US4654468A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photovoltaic device having a predetermined current carrying capacity
Assignee: United Solar Systems Corp
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Filing: 1985-09-09
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Granted: 1987-03-31
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Expires: 2005-09-09
Abstract
Abstract An improved photovoltaic device having a preselected current carrying capacity includes an electrically conductive body, an electrically insulating layer disposed atop the conductive body and a current carrying electrically conductive pattern atop the insulating layer. The material forming the current carrying pattern infiltrates portions of the insulating layer and establishes electrical communication with the electrically conductive body in such a manner that the current carrying capacity of the device is proportional to the area which is infiltrated by the conductive material. Also disclosed herein are methods for the fabrication of the improved device.
Inventors
- 👤 Prem Nath
- 👤 Dominic Crea
- 👤 Allen Murray
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:56
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/30; H10F77/306; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/17; H10F77/20; H10F77/206; H10F77/211; H10F77/311; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/548
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A photovoltaic device having a preselected current carrying capacity, said device including: a semiconductor body; an electrically insulating layer disposed upon at least a portion of said semiconductor body, said layer formed from a synthetic polymeric material permeable to a solvating reagent, said layer including therein a plurality of openings in communication with the underlying semiconductor body; and, a current carrying, electrically conductive material deposited in a preselected pattern atop at least a portion of said insulating layer and infiltrating at least a portion of said plurality of openings so as to establish electrical communication with said semiconductor body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A photovoltaic device having a preselected current carrying capacity, said device including: a semiconductor body; an electrically insulating layer disposed upon at least a portion of said semiconductor body, said layer formed from a synthetic polymeric material permeable to a solvating reagent, said layer including therein a plurality of openings in communication with the underlying semiconductor body; and, a current carrying, electrically conductive material deposited in a preselected pattern atop at least a portion of said insulating layer and infiltrating at least a portion of said plurality of openings so as to establish electrical communication with said semiconductor body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A photovoltaic device as in claim 1, wherein said insulating layer comprises a heterogenous mixture of at least two materials having differing solubility in a given solvating reagent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A photovoltaic device as in claim 1, wherein said insulating layer comprises a layer of uncured photoresist.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A photovoltaic device as in claim 1, wherein said insulating layer comprises a material chosen from the group consisting essentially of: acrylic polymers, novolac resins, vinyl polymers, styrene polymers and combinations thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A photovoltaic device as in claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive pattern forms at least a portion of a bus grid structure of said device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A photovoltaic device as in claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive pattern is formed from a conductive silver paste.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A photovoltaic device as in claim 1, wherein said synthetic polymeric reagent is permeable to a solvent chosen from the group consisting essentially of: ketones, alcohols, aldehydes, ethers, esters, hydrocarbons, halocarbons and combinations thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A photovoltaic device as in claim 1, wherein said semiconductor body includes a body of photovoltaic material adapted to provide a flow of electrical current in response to the absorption of light incident thereupon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A photovoltaic device as in claim 8, wherein said semiconductor body further includes a layer of transparent, electrically conductive material interposed between said body of photovoltaic material and said electrically insulating layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A photovoltaic device as in claim 8, wherein said body of photovoltaic material includes at least one triad comprised of a layer of intrinsic semiconductor material interposed between oppositely doped semiconductor layers so as to provide an n-i-p configuration.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A photovoltaic device as in claim 10, wherein said body of photovoltaic material includes at least two stacked triads of n-i-p configuration.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4240842A
Cited
US4419530A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-03-30 | 1990-09-29 | 1991-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-03-30 | 1994-09-29 | 1995-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-03-30 | 1998-09-29 | 1999-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |