US4390743A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Silicon layer solar cell and method of producing it
Assignee: Licentia Patent Verwaltungs GmbH
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Filing: 1981-09-11
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Granted: 1983-06-28
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Expires: 2001-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A silicon layer solar cell comprises a low resistance silicon substrate produced by powder metallurgy, to which an active silicon layer is applied. The invention also includes a method of producing such a solar cell.
Inventors
- 👤 Reinhard Dahlberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:41
CPC Classifications
C; C04; C04B; C04B35/00; C04B35/622; C04B35/64; H; H10; H10F; H10F71/00; H10F71/121; H10F71/134; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/547; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of producing a silicon layer solar cell having an active silicon layer applied to a surface of a low resistance silicon substrate, said method comprising: forming a low resistance silicon substrate using powder metallurgy by producing a compacted silicon powder member, and sintering or fusing the compacted silicon powder member at a sufficiently high temperature by passing an electrical current through the compacted silicon powder member; and applying an active silicon layer to a surface of the said silicon substrate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of producing a silicon layer solar cell having an active silicon layer applied to a surface of a low resistance silicon substrate, said method comprising: forming a low resistance silicon substrate using powder metallurgy by producing a compacted silicon powder member, and sintering or fusing the compacted silicon powder member at a sufficiently high temperature by passing an electrical current through the compacted silicon powder member; and applying an active silicon layer to a surface of the said silicon substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of producing a silicon layer solar cell as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrical current is a short term electrical surge current which is passed through the compacted powder member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of producing a silicon layer solar cell as defined in claim 1, further comprising maintaining the compacted powder member under mechanical pressure during the time it is being sintered or fused.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of producing a silicon layer solar cell as defined in claim 1, wherein the compacted powder member is produced by pressing silicon powder together mechanically.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of producing a silicon layer solar cell as defined in claim 1, wherein the compacted powder member is formed from silicon powder using a liquid or a meltable adhesive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of producing a silicon layer solar cell as defined in claim 1, wherein the compacted powder member is produced by an extrusion process.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of producing a silicon layer solar cell as defined in claim 1, wherein a silicon powder made of metallurgical silicon is used.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of producing a silicon layer solar cell as defined in claim 7 wherein said silicon powder contains up to 30% by weight aluminium or iron.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of producing a silicon layer solar cell as defined in claim 1, wherein said active silicon layer is applied to said surface of the silicon substrate by chemical deposition from the gas phase.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method of producing a silicon layer solar cell as defined in claim 1, wherein said active silicon layer is applied to said surface of the silicon substrate by centrifuging liquid silicon onto said surface of said silicon substrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of producing a silicon layer solar cell as defined in claim 1, wherein said active silicon layer is applied to said surface of the silicon substrate by vapor or plasma jet deposition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of producing a silicon layer solar cell as defined in claim 1, wherein said active silicon layer is applied to said surface of the silicon substrate in powder form and is then melted thereon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A silicon layer solar cell produced according to the method of claim 1.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of producing a silicon layer solar cell having an active layer formed on a surface of a low resistance silicon substrate, said method comprising: forming a substrate member of compacted silicon powder; applying a thin layer of silicon powder, which is to serve as the active layer in the completed solar cell, to a surface of the substrate member; applying pressure to the powder layer and the substrate member to compact the powder layer; and sintering and fusing the silicon powder of the substrate member and of the thin layer by passing a short term electrical surge current through the compacted silicon powder substrate member and through the thin silicon powder layer while maintaining said pressure.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of producing a silicon layer solar cell having an active layer formed on a surface of a low resistance silicon substrate, said method comprising: forming a substrate member of compacted silicon powder; applying a thin layer of silicon powder, which is to serve as the active layer in the completed solar cell, to a surface of the substrate member; applying pressure to the powder layer and the substrate member to compact the powder layer; and sintering and fusing the silicon powder of the substrate member and of the thin layer by passing a short term electrical surge current through the compacted silicon powder substrate member and through the thin silicon powder layer while maintaining said pressure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
A silicon layer solar cell produced according to the method of claim 14.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
A silicon solar cell produced according to the method of claim 8.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1986-06-27 | 1986-12-27 | 1987-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-27 | 1990-12-27 | 1991-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-27 | 1994-12-27 | 1995-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |