US4137096A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low cost system for developing solar cells
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-03-03
•
Granted: 1979-01-30
•
Expires: 1997-03-03
Abstract
Abstract Low cost solar cells are made by electrodeposition of a metallic coating on a conductive substrate, followed by cathodic conversion of the coating in a thiosulfate containing bath to form metallic sulfides. Electrical contacts are made to portions of the sulfide layer and the coated substrate is dried to a point sufficient to yield a photoresponsive device.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry B. Maier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:08
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21B; G21B1/00; G21B1/11; G21B1/19; G21B1/23; H; H10; H10F; H10F71/00; H10F71/135; H10F77/00; H10F77/10; H10F77/12; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/10; Y10; Y10S; Y10S205/00; Y10S205/923
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of making a solar cell comprising electroplating an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate with a flash coating of iron, leaving a contact portion thereof uncoated, cathodically electrolytically treating said coated substrate in a photographic hypo or other thiosulfate containing bath to convert a portion of said iron coating to iron sulfide, applying an aluminum contact to a portion of said iron sulfide layer, and drying said coated substrate sufficiently to yield a solar cell which generates a photovoltage and photocurrent upon exposure to radiant energy.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of making a solar cell comprising electroplating an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate with a flash coating of iron, leaving a contact portion thereof uncoated, cathodically electrolytically treating said coated substrate in a photographic hypo or other thiosulfate containing bath to convert a portion of said iron coating to iron sulfide, applying an aluminum contact to a portion of said iron sulfide layer, and drying said coated substrate sufficiently to yield a solar cell which generates a photovoltage and photocurrent upon exposure to radiant energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A solar cell comprising an aluminum substrate having an electrodeposited layer of iron thereon, a conversion coating of iron sulfide formed on said iron layer, and an aluminum contact to a portion of the surface of said iron sulfide layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A solar cell comprising an aluminum substrate having an electrodeposited layer of iron thereon, a conversion coating of iron sulfide formed on said iron layer, and an aluminum contact to a portion of the surface of said iron sulfide layer.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of making an electroresponsive cell comprising electroplating an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate with a metallic flash coating, leaving a contact portion thereof uncoated, cathodically electrolytically treating said coated substrate in a bath comprising photographic hypo or other thiosulfate containing bath, to form the electroresponsive coating thereon by the said electrolytic action, and then applying a metallic contact to a portion of said electroresponsive layer, and drying said coated substrate sufficiently to yield an electroresponsive cell which generates a voltage and current upon excitation by solar or radiant energy.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of making an electroresponsive cell comprising electroplating an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate with a metallic flash coating, leaving a contact portion thereof uncoated, cathodically electrolytically treating said coated substrate in a bath comprising photographic hypo or other thiosulfate containing bath, to form the electroresponsive coating thereon by the said electrolytic action, and then applying a metallic contact to a portion of said electroresponsive layer, and drying said coated substrate sufficiently to yield an electroresponsive cell which generates a voltage and current upon excitation by solar or radiant energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
An electroresponsive cell comprising an aluminum substrate having an electrodeposited layer comprising iron thereon, a conversion coating comprising iron sulfide formed on said electrodeposited layer, and a metal contact to a portion of the surface of said sulfide layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An electroresponsive cell comprising an aluminum substrate having an electrodeposited layer comprising iron thereon, a conversion coating comprising iron sulfide formed on said electrodeposited layer, and a metal contact to a portion of the surface of said sulfide layer.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of making an electroresponsive cell, comprising electroplating a metallic surface, leaving a contact portion thereof uncoated, cathodically electrolytically treating said coated substrate in a photographic hypo or other thiosulfate containing bath to convert a portion of the said coating to a metallic sulfide, applying one or more metallic contacts to portions of said sulfide composition, and drying said coated substrate sufficiently to yield an electroresponsive cell which generates a voltage and current upon energizing by solar or radiant energy.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of making an electroresponsive cell, comprising electroplating a metallic surface, leaving a contact portion thereof uncoated, cathodically electrolytically treating said coated substrate in a photographic hypo or other thiosulfate containing bath to convert a portion of the said coating to a metallic sulfide, applying one or more metallic contacts to portions of said sulfide composition, and drying said coated substrate sufficiently to yield an electroresponsive cell which generates a voltage and current upon energizing by solar or radiant energy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
An electroresponsive cell comprising a metallic or metal surfaced substrate having thereon an electrodeposited metallic layer, a conversion coating comprising metallic sulfides formed on said electrodeposited layer, and one or more metal contacts to one or more portions of the electrodeposited composition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
An electroresponsive cell comprising a metallic or metal surfaced substrate having thereon an electrodeposited metallic layer, a conversion coating comprising metallic sulfides formed on said electrodeposited layer, and one or more metal contacts to one or more portions of the electrodeposited composition.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of making multilayer electrical voltage and current generating devices, comprising electrodepositing on a metallic surface substrate a metallic coating, leaving a contact portion thereof uncoated, cathodically electrolytically treating said substrate in a bath comprising photographic hypo or other thiosulfate containing bath to permit a portion of the coating to be formed as metallic sulfides, applying one or more metallic contacts to portions of said sulfide composition, and drying said coated substrate sufficiently to yield an electroresponsive device which generates a voltage and current upon input of solar or radiant energy.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of making multilayer electrical voltage and current generating devices, comprising electrodepositing on a metallic surface substrate a metallic coating, leaving a contact portion thereof uncoated, cathodically electrolytically treating said substrate in a bath comprising photographic hypo or other thiosulfate containing bath to permit a portion of the coating to be formed as metallic sulfides, applying one or more metallic contacts to portions of said sulfide composition, and drying said coated substrate sufficiently to yield an electroresponsive device which generates a voltage and current upon input of solar or radiant energy.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3396057A
Cited
US3568306A
Cited
US3615877A
Cited
US3586541A
Cited
US3411050A
Cited
US3514847A
Cited
US3884779A
Cited
US3887995A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-01-29 | 1982-07-31 | 1983-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-29 | 1986-07-31 | 1987-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-29 | 1990-07-31 | 1991-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |