US3571672A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Switching device including silicon and carbon
Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices Inc
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Filing: 1968-04-11
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Granted: 1971-03-23
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Expires: 1988-04-11
Abstract
Abstract A switching device for an electrical circuit including a semiconductor material and electrodes in contact therewith, wherein the semiconductor material has a high electrical resistance, wherein the high electrical resistance is substantially instantaneously decreased to a low electrical resistance in response to a voltage above a threshold voltage value, wherein the low electrical resistance is immediately returned to the high electrical resistance in response to a decrease in current below a minimum current holding value, and wherein the semiconductor material consists essentially of silicon and carbon.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanford R Ovshinsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:36
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N70/00; H10N70/20; H10D; H10D62/00; H10D62/80; H10D62/871; H10N70/011; H10N70/021; H10N70/026; H10N70/801; H10N70/821; H10N70/826; H10N70/881; H10N70/884; H10N70/8845
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
A switching device as defined in claim 1 wherein the range in atomic percent of the silicon is about 50 percent to 66 2/3 percent and of the carbon is about 50 percent to 33 1/3 percent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
A switching device as defined in claim 1 wherein said low electrical resistance of said at least one path of the semiconductor material in the conducting condition immediately returns to the high electrical resistance in response to a decrease in current below a minimum current holding value which reestablishes the blocking condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
A switching device as defined in claim 3 wherein the high electrical resistance blockIng condition is decreased to the low electrical resistance conducting condition during each half cycle responsive to the instantaneous voltage of an AC voltage above a threshold voltage value, and wherein the low electrical resistance conducting condition is returned to the high electrical resistance blocking condition during each half cycle responsive to the instantaneous current of an AC current below a minimum current holding value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A switching device as defined in claim 1 wherein said semiconductor material is a fusion product.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A switching device as defined in claim 1 wherein said semiconductor material is a deposited layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A switching device as defined in claim 1 wherein said semiconductor material is carried by a paint.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A switching device as defined in claim 1 wherein said semiconductor material has a polymeric structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A switching device as defined in claim 1 wherein said semiconductor material is substantially amorphous.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2399266A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-22 | 1974-09-21 | 1975-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-22 | 1978-09-21 | 1979-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-22 | 1982-09-21 | 1983-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |