US4037014A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Semiconductor absorber for photothermal converter
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1975-10-21
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Granted: 1977-07-19
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Expires: 1995-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A layer of electrically insulating material is coated on a reflector. Granular semiconductor particles are uniformly dispersed in the layer of electrically insulating material. The combination forms an efficient absorber for high temperature photothermal conversion of solar energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Jonathan Isaac Gittleman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:38
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S70/00; F24S70/20; F24S70/225; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y10; Y10S; Y10S126/00; Y10S126/907; Y10S126/908; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/259; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2982; Y10T428/2991; Y10T428/2993
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
An absorber for photothermal conversion comprising: a reflector; a layer of electrically insulating material on said reflector; granular semiconductor particles uniformly dispersed in said layer; said electrically insulating layer having an index of refraction lower than said semiconductor particles and exhibiting no significant absorption in the infrared radiation region up to about 30 μ; and said layer also being immiscible with said semiconductor particles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
An absorber for photothermal conversion comprising: a reflector; a layer of electrically insulating material on said reflector; granular semiconductor particles uniformly dispersed in said layer; said electrically insulating layer having an index of refraction lower than said semiconductor particles and exhibiting no significant absorption in the infrared radiation region up to about 30 μ; and said layer also being immiscible with said semiconductor particles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An absorber in accordance with claim 1, wherein said reflector is a highly reflecting metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An absorber in accordance with claim 2, wherein said metal is a material selected from the group consisting of silver and aluminum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An absorber in accordance with claim 1, wherein said semiconductor particles have an energy gap between about 0.7 ev. and about 1.2 ev.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An absorber in accordance with claim 4 wherein said semiconductor particles are a material selected from the group consisting of silicon, germanium, and alloys thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
An absorber in accordance with claim 1, wherein said electrically insulating layer is a material selected from the group consisting of CaF 2 , BeO, BaF 2 , KBr, KCl, and NaCl.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An absorber in accordance with claim 6 for operating at a temperature about 750° K. comprising 10 to 50% by volume of said semiconductor particles dispersed in said electrically insulating layer.
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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) | 1980-07-18 | 1981-01-17 | 1981-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-18 | 1985-01-17 | 1985-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-18 | 1989-01-17 | 1989-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |