US4166918A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of removing the effects of electrical shorts and shunts created during the fabrication process of a solar cell
Assignee: RCA Corp
•
Filing: 1978-07-19
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Granted: 1979-09-04
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Expires: 1998-07-19
Abstract
Abstract A method of removing the effects of electrical shorts and shunts created during the fabrication process and improving the performance of a solar cell with a thick film cermet electrode opposite to the incident surface by applying a reverse bias voltage of sufficient magnitude to burn out the electrical shorts and shunts but less than the break down voltage of the solar cell.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald E. Nostrand
- 👤 Joseph J. Hanak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:46
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F71/00; H10F71/135; H10F71/10; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50; Y10; Y10S; Y10S136/00; Y10S136/29
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of improving the performance of a solar cell which incorporates a thick film cermet electrode contacting the active region of said solar cell opposite to a surface incident to solar radiation comprising: applying a reverse bias voltage of sufficient magnitude to burn out the defects in said solar cell but less than the breakdown voltage of said cell.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of improving the performance of a solar cell which incorporates a thick film cermet electrode contacting the active region of said solar cell opposite to a surface incident to solar radiation comprising: applying a reverse bias voltage of sufficient magnitude to burn out the defects in said solar cell but less than the breakdown voltage of said cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the reverse bias voltage is applied as a voltage pulse from 0 volts to below the breakdown voltage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the reverse bias voltage is increased at a rate of about 1 volt per minute.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the reverse bias voltage is increased at a rate of about 5 volts per minute.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said solar cell is a hydrogenated amorphous silicon solar cell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein said bias voltage is increased at a rate of about 1 volt per minute.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein said bias voltage is increased at a rate of about 5 volts per minute.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the reverse bias voltage is applied as a voltage pulse from 0 volts to below the breakdown voltage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein M is selected from the group consisting of nickel, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, and titanium and I is selected from the group consisting of SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , Si 3 N 4 , BN, MgO, TiO 2 , ZrO 2 , silicon oxynitride and ceramics which have bandgaps higher than about 4 eV.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 1 or 5 wherein the cermet has the formula M x I 1-x , wherein x varies from about 0.10 to about 0.85, M is a metal, and I is an insulator.
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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) | 1982-09-03 | 1983-03-05 | 1983-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-09-03 | 1987-03-05 | 1987-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-09-03 | 1991-03-05 | 1991-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |