US4101341A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
CdSe-SnSe photovoltaic cell
Assignee: Battelle Development Corp
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Filing: 1977-05-04
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Granted: 1978-07-18
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Expires: 1997-05-04
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a photovoltaic cell for converting solar energy into electrical power and which has, in sandwich construction, two different polycrystalline, semiconductor layers in intimate contact and disposed on a metal or metal-coated substrate, the cell being provided with a light-transmissive or grating-shaped electrode on the side toward the light. The cell layers comprise the semiconducting selenides of cadmium and tin.
Inventors
- 👤 Matthias Peter Selders
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:08
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/16; H10F71/00; H10F71/125; H10F77/00; H10F77/10; H10F77/12; H10F77/127; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/543
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
33 words
A photovoltaic cell comprising a photosensitive semiconductor junction and electrode means for withdrawing electrical energy from the semiconductor junction, wherein the semiconductor junction comprises regions of n-type cadmium selenide and p-type tin selenide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
33 words
A photovoltaic cell comprising a photosensitive semiconductor junction and electrode means for withdrawing electrical energy from the semiconductor junction, wherein the semiconductor junction comprises regions of n-type cadmium selenide and p-type tin selenide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 wherein the regions are polycrystalline.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 wherein the regions comprise thin layers between about 0.3 and 3 microns thick.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 wherein the electrode means comprises a conductive substrate and a grid-shaped conductor separated by the semiconductor junction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 wherein the semiconductor junction is fabricated by forming a layer of n-type cadmium selenide and thereafter effecting a tin cadmium ion-exchange at an exposed surface of the cadmium selenide layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The photovoltaic cell of claim 1 wherein the semiconductor junction is fabricated by forming a layer of p-type tin selenide and thereafter effecting a cadmium for tin ion exchange at an exposed surface of the tin selenide layer.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for production of a photovoltaic cell comprising: (a) applying to a conductive substrate a first layer of a semiconductor material selected from n-type cadmium selenide and p-type tin selenide. (b) ion exchanging the cadmium for tin or the tin for cadmium, respectively, in an exposed surface region opposite the substrate, such that layered regions of both p-type tin selenide and n-type cadmium selenide are present, and (c) applying an upper electrode on the exposed surface opposite the substrate.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for production of a photovoltaic cell comprising: (a) applying to a conductive substrate a first layer of a semiconductor material selected from n-type cadmium selenide and p-type tin selenide. (b) ion exchanging the cadmium for tin or the tin for cadmium, respectively, in an exposed surface region opposite the substrate, such that layered regions of both p-type tin selenide and n-type cadmium selenide are present, and (c) applying an upper electrode on the exposed surface opposite the substrate.
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) | 1981-07-17 | 1982-01-16 | 1982-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-17 | 1986-01-16 | 1986-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-17 | 1990-01-16 | 1990-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |