IP Library Granted Patent US 8,603,250
Granted Patent B2
US 8,603,250 · App. 11/752,054 · Granted Dec 10, 2013

System and method for deposition of a material on a substrate

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,603,250
App. No.
11/752,054
Granted
Dec 10, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method and apparatus for improving coating of a substrate.

Claims (23)

1. A system for depositing a material on a substrate, comprising:

a deposition nozzle configured to deposit a first portion of a vapor of a material as a film on a first surface of the substrate;

a transport mechanism configured to transport the substrate past the nozzle;

a first substantially flat surface opposite the nozzle and in a void region between elements of a transport mechanism; a second substantially flat surface in a second void region between elements of a transport mechanism and adjacent to the first substantial flat surface; wherein the first and the second substantially flat surfaces are positioned with its own individual adjustable connector; and

an exhaust basket positioned substantially directly beneath the first substantially flat surface, wherein the exhaust basket is connected to a source of reduced pressure, the exhaust basket having an intake, the intake positioned beneath the nozzle and opposite a second surface of the substrate and above the source of reduced pressure, and extending beyond the width of the substrate and configured to receive a second portion of the vapor from the deposition nozzle which is not deposited on the first surface of the substrate.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein a plane tangential to the transport mechanism is offset between 0.1 to 10 mm from the substantially flat surface.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the substantially flat surface includes graphite or boron nitride.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the substantially flat surface is removable.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the exhaust basket extends beyond the substantially flat surface in one dimension.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the exhaust basket extends beyond the substantially flat surface in a second dimension.

7. The system of claim 4 , wherein the exhaust basket includes a removable base.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the substantially flat surface extends beyond the width of the substrate when present.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the exhaust basket comprises an bar extending across the basket, the adjustable connector being attached to the bar.

10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of substantially flat surfaces positioned in a plurality of corresponding void regions between elements of the transport mechanism.

11. A vapor deposition system comprising:

a vapor nozzle positioned above a substrate and configured to deposit at least a portion of a vapor material as a film on a first surface of the substrate;

substantially flat surfaces opposite the nozzle, the substrate positioned above the substantially flat surfaces, wherein the substantially flat surfaces are placed in between portions of a substrate transport mechanism and wherein each substantially flat surface is positioned with its own individual adjustable connector; and

an exhaust basket positioned substantially directly beneath the first substantially flat surface, wherein the exhaust basket is connected to a source of reduced pressure, the exhaust basket having an intake, the intake positioned beneath the nozzle and opposite a second surface of the substrate and above the source of reduced pressure, and extending beyond the width of the substrate and configured to receive the vapor not deposited on the first surface of the substrate by the vapor nozzle.

12. The vapor deposition system of claim 11 , wherein a plane tangential to the substrate transport mechanism is offset between 0.1 and 10 mm from the substantially flat surfaces.

13. The vapor deposition system of claim 11 , wherein the substantially flat surfaces are removable.

14. The vapor deposition system of claim 11 , wherein the exhaust basket has a length that is longer than the dimension of the substantially flat surface.

15. The vapor deposition system of claim 11 , wherein the exhaust basket has a width that is wider than the substantially flat surface and the transport mechanism.

16. The vapor deposition system of claim 11 , wherein the exhaust basket is removable.

Assignments (7)
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Nov 15, 2021
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
Reel/Frame 058132/0566 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Nov 15, 2021
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
Reel/Frame 058132/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 12, 2017
From: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 043177/0581 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT APPLICATION 13/895113 ERRONEOUSLY ASSIGNED BY FIRST SOLAR, INC. TO JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. ON JULY 19, 2013 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 030832 FRAME 0088. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CORRECT PATENT APPLICATION TO BE ASSIGNED IS 13/633664. Recorded Sep 19, 2014
From: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 033779/0081 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 19, 2013
From: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 030832/0088 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 14, 2007
From: MALTBY, MICHAEL G.
To: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
Reel/Frame 019689/0504 →
MERGER Recorded Jul 26, 2007
From: FIRST SOLAR US MANUFACTURING, LLC
To: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
Reel/Frame 019605/0311 →