Patent US4095329A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4095329A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Manufacture of semiconductor ribbon and solar cells
Assignee: Schott Solar CSP Inc
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Filing: 1975-12-05
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Granted: 1978-06-20
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Expires: 1995-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided for producing solar cells employing slightly curved or nearly flat monocrystalline silicon ribbons. The ribbons are formed by cutting or slicing monocrystalline hollow tubes along their lengths, the tubes having been formed according to crystal growing processes disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,591,348.
Inventors
- 👤 Kramadhati Venkata Ravi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:32
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/14; C; C30; C30B; C30B33/00; H10F71/00; H10F71/121; H10F77/00; H10F77/10; H10F77/14; H10F77/147; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/547; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of producing ribbon-like substantially monocrystalline bodies for use in fabricating solar cells comprising the steps of: (a) providing a tubular substantially monocrystalline body of a semiconductor material; (b) forming a photovoltaic junction in the tubular body; and then (c) dividing said tubular body lengthwise into a plurality of ribbon-like bodies.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of producing ribbon-like substantially monocrystalline bodies for use in fabricating solar cells comprising the steps of: (a) providing a tubular substantially monocrystalline body of a semiconductor material; (b) forming a photovoltaic junction in the tubular body; and then (c) dividing said tubular body lengthwise into a plurality of ribbon-like bodies.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein said tubular body has a substantially circular cross-section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein said photovoltaic junction is formed by diffusing a dopant into the tubular body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein the photovoltaic junction is formed in the tubular body by ion-implantation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein said monocrystalline hollow body is divided by dissolving selected portions thereof with a liquid solvent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
Method according to claim 5 including the step of coating selected areas of the tubular body with a material that is resistant to said solvent, so that said predetermined areas are protected against dissolution by the solvent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
Method according to claim 1 including the steps of forming a protective film on the surfaces of the tubular hollow body, and removing selected portions of said protective film, and dividing said tubular body into a plurality of ribbon-like bodies by etching said tubular body where the selected portions of the protective film were removed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
Process according to claim 7 wherein said protective film comprises a wax, and said lined portions are removed by scribing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
84 words
Method of forming solar cells comprising the steps of: (a) producing a tubular substantially monocrystalline body of a selected semiconductor material, (b) forming a photovoltaic junction near the outer surface of said tubular body; (c) dividing said tubular body longitudinally into a plurality of elongate bodies each having first and second surfaces which constitute parts of the outer and inner surfaces respectively of said tubular body, and a photovoltaic junction near said first surface; and (d) forming electrodes on said first and second surfaces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
84 words
Method of forming solar cells comprising the steps of: (a) producing a tubular substantially monocrystalline body of a selected semiconductor material, (b) forming a photovoltaic junction near the outer surface of said tubular body; (c) dividing said tubular body longitudinally into a plurality of elongate bodies each having first and second surfaces which constitute parts of the outer and inner surfaces respectively of said tubular body, and a photovoltaic junction near said first surface; and (d) forming electrodes on said first and second surfaces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
Method of claim 9 wherein said tubular body has an oxide layer at its outer and inner surfaces after said junction is formed, and further including the step of removing each oxide layer before formation of the electrodes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method of claim 10 wherein said tubular body is divided by etching away selected longitudinally extending areas thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
Method of claim 11 wherein the division of the tubular body comprises the steps of coating the tubular body with a photoresist, removing the photoresist from said selected areas, and contacting said tubular body with an etchant which is capable of dissolving said tubular body and is inert with respect to said photoresist.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-06-19 | 1981-12-19 | 1982-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-19 | 1985-12-19 | 1986-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-19 | 1989-12-19 | 1990-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |