US4245386A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of manufacturing a solar cell battery
Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 1979-06-13
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Granted: 1981-01-20
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Expires: 1999-06-13
Abstract
Abstract Solar cells are constructed as a plurality of spaced strips formed along the length of synthetic foils. They are connected in series along their entire length in a simple manner. Therefore, the connections are formed by means of vapor-deposited metal layers and the solar cells lying next to one another are connected in series by means of vapor-deposited metal layers, whereby these vapor-deposited metal layers respectively connect the upper semiconductor layer or, respectively, a Schottky contact metal layer, as the case may be, of one solar cell with the lower metal layer of the neighboring solar cell. Sections of any desired length may be cut off from the elongated battery by cutting transversely to the length thereof. The series-connected sections thus formed may be employed without re-wiring.
Inventors
- 👤 Helmold Kausche
- 👤 Gerhard Mayer
- 👤 Karl-Ulrich Stein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:19
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F19/00; H10F19/30; H10F19/31; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/18; H10F71/00; H10F71/10; H10F71/107; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of manufacturing solar cell batteries, comprising the steps of: moving an elongate insulating strip in its longitudinal direction; vapor depositing a first plurality of spaced elongate aluminum strips onto the insulating strip continuously parallel to the direction of movement of said insulating strip; applying active zones comprising at least one layer of doped semiconductor material on the first aluminum strips offset to leave uncovered portions of the strips continuously parallel to the direction of movement of said insulating strip; vapor depositing a second plurality of spaced elongate aluminum strips continuously parallel to the direction of movement of said insulating strip so that each of said second aluminum strips contacts an active zone and contacts the uncovered portion of the adjacent first aluminum strip, whereby a plurality of elongate series-connected solar cells are formed extending in the longitudinal direction; and cutting through the series-connected solar cells transverse to said longitudinal direction at random locations to thereby segment said series-connected solar cells, whereby a plurality of series-connected solar batteries are formed from the segments.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of manufacturing solar cell batteries, comprising the steps of: moving an elongate insulating strip in its longitudinal direction; vapor depositing a first plurality of spaced elongate aluminum strips onto the insulating strip continuously parallel to the direction of movement of said insulating strip; applying active zones comprising at least one layer of doped semiconductor material on the first aluminum strips offset to leave uncovered portions of the strips continuously parallel to the direction of movement of said insulating strip; vapor depositing a second plurality of spaced elongate aluminum strips continuously parallel to the direction of movement of said insulating strip so that each of said second aluminum strips contacts an active zone and contacts the uncovered portion of the adjacent first aluminum strip, whereby a plurality of elongate series-connected solar cells are formed extending in the longitudinal direction; and cutting through the series-connected solar cells transverse to said longitudinal direction at random locations to thereby segment said series-connected solar cells, whereby a plurality of series-connected solar batteries are formed from the segments.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of applying active zones is further defined as: depositing a layer of n-conductive material and then a layer of p-conductive material by a plasma chemical deposition process.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of applying active zones is further defined as: vapor depositing a layer of doped semiconductor material on the first aluminum strips; and vapor depositing a light-permeable platinum layer on the doped layer of semiconductor material as a Schottky contact.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the step of applying active zones is further defined as: applying an insulating layer on the layer of semiconductor material prior to vapor depositing the platinum layer.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of manufacturing solar cell batteries, comprising the steps of: moving an elongate insulating strip in its longitudinal direction; applying a first plurality of spaced elongate electrically conductive strips onto the insulating strip continuously parallel to the direction of movement of said insulating strip; applying active zones comprising at least one layer of doped semiconductor material on the first metal strips offset to leave uncovered portions of the strips continuously parallel to the direction of movement of said insulating strip; applying a second plurality of spaced elongate electrically conductive strips continuously parallel to the direction of movement of said insulating strip so that each of said second electrically conductive strips contacts an active zone and contacts the uncovered portion of the adjacent first electrically conductive strip, whereby a plurality of elongate series-connected solar cells are formed extending in the longitudinal direction; and cutting through the series-connected solar cells transverse to the longitudinal direction at random locations to thereby segment said series-connected solar cells, whereby a plurality of series-connected solar batteries are formed from the segments.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of manufacturing solar cell batteries, comprising the steps of: moving an elongate insulating strip in its longitudinal direction; applying a first plurality of spaced elongate electrically conductive strips onto the insulating strip continuously parallel to the direction of movement of said insulating strip; applying active zones comprising at least one layer of doped semiconductor material on the first metal strips offset to leave uncovered portions of the strips continuously parallel to the direction of movement of said insulating strip; applying a second plurality of spaced elongate electrically conductive strips continuously parallel to the direction of movement of said insulating strip so that each of said second electrically conductive strips contacts an active zone and contacts the uncovered portion of the adjacent first electrically conductive strip, whereby a plurality of elongate series-connected solar cells are formed extending in the longitudinal direction; and cutting through the series-connected solar cells transverse to the longitudinal direction at random locations to thereby segment said series-connected solar cells, whereby a plurality of series-connected solar batteries are formed from the segments.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the step of moving an elongate insulating strip is further defined as: moving an elongate polyimide strip in its longitudinal direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the step of moving an elongate insulating strip is further defined as: moving an elongate polyethylene terephthalate strip in its longitudinal direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the step of applying a first plurality of electrically conductive strips is further defined as: applying a first plurality of elongate indium-tin oxide strips.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the step of applying a first plurality of electrically conductive strips is further defined as: applying each of the first electrically conductive strips in the shape of a comb to contact and also leave open areas beneath the active zones.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the step of applying active zones is further defined as: applying an n-conductive semiconductor layer onto said first electrically conductive strips; and implanting ions at the surface of said n-conductive semiconductor layer to grow a p-conductive semiconductor layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the steps of applying the first and second pluralities of electrically conductive layers are further defined as: cathode sputtering the electrically conductive layers onto the insulating layer and active zones, respectively.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the step of applying the active zones is further defined as: cathode sputtering the layer of doped semiconductor material onto the first electrically conductive strips.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the step of applying the active zones is further defined as: depositing the doped semiconductor material by chemical vapor deposition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the step of applying the active zones is further defined as: depositing the doped semiconductor material by plasma chemical vapor deposition.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the step of applying active zones is further defined as: vapor depositing a layer of doped semiconductor material on the first electrically conductive strips; and vapor depositing a light-permeable platinum layer on the doped layer of semiconductor material as a Schottky contact.
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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) | 1984-01-20 | 1984-07-21 | 1985-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-20 | 1988-07-21 | 1989-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-20 | 1992-07-21 | 1993-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |