing the laser beam through the substrate from the entry point to at least one portion of an edge of a coated surface;
- and,
- removing at least a portion of a coating on the edge of the coated surface with the laser beam, wherein the step of removing comprises controlling the power level of the laser beam.
A device for removing a coating from an edge of a substrate, comprising:
- a laser source which emits a laser beam, wherein the laser source is configured to direct the laser beam to at least one entry point on an uncoated surface of a substrate, though the substrate, and to at least one portion of a coating on an edge of the coated surface of the substrate;
- and,
- a controller configured to control the laser beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.