US4234352A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermophotovoltaic converter and cell for use therein
Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
•
Filing: 1978-07-26
•
Granted: 1980-11-18
•
Expires: 1998-07-26
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a thermophotovoltaic converter which includes a parabolic cone radiation concentrator portion and a processor portion including a radiator which absorbs concentrated radiation and generates incandescent radiation. A photovoltaic cell in close proximity to the radiator receives the incandescent radiation and generates an electrical voltage. The cell includes an intrinsic or lightly doped silicon substrate having a top surface for receiving radiation and a bottom surface having a plurality of diffused N and P conductivity regions arranged in rows. A titanium-silver layer overlays the bottom surface and conductively interconnects regions of one conductivity type and provides a reflective surface to photons which pass through the substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard M. Swanson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:11
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02S; H02S10/00; H02S10/30; F; F24; F24S; F24S20/00; F24S20/20; H10; H10F; H10F19/00; H10F19/20; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
A thermophotovoltaic conversion system comprising: (a) means for collecting and concentrating solar radiation, (b) means for receiving said concentrated solar radiation and re-radiating energy and including a housing having a radiation receiving window, a chamber for confining said concentrated radiation, and a radiator element within said chamber for receiving said concentrated radiation and re-radiating energy, and (c) a photovoltaic cell for receiving said re-radiated energy and generating an electrical voltage, said cell including a monocrystalline semiconductor substrate having first and second opposing surfaces, said substrate being positioned with respect to said means for re-radiating energy whereby said re-radiated energy is received by said first surface, a first plurality of rows of doped regions of a first conductivity type in said second surface, a second plurality of rows of doped regions of a second conductivity type in said second surface, said first plurality of rows being interleaved with said second plurality of rows, each of said rows comprising a plurality of spaced apart doped regions occupying a minimal area of said second surface, first optically reflective conductive means electrically interconnecting said first plurality of rows of doped regions, a reflection enhancement layer provided between said first conductive means and said second surface except at said first plurality of doped regions, and second conductive means electrically interconnecting said second plurality of rows of doped regions whereby said electrical voltage is generated between said first and second conductive means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
236 words
A thermophotovoltaic conversion system comprising: (a) means for collecting and concentrating solar radiation, (b) means for receiving said concentrated solar radiation and re-radiating energy and including a housing having a radiation receiving window, a chamber for confining said concentrated radiation, and a radiator element within said chamber for receiving said concentrated radiation and re-radiating energy, and (c) a photovoltaic cell for receiving said re-radiated energy and generating an electrical voltage, said cell including a monocrystalline semiconductor substrate having first and second opposing surfaces, said substrate being positioned with respect to said means for re-radiating energy whereby said re-radiated energy is received by said first surface, a first plurality of rows of doped regions of a first conductivity type in said second surface, a second plurality of rows of doped regions of a second conductivity type in said second surface, said first plurality of rows being interleaved with said second plurality of rows, each of said rows comprising a plurality of spaced apart doped regions occupying a minimal area of said second surface, first optically reflective conductive means electrically interconnecting said first plurality of rows of doped regions, a reflection enhancement layer provided between said first conductive means and said second surface except at said first plurality of doped regions, and second conductive means electrically interconnecting said second plurality of rows of doped regions whereby said electrical voltage is generated between said first and second conductive means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A thermophotovoltaic conversion system as defined by claim 1 wherein said first conductive means comprises a layer of titanium and a layer of silver over said titanium layer and said first conductive means is separated from said substrate except over said first plurality of regions by a reflection enhancement layer of silicon oxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A thermophotovoltaic conversion system as defined by claim 2 wherein each doped region in a row is offset from doped regions in adjacent rows.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A thermophotovoltaic conversion system as defined by claim 1 wherein said means for receiving concentrated solar radiation further includes a secondary concentrator defined by walls of said housing within said window.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A thermophotovoltaic conversion system as defined by claim 4 wherein said photovoltaic cell is positioned within said chamber in close proximity to said radiator element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A thermophotovoltaic conversion system as defined by claim 5 wherein said housing includes a first heat mirror disposed across said window and a second heat mirror disposed between said radiator element and said photovoltaic cell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A thermophotovoltaic conversion system as defined by claim 4 wherein said housing includes a first heat mirror disposed across said window.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A thermophotovoltaic conversion system as defined by claim 4 wherein said chamber has optically reflecting interior surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
237 words
For use with a thermal radiation source, a thermophotovoltaic converter comprising a housing having a means adapted for receiving radiant energy from said source, a chamber for confining said radiant energy, and a photovoltaic cell for receiving said radiant energy and generating an electrical voltage therefrom, said cell being arranged to reflect to said thermal radiation source the unabsorbed portion of said received radiant energy, said cell including a monocrystalline semiconductor substrate having first and second opposing surfaces, said substrate adapted to be positioned with respect to said radiation source whereby said radiated energy is received by said first surface, a first plurality of rows of doped regions of a first conductivity type in said second surface of said substrate, a second plurality of rows of doped regions of a second conductivity type in said second surface of said substrate, said first plurality of rows being interleaved with said second plurality of rows, each of said rows comprising a plurality of spaced apart doped regions occupying a minimal area of said second surface, first optically reflective conductive means electrically interconnecting said first plurality of rows of doped regions, a reflection enhancement layer provided between said first conductive means and said second surface except at said first plurality of doped regions, and second conductive means electrically interconnecting said second plurality of rows of doped regions whereby said electrical voltage is generated between said first and second conductive means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
237 words
For use with a thermal radiation source, a thermophotovoltaic converter comprising a housing having a means adapted for receiving radiant energy from said source, a chamber for confining said radiant energy, and a photovoltaic cell for receiving said radiant energy and generating an electrical voltage therefrom, said cell being arranged to reflect to said thermal radiation source the unabsorbed portion of said received radiant energy, said cell including a monocrystalline semiconductor substrate having first and second opposing surfaces, said substrate adapted to be positioned with respect to said radiation source whereby said radiated energy is received by said first surface, a first plurality of rows of doped regions of a first conductivity type in said second surface of said substrate, a second plurality of rows of doped regions of a second conductivity type in said second surface of said substrate, said first plurality of rows being interleaved with said second plurality of rows, each of said rows comprising a plurality of spaced apart doped regions occupying a minimal area of said second surface, first optically reflective conductive means electrically interconnecting said first plurality of rows of doped regions, a reflection enhancement layer provided between said first conductive means and said second surface except at said first plurality of doped regions, and second conductive means electrically interconnecting said second plurality of rows of doped regions whereby said electrical voltage is generated between said first and second conductive means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A thermophotovoltaic converter as defined by claim 9 wherein said substrate is silicon and said reflection enhancement layer comprises silicon oxide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A thermophotovoltaic converter as defined by claim 10 wherein said first conductive means comprises a layer of titanium and a layer of silver over said titanium layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A thermophotovoltaic converter as defined by claim 9 wherein each doped region in a row is offset from doped regions in adjacent rows.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
176 words
A photovoltaic cell for receiving radiation and generating an electrical voltage therefrom, said cell including a monocrystalline semiconductor substrate having first and second opposing surfaces, said substrate adapted to be positioned whereby said radiation is received by said first surface, a first plurality of rows of doped regions of a first conductivity type in said second surface of said substrate, a second plurality of rows of doped regions of a second conductivity in said second surface of said substrate, said first plurality of rows being interleaved with said second plurality of rows, each of said rows comprising a plurality of spaced apart doped regions occupying a minimal area of said second surface, first optically reflective conductive means electrically interconnecting said first plurality of rows of doped regions, a reflection enhancement layer provided between said first conductive means and said second surface except at said first plurality of doped regions, and second conductive means electrically interconnecting said second plurality of rows of doped regions whereby said electrical voltage is generated between said first and second conductive means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
176 words
A photovoltaic cell for receiving radiation and generating an electrical voltage therefrom, said cell including a monocrystalline semiconductor substrate having first and second opposing surfaces, said substrate adapted to be positioned whereby said radiation is received by said first surface, a first plurality of rows of doped regions of a first conductivity type in said second surface of said substrate, a second plurality of rows of doped regions of a second conductivity in said second surface of said substrate, said first plurality of rows being interleaved with said second plurality of rows, each of said rows comprising a plurality of spaced apart doped regions occupying a minimal area of said second surface, first optically reflective conductive means electrically interconnecting said first plurality of rows of doped regions, a reflection enhancement layer provided between said first conductive means and said second surface except at said first plurality of doped regions, and second conductive means electrically interconnecting said second plurality of rows of doped regions whereby said electrical voltage is generated between said first and second conductive means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A photovoltaic cell as defined by claim 13 wherein said substrate is silicon and said reflection enhancement layer comprises silicon oxide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
A photovoltaic cell as defined by claim 13 wherein said first conductive means comprises a layer of titanium and an overlying of silver and further including a layer of silicon oxide having an effective optical thickness of approximately one-quarter of one micron wavelength, said layer of silicon oxide separating said first conductive means from said substrate except at said first plurality of regions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A photovoltaic cell as defined by claim 13 wherein said second conductive means comprises a layer of titanium and a layer of silver over said titanium layer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A photovoltaic cell as defined by claim 13 wherein each doped region in a row is offset from doped regions in adjacent rows.
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) | 1983-11-18 | 1984-05-19 | 1984-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-18 | 1988-05-19 | 1988-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-18 | 1992-05-19 | 1992-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |