US4174234A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Silicon-impregnated foraminous sheet
Assignee: Semix Inc
•
Filing: 1978-10-10
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Granted: 1979-11-13
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Expires: 1998-10-10
Abstract
Abstract A foraminous sheet of carrier substrate is contacted, by full or partial immersion, with a bath of molten silicon to form a sheet of material in which the foramina are filled with silicon and at least one surface of the sheet is coated with silicon. The coated sheet is suitable for use in forming a photovoltaic cell.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Lindmayer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:43
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F71/00; H10F71/121; H10F71/1221; H10F77/00; H10F77/10; H10F77/16; H10F77/169; H10F77/1692; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/546; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A body of cooled, formerly molten silicon suitable for use in making photovoltaic cells, comprising as an inner zone, a foraminous sheet of carrier material capable of maintaining its structural integrity in the presence of molten silicon, the foramina of said sheet being filled with solidified silicon, and a surface zone of silicon overlying said inner zone, said surface zone being substantially free of said carrier material and having a depth of at least about ten microns.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A body of cooled, formerly molten silicon suitable for use in making photovoltaic cells, comprising as an inner zone, a foraminous sheet of carrier material capable of maintaining its structural integrity in the presence of molten silicon, the foramina of said sheet being filled with solidified silicon, and a surface zone of silicon overlying said inner zone, said surface zone being substantially free of said carrier material and having a depth of at least about ten microns.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A body as claimed in claim 1, in which said carrier material is graphite.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A body as claimed in claim 1, in which said carrier material is a refractory metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A body as claimed in claim 1, in which said carrier material is selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, silica fibers, alumina fibers, and silica/alumina fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A body as claimed in claim 1, in which said carrier material is a perforated ceramic sheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A body as claimed in claim 1, in which said surface zone has a depth of at least about one mil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A body as claimed in claim 1, in which said surface zone has a depth of at least about three mils.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1982-11-12 | 1983-05-14 | 1983-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-11-12 | 1987-05-14 | 1987-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-11-12 | 1991-05-14 | 1991-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |