Generic solar cell array using a printed circuit substrate
AssigneeTRW Inc.
InventorDavid L. Ferguson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
There is disclosed a generic solar array panel which utilizes a printed circuit substrate. A series of electrically conductive paths for interconnecting the solar cells and other electronic components to form a solar electric power supply network is formed on or encapsulated into the substrate. An integral bus line conducts the collected power to a load. Stress relief loops routed in the substrate compensate for differences in characteristics of thermal expansion between the solar cell and the substrate while maintaining the integrity of the network's electrical connections.
Claims20
A solar panel comprising:
- a substrate;
- a plurality of solar cells;
- circuit means including a series of electrically conductive paths formed on the substrate for electrically connecting the solar cells together to form a solar electric power supply network;
- and
- means for resiliently connecting the solar cells along one surface therof to the circuit means, said means for resiliently connecting including a multiplicity of electrically conductive interconnect pads being resiliently responsive to expansion and contraction of the substrate to maintain the integrity of the solar cell to circuit means connection.
A panel for mounting a plurality of electrical components thereto, said panel comprising:
- a substrate;
- a plurality of electrically conductive mounting pads for mounting and electrically interconnecting said components along one surface thereof to said substrate;
- circuit means including a series of electrically conductive paths formed on the substrate, for electrically interconnecting said components;
- a plurality of electrical traces electrically connecting said mounting pads to said circuit means;
- and
- discontinuities in said substrate which allow movement of said mounting pads relative to the remainder of the substrate to hereby accommodate different thermal expansion characteristics of the electrical components and substrate, said discontinuities in said substrate comprising slot openings equipped with resiliently movable members adapted to receive the mounting pads.
A solar panel comprising:
- a substrate;
- a plurality of solar cells mounted along one surface thereof to said substrate, each said solar cell being electrically, individually removably connected to said substrate via interconnect pads such that they can be individually replaced;
- circuit means including a series of electrically conductive paths encapsulated within the substrate for interconnecting said solar cells to form a solar electric power supply network including discontinuities in said substrate which allow movement of the interconnect pads relative to the remainder of the substrate to thereby accommodate different thermal expansion characteristics of the solar cells and substrate;
- whereby an individual solar cell may be removed from the solar panel without disturbing any adjacent cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.