US4053327A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light concentrating solar cell cover
Assignee: Comsat Corp
•
Filing: 1975-09-24
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Granted: 1977-10-11
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Expires: 1995-09-24
Abstract
Abstract A cover slide for a solar cell comprises a plurality of converging lenses arranged to focus the incident light so that it does not fall on the grid lines of the front electrode of the solar cell.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew Meulenberg, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:45
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/40; H10F77/42; H10F77/484; H10F77/488; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
In the combination of a single solar cell and a cover slide covering the surface of the solar cell which is exposed to incident light, said solar cell being of the type having a plurality of fine opaque grid lines which comprise the top electrode of said surface which is exposed to incident light, the improvement wherein said cover slide for said single solar cell consists of a plurality of converging lens means for concentrating incident light on the exposed surface areas of the solar cell between the grid lines, the repeat period of said converging lens means being equal to the distance between said grid lines.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
In the combination of a single solar cell and a cover slide covering the surface of the solar cell which is exposed to incident light, said solar cell being of the type having a plurality of fine opaque grid lines which comprise the top electrode of said surface which is exposed to incident light, the improvement wherein said cover slide for said single solar cell consists of a plurality of converging lens means for concentrating incident light on the exposed surface areas of the solar cell between the grid lines, the repeat period of said converging lens means being equal to the distance between said grid lines.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A light concentrating solar cell cover slide as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of lens means comprise a plurality of hemi-cylinders.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A light concentrating solar cell cover slide as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of lens means is a "waffle" lens composed of a plurality of lensettes, each lensette having a generally hemispherical shape but terminating in a square base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A light concentrating solar cell cover slide as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of lens means have a generally sawtooth configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A light concentrating solar cell cover slide as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of lens means are a plurality of lensettes, each lensette having a square pyrimidal configuration.
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) | 1980-10-10 | 1981-04-11 | 1981-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-10 | 1985-04-11 | 1985-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-10 | 1989-04-11 | 1989-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |