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Increased voltage photovoltaic cell

Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1984-02-08
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Granted: 1985-06-18
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Expires: 2004-02-08
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Abstract

Abstract A photovoltaic cell, such as a solar cell, is provided which has a higher output voltage than prior cells. The improved cell includes a substrate of doped silicon, a first layer of silicon disposed on the substrate and having opposite doping, and a second layer of silicon carbide disposed on the first layer. The silicon carbide preferably has the same type of doping as the first layer.

Inventors

  • 👤 Bernd Ross, deceased
  • 👤 Donald B. Bickler
  • 👤 Brian D. Gallagher

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 01:52
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/10; H10F77/12; H10F77/122; H10F77/1226; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/14; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/547

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim 54 words
A photovoltaic cell comprising: a substrate of crystalline silicon; a first layer of crystalline silicon disposed on said substrate; and a second layer disposed on said first layer; said substrate and said first layer having opposite types of doping, one being p-doped and the other being n-doped; said second layer comprising crystalline silicon carbide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 54 words
A photovoltaic cell comprising: a substrate of crystalline silicon; a first layer of crystalline silicon disposed on said substrate; and a second layer disposed on said first layer; said substrate and said first layer having opposite types of doping, one being p-doped and the other being n-doped; said second layer comprising crystalline silicon carbide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein: said second layer has doping of the same type as said first layer.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3078328A Cited
US3397448A Cited
US3400309A Cited
US3812519A Cited
US3858238A Cited
US4028149A Cited
US4161743A Cited
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US4238436A Cited
US4239788A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1988-06-17 1988-12-17 1989-06-18 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1992-06-17 1992-12-17 1993-06-18 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1996-06-17 1996-12-17 1997-06-18 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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