US4675468A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stable contact between current collector grid and transparent conductive layer
Assignee: Standard Oil Co
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Filing: 1985-12-20
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Granted: 1987-06-23
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Expires: 2005-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A stable front contact current collector grid 36 is provided for thin-film photovoltaic devices. The current collector grid 36 is deposited on a textured patterned surface 35 of an optically transparent electrically conductive layer 34 that insures stable bonding between the current collector grid 36 and the transparent conductive layer 34. The photovoltaic device 30 includes a substrate 32; an optically transparent electrically conductive layer 34 having a textured patterned surface 35; a front contact current collector grid 36; a first semiconductor layer 38; a second semiconductor layer 40; and an electrically conductive film 42 in contact with the second semiconductor layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Bulent M. Basol
- 👤 Eric S. Tseng
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:52
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/16; H10F10/162; H10F77/00; H10F77/20; H10F77/206; H10F77/211; H10F77/219; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/543; Y10; Y10S; Y10S205/00; Y10S205/923
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A thin film photovoltaic device having an optically transparent substrate through which radiant energy enters the device, a layer of an optically transparent electrically conductive material disposed on said substrate, an electrodeposited front contact current collector grid disposed on the optically transparent electrically conductive layer, a first semiconductor layer disposed on said optically transparent electrically conductive layer in the spaces defined by said current collector grid, a second semiconductor layer, disposed on said first semiconductor layer, and an electrically conductive film disposed on said second semiconductor layer to form an electrical contact therewith, wherein the portion of the surface of the optically transparent electrically conductive layer in contact with said front contact current collector grid is etched to enhance the bond between said optically transparent layer and said current collector grid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A thin film photovoltaic device having an optically transparent substrate through which radiant energy enters the device, a layer of an optically transparent electrically conductive material disposed on said substrate, an electrodeposited front contact current collector grid disposed on the optically transparent electrically conductive layer, a first semiconductor layer disposed on said optically transparent electrically conductive layer in the spaces defined by said current collector grid, a second semiconductor layer, disposed on said first semiconductor layer, and an electrically conductive film disposed on said second semiconductor layer to form an electrical contact therewith, wherein the portion of the surface of the optically transparent electrically conductive layer in contact with said front contact current collector grid is etched to enhance the bond between said optically transparent layer and said current collector grid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The photovoltaic device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said optically transparent substrate is glass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The photovoltaic device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said optically transparent electrically conductive material is selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide, indium oxide, zinc oxide, and tin oxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photovoltaic device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said optically transparent electrically conductive material is indium tin oxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The photovoltaic device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said front contact current collector grid is made of a material selected from the group consisting of copper, gold, silver, nickel indium, cadmium, tin, lead, zinc, and mixtures and alloys thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The photovoltaic device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said front contact collector grid is made of a material selected from the group consisting of copper, gold, silver, nickel, and mixtures and alloys thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photovoltaic device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said front contact current collector grid is made of copper.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The photovoltaic device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first semiconductor layer comprises a compound having a metal element selected from Class IIB and at least one non-metal element selected from Class VIA of the Periodic Table of the Elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The photovoltaic device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first semiconductor layer is cadmium sulfide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The photovoltaic device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second semiconductor layer comprises a compound having a metal element selected from Class IIB and at least one non-metal element selected from Class VIA of the Periodic Table of the Elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The photovoltaic device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second semiconductor layer is cadmium telluride.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The photovoltaic device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second semiconductor layer is mercury cadmium telluride.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
126 words
A process for forming a photovoltaic device, which process comprises: a. depositing a layer of an optically transparent electrically conductive material onto an optically transparent substrate; b. etching the surface of the optically transparent electrically conductive layer so as to define a current collector grid pattern; c. electrodepositing electrically conductive material onto the etched patterned surface of the optically transparent electrically conductive layer to form a front contact current collector grid thereon; d. depositing a first semiconductor layer onto said optically transparent electrically conductive layer in the spaces defined by said current collector grid; e. depositing a second semiconductor layer of opposite conductivity onto said first semiconductor layer; and f. depositing an electrically conductive film onto said second semiconductor layer to provide and elctrical contact therewith.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
126 words
A process for forming a photovoltaic device, which process comprises: a. depositing a layer of an optically transparent electrically conductive material onto an optically transparent substrate; b. etching the surface of the optically transparent electrically conductive layer so as to define a current collector grid pattern; c. electrodepositing electrically conductive material onto the etched patterned surface of the optically transparent electrically conductive layer to form a front contact current collector grid thereon; d. depositing a first semiconductor layer onto said optically transparent electrically conductive layer in the spaces defined by said current collector grid; e. depositing a second semiconductor layer of opposite conductivity onto said first semiconductor layer; and f. depositing an electrically conductive film onto said second semiconductor layer to provide and elctrical contact therewith.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process in accordance with claim 13 wherein said front contact current collector grid is made of a material selected from the group consisting of copper, gold, silver, nickel, indium, cadmium, tin, lead, zinc, and mixtures and alloys thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process in accordance with claim 13 wherein said front contact current collector grid is made of a material selected from the group consisting of copper, gold. silver, nickel, and mixtures and alloys thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process in accordance with claim 13 wherein said front contact current collector grid is made of copper.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process in accordance with claim 13 wherein said surface of the optically transparent electrically conductive layer is etched by chemical etching.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process in accordance with claim 13 wherein prior to step (b), a mask is deposited onto the surface of the optically transparent electrically conductive layer so as to define a current collector grid pattern.
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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) | 1990-06-22 | 1990-12-22 | 1991-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-22 | 1994-12-22 | 1995-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-22 | 1998-12-22 | 1999-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |