US4283591A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photovoltaic cell
Assignee: Ses Inc
•
Filing: 1980-05-22
•
Granted: 1981-08-11
•
Expires: 2000-05-22
Abstract
Abstract A process for improving the stability of a cadmium chalcogenide/copper chalcogenide photovoltaic cell is disclosed. The improvement comprises positioning a layer of a polymer composition containing electrically conductive particles between the copper chalcogenide layer and the metal electrode such that the metal electrode does not make physical contact with the copper chalcogenide layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl W. Boer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:54
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/16; H10F10/169; H10F77/00; H10F77/20; H10F77/206; H10F77/211; H10W; H10W20/00; H10W20/40; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A process for improving the stability of a cadmium chalcogenide/copper chalcogenide photovoltaic cell having a metal electrode in electrical contact with the copper chalcogenide layer, which process comprises positioning a layer of a polymer composition containing electrically conductive particles between said copper chalcogenide layer and said metal electrode such that said metal electrode is not in physical contact with said copper chalcogenide layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
A process for improving the stability of a cadmium chalcogenide/copper chalcogenide photovoltaic cell having a metal electrode in electrical contact with the copper chalcogenide layer, which process comprises positioning a layer of a polymer composition containing electrically conductive particles between said copper chalcogenide layer and said metal electrode such that said metal electrode is not in physical contact with said copper chalcogenide layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein said copper chalcogenide is copper sulfide and said cadmium chalcogenide is cadmium sulfide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process according to claim 2 wherein said electrically conductive particles are selected from the group consisting of electrically conductive carbon particles and electrically conductive metal oxides.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process according to claim 3 wherein said electrically conductive particles are selected from the group consisting of conductive carbon blocks and crystalline graphite.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process according to claim 4 wherein said electrically conductive particles are crystalline graphite particles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process according to claim 5 wherein said metal electrode is a copper wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process according to claim 6 wherein said polymer composition is coated onto said metal electrode prior to attachment to said copper sulfide layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process according to claim 7 wherein said polymer is a vinylidene fluoride/hexafluoroprepene copolymer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process according to claim 3 wherein said metal oxides are selected from the group consisting of indium oxides, tin oxides, silver oxides and copper oxides.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the thickness of said polymer composition is between about 0.25 mils and about 2 mils.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein said photovoltaic cell is a front-wall cell.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein said photovoltaic cell is a back-wall cell.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A stable photovoltaic cell produced by the process of claims 1 or 2.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
84 words
A photovoltaic cell having improved stability comprising: (a) an electrically conductive first electrode; (b) a film of cadmium chalcogenide contacting said first electrode; (c) a film of copper chalcogenide contacting said cadmium chalcogenide and forming a p-n junction therewith; (d) a layer of a polymer composition containing electrically conductive particles in electrical contact with a portion of said copper chalcogenide film; and (e) a second metal electrode in electrical contact with said polymer layer but not in physical contact with said copper chalcogenide layer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
84 words
A photovoltaic cell having improved stability comprising: (a) an electrically conductive first electrode; (b) a film of cadmium chalcogenide contacting said first electrode; (c) a film of copper chalcogenide contacting said cadmium chalcogenide and forming a p-n junction therewith; (d) a layer of a polymer composition containing electrically conductive particles in electrical contact with a portion of said copper chalcogenide film; and (e) a second metal electrode in electrical contact with said polymer layer but not in physical contact with said copper chalcogenide layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cell according to claim 14 wherein said copper chalcogenide is copper sulfide and said cadmium chalcogenide is cadmium sulfide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cell according to claim 15 wherein said electrically conductive particles are crystalline graphite particles.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cell according to claim 16 wherein said metal electrode is a copper wire.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cell according to claim 17 wherein said polymer composition is coated onto said metal electrode prior to attachment to said copper sulfide layer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cell according to claim 18 wherein said polymer is a vinylidene fluoride/hexafluoroprepene copolymer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cell according to claim 14 wherein said electrically conductive particles are selected from the group consisting of electrically conductive carbon particles and electrically conductive metal oxides.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cell according to claim 20 wherein said electrically conductive particles are selected from the group consisting of conductive carbon blocks and crystalline graphite.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cell according to claim 20 wherein said metal oxides are selected from the group consisting of indium oxides, tin oxides, silver oxides and copper oxides.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cell according to claim 14 or 15 wherein the thickness of said polymer composition is between about 0.25 mils and about 2 mils.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cell according to claim 14 wherein said photovoltaic cell is a front-wall cell.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cell according to claim 24 wherein the copper sulfide surface area blocked by said electrode and said polymer composition is between about 5 percent and about 20 percent.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cell according to claim 14 wherein said photovoltaic cell is a back-wall cell.
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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) | 1984-08-10 | 1985-02-09 | 1985-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-10 | 1989-02-09 | 1989-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-10 | 1993-02-09 | 1993-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |