IP Library Granted Patent US 8,092,601
Granted Patent B2
US 8,092,601 · App. 11/953,069 · Granted Jan 10, 2012

System and process for fabricating photovoltaic cell

Assignee: Ascentool, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,092,601
App. No.
11/953,069
Granted
Jan 10, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A substrate processing system includes a source unit configured to supply a deposition material to a substrate, a substrate holder configured to hold a substrate to receive the deposition material, a shadow mask comprising a frame that includes two opposing arms; and a crossbar configured to be mounted to the two opposing arms. The frame and the crossbar define a plurality of openings that allow the deposition material supplied by the source unit to be deposited on the substrate. A transport mechanism can produce relative movement between the shadow mask and the substrate.

Claims (28)

1. A substrate processing system, comprising:

a source unit configured to supply a deposition material to a substrate;

a substrate holder configured to hold a substrate to receive the deposition material;

a shadow mask comprising:

a frame that includes two opposing arms; and

a plurality of crossbars each comprising an elongated portion and a mounting member configured to be mounted to one of the two opposing arms, wherein each of the plurality of crossbars comprises a spring configured to pull the mounting member against the one of the two opposing arms to securely mount the crossbar across the two opposing arms, wherein the frame and the crossbar define a plurality of openings that are configured to pass a deposition material to a substrate; and

a transport mechanism configured to produce relative movement between the shadow mask and the substrate.

2. The shadow mask of claim 1 , wherein the spring and the elongated portion in the at least one of the plurality of crossbars form an integrated component.

3. The shadow mask of claim 1 , wherein the spring, the mounting member, and the elongated portion in the at least one of the plurality of crossbars form an integrated component.

4. The substrate processing system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of crossbars comprises an elongated portion, two mounting members at two ends of the elongated portion, and a spring, wherein the mounting members are configured to be respectively mounted to the two opposing arms, wherein the spring is configured to pull the mounting member against the one of the two opposing arms to securely mount the crossbar across the two opposing arms.

5. The substrate processing system of claim 1 , wherein the crossbar comprises an alloy, stainless steel, steel, Titanium, Mo, or W.

6. The substrate processing system of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises Stainless steel, steel, aluminum, titanium, or an alloy.

7. The shadow mask of claim 1 , wherein a thermal expansion coefficient of the plurality of crossbars is lower than a thermal expansion coefficient of the frame.

8. The shadow mask of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of crossbars has a width in a range of about 0.02 millimeter and about 2 millimeters.

9. The shadow mask of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of crossbars are substantially parallel to each other.

10. The shadow mask of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of crossbars are perpendicular to the two opposing arms.

11. A shadow mask for defining deposition patterns on a substrate, comprising:

a frame comprising two opposing arms; and

a plurality of crossbars each comprising an elongated portion and a mounting member configured to be mounted to one of the two opposing arms, wherein each of the plurality of crossbars comprises a spring configured to pull the mounting member against the one of the two opposing arms to securely mount the crossbar across the two opposing arms, wherein the frame and the crossbar define a plurality of openings that are configured to pass a deposition material to a substrate.

12. The shadow mask of claim 11 , wherein the spring and the elongated portion in the at least one of the plurality of crossbars form an integrated component.

13. The shadow mask of claim 11 , wherein the spring, the mounting member, and the elongated portion in the at least one of the plurality of crossbars form an integrated component.

14. The shadow mask of claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of crossbars comprises an elongated portion, two mounting members at two ends of the elongated portion, and a spring, wherein the mounting members are configured to be respectively mounted to the two opposing arms, wherein the spring is configured to pull the mounting member against the one of the two opposing arms to securely mount the crossbar across the two opposing arms.

15. The shadow mask of claim 11 , wherein the crossbar comprises an alloy, stainless steel, steel, Titanium, Mo, or W.

16. The shadow mask of claim 11 , wherein the frame comprises Stainless steel, steel, aluminum, titanium, or an alloy.

17. The shadow mask of claim 11 , wherein a thermal expansion coefficient of the plurality of crossbars is lower than a thermal expansion coefficient of the frame.

18. The shadow mask of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of crossbars has a width in a range of about 0.02 millimeter and about 2 millimeters.

19. The shadow mask of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of crossbars are substantially parallel to each other.

20. The shadow mask of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of crossbars are perpendicular to the two opposing arms.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 18, 2014
From: GUO, GEORGE X.; WANG, KAI-AN
To: ASCENTOOL, INC
Reel/Frame 033346/0907 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 60869728 · Dec 13, 2006
Related Publication 20080145521A1 · Jun 19, 2008