US4175982A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photovoltaic cell
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1978-07-03
•
Granted: 1979-11-27
•
Expires: 1998-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A photovoltaic cell having an improved barrier electrode comprising indium or tin. The cell utilizes metal-free phthalocyanine dispersed in an electrically insulated binder as the photoactive layer in contact with an ohmic electrode.
Inventors
- 👤 Rafik O. Loutfy
- 👤 Cheng-Kuo Hsiao
- 👤 James H. Sharp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:24
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10K; H10K85/00; H10K85/30; H10K85/311; H10K30/00; H10K30/451; H10K30/50; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/542; Y02E10/549
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
42 words
A photovoltaic device comprising a first, ohmic electrode and a second, barrier electrode and sandwiched therebetween a photoactive layer comprising metal-free phthalocyanine dispersed in an electrically insulating binder wherein the barrier electrode comprises a metal the oxide of which is electrically conductive.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
42 words
A photovoltaic device comprising a first, ohmic electrode and a second, barrier electrode and sandwiched therebetween a photoactive layer comprising metal-free phthalocyanine dispersed in an electrically insulating binder wherein the barrier electrode comprises a metal the oxide of which is electrically conductive.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the barrier electrode is selected from the group consisting of indium and tin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the barrier electrode is indium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the metal-free phthalocyanine is in the x-form.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the x-form metal-free phthalocyanine is present in the binder in the range of from about 15 to about 95 percent by weight.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the x-form metal-free phthalocyanine is present in the binder in the range of from about 55 to about 65 percent by weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the binder is a polymer selected from the group consisting of polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyvinylacetates, polycarbonates, copolymers of polystyrene and acrylonitrile, and polyvinylcarbazoles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the barrier electrode comprises a vapor deposited layer of indium having a thickness in the range of from 600 A to about 2,000 A.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein a light transparent protective layer resides on said barrier electrode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said photoactive layer is dye sensitized.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 10 wherein the sensitizing dye comprises coumarine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the barrier electrode is tin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
A photovoltaic device comprising a first, ohmic electrode having coated thereon a photoactive layer comprising x-form metal-free phthalocyanine dispersed in an electrically insulating binder and a second, barrier electrode residing on said photoactive layer selected from the group consisting of indium and tin.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A photovoltaic device comprising a first, ohmic electrode having coated thereon a photoactive layer comprising x-form metal-free phthalocyanine dispersed in an electrically insulating binder and a second, barrier electrode residing on said photoactive layer selected from the group consisting of indium and tin.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 13 wherein the barrier electrode is vapor deposited.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 13 further including a transparent protective coating over said barrier electrode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 13 wherein the barrier electrode is indium.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 13 wherein the barrier electrode is tin.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
65 words
The method of converting light energy into electrical energy which comprises providing a device comprising a first, ohmic electrode and a second, barrier electrode and sandwiched therebetween a photoactive layer comprising metal free phthalocyanine dispersed in an electrically insulating binder wherein the barrier electrode comprises a metal, the oxide of which is electrically conductive and exposing to light the photoactive layer through said barrier electrode.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
65 words
The method of converting light energy into electrical energy which comprises providing a device comprising a first, ohmic electrode and a second, barrier electrode and sandwiched therebetween a photoactive layer comprising metal free phthalocyanine dispersed in an electrically insulating binder wherein the barrier electrode comprises a metal, the oxide of which is electrically conductive and exposing to light the photoactive layer through said barrier electrode.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the barrier electrode is selected from the group consisting of indium and tin.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the barrier electrode is indium.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the barrier electrode is tin.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the metal free phthalocyanine is in the x-form.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the metal free phthalocyanine is present in the binder in the range of from about 15 to about 95 percent by weight.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 23 wherein the metal free phthalocyanine is present in the binder in the range of from about 55 to 65 percent by weight.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said photoactive layer is dye sensitized.
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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) | 1982-11-26 | 1983-05-28 | 1983-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-11-26 | 1987-05-28 | 1987-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-11-26 | 1991-05-28 | 1991-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |