NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Collections About News Help Login
Back to Results
Ultrasonic seam welding on thin silicon solar cellsThe ultrathin silicon solar cell has progressed to where it is a serious candidate for future light weight or radiation tolerant spacecraft. The ultrasonic method of producing welds was found to be satisfactory. These ultrathin cells could be handled without breakage in a semiautomated welding machine. This is a prototype of a machine capable of production rates sufficiently large to support spacecraft array assembly needs. For comparative purposes, this project also welded a variety of cells with thicknesses up to 0.23 mm as well as the 0.07 mm ultrathin cells. There was no electrical degradation in any cells. The mechanical pull strength of welds on the thick cells was excellent when using a large welding force. The mechanical strength of welds on thin cells was less since only a small welding force could be used without cracking these cells. Even so, the strength of welds on thin cells appears adequate for array application. The ability of such welds to survive multiyear, near Earth orbit thermal cycles needs to be demonstrated.
Document ID
19850025257
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Stofel, E. J. (Hughes Aircraft Co. El Segundo, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 5, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1982
Subject Category
Energy Production And Conversion
Report/Patent Number
NASA-CR-176116
JPL-9950-885
NAS 1.26:176116
Accession Number
85N33570
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS7-100
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

Related Records

There are no records associated with this record.
No Preview Available