US4184894A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated photovoltaic generator
Assignee: BP Solar International LLC
•
Filing: 1978-05-19
•
Granted: 1980-01-22
•
Expires: 1998-05-19
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an integrated photovoltaic generator containing a plurality of photovoltaic cells, the generator capable of producing a voltage greater than that generated by a single photovoltaic cell of comparable chemical composition. The generator comprises a wafer of semiconductor material having two major surfaces, at least one of the major surfaces including a plurality of discrete areas containing an impurity of one type of conductivity, at least the portion of the remainder of the wafer contiguous to the areas containing an impurity of an opposite conductivity type, and electrical conductor means between at least one area and the portion of the wafer containing the impurity of the opposite conductivity type.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Lindmayer
- 👤 Charles Y. Wrigley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:19
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04C; G04C10/00; G04C10/02; H; H10; H10F; H10F19/00; H10F19/20; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A photovoltaic generator capable of producing a voltage greater than that generated by a single photovoltaic cell of comparable chemical composition, the generator comprising a wafer of semiconductor material having two major surfaces, at least one of the major surfaces including a plurality of discrete areas containing an impurity of one type of conductivity, at least a portion of the remainder of the wafer contiguous to said discrete areas containing an impurity of an opposite conductivity type, said discrete areas being at least partially covered by a layer of oxide, and electrical conductor means between at least one said discrete area and said contiguous portion of the wafer containing the impurity of the opposite conductivity type and overlying and penetrating through a portion of said oxide layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A photovoltaic generator capable of producing a voltage greater than that generated by a single photovoltaic cell of comparable chemical composition, the generator comprising a wafer of semiconductor material having two major surfaces, at least one of the major surfaces including a plurality of discrete areas containing an impurity of one type of conductivity, at least a portion of the remainder of the wafer contiguous to said discrete areas containing an impurity of an opposite conductivity type, said discrete areas being at least partially covered by a layer of oxide, and electrical conductor means between at least one said discrete area and said contiguous portion of the wafer containing the impurity of the opposite conductivity type and overlying and penetrating through a portion of said oxide layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A photovoltaic generator according to claim 1 wherein said discrete areas are rectangular and extend across at least one of said major surfaces of the wafer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A photovoltaic generator according to claim 2 wherein said electrical conductor means are metal bands on the major surface which extend along and bridge the photovoltaic junction between each said discrete area and said contiguous portion of the wafer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A photovoltaic generator according to claim 1 wherein at least some of said discrete areas are completely bounded by semiconductor material having an impurity of opposite conductivity from the impurity of said discrete areas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A photovoltaic generator according to claim 4 wherein said discrete electrical conductor means between each said discrete area and said contiguous portion of the wafer includes a plurality of discrete tabs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A photovoltaic generator according to claim 1 wherein said electrical conductor means are metal bands on at least one said major surface which extend along and bridge the photovoltaic junction between each said discrete area and said contiguous portion of the wafer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A photovoltaic generator according to claim 1 wherein said electrical conductor means between each said discrete area and said contiguous portion of the wafer includes a plurality of discrete tabs.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-01-21 | 1983-07-23 | 1984-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-01-21 | 1987-07-23 | 1988-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-01-21 | 1991-07-23 | 1992-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |