US5236516A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photovoltaic apparatus
Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co Ltd
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Filing: 1991-09-18
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Granted: 1993-08-17
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Expires: 2011-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A photovoltaic apparatus for directly converting light energy into electric energy, comprising a light shielding substrate, at least one surface of the light shielding substrate being a metal; a light transmitting insulating layer on the above surface; and a photovoltaic body on a surface of the insulating layer, the photovoltaic body including a light transmitting first electrode, an amorphous or microcrystal semiconductive layer, and a light transmitting second electrode laminated in this order, with the first electrode being in contact with the insulating layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigeru Noguchi
- 👤 Hiroshi Iwata
- 👤 Keiichi Sano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:12
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/17; H10F19/00; H10F19/30; H10F19/31; H10F77/00; H10F77/40; H10F77/42; H10F77/48; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/52; Y02E10/548
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A photovoltaic apparatus for directly converting light energy into electric energy, comprising: a reflective light shielding substrate, at least one surface of said reflective light shielding substrate being formed of a metal; a light transmitting insulating layer on said at least one surface of said reflective light shielding substrate; a photovoltaic body on a surface of said light transmitting insulating layer; and said photovoltaic body including a light transmitting cloudy first electrode, a semiconductor including an amorphous semiconductor layer, and a light transmitting second electrode laminated in this order with the first electrode being in contact with said insulating layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A photovoltaic apparatus for directly converting light energy into electric energy, comprising: a reflective light shielding substrate, at least one surface of said reflective light shielding substrate being formed of a metal; a light transmitting insulating layer on said at least one surface of said reflective light shielding substrate; a photovoltaic body on a surface of said light transmitting insulating layer; and said photovoltaic body including a light transmitting cloudy first electrode, a semiconductor including an amorphous semiconductor layer, and a light transmitting second electrode laminated in this order with the first electrode being in contact with said insulating layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A photovoltaic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said semiconductor including said amorphous semiconductor layer has a first doped layer, a light absorbing layer, and a second doped layer laminated in this order, with the first doped layer being in contact with the first electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A photovoltaic apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first doped layer is p-type, the light absorbing layer is i-type, and the second doped layer is n-type.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A photovoltaic apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first doped layer is n-type, the light absorbing layer is i-type, and the second doped layer is p-type.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A photovoltaic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light transmitting insulating layer is selected from a group consisting of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and polyimide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A photovoltaic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reflective light shielding substrate is formed of a metal having a high reflectance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A photovoltaic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reflective light shielding substrate includes a coating having a high reflectance plated on a surface of a plate, said plate being selected from a group consisting of glass, plastic, and polyimide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
116 words
A photovoltaic apparatus for directly converting light energy into electric energy, comprising: a light transmitting substrate; a light transmitting photovoltaic body on a rear surface of said light transmitting substrate, said photovoltaic body including a light transmitting first electrode, a semiconductive layer including an amorphous semiconductive layer, and a cloudy light transmitting second electrode laminated in this order, with the first electrode being in contact with said light transmitting substrate; a light transmitting insulating protection layer on a rear surface of said photovoltaic body; and a reflecting layer on a surface of said insulating protection layer, at least a surface of said reflecting layer which is in contact with said insulating protection layer being a metal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
116 words
A photovoltaic apparatus for directly converting light energy into electric energy, comprising: a light transmitting substrate; a light transmitting photovoltaic body on a rear surface of said light transmitting substrate, said photovoltaic body including a light transmitting first electrode, a semiconductive layer including an amorphous semiconductive layer, and a cloudy light transmitting second electrode laminated in this order, with the first electrode being in contact with said light transmitting substrate; a light transmitting insulating protection layer on a rear surface of said photovoltaic body; and a reflecting layer on a surface of said insulating protection layer, at least a surface of said reflecting layer which is in contact with said insulating protection layer being a metal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A photovoltaic apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein a plurality of photovoltaic bodies are disposed on said light transmitting substrate and wherein each adjacent pair of photovoltaic bodies are electrically connected to each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A photovoltaic apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the adjacent pair of photovoltaic bodies are connected to each other through a light transmitting connecting electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A photovoltaic apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said semiconductor, including said amorphous semiconductor layer, has a first doped layer, a light absorbing layer, and a second doped layer laminated in this order, with the first doped layer being in contact with the first electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A photovoltaic apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first doped layer is p-type, the light absorbing layer is i-type and the second doped layer is n-type.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A photovoltaic apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first doped layer is n-type, the light absorbing layer is i-type and the second doped layer is p-type.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A photovoltaic apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the reflecting layer is a metal film.
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) | 1996-08-16 | 1997-02-15 | 1997-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-16 | 2001-02-15 | 2001-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-16 | 2005-02-15 | 2005-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |