Patent US4463215A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4463215A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Cadmium sulphide solar cell
Assignee: Prutec Ltd
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Filing: 1983-03-07
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Granted: 1984-07-31
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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 17:42
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)
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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) | 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 |