US3985579A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rib and channel vertical multijunction solar cell
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1975-11-26
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Granted: 1976-10-12
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Expires: 1995-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A vertical multijunction solar cell fabricated with the junction channels perpendicular to a ribbed electrical grid structure provides an improved vertical multijunction solar cell having increased mechanical strength and decreased electrical resistance.
Inventors
- 👤 William P. Rahilly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:05
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/14; H10F77/00; H10F77/10; H10F77/14; H10F77/148; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/547; Y10; Y10S; Y10S438/00; Y10S438/965
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A vertical multijunction solar cell having a plurality of channels providing vertical junctions formed in the upper surface of a semiconductor substrate, a conducting surface on the bottom of said substrate providing an electrical contact and a header on the upper surface of said substrate for providing electrical contact with the cell, the improvement wherein: a. said channels in said substrate are parallel to said header and are formed in strips perpendicular to said header with ribs formed of said semiconductor substrate between adjacent strips; and b. electrical contact fingers are disposed on said ribs and in electrical contact with said header.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A vertical multijunction solar cell having a plurality of channels providing vertical junctions formed in the upper surface of a semiconductor substrate, a conducting surface on the bottom of said substrate providing an electrical contact and a header on the upper surface of said substrate for providing electrical contact with the cell, the improvement wherein: a. said channels in said substrate are parallel to said header and are formed in strips perpendicular to said header with ribs formed of said semiconductor substrate between adjacent strips; and b. electrical contact fingers are disposed on said ribs and in electrical contact with said header.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
122 words
A rib and channel vertical junction solar cell comprising: a. a semiconductor substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface; b. a plurality of adjacent parallel channels of vertical photovoltaic junctions extending into said semiconductor substrate from said upper surface providing strips of channels, each having a rib of substrate material, said ribs being at each end perpendicular to each of said channels; c. an electrical conducting finger positioned on each rib; d. an electrical header positioned on the said upper surface of the substrate in electrical contact with each finger and providing a first electrical contact to the said cell; and e. an electrical conductor positioned on the said lower surface providing a second electrical contact to the said cell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
122 words
A rib and channel vertical junction solar cell comprising: a. a semiconductor substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface; b. a plurality of adjacent parallel channels of vertical photovoltaic junctions extending into said semiconductor substrate from said upper surface providing strips of channels, each having a rib of substrate material, said ribs being at each end perpendicular to each of said channels; c. an electrical conducting finger positioned on each rib; d. an electrical header positioned on the said upper surface of the substrate in electrical contact with each finger and providing a first electrical contact to the said cell; and e. an electrical conductor positioned on the said lower surface providing a second electrical contact to the said cell.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-10-12 | 1980-04-12 | 1980-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-12 | 1984-04-12 | 1984-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-12 | 1988-04-12 | 1988-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |