US4510344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thin film solar cell substrate
Assignee: Siemens Solar Industries LP
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Filing: 1983-12-19
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Granted: 1985-04-09
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Expires: 2003-12-19
Abstract
Abstract An improved low cost photovoltaic cell including a sodium containing glass substrate which has been chemically treated to remove sodium ions from a surface selected for deposition of a transparent conductor.
Inventors
- 👤 Elliot Berman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:55
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/17; H10F77/00; H10F77/10; H10F77/16; H10F77/169; H10F77/1692; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/548
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
In a photovoltaic solar cell of the type including a glass substrate, a tin oxide transparent conductor deposited on said substrate, a thin film semiconductor layer deposited on said transparent conductor, and a second conductor deposited on said semiconductor layer, the improvement comprising: said glass substrate containing a substantial percentage of sodium oxide, which substrate has been chemically treated, on at least the surface selected to support the transparent conductor, to: (a) replace sodium ions with potassium ions to a depth of about 100 microns and (b) thereafter, remove any remaining sodium ions from said surface to a depth of at least about 0.1 micron.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a photovoltaic solar cell of the type including a glass substrate, a tin oxide transparent conductor deposited on said substrate, a thin film semiconductor layer deposited on said transparent conductor, and a second conductor deposited on said semiconductor layer, the improvement comprising: said glass substrate containing a substantial percentage of sodium oxide, which substrate has been chemically treated, on at least the surface selected to support the transparent conductor, to: (a) replace sodium ions with potassium ions to a depth of about 100 microns and (b) thereafter, remove any remaining sodium ions from said surface to a depth of at least about 0.1 micron.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
106 words
A thin film photovoltaic cell comprising: a transparent sodium containing glass substrate having at least a first major surface which has been first chemically treated to replace sodium ions with potassium ions to a depth of about 100 microns and thereafter chemically treated to remove any remaining sodium ions from said first major surface to a depth of at least about 0.1 micron, a thin film of transparent conductor deposited on said first major surface, said transparent conductor consisting primarily of tin oxide, a layer of semiconductor material, including an active junction, deposited on said transparent conductor; and a back conductor deposited on the semiconductor material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
A thin film photovoltaic cell comprising: a transparent sodium containing glass substrate having at least a first major surface which has been first chemically treated to replace sodium ions with potassium ions to a depth of about 100 microns and thereafter chemically treated to remove any remaining sodium ions from said first major surface to a depth of at least about 0.1 micron, a thin film of transparent conductor deposited on said first major surface, said transparent conductor consisting primarily of tin oxide, a layer of semiconductor material, including an active junction, deposited on said transparent conductor; and a back conductor deposited on the semiconductor material.
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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) | 1988-04-08 | 1988-10-08 | 1989-04-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-04-08 | 1992-10-08 | 1993-04-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-04-08 | 1996-10-08 | 1997-04-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |