Patent US4434318A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4434318A
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Solar cells and method
Assignee: Sera Solar Corp
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Filing: 1981-03-25
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Granted: 1984-02-28
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Expires: 2001-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A solar cell having a solar absorbing layer of truly amorphous or microcrystalline semiconductor material or mixture thereof with means cooperating with said layer for collecting carriers generated by the solar energy. Said solar cell also including means for causing the solar energy to twice pass through the solar energy absorbing layer.
Inventors
- 👤 James F. Gibbons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:45
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/10; H10F77/16; H10F77/162; H10F77/164; H10F77/1642; H10F77/1645; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/17; H10F77/169; H10F77/1692; H10F77/40; H10F77/42; H10F77/48; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/52; Y02E10/545; Y02E10/548
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
35 words
A solar cell comprising n-type and p-type silicon single crystal or polycrystalline collecting semiconductor layers separated by a truly amorphous semiconductor layer that serves as a layer which absorbs the optical energy and generates carriers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
A solar cell comprising n-type and p-type silicon single crystal or polycrystalline collecting semiconductor layers separated by a truly amorphous semiconductor layer that serves as a layer which absorbs the optical energy and generates carriers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A solar cell comprising n-type and p-type silicon single crystal or polycrystalline collecting semiconductor layers separated by a microcrystalline semiconductor layer that serves as a layer which absorbs the optical energy and generates carriers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A solar cell comprising n-type and p-type silicon single crystal or polycrystalline collecting semiconductor layers separated by a microcrystalline semiconductor layer that serves as a layer which absorbs the optical energy and generates carriers.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of fabricating a solar cell comprising the steps of forming a single crystal or polycrystalline layer of semiconductor material of one conductivity type, forming a layer of amorphous semiconductor material on the layer of said one conductivity type, and forming a single crystal or polycrystalline layer of semiconductor material of opposite conductivity type on the other surface of the amorphous semiconductor layer.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of fabricating a solar cell comprising the steps of forming a single crystal or polycrystalline layer of semiconductor material of one conductivity type, forming a layer of amorphous semiconductor material on the layer of said one conductivity type, and forming a single crystal or polycrystalline layer of semiconductor material of opposite conductivity type on the other surface of the amorphous semiconductor layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step of forming an amorphous layer comprises the step of forming a truly amorphous layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step of forming an amorphous layer comprises the step of forming a microcrystalline layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of fabricating a solar cell as in claim 5 in which said microcrystalline layer is formed by chemical vapor deposition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of fabricating a solar cell as in claim 3 in which such amorphous layer is formed by plasma deposition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of fabricating a solar cell as in claim 3 in which said amorphous layer is formed by ion implantation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
97 words
A solar cell including a solar absorbing layer of semiconductor material selected to be amorphous, microcrystalline or mixed amorphous and microcrystalline semiconductor material, a transparent layer of polycrystalline semiconductor material of one conductivity type contiguous with one surface of said solar energy absorbing layer, a layer of polycrystalline semiconductor material of opposite conductivity type contiguous with the other surface of said solar energy absorbing layer and a metal reflecting film contiguous with said layer of opposite conductivity type to form ohmic contact therewith and serving to reflect transmitted solar energy back through the solar energy absorbing layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
97 words
A solar cell including a solar absorbing layer of semiconductor material selected to be amorphous, microcrystalline or mixed amorphous and microcrystalline semiconductor material, a transparent layer of polycrystalline semiconductor material of one conductivity type contiguous with one surface of said solar energy absorbing layer, a layer of polycrystalline semiconductor material of opposite conductivity type contiguous with the other surface of said solar energy absorbing layer and a metal reflecting film contiguous with said layer of opposite conductivity type to form ohmic contact therewith and serving to reflect transmitted solar energy back through the solar energy absorbing layer.
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) | 1987-02-27 | 1987-08-29 | 1988-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-27 | 1991-08-29 | 1992-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-27 | 1995-08-29 | 1996-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |