Patent US4806495A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4806495A
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Method of making solar array with aluminum foil matrix
Assignee: Spheral Solar Power Inc
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Filing: 1988-06-15
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Granted: 1989-02-21
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Expires: 2008-06-15
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure relates to a method of making solar cell arrays and modules and the arrays and modules wherein the arrays are formed of semiconductor spheres of P-type interior having an N-type skin housed in a pair of aluminum foil members which form the contacts to the P-type and N-type regions. The foils are electrically insulated from each other and are flexible. Multiple arrays can be interconnected to form a module of solar cell elements for converting light energy into electrical energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Jules D. Levine
- 👤 Millard J. Jensen
- 👤 Ronald E. Haney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 18:03
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/10; H10F77/14; H10F77/147; H02; H02S; H02S40/00; H02S40/30; H02S40/36; H10F19/00; H10F19/90; H10F19/902; H10F19/906; H10F71/00; H10F71/137; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of forming a solar array comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first aluminum foil, (b) forming apertures of a first diameter in said foil at predetermined locations thereon, (c) providing a spheroid shaped semiconductor particle having a first conductively skin over a second conductivity type opposite said first type center in each of said apertures, each of said particles having a second diameter slightly larger than said first diameter, whereby said particles protrude from both sides of said foil,
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of forming a solar array comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first aluminum foil, (b) forming apertures of a first diameter in said foil at predetermined locations thereon, (c) providing a spheroid shaped semiconductor particle having a first conductively skin over a second conductivity type opposite said first type center in each of said apertures, each of said particles having a second diameter slightly larger than said first diameter, whereby said particles protrude from both sides of said foil,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
(d) bonding said foil to said first conductivity type regions in said apertures,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
(d) bonding said foil to said first conductivity type regions in said apertures,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
(e) removing the first conductivity type skin on one side of said first foil,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
(e) removing the first conductivity type skin on one side of said first foil,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
(f) forming an insulating layer on the said one side of said first foil and on the surface of said particles, from which the first conductivity type layer was removed,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
(f) forming an insulating layer on the said one side of said first foil and on the surface of said particles, from which the first conductivity type layer was removed,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
(g) removing a portion of the second conductivity type centers of said particles and the insulating layer thereover, and
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
(g) removing a portion of the second conductivity type centers of said particles and the insulating layer thereover, and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
(h) bonding a second aluminum foil to the regions from which said portions of the second conductivity type centers were removed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
(h) bonding a second aluminum foil to the regions from which said portions of the second conductivity type centers were removed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 further including the step of roughening the regions from which a portion of the second conductivity type centers were removed prior to step (h).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 further including the step of forming an antireflective coating over the surface of said first foil remote from said second foil.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein step (d) includes disposing said particles in said apertures with the equators of said particles forward of the surface of said first foil remote from said second foil.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein step (d) includes disposing said particles in said apertures with the equators of said particles forward of the surface of said first foil remote from said second foil.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 further including the step of forming an antireflective coating over the surface of said first foil remote from said second foil.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein step (d) includes disposing said particles in said apertures with the equators of said particles forward of the surface of said first foil remote from said second foil.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein step (d) includes disposing said particles in said apertures with the equators of said particles forward of the surface of said first foil remote from said second foil.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first conductivity type is N-type and said second conductivity type is P-type.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-02-21 | 1992-08-22 | 1993-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-21 | 1996-08-22 | 1997-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-21 | 2000-08-22 | 2001-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |