US4082568A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar cell with multiple-metal contacts
Assignee: BP Solar International LLC
•
Filing: 1977-05-10
•
Granted: 1978-04-04
•
Expires: 1997-05-10
Abstract
Abstract Solar cell having a contact formed from a titanium group element in contiguous relationship with the cell, a mixture of a titanium group element and a platinum group element overlying the titanium group layer, and a layer of a platinum group element overlying that layer. A body of silver or other contact metal is adhered to the platinum group layer. The three layers may be vapor deposited on the semiconductor body, while the silver layer is more advantageously applied by plating or electroplating.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Lindmayer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:05
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/20; H10F77/206; H10F77/211; C; C25; C25D; C25D5/00; C25D5/34; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y10; Y10S; Y10S148/00; Y10S148/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A solar cell comprising an body of semiconductor material and at least one contact adhered thereto for accepting and directing a flow of electricity away from said article, said contact comprising a first layer of an element from the titanium group in contiguous relationship with said article, a second layer comprising a mixture of a titanium group element and an element selected from the platinum group overlying said first layer, a third layer comprising an element from the platinum group overlying said second layer, and a body of contact metal overlying said third layer, each of said layers being in firm adherence to its adjoining layers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A solar cell comprising an body of semiconductor material and at least one contact adhered thereto for accepting and directing a flow of electricity away from said article, said contact comprising a first layer of an element from the titanium group in contiguous relationship with said article, a second layer comprising a mixture of a titanium group element and an element selected from the platinum group overlying said first layer, a third layer comprising an element from the platinum group overlying said second layer, and a body of contact metal overlying said third layer, each of said layers being in firm adherence to its adjoining layers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 1, in which said first layer consists essentially of titanium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 1, which said third layer consists essentially of palladium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 1, in which said second layer comprises a mixture of titanium and palladium in substantially equal atomic amounts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A solar cell as claimed in claim 1, in which said contact metal is silver.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3106489A
Cited
US3434885A
Cited
US3686036A
Cited
US3736180A
Cited
US3664874A
Cited
US4025404A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-04-03 | 1981-10-03 | 1982-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-03 | 1985-10-03 | 1986-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-03 | 1989-10-03 | 1990-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |