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Product Briefing Outline: Ultrasonic Systems, Inc (USI) has introduced the PV360, which is a production coating system for photovoltaic wafers. The system features USI’s proprietary nozzle-less spray technology, which provides a more uniform, thinner coating application than conventional spray technology.

Problem: With a material transfer efficiency of 95-99%, this technology delivers a more controllable coating deposition than conventional spray nozzles, ultrasonic nozzles and other coating deposition techniques, according to the company.

Solution: The PV360 Coating System features USI’s nozzle-free, ultrasonic spray technology to apply a thin, uniform layer of phosphoric acid, phosphoric oxide and other proprietary coatings for the production of solar cells.  The System consists of a non-metal conveyor to transport the wafers and a synchronized, traversing nozzle-less ultrasonic spray head for coating application.  The wafers are conveyed with a self-cleaning mesh belt conveyor.  The mesh belt conveyor is constructed from Teflon coated Kevlar and is compatible with most phosphoric acid based coatings.  The conveyor utilizes a water-based cleaning system and an IR drying system to ensure that coating is not transferred to the bottom side of the wafers.  The conveyor width is 914 mm (36 inches) and can accommodate up to six (6) rows of 125 mm (5 inch) wafers.  The conveyor transports the wafers at a constant speed up to 1,524 mm/minute (60 inches/minute).
 
Applications: Deposition of phosphoric acid, phosphoric oxide and other proprietary coatings for the production of solar cells. 

Platform: The Ultra-Spray ultrasonic spray head produces a rectangular, lineal spray pattern at a width up to 152 mm (6 inches).  The spray head is mounted to a traversing mechanism, which moves at an adjustable angle with respect to the direction of conveyor travel.  Spray stroke – up to 2,000 mm/sec (79 inches/sec). Return stroke – 2,000 mm/sed (79 inches/sec)

Availability: August 2008 onwards.