US4082569A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar cell collector
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1977-02-22
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Granted: 1978-04-04
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Expires: 1997-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A transparent, conductive collector layer containing conductive metal channels is formed as a layer on a photovoltaic substrate by coating a photovoltaic substrate with a conductive mixed metal layer; attaching a heat sink having portions protruding from one of its surfaces which define a continuous pattern in combination with recessed regions among said protruding portions to said substrate such that said protruding portions of said heat sink are in contact with the conductive layer of said substrate; and Heating said substrate while simultaneously oxidizing the portions of the conductive layer exposed to a gaseous oxidizing substance forced into said recessed regions of said heat sink, thereby creating a transparent metal oxide layer on said substrate containing a continuous pattern of highly conductive metal channels in said layer.
Inventors
- 👤 John C. Evans, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:20
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/20; H10F77/206; H10F77/211; H10F77/244; H10F77/60; H10F77/63; H10F77/68; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/544
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
A photovoltaic device having a transparent collector layer thereon, which comprises: a photovoltaic substrate coated with a transparent, conductive mixed metal oxide collector layer containing a continuous pattern of higher conductivity metal channels therein, the metallic elements of said mixed metal oxide collector layer being the same as the metallic elements of said conductive channels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
A photovoltaic device having a transparent collector layer thereon, which comprises: a photovoltaic substrate coated with a transparent, conductive mixed metal oxide collector layer containing a continuous pattern of higher conductivity metal channels therein, the metallic elements of said mixed metal oxide collector layer being the same as the metallic elements of said conductive channels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said mixed metal oxide collector layer is 500A to 10 μ m thick.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said photovoltaic substrate is a film of gallium arsenide or cadmium sulfide, a heterojunction device, a Schottky barrier device or an n/p or p/n photovoltaic diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said continuous pattern of higher conductivity metal channels is of a honeycomb pattern in the conductive mixed metal oxide layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
A photovoltaic device having a transparent collector layer thereon comprising, a photovoltaic substrate, a transparent, conductive mixed metal oxide collector layer on said substrate, and a plurality of higher conductivity metal channels contained in said collector layer, the metallic elements in said collector layer and conductive channels comprising mixtures of indium and tin, indium and arsenic, and indium and antemony.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A photovoltaic device having a transparent collector layer thereon comprising, a photovoltaic substrate, a transparent, conductive mixed metal oxide collector layer on said substrate, and a plurality of higher conductivity metal channels contained in said collector layer, the metallic elements in said collector layer and conductive channels comprising mixtures of indium and tin, indium and arsenic, and indium and antemony.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 5, wherein the thickness of said mixed metal oxide collector layer ranges from 500A to 10 μ m.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 5, wherein said photovoltaic substrate is a film of gallium arsenide or cadmium sulfide, a heterojunction device, a Schottky barrier device or an n/p or p/n photovoltaic diode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 5, wherein the higher conductivity metal channels form a continuous honeycomb pattern.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3778684A
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US3888697A
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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) | 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 |