US4362896A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Polycrystalline photovoltaic cell
Assignee: TOTAL ENERGIE DEVELOPPEMENT
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Filing: 1980-10-28
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Granted: 1982-12-07
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Expires: 2000-10-28
Abstract
Abstract A photovoltaic cell is formed by combining a spray process, forming a crystalline layer containing cadmium and sulfur, and an evaporation process, depositing copper chloride for converting to CuxS. The crystals containing cadmium and sulfur are heated in an atmosphere of cadmium and chlorides to obtain crystals having at least one dimension greater than 0.5 micron and a planar layer of CuxS is formed on the large crystals. A layer of CuxS having a thickness of 0.5-1.0 micron is obtained. Electrodes are formed from evaporated gold or chromium or a metallic paste including silver or copper. ZnxCd1-xS may be substituted for CdS through at least part of the crystalline layer for improved Voc.
Inventors
- 👤 Vijay P. Singh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:45
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/16; H10F10/169; H10F71/00; H10F71/125; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/543
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A photovoltaic cell formed in a backwall configuration on a transparent vitreous substrate and over a transparent electrically conductive film, comprising: a crystalline film containing cadmium and sulfur and having crystals with at least one dimension greater than 0.5 micron formed to a first thickness in the range of 1-6 microns, and a film of Cu x S forming a substantially planar heterojunction with said crystalline film containing cadmium and sulfur and having a thickness in the range of 0.5-1.0 microns, said first thickness being effective to maintain a depletion layer formed from and adjacent said heterojunction from contacting said electrically conductive film.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A photovoltaic cell formed in a backwall configuration on a transparent vitreous substrate and over a transparent electrically conductive film, comprising: a crystalline film containing cadmium and sulfur and having crystals with at least one dimension greater than 0.5 micron formed to a first thickness in the range of 1-6 microns, and a film of Cu x S forming a substantially planar heterojunction with said crystalline film containing cadmium and sulfur and having a thickness in the range of 0.5-1.0 microns, said first thickness being effective to maintain a depletion layer formed from and adjacent said heterojunction from contacting said electrically conductive film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A photovoltaic cell according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said crystalline film is CdS.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A photovoltaic cell according to claim 2, further including: an adherent film adjacent said electrically conductive film, said adherent film including a compound of a selected metal for forming a relatively amorphous crystal structure effective to adhere to said conducting film, and said crystalline film formed over said adherent film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A photovoltaic cell according to claims 1 or 3, further including an electrode comprising: a thin film of copper adjacent said film of Cu x S, and a thin film of chromium adjacent said film of copper.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A photovoltaic cell according to claim 3, wherein said adherent film is formed to only a few tenths of a micron in thickness and contains an aluminum compound.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A photovoltaic cell according to claims 3 or 5, wherein said adherent film is formed from a solution containing said compound of a selected metal, said selected metal being at least 10 molar percent of the total metal content of said solution.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A photovoltaic cell according to claim 2, wherein said CdS includes a dopant effective to obtain a selected resistivity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A photovoltaic cell according to claim 7, wherein said dopant is indium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A photovoltaic cell according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said crystalline film is Zn x Cd 1-x S.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A photovoltaic cell according to claim 1, said crystalline film formed to a thickness in the range of 2-4 microns.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
A photovoltaic cell according to claim 1, further including: a first portion of said crystalline film adjacent said electrically conductive film including CdS, and a second portion of said crystalline film including Zn x Cd 1-x S and forming said heterojunction with said Cu x S.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A photovoltaic cell according to claim 11, wherein said first portion accommodates said depletion layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
128 words
A photovoltaic cell formed in a backwall configuration on a transparent vitreous substrate and over a transparent electrically conductive film, comprising: a crystalline film containing CdS and having crystals with at least one dimension greater than 0.5 micron formed to a first thickness, a film of Cu x S forming a substantially planar heterojunction with said crystalline film containing CdS and having thickness in the range of 0.5-1.0 microns, a first portion of said crystalline film adjacent said electrically conductive film including CdS, and a second portion of said crystalline film including Zn x Cd 1-x S and forming said heterojunction with said Cu x S, said first thickness being effective to maintain a depletion layer formed from and adjacent said heterojunction from contacting said electrically conductive film.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
128 words
A photovoltaic cell formed in a backwall configuration on a transparent vitreous substrate and over a transparent electrically conductive film, comprising: a crystalline film containing CdS and having crystals with at least one dimension greater than 0.5 micron formed to a first thickness, a film of Cu x S forming a substantially planar heterojunction with said crystalline film containing CdS and having thickness in the range of 0.5-1.0 microns, a first portion of said crystalline film adjacent said electrically conductive film including CdS, and a second portion of said crystalline film including Zn x Cd 1-x S and forming said heterojunction with said Cu x S, said first thickness being effective to maintain a depletion layer formed from and adjacent said heterojunction from contacting said electrically conductive film.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A photovoltaic cell according to claim 13, wherein said first portion accommodates said depletion layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A photovoltaic cell according to claim 13, wherein said CdS includes a dopant effective to obtain a selected resistivity.
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) | 1985-12-06 | 1986-06-07 | 1986-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-06 | 1990-06-07 | 1990-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-06 | 1994-06-07 | 1994-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |