US4463215A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cadmium sulphide solar cell
Assignee: Prutec Ltd
•
Filing: 1983-03-07
•
Granted: 1984-07-31
•
Expires: 2003-03-07
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to the manufacture of cadmium sulphide solar cells. A cell is formed of a glass substrate 10, a front contact 12 made, for example, of tin oxide, a cadmium sulphide layer 14 and a copper sulphide layer 16. the junction between the layers 14 and 16 is photovoltaic. In order to form a rear contact 18 on the copper sulphide layer, the invention proposes vapor depositing a mixed layer of copper and copper oxide onto the sulphide layer. The invention also describes a method of heat treatment following the formation of the rear contact in order to optimise the electrical performance of the cell.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter J. Bassett
- 👤 Augustinus W. Verheijen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:33
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/16; H10F10/169; H10F71/00; H10F77/00; H10F77/20; H10F77/206; H10F77/211; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of establishing electrical contact with the copper sulphide layer of a cadmium sulphide-copper sulphide solar cell, in which a mixture of copper and cuprous containing copper oxide in a layer thicker than said copper sulphide layer is co-deposited onto the copper sulphide layer to make ohmic contact with the copper sulphide layer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of establishing electrical contact with the copper sulphide layer of a cadmium sulphide-copper sulphide solar cell, in which a mixture of copper and cuprous containing copper oxide in a layer thicker than said copper sulphide layer is co-deposited onto the copper sulphide layer to make ohmic contact with the copper sulphide layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
In a method of manufacturing a cadmium sulphide solar cell, comprising the steps of: forming a front contact by coating a transparent substrate with an electrically conductive transparent material; forming over the front contact a layer of cadmium sulphide; forming a copper sulphide layer over the cadmium sulphide layer to produce a photovoltaic junction; and forming a rear contact on the copper sulphide layer; the improvement wherein the rear contact is formed by co-depositing onto the copper sulphide layer a mixed layer of copper and cuprous containing copper oxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
In a method of manufacturing a cadmium sulphide solar cell, comprising the steps of: forming a front contact by coating a transparent substrate with an electrically conductive transparent material; forming over the front contact a layer of cadmium sulphide; forming a copper sulphide layer over the cadmium sulphide layer to produce a photovoltaic junction; and forming a rear contact on the copper sulphide layer; the improvement wherein the rear contact is formed by co-depositing onto the copper sulphide layer a mixed layer of copper and cuprous containing copper oxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method set forth in claim 2, in which, following deposition of the copper and copper oxide layer, the cell is subjected to a heat treatment to cause migration of copper ions in order to improve the electrical performance of the cell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method set forth in claim 3, wherein the heat treatment comprises heating the cell at a temperature of 150° C. for ten minutes in air.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method set forth in claim 2, wherein following the formation of the rear contact, the cell is encapsulated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method set forth in claim 2, wherein the copper oxide consists essentially of cuprous oxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method set forth in claim 2, wherein ohmic contact is established with said mixed layer by bonding a copper output electrode thereto by means of a solder layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method set forth in claim 7, wherein said output electrode forms part of a film deposited grid connecting a plurality of said solar cells.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
A cadmium sulphide solar cell manufactured by the method of claim 2.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
A cadmium sulphide solar cell manufactured by the method of claim 3.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
A cadmium sulphide solar cell manufactured by the method of claim 4.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
A cadmium sulphide solar cell manufactured by the method of claim 5.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
A cadmium sulphide solar cell manufactured by the method of claim 6.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
A cadmium sulphide solar cell manufactured by the method of claim 7.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A panel comprising a plurality of cadmium sulphide solar cells manufactured by the method of claim 8.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4104420A
Cited
US4283590A
Cited
US4239553A
Cited
US4267398A
Cited
US4318938A
Cited
US4251286A
Cited
US4260428A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-07-31 | 1988-01-30 | 1988-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-31 | 1992-01-30 | 1992-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-31 | 1996-01-30 | 1996-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |