US4173497A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Amorphous lead dioxide photovoltaic generator
Assignee: Ametek Inc
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Filing: 1978-07-31
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Granted: 1979-11-06
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Expires: 1998-07-31
Abstract
Abstract Photovoltaic generator, comprised of photovoltaic amorphous lead dioxide with an oxygen to lead ratio in the range of 1.66 to 1.99, and having rectifying and ohmic junctions therewith. Said lead dioxide may be formed by electrodeposition on substrates, such as copper, nickel, stainless steel, carbon, brass, stannic oxide, indium oxide, and gold plated copper or brass, and generally provides an ohmic junction with the substrate. A rectifying photovoltaic junction of the Schottky barrier type is formed by overcoating the lead oxide with one or more of an evaporated, sputtered or ion plated film of copper, aluminum, Inconel 1 , nickel, gold, platinum, palladium, nickel oxide, titanium, titanium oxide, and copper oxide.
Inventors
- 👤 Ferenc J. Schmidt
- 👤 Jacob F. Betz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:32
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/18; H10F77/00; H10F77/10; H10F77/12; H10F77/127; H10F77/16; H10F77/162; H10F77/166; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A photovoltaic generator comprising photovoltaic amorphous lead dioxide, having an oxygen to lead ratio in the range 1.66:1 to 1.99:1 interposed between conductive outer layers, through one of which said lead dioxide is exposed to incident light, said lead dioxide having a rectifying junction at its interface with one layer adjacent thereto and an ohmic junction with the other layer adjacent thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
A photovoltaic generator comprising photovoltaic amorphous lead dioxide, having an oxygen to lead ratio in the range 1.66:1 to 1.99:1 interposed between conductive outer layers, through one of which said lead dioxide is exposed to incident light, said lead dioxide having a rectifying junction at its interface with one layer adjacent thereto and an ohmic junction with the other layer adjacent thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A photovoltaic generator, as recited in claim 1, wherein one of said conductive layers is composed of gold, copper, platinum, nickel, stainless steel, carbon or brass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A photovoltaic generator, as recited in claim 2, wherein the other conductive layer adjacent said lead dioxide is a semi-conductor which forms a rectifying junction at its interface with said lead dioxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
A photovoltaic generator, as recited in claim 1, having a substantially transparent conductive or semi-conductive first layer adjacent said lead dioxide, a rectifying junction between said first layer and said lead dioxide, said first layer composed of copper, nickel, gold, platinum, palladium, nickel oxide, titanium, copper oxide, titanium dioxide, stannic oxide or indium-tin oxide, and a second conductive or semi-conductive layer adjacent said lead dioxide, an ohmic junction between said second layer and said lead dioxide, said second layer composed of platinum, nickel, stainless steel, carbon, brass, stannic oxide or indium oxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A photovoltaic generator, as recited in either of claim 1 or 2, wherein the other conductive layer adjacent said lead dioxide is a semi-conductor layer composed of titanium dioxide, stannic oxide or indium-tin oxide.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of making a photovoltaic generator comprising electrodepositing amorphous lead dioxide onto a conductive substrate which forms an ohmic junction therewith, and depositing a conductive or semi-conductor layer on said electrodeposited lead dioxide which forms a rectifying junction therewith.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of making a photovoltaic generator comprising electrodepositing amorphous lead dioxide onto a conductive substrate which forms an ohmic junction therewith, and depositing a conductive or semi-conductor layer on said electrodeposited lead dioxide which forms a rectifying junction therewith.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method, as recited in claim 6, wherein said lead dioxide is electrodeposited from a bath comprising triethanolamine, sodium hydroxide, and lead monoxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of producing a photovoltaic generator, as recited in claim 6, wherein said lead dioxide is electrodeposited from a bath including sodium potassium tartrate, sodium hydroxide and lead monoxide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of making a photovoltaic generator, as recited in claim 6, wherein said lead dioxide is electrodeposited from a bath, consisting of an alkaline solution of lead monoxide and a leveling agent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A photovoltaic generator formed by a process as recited in any one of claims 6 to 9.
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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) | 1982-11-05 | 1983-05-07 | 1983-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-11-05 | 1987-05-07 | 1987-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-11-05 | 1991-05-07 | 1991-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |