US4412091A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Polycrystalline photovoltaic cell
Assignee: TOTAL ENERGIE DEVELOPPEMENT
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Filing: 1980-03-04
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Granted: 1983-10-25
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Expires: 2000-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A photovoltaic cell having an electrically conductive substrate, which may be glass having a film of conductive tin oxide; a first layer containing a suitable semiconductor, which layer has a first component film with an amorphous structure and a second component film with a polycrystalline structure; a second layer forming a heterojunction with the first layer; and suitable electrodes where the heterojunction is formed from a solution containing copper, the amorphous film component is superposed above an electrically conductive substrate to resist permeation of the copper-containing material to shorting electrical contact with the substrate. The penetration resistant amorphous layer permits a variety of processes to be used in forming the heterojunction with even very thin layers (1-6μ thick) of underlying polycrystalline semiconductor materials. In some embodiments, the amorphous-like structure may be formed by the addition of aluminum or zirconium compounds to a solution of cadmium salts sprayed over a heated substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 John F. Jordan
- 👤 Curtis M. Lampkin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:56
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/16; H10F10/169; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
An improved cadmium sulfide photovoltaic cell comprising a cadmium sulfide bilayer, the bilayer comprising an initial layer of cadmium sulfide microcrystals having an average crystal diameter of from about 0.02 microns to about 0.1 microns and a second cadmium sulfide layer comprising cadmium sulfide crystals having an average crystal diameter of from about 0.1 microns to about 0.5 microns, wherein said cadmium sulfide bilayer comprises a dopant and said second cadmium sulfide layer being in interfacial contact with a barrier layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
An improved cadmium sulfide photovoltaic cell comprising a cadmium sulfide bilayer, the bilayer comprising an initial layer of cadmium sulfide microcrystals having an average crystal diameter of from about 0.02 microns to about 0.1 microns and a second cadmium sulfide layer comprising cadmium sulfide crystals having an average crystal diameter of from about 0.1 microns to about 0.5 microns, wherein said cadmium sulfide bilayer comprises a dopant and said second cadmium sulfide layer being in interfacial contact with a barrier layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
An improved cadmium sulfide photovoltaic cell comprising a cadmium sulfide bilayer, the bilayer comprising an initial layer of cadmium sulfide microcrystals having an average crystal diameter of less than about 0.1 mircons and a second cadmium sulfide layer comprising cadmium sulfide crystals having an average crystal diameter of greater than about 0.1 microns, wherein said cadmium sulfide bilayer comprises a dopant and said second cadmium sulfide layer being in interfacial contact with a barrier layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
An improved cadmium sulfide photovoltaic cell comprising a cadmium sulfide bilayer, the bilayer comprising an initial layer of cadmium sulfide microcrystals having an average crystal diameter of less than about 0.1 mircons and a second cadmium sulfide layer comprising cadmium sulfide crystals having an average crystal diameter of greater than about 0.1 microns, wherein said cadmium sulfide bilayer comprises a dopant and said second cadmium sulfide layer being in interfacial contact with a barrier layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A cell according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the initial cadmium sulfide layer comprises from about 1 to about 50 weight percent of an aluminum dopant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cell according to claim 3 wherein the initial cadmium sulfide layer comprises from about 2.5 to about 20 weight percent of an aluminum dopant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
An improved cadmium sulfide photovoltaic cell, comprising: a cadmium sulfide bilayer, the bilayer comprising an initial layer of cadmium sulfide microcrystals having average crystal diameters less than about 0.1 microns, and a second cadmium sulfide layer comprising cadmium sulfide crystals having an average crystal diameter of from about 0.1 microns to about 0.5 microns, wherein said cadmium sulfide bilayer comprises a dopant and said second cadmium sulfide layer being in interfacial contact with a barrier layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
An improved cadmium sulfide photovoltaic cell, comprising: a cadmium sulfide bilayer, the bilayer comprising an initial layer of cadmium sulfide microcrystals having average crystal diameters less than about 0.1 microns, and a second cadmium sulfide layer comprising cadmium sulfide crystals having an average crystal diameter of from about 0.1 microns to about 0.5 microns, wherein said cadmium sulfide bilayer comprises a dopant and said second cadmium sulfide layer being in interfacial contact with a barrier layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A cell according to claim 5 wherein the initial cadmium sulfide layer is formed from a solution containing from about 10 to about 50 weight percent of an aluminum dopant.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4143235A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-10-24 | 1987-04-25 | 1987-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-24 | 1991-04-25 | 1991-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-24 | 1995-04-25 | 1995-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |