US4227291A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy efficient process for continuous production of thin semiconductor films on metallic substrates
Assignee: Diamond Cubic Liquidation Trust
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Filing: 1978-06-22
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Granted: 1980-10-14
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Expires: 1998-06-22
Abstract
Abstract An energy efficient process is disclosed for the continuous production of semiconductor matrices formed from depositing doped silicon or germanium films on metallic sheet substrates. The energy released from such deposition can then be used to regenerate the anode material used in the deposition.
Inventors
- 👤 John C. Schumacher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:53
CPC Classifications
C; C30; C30B; C30B7/00; C30B7/12; H; H10; H10F; H10F71/00; H10F71/121; H10F71/1212; H10F71/135; H10F71/136; H10F71/137; H10P; H10P14/00; H10P14/20; H10P14/26; H10P14/265; H10P14/32; H10P14/3202; H10P14/3214; H10P14/3221; H10P14/34; H10P14/3402; H10P14/3404; H10P14/3411; H10P14/3438; H10P14/3441; H10P14/3442; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/547; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50; Y10; Y10S; Y10S438/00; Y10S438/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for producing a semiconductor matrix having an electrically conductive cathode substrate comprising the steps of: (a) coating said substrate with a solution containing ions of a semiconductor element and an appropriate dopant; (b) contacting said solution with an alkali metal anode to produce a layer of doped elemental semiconductor on said cathode substrate, generation of alkali ions, and release of energy; and (c) forming a p-n junction by introducing to said elemental semiconductor layer an opposite type dopant.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for producing a semiconductor matrix having an electrically conductive cathode substrate comprising the steps of: (a) coating said substrate with a solution containing ions of a semiconductor element and an appropriate dopant; (b) contacting said solution with an alkali metal anode to produce a layer of doped elemental semiconductor on said cathode substrate, generation of alkali ions, and release of energy; and (c) forming a p-n junction by introducing to said elemental semiconductor layer an opposite type dopant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of regenerating by electrodeposition the alkali metal of said alkali metal anode employing the said released energy.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for making a solar cell having front and rear electrodes composed of electrical contact materials comprising the steps of: (a) coating said rear electrode with a solution containing ions of a semiconductor element and which further contains an appropriate dopant; (b) depositing elemental semiconductor on said rear electrode form said solution by contacting said solution with an alkali anode to produce a layer of doped elemental semiconductor on said electrical contact, generation of alkali ions, and release of energy; (c) forming a p-n junction by introducing to said elemental semiconductor layer an opposite type dopant; and (d) placing the said front electrode on said p-n junction.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for making a solar cell having front and rear electrodes composed of electrical contact materials comprising the steps of: (a) coating said rear electrode with a solution containing ions of a semiconductor element and which further contains an appropriate dopant; (b) depositing elemental semiconductor on said rear electrode form said solution by contacting said solution with an alkali anode to produce a layer of doped elemental semiconductor on said electrical contact, generation of alkali ions, and release of energy; (c) forming a p-n junction by introducing to said elemental semiconductor layer an opposite type dopant; and (d) placing the said front electrode on said p-n junction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of making a solar cell of claim 3 further comprising the step of regenerating by electrodeposition the alkali metal of said alkali metal anode employing the said released energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
143 words
A continuous method for producing a solar cell having front and rear electrodes comprising the steps of: (a) setting in motion a roll of material containing an electrical contact as the rear electrode; (b) coating said electrical contact on said moving material with a solution containing ions of a semiconductor element and which further contains an appropriate dopant; (c) contacting said solution on said moving material with an alkali metal anode to produce a layer of doped elemental semiconductor on said electrical contact, generation of alkali ions, and release of energy; (d) forming a p-n junction by introducing to said elemental semiconductor layer an opposite type dopant; (e) placing a second electrical contact onto said p-n junction to form the front electrode; and (f) cutting the moving material, electrical contact and p-n junction into an appropriate size for use as a solar cell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
143 words
A continuous method for producing a solar cell having front and rear electrodes comprising the steps of: (a) setting in motion a roll of material containing an electrical contact as the rear electrode; (b) coating said electrical contact on said moving material with a solution containing ions of a semiconductor element and which further contains an appropriate dopant; (c) contacting said solution on said moving material with an alkali metal anode to produce a layer of doped elemental semiconductor on said electrical contact, generation of alkali ions, and release of energy; (d) forming a p-n junction by introducing to said elemental semiconductor layer an opposite type dopant; (e) placing a second electrical contact onto said p-n junction to form the front electrode; and (f) cutting the moving material, electrical contact and p-n junction into an appropriate size for use as a solar cell.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3211572A
Cited
US3990953A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-10-14 | 1984-04-14 | 1984-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-10-14 | 1988-04-14 | 1988-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-10-14 | 1992-04-14 | 1992-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |