US4513168A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three-terminal solar cell circuit
Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Inc
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Filing: 1984-04-19
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Granted: 1985-04-23
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Expires: 2004-04-19
Abstract
Abstract Photovoltaic solar cells have improved efficiency when constructed in monolithic form with two different band gap energy junctions. Solar light goes first through an upper layer containing a high band gap energy junction which absorbs the short-wavelength components of light. Then the remaining long-wavelength components are absorbed in a second active layer containing a low band gap energy junction. The cell may comprise p-n-n-p type layers. According to the invention, each low band-gap, low-voltage junction is made to have 1/2 the voltage of the high band-gap high-voltage junctions. The junctions are then connected such that the high-voltage junctions are in parallel and the series connection of low-voltage junctions is also in parallel with them. The junction voltages are invariant so the parallel connection works for any light spectrum.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter G. Borden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:22
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/14; H10F10/142; H10F19/00; H10F19/50; H10F77/00; H10F77/95; H10F77/953; H10F77/955; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/544
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A photovoltaic generator unit comprising a pair of photovoltaic cells, said cells adapted to receive incoming light from a given direction, each cell comprising, in electrical connection in the said direction: a light-permeable first electrode, a first semiconductive layer containing a photovoltaic junction having a high band-gap energy and a first polarity with respect to said direction, a light-permeable second electrode, a second semiconductive layer containing a photovoltaic junction having a low band-gap energy and a second polarity opposite said first polarity, and a third conductive electrode; said first polarities of said cells being opposite, said first electrode of each of said cells being electrically connected to said second electrode of the other cell, said third electrodes being electrically connected together, said low band-gap energies being approximately one-half of said high band-gap energies, and means for external connection to each of said first electrodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A photovoltaic generator unit comprising a pair of photovoltaic cells, said cells adapted to receive incoming light from a given direction, each cell comprising, in electrical connection in the said direction: a light-permeable first electrode, a first semiconductive layer containing a photovoltaic junction having a high band-gap energy and a first polarity with respect to said direction, a light-permeable second electrode, a second semiconductive layer containing a photovoltaic junction having a low band-gap energy and a second polarity opposite said first polarity, and a third conductive electrode; said first polarities of said cells being opposite, said first electrode of each of said cells being electrically connected to said second electrode of the other cell, said third electrodes being electrically connected together, said low band-gap energies being approximately one-half of said high band-gap energies, and means for external connection to each of said first electrodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The unit of claim 1 wherein said semiconductive layers are monolithic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The unit of claim 1 wherein said second electrode is connected to a high-conductivity transparent layer between said first and second semiconductive layers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The unit of claim 1 further comprising a high-conductivity substrate layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The unit of claim 1 further comprising a transparent high-conductivity layer between said first electrode and said first semiconductor layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A photovoltaic generator comprising a plurality of said units of claim 1 wherein said means for external connection are connected in series.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The unit of claim 1 wherein said first electrode comprises an array of metallic grid members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The unit of claim 1 wherein said second electrode comprises an array of metallic grid members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4387265A
Cited
US4461922A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-04-22 | 1988-10-22 | 1989-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-04-22 | 1992-10-22 | 1993-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-04-22 | 1996-10-22 | 1997-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |