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US4582764A
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Selective absorber amorphous alloys and devices
Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices Inc
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Filing: 1982-09-24
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Granted: 1986-04-15
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Expires: 2002-09-24
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a new and improved material and device for improved selective absorption of light energy for use in photothermal applications and a method and apparatus for manufacturing same. The device includes a layer of thermal infrared radiation reflecting material containing a transition metal or stainless steel. A solar radiation absorbing layer is deposited over the infrared reflecting layer. This layer comprises either amorphous boron or an amorphous alloy of boron and silicon, boron and germanium or boron and molybdenum. Finally, a solar radiation antireflecting material layer is deposited over the solar radiation absorbing layer. This layer comprises an amorphous alloy of nitrogen and either silicon or boron.
Inventors
- 👤 David D. Allerd
- 👤 Jaime M. Reyes
- 👤 Jerry A. Piontkowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:09
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S70/00; F24S70/30; F24S70/20; F24S70/225; F24S70/25; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/10; Y02P20/133; Y10; Y10S; Y10S126/00; Y10S126/907; Y10S126/908; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12493; Y10T428/12535; Y10T428/12542; Y10T428/12549; Y10T428/12576; Y10T428/12597
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A photothermal device for converting solar radiation to heat, said device comprising a layer of thermal infrared radiation reflecting material, a layer of solar radiation absorbing material overlying said layer of reflecting material, and a layer of solar radiation antireflecting material overlying said layer of absorbing material, said layer of solar radiation absorbing material consisting essentially of an alloy of amorphous boron and germanium, said alloy including between approximately thirty (30) and sixty (60) percent boron.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A photothermal device for converting solar radiation to heat, said device comprising a layer of thermal infrared radiation reflecting material, a layer of solar radiation absorbing material overlying said layer of reflecting material, and a layer of solar radiation antireflecting material overlying said layer of absorbing material, said layer of solar radiation absorbing material consisting essentially of an alloy of amorphous boron and germanium, said alloy including between approximately thirty (30) and sixty (60) percent boron.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said radiation absorbing layer has a thickness, and wherein said thickness is between one-eighth and three-eighths of the wavelength of the maximum energy point of the radiation spectrum within said alloy forming said radiation absorbing layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said thickness is equal to one-fourth of the wavelength of the maximum energy point of the radiation spectrum within said alloy forming said radiation absorbing layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said radiation absorbing layer has thickness, and wherein said thickness is between one-eigth and three-eigths of the wavelength of the maximum energy point of the radiation spectrum within said alloy forming said radiation absorbing layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device as defined in claim 4 wherein said thickness is equal to one-fourth of the wavelength of the maximum energy point of the radiation spectrum within said alloy forming said radiation absorbing layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as defined in claim 1 further comprising a substrate, said thermal infrared radiation reflecting material overlying said substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as defined in claim 6 wherein said thermal infrared radiation reflecting material comprises one of the group consisting of tungsten or molybdenum and alloys thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as defined in claim 6 wherein said reflecting material is formed from a compound chosen from the group consisting of the compounds of molybdenum and tungsten.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device as defined in claim 8 wherein said compound is a compound of an element selected from the group consisting of molybdenum and tungsten and an element selected from the group consisting of boron, carbon, and nitrogen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as defined in claim 9 wherein reflecting material comprises an alloy of said compounds.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as defined in claim 1 further comprising a substrate, said thermal infrared radiation reflecting material overlying said substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as defined in claim 11 wherein said transition metal is one of the group consisting of tungsten and molybdenum, and alloys thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as defined in claim 11 wherein said reflecting material is formed from a compound chosen from the group consisting of molybdenum and tungsten compounds.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device as defined in claim 13 wherein said compound is a compound of an element selected from the group consisting of molybdenum and tungsten and an element selected from the group consisting of boron, carbon, and nitrogen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as defined in claim 14 wherein said reflecting material comprises an alloy of said compounds.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said solar radiation antireflecting material comprises an amorphous alloy of silicon and nitrogen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as defined in claim 16 wherein the index of refraction of said solar radiation antireflecting material is about 85 to 100 percent of the square root of the index of refraction of said absorbing material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said solar radiation antireflecting material comprises an amorphous alloy of silicon and nitrogen.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said radiation absorbing layer has thickness, and wherein said thickness is at least approximately one micron.
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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) | 1989-04-14 | 1989-10-14 | 1990-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-14 | 1993-10-14 | 1994-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-14 | 1997-10-14 | 1998-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |