Patent US4231808A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4231808A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thin film photovoltaic cell and a method of manufacturing the same
Assignee: Fujifilm Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1979-09-05
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Granted: 1980-11-04
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Expires: 1999-09-05
Abstract
Abstract An improved type of thin film photovoltaic cell can be produced by forming a thin layer of n-type CdTe up to 2 micron thick on a conductive support, heat-treating the CdTe layer at 80 DEG to 210 DEG C. for 20 to 180 minutes, and providing on the free surface of the heat-treated CdTe layer a transparent electrode.
Inventors
- 👤 Masatoshi Tabei
- 👤 Kazuhiro Kawaziri
- 👤 Yosuke Nakajima
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:52
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/20; H10F77/244; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/14; H10F71/00; H10F71/125; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/543; Y02E10/547
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of manufacturing a photovoltaic cell which comprises providing a thin coating of n-type CdTe of up to about 2 microns thick on a conductive surface of a substrate, heat-treating said CdTe thin coating at a temperature of from about 80° to 210° C. for a period of from 20 to 180 minutes to form a modified surface region of said CdTe coating, and providing a transparent output electrode on the surface of said heat-treated thin coating opposite the substrate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of manufacturing a photovoltaic cell which comprises providing a thin coating of n-type CdTe of up to about 2 microns thick on a conductive surface of a substrate, heat-treating said CdTe thin coating at a temperature of from about 80° to 210° C. for a period of from 20 to 180 minutes to form a modified surface region of said CdTe coating, and providing a transparent output electrode on the surface of said heat-treated thin coating opposite the substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said CdTe layer is about 0.8 to 2.0 microns thick.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said CdTe layer is about 1.0 to 1.8 microns thick.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said heat-treating is at 100° to 150° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said CdTe layer is provided by simultaneously sputtering a CdTe target and Cd shot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A thin film photovoltaic cell comprising a conductive support, an overlying n-type CdTe layer having a thickness of up to about 2 microns which has been heat-treated at about 80° to 210° C. for about 20 to 180 minutes and a transparent electrode on the surface of said heat treated CdTe layer opposite said support.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A thin film photovoltaic cell comprising a conductive support, an overlying n-type CdTe layer having a thickness of up to about 2 microns which has been heat-treated at about 80° to 210° C. for about 20 to 180 minutes and a transparent electrode on the surface of said heat treated CdTe layer opposite said support.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cell of claim 6, wherein said support is a glass plate or plastic film having a conductive coating thereon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cell of claim 6, wherein said support is a metal plate or foil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cell of claim 7, wherein said conductive coating is a coating containing Au, In, Al, Ni, Fe-Ni, Pt, Ag, In-Ga, or stainless steel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cell of claim 7, wherein said conductive coating is In 2 O 3 or SnO 2 .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cell of claim 6, wherein said CdTe layer is 0.8 to 2 microns thick.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cell of claim 6, wherein said CdTe layer is about 1.0 to 1.8 microns thick.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cell of claim 6, wherein said CdTe layer is heat treated at about 100° to 150° C.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cell of claim 6, wherein said transparent electrode is Au, Ni, Pd, Ag, Cu, Pt, Cr, Al, or a conductive metal compound.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The cell of claim 6, wherein said transparent electrode is a mesh electrode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cell of claim 6, wherein said transparent electrode is a thin uniform layer of a metal or a metal compound.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cell of claim 6, wherein said transparent electrode is a thin uniform layer of a metal or a metal compound and a mesh electrode.
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) | 1983-11-04 | 1984-05-05 | 1984-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-04 | 1988-05-05 | 1988-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-04 | 1992-05-05 | 1992-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |