Patent US4392010A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4392010A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photovoltaic cells having contacts and method of applying same
Assignee: BP Solar International LLC
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Filing: 1981-07-08
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Granted: 1983-07-05
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Expires: 2001-07-08
Abstract
Abstract Electrically conductive contacts containing zinc or other solderable metals, and aluminum are formed on the front and/or back surfaces of a solar cell. They are deposited by spraying the metals onto the cell surfaces, together or as layers, with the aluminum-containing layer in direct contact with the cell surfaces.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Lindmayer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:24
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/20; H10F77/206; H10F77/211; H10D; H10D64/00; H10D64/01; H10D64/011; H10D64/0111; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of applying an electrically conductive contact to the surface of a photovoltaic cell, comprising forming a mixture of aluminum and a solderable soft metal at a temperature in excess of the alloying temperature of said mixture and silicon, said metal comprising at least about 10% of said mixture, and spraying said mixture toward said surface at a distance such that said mixture will contact said surface at a temperature at which it will alloy with said silicon and thereby adhere to said surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of applying an electrically conductive contact to the surface of a photovoltaic cell, comprising forming a mixture of aluminum and a solderable soft metal at a temperature in excess of the alloying temperature of said mixture and silicon, said metal comprising at least about 10% of said mixture, and spraying said mixture toward said surface at a distance such that said mixture will contact said surface at a temperature at which it will alloy with said silicon and thereby adhere to said surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, in which said solderable soft metal is zinc.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, in which said mixture contains between about 40 and 60% zinc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, in which said photovoltaic cell surface is the front, light-receiving surface of the cell and has a p-n junction located beneath and closely adjacent to said surface, said mixture contacting said front surface at a temperature at which said particles do not penetrate said surface to an extent sufficient to substantially damage said p-n junction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, in which said surface is the back, protected surface of the cell, and thereafter forming a p-n junction at the opposed, front surface of the cell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, in which, prior to spraying said mixture, p-n junctions have been formed at the front surface and the back surface of the cell, and said mixture is sprayed onto said back surface at a temperature such that aluminum in said mixture penetrates said back surface and overcomes said back surface p-n junction to form a high-low junction at said back surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, in which, prior to spraying said mixture, a layer of diffusant glass is formed on said back surface and said mixture is sprayed onto said back surface at a temperature such that it penetrates said glass layer and said back surface and overcomes said back surface p-n junction to form a high-low junction at said back surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, in which said front surface of said cell has an antireflective coating overlying it, and said mixture penetrates said antireflective coating and contacts and adheres to said underlying front surface at spaced locations thereof.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of applying an electrically conductive contact to the surface of a silicon photovoltaic cell, comprising spraying a metal comprised of aluminum toward said surface at a distance such that said metal will contact said surface at a temperature at which it will alloy with the silicon and form a layer adhered to said surface, and thereafter spraying a coating of a solderable soft metal over said adhered layer.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of applying an electrically conductive contact to the surface of a silicon photovoltaic cell, comprising spraying a metal comprised of aluminum toward said surface at a distance such that said metal will contact said surface at a temperature at which it will alloy with the silicon and form a layer adhered to said surface, and thereafter spraying a coating of a solderable soft metal over said adhered layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 9, in which said metal comprised of aluminum also contains at least 10% of a solderable, soft metal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, in which said metal is comprised of approximately 50% aluminum and 50% zinc.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
A photovoltaic cell having a front surface adapted to receive and absorb light impinging thereon and a back surface opposed to said front surface, and an electrical contact covering at least a portion of at least one of said surfaces, said contact being comprised of a layer of a mixture of aluminum and at least about 10% zinc.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
A photovoltaic cell having a front surface adapted to receive and absorb light impinging thereon and a back surface opposed to said front surface, and an electrical contact covering at least a portion of at least one of said surfaces, said contact being comprised of a layer of a mixture of aluminum and at least about 10% zinc.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A photovoltaic cell as claimed in claim 12, said contact being formed with an overcoat layer including a solderable soft metal overlying and adhered to said layer comprised of aluminum.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A photovoltaic cell as claimed in claim 12, in which said contact is comprised of a layer of a mixture of aluminum and at least about 40% zinc.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A photovoltaic cell as claimed in claim 12, in which said contact is comprised of a layer of a mixture of about 50% aluminum and 50% zinc.
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) | 1986-07-04 | 1987-01-03 | 1987-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-04 | 1991-01-03 | 1991-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-04 | 1995-01-03 | 1995-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |