US4260427A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
CdTe Schottky barrier photovoltaic cell
Assignee: Colorado School of Mines Foundation Inc
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Filing: 1979-06-18
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Granted: 1981-04-07
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Expires: 1999-06-18
Abstract
Abstract Photovoltaic cell comprises thin film cadmium telluride in ohmic contact with a smooth conductive substrate, preferably comprising a cadmium surface, through a cadmium-rich layer at the interface with the substrate, the cell further including a rectifying barrier layer. Preferably, the film is electrodeposited on the substrate surface with specific materials and process conditions. Preferably also, the film or cell is subsequently treated to enhance its barrier layer interface function.
Inventors
- 👤 Gabor F. Fulop
- 👤 Jacob F. Betz
- 👤 Peter V. Meyers
- 👤 Mitchell E. Doty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 00:18
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F71/00; H10F71/125; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/18; H10F71/128; H10P; H10P14/00; H10P14/20; H10P14/26; H10P14/265; H10P14/29; H10P14/2901; H10P14/2923; H10P14/32; H10P14/3202; H10P14/3241; H10P14/34; H10P14/3402; H10P14/3424; H10P14/3432; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/543; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
In a photovoltaic cell comprising (a) a cadmium telluride film, (b) a barrier layer facing and in intimate contact with one side of said film with a rectifying junction at the interface therebetween and (c) a conductive layer facing and in intimate contact with the other side of said film with an ohmic junction at the interface therebetween, the improvement comprising: said film being relatively cadmium-rich at said ohmic junction interface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a photovoltaic cell comprising (a) a cadmium telluride film, (b) a barrier layer facing and in intimate contact with one side of said film with a rectifying junction at the interface therebetween and (c) a conductive layer facing and in intimate contact with the other side of said film with an ohmic junction at the interface therebetween, the improvement comprising: said film being relatively cadmium-rich at said ohmic junction interface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in claim 1, wherein said conductive layer is cadmium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in claim 2, wherein said cadmium conductive layer is a thin overlayer on a gold-coated, stainless steel substrate with which said cadmium conductive layer is in ohmic contact.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in claim 2, wherein said cadmium conductive layer is a thin overlayer on a cold-rolled steel substrate with which said cadmium conductive layer is in ohmic contact.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in claim 1, wherein said film is n-type cadmium telluride.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in claim 1, wherein said film is 0.5-5 microns thick.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in claim 1, wherein said film is relatively tellurium-rich at its rectifying junction interface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in claim 1, wherein said film includes an oxide-rich outer layer at its rectifying junction interface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in claim 1, wherein said barrier layer is gold.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in claim 1, wherein said barrier layer includes a conductive material overcoat in a pattern to facilitate making electrical contact with said barrier layer while permitting a high proportion of incident light to reach said barrier layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in claim 1, further including an anti-reflective coating overlying said barrier layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in any one of claims 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11, wherein said conductive layer is cadmium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in any one of claims 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11, wherein said cadmium conductive layer is a thin overlayer on a gold-coated, stainless steel substrate with which said cadmium conductive layer is in ohmic contact.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in any one of claims 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11, wherein said cadmium conductive layer is a thin overlayer on a cold-rolled steel substrate with which said cadmium conductive layer is in ohmic contact.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in any one of claims 3, 4, 7, 8, or 9, wherein said film is n-type cadmium telluride 0.5-5 microns thick.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
73 words
In a photovoltaic cell comprising (a) a cadmium telluride film, (b) a barrier layer facing and in intimate contact with one side of said film with a rectifying junction at the interface therebetween and (c) a conductive layer facing and in intimate contact with the other side of said film with an ohmic junction at the interface therebetween, the improvement comprising: said conductive layer is cadmium and said film is n-type cadmium telluride.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
73 words
In a photovoltaic cell comprising (a) a cadmium telluride film, (b) a barrier layer facing and in intimate contact with one side of said film with a rectifying junction at the interface therebetween and (c) a conductive layer facing and in intimate contact with the other side of said film with an ohmic junction at the interface therebetween, the improvement comprising: said conductive layer is cadmium and said film is n-type cadmium telluride.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in claim 16, wherein said cadmium conductive layer is a thin overlayer on a gold-coated, stainless steel substrate with which said cadmium conductive layer is in ohmic contact.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in claim 16, wherein said cadmium conductive layer is a thin overlayer on a cold-rolled steel substrate with which said cadmium conductive layer is in ohmic contact.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in claim 17, wherein said cadmium telluride film is 0.5-5 microns thick.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in claim 19, wherein said cadmium telluride film includes an oxide-rich outer layer at its rectifying junction interface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in claim 20, wherein said barrier layer is gold.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in claim 21, wherein said barrier layer is overcoated with a conductive material in a pattern to facilitate making electrical contact with said barrier layer while permitting a high proportion of incident light to reach said barrier layer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in claim 22, further including an anti-reflective coating overlying said barrier layer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
72 words
An improved photovoltaic cell, as recited in claim 19, wherein said film includes an oxide-rich outer layer at its rectifying junction interface, said barrier layer is gold and includes a conductive material overcoat in a pattern to facilitate making electrical contact with said barrier layer while permitting a high proportion of incident light to reach said barrier layer and wherein said barrier layer further includes an anti-reflective coating overlying said barrier layer.
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) | 1984-04-06 | 1984-10-06 | 1985-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-04-06 | 1988-10-06 | 1989-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-04-06 | 1992-10-06 | 1993-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |