NRELlTP-210-4469 

UC Category: 270 

DE91015013 

December 1991 

u.s. 

Photovoltaic 

Patents: 

1988-1990 

Produced by the 

Photovoltaics Division 

National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

1617 Cole Boulevard 

Golden. CO 80401-3393 

A Division of Midwest Research Institute 

Operated for the 

U.S. Department of Energy 

Under Contract No. DE-AC02-83CH10093 
Contents 

Introduction ....................... ............. .............. iii 

Photovoltaic Patents 1988-1990 .................................. 1 

Indexes 

Assignee Index ....................................... 76 

Inventor Index .......... ........... ................... 84 

Subject Index ...................... . . ................ 106 

I I 

U.S. Patent Oec. 6, 19�J Sheel I or J 4.419.532 

FIG. I 

U.S. pa.ten� 

F'IG.2 ,,, \ 12/!. 

It! 

ii Contents 
Introduction 

This document contains U.S. patents on terrestrial 

photovoltaic (PV) power applications, including systems, 

components, and materials, as well as manufacturing 

and support functions. 

The patent entries in this document were Issued from 

1988 through 1990. The entries were located by searching USPA, the data base of the U.S. Patent Office. The 

final search retrieved all patents under the class "Batteries, Thermoelectric and Photoelectric" and the subclasses "Photoelectric," "Testing," and IIApplications." 

The search also located patents that contained the words 

"photovoltaic(s)" or "solar cell(s)" and their derivatives. 

A manual search of the patents In the Solar Energy 

Research Institute (SERI) patent file augmented the data 

base search. After the initial list was compiled, most of 

the patents on the following subjects were excluded: 

space photovoltaic technology, use of the photovoltaic 

effect for detectors, and SUbjects only peripherally 

concerned with photovoltaics. Some patents on these 

three subjects were included when it appeared that those 

inventions might be of use in terrestrial PV power 

technologies. 

How to Use This Document 

The PV patent entries are arranged according to the 

patent number in ascending order, from the earliest to the 

most recent, and divided according to the year in which 

they were Issued. The entries for each patent include the 

inventor(s), the assignee, the title, the date of issue, and 

the abstract. Abstracts are reproduced in this document 

generally as they are found in the patents, except that 

statements referring to specific diagrams were modified 

or omitted because the document does not include 

illustrations. 

The patents are indexed in this document by assignee, 

by inventor(s), and by subject. The three indexes follow 

the list of patent entries. 

The subject index is divided according to 17 categories 

under three major divisions. Most patents are listed 

under two categories. The divisions and categories are 

as follows: 

Cells and Materials 

• Single-Crystal Silicon Cells 

• Polycrystalline and Ribbon Silicon Cells 

• Amorphous Silicon Cells 

• Cells from III-V Materials (e.g., GaAs) 

• Cells from 1-III-VI2 or II-VI Materials (e.g., CulnSe2 or 

CdTe) 

• Other PV Devices and Concepts 

• Cell Components (metalization, substrates, conductive coatings, anti reflective coatings) 

• Cell Enhancement Techniques (surface and grainboundary paSSivation, annealing) 

• Materials Production and Processes (purification, 

deposttion, doping) 

• Characterization and Analysis 

Collectors 

• Flat-Plate Collectors (design, components, production) 

• Concentrator Collectors (design, components, 

production) 

• Optics and Trackers (lenses, reflectors, tracking 

devices, and related components) 

Systems 

• Utility-Interactive Systems and Interface Technologies 

(power conditioning) 

• Utility-Independent Systems and Storage Technologies 

• PV-Hybrid Systems (PV-thermal, photoelectrochemical) 

• Systems Support (testing, maintenance, operation, 

and control) 

How to Order a Copy of a U.S. Patent 

Copies of patents can be obtained from the Patent and 

Trademark Office. A check or money order of $1.50 per 

patent, payable to the Commissioner of Patents and 

Trademarks, must accompany each order. The request 

must include the patent number(s); be sure to write 

clearly. Requests should be addressed to: 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

Patent and Trademark Office 

Washington, D.C. 20231 

Reference collections of U.S. patents are available to the 

public in Patent Depository Libraries (PDLs). Your local 

library should be able to refer you to the nearest PDL. 

The size and scope of these collections vary, and the 

hours that PDLs are open to the public vary as well. You 

may therefore want to contact the library for specific 

information about its collection and its hours to avoid 

inconvenience. 

Introduction iii 
Photovoltaic Patents 

1988-1990 
1988 

4,717,790 

Gochermann, Hans, inventor; Licentia PatentNerwaltungs 

GmbH, assignee. Contoured Solar Generator. January 

5, 1 988. 

A contoured solar generator whose solar cells and 

their associated electrical terminals and connecting 

lines are embedded in a laminate including at least the 

solar cells, an elastic thermosetting adhesive foil and a 

glass pane. To adapt the solar generator to a given 

external contour or to fit it into a given contour, the 

solar generator is configured as a curved laminate 

including at least one-dimensionally bent solar cells. 

4,718,185 

Conlin, Kevin L.; Cantrell, Michael P., inventors; Solar 

Signage, Inc., assignee. Modular Solar Generating 

System. January 12, 1 9S8. 

A modular solar generating system is disclosed. The 

system includes a plurality of self-contained solar 

modules which are interconnectedly disposed in an array 

about the perimeter of a rigid framework housing a sign, 

light, or other load means necessitating electrical power 

during the night time hours. The modules themselves 

consist of a photovoltaic plate sandwiched between two 

suitable cover plates, including in this arrangement one 

or more continuous conductors. The modules are linked 

together by way of male and female plug connect�rs 

whereby the array may then be electrically connected to a 

battery. When the modular system is arranged in this 

fashion and exposed to incident sunlight for an 

appropriate period of time, power may be provided to a 

sign, light, or other electrical apparatus for nighttime 

use. 

4,718,947 

Arya, Rajeewa R., inventor, Solarex Corporation, 

assignee. Super/attice Doped Layers for Amorphous 

Silicon Phatavoltaic Cells. January 12, 1988. 

Superlattice doped layers for amorphous silicon 

photovoltaic cells comprise a plurality of first and 

second lattices of amorphous silicon alternatingly formed 

on one another. Each of the first lattices has a first 

optical bandgap and each of the second lattices has a 

second optical band gap different from the first optical 

band gap. A method of fabricating the superlattice doped 

layers also is disclosed. 

4,719,346 

Taillebois, Jacques; Renaud, Jean-Marie; Perrot, 

Jean-Claude; Gambs, Paul, inventors; M.C.B., assignee. 

Optical Position Locating Apparatus with Bidirectional 

Ught Transmission. January 12, 1988. 

2 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1 988-1990 

An optical position locating apparatus is provided 

which includes a first light reader with several 

photodetectors for reading the tracks of a disk, a first 

light emitter excited by the first light reader and a 

self-contained power supply source. A module is provided 

which comprises a second light emitter, a second light 

reader and a processor for processing electric signals 

from the first light reader. An optical fiber system is 

provided for transmitting the electric signals to the 

second light reader. Optical systems are advantageously 

provided. 

4,721,535 

Itoh, Haruo; Shimada, Toshikazu; Muramatsu, Shin-!chi; 

Matsubara, Sunao; Nakamura, Nobuo, inventors; 

Director-General of the Agency of Industrial Science and 

Technology, assignee. Safar Celf. January 26, 1988. 

A solar cell including at least a thin film formed of 

an amorphous silicon material and having p-type 

conductivity. The thin film comprises a multi-layer 

structure including at least one non-doped layer formed 

of a material of an amorphous silicon matenal and having 

a thickness of 10 to 300 A and at least one p-Iype doped 

amorphous silicon layer of a given thickness. The p-type 

doped amorphous silicon layer is stacked such that at 

least one face thereof is in contact with said at least 

one non-doped layer of amorphous silicon material 50 that 

the thin film of multi-layer structure exhibits in effect 

p-type conductivity. 

4,721,629 

Sakai, Souich!; Nakano, Shoichi; Kuwano, Yukinori, 

inventors; Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., assignee. Method 

of Manufacturing Phatovo/taic Device. January 26, 1988. 

A transparent conductive film is formed on a glass 

substrate covering substantially its entire surface area 

and this transparent conductive film is divided into a 

plurality of transparent conductive parts per each 

photoelectric converting region. The photoelectric 

converting region is of a nearly rectangular shape, and 

accordingly, in order to divide the transparent 

conductive film into respective transparent conductive 

film parts, a laser beam is irradiated along all 

longitudinal and lateral sides of the rectangle. Thereby, 

the transparent conductive film parts corresponding to 

the photoelectric converting regions are formed as island 

regions. Semiconductor film parts are formed on the 

transparent conductive film parts divided into island 

regions corresponding to respective photoelectric 

converting regions and subsequently aluminum film parts 

are formed on these semiconductor film parts. Transparent 

conductive film parts are electrically connected to 

aluminum film parts of adjacent photoelectric converting 

regions. Thus, a photovoltaic device is manufactured 

wherein a plurality of photoelectric converting regions 

are formed on the substrate and respective photoelectric 

converting regions are connected in a series fashion. 
4,721,986 

Kinzer, Daniel M., inventor; International Rectifier 

Corporation, assignee. Bidirectional Output 

Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor and Method for Its 

Manufacture. January 26, 1 988. 

A high voltage bidirectional output semiconductor 

field effect transistor (BOSFET) is disclosed which is 

turned on from the electrical output of a photDvoltaic 

stack which is energized from an LED. The process for 

manufacture of the device is also disclosed. The BOSFET 

device consists of two lateral field effect transistors 

formed in an implanted N(-) region in a P(-) substrate. 

Two spaced drain regions feed inwardly toward a common 

N( +) source region separated from the drains by 

respective P type diffusions. The surface of these 

diffusions can be inverted by application of voltage to 

the suitably disposed gate electrode. The depletion field 

between channel and drain regions is well controlled over 

the suriace of the device. The source contact remains 

close to the potential of the gate contact at all times 

so that the device can be used for high voltage switching 

of either polarity. A diode, PNP transistor and resistor 

are integrated into the same chip containing the lateral 

BOSFET device to form a solid state relay circuit having 

characteristics similar to a reed relay. The diode 

defines a forward conduction path from a photovoltaic 

pile voltage source directly to the BOSFET gate so that 

the BOSFET gate capacitance can be quickly charged during 

turn·on. The PNP transistor is a high gain transistor 

coupled to the diode and to the input resistance of the 

circuit. The input impedance of the circuit is reduced by 

the gain of the transistor when the photovoltaic output 

voltage is turned offand its voltage drops to below the 

gate voltage byabout 0.6 volt to turn an the transistor. 

This allows the BOSFET to quickly turn off as though the 

circuit had a relatively lowinput impedance. Another 

control circuit is disclosed which employs at dV/dt 

suppression clamp circuit and a regenerative turn-off 

circuit. 

4,724,010 

Okaniwa, Hiroshi; Nakatani, Kenji; Suzuki, Kazutomi, 

inventors; Teijin Limited, assignee_ SoJar Cell 

Module. February 9, 1988. 

A solar cell module is made lightweight without a 

substantial lass of the periormance of the module by 

using a transparent hollow multilayer structure in which 

a plurality of transparent sheets are spaced at a 

distance by reinforcing members inserted between and 

connected to the transparent sheets as a window member as 

well as a supporting member of the module by disposing 

said transparent hollow multilayer structure on the light 

receiving side of a solar power generation element. 

4,724,011 

Turner. Gary B.; Morel, Don L.; Gay, Robert R.; Halani, 

Arvind; Tarrant, Dale E., inventors; AtlantiC Richfield 

Company, assignee. Solar Cell Interconnection by 

Discrete Conductive Regions. February 9. 1988. 

Cells of a thin film solar module having opposed 

upper and lower electrodes are connected in series by a 

plurality of discrete conductive regions extending 

between each upper electrode and the lower electrode of 

an adjoining cell. In a preferred embodiment, the 

opposite electrodes of adjoining cells overlap one 

another and one of the electrodes is a transparent 

conductive pad with a thickened metal·containing portion 

to aid in interconnection. In another embodiment, the 

conductive regions are formed by applying laser pulses to 

spaced locations along the areas of electrode overlap. 

after which a conductor may be deposited into cavities 

formed by the laser pulses. 

4,725,558 

Yamazaki, Shunpei; Suzuki, Kunia; Kinka. Mikio; Fukada, 

Takeshi; Abe, Masayoshi; Kobayashi, Ippei; Shibata. 

Katsuhiko; Susukida, Masato; Nagayama, Susumu; 

Koyanagi, Kaoru, inventors; Semiconductor Energy 

Laboratory Co., Ltd., assignee. Semiconductor Defects 

Curing Method and Apparatus. February 16, 1988. 

An improved semiconductor defects curing method and 

apparatus are disclosed which is free from current 

leakage due to pin-holes or other defects. Also an 

improved method for processing a semiconductor device is 

shown. According to the invention, the gaps or holes in 

the semiconductor layer produced in the fabrication 

process are filled with insulator in advance of 

deposition of electrodes. 

4,725,559 

Fraas, Lewis M., inventor; Chevron Research Company, 

assignee. Process for the Fabrication of a Gallium 

Arsenide Grating Solar Cell. February 16, 1988. 

A photovoltaic device is disclosed comprising a 

p-type conductive substrate. a sandwich of p-type 

AlyGa(l.y)AS bottom layer/p-Iype GaAs base 

layer/p'lype AlyGa(1.y�s top layer (wherein the 

suriace area of the p-type AlyGa(1.y)As top layer 

is less than the suriace area of the p-type GaAs base 

layer, a layer of n + -type GaAs emitter contacting the 

suriace of the p-type GaAs base layer (wherein the 

suriace area of the layer of n + -type GaAs emitter is less 

than one·tenth of the surface area of the p-type GaAs 

base layer). an insulating layer contacting the suriace 

of the p-type AlyGa(t .y)As top layer. and means 

for forming electrical contacts to the substrate and the 

incident surface of the n + ·type GaAs emitter layer. 

4,725,740 

Nakata, Yukihiko. inventor; Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, 

assignee. DC·AC Converti.ng Arrangement for 

Photovoltaic System. February 16, 1 988. 

Patents 3 
An improved DC-AC converting arrangement for a 

photovoltaic system, which makes it possible to supply 

power at high efficiency by providing a driving control 

system arranged to stop operation of a DC-AC converter 

when a load power of the DC-AC converter falls below a 

predetermined reference value, and to restart the 

operation of the DC-AC converter when the load power 

exceeds the predetermined reference value. 

4,726,044 

Perna, Fred P.; Peterson, Stuart R., inventors; Fred P. 

Perna, assignee. Writing Instrument with Safar-Powered 

Electronic Counting and Uquid Crystal Display. 

February 16, 1 988. 

A ballpoint pen of conventional size and shape has a 

movable ball point that is pressed upwardly in the 

direction of the housing of the pen when a mark is made. 

Means is provided for normally biasing the ballpoint 

outwardly of the housing. However, when the ballpoint is 

pressed against a writing surface, the refill cartridge 

having the ball at the lower end thereof is moved 

upwardly to close a normally open switch which connects a 

solar cell array in circuit with an electronic counter 

that counts each time the switch is closed. Controlled by 

the counter is a liquid crystal display that vi�ually 

indicates the total number of counts. A second switch is 

actuated by gravity to reset or clear the counter in 

preparation for counting a succeeding group of marks. 

4,726,849 

Murata, Kenji; Kishi, Yasuo, inventors; Sanyo Electric 

Co., Ltd., assignee. Photovoltaic Device and a Method 

of Manufacturing Thereof. February 23, 1 988. 

A photovoltaic device comprises a glass substrate, 

and on a surface of the glass substrate, a plurality of 

transparent electrodes which define each photoelectric 

conversion cell are arranged at intervals. At one end of 

each transparent electrode in the direction of width 

thereof, a conductor and an insulator are formed so as to 

extend in parallel in the direction of length of the 

photoelectric conversion cell with a spacing maintained 

in between, for example, by means of screen printing. On 

the surface of the glass substrate, a semiconductor 

photoactive layer composed of amorphous silicon is formed 

so as to cover the transparent electrode and the 

conductor and the insulator stripes formed thereon. On 

the semiconductor photo-active layer, a back electrode 

composed of aluminum is formed. By irradiating a laser 

beam onto the insulator from the back electrode side, the 

irradiated part of the back electrode and the 

semiconductor photo-active !ayer thereunder are separated 

at each photoelectric conversion cell. Also, by 

irradiating the laser beam onto the conductor from the 

back electrode side, the irradiated part of the back 

electrode and the semiconductor photo-active layer 

thereunder are melted, and the back electrode of each 

photoelectric conversion cell is connected electrically 

to the adjacent transparent electrode through the 

4 U.S. Pho1Dvoltaic Patents: 1988-1 990 

conductor. 

4,726,850 

Wenham, Stuart R.; Green, Martin A., inventors; 

Unisearch Limited, assignee. Buried Contact Solar 

Cell. February 23, 1 988. 

An electrical contact formed in a groove in the 

surface of a semiconductor material facilitates an 

advantageous contact with the material for a given 

cross-sectional area of contact when compared with a 

contact of the,same cross-sectional area formed on the 

surface of the material. The grooved contact 

significantly reduces shading of the surface of the 

semiconductor material compared with an equivalent 

surface contact. 

4,726,851 

Matsumura, Mitsuo; Yoshida, Toshihiko, inventors; Toa 

Nenryo Kogyo K.K., assignee. Amorphous Silicon 

Semiconductor Film and Production Process Thereof. 

February 23, 1 988. 

This invention discloses an amorphous silicon 

semiconductor film comprising at least hydrogen, nitrogen, 

and oxygen as impurities and the method of producing it. 

The film is characterized in that the total quantity of 

nitrogen and oxygen in said film is at least 1 atom %. 

Since the film has a small light absorption coefficient 

and its optical refractive index is controllable, an 

excellent window material for solar cell can be provided. 

As adherence of the film with a metal electrode as well 

as with a transparent electrode is sufficient, good 

reproducibility in making solar cells using the film of 

this invention as window material was realized. 

4,728,370 

Ishii, Masayuki; Fujita, Nobuhiko; Hitotsuyanagi, 

Hajime, inventors; Sumitomo Electric Industries, Inc., 

assignee. Amorphous Photovoltaic Elements. March 1, 

1 988. 

Disclosed are pin or nip type amorphous photovoltaic 

elements having the i-type layer comprised of an a-SiGe:H 

film, which are characterized in that an i-type amorphous 

silicon buffer layer is disposed between the layers of 

p-type and i-type and thus, the mutual diffusion of 

impurities andlor elements added to the i-type and/or the 

p-type layers through the p/i boundary is effectively 

restricted due to the presence of the buffer layer. As a 

result the formation of defects at the pli boundary and 

the deterioration of the p-type layer are effectively 

prevented, and the properties important to these kinds of 

devices, such as V oC' Jsc' FF being substantially 

improved, thereby making it possible to provide 

photovoltaic elements such as solar batteries having a 

practically acceptable long life span and a high 

reliability. 
4,729,962 

Campbell, Robert B., inventor; The United States of 

America as represented by the United States Department of 

Energy, assignee. Semiconductor Junction Formation by 

Directed Heat. March 8, , 988. 

The process of the invention includes applying 

precursors with N- and P-type dopants therein to a 

silicon web, with the web then being baked in an oven to 

drive off excessive solvents, and the web is then heated 

using a pulsed high intensity light in a mechanism at 

11000 to 11500C for about 10 seconds to 

simultaneously form semiconductor junctions in both faces 

of the web. 

4,730,115 

Abe, Koza, inventor; Logical Co., Ltd., assignee. 

Transformer System and Direct Current Power Supply. 

March 8, 1 988. 

The present invention relates to a transformer system 

and a direct current power supply for obtaining a dc 

current Including a luminous body disposed on the primary 

side for converting electric power into a light and a 

solar cell unit disposed on the secondary side, opposing 

the luminous body, for receiving light emitted from the 

luminous body and for converting the light into electric 

power, thereby constituting a transformer which is 

further provided with an input control circuit and an 

output control circuit so as to configure a de power 

supply. According to this apparatus, a stable dc current 

can be obtained without generating the magnetic field and 

noise problems of typical wound core transformers. 

4,730,602 

Posnansky, Mario; Posnansky, Hernan, inventors. 

Apparatus for Automatically Directing Solar Radiation 

Focused by a Reflector. March 15, 1988. 

For the tracking control of a reflector focusing the 

solar radiation on an absorber corresponding to the 

apparent movement of the sun, an adjusting mechanism of 

the reflector is driven by means of a direct-current 

motor. The terminals of the electric motor are connected 

to a parallel connection consisting of two solar cells. 

The parallel connection of both solar cells is such that 

they generate by constant radiation about a similar 

amount of voltage however with opposite polarity. The 

driving of the direct current motor takes place with the 

voltage differential occurring on the parallel 

connection. Both the solar cells are rigidly mounted to 

that part of the stationary arranged absorber on which 

part the solar rays are focused by the reflector. Both 

the solar cells are arranged symmetrical to the 

longitudinal axis of the absorber. With the help of the 

above described apparatus the reflector is automatically 

always so adjusted that the solar rays are focused on the 

absorber whereby no additional source of energy is 

necessary to drive the adjusting mechanism of the 

reflector. 

4,732,621 

Murata, Kenji, inventor; Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., 

assignee. Method for Producing a Transparent 

Conductive Oxide Layer and a Photovo/taic Device 

Including Such a Layer. March 22, 1 988. 

A method for processing a transparent conductive 

oxide (TCO) layer in accordance with the present 

invention comprises the steps of uniformly depositing the 

TCO layer on a substantially flat surface of a 

transparent substrate; and etching the exposed surface of 

the TCO layer thereof to roughen the exposed surface. The 

so-treated TCO layer is used as a transparent electrode 

in photovoltaic devices and has a decreased, 

substantially constant reflectance throughout the visible 

light range. 

4,734,381 

Mitchell, Kim W., inventor; Atlantic Richfield Company, 

assignee. Method of Making a Thin Film Cadmium 

Telluride Solar Cell. March 29, 1988. 

A phosphorous doped layer of cadmium telluride is 

deposited onto a conductive window layer to form a thin 

film cadmium telluride solar cell. Back contacts to the 

solar cell are made by first depositing a layer of p 

conductivity type lead telluride upon the cadmium 

telluride and then depositing the metallic back contacts 

onto the lead telluride. 

4,735,662 

Szabo, Louis F.; Biter, William J., inventors; The 

Standard Oil Company, assignee. Stable Ohmic Contacts 

to Thin Films of p-type Tellurium-Containing II-VI 

Semiconductors. AprilS, 1988. 

A stable ohmic contact for thin films of p-typs 

tellurium-containing IJ-VI semiconductors and 

photovoltaic devices incorporating such contacts. An 

ohmic contact according to the invention includes a 

contact-forming layer deposited on a p-type thin film of 

a tellurium-contacting II-VI semiconductor. Preferably, 

the contact-forming layer is copper having a thickness of 

about 2 nanometers. An isolation layer is deposited on 

the contact-forming to isolate subsequently deposited 

layers from the thin film. The iSOlation layer may be 

carbon or a thin layer of nickel. A connection layer for 

attaching an external electrical conductor is deposited 

on the isolation layer. The connection layer may be 

aluminum, chromium or a layer of copper, provided a 

copper Jayer is covered with one of silver, aluminum or a 

thin layer of nickel, preferably covered with aluminum. 

The stable, ohmic contact may be used as a back contact 

in a photovoltaic device incorporating a thin film of a 

tellurium-containing II-VI semiconductor as one of the 

active semiconductor layers in the device. 

Patents 5 
4,737,196 

Yukimoto, Yoshinori, inventor; Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki 

Kaisha, assignee. Amorphous Solar Cell. April 12, 

1988. 

An amorphous solar cell having a p·i�n (or n+p) 

structure, in which either or both of the p and n layers 

are of a double layer structure, including an amorphous 

semiconductor layer and a micro-crystalline semiconductor 

layer, wherein both layers are of the same conductivity 

type and the amorphous semiconductor layer is located at 

the side of the i layer. 

4,737,197 

Nagahara, Yoshiyuki; Shibata, Akira; Asai. Masahito; 

Nakajima, Shinichi; Takamori, Nobuyuki, inventors; Sharp 

Kabushiki Kaisha, assignee. Solar Cell with Metal 

Paste Contact. April 1 2, 1988. 

A solar cell including a semiconductor substrate, a 

diffused layer provided in the semiconductor substrate by 

diffusion of dopant impurities, and an organic binder, a 

solvent, and an element belonging to the fifth group of 

the periodic table. 

4,737,712 

Stormont, Robert S.; Buchwald, Randall H.; Hashoian, 

Ralph S., inventors; General Electric Company, assignee. 

Isolated Power Transfer and Patient Monitoring System 

with Interference Rejection Useful with NMR Apparatus_ 

April 12, 1 988. 

There is provided a power source for continuously 

energizing electrically isolated devices used to monitor 

the physiological state of a subject undergoing an 

examination in an NMR scanner having a magnet, RF and 

gradient coils. The power source is made up of a first 

element for generating energy of one type and a second 

element for receiving this energy and converting it to a 

second energy type used to energize the electrically 

isolated devices. The first and second elements are 

operatively coupled to one another through an 

electrically isolated medium to permit continuous 

transfer of energy from the first to the second element 

and to reject interference due to the NMR apparatus 

subsystems. In one embodiment the first element may be an 

array of light-emitting diodes, while the second element 

may be an array of photovoltaic cells. In another 

embodiment, the first and second elements may be 

ultrasonic transducers coupled through air or a ceramic 

substrate. 

4,738,729 

Yoshida, Toshihiko; Matsumura, Mitsuo; Yamamoto, Hideo; 

Asai, Kunia; Nakamura, Osamu; Okayasu, Yoshinobu, 

inventors. Amorphous Silicon Semiconductor Sofar 

Cell. April 1 9, 1988. 

6 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988-1990 

This invention discloses an amorphous silicon 

semiconductor film containing at least hydrogen, carbon 

and oxygen as impurities and the method to produce it. 

The firm is characterized in that the total quantity of 

carbon and oxygen in said film is at least 0,1 atom %. 

Since the film has small light absorption coefficient and 

its optical refractive index is controllable, an 

excellent window material for solar cell can be provided. 

Since adherence of the film with a metal electrode as 

well as with a transparent electrode is sufficient. good 

reproducibility in making solar cells using the film of 

this invention as a window material was realized. 

4,739,163 

Gambs, Paul; Taillebois, Jacques; Renaud, Jean-Marie; 

Perrot, Jean-Claude, inventors; M.C.B., assignee. 

Position Locating Optical Coder Utilizing Optical 

Fiber. April 1 9, 1 988. 

A position locating optical coder is provided formed 

by a sensor which includes a reader, for reading a code 

carrying element a pivoting micromirror actuated under 

the control of the output of the reader and a self 

contained power supply source. A module is provided which 

comprises two light emitters, a second reader, a unit for 

processing the Signals from the second reader, and a 

power supply source. In addition, a bidirectional coupler 

and optical fiber transmitting devices serve to transfer 

the code pulses between the sensor and the module. 

4,739,383 

Maruska, Paul H.; Hicks, Michael C.; Moustakas, 

Theodore D., inventors; Exxon Research and Engineering 

Company, assignee. Optical Detector and Amplifier 

Based on Tandem Semiconductor Devices. April 19, 1988. 

If a semiconductor device is prepared so that it 

contains a photoconductive region in electrical series 

with a photovoltaic region, (i.e., a Schottky barrier or 

p-n junction) it can function as an optical amplifier and 

detector. When weak ac light plus an intense dc light are 

focused on this sample in an appropriate manner, the 

detected ac electric current will correspond to the 

intensity of the dc light but have the phase of the ac 

light; thus a weak ac light signal is effectively 

amplified, or a dc light signal is converted into an ae 

electrical signal capable of synchronous detection. 

4,739,414 

Pryor, Roger W.; Hudgens, Stephen J.; Nath, Prem; 

Mulberger, Ronald G., inventors; Ovanic Imaging Systems, 

Inc., assignee. Large Area Array of Thin Film 

Photosensitive Elements for Image Detection. April 1 9, 

1 988. 

Apparatus for producing electronic signals which are 

representative of a detectable condition on an 

image-bearing surface. The apparatus includes an 

elongated array of distinct thin film photosensitive 

elements formed on a common flexible large area 
substrate. The elongated array of photosensitive elements 

are fabricated as a large area, photovoltaic structure 

formed of a plurality of thin film layers, including a 

first layer of thin film conductive material. The 

discrete photosensitive elements are defined by 

patterning of the conductive layer into shaped regions 

which determine the overall configuration and dimensions 

of each element. 

4,740,431 

Uttle, Roger G., inventor; Spire Corporation, assignee. 

Integrated Solar Cell and Battery. April 26, 1 988. 

An Integrated solar cell and battery are described, 

together with a process of making the same. The 

integrated solar cell and battery are made by employing 

thin film deposition techniques on a substrate. 

Preferably first, a thin film solar cell is deposited on 

the substrate, as for example, by sputtering. This step 

is immediately followed by the deposition of a thin film 

battery, either onto the previously deposited thin film 

solar cell, or onto the back side of the substrate. The 

deposition process lends itself to automated production. 

The process includes the thin film deposition of 

series�connected arrays forming different types of 

integrated solar cells and batteries, depending on their 

electrical connections so as to vary the respective 

current and voltage characteristics of the resultant 

integrated units. 

4,742,291 

Bobier, Joseph A.; Brown, Gerald E., inventors; Bobier 

Electronics, Inc., assignee. Interface Control for 

Storage Battery Based Alternate Energy Systems. May 3, 

1 988. 

An alternate energy interface control for 

implementation with utility derived power sources and 

alternate power sources such as are provided by solar 

panels, windmills, and the like employed with systems 

utilizing storage batteries. The system monitors the 

current level of photovoltaic solar panels within 

intervals during such panels are connected with the 

battery storage source and further monitors the voltage 

levels developed by such panels during normal open 

circuit conditions thereof. A logic control is provided 

which monitors alternate source currents and voltage as 

well as storage battery voltage levels to prioritize the 

use of available alternate energy sources. Battery 

charging during periods of alternate power source 

availability is with a pulsed technique to enhance 

battery lifespans. 

4,744,430 

McCoy, Thomas R., inventor. Solar Powered Golf Cart. 

May 17, 1988. 

A solar cell array is disclosed having a support 

structure, cover, and mechanically joined solar cell 

panels. Each panel, or group of panels, is electrically 

connected across a separate battery and a diode is 

provided to provide separate charging of each battery and 

to prevent flow of current to the solar cells from the 

batteries. 

4,744,835 

Winstel, Guenter; Plaettner, Rolf, inventors; Siemens 

Aktiengesellschaft, assignee. Arrangement for Avoiding 

Unwanted Degradation in No-Load Operation of Solar Cell 

Modules Composed of Amorphous Silicon. May 17, 1988. 

In order to avoid unwanted degradation in no-load 

operation Of solar cell modules composed, in particular, 

of amorphous silicon, an internal load resistor is 

integrated in the module and is connected across the 

output terminals during no-load operation of the module. 

Disconnection of the resistor during load operation 

occurs either in a mechanical manner by way of a 

mechanical switch integrated in a plug extending to the 

load or occurs automatically by way of an electronic 

switch. The arrangement is employed in operation of solar 

cell modules for systems having a non-continuous power 

consumption such as, for example, appliances in mobile 

homes, mountain chalets and the like. 

4,745,078 

Stetter, Walter; Peters, Winfried, inventors; Siemens 

Aktiengesellschaft, assignee. Method for Integrated 

Series Connection of Thin Film Solar Celfs. May 17, 

1988. 

The present invention relates to a method for 

providing integrated series connections of a plurality of 

solar cells each of which includes a photovoltaic thin 

film on a common transparent substrate which involves 

depositing a strip pattern of a material which is readily 

removable from the photovoltaic thin film onto the film 

at intervals dependent on the size of the solar cells, 

the strips of the pattern being offset laterally relative 

to the front electrodes lying under the thin film and 

extending over the regions of the thin film which are not 

to be covered by the subsequently back electrodes. 

Separating grooves are then mechanically generated in the 

film adjacent the strips. An electrically conductive 

metal is deposited over the entire suriace thus produced 

and finally the strip pattern is removed by lifting the 

pattern off the film, leaving gaps in the metallized 

layer forming the separated back electrodes of the solar 

cell. 

4,746,370 

Woolf, Lawrence D., inventor; GA Technologies, Inc., 

assignee. Photothermophotovoltaic Converter. May 24, 

1 988. 

A photothermophotovoltaic energy conversion system 

converts solar energy to electrical energy and includes a 

radiator and a photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell 

receives incoming energy, including solar energy, and 

converts a first portion of the incoming energy to 

Patents 7 
electrical energy. The photovoltaic cell includes a 

reflector for reflecting a second portion of the incoming 

energy to the radiator to heat it. The heated radiator in 

turn radiates energy back to the photovoltaic cell for 

subsequent energy conversion therein of a first portion 

thereof. A second portion is reflected to the radiator, 

conserving heat. 

4,746,371 

McLeod, Paul S.; Cape, John A.; Fraas, Lewis M.; 

Partain, Larry D., inventors; Chevron Research Company, 

assignee. Mechanically Stacked Photovoftaic Cells, 

Package Assembly, and Modules. May 24, 1 988. 

The present invention is an apparatus of mechanically 

stacked photovoltaic cells having a bottom heat spreader 

and a top heat spreader, a bottom photovoltaic cell and a 

top photovoltaic cell, and means for forming the 

necessary electrical contacts. The heat spreaders are 

electrically insulated from each other but are thermally 

connected to each other. The bottom photovoltaic cell has 

an anode and a cathode and is thermally bonded to the 

bottom heat spreader and is thermally connected to the 

top heat spreader. The top photovoltaic cell has an anode 

and a cathode, is electrically insulated from the bottom 

photovoltaic cell, and is thermally bonded to the top 

heat spreader and is thermally connected to the bottom 

heat spreader. The means for forming the necessary 

electrical contacts includes a means for electrically 

contacting the anode of the bottom photovoltaic cell. a 

means for electrically contacting the cathode of the 

bottom photovoltaic cell, a means for electrically 

contacting the anode of the top photovoltaic cell, and a 

means for electrically contacting the cathode of the top 

photovoltaic cell. 

4,746,372 

Tajika, Jun; Sano, Saijiro; Miyake, Tsuneo; Kuboi, 

Osamu, inventors; Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho, 

assignee. Amorphous Silicon Solar Cel/s. May 24, 

1 988. 

An amorphous silicon solar cell comprising a glass 

substrate, a transparent conductive film formed on the 

glass substrate on one side thereof and having 

micro-columns or fine crystals irregularly formed on the 

other side, a plurality of amorphous silicon layers 

superposed on said other side of the conductive film, and 

a metal electrode formed on the superposed silicon layer. 

At the interiace between the transparent conductive film 

and the amorphous silicon layer is formed an intermediate 

layer in which both materials of the conductive film and 

the silicon layer are mixed. The intermediate layer has a 

refractive index between the conductive film and the 

silicon layer. The glass substrate may be substituted 

with a metal substrate, in which case the plurality of 

silicon layers are formed directly on the metal substrate, 

on which the transparent conductive film having an 

irregular suriace on the side opposite to the side where 

the silicon layers are formed and a metal electrode are 

8 U.S. Pho1ovoltaic Patents: 1 988-1990 

formed in this order. 

4,746,458 

Brotz, Gregory R., inventor. Photovo/taic Material. 

May 24, 1 988. 

A photovoltaic material comprises an open-cellular 

foam material having an internal surface area with a 

photoelectric semiconductor material formed thereon. The 

material may further include a phosphor layer on the 

photoelectric layer. 

4,746,618 

Nath, Prem; Barnard, Timothy, inventors; Energy 

Conversion Devices, Inc., assignee. Method of 

Continuously Forming an Array of Photovoltaic Celfs 

Electrically Connected in Series. May 24, 1 988. 

A method of continuously electrically interconnecting 

in series a plurality of smaller area photovoltaic cells 

from a continuous, elongated web of photovoltaic cell 

material which is maintained in continual motion. 

4,748,130 

Wenham, Stuart R.; Green, Martin A., inventors; 

Unisearch Limited, assignee. Method of Making Buried 

Contact Sotar Cell. May 31, 1 988. 

An electrical contact formed in a groove in the 

suriace of a semiconductor material facilitates an 

advantageous contact with the material for a given 

cross-sectional area of contact when compared with a 

contact of the same cross-sectional area formed on the 

surface of the material. The grooved contact 

significantly reduces shading of the surface of the 

semiconductor material compared with an equivalent 

surface contact. 

4,749,454 

Arya, Rajeewa A.; Oswald, Robert S., inventors; Solarex 

Corporation, assignee. Method of Removing Electrical 

Shorts and Shunts from a Thin-Film Semiconductor 

Device. June 7, 1 988. 

A method of removing electrical shorts and shunts 

from a thin-film semiconductor device having pairs of 

electrodes with exposed contact surfaces wherein each 

pair of electrodes is separated by a semiconductor film. 

The disclosed method comprises the steps of coating the 

exposed contact suriaces with an ionic solution and 

successively applying a reverse-bias voltage between the 

exposed contact suriaces of each pair of electrodes . The 

ionic solution has an etching rate that increases with 

increased temperature so that the leakage current flowing 

through shorts and shunts located between each respective 

pair of electrodes in response to the reverse-bias 

voltage will create a local temperature increase at the 

shorts and shunts and selectively etch or oxidize the 

shorts and shunts, rendering them substantially 

nonconductive. The exposed contact suriaces can be coated 
using a sponge applicator or spray apparatus. The 

preferred ionic solution comprises an acid mixture 

diluted to one part in at least five parts water. 

4,749,588 

Fukuda, Nobuhiro; Ohashi, Yutaka; Miyaji, Kenji, 

inventors. Process for Producing Hydrogenated 

Amorphous Silicon Thin Film and a Solar CelJ. June 7, 

1988. 

The speed of forming a film of a hydrogenated 

amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) can be increased by 

controlling the amount of a supplied energy in relation 

to the film-forming speed. Application of this technique 

to the production of a solar cell enables a hydrogenated 

amorphous silicon solar cell (a-Si:H cell) having a high 

photoelectric conversion efficiency to be produced at 

high speeds. The aforesaid controlling procedure 

comprises adjusting the amount (KJ/g-Si2H6) of an 

energy to be supplied to a film-forming speed depends 

mainly upon the flow rate of the gas and is not 

substantially affected by the amount of the energy. 

4,749,982 

Rikuna, Kenji; Nakano, Harumi; Kara. Kazuya; Shigenaga, 

Yoshimi; Bito, Hiroyasu; Takeuchi, Elichi; Tamiya, 

Morita, inventors; Casio Computer Co., Ud., assignee. 

Intelligent Card. June 7,1988. 

In an intelligent card, a keyboard has numeric keys 

for entering identification information and a collation 

execution key. A solar cell, a display device and an IC 

chip for performing arithmetic operations and card 

identification are incorporated in a case. The IC chip 

includes a nonvolatile memory for storing predetermined 

identification information. The predetermined 

identification information is compared with the input 

identification information entered at the keyboard upon 

operation of the key, thereby performing card 

identification. 

4,750,09

 

Inoue, Yuichi; Ohtawa, Shuji; Ochiai, Hitoshi; Kiyono, 

Yoshihiko; Nakamura, Chiaki, inventors; Seiko 

Instruments, Inc., asSignee. Circuit for Charging 

Capacitors. June 7,1988. 

A circuit for charging capacitors having a power 

source, a plurality of capacitors for accumulating an 

electric charge from the power source, switching elements 

with electrically controllable inputs for connecting or 

disconnecting at least one of the capacitors to or from 

the power source, and resistors for setting the switching 

elements to turn off. These resistors are connected to 

the control inputs of the switching elements and to one 

of two terminals of the power source directly so that the 

resistors consume the electric charge only when the power 

source supplies the electric charge. 

4,751,191 

Gonsiorawski, Ronald C.; Czernienko, George, inventors; 

Mobil Solar Energy Corporation, assignee. Method of 

Fabricating Solar Cells with Silicon Nitride Coating. 

June 14, 1988. 

A process of manufacturing silicon solar cells with 

efficiencies of between about 12.5% and about 16.0% is 

described, the method being characterized by forming a 

PIN junction adjacent the front surface of a silicon 

substrate, subjecting the front surface of the substrate 

to a selected plasma surface etch treatment, and then 

forming a polysilazane coating on the etched front 

surface by (8) first subjecting the substrate to an 

ammonia plasma treatment for a predetermined period of 

time so as to produce hydrogen implantation and (b) 

subjecting the substrate to a silane and ammonia plasma 

treatment to obtain additional hydrogen implantation and 

formation of a polysilazane (hydrogenated silicon 

nitride) coating. The polysilazane coating is etched to 

form a grid electrode pattern. An aluminum coating is 

applied to the rear side of the substrate so as to form a 

back electrode. The aluminum coating is heated so as to 

alloy with the silicon substrate and thereby form an 

ohmic contact. The alloying step also densities the 

polysilazane so that it is more nearly silicon nitride. 

The exposed silicon on the front side of the substrate is 

coated with an adherent coating of a highly conductive 

metal so as to form a grid electrode. 

4,751,413 

Izawa, Hideo, inventor; Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, assignee. 

Solar Energy Motor. June 14, 1988. 

A solar energy motor comprises a plurality of 

photovoltaic elements, such as solar cells, and armature 

coils unistructurally secured to a rotatable axis. The 

photovoltaic elements and the armature coils are 

electrically connected such that DC electromotive forces 

generated sequentially in the photovoltaic elements on 

which light beams are made incident are applied to the 

armature coils. Currents thus generated in the armature 

coils produce a torque in the presence of magnets. 

4,751,622 

Williams, Lloyd E., inventor; Power Plus, Inc., assignee. 

SoJar Powered Construction Ught. June 14, 1988. 

A solar powered construction light including a solar 

powered battery recharging network that recharges a 

storage battery at a constant rate and can be 

selectively operated to burn continuously to produce a 

continuous light or to burn intermittently to provide a 

flashing light. A solar cell recharges the storage 

battery in the light when sunlight is impinging upon the 

solar cell to provide virtually maintenance free and long 

term operation of the construction light during the dark 

or twilight hours when construction lights are commonly 

employed to warn motorists of road hazards. 

Patents 9 
4,753,683 

Ellion, M. Edmund; Wolff, George, inventors; Hughes 

Aircraft Company, assignee. Gallium Arsenide Solar 

Cell System. June 28, 1988. 

A solar cell array utilizing geometrically 

alternating, laterally disposed N-on-P and P-on-N gallium 

arsenide solar cells is disclosed. Improved array 

efficiency is achieved by placing adjacent solar cells in 

substantial contact with each other and eliminating bus 

connections on H'e top surfaces. This is accomplished by 

providing the solar cells with a lateral cross-sectional 

configuration of a parallelogram with the N-on-P solar 

cells slanted in one lateral direction and the P-on·N 

solar cells slanted in the opposite direction. The top 

surfaces of adjace�t, contacting solar cells are 

electrically connected by extending a connector grid 

across the top surfaces. Strip connectors are used to 

join the bases of adjacent solar cells. 

4,753,684 

Ondris, Miroslav; Pichler, Marty A., inventors; The 

Standard Oil Company, assignee. Photovoltaic 

Heterojunction Structures. June 28, 1988. 

A three layer, photovoltaic structure having 

polycrystalline semiconductor layers disposed in series 

optically and in sequential touching contact includes a 

relatively wide optical bandgap energy window layer, a 

light-absorbing layer and a third, relatively wide 

bandgap energy layer that forms a minority carrier mirror 

with the light-absorbing layer. All three layers have 

different compositions so that the structure includes two 

heterojunctions. The light-absorbing layer and third 

layer are of the same conductivity type. The structure is 

conveniently realized using II-VI semiconductor compounds 

such as cadmium sulfide or zinc sulfide window layer, a 

mercury cadmium telluride, cadmium telluride, zinc 

cadmium telluride or mercury zinc telluride 

light-absorbing layer and a third layer of cadmium 

telluride, zinc telluride, zinc cadmium telluride, 

mercury cadmium telluride or cadmium manganese telluride. 

Cadmium is present in at least two of the three layers of 

the novel structures. Tellurium is present in two of the 

three layers. Structures according to the invention may 

be conveniently for�ed by electrodeposition and may 

employ opaque or transparent substrates depending on the 

particular semiconductor materials used and their 

relative positions. 

4,754,271 

Edwards, Willie, inventor. Uquid Crystal 

Photograph. June 28, 1988. 

A device for electronically generating a plurality of 

single still pictures which are stored in the device's 

self-contained programmed digital memory cartridge and 

which is displayed on a liquid crystal screen. The device 

is a structure resembling a thin pocket calculator. 

10 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988-1990 

4,754,418 

Ham, Kazuya, inventor; Casio Computer Co., Ltd., 

assignee. Combined Electronic Calculator and Credit 

Card. June 28, 1988. 

A key input unit, a display unit and a solar cell are 

arra�ged on one surface of a card-like electronic 

calculator. This surface serves as an electronic 

calculator. The outer shape of the card-like electronic 

calculator is the same as that of a credit card. 

Furthermore, a magnetic stripe portion on which 

predetermined data is recorded, and embossed portions for 

displaying information are formed on the other surface of 

the calaculator. Therefore, the calculator also serves as 

a credit card. 

4,754,544 

Hanak, Joseph J., inventor; Energy Conversion Devices, 

Inc., assignee. Extremely Ughtweight, Flexible 

Semiconductor Device Arrays. July 5, 1988. 

An extremely lightweight, interconnected array of 

semiconductor devices, such as solar cells, is formed 

from a large continuous area of semiconductor material 

disposed on an unconventionally thin, electrically 

conducting substrate. The interconnections are formed by 

removing portions of the substrate to form substrate 

islands underlying a layer of semiconductor material 

which underlies a transparent conductive oxide. The oxide 

layer may likewise be formed into mutually isolated 

islands that overlay the areas between the substrate 

islands. Individual units or cells so formed may be 

interconnected by depositing a conducting material on, 

alongside and at least partially between islands of oxide 

and/or semiconductor, by depoSiting a metal grid on the 

oxide layer and burning conducting paths to the substrate 

islands, or by pierCing the layers and disposing a 

conducting material in the holes pierced. 

The unconventionally thin substrate may be a sheet of 

electroformed nickel or other thin metal or an initially 

thick substrate that is thinned by chemical etching after 

other array processing steps are completed. An 

encapsulant is preferably applied to the exposed surface 

of the semiconducting material to protect it while the 

substrate is being thinned or removed. Subsequently, an 

encapsulant is applied to the rear of substrate side of 

the array. 

4,755,231 

Kurland, Richard M.; Allard, Ira L.; Chaky, Rebecca C.; 

Inouye, George T., inventors; TRW Inc., assignee. 

Flexible Solar Array Cell and Substrate Therefor. 

July 5, 1988. 

A substrate structure for lightweight, flexible solar 

cell arrays, in which a plastic substrate is provided 

with a structure for discharging accumulations of 

electrons on its rear face and has appropriate heat 

emmissivity properties. In one embodiment, a Kapton 
substrate layer is coated with a grounded aluminum layer, 

which is suitably painted for emissivity. In another 

embodiment, a poorly conductive Kapton substrate layer, 

impregnated with carbon, is used to dissipate the charge, 

and to provide the approppriate emissivity. In a third 

embodiment, a grounded VDA layer is sandwiched between 

two Kapton layers. 

4,755,483 

Haku, His,ao; Nakashima, Yukio; Matsuoka, Tsugufumi; 

Watanabe, Kaneo, inventors; Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., 

assignee. Method for Producing Semiconductor Device 

with P-Type Amorphous Silicon Carbide Semiconductor Film 

Formed by Photo-Chemical Vapor Deposition. July 5, 

1988. 

A method for producing a semiconductor device uses 

1rimethyl boron (B(CH,),) of triethyl boron 

(B(C2H5h) or a mixture thereof as a p-Iype 

dopant and/or a band gap widening source material gas in 

a process for forming a p-type amorphous semiconductor 

film. Accordingly, the quantity and the number of 

different gases which are used can be reduced and also 

the photoconductivity and dark conductivity can be 

improved, whereby a semiconductor device suitable for 

photovoltaic cells, photo sensors and the like using a 

p-type amorphous semiconductor film having a wide optical 

band gap can be produced. 

4,755,804 

Levati, Aldo; Siviero, Pietro, inventors; T elettra 

Telefonia Elettronica e Radio S.p.A., assignee. System 

for Feeding and Controlling Low Intensity Obstruction 

Ughts. July 5, 1 988. 

A system for feeding and controlling low intensity 

obstruction lights, involving low power drain especially 

in radio stations powered by solar cells includes: (1) a 

SUb-system which not only generates the energy necessary 

to feed the obstruction light, but also detects solar 

intensity; (2) a control sub-system which delivers energy 

to the obstruction lights, triggered in correspondence to 

a light threshold, generates indicator signals on the 

operating state of the main onloff switch and the power 

circuit breaker and generates a lamp failure control for 

telemetering purposes and fault controls for the 

individual obstruction lights for local displaying 

purposesj and a low luminous intensity and low power 

drain lighting SUb-system. 

The installation to actuate the system described 

includes: (1 ) an electrical energy distributor powered by 

solar cells and respective batteries via a regulator, a 

light sensor, a sub-rack equipped with a control module 

and a switch-over module for each light; (2) 2·filament 

lamps with lenticular light globe of the oriented Fresnel 

prisms type. 

4,756,074 

Lewis, Carol R., inventor; Varian Associates, Inc., 

assignee. Method of Making a High Conductance Ohmic 

Junction for Monolithic Semiconductor Devices. July 12, 

1988. 

In order to increase the efficiency of solar cells, a 

monolithic stacked device is constructed comprising a 

plurality of solar sub-cells adjusted for different bands 

of radiation. The interconnection between these sub-cells 

has been a Significant technical problem. The invention 

provides an interconnection which is a thin layer of high 

ohmic condUctance material formed between the sub-cells. 

Such a layer tends to form beads which serve as a 

shorting interconnect while passing a large fraction of 

the radiation to the lower sub-cells and permitting 

lattice-matching between the sub-cells to be preserved. 

4,758,525 

Kida, Yasuhiro; Suda, Koichi; Matsukuma, Kunihiro; 

Morita, Keiichi, inventors; Hitachi, Ltd., assignee. 

Method of Making Ught-Receiving Diode. July 19, 

1988. 

In a method of manufacturing a solar cell including a 

p-n junction form!;ld in a semiconductor substrate, 

impurity ions are implanted through a mask in the form of 

an oxide film covering a light receiving surface of the 

semiconductor substrate except an electrode forming part, 

thereby forming a p-n junction which is deep in an area 

beneath the electrode forming part but shallow in the 

remaining area. Formation of the shallow p-n junction 

improves the spectral sensitivity in a short wavelength 

range. Further, utilization of the oxide film as a 

passivation film can prevent shortening of the life time 

of minority carriers in the substrate due to heat 

treatment, thereby retarding the electron-hole 

recombination rate at the light receiving surface of the 

substrate. 

4,758,526 

Thalheimer, Klaus, inventor; Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm 

GmbH, assignee. Procedure for Producing an Integrated 

System of Thin-Film Solar Cells Connected in Series. 

July 1 9, 1 988. 

A process for producing an integrated system of 

thin"film solar cells connected in series, wherein a 

first electrode layer is initially large-area deposited 

on a substrate and subsequently a photosensitive layer 

composed of sublayers is applied. Before structuring of 

the layers, for the purpose of series connecting, a 

second electrode layer is large·area applied on the 

photosensitive layer. Predetermined areas are then 

removed from the three layers to permit connection of the 

now·insulated individual solar cells. This technique, 

overall, is particularly economical. 

Patents 11 
4,759,803 

Cohen. Marshall J., inventor; Applied Solar Energy 

Corporation, assignee. Monolithic Solar Cell and 

Bypass Diode System. July 26, 1988. 

A protected solar cell including a monolithic bypass 

diode is formed by adding an additional layer of 

semiconductive material having a type opposite to the 

outermost semiconductive layer of a solar cell, and the 

resultant additional layer is cut back to form a small 

area bypass diode, which is subsequently connected across 

the solar cell by integrated circuit metallization 

techniques. The solar cell may be formed of gallium 

arsenide with the underlying semiconductive material 

being n-type gallium arsenide, and forming a junction 

with a thin layer of p-type gallium arsenide covered with 

a window of p-type aluminum gallium arsenide. The bypass 

diode is initially formed of a supplemental layer of 

n-type gallium arsenide, and by successive etching 

processes, an island is formed extending downward from a 

small area of n-type gallium arsenide through the two 

p-type layers. An insulating layer, which may be formed 

of silicon nitride, is deposited to avoid short 

circuiting of the output connection, and metallized 

connections from the bypass diode to the output circuitry 

of the solar cell, and to the underlying n-type layer are 

then completed. 

4,759,830 

GrOniger, Hans R.; Kern, Rudolf; Rys, Paul, inventors; 

eiba-Geigy AG. assignee. Process for the Production of 

Polycrystalline Silicon Coatings by Electrolytic 

Deposition of Silicon. July 26, 1 988. 

A novel process for the electrolytic deposition of 

Silicon from a melt containing covalent silicon compounds, 

in particular silicon tetrahalides, and furthermore 

aluminum halides, alkali metal halides and halides of 

transition metals is carried out at relatively low 

temperatures of 100° to 350°C, in an inert temperature. 

The silicon is deposited cathodically or anodically onto 

electrically conductive material. 

The silicon coatings are homogeneous and adhere 

firmly to the substrate. The coated materials can be used 

for the production of photoconductive or photovoltaic 

devices. 

4,760,564 

Odagiri, Hiroshi, inventor; Seiko Instruments, Inc., 

assignee. Analog Electronic Timepiece with Charging 

Function. July 26, 1988. 

A timepiece has a stepping motor for intermittently 

rotating hands to indicate the time, a solar cell for 

temporarily generating electric charge and capacitors for 

storing the generated electric charge to supply an 

operating voltage. A drive circuit repeatedly applies a 

combination of first and second consecutive driving 

pulses having electric powers proportional to the 

12 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1 988-1990 

operating voltage to the stepping motor, while a detector 

detects the operating voltage. A control circuit is 

connected between the drive circuit and the detector for 

controlling the detector to effect the operating voltage 

detection after the application of the first driving 

pulse and before the application of the following second 

driving pulse. When decrease of the operating voltage is 

detected after the application of the first driving pulse, 

the operating voltage is increased before the application 

of the following second driving pulse so as to ensure the 

rotation of the hands. 

4,760,918 

Washizuka, Isamu; Tanimoto, Akira, inventors; Sharp 

Kabushiki Kaisha, assignee. Pocketbook Type Electronic 

Apparatus. August 2, 1 988. 

A pocketbook type electronic apparatus includes a 

pocketbook which comprises inner and outer covers between 

which is contained an electronic apparatus. When the 

covers are in a closed position, operation of said 

electronic apparatus is nevertheless possible. The covers 

are provided with transparent sections corresponding to 

the positions of the operating keys, display apparatus 

and solar cell of the electronic apparatus. Also 

disclosed is a pocketbook type electronic apparatus 

wherein the body of the electronic apparatus comprises 

one of the covers wherein the operating surface of the 

electronic apparatus is positioned on the outside of such 

cover. 

4,760,954 

Hansen. Allan H., inventor; Danfoss AIS, assignee. 

Auxiliary Equipment for the Thermostatic Valve of a 

Radiator. August 2, 1988. 

The invention relates to a heating system of the type 

in which a radiator in a room has the flow of a heated 

fluid thereto from a central source such as a boiler 

controlled by a thermostatic valve. The valve normally 

has a sensor aSsociated therewith to which the valve 

reacts which senses room temperature. An electrical 

heating resistor is positioned in close proximity to the 

sensor. A solar cell positioned as in a window so as to 

be impinged upon by rays of the sun is electrically 

connected to the heating resistor and the resulting 

current developed by the solar cell is utilized to effect 

a heating of the resistor which is related to the 

intensity and angle of the sun's rays. The heat generated 

by the resistor supplements the sensed room temperature 

so that the valve is operated in a way which takes into 

account the radiant energy to which a room is subjected 

by the sun. 

4,761 ,211 

Peterson, Ian R.; Girling, Ian R., inventors; The 

General Electric Company. assignee. Method of 

Improving the Electrical Characteristics of a Thin 

Film. August 2, 1 988. 
A method of improving the electrical characteristics 

of a thin film formed on a substrate by a 

Langmuir-Blodgett process. The method comprises immersing 

the film in a fluid and applying an electrical potential 

to the substrate such that a self limiting 

electrochemical reaction within the fluid causes any 

voids in the film to be preferentially filled. 

4,761,302 

Weil, Raoul B., inventor; The United States Department of 

Energy, assignee. FlUorination of Amorphous Thin-Film 

Materials with Xenon Fluoride. August 2, 1 988. 

A method is disclosed for producing 

fluorine-containing amorphous semiconductor material, 

preferably comprising amorphous Silicon. The method 

includes depositing amorphous thin-film material onto a 

substrate while introducing xenon fluoride during the 

film deposition process. 

4,763,126 

Jawetz, Ira, inventor. Mooring Location System. 

August 9, 1 98a. 

A buoy for marine vessels that is responsive to a 

transmitted RF signal of a set frequency consisting of an 

RF receiver disposed within the buoy and tuned to a set 

frequency of the transmitted RF signal and an antenna 

coupled to the input of the RF receiver. A switching 

circuit is coupled to the AF receiver, and a lamp is 

disposed on the buoy so that when the RF/receivers 

receives a signal at the set frequency, it will operate 

said switching circuit and tum on said lamp. The buoy 

may be a pick-up buoy having an elongated stem on the top 

of the buoy, and containing the antenna. The lamp can 

also be mounted on the end of the antenna. A sound source 

coupled to the output of the switching circuit can sound 

an audible signal in response to the transmitted RF 

signal. 

4,763,310 

Goetzberger, Adolf, inventor; Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur 

Forderung, assignee. Electronic Clock with Solar Cell 

and Rechangeable Battery. August 9, 1988. 

A solar powered electronic clack has a display, 

time-keeping electronics, a battery, and a solar cell 

array. The battery is chargeable from the solar cell 

array and supplies only the time-keeping electronics 

while the display is powered only by the solar cell 

array. A diode connected between the solar cell array and 

battery permits the battery to be recharged, but prevents 

the display from drawing energy from the battery. 

4,763,602 

Madan, Arun; Von Aoedem, Bolko, inventors; Glasstech 

Solar, Inc., assignee. Thin Film Deposition Apparatus 

Including a Vacuum Transport Mechanism. August 16, 

1988. 

An apparatus for depositing thin films on a substrate 

includes at [east one deposition module, a load lock 

module, a gate valve and a transportation mechanism for 

moving a substrate between the load [ock and the at least 

one deposition module, the transportation mechanism being 

adapted to operate within ultra high vacuum conditions. 

The at least one deposition module is capable .of 

maintaining an ultra high vacuum for depositing materials 

from reactive gases contained therein on a substrate. The 

load lock module is connected to the at [east one 

deposition module by a gate valve and is capable of 

maintaining an ultra high vacuum. The transportation 

mechanism for moving the substrate between the load lock 

and the at [east one deposition module is adapted to 

operate under ultra high vacuum conditions so that the 

substrate can be drawn from the load [qck into the 

deposition solar cells formed fram doped amorphous 

silicon deposited from a glow discharge. 

4,764,261 

Ondris, Miros[av; Hich[er, Marty A., inventors; Stemco( 

Corporation, assignee. Method of Making Improved 

Photovoltaic Heterojunction Structures. August ' 6, 

1 988. 

A three layer, photovoltaic structure having 

polycrystalline semiconductor layers disposed in series 

opticaUy and in sequential touching contact includes a 

re[atively wide optical band gap energy window layer, a 

light-absorbing layer and a third, relatively wide band 

gap energy layer that forms a minority carrier mirror 

with the [ighl-absorbing layer. All three [ayers have 

different compositions so that the structure includes two 

heterojunctions. The light-absorbing layer and third 

layer are of the same conductivity type. The structure is 

conveniently realized using II-VI semiconductor compounds 

such as a cadmium sulfide or zinc sulfide window layer, a 

mercury cadmium telluride, cadmium telluride, zinc 

cadmium telluride or mercury zinc telluride 

light·absorbing layer and a third layer of cadmium 

telluride, zinc teUuride, zinc cadmium telluride, 

mercury cadmium telluride or cadmium manganese telluride. 

Cadmium is present in at [east two of the three [ayers of 

the novel structures. Tellurium is present in two of the 

three layers. Structures according to the invention may 

be conveniently formed by electrodeposition and may 

employ opaque or transparent substrates depending on the 

particular semiconductor materials used and their 

relative positions. 

4,764,439 

Gibbons, James F.; Cogan, George W.; Gronet, Christian 

M.; Lewis, Nathan S., inventors; Sera Solar Corporation, 

assignee. Photoelectrochemical Celf. August 16, 

1 988. 

A method for converting solar energy to electricity 

is provided using solid-[iquid interface 

photoelectrochemica[ cells wherein the liquid phase 

comprises a nonaqueous so [vent, an electrolyte dissolved 

Patents 13 
therein forming an ionically conductive solution and a 

redox couple suitable to accept and donate electrons from 

and to the electrodes. The redox couple is present in an 

amount sufficient to sustain a pretermined current and 

the concentrations of the electrolyte and redox couple in 

the solution are sufficient to provide no greater than a 

selected small voltage drop relative to the output 

voltage of the cell. The efficiency of conversion of 

light to electrical energy of such photoelectrochemical 

cells is 10% and greater. 

4,764,850 

Albanese, Philip, inventor. Solar-Powered Display 

Device. August 16, 1988. 

A rotating display unit comprises a motor drive for 

rotating the drive shaft, the motor drive being powered 

by a solar cell which is operative to generate a voltage 

in the presence of sunlight sufficient to energize the 

motor drive to rotate the drive shaft, and a light 

refracting, multi-faceted crystal is mounted on the drive 

shaft for rotation with the shaft to refract the 

available sunlight into light patterns which are 

projected onto a surrounding wall surface. 

4,764,910 

Ichikawa, Shingo, inventor; Citizen Watch Co., Ltd., 

assignee. Electronic Timepiece. August 16, 1 988. 

An electronic timepiece includes a plurality of 

light-receiving elements arranged to receive external 

light, a light-receiving condition discriminator for 

discriminating a light-receiving condition of each 

light-receiving element, and a circuit to be controlled 

in response to an output signal from the lighHeceiving 

condition discriminator. The light-receiving condition 

discriminator discriminates that the light-receiving 

condition of a central one of three light-receiving 

elements among the plurality of light-receiving elements 

is different from those of end light-receiving elements, 

and thereupon generates an output signal. 

4,765,623 

Cardillo, Gary J.; Cahill, Douglas R., inventors. 

Talking Crystal Ball Toy. August 23, 1 988. 

A talking crystal ball toy which is activated by a 

double pass of the operator's hands over a photosensor to 

give a randomly selected verbal response to a question 

asked by the operator. 

4,768,096 

Cannella, Vincent D.; Yaniv, Zvi. inventors; Energy 

Conversion Devices, Inc., assignee. Contact-Type 

Portable Digitizing Wand for Scanning Image-Bearing 

Surfaces. August 30, 1 988. 

A manually operable, portable, digitizing wand 

adapted to replicate an image on an image-bearing surface 

when moved across said surface. The portable wand 

14 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988-1990 

includes an array of photosensitive elements fabricated 

from thin film semiconductor alloy material. Each of the 

elements are non-light transmissive, non-apertured, 

continuous and adapted to receive illumination from a 

corresponding small area portion of an image-bearing 

surface and generate detectable electrical Signals 

representative of the amount of received illumination. 

Light is proximity focused onto the array of 

photosensitive elements from corresponding small area 

portions of the surface and the portable wand is sized 

and shaped to provide for manual movement across the 

image on the image-bearing surface. 

4,768,738 

Weinert, Friedrich, inventor. Flexible Solar Skin in 

Combination with an Airplane. September 6, 198a. 

A flexible solar skin which absorbs radiant solar 

energy to convert it into electricity, made possible 

through a conductive plastiC, which conceals a conductive 

fiber, whereby the fiber directs generated electricity to 

a terminal in the form of a contact strip hemmed or fused 

alongside the material. Additionally, an air vehicle 

covered with this photovoltaic material to collect solar 

radiant energy during flight which is converted into 

electricity to assist the propulSion system of the 

vehicle. 

4,769,086 

Tanner, David P.; Jester, Theresa L.; Yin, Ming-Jau, 

inventors; Atlantic Richfield Company, assignee. Thin 

Film Solar Cell with Nickel Back. September 6, 1 988. 

A solar module of the type having at least two series 

connected solar cells which each include a transparent 

front-face electrode, a thin film photovoltaic device, 

and an aluminum back contact. A nickel film is provided 

over the aluminum back contact to provide improved 

resistance to degradation. 

4,769,107 

Helmreich, Dieter; Gessert, Cord; Miller, Hans-Dieter; 

Zauhar, Helmut; Priewasser, Georg; Schmidhammer, 

Leonhard, inventors; Heliotronic Forschungs- und 

Entwicklungsgesellschaft fur Solarzellen-Grundstoffe mbH, 

assignee. Process and Apparatus for the Cyclical 

Manufacture of Silicon Shaped Articles. September 6, 

1 988. 

A process and apparatus for the manufacture of 

silicon blocks having a columnar structure compriSing 

monocrystaUine crystal zones having a crystallographic 

preferred orientation. In a casting process, each mold 

filled with molten silicon is transferred, before the 

silicon has solidified completely, to a separate 

crystallization station where the silicon can then 

crystallize completely. During this process, the exposed 

surface of the silicon is maintained in a molten state 

until the end of the solidification process has almost 

been reached. The process allows the various, necessary 
steps to be carried out simultaneously and yields 

high-quality solar cell base material. 

4,769,682 

Yang, Chi C.; Mohr, Ralph; Hudgens, Stephen; Johncock, 

Annette; Nath, Prem, inventors; Energy Conversion 

Devices, Inc., assignee. Boron Doped Semiconductor 

Materials and Method for Producing Same. September 6, 

1988. 

An improved p-type semiconductor alloy film, an 

improved substantially intrinsic amorphous semiconductor 

alloy film, improved photovoltaic and photoresponsive 

devices incorporating such filmsand d. and microwave 

glow discharge methods for fabricating same. The improved 

semiconductor alloy films preferably include at least 

silicon deposited by the glow discharge of a compound 

containing at least silicon and a boron species that 

remains substantially monoatomic as it is incorporated 

into the silicon matrix. The p-type film is particularly 

stable, is characterized by a non-narrowed band gap, 

reduced bulk stress, improved morphology, growth and 

adhesion and reduced peeling and cracking. The 

substantially intrinsic film is characterized by 

substantially reduced Staebler-Wronski degradation. The 

method includes the novel step of introducing a boron 

species that does not form higher order boron hydrides or 

other boron polymers or oligomers in the glow discharge 

plasma. 

4,769,718 

Imamura, Kenji, inventor; Ushio Denki Kabushiki Kaisha, 

assignee. Image Processing Apparatus. September 6, 

1988. 

An image processing apparatus is equipped with an 

original document illuminating lamp, a reflector arranged 

in association with the lamp and having a 

color-compensating anodic oxidation coating formed on at 

least a part of a reflecting surface of the reflector, 

and a photosensitive member adapted to receive light from 

an original document upon exposure of the original 

document to light from the lamp and having an 

oversensitive range in the spectral sensitivity 

characteristics thereof. The reflector is made of 

aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Owing to the provision of 

the color- compensating anodic oxidation coating, the 

reflectivity of the reflector to light in a wavelength 

region corresponding to the oversensitive range of the 

photosensitive member is smaller than its reflectivity to 

light in wavelength region other than the first-mentioned 

wavelength region. 

4,770,716 

Ramaprasad, K.R., inventor; Chronar Corp., assignee. 

Stabilization of Intraconnections and Interfaces. 

September 13, 1988. 

Stabilization of energy sensitive semiconductor 

devices by forming initial electrodes which are exposed 

through an overlying layer of semiconductor dipping the 

exposed e!ectrodes in solutions containing specified 

chemicals such as meta!lic ion solutions of nickel, 

cobalt, chromium and related metals, followed by rinsing, 

drying, and the final deposition of an overlying 

electrode by metallization. 

4,771,017 

Tobin, Stephen P.; Spitzer, Mark B., inventors; Spire 

Corporation, assignee. Patterning Process. 

September 13, 1988. 

An improved patterning process, useful for the 

metalization of highly efficient photovoltaic cells, the 

formation of x-ray lithography masks in the sub 

half-micron range, and in the fabrication of VLSI and 

MMIC devices, is disclosed. The improved patterning 

process includes the steps of providing a substrate with 

a photoactive layer, patterning the photoactive layer 

with an inclined profile, depositing on both the 

substrate and the patterned photo active layer a layer of 

disjointed metal such that the thickness of the metal 

layer exceeds that of the patterned photoactive layer and 

that the metal layer deposited on the substrate is formed 

with walls normal to the surface of the substrate. 

Preferably, the deposition of the disjointed metal layer 

is effected by evaporative metalization in a direction 

normal to the surface of the substrate. The deposited 

metal layer on the substrate is characterized by a high 

aspect ratio, with a rectangular cross section. 

4,771 ,321 

Lewis, Carol R., inventor; Varian Associates, Inc., 

assignee. High Conductance Ohmic Junction for 

Monolithic Semiconductor Devices. September 13, 1988. 

In order to increase the efficiency of solar cells, a 

monolithic stacked device is constructed comprising a 

plurality of solar sub-cells adjusted for different bands 

of radiation. The interconnection between these sub-cells 

has been a significant technical problem. The invention 

provides an interconnection which is a thin layer of high 

ohmic conductance material formed between the sub·cells. 

Such a layer tends to form beads which serve as a 

shorting interconnect while paSSing a large fraction of 

the radiation to the lower sub-cells and permitting 

lattice·matching between the sub-cells to be preserved. 

4,771,556 

Kim, Young J., inventor; Samwha Co., assignee. Sport 

Shoe with Melody Emitting Device. September 20, 1988. 

A musical shoe comprises an upper portion attached to 

a sale portion including a heel and a movable band 

attached to the upper portion of the shoe for holding it 

to the foot of a wearer when the band is moved to a 

closed position, and for effecting removal of the shoe 

from the foot when the band is moved to an opened 

Patents 15 
position. A circuit panel is mounted on the upper portion 

of the shoe for producing a speaker drive signal when 

activated. A speaker is mounted on the shoe and is 

responsive to a speaker drive signal produced by the 

circuit panel, for producing an audio signal. A power 

supply, in the form of a photovoltaic cell, is provided 

for activating the circuit panel only in response to 

movement of the band to its opened position. 

4,771,763 

Wetzel, Jr., Otto K., inventor; Wetzel Enterprises, Inc., 

assignee. Solar Powered Fluid Heating System. 

September 20, 1 988. 

A solar powered fluid heating system includes a 

thermal collector for vaporizing a refrigerant, a 

separator for removing any liquid component from the 

vapor component of the heated refrigerant, and a 

condenser for transferring heat from the refrigerant 

vapor to a fluid thereby returning the refrigerant to the 

liquid phase. Liquid refrigerant is returned from the 

condenser to the separator. and from the separator to the 

thermal collector. A pump or a compressor is used to 

force refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit. The 

pump or the compressor is actuated by solar energy which 

is received either from an array of photovoltaic cells or 

from a generator driven by a turbine which 'is in turn 

driven by refrigerant vapor flowing from the separator to 

the condenser. Secondary refrigerant circuits may be 

utilized to preheat the refrigerant in the thermal 

collector, or to exhaust excess heat therefrom, or bath. 

The thermal collector andlor the photovoltaic cell array 

may comprise an assembly having an inverted T-shaped 

configuration for maximizing output throughput all of the 

entire day. 

4,771,764 

Cluff, C. Brent, inventor. Water-Borne 

Azimuth-Altitude Tracking Solar Concentrators. 

September 20, 1 988. 

A water-borne tracking solar energy collecting and 

converting systems employing multiple lens collectors for 

redirecting sunlight for concentration on photovoltaic 

cells. 

4,772,335 

Huang, Wingo C., inventor; Stemcor Corporation, assignee. 

Photovoltaic Device Responsive to Ultraviolet 

Radiation. September 20, 1 988. 

An improved, low-cost photovoltaic device responsive 

to ultraviolet radiation includes a body of amorphous 

silicon having a front contact formed of a thin film of a 

transparent, electrically conductive oxide. In order to 

achieve desired quantum effiCiencies in the spectral 

region from 200-400 nm, the oxide film is less than 50 nm 

in thickness and most preferably is about 1 5 to 30 nm in 

thickness. A metallic current collector may be disposed 

on part of the oxide film to reduce resistive losses in 

16 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988-1990 

current collection. The amorphous silicon body may 

include a P-I-N structure or a doped film disposed on an 

oppositely doped crystalline silicon layer. In some 

embodiments of the device, the amorphous silicon region 

or body disposed in contact with the oxide film is 

preferably microcrystalline silicon. 

4,772,564 

Bamett, Allen M.; Hall, Robert B., inventors; 

Astrasystems, Inc., assignee. Fault Tolerant Thin-Film 

Photovoltaic Celf Fabrication Process. September 20, 

1 988. 

A thin-film solar cell on a substrate is fabricated 

by selectively introducing nucleation sites into the 

insulator layer which is formed on the substrate material, 

and activating the nucleation sites during growth of the 

semiconductor !ayers. The solar cell is made up of 

semiconductor rayers formed on a substrate. The substrate 

includes an insulator containing electrically conducting 

nucleation sites which is interposed between the 

electrical contact of the substrate and the adjacent 

semiconductor. The insulator can also be optically 

transparent. Grain boundaries and voids terminate on the 

insulator. 

4,n2,990 

Linehan, Dave M.; Zaderej, Victor V.; Hahs, Jr., 

Charles A., inventors; CNI, assignee. Solar Powered 

Warning Flasher. September 20, 1 988. 

An improved warning light blinker includes an upper 

housing member including an integral pedestal extending 

from an upper surface thereof, the upper housing member 

being transparent, the upper housing member also 

including an opening in a lower portion thereof. A lower 

housing member mates within the upper housing member 

through the opening. Battery captivating members for 

captivating a battery so as to substantially eliminate 

free air from contacting a substantial portion of a 

battery's outer surface area is provided. A flasher 

circuit periodically supplies electrical energy to a 

light bulb. A light dispersing lens is coupled to the 

pedestal. In the preferred apparatus one or more solar 

rechargeable batteries are situated within the battery 

captivating members. The pedestal includes a tapered 

channel which narrows close to an upper end thereof and a 

light bulb socket engages in an interference fit near the 

upper end. The upper housing member includes an upper 

surface and the upper surface is sloped downward to allow 

rapid drainage of rain water to enhance the solar 

efficiency of the solar rechargeable batteries. 

4,773,942 

Hamakawa, Yoshihiro; Tawada. Yoshihisa; Tsuge, Kazunori; 

Izumina, Masanobu, inventors; Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo 

Kabushiki Kaisha, assignee. Flexible Photovoltaic 

Device. September 27, 1 988. 
A flexible photovoltaic device includes a flexible 

�ubstrate and a photovoltaic device body. The flexible 

substrate is a metal foil or film provided with an 

electric insulating layer of a material having an 

electric conductivity of not more than 1 0.7 

(n·cmr' at the time of light impinging and made of 

an amorphous silicon nitride containing hydrogen. 

4,773,943 

Yamaguchi, Fuminori; Tomita, Kenji, inventors; Kyacera 

Corporation, assignee. Photovoltaic' Device and a 

Method of Producing the Same. September 27, 1 988. 

A photovoltaic device including a plurality of power 

generation regions arranged in alignment with one another 

on one side of an insulative substrate, the power 

generation region being composed of an amorphous 

semiconductor layer, a first electrode formed below the 

amorphous semiconductor layer, a second electrode formed 

above the amorphous semiconductor layer, and the first 

electrode of one of two adjacent power generation regions 

being electrically connected to the second electrode of 

the other adjacent power generation region, the 

photovoltaic devices being characterized by connection 

sections, facing each other with the amorphous 

semiconductor layer sandwiched between them, the 

connection sections, being provided on the first 

electrode of one of two adjacent power generation regions 

and the second electrode of the other adjacent power 

generation region, and a straight groove in the amorphous 

semiconductor layer sandwiched between the connection 

sections along the arrangement direction of·the power 

generation regions to thereby electrically connect the 

first electrode of one of two adjacent power generation 

regions to the second electrode of the other adjacent 

power generation region so that the effective 

lighHeceiving area and output at the photovoltaic 

device can be increased and the number of process steps 

and materials can be decreased for cost reductions. The 

present invention also relates to the production method 

of the photovoltaic device. 

4,773,94

 

Nath, Prem; Laarman, Timothy; Vogeli, Craig; Whelan, 

Kenneth; Kelly, Bernard, inventors; Energy Conversion 

Devices, Inc., assignee. Large Area, Low Voltage, High 

Current Photovoltaic Modules and Method of Fabricating 

Same. September 27, 1 988. 

A large area, high current, low voltage photovoltaic 

module including a common bottom electrode upon which a 

means adapted to collect and transport photogenerated 

current is disposed. By electrically interconnecting a 

plurality of said large area modules in series, the 

voltage obtained therefrom can be added so as to obtain 

any desired voltage output therefrom. 

4,n3,945 

Woolf, Lawrence D.; Bass, John C., inventors; GA 

Technologies, Inc., assignee. Solar Cell with Low 

Infra·Red Absorption and Method of Manufacture. 

September 27, 1988. 

A cell for using solar radiation to generate 

electrical power comprises a direct band gap (or high 

absorption coefficient) substrate which is formed with at 

least one hole that extends from one side of the 

substrate to the other side of the substrate. A p-n 

junction formed with an emitter and a base is joined to 

one side of the substrate with the hole allowing means to 

make electrical contact with the base. A metallic layer 

is extended through the hole into electrical contact with 

the base to establish a low resistance path between the 

base of the p·n junction and the back side of the 

substrate. 

4,773,973 

Gruniger, Hans R.; Kern, Rudolf; Rys, Paul, inventors; 

Ciba-Geigy AG, assignee. Process for the Production of 

Polycrystalline Silicon Coatings by Electrolytic 

Deposition of Silicon. September 27, 1988. 

A novel process for the electrolytic deposition of 

silicon from a melt containing covalent silicon compounds, 

in particular silicon tetrahalides and furthermore 

aluminium halides, alkali metal halides and halides of 

transition metals is carried out at relatively low 

temperatures of 100° to 350°C in an inert atmosphere. 

The silicon is depOSited cathodically or anodically onto 

electrically conductive material. 

The silicon coatings are homogeneous and adhere 

firmly to the substrate. The coated materials can be used 

for the production of photoconductive or photovoltaic 

devices. 

4,n4,193 

Juergens, Wilfried, inventor; Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, 

assignee. Method for Avoiding Shorts in the 

Manufacture of Layered Electrical Components. 

September 27, 1988. 

A method for avoiding shorts between two separated 

layer electrodes in a layered electrical component, such 

as a solar cell having amorphous silicon layers, includes 

the steps of generating a first electrode layer on a 

substrate, generating an intermediate non·electrode layer. 

which may possibly have voids therein, over the first 

electrode, and generating a photo-resist layer on the 

intermediate layer which fills any voids which may exist 

in the intermediate layer. The substrate and the first 

electrode layer are transmissive for selected radiation, 

and the intermediate layer is non·transmissive for the 

selected radiation. The photo-resist is exposed in the 

voids by irradiation with the selected radiation through 

the substrate and the first electrode layer, so that the 

exposed photo-resist in the voids has a different 

Patents 17 
solubility than the unexposed remainder of the 

photo-resist. If the photo-resist is of the type such 

that irradiation polymerizes the exposed photo-resist, a 

polymerized plug will be present in any voids which may 

exist in the intermediate layer, so that when a second 

electrode layer is subsequently applied over the 

intermediate layer, no shorts will result through the 

voids. If the photo-resist is of the opposition type, the 

soluble photo-resist is removed from the voids, leaving a 

mask of polymerized photo-resist over the intermediate 

layer, and the voids are filled using the mask with an 

insulating material. The photo-resist mask is then 

removed and the second electrode layer is generated over 

the intermediate layer, wIth the insulating plugs again 

preventing the formation of shorts through the voids. 

4,774,194 

Hokuyo, Shigeru, inventor: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki 

Kaisha, assignee. Process for Manufacturing a Solar 

Celf Device. September 27, 1988. 

A process for manufacturing a solar cell device, 

including the steps of (1) forming, on a semiconductor 

substrate, a removable layer having a crystal lattice 

structure identical or similar to that of the substrate; 

(2) forming, on the removable layer, a solar cell 

structure having a crystal lattice structure identical or 

similar to that of the removable layer; (3) forming, on 

the solar cell structure, a reinforcement layer having a 

sufficient mechanical strength to support solar cell 

structure, the removal layer being formed of a material 

whose rate of etching is higher than that of the solar 

cell structure and the reinforcement layer; (4) and 

removing the removable layer by etching, to separate the 

solar cell structure supported by the reinforcement layer 

from the substrate, so that the surface of the solar cell 

structure for receiving incident light is exposed. 

4,775,425 

Guha, Subhendu; Ovshinsky, Stanford R., inventors; 

Energy Conversion Devices, INc_, assignee. P and 

N-Type Microcrystaffine Semiconductor Alloy Material 

Including Band Gap Widening Elements, Devices Utilizing 

Same. October 4, t 988. 

An n-type microcrystalline semiconductor alloy 

material including a band gap widening element; a method 

of fabricating p-type microcrystalline semiconductor 

alloy material including a band gap widening element; and 

electronic and photovoltaic devices incorporating said 

n-type and p-type materials. 

4,775,800 

Wood, Peter, inventor; Westinghouse Electric Corp., 

assignee. Power-Supply Apparatus. October 4, 1 988. 

Power supply apparatus including a generator of 

electrical energy, sucn as fuel cells, solar cells, MHO 

generators or the like, in which a storage battery is 

connected to the generator when the load exceeds its 

18 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988·t990 

output or for storing energy from the generator when the 

generator output exceeds the load. A differentially rated, 

current-sourced, dual converter is interfaced between the 

storage battery and the generator for controlling the 

flow of power into or out of the battery. 

4,775,865 

Smith, Michael R.; Davidson, J. Paul; Pfister, Henry L., 

inventors; E-Lited limited, A California limited 

Partnership, assignee. Emergency Vehicle Warning And 

Traffic ContrOl System. October 4, 1988. 

A system for providing early warning of the approach 

and egress of emergency vehicles in which the warning 

system provides a display to indicate the direction from 

which the emergency vehicle is approaching and in 

addition provides preemption control of the traffic 

signals at an intersection. A transmitter mounted on an 

emergency vehicle tramsits a signal whenever it is on an 

emergency call which is received by infrared (I.R.) 

receivers positioned at an intersection to respond to the 

transmittal signals. The received signal is then 

processed by a master controller which in turn pre-empts 

operation of traffic signals to control traffic flow at 

the intersection to which the emergency vehicle is 

approaching. The master controller also provides an 

output to display signs facing approaching on each road 

approaching the intersection which displays messages and 

symbols indicating the direction of the approaching 

emergency vehicle. Additionally, the display system 

indicates whether the emergency vehicle has passed 

through and is departing the intersection. After a 

predetermined interval when an emergency vehicle has 

passed through an intersection the display system is 

deactivated and the traffic signals are returned to the 

traffic light control system. 

4,775,923 

Schmid, Jurgen; Schatzle, Rainer, inventors; 

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der angewandten 

Forschung e V., assignee. Inverter For Converting A 

Direct Voltage Into An Alternating Voltage. October 4, 

1 988. 

In an inverter for converting a direct voltage into 

an alternating voltage, having a number of n circuit 

units connected in series between two outputs, each 

circuit unit comprising a series connection, having a 

direct voltage source and a switch with a switching 

connection, and a unidirectionally conducting circuit 

element disposed in parallel with the series connection, 

the inverter having a control unit which operates the 

switching connections of the switches to render the 

switches conductive or non-conductive, in order to 

minimize the circuitry the voltage values of the direct 

voltage sources have the values U = Uo.2 v(v =0, .. 

. not. 0 having any desired value, (and the control 

unit is an analog-digital converter (1) having an analog 

input and digital outputs (Av), whose analog input 

receives a reference alternating voltage and from whose 
digital outputs the 2v output is connected to the 

switch connection (Sv) of the switch of the circuit unit 

containing the voltage source with the voltage value Uv. 

Application to mains-connected phtovoltaic solar energy 

installations. 

4,776,893 

McLeod, Paul S.; Cape, John A; Fraas, Lewis M.; 

Partain, Larry D., inventors; Chevron Research Company, 

assignee. GaAs on GaSb Mechanically Stacked 

Photovoltaic Cells. Package Assembly, and Modules. 

October 11, 1 988. 

The present invention is an apparatus of mechanically 

stacked photovoltaic cells having two cells. The bottom 

cell has a layer of GaSb having regions of different 

conductivity forming a homojunction therein. The GaSb 

layer is sandwiched between a conductive substrate and a 

bottom passivating layer. In the bottom cell is a means 

for forming electrical contacts to the substrate and the 

incident surface of the bottom passivating layer. The top 

cell has a layer of GaAs having regions of different 

conductivity forming a homojunction therein. a top 

passivating layer contacting the surface of the layer of 

GaAs which is incident to solar radiation, and a means 

for forming electrical contacts to the layer of GaAs 

opposed to solar radiation and the incident surface of 

the passivating layer. 

4,776,894 

Watanabe, Kaneo; Nakashima, Yukio, inventors; Sanyo 

Electric Co., Ltd., assignee. Photovo/taic Device. 

October 11, 1 988. 

A first photovoltaic device according to the present 

invention comprises a plurality of unit photovoltaic 

cells layered in optical series, each unit photovoltaic 

cell including an optically active layer made of 

amorphous silicon and two impurity doped layers of 

opposite conductivity types arranged at opposite sides of 

the optically active layer; wherein a first impurity 

doped layer of a first unit photovoltaic cell located at 

the contact interface with a second unit photovoltaic 

cell is made of a first amorphous silicon alloy of first 

conductivity type, having an optically forbidden band 

width wider than that of amorphous silicon, and a second 

impurity doped layer of said second photovoltaic cell 

located at said contact interface is made of a second 

amorphous silicon alloy, different from said first 

amorphous silicon allOY, of opposite conductivity type 

from said first conductivity type, having an optically 

forbidden band width wider than that of the amorphous 

silicon. 

A second photovoltaic device according to the present 

invention further comprises an additional impurity doper 

layer of either of the two conductivity types and made of 

non-monacrystalline silicon, interposed between said 

first and second impurity layers. 

4,776,895 

Goldstein, Mark K, inventor; Quantum Group, Inc., 

assignee. Multiband Emitter Matched to Multilayer 

Photovoltaic Collector. October 1 1, 1 988. 

A thermophotovoltaic electric generating system 

provides high thermal to electric conversion efficiency 

by use of matched radiation emitter and radiation 

collector. The radiation emitter comprises ceramic 

materials which emit thermally stimulated quantum 

radiation in at least two characteristic wavelength bands 

when heated above a threshold temperature. By employing a 

low emissivity ceramic doped with rare earth metal oxide, 

mare than 50% of the radiation emitted from the surface 

can be concentrated in two or more characteristic 

wavelength bands. A multilayer photovoltaic device 

selectively absorbs the radiation at the characteristic 

wavelength bands for high electric conversion efficiency. 

An overlying layer of the photovoltaic collector 

selectively absorbs at least one of such characteristic 

wavelength bands and is transparent to another wavelength 

band which is absorbed by an underlying photovoltaic 

layer. Preferably the emitter is a porous fiber matrix 

surface combustion burner comprising primarily aluminum 

oxide, from 8 to 20% yttrium oxide, and a minor amount of 

rare earth metal oxide. A ceramic tube burner may be used 

in an embodiment with preheated air, the outside of the 

tube having such a thermally stimulated quantum emitter. 

4,77,023 

Fieselmann, Benjamin F., inventor; Solarex Corporation, 

assignee. Preparation Of Silicon And Germainum 

Hydrides Containing Two Different Group 4A Atoms. 

October 1 1, 1988. 

A method for preparing a hydride containing at least 

two different Group 4A atoms wherein at least one of the 

Group 4A atoms is silicon or germanium. The method 

includes the steps of reacting an alkali metal and a 

macrocyclic compound with a silicon or germanium hydride 

to form a salt. The salt is then reacted with a Group 4A 

halide. The resulting hydrides are useful as deposition 

feedstock material for use in the formation of 

hydrogenated amorphous silicon alloy in the fabrication 

of photovoltaic devices and other semiconductor devices. 

4,777,387 

Collins, Howard W., inventor, International Rectifier 

Corporation, assignee. Fast Turn-Off Circuit For 

Ph% voitaic Driven MOSFET. October 11 , 1988. 

A power MOSFET is controlled by illuminating a single 

photovoltaic generator which produces an output current 

which charges the gate capacitance of the power MOSFET to 

turn on the device. A sensing impedance which may be a 

diode, MOSFET or other component is connected between the 

photovoltaic generator and the gate of the power MOSFET. 

The senSing impedance forces the power MOSFET gate 

voltage instantaneously to follow the photovoltaic 

generator output voltage. The diode is connected in 

Patents 19 
series with the charging circuit and a switching 

transistor is connected in parallel with the gate 

capacitance of the MOSFET. The switching transistor base 

is coupled to the output of the photovoltaic source so 

that. when the photovoltaic source turns off. and the 

voltage of the photovoltaic source dacays below a 

predetermined value, the switching transistor turns on to 

short-circuit the MOSFET gate capacitance so that it can 

immediately discharge to provide fast turn-off of the 

power MOSFET. A dV/dt clamping circuit is provided to 

prevent false charging of the power MOSFET gate through 

its drain-to-gate capacitance. 

4,777,534 

Yaniv, Zvi; Cannella, Vincent D., inventors; Energy 

Conversion Devices, Inc., assignee. Ught Piping 

Substrate For Contact Type Image Replication. October 

11, 1988. 

Apparatus for the photogeneration of electrical 

signals representative of a detectable condition of an 

image-bearing surface. The apparatus includes an array of 

spaced, photosensitive elements formed from semiconductor 

alloy material and operatively disposed on a 

substantially [ass-free, light transmitting faceplate 

preferably formed from a fused array of oriented optical 

fibers. 

4,778,378 

Do[nick, Ear[ M.; Goldstein, Mark K, inventors; Quantum 

Group, Inc., assignee. Self-Powered Intermittent 

Ignition And Control System for Gas Combustion 

Appliances. Oclober 1 8, 1 988. 

A self-powered control system for a gas-fired 

appliance having a pilot burner and a main burner 

includes an emissive surface in the fiame of the pilot 

burner and a photovoltaic device for irradiation from the 

emissive surface for providing e[ectrical power for the 

control system. Two normally closed electromagnetic 

latching valves are arranged in series between a source 

of fuel gas and the main burner with a connection to the 

pilot burner between the two valves. The first valve is 

latched open when the photovoltaic device is irradiated 

by the emissive surface and is unlatched to close when 

the device is not so irradiated. The second valve is 

unlatched to close when the main burner is not burning. A 

double acting solenoid or the like is used for 

sequentially opening the first and second valves for 

lighting the pilot and main burners. A safe. reliable 

control system is thereby provided without external 

electrical power. Similar principles are used for 

powering a safety flue damper and air flow fan. 

4,778,478 

Barnett, Allen M., inventor, University of Delaware, 

assignee. Method Of Making Thin Film Photovo/taic 

Solar Cell. Octoher 18, 1 988. 

20 U.S. Photovoitaic Patents: 1 988-1990 

Solar cell quality semiconductors are grown using a 

constant temperature sliding boat liquid phase process in 

a continuous or semi-continuous mode. The growth is 

driven by applying a temperature gradient or other 

gradient across the melt, with the substrate at a cooler 

temperature, after thermal equilibrium is obtained 

between the solution and the substrate. Growthe occurs 

from the bottom of th solution to prevent contaminati�n 

of the growth layers by extraneous particles in the 

solution. 

4,779,980 

Hulstrom, Roland L.; Cannon, Theodore W., inventors; 

Midwest Research Institute, assignee. Atmospheric 

Optical Calibration System. October 25, 1 988. 

An atmospheric optical calibration system is provided 

to compare actual atmospheric optical conditions to 

standard atmospheric optical conditions on the basis of 

aerosol optical depth, relative air mass, and diffuse 

horizontal skylight to global horizontal photon flux 

ratio. An indicator can show the extent to which the 

actual conditions vary from standard conditions. Aerosol 

scattering and absorption properties, diffuse horizontal 

skylight to global horizontal photon flux ratio, and 

precipitable water vapor determined on a real-time basis 

for optical and pressure measurements are also used to 

generate a computer spectral model and for correcting 

actual performance response of a photovoltaic device to 

standard atmospheric optical condition response on a 

real-time basis as the device is being tested in actual 

outdoor conditions. 

4,781 ,119 

Davis. James G., inventor. Sofar-Rapid Mass Transit 

System. November 1, 1 988. 

A solar-powered rapid transit system is provided. 

which travels suspended above ground along a horizontal 

rail, supported by vertical/horizontal supports. The 

guide rail is basically a parallelogram, with five inner 

surfaces. It can be configured as either an overhead 

monorail system, or a birail system. The rail car is 

attached to and suspended from such rail by power 

transmission and support shafts. each of which attaches 

to a wheel box that fits into the horizontal guide rail. 

Power is transmitted to the wheels in each wheel box from 

several electric motors by a series of pulleys and belts 

in a unique configuration. Such wheels then propel the 

fail car or cars, which can be connected in series, down 

the rail. Power for electric motors is supplied by 

rectangular solar panels supported by vertical supports 

attached to the roof of each rail car, which extend 

several feet above the rail car and guide rails. Hinges 

allow the s�lar panels to pivot in the direction of the 

sun, to receive optimum sunlight for power generation. 

Storage batteries mounted atop each rail car would store 

generated solar power for night operation and periods 

when optimal sunlight is unavailable. An electronic 

sensor rod extending from each wheel box to a groove in 
the inner surface of the rail picks up system control 

signals and auxiliary power supplied by a municipal power 

utility from such groove. 

4,781,765 

Watanabe, Kaneo; Nakashima, Yukio, inventors; Sanyo 

Electric Co., Ltd., assignee. Photovoltaic Device. 

November 1, 1988. 

A photovoltaic device comprises a transparent front 

electrode, an amorphous semiconductor film containing at 

least one p+n junction and a metallic back electrode, 

wherein the n-Iayer neighboring on the back electrode 

includes at least one first type sub-layer of an alloyed 

amorphous silicon WhiCh contains not only hydrogen and a 

dopant for n-conductivity type but also at least one 

element selected from nitrogen, oxygen and carbon, and at 

least one second type sub-layer of an amorphous silicon 

which contains hydrogen and a dopant for n conductivity 

type. 

4,781,766 

Barnett, Allen M.; Hall, Robert B.; Edington, Jeff W.; 

Davidson, Alexander; Tiller, William A., inventors; 

Astrosystems, Inc., assignee. Fault Tolerant Thin-Film 

Photovoftaic Cell and Method. November 1, 1988. 

A thin-film solar cell is made up of semiconductor 

layers formed on an aluminum silicon eutectic aUoy 

substrate. The substrate includes an aluminum oxide 

insulator containing electrically conducting silicon 

nucleation sites which is interposed between the 

electrical contact of the substrate and the adjacent 

semiconductor. Grain boundaries and voids terminate on 

the insulator. The solar cell is fabricated by oxidizing 

the aluminum-silicon substrate to form a layer of 

aluminum oxide with unactivated silicon site material 

dispersed therein and activating the silicon nucleation 

sites during growth of the semiconductor layers. 

4,781,767 

Toda, Kohji; Takahashi, Kohji; Niwa, Yasuo, inventors; 

TDK Corporation, assignee. Photoelectric Conversion 

Device. November 1, 1 988. 

A photoelectric conversion device in which a thin 

crystalline Pb-Cr oxide film is formed on the surface of 

a substrate and a pair of spaced apart conductive film 

electrodes are formed on the thin film. The thin 

crystalline Pb-Cr oxide film is formed by a vacuum 

evaporation process using a sintered body prepared from 

PbO and Cr 203 as a target and heat treating the 

thin film in an atmosphere containing Pb. 

4,782,276 

Guterman, Charles, inventor; Solems, assignee. 

Bectrie Signal Generator System And Its Application. 

November 1, 1988. 

The invention concerns an electrical signal generator 

system and its applications. According to the invention, 

the signal generator system includes at least one 

electric current generator of the photovoltaic cell type 

and an impulse generator fed by the cell, and delivering 

a signal which is a function of the electrical energy 

delivered by the cell. The invention is applicable in 

particular to driving a step-by-step motor or to feeding 

a light integrator. 

4,782,376 

Catalano, Anthony W., inventor; General Electric Company, 

assignee. Photovoltaic Device With Increased Open 

Circuit Voltage. November 1, 1 988. 

A photovoltaic device having an increased open 

circuit voltage includes a body of semiconductor material 

between layers of opposite conductivity type, one of 

which has a wide bandgap energy and through which light 

enters the device. The body includes a first region 

closest to the wide bandgap layer and a second region 

with bandgap energy of the first region being greater 

than that of the second region and less than or equal to 

that of the wide bandgap layer. 

4,782,432 

Coffman, Stephen L., inventor; ME Generations Inc., 

assignee. Multi-Function Ught. N9vember 1 , 1988. 

A multi-function portable illuminating device in 

which plural lamps, such as a spotlight, a fluorescent 

Hght and a strobe light, are disposed within a housing 

and are selectively connected to a rechargeable battery. 

The battery may be charged by conventional charging 

current generators which may be connected to a charging 

circuit within the housing or, alternatively, solar cells 

disposed within the housing may be used to supply a 

charging current to the battery. Advantageously, the 

housing is waterproof; and a remote switching device is 

used to select one of the lights for illumination. 

Preferably, the remote switching device is formed of 

plural magnetic reed switches and one or more magnets 

which may be moved to proximity with a selected one of 

the switches, thereby completing a circuit to a 

respective light. 

4,782,617 

Peikin, Aaron J., inventor; None, assignee. Water 

Temperature Measurement Apparatus. November 8, 1988. 

A water temperature measuring device includes a 

temperature sensor which is located adjacent one end of 

an elongated member such as a hiking/wading staff or a 

fishing rod. A temperature readout device is located in 

the vicinity of the other end of the elongated member. 

The output of the temperature sensor is electrically 

coupled to the temperature readout device which is 

powered by an electric storage battery or a solar power 

supply contained in a handle of the hiking/wading staff 

or fish rOd. In another embodiment, the temperature 

Patents 21 
readout device is located in a fishing reel which is 

mounted on the handl� of the fishing rod. Mounting of the 

reel on the rod causes the making of electrical contact 

between the readout device and the temperature sensor and 

power source. 

4,782,628 

Gaddis, John J., inventor. Gate Opening Apparatus. 

November 8, 1 988. 

A housing and telescoping arm are supported by a 

shaft pivot pivotally mounted in the ground. The 

telescoping arm includes a rotating rod actuator 

journalled for rotation in a bearing mounted atop the 

shaft. The rod includes a threaded portion extending 

longitudinally from the shaft to the gate. A traveling 

tubular member is mounted concentncally with the rod and 

includes a block having a threaded bore for receiving the 

threads of the rod. The arm is connected to the gate 

through a pinned connection between one end of the 

traveling member and a lower rail of the gate. Relative 

rotation between the rod and the traveling member is 

prevented by the pinned connection. As a result, the 

traveling member extends outwardly and retracts inwardly 

in response to the counter-clockwise and clockwise 

rotation respectively of the rod. A motor an� 

transmission for driving the rod in rotation are mounted 

in the housing along with a motor control circuit The 

motor control circuit receives a start switch signal and 

shuts the motor off after the gate has swung to either 

the open or closed positions by receiving a stop signal 

from a limit switch. The direction of the motor is 

reversed each time a signal is received from a limit 

switch so that the gate is alternately opened and closed 

by the apparatus. The apparatus can be used in areas not 

supplied with commercial power, since it is battery 

powered. A solar cell panel recharges the battery so that 

a completely self-sufficient operation is provided. 

4,783,373 

Baumeister, Philip W.; Krrsl. Matthew E., inventors; 

Optical Coating Laboratory, Inc .• assignee. Article 

With Thin Film Coating Having An Enhanced Emissivity And 

Reduced Absorption Of Radiant Energy. November 8, 1 988. 

A coating useful for. a solar cell is formed by 

concurrent deposition of two materials, such as silicon 

dioxide and magnesium fluoride, on a substrate within a 

single vacuum chamber. The deposition is monitored to 

enable control of the ratio of the materials and the 

thickness of the coating. An alternative embodiment of a 

coating employs alternating layers of different materials 

which form pairs or periods, each having a very small 

optical thickness. By virtue of the coatings, emissivity 

is enhanced by suppression of the reststrahlen 

reflectance and solar absorption is reduced by external 

reflection of the ultraviolet portion of the solar 

spectrum. 

22 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988·1990 

4,783,421 

Carlson. David E.; Dickson, Charles R.; D'Aiello, 

Robert V" inventors; Solarex Corporation, assignee. 

Method For Manufacturing Electrical Contacts For A 

Thin-Film Semiconductor Device. November 8, 1988. 

A method of fabricating spaced-apart back contacts on 

a thin film of semiconductor materials by farming strips 

of buffer material on top of the semiconductor material 

in locations corresponding to the desired dividing lines 

between back contacts, forming a film of metal 

substantially covering the semiconductor material and 

buffer strips, and scribing portions of the metal film 

overlying the buffer strips with a laser without 

contacting the underlying semiconductor material to 

separate the metal layer into a plurality of back 

contacts. The buffer material serves to protect the 

underlying semiconductor- material from being damaged 

during the laser scribing. Back contacts and multi-cell 

photovoltaic modules incorporating such back contacts 

also are disclosed. 

4,783,589 

And6, Hideo, inventor; Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, 

assignee. Focus And TraCking Detection Apparatus For 

Optical Head Employing Ught Guide Means Having Different 

Radii of Curvature. November 8, 1 988. 

In an optical head, a laser beam emitted from a 

semiconductor laser is collimated by a collimator lens 

and is incident on a beam splitter. The laser beam 

passing through the beam splitter is and a quarter wave 

plate converged by an objective lens onto an optical disk 

and reflected by the optical disk. The reflecte� laser 

beam passing through the objective lens and the quarter 

wave plate is returned to the beam splitter and is 

reflected from a polarizing surface of the splitter. The 

reflected laser beam is guided to a beam emerging surface 

of the prism. the surface being defined by a flat surface 

and a semicylindrical concave surface. The laser beam is 

separated at the surfaces and converged by a projection 

lens onto a photodetector. 

4,783,598 

McAdams. Charles K., inventor; Teles Computer Products, 

Inc., assignee. Optically Coupled Interface For 

Portable Semi-Conductor Data Media. November 8, 1988. 

An optically coupled data interface formed of a host 

device having apparatus to receive data in optical format. 

the host device having apparatus to impart optical data 

initiating signals. a portable module adaptable to 

interface with the host device and having an optically 

responsive window adapted to receive optical data 

initiating signals from the host device and means 

self-contained in the portable module controlling the 

optically responsive window to impart data onto optical 

signals receivable by the host device. 
�,783,799 

Maass, Joachim A" inventor. Electronic Communications 

And Control System. November 8, 1988. 

A fully distributed, disposable. self-organizing, 

independently powered communications system is described 

capable of providing a radio- communications channel in 

environments that may prove dangerous or inaccessible to 

humans and may be hostile to communications systems by 

exposing them to electromagnetic interference. obstacles 

to line-of-sight operation and threats to survival. 

4,784,215 

Sing, Peter, inventor. Thermal Insulating Shades. 

November 15, 1 9S8. 

A thermal insulating shade is made up of a plurality 

of panels, spaced apart and defining a serpentine air 

flow path between them. A blower connected to the airflow 

path ventilates the shade to augment its insulating 

effect As least one of the panels has a highly 

reflective surface to reflect heat. The shade is 

reversible and removable and useful for insulating 

building windows and vehicle windows and windshields. 

4,784,700 

Stern, Theodore G.; Cornwall, Mickey; Kaincz, Bela; 

Mildice, James W., inventors; General Dynamics 

Corp.lSpace Systems Div., assignee. POint Focus Solar 

Concentrator Using Reflector Strips at Various Geometries 

to Form Primary and Secondary Reflectors. November 15, 

1 988. 

A point focus solar concentrator which uses various 

geometries of cylindrical reflector strips some of which 

are tilted to simulate·.a point focus by overlaying the 

line focii of each segment at a coincident point. Several 

embodiments of the invention are disclosed that use 

cylindrical parabolic, cylindrical hyperbolic or flat 

reflector strips to concentrate incident solar energy for 

use by a solar dynamic engine located at the focal point 

Also disclosed is a combined photovoltaiclsolar dynamic 

engine concentrator energy system that uses this 

arrangement of mirrors. 

4,784,701 

Sakai, Hiroshi; Wakamatsu, Seiji; Ikeda, Shigeru, 

inventors; Fuji Electric Corporate Research and 

Development Ltd.; Seiji Wakamatsu; Shigeru Ikeda, 

assignee. Multi-Layered Thin Film Solar Cel/. 

November 15, 1 988. 

A multi-layered thin film solar cell is provided, 

which includes a substrate, a plurality of transparent 

electrodes, and a plurality of groups of photoelectric 

conversion elements formed of semiconductor material and 

forming successive photoelectric conversion layers. The 

layers have optical band gaps which decrease successively 

in a direction away from a side of the cell adapted to 

receive incident light. The groups of elements forming 

the layers are laminated on the substrate. Each of the 

elements belonging to one of the groups is connected in 

series with one of the elements belonging to another of 

the groups and is connected in parallel with other 

elements in the group to which it belongs. 

4,784,702 

Henri, Yves, inventor; Thomson-CSF, assignee. PIN 

Photodiode Formed From an Amorphous Semiconductor. 

November 15, 1 988. 

The invention provides a PIN photodiode in which a1 

least one of the P, I, N layers is formed by a 

composition multHayer including undoped superimposed 

layers of amorphous semiconductor and undoped insulator. 

In one embodiment, the P and N layers are formed by an 

amorphous multi-layer, with five periods for the P layer 

and nine periods for the N layer, and the I layer is 

formed from an amorphous semiconductor. 

4,785,226 

Fujisawa, Hidetaka; Wakita, Katsuhiro, inventors; Casio 

Computer Co., Ltd., assignee. Powder Supply Device 

With Solar Cell. November 15, 1988. 

A power supply device with a solar cell is made up of 

a solar cell, a secondary battery, and a voltage control 

unit. The voltage control unit controls the output 

voltage of the solar cell, and produces first and second 

output voltages. The first output voltage is for charging 

the secondary battery. The second output voltage is for 

driving a circuit, such as the logic circuit of an 

electronic calculator. 

4,785,435 

Inoue, Yuichi; Nakamura, Chiaki; Ohtawa, Shuji; Masaki, 

Hiroyukl, inventors; Seiko Instruments, Inc., assignee. 

Self-Chargeable Electronic Timepiece with Operating 

Voltage CheCking. November 15, 1988. 

A self-chargeable timepiece includes a pair of small 

and large capacitors having respective small and large 

capacities and selectively disconnectably connected at 

their respective terminals to time-keeping circuitry and 

a solar cell. The pair of small and large capacitors 

cooperate with each other during the momentary operation 

of the solar cell for selectively receiving and storing 

the electric charge to develop respective terminal 

voltages across their respective terminals even after the 

momentary operation of the solar cell. A detector 

periodically detects the terminal voltages of the small 

and large capacitors during the time-keeping operation. A 

switching circuit responds to the detected terminal 

voltages for selectively connecting and disconnecting the 

small and large capacitors to and from the time-keeping 

circuitry to enable the small and large capacitors to 

selectively power the time-keeping circuitry. A 

regulating circuit operates when the time-keeping 

circuitry is powered by the small capacitor for 

regulating the detector to effect the periodical 

Patents 23 
detection of the terminal voltages as relatively short 

time intervals and operates when the time-keeping circuit 

is powered by the large capacitor for regulating the 

detector to effect the periodical detection of the 

terminal voltages at relatively long time intervals. 

4,785,436 

Sase, Masahiro, inventor; Citizen Watch Co., Ltd., 

assignee. Photovo/taic Electronic Timepiece. 

November 1 5, 1 988. 

In an electronic timepiece powered by a photovoltaic 

cell, the supply voltage fluctuates a great deal due to 

the varying amounts of light received by the photovoltaic 

cell. This presents special considerations for a low 

voltage alarm circuit. The present invention combines two 

alarms. First, there is a charging alarm which responds 

to voltage and which indicates that voltage is low and 

that the amount of light should be increased. If the 

light is increased, the circuit will continue to operate 

and no reset operation is needed. If on the other hand 

the voltage drops to the point where the circuit actually 

stops, a stop alarm is activated. The stop alarm is not 

responsive to voltage level. Instead, it is responsive to 

the fact that the circuit's oscillator has stopped. 

Furthermore, the stop alarm is provided with a memory and 

it will not automatically be reset if the voltage is 

increased. 

4,786,607 

Yamazaki, Shumpei; Suzuki, Kunia; Fukada, Takeshi; Abe, 

Masayoshi; Kobayashi, Ippei; Shibata, Katsuhiko; 

Susukida, Masato; Negayama, Susumu; Koyanagi, Kaoru, 

inventors; SemicondUctor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd., 

assignee. Method for Manufacturing A Semiconductor 

Device Free From Current Leakage Through A Semiconductor 

Layer. November 22, 1988. 

An improved semiconductor device is disclosed which 

is free from current leakage due to pin-holes or other 

gaps. Also an improved method for processing a 

semiconductor device is shown. According to the invention, 

gaps produced in fabricating process of the semiconductor 

layer are filled with insulator in advance of deposition 

of electrodes. 

4.786,795 

Kurashima, Shozo; Umezawa, Yasuhiko, inventors; Kyocera 

Corporation, assignee. Sun Tracking Device Floating 

Upon Uquid Surface. November 22, 1 988. 

This invention relates to a sun tracking device which 

provides efficient utilization of sun light by tracking 

the motion of the sun, so that the light of the sun may 

be received in a sun light utilization device for 

performing solar power generation or solar power 

collection. Efficient utilization of solar power is 

achieved by using a rotatable table floatingly supported 

on the surface of a liquid, with a pair of solar cells 

mounted on this table which also carries the solar power 

24 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1 988-1990 

utilization device. The solar cells have different light 

receiving directions, and function as a sun light 

position detecting means". The table is rotated according 

to the output of the solar cells by means of screws, 

pumps, drive belts, or the like. 

4,786,851 

Fuji, Sadao; Yamawski, Takeharu; Takamatsu, Osamu; 

Kuwamura, Shinji; Suenobu, Kazuhiro; Nakano Hiroshi, 

inventors; Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, 

assignee. Battery Charger. November 22, 1 988. 

This invention relates to a battery charger which 

supplementally charges a secondary battery such as a 

battery and so forth in an automobile with use of a solar 

cell in which a diffusion-blocking layer is formed 

between a semiconductor and a reverse electrode for the 

purpose of preventing deterioration of a semicondcutor 

layer. and in which electriC potential of the secondary 

battery can be measured and displayed, and in which the 

solar cell can be securely provided in a compartment of 

an automobile in such a manner that the solar cell always 

faces sunbeams, and which can be freely attached and 

detached. 

4,787,167 

Wroclawski, Michel T., inventor. Apparatus Artificial 

Fishing Lures Having Variable Characteristics. 

November 29, 1 988. 

Apparatus is disclosed for an artificial fishing lure 

and, more particularly, to such a lure in which various 

characteristics of the lure, such as color, operating 

depth and/or scent, can be varied by a user. 

4,787,580 

Ganssle, Eugene R., inventor; General Electric Company, 

assignee. Large Solar Arrays with High Natural 

Frequencies. November 29, 1988. 

A solar array structure for use with satellites 

requiring large areas of solar arrays. Each array is a 

single continuous structure having continuous 

longitudinal members which in a stowed condition enable 

the panel to be wrapped around the satelite within its 

launch vehicle. In a deployed configuration, the 

longitudinal members are reconfigured to provide 

substantially increased stiffness in the direction of 

winding. 

4,788,582 

Yamamoto, Hideaki; Seki, Koichi; Tanaka, Toshihiro; 

Sasano, Akira; Tsukada, Toshihisa; Shimomoto, Yasuharu; 

Nakano, Toshio; Kanamori, Hideto. inventors; Hitachi. 

Ltd., assignee. Semiconductor Device and Method of 

Manufacturing the Same. November 29, 1988. 

A semiconductor device such as a solar cell, 

photodiode and solid state imaging device comprises a 

semiconductor layer made of amorphous silicon formed on a 
given substrate, and a transparent conductive layer 

formed by an interfacial reaction between the amorphous 

silicon and a metallic film directly formed on the 

amorphous silicon. This transparent conductive layer is 

used as a transparent electrode of the device and if 

necessary the remainder after having partially removed 

the metallic film for the transparent conductive layer is 

used as a conductive layer and right shielding film. 

4,788,593 

Ovshinsky, Stanford R.; Norris, Lawrence G., inventors; 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc., assignee. High 

Resolution Scanning System Including Optical 

Enlargement. November 29, 1 988. 

A method for the high resolution sensing of a pattern 

of information so as to provide an output signal 

corresponding thereto includes the novel steps of 

optically generating an enlarged image of the pattern of 

information and sensing that enlarged image with a thin 

film photosensor array. By the use of optical enlargement, 

the effective resolution of the sensor array is 

increased. Apparatus utilizing this method may be 

employed in conjunction with printers or display devices 

to provide high resolution images of information being 

scanned. 

4,788,594 

Ovshinsky, Stanford R.; Norris, Lawrence G., inventors; 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc., assignee. Sofid State 

Electronic Camera Including Thin Film Matrix of 

Photosensors. November 29, 1.988. 

A thin film photosensor array for an electronic 

camera, said array adapted to provide an electrical 

signal corresponding to an image projected thereon. The 

photosensor array is preferably fabricated as a large 

area matrix of thin film, small area photosensitive 

elements capable of providing high resolution output in 

response to input from conventional camera optical 

system. The photosensor array can be specifically 

tailored to provide color output or particular spectral 

sensitivity. 

4,788,899 

Chandler, Charles E., inventor; AAI Corporation, 

assignee. Ammunition With Internal Ught-Settable 

Pickup Arrangement For Digital Memory Storage. 

December 6, 1 988. 

A projectile having a Jight�settable photodetector 

assembly, in the form of � plurality of photovoltaic cell 

units mounted internally of the projectile, with 

corresponding respective light passageways, formed 

preferably by optical fibers, connecting between the 

exterior of the projectile and the photocell units. 

Circumferential angular position indexing means is 

provided on the projectile for index location of an 

external light source setting device therewith. Each 

photodetector also electrically connects with an 

electrical signal storage unit, in the form of a 

capacitor, which is activated by light acting on the 

photodetector, thereby enabling inputting and storage of 

a selected composite digital signal. 

4,788,904 

Radtke, Wolfgang, inventor; Siemens AktiengeselJschaft, 

assignee. Assembly for Cooling Vehicle Parts. 

December 6, 1988. 

A solar energy collector for an automotive vehicle 

comprises an absorber panel and a cover panel spaced from 

one another to form an air flow channel. The passenger 

compartment of the vehicle communicates with air flow 

channel via one or more openings, while the air flow 

channel communicates at a down-stream side with the 

ambient atmosphere via one or more air outlets. The cover 

panel is made of a material transparent solar energy and 

transfers the heat energy so produced to air flowing 

through the air flow channel from the passenger 

compartment. The absorber panel is provided with support 

ribs on which the cover panel rests and with deflection 

ribs for deflecting the air stream and thereby enhancing 

heat transfer characteristics. The cover panel is 

advantageously connected to the absorber panel in a form 

lock fit which facilitates cleaning and maintenance of 

the absorber panel. 

4,789,408 

Fitzsimmons, James W., inventor. Solar Co{fector. 

December 6, 1988. 

A solar collection device and method including a 

corrugated front suriace and a plurality of fins for 

refracting and concentrating solar radiation on a 

photovoltaic cell. The device uses a clear material to 

refract and concentrate solar radiation and conductively 

cool the system. A modular system of solar collecting 

devices which employs a plurality of devices connected to 

one another to provide a large power output, simple 

assembly, replaceability, and expandability is also 

disclosed. 

4,789,641 

Inuzuka, Takahiko, inventor; Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki 

Kaisha, assignee. Method of Manufacturing Amorphous 

Photovoltaic-Cell Module. December 6, 1988. 

In this invention a unitary amorphous photovoltaie 

cell is first formed, the unitary amorphous photovoltaic 

cell is subsequently cut into sections each including at 

least one digitated collector, thereby to form individual 

amorphous photovoltaie cells, and lastly the digitated 

collector of each individual amorphous photovoltaic cell 

and the exposed narrow portions of a lower electrode Of 

the adjacent individual amorphous photovoltaic cell are 

connected in electrical series. 

Patents 25 
4,790,883 

Sichanugrist, Porponth; Knapp, Karl E., inventors. 

Low Ught Level Solar Cell. December 13, 1 988. 

A photovoltaic cell of the thin film silicon p-i-n 

class in which a microcrystalline silicon film is used in 

place of the p or n region of the p-i-n structure and is 

simultaneously used as the corresponding current 

collecting film. 

4,791,413 

Lyczek, Kazimierz E., inventor. Soil Moisture Detector 

With Ught Activated Audio Alarm Inhibitor. December 

13, 1 988. 

The soil moisture alarm device comprising of a 

conductivity sensor, a photoelectric light sensor, an 

ON-OFF controllable audio generator, a buzzer and a DC 

battery as a source of power. The device can be placed in 

the pot permanently. It will not work without ambient 

light, so that it will not disturb people at night when 

they are sleeping. 

4,791,467 

Amingual, Daniel; Felix, Pierre, inventors; Commissariat 

A L'Energie Atomique, assignee. Heterojunction HgCdTe 

Photovoltaic Detector and its Production Process. 

December 13, 1 988. 

Heterojunction HgCdTe detector has in order, a first 

type P Hgl .xlCdxiTe monocrystalline semiconductor 

layer, Xl being a number between 0 and 1, containing 

a first type P region, a second type P 

H9l•xlCd)/2 Te monocrystalline semiconductor layer, 

X2 being a number higher than Xl between 0 and 1, 

containing a second type N region which faces and is in 

contact with the first region, an electrical insulant for 

collecting the electric signal produced in said first 

region, said contact element having a part traversing the 

second region and partly penetrating the first region 

with application to infrared radiation detection. 

4,791,621 

Wild, Gerhard; Haller, Edgar, inventors; Junghans Uhren 

GmbH, assignee. Solar Cell Powered Clock Having A 

Decorative Pendulum. December 13, 1 988. 

A solar powered electric clock of the type configured 

as a traditional 40Q·day clock with a torsional pendulum 

includes a housing in which the clockworks, dial face and 

hands are disposed. The housing is supported over a base 

by means of vertical columns. Solar cells are mounted in 

a top surface of the base, along with a storage 

capacitor. No battery is required. A radio signal 

receiver mechanism for setting the time in response to 

external radio sIgnals can be provided and mounted in the 

house or base. A pendulum drive mechanism can be mounted 

in the housing or base. The clockworks is driven by a 

motor which can be mounted in the housing or base. 

26 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988·1990 

4,792,749 

Kitagawa, Nobutaka; Ito, Makoto, inventors; Kabushiki 

Kaisha Toshiba, assignee. Power Source Voltage 

Detector Device Incorporated in LSI Circuit. December 

20, 1 988. 

A voltage regulator for an output voltage of a solar 

cell is formed together with an LSI circuit on a single 

chip. The voltage regulator includes a bias circuit as a 

CMOS current mirror circuit constituted by MOS 

transistors designed to operate in weak inversion regions. 

a constant current circuit constituted by a parasitic 

bipolar transitor, a voltage divider having a plurality 

of MOS tranSistors whose current paths are connected in 

series with each other, a comparator constituted by a 

CMOS differential amplifier, and a current path of CMOS 

transistor, thereby assuring low current consumption, a 

highly stable regulated output, and a high packing 

density of the LSI circuit 

4,793,799 

Goldstein, Mark K.; Dolnick, Earl M., inventors; Quantum 

Group, Inc., assignee. Photovoltaic Control System. 

December 27, 1 988. 

An apparatus is disclosed for contrOlling oxidation 

of a fuel in an oxidation source. The apparatus includes 

photovoltaic means for receiving electromagnetic 

radiation from the oxidation source and for producing 

electric power having a given electric power magnitude. 

An oxidation control is coupled to, and driven, by the 

photovoltaic means for controlHng the oxidation. The 

oxidation is adjusted when the electric power is less 

than the given electric power magnitude. Oxidation may 

also be adjusted when a hazardous gas is detected. The 

apparatus may also be used to maintain the efficiency of 

the combustion source. A novel arrangement for operating 

a fuel control valve is also disclosed. An apparatus for 

controlling a portable heater is also disclosed. 

4,794,027 

Hering, Reinhard F., inventor. Process for Coating A 

Base Material With An Elastomer and Product Produced By 

Such Process. December 27, 1988. 

A process is provided herein for coating a preformed, 

porous base material comprising a mineral fibrous or 

particle material or an organic fibrous or particle 

material or mixtures thereof to provide a novel preformed 

base material. The process comprises applying at 

atmospheric pressure a coating of a vulcanizable 

elastomeric material in unvulcanized farm to a surface of 

such preformed, porous base material. The e!astomeric 

material is permanently adhered to the performed porous 

base material by a hot press, hot vulcanization step. In 

this way the elastomeric material is substantially 

simultaneously both adhered securely to one outer surface 

of the base material and is penetrated and impregnated 

below and into the same surface of the base material to 

be within the porous structure of the base material, and 
is vulcanized therein in situ by the joint action of a 

pressure of about 50 to about 500 Newton/cm2 at a 

temperature of about 1 200 C, to about 3000 C. 

4,794,247 

Stineman, Jr., John A., inventor; Santa Barbara Research 

Center, assignee. Read-Out Amplifier For Photovoltaic 

Detector. December 27, 1 988. 

A read-out amplifier for a phatovoltaic detector 

employs an integrating amplifier with capacitor feedback 

during a self-calibrating active load to minimize 

debiasing of the photovoltaic detector during its 

operation. The self-calibrating active load reduces the 

effect of noise and threshold nonuniformities of the 

semiconductor devices used in the read-out amplifier 

circuitry. 

4,794,305 

Matsukawa, Takyuki, inventor; Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki 

Kaisha, assignee. Substrate Support Structure For Ion 

Implanta

.

tion Device. December 27, 1 988. 

A substrate support structure for an ion implantation 

device comprises a plurality of substrate holders 

supporting sample substrates so that each sample 

substrate can be rotated around an axis perpendicular to 

its main surface and so that the angle of inclination of 

said main surface with respect to ion beams can be 

changed, a rotary drive for rotatively driving the sample 

substrates, an inclination angle adjuster for changing 

the angle of inclination of the sample substrate with 

respect to ion beams, and a rotary disk rotatably 

installed and supporting the plurality of substrate 

holders on the same circumference with the center at its 

rotary axis. 

1989 

H667 

Bedair, Salah M.; Markunas, Robert J.; Timmons, Michael 

L.; Hutchby, James A.; Hauser, John A., inventors; The 

United States of America as represented by the Secretary 

of the Air Force, assignee. Patterned Tunnel 

Junction. September 5, 1989. 

A multijunction solar cell is disclosed which uses a 

patterned intercell ohmic connection as the tunnel 

junction to connect a top solar cell in electrical and 

optical series with a bottom solar cell. By confirming 

this patterned tunnel junction to shadowed areas directly 

beneath the top surface metallization grid, the tunnel 

junction is set free from the requirement that it be 

transparent and have band gaps greater than or equal to 

those of the top solar cell. 

This is a Statutory Invention Registration. A 

statutolY invention registration is not a patent. It has 

the defensive attributes of a patent but does not have 

the enforceable attributes of a patent. No article or 

advertisement or the like may use the term patent, or any 

term suggestive of a patent, when referring to a 

statutolY invention registration. For more specific 

information on the rights associated with a statutOIY 

invention registration, see 35 U.S.C. 157. 

303,244 

Hanak, Joseph J., inventor; Energy Conversion Devices, 

Inc., assignee. Combined Flexible Solar Cell Panel and 

Deployment/Storage Mast. September 5, 1989. 

Fig. 1 is a top, front perspective view of a combined 

flexible solar cell panel and deploymenVstorage mast 

showing my new design, the solar cell cell panel and 

deploymenVstorage mast showing my new design, the solar 

cell panel being in stowed condition; Figs. 2 and 3 are 

respectively top front perspective views thereof showing 

the solar cell panel in the partially and the fully 

deployed conditions. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are respectively, 

top rear perspective views thereof showing the solar cell 

panel in the stowed, partially deployed, and fully 

deployed conditions; and Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are 

respectively, top plan views thereof showing the solar 

cell panel in the stowed, partially deployed and fully 

deployed conditions, the bottom being a mirror image of 

the top in all conditions. 

4,794,715 

Cherwin, Charles, inventor. Motor-Driven Map Holder. 

January 3, 1989. 

A roller-type map or shade holder is provided which 

is operated by an electric motor. In one embodiment, a 

simple drive clutch arrangement decouples the motor drive 

shaft from the map roller when the map is fully unwound 

or rewound. 

4,795,50 

Kishi, Vasuo; Inoue, Hiroshi; Tanaka, Hiroyuki, 

inventors; Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., assignee. 

Photovo/taic Device. January 3, 1989. 

A photovoltaic device comprises a transparent 

insulating substrate, a transparent front electrode layer 

on the substrate, a semiconductor layer for photoelectric 

conversion on the front electrode layer, and a metallic 

back electrode layer on the semiconductor layer, wherein 

at least the back electrode layer has a plurality of 

holes for transmission of light. 

4,795,501 

StanbelY, Billy J., inventor; The Boeing Company, 

assignee. Single Crystal, Heteroepitaxial, 

GaAIAsiCulnSe2 Tandem Solar Cell and Method of 

Manufacture_ JanualY 3, 1989. 

Patents 27 
Solar cells having high efficiency and high specific 

power are prepared in an "upside-down" process by 

depositing a lattice mismatch transition zone of 

ZnS}(Se)( and CdyZn1_ySzSel_z on a 

CLEFT, double-heterostructure, single crystal, 

GaaAl1_aAs/GaAs thin film followed by deposition 

of a CulnSe2 thin film on the transition zone. 

4,796,370 

Chang, Kwangling, inventor. Numerical Display 

Module. January 10, 1 989. 

The relatively large size seven-segmented numerical 

display module consists of six peripheral segments having 

the same shape and size. Each segment is operated by a 

transmission mechanical gear assembly and a low voltage 

direct current motor. Only a low energy solar cell and/or 

battery is required to operate all the segments so as to 

provide a selected numerical display. 

4,797,535 

Martin, Wayne A., inventor. Tungsten-Halogen Heater. 

January 10, 1989. 

A method and apparatus for heating by use of 

tungsten-halogen heating elements. A space heater for use 

with a radiator or other heat using apparatus employs the 

principle of collecting heat emitted by a 

tungsten-halogen element by use of a heat transfer fluid, 

be it gaseous, liquid or liquid-emulating solids, and 

transferring the heat therefrom to a reseNoir, other 

storage means or radiator. A specially devised " pancake 

element" is employed in the preferred embodiment so as to 

provide a maximum surface area for the radiation and 

subsequent transfer of heat, which emanates from the 

element, to a transfer fluid. With the exception of the 

disc-shaped outer envelope, the heating element of the 

instant invention resembles the conventional 

tungsten-halogen lamp. Adjunct DC power generation is 

acquired through use of photovoltaic cellular arrays. 

4,798,660 

Ermer, James H.; Love, Robert B., inventors; Atlantic 

Richfield Company, assignee. Method for Forming 

CulnSe2 Films. January 17, 1989. 

A method for fabricating a copper indium diselenide 

semiconductor film comprising use of DC magnetron 

sputtering apparatus to sequentially deposit a first film 

of copper on a substrate and a second film of indium on 

the copper film. Thereafter the substrate with copper and 

indium films is heated in the presence of gas containing 

selenium at a temperature selected to cause 

interdiffusion of the elements and formation of a high 

quality copper indium diselenide film. In a preferred 

form, an insulating substrate is used and an electrical 

contact is first deposited thereon in the same DC 

magnetron sputtering apparatus prior to deposition of the 

copper and indium films. 

28 U.S. Photovolta;c Patents: 1 988-1990 

4,798,808 

Berman, Elliot inventor; Atlantic Richfield Company, 

assignee. Photoconductive Device Containing 

Electroless Metal Deposited Conductive Layer. January 

17, 1 989. 

A photoconductive device having an electroless metal 

deposited conductive layer is provided. The conductive 

layer is deposited upon n + Si:H alloy. The electroless 

metal deposited Jayer can be used as the back contact of 

a solar cell or as a metal contact for other types of 

photoconductive devices. 

4,799,778 

Jebens, Robert W., inventor; General Electric Company, 

assignee. Fresnel Lens Concentrator. January 24, 

t 989. 

The Fresnel lens concentrator is formed by a 

specially designed Fresnel lens and a solar cell located 

on the axis of the lens at its focal plane. The lens is 

designed so that its central facets project the light 

from the sun towards the outer periphery of the cell and 

facets progressively toward the periphery of the lens 

project light progressively toward the center of the cell 

to obtain a uniform distribution of light on the cell. 

Adjacent groups of facets of the lens project the light 

alternately in front and beyond the cell to maintain a 

constant tight intenSity for a certain depth of focus of 

the lens. 

4,799,968 

Watanabe, Kaneo; Iwamoto, Masayuki; Minami, Koji, 

inventors; Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., assignee. 

Photovo/taic Device. January 24, 1989. 

A photovoltaic device comprises a semiconductor layer 

of hydrogenated amorphous silicon for photoelectric 

conversion, in which the proportion of silicon atoms 

bonded to two hydrogen atoms to all the silicon atoms is 

not more than 1 %. 

4,800,803 

Farmont. Rolf, inventor; Farmont Production GmbH & Co., 

KG, assignee. Ventilation Device. January 31, 1 989. 

A ventilation device for a vehicle roof window 

disposed in a window opening having a light-permeable 

cover. The cover is adjustably movable between at least 

one open and one closed position. The ventilation device 

consists of at least one motor-driven fan. At least one 

support can be fastened stationary on the vehicle body, 

for the arrangement of the fan on the vehicle interior 

side of the cover, within the window opening. A power 

SOurce is provided for the fan motor_ The power source is 

at least one solar cell and this solar cell is arranged 

between the light-permeable cover and the at least one 

support. 
4,801,822 

Idaka, Yukio; Yamaguchi, Shuichiroh; Matsumoto, Takeshi. 

inventors; Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd., assignee. 

Semiconductor Switching Circuit. January 31, 1989. 

A semiconductor switching circuit comprises an output 

FET receiving a photovoltaic output generated by a diode 

array responsive to a light signal from a light emitting 

element, a depression mode driving FET connected at the 

drain and source to the gate and source of the output FET, 

and a constant voltage conduction element connected in 

parallel with a resistor connected across the gate and 

source of the driving FET. The sensitivity of the circuit 

is elevated by setting the value of this resistor 

relatively high, whereas high speed operation can be 

assured by having discharge current of an accumulated 

charge across the drain and gate of the output FET 

bypassed through the resistor. 

4,804,858 

Jorlov, Richard; Nystrom, Lars; Lewenhaupt, 

Sixten, inventors; Aimpoint AB, assignee. Power Supply 

Circuit For A Diode Adapted To Emit Ught In Dependence 

Of The Prevailing Surrounding Ugh!. February 14, 1989. 

A power supply circuit for a light emitting diode may 

be adjusted automatically by the voltage of a solar cell 

which is a power source in the circuit by including in 

the circuit a series connected current regulator governed 

by said voltage of said solar cell. 

4,804,866 

Akiyama, Sigeo, inventor; Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd., 

assignee. Solid State Relay. February ' 4, 1 989. 

A solid state relay includes a MOS FET receiving a 

photovoltaic output generated across a photovoltaic diode 

array responsive to a light signal from a light·emitting 

element, and a normally ON driving transistor connected 

to the MOS FET, the driving transistor being connected at 

control electrode to a connection point between the 

photovoltaic diode array and an impedance element to be 

biased by a voltage generated across the impedance 

element during generation of the photovoltaic output 

across the photovoltaic diode array to have a high 

impedance state, whereby the relay can be prevented from 

providing at output terminals any intermediate state 

between ON and OFF states even when an input current to 

the relay is in lower range, and a high speed relay 

operation is realized. 

4,804,992 

Moriyama, Motonor!; Fujimura, Ikuo; Tanaka, Tsutomu; 

Watanabe, Takeshi, inventors; Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., 

assignee. Photographic Film Package. February 14, 

1 989. 

A disposable film package of the type having a taking 

lens comprises a film casing; a film cartridge containing 

a high speed film therein in said film casing; a 

viewfinder, and a scene brightness indicating member 

disposed in the viewfinder. The indicating member becomes 

visible or invisible according to scene brightness 

conditions. When the indicating member becomes visible, 

the photographer is thus given warning that an improper 

exposure would result. 

4,806,095 

Goldstein, Mark K.; Dolnick, Earl M., inventors; Quantum 

Group, Inc., assignee. Fuel Valve Control System. 

February 21, 1 989. 

A fail safe gas shut off system is provided for a gas 

appliance. Two normally closed valve stages are provided 

in series, with each stage operated by a bidirectional 

solenoid armature. When the armature moves in one 

direction, the first stage of the valve is opened to 

supply gas to a pilot burner and to the seocnd stage of 

the valve. When the pilot flame heats an emissive element 

to produce sufficient radiation, a photovoltaic device 

illuminated by the emissive element produces current for 

an electromagnet which latches the first stage of the 

valve in its open position. The armature can then move in 

the opposite direction and open the second stage of the 

valve to supply gas to the main burner. In the event of 

pilot flame failure, the emissive element darkens, and 

current from the photovoltaic device ends. The 

electromagnet releases the first stage of the valve which 

is biased closed and cuts off gas ffow to both the pilot 

and main burners. 

4,806,436 

Tada, Kiyoshi; Tsukamoto, Kenji; Otsuka, Tatsuo, 

inventors; Showa Aluminum Corporation, assignee. 

Substrate For Amorphous Silicon Solar Cells. 

February 21, 1 989. 

A substrate for amorphous silicon solar cells 

comprises an aluminum or aluminum allay plate which is 

formed on at least one surface thereof with an oxalic 

acid anodized film in an unsealed state and having a 

thickness of 1 to 20 !-1m. A plurality of amorphous 

silcion solar cells provided on the substrate include 

lower electrodes of chrominum or the like which are 

formed on the anodized film. The lower electrodes are 

electrically insulated from one another by the anodized 

film. 

4,806,495 

Levine, Jules D.; Jensen, Millard J.; Haney, Ronald E., 

inventors; Texas Instruments Incorporated, assignee. 

Method of Making Solar Array With Aluminum Foil 

Matrix. February 21, 1 989. 

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 

Patents 29 
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. 

4,806,855 

Davis, Murray W., inventor. System For Rating Electric 

Power Transmission Unes and Equipment. February 21, 

1989. 

A system for determining the current carrying 

capability of one or more overhead power transmission 

lines monitor one or more spans of each line on real-time 

basIs and identifies the span having the lowest current 

carrying capacity which in turn establishes the maximum 

capacity of the entire line. The thermal state of each 

monitored line span is determined by measuring the 

conductor temperature, line current, solar radiation, 

ambient temperature, and in some cases wind speed and 

wind direction. These parameters are monitored by a 

sensor-transmitter unit that may be removably clamped on 

the line conductor which may range in size from one to 

several inches in diameter, and includes a radio 

transmitter for transmitting sensed data to a receiving 

substation. The data from the sensor-transmitter is 

multiplexed and transmitted by a telecommunications link 

to a computer which automatically determines line 

capacity using the real-time data and also calculates the 

time required for the "critical span" having the lowest 

current capacity to reach its maximum safe temperature 

based on any of a number of step changes in load demands. 

Each sensor-transmitter may include sensors for 

monitoring the current level, conductor temperature, 

solar radiation impinging on the conductor, ambient 

temperature, wind direction and velocity and conductor 

sag, These sensors and the transmitter are enclosed in a 

corona-free housing and are powered by a power supply 

that includes a transformer core which surrounds and is 

inductively coupled with the monitored conductor. The 

core is formed in an upper and lower portion which are 

shiftable relative to each other upon opening and closing 

a pair of conductor clamping jaws in order to permit the 

conductor to be introduced into and withdrawn from the 

core and to allow the clamping jaws to fit a range of 

conductor diameters while maintaining constant air gaps 

between the upper and lower core portions. 

4,806,873 

Nagano, Katsumi, inventor; Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, 

assignee. Laser Diode Driving Circuit. February 21, 

1 989. 

A laser diode Circuit has a photodiode which monitors 

the light output which is outputted by the laser diode 

and generates a photovoltaic current that corresponds to 

the level of the light output, a reference current 

selection device which selects a required reference 

current by switching among a plurality of reference 

current sources that are set to values of mutually 

different current values, and an amplifying appartaus 

30 U. S. Photovoitaic Patents: 1988-1990 

which, by receiving a signal that corresponds to the 

photovoltaic current, controls the forward current of the 

laser diode so as to bring the photovoltaic current to a 

selected reference current. Instead of the above 

construction, there may be employed a construction which 

has a voltage transforming selector which generates a 

photovoltaic current signal voltage that corresponds to 

the photovoltaic current, a reference voltage selection 

device which selects a required reference voltage by 

switching among a_plurality of reference voltage sources 

that are set to values of mutually different reference 

voltages, and an amplifying apparatus which. by receiving 

the photovoltaic current signal voltage and a selected 

reference voltage, controls the forward current of the 

laser diode so as to bring the photovoltalc current 

signal voltage equal to the selected reference voltage. 

4,806,993 

Voisin, Paul; Brum, Jose A .• inventors; Centre National 

de la Recherche Scientifique (C.N,A.S.), assignee. 

Method And Device For Rapid Photo-Detection By Means Of 

A Super-Lattice. February 21, 1989, 

To detect a temporal variation, in particular an 

ultra-short pulse, in a beam of electromagnetic radiation, 

this beam is applied to a super-lattice of type II, along 

its axis of growth. and the voltage between the opposite 

sides of the network along the same axis is determined. 

The super-lattice is preferably a composite super-lattice. 

in particular, with alternate layers of indium arsenide 

and of gallium antiomonide. The method is, in particular, 

applied in the infrared range. 

4,807,686 

Schnebly, John; Marusak. Thomas J" inventors; Comfortex 

Corporation, assignee. Shade System. February 28, 

1 989. 

A motorized header element for extending and 

retracting an accordian-type shade along a pair of 

rectalinear and curvilinear mounted side tracks and for 

effecting an environmental seal in the plenum formed 

between the shade and the surface which it covers. The 

invention is adaptable to both automatic and manual 

operation and contains within its automatic/motorized 

drive system electrical circuitry for recharging its 

battery power source. 

4,808,242 

Murata, Kenji; Kishi, Yasuo. inventors; Sanyo Electric 

Co., Ltd., assignee. Photovoltaic Device and a Method 

of Manufacturing Thereof. February 28, 1989. 

A photovoltaic device includes a substrate on which a 

plurality of transparent electrodes for each 

photoelectric conversion cell are arranged. On each 

transparent electrode, a coupling conductor and a 

plurality of collecting electrodes connected to the 

coupling conductor are formed. On the substrate, an 

insulator layer is further formed, which includes a first 
' portion extending in parallel with the coupling conductor 

and second portions covering the collecting conductors. A 

semiconductor photo-active layer and a back electrode are 

formed in this order so as to cover the respective 

components previously formed. By irradiating a Jaser beam 

onto the respective first portions above the back 

electrodes, the irradiated part of the back electrode and 

the semiconductor photo-active layer thereunder are 

separated into the respective photoelectric conversion 

cells. By irradiating the laser beam onto the respective 

second portions above the back electrode, the irradiated 

part of the back electrode and the semiconductor 

photo-active layer thereunder are melted, and the back 

electrode of each photoelectric conversion cell is 

connected to the adjacent transparent electrode through 

the coupling conductor. 

4,808,462 

Yaba, Susumu; Walker, Christopher; Muhl, Stephen; 

Madan, Arun, inventors; Glasstech Solar, Inc., assignee. 

Solar Cell Substrate. February 28, 1989. 

A solar cell substrate comprising a glass substrate 

and a transparent electrically conductive layer formed 

thereon, said conductive layer having a plurality of 

polygonal projections, having approximate diameters of 

from 0.1 to 0.3 �m and height/diameter ratios of at 

least 0.6. 

4,808,904 

Ricaud, Alain M.; Artigliere, Fiore, inventors; Solarex 

Corporation, assignee. Portable Photovoltaic Battery 

Recharger. February 28, 1 989. 

A portable photovoltaic battery recharger for 

simultaneously recharging a plurality of rechargeable 

batteries having different sizes and respective optimum 

charging current levels. The battery recharger includes a 

plurality of photovoltaic solar cells having a plurality 

of different selectively chosen surface areas for 

generating the respective optimum charging current levels 

when insolated, and battery receptacles for holding the 

plurality of rechargeable batteries in a recharging 

position. The plurality of solar cells are connected to 

the battery receptacles to transmit the charging current 

generated by each photovoltaic cell to respective ones of 

the plurality of battery receptacles such that batteries 

held in the battery receptacles are charged at respective 

optimum charging current levels. 

4,809,458 

Tanikuro, Hideo; Nagamatsu, Kimiaki, inventors; Nichimo 

Co., Ltd., assignee. Self·Luminous Buoy. March 7, 

1 989. 

A self·luminous buoy thereof comprises a solar 

generator, a battery for storing therein the electrical 

energy generated by said solar generator, a light 

emitting element which emits the light by the energy 

supplied from the storage battery and an energy control 

means which permits the supply of the electrical energy 

from said storage battery and an energy control means 

which permits the supply of the electrical energy from 

said storage battery to said light-emitting element only 

when illumination drops below a predetermined level. 

4,81 1,694 

Holmquist, Melvin L., inventor. Bird Feeder With 

Scale. March 14, 1 989. 

A bird feeder having a movable perch that is coupled 

to a scale or weight indicator to provide the weight of a 

bird that rests on the perch adjacent the feeder for 

permitting the study of bird feeding habits and weight. 

The scale can be used with different types of weighing 

mechanisms, but upon lighting on the perc�, a signal is 

provided to sound an alarm, and/or give an indication 

that a bird has alighted, and then to provide a weight 

signal that can be on a meter or a chart recorder, or the 

like. 

4,812,415 

Yamazaki, Shunpei; Suzuki, Kunio; Kinka, Mikio; Fukada, 

Takeshi; Masayoshi, Abe; Kobayashi, Ippei; Shibata, 

Katsuhiko; Susukida, Masato; Nagayama, Susumu; 

Koyanagi, Kaoru, inventors; Semiconductor Energy 

Laboratory Co., Ltd., assignee. Method For Making 

Semiconductor Device Free From Electrical Short Circuits 

Through A Semiconductor Layer. March 14, 1989. 

An improved semiconductor device is disclosed which 

is free from current leakage due to pin·holes or other 

gaps. Also an improved method for processing a 

semiconductor device is shown. According to the invention, 

gaps produced during the fabricating process of the 

semiconductor layer are filled with insulator in advance 

of deposition of electrodes. By virtue of this 

configuration, short current paths do not result when 

electrodes are provided on the semiconductor layer. 

4,812,416 

Hewig, Gerd; Schum, Berthold; Worner, Jorg, 

inventors. Method For Executing A Reproducible Glow 

Discharge. March 14, 1 989. 

In order to be able to check whether or not a glow 

procedure is executed properly, i.e. reproducibly, the 

temporal course of the formation of characteristic stable 

reaction products is traced mass spectrometrically. 

4,812,737 

Fleck, Gerald W., inventor; TRW Inc., assignee. 

Voltage Regulator For Solar Cell Arrays. March 14, 

1989. 

An improved switch controller and related method for 

regulating the supply voltage of a solar cell array. The 

switch controller includes at least two shift registers, 

with additional shift registers concatenated as required 

by the size of the array. Each of the shift registers 

Patents 31 
controls segments of the solar cell array having 

increasingly larger outputs, with the first shift 

register providing increasingly-coarser resolution 

control of the supply voltage. The improved switch 

controller provides improved switching characteristics 

for the regulation of the supply voltage of a solar cell 

array. 

4,813,771 

Handdschy, Mark A.; Clark, Noel A., inventors; 

Displaytech Incorporated, assignee. Electro-Optic 

Switching Devices Using Ferroelectric Uquid Crystals. 

March 21, 1989. 

An electro-optic switching device using ferroelectric 

liquid crystals to either transmit or reflect the 

incident light depending upon the molecular orientation 

of the ferroelectric liquid crystal molecules. An applied 

voltage causes the ferroelectric molecules to switch from 

a first stage in which the incident light is 

substantially transmitted to a state in which the 

incident light is substantially reflected. This is 

accomplished by effectively changing the refractive index 

of the ferroelectriC liquid crystal in the different 

states. The ferroelectric Iquid crystal is disposed 

between two dielectric mediums such as glass so as to 

define a boundary which either causes incident light to 

change direction or its complex amplitude to change, and 

the smectic layers of the ferroelectric liquid crystals 

are oriented such that the incident light is selectively 

switched to one or more outputs. The molecules are also 

oriented so as to rotate in a plane perpendicular to the 

applied field, thereby reducing the switching time 

between the first and second molecular orientations. In 

addition. the switching effect may be made operative 

solely by the presence or absence of light by generating 

the applied electric field from the incident light 

4,816,082 

Guha, Subhendu; Yang, Chi·Chung; Ovshinsky, Stanford R., 

inventors; Energy Conversion Devices, Inc., assignee. 

Thin Film Solar Cell Including a Spatially Modulated 

IntrinSiC Layer. March 28, 1989. 

One or more thin film solar cells in which the 

intrinsic layer of substantially amorphous semiconductor 

alloy material thereof includes at least a first band gap 

portion and a narrower band gap portion. The band gap of 

the intrinsic layer is spatially graded through a portion 

of the bulk thickness, said graded portion including a 

region removed from the intrinsic layer-dopant layer 

interfaces. The band gap of the intrinsic layer is always 

less than the band gap of the doped layers. The gradation 

of the intrinsic layer is effected such that the open 

circuit voltage and/or the fill factor of the one or 

plural solar cell structure is enhanced. 

32 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988·1990 

4,816,120 

Ondris, Miroslav; Pichler, Marty A.; Brownfield, 

Richard E., inventors; The Standard Oil Company, 

assignee. Electrodeposited Doped II-VI Semiconductor 

Films And Devices Incorporating Such Films. March 28, 

1989. 

A method of electrodepositing a doped compound 

semiconductor film including tellurium and a metal 

selected from Group liB of the Period Table of Elements 

by adding an effective concentration of dopant ions to 

the electrolyte bath. Cadmium telluride, mercury cadmium 

telluride and zinc cadmium telluride may be doped with 

copper, silver and gold. The conductive type of the 

electrodeposited doped layers may be changed by a heat 

treatment. Thin film photovoltaic ceUs incorporating the 

doped layer to form a heterojunction with a semiconductor 

layer of the opposite conductivity type show substantial 

improvements in open circuit voltage, fill factor and 

efficiency over similar devices employing undoped 

electrodeposited [ayers. 

4,816,324 

Berman, Elliot, inventor; Atlantic Richfield Company, 

assignee. Flexible Photovo/taic Device. March 28, 

1989. 

A photovoltaic device of improved flexibility is 

provided by using a tetrafluoroethylene·perfluoroalkoxy 

resin substrate. 

4,816,420 

Bozler, Carl O.; Fan, John C.C.; McClelland, Robert W., 

inventors; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 

assignee. Method Of Producing Tandem Solar Cell 

Devices From Sheets Of Crystalline Material. March 28, 

1 989. 

A method of producing sheets of crystalline material 

is disclosed which is employed in the construction of 

tandem solar cells. In the method, a a growth mask is 

formed upon a substrate and crystalline material is grown 

at areas of substrate exposed through the mask and 

laterally over the surtace of the mask to form a sheet of 

crystalline material. This sheet is then separated and 

used to form a tandem solar cell while the substrate can 

be reused to form additional sheets. 

4,818,337 

Barnett, Allen M.; Mauk, Michael G., inventors; 

University of Delaware, assignee. Thin Active-Layer 

Solar Cell with Multiple Internal Reflections. April 4, 

1 989. 

High efficiency, thin active-layer silicon solar 

cells and a process for their fabrications have been 

provided. The cells are characterized by a capability of 

employing a low-cost, metallurgical grade silicon for the 

substrate. The substrate has a silicon dioxide barrier 

coating with electrical conductivity to the active 
semiconductor layers provided by a multiplicity of fine 

holes through the oxide. The holes have silicon therein 

to afford electrical continuity between the active layers 

and the silicon of the substrate. The process comprises 

in situ formation of silicon dioxide on the silicon, 

formation of the holes in the oxide by photolithography, 

and etching enabling nucleation and growth of silicon in 

the holes by epitaxy. 

4,818,636 

Michel, Christian G.; Schachter, Rozalie; Kuck, Mark A.; 

Baumann, John A.; Raccah, Paul M., inventors; Stauffer 

Chemical Company, assignee. Films of Catenated 

Phosphorus Materials, Their Preparation and Use, and 

Semiconductor and Other Devices Emploving Them. April 

4. 1 989. 

High phosphorus polyphosphides, namely M P x' where 

M is an alkali metal (U, Na, K, Rb, and Cs) or metals 

mimicking the bonding behavior of an alkali metal, and x 

= 7 to 15 or very much greater than 15 (new forms of 

phosphorus) are useful semiconductors in their 

crystalline, polycrystaHine and amorphous forms (boules 

and films). MP'5 appears to have the best properties 

and KP, 5 is the easier to synthesize. P may include 

other pnictides as we!! as other trivalent atomic 

species. Resistance lowering may be accomplished by 

doping with Ni, Fe, Cr, and other metals having occupied 

d or f outer electronic levels; or by incorporation of As 

and other pnictides. Top contacts forming junction 

devices doped with Ni and employing Ni as a back contact 

comprise Cu, AI, Mg, Ni, Au, Ag, and Ti. Photovoltaic, 

photo resistive, and photoluminescent devices are also 

disclosed. All semiconductor a�plications appear feasible. 

These semiconductors belong to the class of polymer 

forming, trivalent atomic species forming homatomic, 

covalent bonds having a coordination number slightly less 

than 3. The predominant local order appears to be all 

parallel pentagonal tubes in all forms, including 

amorphous, "except for the monoclinic and twisted fiber 

allotropes of phosphorus. 

Large crystal monoclinic phosphorus (a birefringent 

material) in two habits, a twisted fiber phosphorus 

allotrope and a star shaped fibrous high phosphorus 

material are also disclosed. 

Single and multiple source vapor transport, condensed 

phase, melt quench, flash evaporation, chemical vapor 

deposition, and molecular flow depOSition may be employed 

in synthesizing these materials. Vapor transport may be 

employed to purify phosphorus. 

The materials may be employed as protective coatings, 

optical coatings, fire retardants, fillers and 

reinforcing fillers for plastics and glasses, 

antireflection coatings for .infrared optiCS, infrared 

transmitting windows, and optical rotators. 

4,818,867 

Hayashi, Yutaka; Ishihara, Seiichi; Hiraishi, Hisato, 

inventors; Agency of Industrial Science and Technology; 

Ministry of International Trade and Industry; Citizen 

Watch Co., Ltd., assignee. Optical Information 

Processing Device Using Optical Shutter Elements. 

April 4, 1989. 

An optical information processing device includes a 

light receiving and driving circuit including 

photovoltaic elements adapted to receive an incident 

light and to produce a drive voltage, and an optical 

shutter driven by the drive voltage produced by the light 

receiving and driving circuit. With this structure, 

various basic logical operations are performed by the 

device according to the present invention. As a feature 

of the invention, the device receives a pair of incident 

lights having a complementary relation in strength with 

each other and produces a pair of output lights from the 

optical shutters which also are complementary in strength 

with each other. Thus, the possibility of errors in 

logical operations is greatly reduced. 

4,819,121 

Saito, Suzuo; Higaki, Shigetoshi, inventors; Kabushiki 

Kaisha Toshiba, assignee. Security Apparatus for Power 

Converter. April 4, 1989. 

A security apparatus adapted to a power converter, 

including a power converting circuit connected between a 

DC power source and an AC system; a phase detector 

circuit for detecting the voltage phase of the AC system 

to provide a phase detection signal; a reference signal 

generator circuit for generating a voltage reference in 

accordance with the phase detection signal; a control 

circuit for controlling an output voltage of the power 

converting circuit in accordance with the voltage 

reference. The security apparatus is characterized by a 

disturbance generator circuit for applying a disturbance 

to the phase detector circuit; and a detector circuit for 

detecting an abnormal state in which the phase or 

frequency of the output voltage of the power converting 

circuit deviates from a normal one. 

4,819,241 

Nagano, Katsumi, inventor; Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, 

assignee. Laser Diode Driving Circuit. April 4, 

1 989. 

The laser diode driving circuit comprises (a) a 

forward current circuit for driving the laser diode for 

generating a light output that corresponds to the forward 

current, (b) a photodiode for detecting current having a 

value corresponding to the level of the light ouput, (c) 

a reference current source connected on the output side 

of said photodiode and having a prescribed reference 

current value, (d) inverting and amplifying means for 

inverting and amplifying the difference burrent between 

the photovoltaic current from said photodiode and the 

reference current from said reference current source,and 

Patents 33 
(e) a feedback circuit for feeding back the inverted and 

amplified output from said inverting and amplifying means 

to said forward current circuit, for controlling saiq 

forward current to a current value corresponding to the 

reference current. 

4,822,581 

Michel, Christian G.; Schachter, Rozalie; Kuck, Mark A.; 

Baumann, John A.; Raccah, Paul M., inventors; Stauffer 

Chemical Company, assignee. Catenated Phosphorus 

Materials and Their Preparation. April 18, 1 989. 

High phosphorus polyphosphides, namely MP x' where 

M is an alkali metal (U, Na, K, Rb, and Cs) or metals 

mimicking the bonding behavior of an alkali metal, and x 

= 7 to 15 or very much greater than 15 (new forms of 

phosphorus) are useful semiconductors in their 

crystalline, polycrystaHine and amorphous forms (boules 

and films). MP 15 appears to have the best properties 

and KP 15 is the easier to synthesize. P may include 

other pnictides as well as other trivalent atomic 

species. Resistance lowering may be accomplished by 

doping with Ni, Fe, Cr, and other metals having occupied 

d or f outer electronic levels; or by incorporation of As 

and other pnictides. Top contacts forming junction 

devices doped with Ni and employing Ni as a back contact 

comprise Cu, AI, Mg, Ni, Au, Ag, and Ti. PhotovoJtaic, 

photoresistive, and photoluminescent devices are also 

disclosed. All semiconductor applications appear feasible. 

These semiconductors belong to the class of polymer 

forming, trivalent atomic species forming homatomic, 

covalenfbonds having a coordination number slightly less 

than 3. The predominant local order appears to be all 

parallel pentagonal tubes in all forms, including 

amorphous, except for the monoclinic and twisted fiber 

allotropes of phosphorus. 

Large crystal monoclinic phosphorus (a birefringent 

material) in two habits, a twisted fiber phosphorus 

allotrope and a star shaped fibrous high phosphorus 

material are also disclosed. 

Single and multiple source vapor transport, condensed 

phase, melt quench, flash evaporation. chemical vapor 

deposition. and molecular flow deposition may be employed 

in synthesizing these materials. Vapor transport may be 

employed to purify phosphorus. 

The materials may be employed as protective coatings, 

optical coatings. fire retardants, fillers and 

reinforcing fillers for plastics and glasses, 

antireflection coatings for infrared optics, infrared 

transmitting windows, and optical rotators. 

4,823,241 

Trattner, Burton, inventor; Harvey-Westbury Corp., 

assignee. Portable Solar Charged Operated Lamp Having 

Orientation Switch For Sel,ectively Energizing Lamp Based 

Upon Its Physical Orientahon. April 18, 1 989. 

34 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1 988-1 990 

A portable lamp unit having adhesive strips for 

mounting upon the interior surface of a hatch back 

automobile window. A mercury switch permits the lamp to be 

lit only when the hatch back lid is open. A solar cell 

aligned with and receiving sunlight through the window 

charges the batteriers. The lamp housing is swingably 

mounted and a detent enables the lamp to be retained in 

one of a number of different orientations to direct light 

to a selected region, and may be releasably locked in any 

one of a variety of positions to compensate for various 

open hatch angles to direct the focussed light rays upon 

the desired region of the storage space. A switch 

selectively opens the power loop to prevent unnecessary 

drainage of the batteries when the hatch back is open for 

a long periods of time. A light transmissive adhesive may 

be utilized to mount the unit upon a window. 

Alternatively. a frame may be mounted to the window to 

snap fittingly releasably retain the lamp unit in 

position upon the hatch back window. 

4,823,928 

Speas. Gary W., inventor; POM, Incorporated, assignee. 

Electronic Parking Meter System. April 25, 19a9. 

An electronic parking meter system for receving at 

least one type of coin or other payment device and having 

an electronic parking meter and an auditor. The 

electronic parking meter comprises a power source which 

may be a solar type power source, as well as having 

terminals for connection to an external source of power. 

The meter also has a microprocessor with a memory 

connected to the power supply. An electronic display is 

connected to the microprocessor and displays pertinent 

information for the meter. The auditor may be connected 

to the microprocessor in the electronic meter by means of 

a direct cable link or by infrared transmission. The 

electronic parking meter system may have a sonar range 

tinder connected to the microprocessor in the meter which 

detects the presence or absence of a vehicle in an 

associated parking space with the parking meter. 

4,824,488 

Sakai, Souichi; Kuwano, Yukinori. inventors; Sanyo 

Electric Co., Ltd .• assignee. PhotovoJtaic Device. 

April 25, 1 989. 

A transparent conductive film is formed on a glass 

substrate covering substantially its entire surface area 

and this transparent conductive film is divided into a 

plurality of transparent conductive parts per each 

photoelectric converting region. The photoelectric 

converting region is of a nearly rectangular shape, and 

accordingly. in order to divide the transparent 

conductive film into respective transparent conductive 

film parts, a laser beam is irradiated along all 

longitudinal and lateral sides of the rectangle. Thereby, 

the transparent conductive film parts corresponding to 

the photoelectric converting regions are formed as island 

regions. Semiconductor film parts are formed on the 
transparent conductive film parts divided into island 

regions corresponding to respective photoelectric 

converting regions and subsequently aluminum film parts 

are formed on these semiconductor film parts. Transparent 

conductive film parts are electrically connected to 

aluminum film parts of adjacent photoelectric converting 

regions. Thus, a photovoltaic device is manufactured 

wherein a plurality of photoelectric converting regions 

are formed .on the substrate and respective photoelectric 

converting regions are connected in a series fashion. 

4,824,489 

Cogan, George W.; Christel, Lee A.; Merchant, J. Thomas; 

Gibbons. James F., inventors; Sera Solar Corporation, 

assignee. Ultra-Thin Solar Cell and Method. April 

25, 1 989. 

A method for processing solar cens, and particularly 

thin solar cells is disclosed. The method contemplates 

processing the front suriace of the cell on a wafer of 

normal thickness. A transparent substrate is adhered to 

the front of the processed cell. The bulk semiconductor 

layer is then thinned to the desired thickness. An 

amorphous doped semiconductor material is applied to the 

back suriace of the thinned wafer and exposed to pulsed 

laser energy having a duration and intensity long enough 

to melt the amorphous material, but short enough to 

prevent thermal damage to the bondline. A back surface 

dielectric, backside contact mask and back suriace 

reflector metal complete the cell. 

4,827,206 

Speas, Gary W., inventor; POM, Incorporated, assignee. 

Solar Power System For Electronic Parking Meter. May 

2, 1989. 

A solar power system for an electronic parking meter. 

At least one solar cell array is connected to the anode 

of a first diode and at least one current regulating 

diode has its anode connected to a cathode of the first 

diode. At least one storage capacitor is connected 

between a cathode of the current regulating capacitor and 

ground. At least one second diode has its anode connected 

to the storage capacitor and has its cathode connected to 

an input of a voltage regulator. An output of the voltage 

regulator provides a supply voltage for the electronic 

parking meter. The input of the voltage regulator is also 

connected to the cathode of the first diode. A monitor 

circuit monitors a voltage level at the input of the 

volage regulator. A microprocessor is connected to the, 

monitor and when the voltage level decreases below a 

first threshold, the microprocessor shuts down the 

electronic parking meter in an orderly manner. When the 

electronic parking meter is shut down, the voltage 

regulator outputs a reset signal when the voltage level 

at the input of the voltage regulator exceeds a second 

threshold level, the reset signal is received by the 

microprocessor. 

4,827,246 

Dolan, James P.; Dolan, Patrick M., inventors. 

Hydrocarbon and Water Level Sensor System Used To 

Monitor Underground· Storage Sites. May 2, 1989. 

Combination hydrocarbon and water level sensor 

systems for use in connection with underground storage 

sites, such as gasoline storage tanks, industrial waste 

sites, and the like, with a solar cell power source and 

an LCD display located above ground and providing 

directly viewable indication of the presence or absence 

in the underground environment of "HYDROCARBON" and/or 

"WATER", is with the absence of such being indicated by 

"OK". In the preferred form, a pod conhtaining an 

adsorptive type hydrocarbon gas sensor and galvanic cell 

type liquid water sensor is suspended by electrical cable 

means from a well cap in which the solar cell and LCD 

display are installed. 

4,827,534 

Haugen, Alvin E., inventor. Sun-Powered Vest. May 9, 

1 989. 

A vest garment to be worn by persons working out of 

doors and which has an array of photovoltaic cells 

mounted on the back panel thereof. The individual cells 

are connected in series relationship with one another 

across a pair of output terminals which are brought out 

through a belt attached along the waistband of the vest 

to an output jack. The voltage developed across the 

photocell array may then be used to charge rechargeable 

batteries suspended from the belt or, alternatively, they 

be coupled to an input jack of a power tool having a 

self-contained rechargeable battery whereby charging 

current is generated when the vest is being worn out of 

doors. 

4,827,645 

Stamps, Jr., William E., inventor; Clean Scene 

Advertising, Inc., assignee. J/Iuminated Trash 

Receptacle. May 9, 1 989. 

A trash and waste material receptacle which includes 

outer Side panels adapted for back-lit advertising and 

informational display. The receptacle includes an inner 

trash collection compartment designed to receive a 

disposable collection bag or a fe-usable collection 

container. The trash collection compartment is spaced 

inwardly from the outer side panels of the receptacle 

thereby forming an annular space between the side panels 

and collection compartment for receiving lighting 

equipment for back-lighting the side panels. Electrical 

control equipment is provided within the trash receptable 

below the trash collection compartment for controlling 

the lighting equipment. Electrical power for energizing 

the lighting equipment is provided from a source external 

to the receptacle or by one or more solar cell panels in 

replacement of one or more of the side advertising panels. 

Patents 35 
4,828,628 

Hezel, Rudolf; Hackstein, Karl G., inventors; Nukem GmbH, 

assignee. Sofar Cell. May 9, 1 989. 

A solar cell, preferably of silicon, having a 

semiconductive substrate on one side of which an 

electrical field is provided by, for example, an MIS 

contact to cause a separation of charge carriers 

generated by light energy. The minority charge carriers 

are drawn into the metal of the MIS contact, whereas the 

majority charge carriers are discharged via ohmic contact 

zones arranged an the opposite side of the semiconductive 

substrate. 

4,828,814 

Sanjurjo, Angel; PressaccQ, Sylvia, inventors; SRI 

International, assignee. Process for Purification of 

Solid Material. May g, 1989. 

A process is disclosed for producing a solid material 

which, in some cases, may have a resultant purity of 

99.999% or better which comprises contacting the solid 

material at a temperature approaching the melting point 

of the solid material with a purifying agent which is 

substantially nonreactive with the solid material to 

cause the impurities in the solid material to enter the 

material. After cooling, the purified solid material may 

be separated from the purifying agent and the impurities 

therein by leaching. 

4,828,875 

1m, Ho-Bin; Park, Kyu-Charn, inventors; Korea Advanced 

Institute of Science & Tech., assignee. Process for 

the Production of Sintered Films of Cd,.pxS. 

May 9, 1989. 

Sintered films of Cdt.xZnxS (0 � x < 1) with 

high optical transmittance are provided. These films are 

produced by applying a pas1e composed of powdered CdS or 

CdCl, or of a mixture of CdS, ZnS, and CdCl, onto 

an appropriate substrate such as borosilicate glass, 

under an inert gas atmosphere containing ZnCI2 vapor 

or thereafter resintering the paste on the substrate 

under a nitrogen atmosphere. 

The ZnCI2 vapor is produced by heating ZnCI2 

at 400°C or higher but below the temperature of 

500°·700°C to which the specimen is heated. 

The resulting sintered films have optical ' 

transmittance of 80% at long wavelength ranges or higher 

and can be used as a window layer having a superior 

optical transmittance in solar cells. 

4,830,038 

Anderson, A. Jerome; Beze, Norman L., inventors; 

Atlantic Richfield Company, assignee. Photovoltaic 

Module. May 16, 1 989. 

36 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988-1990 

A photovoltaic panel is supported, sealed and 

isolated from the environment by being encased in a 

reaction injection molded elastomer which encapsulates 

the back, sides, and a portion of the front side of the 

photovoltaic panel. 

4,830,606 

Dillinger, Bill R., inventor. Gas Lamp and Control 

Thereof. May 16, 1989. 

An outdoor·type gas lamp is provided with a 

photovoltaic solar cell means, a rechargeable battery 

connected to the solar cell means, a normally- opened 

electromagnetic gas valve means, and an ignitor means 

connected to both the photovoltaic solar cell means and 

the rechargeable battery means, with the photovoltaic 

solar cell means generating a bins voltage that closes 

the flow of illuminating gas through the gas valve means 

and blocks the flow of energy from the battery means to 

the ignitor means when energized by daylight. 

4,830,6n 

Geisler, Jr., Herbert A., inventor. Solar Generator. 

May 16, 1 989. 

A solar generator utilizing both direct and diffused 

solar radiation to generate electrical and thermal energy 

comprising a diamond shaped enclosure, a spheroid solar 

cell array internal to the diamond shaped enclosure, air 

circulation means to cool the spheroid solar cell array 

and vent the hot air exhaust to a water storage tank or 

other facility and various control devices. 

4,830,678 

Todorof, William J.; Murphy, Mark, inventors. 

Uquid-Cooled Sealed Enclosure for Concentrator SoJar 

Cell and Secondary Lens. May 16, 1 989. 

The sealed enclosure for an electrical power 

generation solar concentrator holds and protects the 

photovoltaic cell from ambient conditions and thermal 

shock, while multiple fingers of front and rear 

electrical contact terminals accommodate thermal 

expansion and contraction of the cell and minimize 

mechanical stresses on the cell. This sealed enclosure 

also holds the secondary lens and protects the internally 

reflective truncated conical rear surface of the lens. A 

base member has a socket for receiving the cell and its 

associated front and rear terminal members together with 

an insulator alignment disc having an opening receiving 

the cell and for aligning the cell with the axis of the 

concentrator. A front housing removably screws onto the 

base member with an inturned front lip gripping a 

peripheral flange on the secondary lens, thereby aligning 

it with the cell and firmly pressing it against the cell 

front for causing thermal mass and inertial of the lens 

to moderate temperature changes in the cell. The base 

member screws onto a pedestal of a finned heat sink of 

good thermal conductivity fitting into a pre·punched hole 

in a panel of the concentrator thus aligning the sealed 
enclosure with the concentrator axis. The pressure of the 

secondary lens on the cell causes the cell back to press 

onto its multiple-fingered rear contact member of good 

electrical and thermal conductivity which in turn is 

pressing against a thin electrical insulator in good 

thermal conductivity with the heat sink pedestal. 

4,832,755 

Barton, John R.; Reiss, Amy C.; Silverman, Sidney, 

inventors; The Boeing Company, assignee. Glass 

Encapsulation of Solar Cell Arrays to Minimize 

Voltage/Plasma Interaction Effects in a Space 

Environment. May 23, 1 989. 

The solar cells of a photovoltaic solar cell array 

are protected from the effects of voltage/plasma 

interaction in a space environment. The solar array 

includes a glass enclosure having a substrate and 

superstrate with integral cell support ridges. The solar 

cells are held in place, without bonding, by the integral 

cell support ridges. The solar array is capable of 

withstanding severe temperature cycling, as the solar 

cells can freely expand and contract independent of the 

substrate or superstrate. In addition, a conductive grid 

is provided on the outer surface of the solar array to 

provide a zero-potential ground plane to reduce the 

electric field. The conductive grid provides additional 

protection against voltage/plasma interaction should the 

glass enclosure develop holes or cracks, for example, by 

the penetration of a micrometer. 

4,833,340 

Dominguez, Richard L., inventor; Solar Lighting Research, 

Inc., assignee. Solar Ughting Reflector Apparatus 

Having Slatted Mirrors and Improved Tracker. November 

28, 1 989. 

A solar lighting apparatus for illuminating the 

interior of a roofed building includes a reflector 

assembly rotatable about a vertical axis for tracking 

daily movements of the sun. The reflector assembly 

includes multiple planar reflector panels each extending 

about a horizontal axis and supported between a pair of 

opposing, parallel side frame members inclined upwardly 

toward their rear ends at approximately a 250 angle to 

the horizontal. The reflector panels are oriented in 

their operative position at right angles to the side 

frame members and are inclined at approximately a 650 

angle to the horizontal. The reflector panels are spaced 

apart from one another by a distance approximating the 

width of each panel to prevent leading reflector panels 

from shading trailing reflector panels. Each of the 

reflector panels is secured to the side frame members 

about a pivotal connection for allowing the reflector 

panels to be rotated to a compact shipping position lying 

substantially within the plane defined by the side frame 

members. The reflector assembly is supported by a 

rotatable support ring geared to a drive motor 

selectively powered from a storage battery that is in 

turn charged by a first photovoltaic panel. A solar 

tracking circuit selectively couples the storage battery 

to the drive motor for rotating the reflector assembly. A 

second smaller photovoltaic panel directly powers the 

tracking circuitry to avoid draining the storage battery. 

The tracking Circuitry prevents false tracking under 

cloudy-bright conditions, and automatically seeks the sun 

following extended hours of overcast conditions. 

4,833,515 

Baker, Ian M., inventor; U.S. Philips Corp., assignee. 

Imaging Devices Comprising Photovoltaic Detector 

Elements. May 23, 1989. 

In an imaging device, photocurrent generated by 

photovoltaic detector elements, e.g. cadmium mercury 

telluride photodiodes, is integrated in resettable 

capacitors, and an output signal is derived by reading 

the potential of the capacitor at the end of its 

integration period, e.g. using a source-follower MOST. In 

accordance with the invention, blooming-protection means 

is coupled to each capacitor to inhibit foward·biasing of 

the detector elements and inverSion of the capacitor 

potential when the capacitor becomes fully discharged by 

excessive photocurrent. The blooming- protection means 

comprises a further gate which has substantially the same 

threshold voltage as the injection gate via which the 

photocurrent is injected into the capacitor. The further 

gate which is connected at substantially the same control 

potential as the injection gate, is most conveniently 

formed together with the injection gate as alternate 

integral parts of a common gate stripe extending at one 

side of the capacitors. When a capacitor becomes fully 

discharged, the further gate couples it to a source which 

supplies current to the capacitor to stabilize the 

potential of both the capacitor and its detector element 

and so to protect against signal blooming. 

4,83,697 

Perna, Fred P.; Peterson, Stuart A., inventors; Fred P. 

Perna, assignee. Writing Instrument for Electronic 

Counting and Gravity Switch Reset. May 23, 1 989. 

A ballpoint pen of conventional size and shape has a 

movable ball point that is pressed upwardly in the 

direction of the housing of the pen when a mark is made. 

Means is provided for normally biasing the ballpoint 

outwardly of the housing. However, when the ballpoint is 

pressed against a writing surface, the refill cartridge 

having the ball at the lower end thereof is moved 

upwardly to close a normally open switch which connects a 

solar cell array in circuit with an electronic counter 

that counts each time the switch is closed. Controlled by 

the counter is a liquid crystal display that visually 

indicates the total number of counts. A gravity switch is 

contained in the housing and is actuated to reset or 

clear the counter in preparation for counting a 

succeeding group of marks when the pen is inverted. 

Patents 37 
4,834,062 

Frank, Walter; Palma, Gerhard. inventors; Wacker 

Chemitronic, assignee. Multiblade Inner Hole Saw for 

the Sawing of Crystal Rods Into Thin Blades. May 3D, 

1 989. 

A multi-blade inner hole saw for the sawing of 

crystal rods or blocks, such as solar cell base material 

on a silicon base, into thin wafers has saw blades 

arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to the bearing 

on either side of a common drive cylinder. In the sawing 

operation, the workpieces are sawn synchronously by the 

saw blades. 

4,834,805 

Erbert, Virgil, inventor; WaUsun, Inc., assignee. 

Photovoltaic Power Modules and Methods for Making 

Same. May 3D, 1989. 

A solar concentrator photovoltaic power module of 

small scale wherein a plurality of pre-fabricated 

photovoltaic solar cells reside in a matrix array in a 

substrate comprised of a pair of thin sheet conductors 

separated by an insulator sheet. A fens sheet on which a 

multiplicity of lenses have been formed is disposed in a 

fixed spaced relation to the substrate and operates to 

focus radiation (sunlight) onto the photo active surfaces 

of the cells in order to generate electricity. The 

overall thickness of the module including the substrate, 

lens sheet and space between the two is less than two 

inches. The laminated substrate is formed by disposing a 

plurality of pre-fabricated solar cells in a matrix array 

onto a back conductor, overlaying onto the back conductor 

an insulator which surrounds each of the cells and 

overlaying onto the insulator a top conductor. After 

electrical and mechanical heat activated bonding 

materials are.disposed between the elements of the 

substrate, the laminate is heated until the substrate is 

bonded into a single rigid module substrate. 

4.834.832 

Stock, Horst; Huber, Lothar; Priewasser, Georg, 

inventors; Wacker-Chemitronic Gesellschaft fur 

Elektronik-Grundstoffe mbH, assignee. Process And 

Apparatus For The Manufacture of Silicon Rods. May 30, 

1 989. 

A process and apparatus for the manufacture of 

silicon rods having a columnar structure comprising 

monocrystalline crystal zones with a crystallographic 

preferred orientation. Molten silicon is transferred from 

a silicon reservoir into a cyrstallization chamber which 

is formed by rollers arranged in a leak-proof manner in 

the shape of the desired rod cross-section. There the 

silicon first forms a stable outer shell of solidified 

material and, while it continues to crystallize, it is 

withdrawn at the bottom and released by the rollers. 

Owing to the short period of contact with a vessel wall a 

silicon rod is obtained that is particularly free of 

impurities. 

38 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1 988·1 990 

4,835,664 

Wen, Hung-Sheng, inventor. Solar Lighting Device For 

Garden Or Driveway. May 30. 1989. 

A solar lighting device for garden or driveway 

according to this invention transforms solar energy into 

electric energy using a solar energy absorbing pla�e and 

stores the electric energy into an electric battery. A 

light sensor turns on the lighting circuit during dark 

hours. The solar lighting device of this invention 

comprises a solar energy absorbing plate, a shell, an 

electric battery,a focusing reflector, a lens, and a set 

of connecting links. The shell has two openings, one 

opening is inclined with respect to the shell and adapted 

for the insertion of the solar energy absorbing plate. 

The other opening is for inserting the lens. The shell 

holds an electric battery, a board, and a focusing 

reflector. Also the solar energy absorbing plate engages 

with the inclined opening of the shell using lugs formed 

on the rim of the plate, and the frame of the lens is 

pivotally mounted on the other opening of the shell. 

4,835,918 

Dippel, Hans-Jurgen, inventor; MWB Messwandler-Bau AG, 

assignee. Device for Shading Spaces. June 6, 1989. 

A device for shading areas, in particular for shading 

areas or plazas where people can walk, in desert areas, 

comprising a roofing surface which extends on carrier 

elements at a spacing from the surface to be shaded, 

preferably with a roof skin or membrane stretched on 

supports, to provide for shading of larger spaces with a 

minimum amount of obstruction by the supports, while at 

the same time using the effect of sunlight, which is 

abosrbed in producing the shade. For that purpose the 

outward side of the roofing surface is occupied with 

photovoltaic elements or is provided with a photovoltaic 

layer. The latter preferably comprises amorphous silicon 

or cadmium derivatives. 

4,836,012 

Doty, Mitchell E.; Schmidt, Ferenc J., inventors; Ametek, 

Inc., assignee. Gas Sensor. June 6, 1 989. 

A gas sensor comprises a photovoltaic cell which, 

upon exposure to light. develops a photovoltage or 

photocurrent which varies as a function of the type of 

gas sorbed. The cell includes in order a conductor, an 

N-type light-absorbing semiconductor, and a thin 

lighHransmitting gas-absorbing metal Schottky layer 

having electrical properties which vary with the type of 

gas sorbed therein. 

4,836,786 

Wong, Robert P., inventor; Joseph Leeb Enterprises, Inc., 

assignee. Demonstration Calculator. July 6, 1 989. 
A hand-held calculator for use in conducting 

�Iassroom demonstrations of the operation thereof, 

including use of the operation instruction key means. The 

calculator comprises a frame, a keyboard section, data 

processing means and a display section and where both the 

keyboard and display sections are transparent to permit 

images thereof to be projected on a screen for teaching 

purposes. 

4,836,861 

Peltzer, Douglas L.; Bechtel, Richard L.; Ko, Wen C.; 

Liggett, William T., inventors; Tactical Fabs, Inc., 

assignee. Solar Cell And Cell Mount. June 6, 1989. 

A point contact solar cell structure and method of 

manufacturing which provides metal contact from positive 

and negative bus bars to alternating n-wells and p-wells 

in a solar cell crystal. The solar cell spans two 

side-by-side metal bus bars. On the bottom surface of the 

cell crystal two side-by-side perforated metal layers 

contact wells of only one conductivity type. Holes in the 

periorated metal layers are located beneath wells of the 

opposite conductivity type. An insulated junction between 

the two perforated metal layers is located directly above 

the junction between the two side-by-side metal bus bars. 

Fingers from the perforated metal layer above one bus bar 

reach across and down to contact the opposite bus bar. 

Metal lines also reach from the bus bars up through the 

holes in the perforated contact layers and contact wells 

within the crystal. This way, all n-wells and p-wells 

have electrical contact to their respective bus bars. A 

preferred embodiment includes a passivation layer applied 

to top and sides of the solar cell after dicing thus 

providing an anti-reflection coating on the top surface 

and means for reducing recombination of electrons and 

holes at edges of the solar crystal back to the interior 

of the crystal for capture by a p-well or n-well. 

Benefits include increased cell efficiency, reduced 

number of masking steps in the manufacturing process as 

compared to other point contact structures, and improved 

thermal conductivity through the cell, resulting in 

lowering manufacturing cost and longer cell life. 

4,836,862 

Pelka, David G.; Popovich, John M.; Fleishman, Roc V., 

inventors. Thermophotovoltaic System. June 6, 1 989. 

A highly efficient combustor/reactor for a 

thermophotovoltaic process is provided. 

It includes: (a) an insulated combustion chamber 

containing a combustion zone, (b) first and second beds 

of refractory particles exposed to that zone, (c) 

structure for supplying a first combustion reactant to 

that zone, (d) structure for flowing a second combustion 

reactant to the zone via one of the beds during time 

TI and via the other of the beds during time T 2' 

(e) structure for removing combustion products from the 

zone via the other of the beds during time TI, and 

via the one bed during time T 2' (f) and 

thermophotovoltaic cell apparatus exposed to heat 

radiated from the zone. 

4,838,952 

Dill, Hans G.; Lillington, David R., inventors; 

Spectrolab, Inc., assignee. Controlled Reflectance 

Solar Cell. June 13, 1989. 

A solar cell is disclosed wherein both the emitter 

and the base electrical contacts for a solar cell are 

disposed on the back major surface. Holes extend through 

the back major surface and the base layer to the emitter 

layer. The walls of the holes are doped to the same 

conductivity as the front emitter layer. Emitter contacts 

are deposited on the back major surface of the cell and 

extend into the holes making electrical contact to the 

emitter layer for collecting light generated current 

carriers. The base contacts are also disposed on the back 

major surface, and antireflection coatings are deposited 

on the emitter front major layer. Consequently, the front 

of the solar cell can be made smooth and therefore, a 

specularly reflective (non-scattering) solar cell results. 

4,839,039 

Parsons, Natan E.; Novak, Joel S., inventors; Recurrent 

Solutions Limited Partnership, assignee. Automatic 

Flow-Control Device. June 13, 1 989. 

An add-on device for converting a conventional manual 

faucet to an automatic faucet includes a body that 

includes an adapter by which the add-on device is mounted 

onto the outlet of the manual faucet. A conduit provides 

a fluid path from the faucet outlet to a device outlet, 

and an electrically operable valve is interposed in the 

conduit. A control circuit operates an ultrasonic 

transducer to sense objects in a target region near the 

device outlet, and it operates the valve to permit water 

to flow out the device outlet when the transducer detects 

a moving object in the target region. 

4,839,1116 

Steiner, Gregory, inventor; Gregory A. Steiner, assignee. 

Portable MisUng Fan. June 13, 1 989. 

There is disclosed a portable fan device including 

atomizing means associated therewith, particularly 

adapted for cooling sunbathers. The device is formed by a 

base which is adapted to contain a source of fluid, an 

intermediate neck portion-extending upwardly from the 

base and terminating in a head portion, the head portion 

carrying a fan and atomizing means associated therewith. 

The portable electrical means, such as a battery pack, 

are carried in the base, and electrically wired to the 

fan with a switch interposed in said circuit in order to 

permit the fan to be actuated to blow air. The atomizing 

means is positioned in the head portion immediately below 

the fan means- and may be manually manipulated in order to 

create a mist which blows out immediately in the path of 

the fan. The subject fan device permits the user to 

actuate the fan and the atomizing means at any given time 

Patents 39 
in order to create a misting cooling effect, especially 

in the environment of sunbathing. 

4,839,512 

Speck, Richard P., inventor; Tactilitics, Inc., assignee. 

Tactile Sensing Method And Apparatus Having Grids As A 

Means To Detect A Physical Parameter. June 13, 1989. 

Apparatus for sensing locations and magnitudes of 

forces applied on a surface includes a grid comprised of 

energy input devices running in one direction and energy 

output devices running another direction with the input 

and output devices crossing each other. Transducers that 

meter energy from the input devices to the output devices 

as a function of the magnitude of forces applied thereon 

are positioned at the intersections of the input devices 

with the output devices. Interrogation apparatus is also 

included, along with energy output detectors and 

measuring devices, for sensing and determining locations, 

as well as magnitudes, of forces applied on the grid. 

Several embodiments of energy input and energy output 

devices are shown and described, as well as several 

embodiments of transducers. 

4,839,833 

Parhiskari, Mustafa, inventor. Programmable Display 

Engineering Scale. June 13, 1 989. 

A programmable display engineering scale instrument 

includes a scale base such as a drafting machine type 

scale, an electronic display device including a plurality 

of rows of columnn aligned display elements, scale 

selection switches, and circuitry interpreting the 

operation of the selection switches to cause the display 

of corresponding linear scales. The circuitry includes a 

switch encoder which generates unique binary addresses 

corresponding to each of the switches. A memory device 

stores bit patterns which when addressed cause the 

activation of patterns of display elements to display a 

corresponding linear scale. The display elements are 

interconnected in selected groups for simultaneous 

activation to simplify the circuitry of the programmable 

scale instrument 

4,841,157 

Downing, Jr., John P., inventor. Optical Backscatter 

Turbidimeter Sensor. June 20, 1 989. 

There is disclosed a turbidimeter with an optical 

sensor having an fRED surrounded by four radiation 

detecting safar celfs mounted on a printed circuit board 

which is encapsulated by a transparent potting material 

in a cavity of a housing. Additionally, the printed 

circuit board has a temperature sensor mounted theron 

which is utilized by a sensor operating circuit to 

control the magnitude of the diode energizing current to 

compensate for variations in component response due to 

temperature variations. 

40 U.S. Photovoitaic Patents: 1 988-1 990 

4,841,278 

Tezuka, Hirofumi; Nogami, Kouji; Koyano, Toshihide, 

inventors; Kyocera Corporation, assignee. 

Se/Nlluminant Delineator And Delineator System By Use 

Thereof. June 20, 1 989. 

A self·iHuminant delineator including a plurality of 

light-emitting diodes being flickerably disposed on the 

sign surface of the delineator and covered by a 

transparent cover, a solar cell module being disposed on 

the top suriace of the delineator and covered by a 

transparent caver, a transmission means and/or a 

receiving means for a signal which controls the 

flickering of the light-emitting diodes. Also a 

self·illuminant delineator system including a plurality 

of the above self-illuminant delineators which are 

installed to form a line-up of an eye-guiding, traffic or 

other sign along a shoulder of a road. 

4,841,416 

Doss, Todd, inventor. Solar Charging Lamp. June 20, 

1989. 

A safar charging lamp is set forth wherein a 

twelve-volt direct current lamp is illuminated by means 

of a wet-cell battery recharged by solar cells integrally 

secured to said lamp. An optional cord for attachment to 

an automotive cigarette lighter is available to enable 

charging of an automotive battery by means of the solar 

cells or alternatively, illuminate the lamp during 

continuous overcast conditions from an auxiliary battery 

source, as in an automobile. A photo-electric eye is 

operative to automaticaHy illuminate the light in 

evening hours with an optional infra-red sensor operative 

to activate by operation in response to physical movement 

proximate the infra-red sensor. 

4,841,731 

Tindell, Gene, inventor; Electrical Generation Technology, 

Inc., assignee. Bectrical Energy Production 

Apparatus. June 27, 1 989. 

A solar-powered system for supplying large quantities 

of usable power consists of an array of photovoltaic 

cells which drive an electrolysis generator in which 

water is converted into oxygen and hydrogen gases. The 

oxygen and hydrogen gases are initially stored and then 

mixed in stoichiometric amounts and delivered by means of 

a water-cooled discharge nozzle to a burner chamber in 

which the gases are recombined. High pressure steam 

produced by the oxygen/hydrogen recombination is 

discharged from the burner to a turbine generator. 

Condensed water is collected from the turbine and used as 

distilled water for domestic uses or returned to the 

electrolysis generator. 

4,841,946 

Marks, Alvin M., inventor. Solar Col/ector, 

Transmitter and Heater. July 27, 1 989. 
A Solar Power collector, sunfollower, power 

,transmitter and receiver is described. The Solar power 

collector is a Cassegrain Reflector optical system 

mounted on a carriage travelling on a semicircular track. 

A small photovoltaic cell and rechargeable battery 

provide the power to position the collector. A computer, 

sensors, electronic Circuit and two servomotors provides 

accurate alignment of the collector with the sun's rays 

during the d.ay and returns it to follow the sun again the 

next morning. Sun-power is preferably transmitted from 

the collector via a light-pipe to a cavity where it is 

converted to heat-power. The heat-power may be stored as 

heat energy in a phase change material at a suitable 

temperature for cooking or other uses, such as 

heat-electric power generation. A plurality of 

collector-sunfollowers may transmit light-power to a 

single cavity heat storage depot, from which heat-power 

may be supplied on demand to various utilities. 

4,843,451 

Watanabe, Kaneo; Matsuoka, Tsugufumi; Nakashima, Yukio; 

Haku. Hisao, inventors; Sanyo Electric Ca., Ltd., 

assignee. Photovoltaic Device With 0 and N Doping. 

June 27, 1989. 

A photovoltaic device has at least one set of 

amorphous semiconductor layers forming a p-i-n junction 

structure, wherein at least one of the semiconductor 

layers having a given thickness, is doped with nitrogen 

and oxygen to a depth forming at least part of said given 

thickness. Such a photovoltaic device is fabricated by 

depositing on a substrate at least one set of amorphous 

semiconductor layers which form a p-i-n junction 

structure, and by doping at least one of the layers with 

nitrogen and oxygen to a depth forming at least part of 

the thickness of the doped layer. 

4,843,525 

Williams, Lloyd E.. inventor, Power Plus, Inc., assignee. 

Solar Powered Yard Marker. June 27, 1989. 

A solar powered illuminated yard marker including a 

solar powered battery recharging network that recharges a 

storage battery at a constant rate and can be selectively 

operated to burn continuously to produce a continuous 

light or to burn intermittently to provide a flashing 

light. A solar cell recharges the storage battery in the 

light when sunlight is impinging upon the solar cell to 

provide virtually maintenance free and long term 

operation of the illuminated yard marker during the dark 

or twilight hours. 

4,845,043 

Catalano, Anthony W., inventor. Method for Fabricating 

Photo voltaic Device Having Improved Short Wavelength 

Photoresponse. July 4, 1989. 

Amorphous p-i-n silicon photovoltaic cells with 

improved short wavelength photoresponse are fabricated 

with reduced p-dopant contamination at the pli interface. 

Residual p-dopants are removed by flushing the deposition 

chamber with a gaseous mixture capable of reacting with 

excess doping contaminants prior to the deposition of the 

i-layer and subsequent to the deposition of the p-Iayer. 

4,846,425 

Champetier, Robert J., inventor; Hughes Aircraft Company, 

assignee. Method and Apparatus for Atomic Beam 

Irradiation. July 11, 1989. 

Method and apparatus are disclosed for automatically 

and remotely removing unwanted organic films from 

surfaces of vehicles and satellites in space. A particle 

beam generator draws molecular oxygen from an on-board 

supply chamber and develops a stream of positively 

charged oxygen ions. These ions are directed towards a 

surface or component of a spacecraft such as a solar cell, 

radiation emission aperture, or sensor objective lens 

which has been coated by an opacifying, organic 

contaminant layer that impairs the efficacy of the 

spacecraft. The ions bombard the contaminant layer and 

remove it by both kinetic interaction and chemical 

oxidation. Spacecraft surfaces and components may be 

restored and renewed to their original operational 

capabilities through this method of volatizing 

debilitating occluding residues which have been hardened 

by solar radiation away from the spacecraft as harmless 

gases. 

4,846,896 

Hokuyo. Shigeru, inventor; Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki 

Kaisha, assignee. Solar Cell with Integral Reverse 

Voltage Protection Diode. July 11, 1 989. 

In the fabrication processes of a solar cell, a first 

p-n junction having the function of supplying electric 

power to the exterior of the solar cell is formed in the 

vicinity of the light receiving surface, while a second 

p-n junction is provided in a position separated from the 

light receiving surface. The two p-n junctions are 

interconnected in anti-parallel, so that. when a reverse 

voltage is applied to the first p-n junction, the second 

p-n junction is forward biased to permit Current flow 

therein, thereby preventing the solar cell from breaking 

down. Since the first and second p-n junctions are 

integrated �ith each other, the cost of fabricating the 

solar cell is decreased and the reliability thereof is 

improved. 

4,847,546 

Bobier, Joseph A.; Brown, Gerald E., inventors; Bobier 

Electronics, Inc., assignee. Solar Panel Output 

Enhancement Circuit. July 11. 1989. 

A circuit for operation with solar panels exhibiting 

constant current and variable voltage characteristics. 

The power output of the panels is maximized by the 

circuit through the use of a step-down farm of regulator 

which functions to monitor the peak voltage level of the 

panel and regulate with a switching type regulator in 

Patents 41 
accordance therewith. Thus, peak voltage levels are 

maintained while current output to the load driven by the 

panels is enhanced. When employed for battery charging, 

the circuit includes a threshold selection network which 

identifies the nominal voltage rating of the battery 

under charge and provides appropriate adjustments to 

carry out a pulse charging technique. For start·up 

conditions wherein battery voltages may be below levels 

requisite to evaluate nominal rated voltages, a higher 

level charging voltage is applied for a predetermined 

short interval until adequate threshold is achieved to 

make appropriate determinations of rated voltage values. 

In one embodiment of the current boosting circuit, the 

gate capacitance of a field effect transistor type 

regulator switching component is taken advantage of to 

simplify circuit structure. 

4,849,028 

Krause, Stanley J., inventor; Hughes Aircraft Company, 

assignee. Solar Cell with Integrated Interconnect 

Device and Process for Fabrication Thereof. July 1 8, 

1989. 

A solar cell assembly wherein a solar cell is 

provided with electrical layer contacts for both the 

p·type semiconductor layer and the n·type semiconductor 

layer which are exposed on a top side of the solar cell, 

so that electrical contact to both layers can be made 

from the top side of the cell, and a glass cover 

overlying the solar cell includes a pair of U·shaped 

electrical cell contacts extending over the sides of the 

glass cover so that one leg of each U makes contact with 

one of the layer contacts and the other leg is accessible 

from the top of the cover glass. External electrical 

contact to the cell is easily and conveniently made, and 

cells can be electrically joined to adjacent cells in an 

array using a connector bar. The glass cover also 

supports the solar cell so that excess material on the 

substrate of the solar cell can be etched away to reduce 

the weight of the solar cell assembly. 

4,850,660 

Jones, David P.; Mullaney, Kevin, inventors; Pilkington 

P. E. Limited, assignee. High Emissivity Article 

Having Multiple Layers Of A Material Of High Internal 

Stress. July 25, 1989. 

The article, typically for use in man·made satellites, 

has high emissivity and low reflectance in the thermal 

infra·red wavebands between 6 and 30 microns, and also in 

the visible wavebands. The article is employed either to 

cover individual solar·cells, thereby protecting the 

cells from ionizing radiation and micro·meteoroids, and 

to protect the adhesive bonding the article to the solar 

cell from u·v light, or as a thermal control mirror to 

prevent heat build· up. The article has good emissivity in 

the thermal waveband regions, so the cell can be 

maintained at a relatively tow temperature. The article 

employs a high internal stress material and a preferred 

embodiment comprises a glass substrate having a high 

42 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988-1990 

emissivity coating comprising a stack of multiple 

relatively thin alternate layers of dysprosium fluoride 

and silicon oxide disposed immediately adjacent the 

substrate, and on the other hand, disposed above these 

layers, remote from the substrate, an anti·reflection 

coating comprising alternate layers of erbium oxide and 

dysprosium fluoride and an upper layer of silicon oxide. 

4,851,302 

Nakagawa, Katsumi; Ishihara, Shunichi; Arao, Kozo; 

Fujioka, Yasushi; Sakai, Akira; Kanai, Masahiro, 

inventors; Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, assignee. 

Functional ZnSe:H Deposited Films. July 25, 1 989. 

There is provided a functional ZnSe:H deposited film 

composed of zinc atoms, selenium atoms, and at least 

hydrogen atoms, with the content of hydrogen atoms being 

1 to 4 atomiC % and the ratio of crystal grains per unit 

volume being 65 to 85 vol %. It is capable of efficient 

doping and is stable to irradiation. It can be made into 

a high conductivity p·type of n-type ZnSe:H:M film by 

doping. It can be efficiently deposited on a non·sinQle 

crystal substrate such as metal, glass, and synthetic 

resin which was incapable of efficient depositing. Thus 

the invention makes it possible to form a high· functional 

device such as a photovoltaic element of ZnSe film on a 

non·single crystal substrate. 

4,851,308 

Akhtar, Masud, inventor; Chronar Corp., assignee. 

Solid-State Energy Storage Celf Wherein The Electrolyte 

Comprises An Organic Support And An Inorganic Salt. 

July 25, 1989. 

Thin film solid state batteries and electrochromic 

devices are prepared in which one of the electrodes is an 

electronic organic polymeric material. The counter 

electrode is an alkali metal ion acceptor and releaser in 

an appropriate electrolyte containing an alkali metal 

salt. The counter electrode can also be a non-alkali 

metal with its salt in the electrolyte. The organic 

polymer can also be replaced by sulfides, oxides, or 

selenides. The devices operate at ambient temperatures. 

The batteries can also be combined with photovoltaic 

devices to form a single unit which can store solar 

energy. 

4,854,974 

Carlson, David E.; Dickson, Charles R.; D'Alello, 

Robert V., inventors; Solarex Corporation, assignee. 

Electrical Contacts for a Thin-Film Semiconductor 

Device. August 8, 1989. 

A method of fabricating spaced-apart back contacts on 

a thin film of semiconductor material by forming strips 

of buffer material an top of the semiconductor material 

in locations corresponding to the desired dividing lines 

between back contacts, forming a film of metal 

substantially covering the semiconductor material and 

buffer strips, and scribing portions of the metal film 
overlying the buffer strips with a laser without 

contacting the underlying semiconductor material to 

separate the metal layer into a plurality of back 

contacts. The buffer material selVes to protect the 

underlying semiconductor material from being damaged 

during the laser scribing. Back contacts and multi-cell 

photovoltaic modules incorporating such back contacts 

also are disclosed. 

4,854,975 

Krause, Stanley J., inventor; Hughes Aircraft Company, 

assignee. Solar Cell with Integrated Interconnect 

Device and Process for Fabrication Thereof. August 8, 

1989. 

A solar cell assembly wherein a solar cell is 

provided with electrical layer contacts for both the 

p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor 

layer which are exposed on a top side of the solar cell, 

so that electrical contact to both layers can be made 

from the top side of the cell, and a glass cover 

overlying the solar cell includes a pair of U-shaped 

electrical cell contacts extending over the sides of the 

glass cover so that one leg of each U makes contact with 

one of the layer contacts and the other leg is accessible 

from the top of the cover glass. External electrical 

contact to the cell is easily and conveniently made, and 

cells can be electrically joined to adjacent cells in an 

array using a connector bar. The glass cover also 

supports the solar cell so that excess material on the 

substrate of the solar cell can be etched away to reduce 

the weight of the solar cell asse'mbly. 

4,856,605 

Cornelius, Klaus; Exner, Rainer, inventors; Sartorius 

GmbH, assignee. Nonsystem-Connected Electronic 

Balance. August 15. 1 989. 

Solar cells for the supply of electric energy are 

located in an electronic balance in a manner suitable for 

the requirements of the balance and storage means for 

storing the electric current generated by the solar cells 

are present. The ,solar cells are located. for example, in 

a folding cover which protects the balance when it is not 

in use and which is folded up at the start of operation. 

In addition, a display for the state of charge of the 

storage means is present. 

4,857,115 

Iwamoto, Masayuki: Minami, Kouji; Watanabe, Kaneo, 

inventors; Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., assignee. 

Photovoltaic Device. August 15, 1 989. 

The present invention relates to a photovoltaic 

device using hydrogenated amorphous silicon as a 

photoactive layer wherein the ratio of the number of 

silicon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms to the total 

number of silicon atoms (expressed as a percentage) is 1 % 

or less and the density of dangling bonds is 1 x 10 t 7 

cm-3 or less. Accordingly, the device of the present 

invention has the following advantages: the cost can be 

reduced for forming a thinner layer, the area of the 

photo-active layer can be increased, the efficiency of 

photo-electric conversion is improved, and 

photo-deterioration is reduced. 

4,857,976 

Overhauser, Albert W.; Maserjian, Joseph, inventors; 

California Institute of Technology, assignee. 

Hydrogen-Stabilized Semiconductor Devices. August 15, 

1 989. 

Semiconductor devices, such as silicon-base MOS 

devices and solar cens degrade as a result of a variety 

of reasons, such as hot carriers, photons, and ionizing 

radiations. Degradation in such devices is cured by the 

presence of atomic hydrogen during processing. However, a 

source of atomic hydrogen is not available to heal damage 

over the lifetime of the device. In accordance with the 

invention, a source of atomic hydrogen is provided in 

cooperative relationship with the devices. In a preferred 

embodiment, the source comprises a layer of palladium, 

disposed at an appropriate location. The palladium is 

charged with atomic hydrogen during packaging or 

encapsulating by exposure to a hyqrogen-containing 

species. The palladium cracks the species to generate 

atomic hydrogen, which it stores and provides to the 

device on a real-time basis. 

4,860,509 

Laaly, Heshmat 0.; Stevenson, Edward J., inventors. 

Photovoltaic Cells In Combination With Single Ply 

Roofing Membranes. August 29, 1989. 

A combination form of flexible roofing material 

including a reinforced single-ply membrane base for being 

adhered to the roof substrate. On the base is laminated a 

structurally flexible layer of solar cells encapsulated 

and sealed in a flexible intermediate layer of solar 

radiation transparent plastic protected by a cover layer 

of weather-proof solar transparent plastic. The roofing 

is constructed for being manufactured in elongate sheets, 

rolled up for transport to the site and installed by 

conventional methods including sealing to adjacent sheets 

of similar single-ply membrane material which may or may 

not incorporate solar cells. This is continued until the 

roof covering is complete. Examples are given for 

reinforced plastic sheet. modified bituminous sheet, and 

elastomeric sheet roofing materials as well as for a wide 

variety of solar cells materials together with methods 

for fabricating these materials into the roofing system 

disclosed. 

4,861,387 

Matsumoto, Hideo, inventor; Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki 

Kaisha. assignee. Solar Cell and Method of Fabricating 

Solar Cell. August 29, 1989. 

Patents 43 
In the adhesive layer for adhering the solar cell 

,body and the cover glass, convexly-shaped adhesive convex 

members are applied and hardened before application of 

the adhesive layer. The convex adhesive members support 

the cover glass parallel to the upper surface of the 

solar cell body, whereby the thickness of the adhesive 

layer on the solar cell body is substantially uniform. 

4,864,016 

DuPont, Preston S.; Bilow, Norman, inventors; Hughes 

Aircraft Company, assignee. Polyimide Composition and 

Method for Protecting Photoreactive Cells. September 5, 

1989. 

A protective coating for solar cells. particularly 

solar cells positioned in space and which coating is a 

polyimide which is colorless, transparent, relatively 

non-brittle, has a high degree of thermal stability and 

readily transmits solar radiation without appreciable 

degradation. The coating is heat resistant and does not 

degrade significantly when exposed to ultraviolet 

radiation, and is highly effective in repelling low 

energy proton particles. In a preferred embodiment, the 

protective polyimide coating is a polymer having the 

following recurring structural unit: (diagram included), 

4,864,100 

Cicak, Michael J., inventor; Glasstech International, 

L.P., assignee. Controfled Zone Defrosting System. 

September 5, 1989. 

A controlled zone defrosting system is provided for 

disbursing electrical energy, according to predetermined 

priorities, to a plurality of defrosting devices, formed 

of an electrically conductive glass coating material, in 

an automobile or the like. The defrosting devices could, 

for example, be effectively located to melt ice formed on 

such areas as the driver and passenger sides of a 

windshield, a rear window, etc. The disbursement of 

electrical energy may, in addition to being dependent on 

preselected priorities, be made dependent on a number of 

factors such as time, temperature and the remaining 

amount of energy. The electrical energy may be supplied 

by an associated automobile's battery, an independent 

battery, or an electrical energy generating mechanism 

such as a photovoltaic device. Available remaining 

electrical energy may be monitored and, as it is 

diminished, be disbursed only to zones given top 

priorities. If a photovoltaic device is used, electrical 

energy supplied thereby may be disbursed to maintain the 

charge of an associated battery. 

4,864,763 

Peikin, Aaron J., inventor. Temperature Measurement 

Apparatus for Use in Recreational and Sporting 

Activities. September 12, 1 989. 

A temperature measuring device includes a temperature 

sensor which is locaied adjacent one end of an elongated 

member such as a hiking/wading staff or a fishing rOd. A 

44 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988-1990 

temperature measurement display device is located in the 

vicinity of the other end of the elongated member. 

Selectable predetermined temperature alarm limits are 

included to provide visual, or audible and/or tactile 

alarms when the temperature measured by the temperature 

sensor exceeds the predetermined alarm limits. In another 

embodiment, the temperature sensor is electrically 

connected to the temperature measurement display through 

a connector disposed in a fishing reel which, when 

mounted on the handle of the fishing rod, effects the 

electrical connection between the temperature sensor and 

temperature measurement display to be made. 

4,865,999 

Xi, Jianping; Madan, Arun, inventors; Glasstech Solar, 

Inc., assignee. Solar Cell Fabrication Method. 

September 12, 1989. 

A solar cell fabrication method and solar cell made 

by the method wherein a grid of point electrical 

connections is made to a transparent first electrode 

layer of the cell through a layer of a-8i semiconductor 

material which is sandwiched between the first electrode 

layer and a second back electrode layer. A dielectric , 

layer electrically insulates the back electrode layer and 

the grid of point electrical connections. An electrically 

conducting network is deposited on the dielectric layer 

and electrically interconnects the grid of point 

electrical connections. The resulting cell has a 

relatively low active area loss and a relatively low 

electrical power loss due to the electrical connections 

in the cell. 

4,867,191 

Walters, Jon S., inventor; American General Products, 

Inc., assignee. Solar Activated Gas Ught Control 

Module. September 19, 1989. 

A self-contained gas light control module is 

disclosed as including a tubular housing with a main 

tubular gas line extending through the housing and a 

normally open electro-mechanical valve in the gas line to 

permit flow of gas therethrough at night During day 

light hours, a solar cell is activated to close the 

normally open electro-mechanical valve and shut-off the 

main tubular gas line; however, a smaller by-pass gas 

passageway or line is connected around the 

electro-mechanical valve to permit a smaller amount of 

continuous gas flow around the electro-mechanical valve, 

when closed, for [ow pilot flame burning of the gas light 

during day light hours. 

4,867,574 

Jenkofsky, John J., inventor. Ultra High Speed 

Infrared Temperature Measuring Device. September 19, 

1989. 

A high speed infrared temperature measuring device 

which consists of a lens barrel in an instrument housing, 

a sensor in the lens barrel to read an infrared target 
signal, a processing circuit for the signal, an automatic 

circuit for the thermoelectric cooler and a black body 

compensation circuit and means to read and record the 

processed signal. 

4,867,801 

Stanbery, Billy J., inventor; The Boeing Company, 

assignee. Triple-Junction Heteroepitaxial 

AIGa/CulnSe2 Tandem Solar Cell and Method of 

Manufacture. September 19, 1989. 

An ultra-high-efficiency, monolithic, heteroepitaxial 

solar cell having a high specific power is disclosed. The 

solar cell includes three photoactive regions connected 

in series by their structure as a substantially single 

crystal multilayer film. The three photoactive junctions 

are in tandem optically. The upper cell, having the 

highest bandgap, is exposed to the entire solar spectrum, 

wherein those wavelengths whose energy is less than the 

upper cell's bandgap are transmitted to the two 

underlying cells. The intermediate cell similarly filters 

the solar spectrum transmitted to the lower cell which 

has the lowest bandgap. 

4,868,376 

Lessin, Arlen A.; Gruppuso, Frank M.; Harrison, Shelley 

A.t inventors; SmartCard International Inc., assignee. 

Intelligent Portable Interactive Personal Data 

System. September 19, 1 989. 

An intelligent portable interactive personal data 

system is disclosed. A microprocess�r with memory is 

contained with a transaction card-shaped housing. An 

alphanumeric keypad and alphanumeric display is located 

on a surface of the housing. At least one port within the 

housing is provided for the input and output of 

information. An operating system is stored in the memory 

to control the operation of the system through the 

microprocessor. The operating system provides a means for 

generating a plurality of messages on the-display that 

prompts the user during the operation of the system. 

4,868,379 

West. Rick, inventor; Utility Power Group, assignee. 

Photovoltaic Array With Two-Axis Power Maximization 

Tracking. September 19, 1 989. 

A control system for maximizing the power supplied by 

an array of solar cells senses the current and voltage 

produced and multiplies these to determine the 

instantaneous power. The array is tilted slightly in a 

first direction and the effect on the instantaneous power 

is noted. If an increase in power "",85 produced, a further 

movement in the same direction is executed; but if the 

first movement produced a reduction in power, a movement 

in the opposite direction is executed. The process 

continues until no increase in power is obtained in 

either direction. Thereafter, the same process is carried 

out with respect to a second axis of the solar array. 

4,868,664 

Yaniv, Zvi; Cannella, Vincent D.; McGill, John, 

inventors; Energy Conversion Devices, Inc., assignee. 

Contact Tvpe Image Replication Employing A Light Piping 

Faceplate. September 19, 1989. 

Apparatus for the photogeneration of electrical 

signals representative of a detectable condition of an 

image-bearing surface. The appartatus includes a 

transparent substrate upon which an array of spaced, thin 

film photosensitive elements is deposited. A 

substantially loss·1ree, light transmitting faceplate, 

preferably formed from a fused array of oriented optical 

fibers is operatively spaced from that array of 

photosensitive elements by a layer of optical grease. 

4,869,755 

Huschka, Hans; Hoffman, Winfried, inventors; Nukem GmbH, 

assignee. Encapsulation of a Photovoltaic Element. 

September 26, 1989. 

The encapsulation of a photovoltaic element is 

described in which the outer suriace is provided with a 

two layer protective film comprising a carbon film and a 

dielectriC silicon compound film. 

4,871,042 

Hsu, Chi-chu; Yu, Chin-ching; Chao, Suyueh; Huang, 

Miguel C.J., inventors. Bectric Bicycle. October 3, 

1 989. 

An electric bicycle which includes an electric power 

driving mechanism in combination with a manual pedal 

driving system. The electric bicycle may be actuated by 

manual pedalling of the user, or through electrical power 

actuation or a combination of electrical power and manual 

operation. The power driving system includes a motor 

coupled to reduction gears for driving a set of bevel 

gears. The bevel gears are coupled to a shaft member 

having secured thereto a transmission gear to engage with 

a sprocket wheel to displace a standard chain member. The 

motor is supplied with DC electricity by a battery which 

may either be charged by solar cells or alternating 

current passing through a rectifier supplied by an 

external power system. Still further, the electric 

bicycle may have its speed controlled with a user's hand 

actuated speed .controller mechanism. 

4,871,517 

Falckenberg, Richard; Hoyler, Gerhard; Grabmaier, Josef, 

inventors; Siemens Aktiengesellschatt, assignee. 

Apparatus For Parting Wafer-Shaped Silicon Bodies, 

Useful For Sofar Celfs, From A Silicon Tape Manufactured 

In A Horizontal Tape-Drawing Method. October 3, 1989. 

A method and apparatus for producing disk-shaped or 

wafer-shaped silicon bodies from a silicon tape produced 

in a horizontal tape-drawing process, utilizing a woven 

fabric of graphite threads as a carrier for the silicon 

to be crystallized. The crystallization of the molten 

Patents 45 
silicon is initiated by heating sources positioned about 

the melt crucible. Radiation losses are reduced by 

providing shielding members in predetermined, prescribed 

intervals corresponding to the areas at which the parting 

lines are to be provided in the tape. The shielding 

members reduce the radiation losses to such an extent 

that a readily frangible line is produced in the area of 

the shielding members enabling the tape to be broken up 

at regular, predetermined intervals on a continuous basis. 

4,871,959 

Gali, Carl E., inventor. Solar Trickle Charger for 

Lead Acid Batteries. October 3, 19S9. 

Multi-solar cell panel powered trickle chargers are 

provided for lead acid batteries with the solar cell 

panel power connected to a DC to AC inverter 

multi-vibrator having a center tap and opposite end 

connections to a primary coil of a transformer. The 

secondary coil of the transformer has opposite end 

connections to two opposite termmals of a four diode 

rectifier bridge. The other opposite connections of the 

four diode AC to DC rectifier bridge are connected to 

like polarity terminals of a battery with connection via 

an insert into a cigarette lighter holder in a vehicle, 

or into a receptacle with two wires with end cljps 

connectable to the terminals of a battery. In one 

embodiment the connection is a steady state trickle 

chargers while in another embodiment the circuitry out of 

the four diode AC to DC rectifier bridge includes a 

relatively small value capacitor connected across the 

bridge output terminals and, in one line, a zener diode, 

silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) and resistor network 

is included such that when the small capacitor reaches a 

discharge triggering voltage .the zener diode is fired 

activating the SCR discharging at approximately 4 to 5 

amps across the battery every few milliseconds. 

4,872,149 

Speas, Gary W., inventor; POM, Incorporated, assignee. 

Electronic Advertising System for Solar Powered Parking 

Meter. October 3, 1 989. 

An advertising system for use with an electronic 

parking meter. A microprocessor is connected to a memory 

for storing a predetermined message and a liquid crystal 

display displays the message and is connected to the 

microprocessor. The electronic parking meter also 

displays time remaining on the meter during a first time 

period, and displays the message during a second time 

period. The microprocessor also causes the message to 

scroll across the display. 

4,872,679 

Bohaski, Frank L.; Horner, Jr., Jack L., inventors. 

Combination Table Top Football And Hockey Game. 

October 10, 1989. 

46 U.S. Phatavollaic Patenls: 1988-1990 

A combination table top football and hockey game 

utilizes a rectangular board formed by two rectangular 

sections connected along a central line by a hinge for 

movement between open and closed positions. The board has 

front and back surfaces designed respectively as a 

football field game area and a hockey rink game area. By 

inverllng the game board, either table top football or 

table top hockey may be played. A scoreboard is removably 

received in an invertible fashion in mounting brackets 

provided on a side wall of the board, for use with either 

the football game area or the hockey game area. Two pairs 

of spaced aligned notches are formed in interior portions 

on opposed side walls of the game board for removable 

insertion of a pair of elongated rectangular slats. The 

slats are disposed in a common plane upon movement of the 

game board to a closed position and form a retaining wall 

of the closed case. The invention provides a standardized 

format and rules for two games which have been played in 

casual fashion utilizing improvised pieces,by school 

Children for many years. 

4,872,925 

McMaster, Harold A., inventor; Glasstech, Inc., assignee. 

Photovoltaic Cell Fabrication Method and Panel Made 

Thereby. October 10, 1989. 

A photovoltaic cell fabrication method and 

photovoltaic cell including a layer of amorphous silicon 

sandwiched between a transparent sheet electrode and a 

back sheet electrode. A third sheet electrode is 

insulated from the back sheet electrode and makes an 

electrical connection with the transparent sheet 

electrode at isolated areas by penetrating a dielectric 

layer which insulates the back and third sheet 

electrodes. The third sheet electrode also penetrates the 

back sheet electrode and the amorphous silicon layer at 

the isolated areas which, preferably, form an array of 

dots or paint contacts with the transparent sheet 

electrode. The transparent sheet electrode is preferably 

disposed on a glass substrate and the point contacts 

result in an increase in the active area on the light 

incident surface of the cell. The frequent electrical 

connections of the third sheet electrode to the 

transparent sheet elec�rode result in lower power losses 

in the cell. The cell can be formed in a single, 

continuous production machine. A photovoltaic panel is 

made of a series of at least two of the cells wherein the 

third sheet electrode of one cell is serially connected 

to the back sheet electrode of an adjacent cell. 

4,873,118 

Elias, Eric; Knapp, Karl E., inventors; Atlantic 

Richfield Company, assignee. Oxygen Glow Treating Of 

ZNO Electrode For Thin Film Silicon Solar Cell. 

October 10, 1989, 

An improved method for making solar cells of the type 

wherein a thin film silicon hydrogen alloy structure is 

deposited upon a transparent zinc oxide conductive film. 

Before deposition of the TFS film, the zinc oxide film is 
treated with a glow discharge comprising oxygen. 

4,873,198 

Meyers, Peter V.; Liu, Chung-Heng; Frey, Timothy J., 

inventors; Ametek, Inc., assignee. Method Of Making 

Phatovaltaic Cell With Chloride Dip. October 1 0, 1 9a9. 

A method of making a mUlti-layer phatovaltaic cell 

containing a heat-treated layer including Cd and Te, 

comprising the sequential steps of applying a chloride to 

the layer, heat-treating the layer with the chlorid.e 

theron, and subsequently depositing another semiconductor 

layer theron. 

4,873,202 

Akiyama, Sigeo, inventor; Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd., 

assignee. Solid State Relay And Method Of 

Manufacturing The Same. October 10, 19a9. 

A solid state relay includes a MOS FET receiving a 

photovoltaic output generated across a photavoltaic diode 

array responsive to a light signal from a light-emitting 

element, and a normally ON driving transistor connected 

to the MOS FET, the driving transistor being connected at 

control electrode to a connection point between the 

photovoltaic diode array and an impedance element to be 

biased by a voltage generated across the impedence 

element during generation of the photovoltaic output 

across the photovoltaic diode array to have a high 

impedance state, whereby the relay can be prevented from 

providing at output terminals any intermediate state ON 

and OFF states even when an input current to the relay is 

in lower range, and a high speed relay operation is 

realized. 

4,873,480 

Lafferty, Donald L., inventor. Coupling Network for 

Improving Conversion Efficiency of Photovoltaic Power 

Source. October 1 0, 19a9. 

A switching network for improving the conversion 

efficiency of a photovoltaic power supply comprises a 

variable coupling circuit for coupling an array of 

photovoltaic cells to a load resistance. The combined 

effective impedance of the network and load is varied to 

match the value required for maximum output power. A 

switching transistor which connects the source module to 

the load is pulse-width modulated with a variable duty 

cycle determined by the control signal from the sensor 

circuit. A photovoltaic cell similar to those comprising 

the photovoltaic power module is used to track variations 

in the ambient light intensity. The open-circuit voltage 

of a sensor cell is used to determine the proper value of 

duty cycle required for maximum power transfer. The 

output voltage of the module is sampled and compared with 

the proper value to produce a control signal. 

4,873,790 

Laterza, Joseph, inventor. Plant Spinner. October 

17, 1989. 

This plant spinner is designed to rotate potted 

plants, so as to evenly expose them to the rays of the 

sun. Primarily, it consists of a simulated flower that is 

adhered to a window pane, and the petals of the flower 

are provided with a multiple number of solar cells that 

convert the rays of the sun to electric current that 

drives a motor that slowly rotates a potted plant that is 

suspended from the plant spinner. Each solar cell in the 

flower is capable of powering a separate plant spinner, 

and the rotation of such potted plants provides for 

better growth because of them being evenly exposed to the 

rays of the sun. 

4,874,920 

Yamazaki, Shunpei; Itoh, Kenji; Nagayama, Susumu, 

inventors; Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd., 

assignee. ElectroniC Device Manufacturing Methods. 

October 17, 1989. 

In a method of making an electronic device having at 

least a transparent conductive layer, which includes at 

least a step of forming a transparent conductive layer 

member and a step of forming a transparent conductive 

layer by patterning the transparent conductive layer 

member using a spot�shaped or linear laser beam or beams, 

each of which has a short wavelength of 400 nm or less 

and optical energy greater than the optical energy gap of 

the transparent conductive layer. 

4,875,031 

Filippi, Ernest A.; Miller, Kenneth L., inventors. 

Vapor Monitoring System. October 17, 1989. 

A hazardous gases detector that is completely self 

contained and small enough to fit into small diameter 

pipe bores. The system is housed in two sealed enclosures, 

one housing the detection circuits and batteries and the 

other the signal output. The two components are connected 

by a length of electrical cable. The invention detects 

BTX vapors in monitor well bores or piping connected to 

the detection volume of dual walled underground fuel 

storage tanks. The signal output end of the invention 

caps the well or conduit and suspends the sensor end in 

the well bore or conduit. The detection circuit and 

battery end is suspended ten feet or more below the 

ground level and thusly ensures uniform temperature, and 

thus stable performance of the detector. Circuits that 

time vapors sampling interval provide long term operation 

from a battery comprised of six standard "0" size cells, 

leak detection is signaled by blinding lights and horn, 

with two weeks of signal capacity in the battery, a 

minimum. Internal non�reversible indication of leak 

detection is also provided. The lower housing is 

intrinsic safe by pressure containment and the upper 

housing by current limitation. The system can be varied 

to function from a solar cell battery combination and 

Patents 47 
transmit signals by radio. Installation does not require 

electrical or signal wiring, thus is not susceptable to 

technician error for installation and service. 

4,875,101 

Endo, Yukio; Harada, Nozomu, inventors; Kabushiki Kaisha 

Toshiba, assignee. Solid State Photovoltaic Imaging 

Device With Excess Charge Eliminator. October 17, 1989. 

A multilayered CGD image sensor having semiconductive 

cells aligned on a substrate to define picture elements 

of the image sensor, and a photosensitive layer, which is 

provided above the substrate, is conducted to the 

semiconductive cells, and photovoltaicly generates 

charges of light radiation thereon. A vertical charge 

transfer section is provided on the substrate and is 

elongated to be parallel to a linear cell array. A 

horizontal charge transfer section is coupled to one end 

portion of the vertical charge transfer section, and a 

drain layer for sweeping out excess charges is coupled to 

the other end portion of the vertical charge transfer 

section. In a normal signal charge readout mode, signal 

charges from the cells are normally transferred to the 

horizontal charge transfer section through the vertical 

charge transfer section. A sweep-out operation of excess 

charges is periormed during a vertical blanking period. 

I n this case, excess charges left in the vertical charge 

transfer section are transferred through the vertical 

charge transfer section in a direcb'on opposite to that 

in the normal signal charge readout mode, and are 

discharged to the drain layer. No excess charges flow 

into the horizontal charge transfer section. 

4,875,943 

Hamakawa, Yoshihiro; Tawada, Yoshihisa; Tsuge, Kazunori; 

Izumina, Masanobu, inventors; Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo 

Kabushiki Kaisha, assignee. Flexible Photovoltaic 

Device. October 24, 1 989. 

A flexible photovoltaic device includes a flexible 

substrate and a photovoltaic device body. The flexible 

substrate is a metal foil or film provided with an 

electric insulating layer of a material having an 

electric conductivity of not more than 

1 0·7(n-cmr' at the time of light impinging and 

selected from a heat resistant polymer, a metal oxide, a 

crystalline or amorphous silicon compound and an 

organometallic compound. 

4,875,944 

Yoshida, Takashi, inventor; Fuji Electric Corporate 

Research and Development, Ltd., assignee. Amorphous 

Photoelectric Converting Device. October 24, 1 989. 

An amorphous photoelectric converting device that 

remains efficient despite exposure to heat over long 

periods of time is formed by placing one on top of the 

other a plurality of photovoltaic elements each 

comprising a thin film of p-i-n structure. The p-type 

layer and the n-type layer of adjacent elements are made 

48 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1 988·1990 

of microcrystalline silicon so that good ohmic contact is 

established, and the p-type layer of microcrystalline 

silicon contains boron in an amount sufficient to 

neutralize the donor atoms which diffuse from the 

adjacent n-type layer when the device is left to stand at 

high temperatures for a long period of time. The amount 

of boron, however, is limited to such an extent that the 

boron atoms do not adversely affect the initial desired 

characteristics of the device. A preferred range of boron 

levels is 3 x 1020 to 1 x 1021 atoms/cm3. 

4,876,210 

Barnett, Allen M.; Zolper, John C., inventors; The 

University of Delaware, assignee. Solution Growth Of 

Lattice Mismatched And Solubility Mismatched 

Heterostructures. October 24, 1 989. 

The effects of excessive lattice mismatch in solution 

grown heterostructures are reduced by incorporating a 

lattice graded interiace layer between the substrate and 

the heteroepitaxial layer. The effects of lattice 

mismatch are also reduced by reducing the contact area 

with a selective growth mask which controls where growth 

initiates on the substrate. The effect of mismatched 

solubility is reduced by double saturation of the solvent 

and selective supersaturation of the solvent. 

4,876,430 

Herschitz, Roman; Bogorad, Alexander; Harhigh, Robert 

N., inventors; General Electric Company, assignee. 

Preweld Test Method. October 24, 1989. 

A method for welding together the broad faces of two 

conductive sheets increases the reliability and 

consistency from weld to weld. The sheets are accessible 

from only one side for parallel electrical resistance 

welding. The electrical resistance between one sheet and 

the other is measured and taken as an indication of the 

amount of dirt or corrosion in the interface between the 

sheets. The measured resistance is compared with a 

predetermined standard. If the resistance exceeds the 

standard. the faces are cleaned. If the resistance is 

below the standard, electrical power is applied to fuse 

the sheets together. 

4,876,444 

Field. Bruce F., inventor; Tennant Company, assignee. 

Protection From Extraneous Ught For Ught Guided 

Vehicle. October 24, 1 989. 

An automated guided vehicle uses a scanning laser 

unit having a laser transmitter and receiver to transmit 

laser signals and receive them reflected back from a 

series of targets. The reflected signals are used to 

guide the vehicle along a desired path. The laser unit 

includes a photodetector mounted near the laser receiver 

such that any extraneous light, such as sunlight, that 

strikes the laser receiver will also strike the 

photodetector. The photodetector converts the extraneous 

light into an electrical signal proportional to the 
amount of such light. The photodetector signal is 

compared to a threshold value which generally is slightly 

below an amount of extraneous light sufficient to confuse 

the laser unit. If the threshold value is exceeded, the 

photoodetector signal is used to stop the vehicle or take 

other appropriate action. 

4,878,043 

Heusquin. Guy; Heusquin, Anke, inventors. Device for 

Indicating Hydroculture-ReJated Values. October 31, 

1 989. 

A device for indicating values which are of interest 

in hydroculture applications is characterized in that the 

device Includes a tube open at one end thereof and 

attached to a vessel at another end thereof. A probe 

including a sensor is disposed proximate the one end of 

the tube for responding to liquid. An IC connected to the 

sensor includes an electronic system and an optical or 

acoustic signal transmitter is connected to the 

electronic system galvanically or in a wireless manner. 

This arrangement makes it possible to reliably indicate 

any absence of liquid and to read the indication with 

ease. 

4,879,251 

Kruehler, Wolfgang; Milia, Peter, inventors; Siemens 

Aktiengesellschaft, assignee. Method of Making 

Series-Connected, Thin-Film Solar Module Formed of 

Crystalline Silicon. November 7, 1 9S9. 

Method for manufacturing a series-connected thin-film 

solar module of crystalline Silicon upon which is formed 

an electrically conductive layer upon which is formed a 

p-doped polycrystalline silicon layer which is about 50 

microns thick both being deposited on a large area of 

glass or ceramic substrate and a pn junction is formed in 

the p-doped polycrystalline silicon layer. Individual 

cells that have a width between one to two centimeters 

are formed by forming trenches so as to electrically 

insulate them from each other in the silicon layer and 

the trenches are filled with an insulator material. Front 

electrodes and electrodes for series interconnecting the 

individual cells are formed over the cells and into holes 

formed by that purpose and the method saves up to SO% of 

silicon material as compared to prior art methods. 

4,879,760 

Kroll, Mark W.; Pommrehn, Mark A., inventors; Cherne 

Medical, Inc., assignee. Optical Fiber Transmissive 

Signal Modulation System. November 7, 1 9S9. 

The device of the present invention provides a signal 

modulation system. The system has a first station 

communicatively connected to at least first and second 

optical fibers. The first station has a transmitter to 

produce an unmodulated light carrier signal through the 

first optical fiber and a receiver to convert a modulated 

light signal from the second optical fiber to a 

demodulated electrical signal for output. The system also 

has a second station communicatively connected to the 

first and second optical fibers. The second station has 

an amplifier and power source which receive input carrier 

modulating Signals, a modulation circuit, and an 

electro-optical modulator constructed and arranged to 

modulate transmission of the light carrier signal from 

the first optical fiber to the second optical fiber. 

4,881 ,979 

Lewis, Carol L. A., inventor; Varian Associates, Inc., 

assignee. Junctions For Monolithic Cascade Solar Cells 

And Methods. November 21, 1 9S9. 

In order to increase the efficiency of solar cells, a 

monolithic stacked device is constructed comprising a 

pluraJity of solar sub-cells adjusted for different bands 

of radiation. The interconnection between these sub-cells 

has been a significant technical problem. The invention 

provides an interconnection which is an extremely thin 

layer of gold formed between the sub-cells by 

organometallic chemical vapor deposition. Such a layer 

tends to form beads which serve as a low resistance 

shorting interconnect while passing a large fraction of 

the radiation to the lower sub-cells. 

4,882,239 

Grimmer, Derrick P.; Wenz, Robert P., inventors; 

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, assignee. 

Ught-Rechargeable Battery. November 21, 1 9S9. 

A light rechargeable battery includes a rechargeable 

cell having an elongated, tubular case characterized by a 

longitudinal axis, and a pair of terminals extending 

therefrom. Two or more thin-film solar cells fabricated 

on a flexible substrate and interconnected in a series 

circuit between the terminals are circumferentially 

positioned around the rechargeable cell on the exterior 

of the case. A blocking diode is connected in the series 

circuit with the solar cells. The solar cells are coupled 

to the terminals by bus bars. A transparent shrink wrap 

cover secures the solar cells to the case of the 

rechargeable cell. 

4,882,471 

Kai, Tomoko, inventor; Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, assignee. 

Electronic Equipment Using A Cover. November 21, 

1 989. 

Electronic equipment includes a keyboard portion 

arranged on an electronic equipment body, for inputting 

data, a solar cell, arranged on the electronic equip,ment 

body, for supplying power, a cover for protecting the 

solar cell, and a display portion arranged on the cover. 

4,884,017 

Williams, Lloyd E., inventor; Power Plus, Inc., assignee. 

Solar Powered Construction Ught. November 2S, 1 9S9. 

Patents 49 
A recharging network for a solar powered construction 

light, including a solar powered battery, that recharges 

a storage battery at a constant rate and can be 

selectively operated to burn the light continuously to 

produce a continuous light or to burn intermittently to 

provide a flashing light. The network allows a solar cell 

to recharge the storage battery when sunlight is 

impinging upon the solar cell to provide virtually 

maintenance free and long term operation of the 

construction light during the dark or twilight hours when 

construction lights are commonly employed to warn 

motorists of road hazards. 

4,885,995 

Antosh, Mark J., inventor. Solar Induction Monorail 

System and Method of Using. December 12, 1 9a9. 

A transportation system including a solar energy 

collecting monorail structure formed with a photovoltaic 

surface layer having a solar energy converting means for 

converting the collected solar energy to electrical 

energy. A power distribution means for distributing 

stored energy to transit vehicles being propelled along 

the monorail structure or distributing excess energy to a 

remote power utility source. The monorail structure 

includes means for propelling a transit vehicle according 

to magnetic principals associated with transverse flux 

motors. The system also includes a computer controlled, 

elevation compensating monorail structure extrUSion 

machine comprising a fabrication chamber which 

continuously fabricates the monorail structure along a 

monorail construction right-of-way. 

4,886,554 

Woodring, William J.; Horner Jr., Charles J., inventors; 

GAF Corporation, assignee. Solar Roofing Assembly. 

December 12, 1989. 

A solar roofing assembly is provided including a 

roofing membrane, a plurality of insulation blocks 

disposed as a layer on top of the roofing membrane, a 

plurality of pavers disposed as a layer on top of the 

plurality of insulation blocks, and a plurality of 

photovoltaic cells, each supported on a respective paver. 

In a second embodiment, each paver has a respective 

photovoltaic cell bonded to the top surface of the paver 

and has a respective insulation block bonded to the 

bottom surface of the paver forming a shop assembled, 

three-layer unit. The insulation block is also tapered 

with one side edge being thicker than an opposite side 

edge so that rain water will run off the top surface of 

the photovoltaic cell. The three-layer paver units are 

arranged on top of the roofing membrane, so that the top 

surfaces of the photovoltaic cells face south or in the 

direction of increased sun exposure. The insulation 

blocks have interlocking side surfaces. 

The joints between the pavers and the insulation 

blocks permit drainage therethrough of rain water for 

flow of rain water over the top of the roofing membrane. 

50 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988-1990 

A method of manufacture is provided, wherein three-layer 

units of insulation block, paver and photovoltaic cell 

are made in the shop, and wherein the three-layer units 

are installed in the field over a field-installed roofing 

membrane. 

4,886,555 

Hackstein, Karl-Gerhard; Hezel, Rudolf, inventors; Nukem 

GmbH, assignee. Solar Cell. December 12, 1 989. 

Proposed is a silicon solar cen with a substrate 

body on one side of which an electrical field is 

generated by an MIS contact to cause separation of charge 

carriers generated by radiation energy. The minority 

charge carriers are drawn off in the metal of the MIS 

contact, whereas the majority charge carriers are 

conducted away by ohmic contacts arranged on the opposite 

side. The ohmic contacts are located on elevelated areas 

relative to the substrate surface. Moreover, the side of 

the substrate body bearing the ohmic contacts is 

completely covered with at least one passivation layer. 

4,888,061 

Wenz, Robert P., inventor; Minnesota Mining and 

Manufacturing Company, assignee. Thin-Film Solar Cells 

Resistant to Damage During Flexion. December ' 9, 1989. 

An improved method for manufacturing solar cell tape 

including depositing a thin-film photovoltaic device on a 

flexible polymeric substrate, encapsulating the 

photovoltaic device with a layer of encapsulant, and 

applying a layer of adhesive to the substrate opposite 

the photovoltaic device. The improvement is characterized 

by selecting thickness of the substrate, layer of 

encapsulant and/or layer of adhesive as a function of 

their respective flexural moduli to locate a neutral 

plane of the electronic device near the photovoltaic 

device. Damaging stress on the photovoltaic device which 

may be caused when the electroniC device is flexed can be 

reduced. 

4,888,062 

Nakagawa. Katsumi; Kanai, Masahiro; Ishihara, Shunichi; 

Arao, Kozo; Fujioka, Yasushi; Sakai, Akira; Murakami, 

Tsutomu, inventors; Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, assignee. 

PIN Junction Photovoltaic Element Having ,-Type 

Semiconductor Layer Comprising Non-Single Crystal 

Material Containing at Least Zn, Se, and H in an Amount 

of 1 to 4 Atomic %. December 19, 19a9. 

An improved pin junction photovoltaic element which 

generates photoelectromotive force by the junction of a 

p-type semiconductor layer, an i-type semiconductor layer 

and an n-type semiconductor layer, characterized in that 

at least said i-type semiconductor layer comprises a 

member selected from the group consisting of a ZnSe:H 

depOSited film containing the hydrogen atoms in an amount 

of 1 to 4 atomic % and crystal grain domains in a 

proportion of 65 to 85 vol % per unit volume and a 

ZnSe1.xTex:H deposited film containing the 
hydrogen atoms in an amount of 1 to 4 atomic % and 

crystal grain domains in a proportion 65 to 85 vol % per 

unit volume and also containing the selenium atoms and 

the tellurium atoms in a Seffe quantitative ratio of 1 :9 

to 3:7. 

The pin junction photovoltaic element exhibits an 

improved photoelectric conversion efficiency for 

short-wavelength light and has a high open-circuit 

voltage. The pin junction photovoltaic element does not 

exhibit any undesirable light-induced fatigue even upon 

continuous use for a long period of time. 

4,888,063 

Powell, Roger A., inventor. Variable Aperture, 

Variable Flux Density, Aerospace Solar Col/ector. 

December 19, 1989. 

A trough-type reflecting solar concentrator and 

receiver system for aerospace use is disclosed. The 

reflecting surface is a thin flexible sheet attached to 

an disposed between curved ribs. The amount of the sheet 

reflecting sunlight can be changed by winding the 

unnecessary quantity of sheet + I onto a roll. The focal 

length of the curved ribs and therefore the sheet can be 

changed by flexurally deforming the curved ribs by 

applying end loads, causing a change in the flux density 

at the receiver. The receiver is a photovoltaic array, 

thBrmal absorber, or a combination of both. Means for 

proportioning the amount of energy incident on each type 

of receiver is disclosed. A spectral splitting thermal 

absorber with scattering capability is disclosed as a 

pre-filter for the photovoltaic array. 

4,888,702 

Gerken, Kenneth F., inventor; Integrated Power 

Corporation, assignee. Photovoltaic System 

Controller. December 19, 1 9a9. 

A photovoltaic system controller particularly adapted 

for utilization with a photovoltaic power system 

including a photovoltaic array, system battery, load and, 

optionally, an auxiliary generator. The controller 

utilizes a microprocessor to monitor various paramters of 

the system and to perform system control functions. The 

microprocessor is provided with a plurality of setpoints 

corresponding to desired system parameters for 

utilization as reference points for the conducting of 

control functions. The setpoints are adapted to be easily 

field adjustable to cover a wide range of parameters. The 

controller is particularly suited for adaption to an 

entire spectrum of system designs merely by replacing the 

programmable nt + I memory component of the controller. 

The controller derives its power from a tap off the 

system battery and is designed by withstand the harsh 

environment associated with remote site locations. All of 

the control functions are temperature compensated. The 

controller is provided with timing control means which 

allows the controller to be inactive between operating 

cycles so as to reduce power requirements. 

4,889,565 

Fan, John C.C.; Zavracky, Paul M., inventors; Kopin 

Corporation, assignee. High Temperature Photovoltaic 

System. December 26, 1 989. 

A photovoltaic device utilizing compound 

semiconductor materials that are stable when operated at 

high temperatures. Hostile environments, and in 

particular, thermally stressful environments such as 

those generated by use of light concentrating systems, 

require encapsulation of the device. Sealing of the 

photoactive junction, the conductive grid, the exposed 

semiconductor surfaces, and the pads contacting the grid 

away from the junction area provide such thermal 

stability. A heterojunction structure can be used along 

with barrier materials providing a conductive grid in 

contact with the photo-active surface thereby reducing 

interdiffusion of that surface with the conductive grid. 

4,890,093 

Allison, James R.; Bolin, Garry J., inventors; Schlage 

Lock Company, assignee. Solar Powered Proximity 

Triggered Light. December 26, 1989. 

Disclosed is a self-contained Solar Powered Proximity 

Security Device which operates both local devices, such 

as lamps, and remote devices through its internal 

encoder/transmitter. In its automatic mode the device may 

be operated and triggered by its own internal motion 

detector or from other local external devices connected 

to it, or by any combination of internal or external 

detection devices or switches. Response may be further 

conditioned by detected ambient or other conditions. For 

example, the light may not turn on during daylight hours 

or under conditions of low battery charge to conserve 

power for priority functions. 

1 990 

HB5 

Otto, William F.; Milton, Richard D.; Jordan, Debbee J., 

inventors; The United States of America as represented by 

the Secretary of the Army, assignee. Optical Beam 

Switching Circuit for Photovoltaic Energy Conversion. 

December 4, 1 990. 

Optical power is supplied to a remote location and 

switched between conversion circuits for converting the 

optical power to electrical power to remotely power a 

system or device. Laser light is guided by a fiber OPtic 

to illuminate photovoltaic cells to produce the 

electrical power. The electrical current from the cells 

is made to alternate by switching the light between the 

cells and using a transformer to step up the voltage. 

This allows power to be supplied to a remote area without 

disrupting the existing electromagnetic fields in the 

area and where space and voltage requirements are limited 

Patents 51 
such that the use of many photovoltaic cells is 

prohibitive. 

307,032 

Sawada, Masaji; Takahashi, Toshiya, inventors; Sharp 

Corporation, assignee. Electronic Calculator with 

Solar Cell. April 3, 1 990. 

No abstract 

308,693 

Sakaguchi, Hiroshi; lida. Katsuhiro, inventors; Sharp 

Corporation, assignee. Electronic Calculator with 

Solar Cell. June 19, 1990. 

No abstract 

309,747 

Sakaguchi, Hiroshi; Saimen, Tadahiko, inventors; Sharp 

Corporation, assignee. Electronic Calculator with 

Solar Cell. August 7, 1990. 

No abstract 

310,093 

Sakaguchi, Hiroshi; lida, Katsuhiro, inventqrs; Sharp 

Corporation, assignee. Bectronic Calculator with 

Solar Cell. August 21, 1990. 

33,208 

Yamazaki, Shunpei, inventor; Semiconductor Energy 

Laboratory Co., ltd., assignee. Photoelectric 

Conversion Panel and Assembly Thereof. May 1, 1 990. 

A photoelectric conversion panel which includes a PIN 

type non-single-crystal semiconductor laminated 

photoelectric conversion member formed on a substrate, 

the substrate is formed by a thin. flexible, chemically 

reinforced glass sheet. 

A plurality of such photoelectric conversion panels 

are arranged side by side by means of a flexible plastiC 

frame minforced with carbon fibers. 

4.942,629 

Stadlmann, GOnter, inventor; Optyl Eyewear Fashion 

International Corporation, assignee. Ski Goggles with 

Heated Lens. July 24, t990. 

SPECIAL? Ski goggles are provided having circuitry 

for heating the lens by means of at least one solar cell 

held by the headband of the goggles to prevent or 

eliminate fogging and condensation on the surface of the 

lens of the goggles facing the wearer. 

4.965,225 

Yamagishi, Hideo; Nevin, William A.; Nishio, Hitoshi; 

Miki, Kelko; Tsuge, Kazunori; Tawada, Yoshihisa, 

inventors; Kanegafuchi Chemical Industry Co., ltd., 

assignee. Method of Stabilizing Amorphous 

52 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988-1990 

Semiconductors. October 23, 1 990. 

An amorphous semiconductor film is prepared by the 

usual procedure and, then, established by exposing it to 

sufficient light intermittently to age the same. The 

degradation of the electrical characteristiCS of the 

semiconductor film on prolonged exposure to Jight is 

minimized by the above technique. The preferred 

intermittent light is a pulsed light. The above light 

treatment may be applied to an individual semiconductor 

film a laminated assembly including at least the pin 

layers, a finished semiconductor device such as a solar 

cell or a semiconductor device prior to attachment of an 

electrode. 

4,891,074 

Ovshinsky, Stanford R.; Adler, David, inventors; Energy 

Conversion Devices, Inc., assignee. Multiple Cell 

Photoresponsive Amorphous Alloys and Devices. January 

2, 1 990. 

The production of improved multiple cell 

photoresponsive amorphous devices, such as photovoltaic, 

photoreceptive devices and the like; having improved 

wavelength threshold characteristics is made possible by 

adding one or more band gap adjusting elements to the 

alloys in one or more cells of the device. The adjusting 

element or elements are added at least to the active 

photoresponSive regions of amorphous cells containing 

silicon and fluorine. and preferably hydrogen. One 

adjusting element is germanium which narrows the band gap 

from that of the materials without the adjusting element 

incorporated therein. Other adjusting elements can be 

used such as carbon or nitrogen to increase the band gap. 

The silicon and adjusting elements are concurrently 

combined and deposited as amorphous alloys by vapor 

deposition, sputtering or glow discharge decomposition. 

The addition of fluorine bonding and electronegativity to 

the cell alloy acts as a compensating or altering element 

to reduce the density of states in the energy gap 

thereof. The fluorine bond strength allows the adjusting 

element(s) to be added to the alloy cells to adjust the 

band gap without reducing the electronic qualities of the 

cell alloy. Hydrogen also acts as a compensating or 

altering element to compliment fluorine when utilized 

therewith. The compensating or altering element(s) can be 

added to the alloy during deposition of the cells or 

following deposition. The addition of the adjusting 

element(s) to the cell alloys adjusts the band gap to a 

selected optimum wavelength threshold for particular 

cells to increase the photoabsorption efficiency to 

enhance the device photo responsive without adding states 

in the gap of the cells which decrease the efficiency of 

the devices. The adjusting element(s) can be added in 

varying amounts, in discrete layers or in substantially 

constant amounts in the cell alloys. 
4,891 ,075 

Dakubu, Salifu, inventor; Golight, Inc., assignee. 

Photovoftaic Cell Including Wavelength Shifter 

Comprising Lanthanide Chelate Fluorophores Based on 

Dihydropyridine Condensation Products. January 2, 1990. 

Photovo!taic cell and wavelenth-shifting device, 

comprising a dihydropyridine condensation product 

chelated to a ianthanide metal ion, to expand the solar 

spectrum available to the cell for conversion into 

electricity. Method to detect an amine or an aldehyde for 

forming a dihydropyridine condensation product chelated 

to a lanthanide metal ion and measuring the long life 

fluorescence of the chelated metal ion to determine the 

amount of amine or aldehyde present. 

4,891,325 

Hezel, Rudolf; Hoffman, Winfried; Schum, Berthold, 

inventors; Nukem GmbH, assignee. Method for Reusing 

Silicon Base Material of a Metal Insulator Semiconductor 

(MIS) Inversion�Layer Solar Cell. January 2, 1 990. 

A method is proposed for re-using silicon base 

material of defective MIS inversion�layer solar cells, 

where at least MIS solar cell�specific layers are 

stripped off and replaced by corresponding new layers. 

4,892,592 

Dickson, Charles R.; Johnson, Barry J.; Gerhardt, David 

B., inventors; Solarex Corporation, assignee. Thin 

Film Semiconductor Solar Cell Arrav and Method of 

Making. January 9, 1990. 

A method of forming laser-patterned conductive 

elements on a thin film of semiconductor material in a 

semiconductor device by fabricating a thin film of metal 

on the semiconductor material and scribing the 

semiconductor film along a desired pattern with a laser 

operated at a power density sufficient to ablate the 

semiconductor material along the desired pattern. The 

ablation of the semiconductor material produces gases 

that structurally weaken and burst through the metal film 

along the desired pattern to form gaps separating the 

metal film into a plurality of conductive elements, for 

example, back electrodes on a thin�film photovoltaic 

module. In a second embodiment, a method of forming a 

multi-cell thin-film semiconductor device with 

laser�patterned back electrodes includes the steps of 

fabricating a plurality of spaced-apart front electrodes 

on a substrate, fabricating a thin film of semiconductor 

material on the front electrodes, fabricating a thin film 

of metal on the semiconductor film, and scribing the 

metal film along a pattern of lines with a laser operated 

at a power density sufficient to melt the metal through 

the underlying semiconductor film and form electrical 

connections between the metal film and the front 

electrodes along the scribe lines. Multi-cell, thin�film 

amorphous silicon photovoltaic modules having back 

electrodes formed by the above methods also are disclosed. 

4,892,593 

Lew, Hyok S., inventor. Solar Trap. January 9, 1990. 

The solar energy collector of the present invention 

comprises a light funneling through including a pair of 

light reflecting surfaces extending from an apex line in 

a oblique angle, a two dimensional Fresnel lens covering 

the opening of the trough at the diverging end and a 

photovoltaic panel disposed in the light funneling trough 

adjacent to the apex line and generally parallel to the 

chord line connecting the diverging extremities of the 

two light reflecting surfaces, which combination may 

further include one or more dual sided light reflecting 

sheets or panels disposed radially intermediate the two 

light reflecting surfaces and a transparent partition 

disposed parallel to the apex line intermediate the 

Fresnel lens and the photovoltaic panel, wherein the 

solar energy entering the solar energy collector is 

collected in the form of electricity by the photovoltaic 

panel and in the form of thermal energy by the fluid 

Circulated through the space between the transparent 

partition and the photovoltaic panel. 

4,892,594 

Fujiwara, Ryoji; Yamaguchi, Minori; Shimizu, Isamu, 

inventors; Canon Kabushiki Kaisha; Kanegafuchi Chemical 

Industry Co., Ltd., assignee. Photovoltaic Element. 

January 9, 1 990. 

A photovoltaic element comprises a p-type layer 

comprising a p-type transition metal oxide, an active 

layer comprising an amorphous silicon, a n-type layer 

comprising an amorphous silicon containing a n-type 

impurity, and an electrode. 

4,893,356 

Waters, William A., inventor. Air Conditioned Headwear 

Having Convertible Power Module. January 16, 1 990. 

Headwear, including all forms of caps, hats, hard 

hats, visor type caps, to include a switchable power 

module capable of converting an electric motor driven air 

moving means from battery power to solar power wherein 

the solar power panel is removable. 

4,894,508 

Glenn, Gregory S.; Mont jar, YViliiam 0., inventors; 

Hughes Aircraft Company, assignee. Welder Control 

System. January 16, 1 990. 

A control system for parallel gap welders typically 

employed to weld contacts to solar cells or wires to 

integrated Circuit chips is disclosed. The system 

monitors the temperature generated by the welder at the 

work pieces. The system automatically terminates the weld 

operation should the weld temperature reach a maximum 

predetermined temperature, thereby preventing overheating 

the weld joint and adjacent parts. Alternatively, if the 

weld temperature does not reach a minimum predetermined 

temperature the system automatically signals the weld 

Patents 53 
operator that the joint must be rewelded to avoid an 

incomplete or cold weld. A quality weld can therefore be 

repeated. 

4,896,305 

Gimbal, Eric A., inventor. Animal Luring Device. 

January 23, 1990. 

An animal luring device is set forth wherein a 

microphone is operatively associated with a recording and 

play-back mechanism to initially record and then 

broadcast an animal sound through a selected frequency. 

The device is operative through an associated 

photovoltaic cells and circuitry arrangement. 

4,896,452 

Smith, Harry D.; Sapp, Fletcher D., inventors. Solar 

Powered Bait Box. January 30, 1 990. 

Improvements in the use of solar cell panels with 

respect to certain fishing equipment; providing solar 

cell panel power for aerators used in water containing 

live bait held in bait buckets or containers; a solar 

cell panel or panels mounted on, in or in conjunction 

with top closure I members of live bait containers for 

fishing wherein the position of the top can be adjusted 

tram horizontal to receive maximum solar energy by 

tilting the top closure and properly positioning the live 

bait container with respect to the position of the sun; 

live fishing bait containers utilizing an aerator therein 

for the water receiving the live bait inside the 

container wherein the aerator is alternately driveable by 

a solar cell panel incorporated into the top closure 

member of the bait container or a separate battery, said 

battery being rechargeable and also rechargeable from 

energy provided by the solar cell panel array. 

4,897,123 

Mitsui, Kotara, inventor; Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki 

Kaisha, assignee. Solar Cells and Method for Producing 

Solar Cells. January 30, 1990. 

A solar cell includes a semiconductor substrate of 

one conductivity type, at least one separation region of 

opposite conductivity type extending through the 

substrate, a first semiconductor layer disposed on the 

front of the substrate, an opposite conductivity type 

second semiconductor layer disposed on the first layer to 

form a rectifying junction, the second layer being in 

electrical communication with the separation region, a 

first electrode disposed on the rear surface of the 

substrate and a second electrode in electrical 

communication with the second layer and extending to the 

rear of the substrate. The solar cell may be made by 

diffusing the separation region in the substrate, 

epitaxially growing the first and second layers 

successively on the front of the substrate, establishing 

electrical communication between the second layer and the 

separation region at the front, and forming the first and 

second electrodes. The solar cell has both electrodes on 

54 U.S. Photovoitaic Patents: 1 988-1990 

the rear surface, more than one of the solar cells can be 

made from a single substrate, and the depth of the 

rectifying junction can be controlled, all producing 

cells suitable for space applications. 

4,898,531 

Goldstein, Mark K.; Dolnick, Earl M., inventors; Quantum 

Group, Inc., assignee. Photosensitive Control of 

Electrically Powered Emissive Ignition Devices. 

February 6, 1990. 

The system utilizes a radiation sensing device which 

views an electrically heated emissive igniter to provide 

proof-of-ignitabiJity detection of the igniter. Optimally 

a photovoltaic array may be employed to self-power the 

electronic circuity and fuel intake valve to the burner 

of a combustion device. In one embodiment there is also 

provided a second emission device viewed by the first 

photovoltaic arraY,or a second photavoltaic device which 

views a second emissive device which is thermally heated 

upon activation of the burner. The electronic signals 

generated by the second light sensing device can be used 

to prove ignition of the combustion gases. When the seond 

light sensing device is a photovoltaic array, power may 

be generated for recharging a storage battery, which in 

turn, can be used to electrically heat the emissive 

igniter. In the simpler case where the second emissive 

device is powered by the gas flame, means are p(Ovided 

for turning off the igniter. Thermal senSing may be 

provided to verify temperature of the system. The system 

thereby provides a means for affording the significant 

safety features of proof-of-ignitability and 

proof-at-ignition to a combustion apparatus. 

4,899,044 

Hansen, J. Richard; Asars, Juris A.; Oates, Robert M., 

inventors; Westinghouse Electric Corp., assignee. 

Opticaffy Coupled Remote Sensor Apparatus and System. 

February 6, 1 990. 

An optically coupled remote sensor apparatus 

comprises a tuned circuit incorporating a sensor and a 

light emitting diode (LED) connected in parallel with the 

tuned Circuit. The natural resonant frequency of the 

tuned circuit is determined by the sensor whose 

electrical parameter is a function of the condition to be 

sensed. The sensed condition correlates to a frequency of 

light pulses emitted f(Om the LED, which light pulses are 

only emitted when the pulsed light source frequency 

coincides with the natural resonant frequency of the 

tuned circuit. 

4,899,645 

Wolfe, Philip A.; Callaghan, John K.; Pidgeon, Simon, 

inventors; Intersolar Ltd., assignee. Solar Powered 

Ventilator. February 13, 1 990. 

A solar ventilator is fittable to an edge having 

tirst and second sides corresponding to first and second 

regions. The edge can be of a barrier, e.g. of a movable 
window of a motor vehicle or of a building. The 

ventilator has a suspension for suspending the ventilator 

from the edge so that the ventilator will be adjacent the 

first region. The ventilator has a housing having inlet 

and outlet portions for enabling air to be transferred 

therebetween from a region to the other region. A fan is 

comprised by the housing so as to enable the transfer of 

air. A solar generator drives the fan. The ventilator may 

be arranged for direct or i�direct reception of solar 

radiation. 

4,900,368 

Bratz, Gregory R., inventor. Foamed Energy Cell. 

February 13, 1 990. 

A photovoltaic material having an open-cellular 

foamed nature incorporated into an electric current 

generating cell activated by a material Circulated 

through the open cells of the foam. 

4,900,369 

Hezel, Rudolf; Hackstein, Karl G., inventors; Nukem GmbH, 

assignee, Solar Cell, February 13, 1 990. 

A solar cell is proposed, particularly of silicon, 

having a semiconductive substrate on one side of which an 

electrical field is provided by, for example, an MIS 

contact to cause a separation of charge carriers 

generated by light energy. The minority charge carriers 

are drawn into the metal of the MIS contact, whereas the 

majority charge carriers are discharged via ohmic contact 

zones arranged on the opposite side of the semiconductive 

substrate. At least one passivation layer is arranged on 

the semiconductive substrate between the ohmic contact 

zones, whereby the recombination velocity of the charge 

carriers in the area of the ohmic contact zones is 

considerably reduced. 

4,90,370 

Itoga, Kazusue: Ichimura, Takeshige, inventors; Fuji 

Electric Corporate Research and Development, Ltd., 

assignee. Solar Battery. February 13, 1 990, 

A method of manufacturing a high efficiency solar 

battery and a high efficiency solar battery comprising a 

transparent electrode of Sn02 and a semiconductor 

layer and a metal electrode formed on the transparent 

electrode in the stated order. The surface unevenness of 

the transparent electrode is controlled by forming a dual 

layer structure. The layer adjacent the transparent 

substrate comprises an undoped Sn02 layer, having 

crystal grains growing substantially perpendicular to the 

substrate, producing an uneven surface. A doped layer 

containing impurities, such as F, GI, and Sb is deposited 

over the undoped layer. 

4,90,432 

Arnold, Aaron L.; Woodward, Daniel A., inventors. 

Pool Surface Cleaner. February 13, 1990. 

A cleaner for removing floating debris from the 

surface of pools has a floating body with a central 

chamber within which is positioned a screen. An impeller 

at the front of the cleaner propels water rearward into 

the chamber, and propels the cleaner. The water passes 

through the screen and exits from the chamber. In one 

example, the screen is mounted in a removable support 

structure, which can be removed through the rear of the 

body for emptying. The impeller is driven by a motor 

powered by a solar cell array and batteries. 

4,901,295 

Taguezout, Daho; Xuan, Mal T., inventors; Asulab S,A., 

assignee, Device Comprising a Solar Cell for Winding a 

Barrel Spring, February 13, 1990. 

A barrel spring winding device comprises a solar cell 

arranged to receive ambient light, a capacitor connected 

to the terminals of the cell, a stepping motor and a 

control circuit. The input of the circuit is connected to 

the terminals of the capacitor and its output to the 

terminals of the motor, The rotor of the motor is 

operatively connected to wind a barrel spring, for 

example of a watch. The cell charges the capacitor and 

when the voltage thereof, measured by a differential 

amplifier, reaches a reference voltage (V r)' the 

capacitor is connected to the terminals of the motor by a 

switching transistor, Discharge of the capacitor supplies 

to the motor a drive pulse whose duration is determined 

by a one-shot flip-flop. After the pulse, the capacitor 

is one again charged by the cell. To prevent the motor 

from receiving a drive pulse before it has stopped, i.e., 

in the event of intense lighting of the cell, another 

one-shot flip-flop inhibits control of the switching 

transistor during a period of time corresponding to the 

time needed for the rotor to make one complete step. 

4,902.967 

Flesner, Larry D., inventor; The United States of America 

as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, assignee. 

Scanning Electron Microscopy by Photovoltage Contrast 

Imaging. February 20, 1 990. 

A process and apparatus are disclosed for remotely 

determining electrical properties of a semiconductor. A 

surface of the semiconductor is simultaneously irradiated 

with an electron beam to generate secondary electrons 

from the irradiated surface and with a modulated light 

beam. Secondary electrons emitted by the semiconductor 

are filtered by an electron energy analyzer. An electron 

detector receives the filtered electrons an9 provides an 

output corresponding to electrical properties of the 

irradiated area. The output is provided to a computer 

which calculates the difference in output between periods 

when the semiconductor is being Illuminated with the 

light beam and when it is not so illuminated. The time 

dependence of the output may also be measured. 

Patents 55 
,4,903,172 

Schoniger. Karl-Heinz; Scheid, Winfried, inventors. 

Display Construction. February 20, 1 990. 

An illuminated display unit such as a house number. 

traffic sign, advertisement carrier and the like 

comprises a fluorescing or photoconductive plate adjacent 

an edge of which is fitted at least one light-emitting 

element, in particular a light-emitting diode. The edge 

is provided with a reflecting layer to prevent emergence 

of light. Display symbols or their negatives are arranged, 

as viewed by the onlooker, on the rear face of the 

photoconductive plate. As a result of the total 

reflection for a photoconductive plate on the front and 

back and on the reflecting layer at the edges, the light 

produced by the light-emitting diode can issue only at 

the contact surface with the display symbols, so that the 

light is concentrated very strongly there and a great 

display brightness is produced. This is even more 

effective when a contrast surface is arranged behind the 

plate. In this way great display brightness can be 

produced with very low electric power, permitting 

continuous operation or operation with a small number of 

solar cells. 

4,904,998 

Niimi, Kikuo, inventor; Kictec Incorporation, assignee. 

Ughting Peg with Variable Pulsation Rate. February 

27, 1990. 

In a lighting peg with a variable pulsation rate 

including a square outer casing provided with a solar 

cell and a battery and adapted to be installed at an 

intersection of two roads, light emitting diodes and a 

photoelectric conversion element are provided on each 

side surface of the square outer casing. An ambient light 

sensor for detecting ambient light and a pulse signal 

generating circuit for generating pulse signals are 

further provided together with vehicle sensors, each 

including the photoelectric conversion element, a 

differential circuit and a comparator. A control circuit 

including OR gates for receiving the outputs of the 

vehicle sensors, discriminating circuits for 

discriminating the outputs of the OR gates and pulsation 

rate control circuits for controlling the rate of 

pulsation are further provided in the lighting peg so 

that, when a vehicle approaches the road intersection 

along a first road is detected by one of the vehicle 

sensors, the rate of pulsation of light emitted from the 

light-emitting diodes into the second road is varied in a 

predetermined manner. 

4,905,579 

Dame, Richard E., inventor. Radon Gas Ventilation Pump 

System and Method. March 6, 1990. 

An apparatus and method for exchanging air within 

building in order to exhaust air contaminated with radon 

gas or other pollutants. The apparatus includes a heat 

reclaim exchanger to recapture building heat which is 

56 U.S. Photovoltaic Paten1s: 1 988-1990 

dimensioned to be mountable between standard spaced and 

sized floor joists of a dwelling basement ceiling. A 

solar panel is used to produce electric power for system 

operation and cooperates with a trickle charge unit 

including a storage battery to provide power when there 

is insufficient light energy available to operate the 

device. A control unit operates one or more fans or 

blowers to provide a positive differential pressure 

within a basement area with respect to outside air 

pressure so as to inhibit and arrest the influx of radon 

or other gaseous JX>Hutant into the basement or other 

confined space of device use. 

4,906,178 

Goldstein, Mark K.; Dolnick, Earl M.; Bass, John C., 

inventors; Quantum Group, Inc., assignee. Self-Powered 

Gas Appliance. March 6, 1 990. 

Embodiments of gas-fired appliances which generate 

sufficient electricity to be self-powered include water 

heaters, space heaters, air conditioning units, and 

electric power and steam cogeneration systems. In such 

apparatus, gas is burned in a porous ceramic surface 

combustion burner. The high temperature surtace of the 

burner includes a narrow band quantum emitting substance 

such as a rare earth metal oxide and preferably ytterbium 

oxide. Relatively shorter wavelength radiation from this 

quantum emitting surtace illuminates photovoltaic cells 

having an absorption spectrum matched to the emission 

spectrum of the burner surface for generating sufficient 

electricity for powering the appliance. An infrared 

absorbing filter removes relatively longer wavelength 

radiation which would otherwise heat the photovoltaic 

ceUs. The cells are cooled, preferably by a portion of 

the utility fluid heated by the appliance. This enhances 

both the thermal efficiency of the appliance and the 

photavoltaic conversion efficiency of the ceHs. 

4,907,052 

Takada, Jun; Yamaguchi, Minori; Tawada, Yoshihisa, 

inventors; Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, 

assignee. Semiconductor Tandem Solar Cells with Metal 

Silicide Barder. March 6, 1990. 

A heat-resistant multijunction semiconductor device 

comprising a p-Iayer, a n-Iayer and a diffusion-blocking 

layer, the diffusion-blocking layer being provided 

between the p-Iayer and the n-Iayer. The semiconductor 

device can reduce the deterioration in quality which is 

caused by the diffusion of dopant atoms in the p-Iayer 

and n-Iayer, respectively, into the other layer. 

4,907,864 

Hagerty, James J.; Danziger, Leslie A., inventors; John 

E. Fetzer Foundation, assignee. Macro-Gradient Optical 

Density Transmissive Ught Concentrators, Lenses and 

Compound Lenses of Large Geometry. March 1 3, 1990. 
Gradient optical density transmissive light directing 

devices and fabrication thereof are disclosed herein. 

Example of such devices include concentrators, lenses and 

compound lenses. The present invention teaches a process 

for the fabrication of glass light transmitting devices 

having a chosen gradient in index of refraction either 

bidirectionally (radiaJly and longitudinally relative to 

an optical axis) or in three dimensions. The present 

invention further describes the design of several 

interesting optical devices by particular choices of the 

gradient in the index of refraction thereof. Such 

articles have numerous uses in the optics, optical fiber 

and solar technology industries for the purposes of 

designing compound lens systems using a single, integral 

lens, coupling light into fibers and for concentrating 

and directing light from a source having a significant 

angular variation to an energy collecting andlor 

conversion devices such as a photovoltaic cell, to name 

but a few applications. 

4,907,915 

Nicholson, Robert D.; Kaake, Steven A.F.; Smith, Robert 

F., inventors; Glasstech, Inc., assignee. Template for 

Installing Photovoftatc Panel Assembly and Method. 

March 13, 1990. 

Provided is a method and apparatus for installing in 

the ground an array of posts of a photovoltaic panel 

support'assembly. According to the invention, there is 

provided an adjustable template which comprises a rigid 

frame having a plurality of adjustable post guides and a 

plurality of guide rails, which are used in cooperation 

with an impact driver to install a plurality of support 

posts quickly and easily. The template is portable and 

provided with clamping means and a plurality of laser 

targets for use in cooperation with an alignment laser 

and an elevation laser to secure and align the template 

to previously installed posts. 

4,909,856 

Ralph, Eugene L., inventor; Hughes Aircraft Company, 

assignee. Composite Covergfass for Sofar Cel/. 

March 20, 1990. 

A photovoltaic device is formed of a module of 

photovoltaic material, the module including electrodes 

disposed on the material for extraction of electric power 

produced by interaction of the material with radiation, 

particularly solar radiation. A coverglass system is 

disposed an a surface of the module facing incident 

radiation to protect the module from high energy 

particles. The coverglass system is formed of a glass 

sheet disposed parailel to a surface of the module, and a 

slab or a plurality of glass slabs which are disposed in 

a side·by-side array along the module surface between the 

module and the sheet. The slabs are thicker than the 

sheet, typically by a factor of twa, and are formed of 

fused silica to provide a sufficient mass for stopping 

high energy particles such as those which may be 

encountered in a spaceship traveling through a Van Allen 

belt. Adhesive layers may be employed for bonding the 

slabs together as well as to the module and to the sheet, 

in which case, the sheet is formed of a borosilicate 

glass which attenuates ultraviolet radiation so as to 

protect the adhesive layers from degradation by 

ultraviolet radiation. 

4,909,857 

Ondris, Miroslav; Pichler, Marty A.; Brownfield, 

Richard E., inventors; Standard Oil Company, assignee. 

Electrodeposited Doped II·VI Semiconductor Films and 

Devices Incorporating Such Films. March 20. 1990. 

A method of electrodepositing a doped compound 

semiconductor film including tellurium and a metal 

selected from Group liB of the Period Table of Elements 

by adding an effective concentration of dopant ions to 

the electrolyte bath. Cadmium telluride, mercury cadmium 

telluride and zinc cadmium telluride may be doped with 

copper, silver and gold. The conductivity type of the 

electrode posited doped layers may be changed by a heat 

treatment. Thin film photovoltaic cells incorporating the 

doped layer to farm a heterojunction with a semiconductor 

layer of the oppOSite conductivity type show substantial 

improvements in open circuit voltage, fill factor and 

efficiency over similar devices employing undoped 

electrodeposited layers. 

4,909,863 

Birkmire, Robert W.; McCandless, Brian E., inventors; 

University of Delaware, assignee. Process for 

Levelling Film Surfaces and Products Thereof. March 20, 

1990. 

Semiconductor films and photovoltaic devices prepared 

therefrom are provided wherein the semiconductor films 

have a specular surface with a texture less than about 

0.25 micron greater than the average planar film surface 

and wherein the semiconductor films are surface modified 

by exposing the surface to an aqueous solution of bromine 

containing an acid or salt and continuing such exposure 

for a time sufficient to etch the surface. 

4,910,153 

Dickson, Charles R., inventor; Solarex Corporation, 

assignee. Deposition Feedstock and Dopant Materials 

Useful in the Fabrication of Hydrogenated Amorphous 

Silicon Alloys for Photovoltaic Devices and Other 

Semiconductor Devices .. March 20, 1990. 

Compounds having the formula (MX3)nM'X4.n 

wherein M and M' are different Group 4A atoms, at least 

one of M and M' is silicon, X is hydrogen, halogen or 

mixtures thereof, and n is an integer between 1 and 4, 

inclusive, are useful as deposition feedstock materials 

in the formation of hydrogenated amorphous silicon alloys 

useful in the fabrication of photovoltaic and other 

electronically active devices. 

Patents 57 
Dopants having the formula (SiXS)mLXS.m 

wherein L is a Group SA atom selected from the group of 

phosphorous, arsenic, antimony and bismuth, X is hydrogen, 

halogen or mixtures thereof and m is an integer between 1 

and 3, inclusive, are useful in the fabrication of 

negatively-doped hydrogenated amorphous silicon alloys 

useful in the fabrication of photovortaic and other 

electronically active devices. 

Dopants having the formula Y JX2 wherein Y is 

halogen or carbonyl, J is a Group 3A atom and X is 

hydrogen, halogen or mixtures thereof, are useful in the 

formation of positively-doped hydrogenated amorphous 

silicon alloys useful in the fabrication of photovoltaic 

and other electronically active devices. 

4,910,415 

Yoshimura, Yutaka, inventor; Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, 

assignee. Interconnection Between a Battery Cell and a 

Printed Circuit Board in an Electric Apparatus. March 

20, 1990. 

An electronic apparatus comprising a power supply 

device such as a safar cell having at least one electrode 

for supplying power, a printed circuit board having at 

least one electrode for inputting the power from the 

power supply device, and an elastic, electrically 

conducting connector for connecting the electrode of the 

power supply device with the electrode of the printed 

circuit board. The electrically conducting elastic 

connector is made of silicone rubber containing carbon 

filler dispersed therein. 

4,910,963 

Vanzo, Gordon F., inventor. Solar Energy Process. 

March 27, 1 990. 

Solar energy produces electric current which powers 

an electrolysis unit and a cryogenic coofing unit. 

Gaseous hydrogen and gaseous oxygen are liquified in the 

cooling unit and pumped into cryogenic transport vehicles 

(railroad cars or highway trailers). An end user of the 

liquids has a boiler and vaporizing equipment for burning 

the reactants (H2 and 02) to produce electrical 

energy or mechanical power. The broiler may be part of a 

stationary electrical facility power plant or part of a 

vehicle propulsion system. 

4,91 1 ,257 

Kajimoto, Shinshi; Niitani, Tooru; Michihara, Osamu; 

Kuroiwa, Mitsutoshi, inventors; Mazda Motor Corporation, 

assignee. Vehicle Having a Solar Battery System. 

March 27, 1 990. 

A solar battery system for a vehicle comprises a 

solar battery mounted on a body of the vehicle, an 

actinometer provided on the body for detecting the 

quantity of solar radiation supplied to the body, a 

controller for comparing an output of the solar battery 

with a detection output of the actinometer to obtain a 

58 U.S. Ph010voltaic Pa1ents: 1 988-1990 

result of comparison and generating an alarm signal when 

the result of comparison is out of a predetermined 

condition, and a warning device provided in a cabin 

formed in the vehicle for giving a warning in response to 

the alarm signal obtained from the controller. 

4,913,199 

Falckenberg, Richard; Hoyler, Gerhard; Freienstein, 

Bernhard; Grabmaier, Josef, inventors; Siemens 

Aktiengesellschaft, assignee. Arrangement for the 

Complete Emptying of Quartz Tanks or CrUCibles Filled 

with a Silicon Melt Following Silicon Band Drawing. 

April 3, 1 990. 

A method and device for the complete emptying of flat 

quartz tanks or crucibles filled with silicon melt is 

provided. The apparatus includes an open outret nozzle 

located in a floor of the tank and a tube-shaped, 

rod-shaped, or channel-shaped member composed of a 

material that is well-wettable by silicon melt that is 

brought into contact with the outlet nozzle after the 

conclusion of the drawing process. The member is in fluid 

communication with a collecting vessel. The outlet nozzle 

is so constructed and arranged that the silicon melt 

adjacent at the nozzle aperture is prevented from running 

out during the band drawing due to the curvature pressure 

of its down,wardly, convexly arced surface. The apparatus 

can be used in continuous, horizontal band-drawing of 

silicon for solar cells. 

4,913,744 

Hoegl, Helmut; Kern, Ralf M., inventors. Solar Cell 

Arrangement. April 3, 1 990. 

In a solar cell arrangement comprising a plurality of 

solar cell elements having a photovoltaic layer around an 

elongate center electrode, each solar cell element as a 

whole forms an individual separate voltage cell with a 

counterelectrode. The construction may comprise different 

photovoltaically operative inorganic and organic 

materials and may assume various configurations. An 

electrode assembly for such a cell arrangement provides 

that center electrodes in wire or thread form which are 

disposed in parallel juxtaposed or superposed 

relationship are electrically connected together by way 

of photoactive layers encasing same. The solar cell 

arrangement may be produced by a continuous process of 

passing center electrode material through a plurality of 

working stations to provide the finished construction 

with photoactive layer structure thereon. 

4,914,044 

Grabmaier, Josef; Kruehler, Wolfgang; Endroes, Arthur, 

inventors; Siemens Aktiengeselischaft, assignee. 

Method of Making Tandem Solar Cell Module. April 3, 

1990. 

A tandem solar module and method for the manufacture 

thereof. The tandem solar module has a first. large-area, 

lower solar sub-module of polycrystalline silicon (c-Si), 
has an electrically insulating, transparent intermediate 

layer functioning as an optical coupler, and also has a 

second, transparent, upper sub-module of amorphous, 

hydrogenated silicon (a-Si:H). Both sub-modules are 

provided with mutually independent electrical contacts 

and each is functional in and of itself. An active 

material in the first sub-module that is preferably 

structured strip-shaped can be composed of silicon strips 

produced in a band drawing method. The second Sub-module 

is executed in thin-film technology in a known way and 

'has a p+n structure. lis substrate serves as a covering 

for the overall module. The tandem solar module exhibits 

high efficiency and is cost-effective to be manufactured. 

It can be manufactured with a large-area and exhibits 

high long-term stability. 

4,915,743 

Schilling, Roland, inventor; Talefunken Electronic GmbH, 

assignee. Space Solar Cell. April 10, 1990. 

A space solar cell comprising a doped semiconductor 

basic element and metallic contacts on the front and rear, 

and a cover glass with contacts. To draw off the 

electrostatic charge generated on the surface of the 

cover glass of the solar cell, either a part of a 

connector contact homogeneously integrated with the 

contacts and projecting from the semiconductor element 

extends in a shapeable manner onto the cover glass of the 

solar cell, or a connector contact homegeneously 

integrated with the contact of the cover glass and 

projecting from the cover glass is connected to an 

electric contact of the solar cell. 

4,915,744 

Ho, Fra�k F.; Yeh, Milton Y., inventors; Applied Solar 

Energy Corporation, assignee. High Efficiency Solar 

Cell. April 10, 1 990. 

A gallium-arsenide solar cell has a germanium 

substrate cut at a special angle, with its surface 

generally perpendicular to the 001 axis, but tilted by 

about six to fifteen degrees toward the direction 

generally about half-way between the 011 and the 111 

axial directions. To avoid the cascade effect the 

junction with the substrate may be passivated or 

photovoltaically inhibited by initiating vapor deposition 

of GaAs at a temperature below 700°C and rapidly ramping 

the temperature up to normal vapor deposition 

temperatures. POisoning of the GaAs layer by germanium 

may be prevented inexpensively by using a silicon dioxide 

coating on one side of the germanium substrate. 

4,915,745 

Pollock, Gary A.; Mitchell, Kim W.; Ermer, James H., 

inventors; Atlantic Richfield Company, assignee. Thin 

Film Solar Cell and Method of Making. April 10, 1990. 

A structure for, and method of making, thin films of 

Group I-Ill-VI compound semiconductors such as copper 

indium diselenide for use in heterojunction photovoltaic 

devices fabricated on metal substrates. An interlacial 

film containing gallium is first depOSited upon the 

substrate. Thereafter, copper and indium films are 

deposited and the resulting stacked film is heated in the 

presence of a source of seleniUm to form copper indium 

diselenide semiconductor material with improved adhesion 

to the substrate and improved performance. 

4,916,035 

Yamashita, Akio; Sekido, Satoshi; Takeda, Takeshi; 

Tsuchiya, Sohji, inventors; Matsushita ElectriC 

Industrial Co., assignee. Photoelectrochemical Cells 

Having Functions as a Solar Cell and a Secondary Cel/. 

April 10, 1 990. 

Photoelectrochemical cells comprising a positive 

electrode comprised of an n-type conductive semiconductor 

and a compound capable of reversibly intercalating or 

deintercalating metal atoms or ions, an ion conductive 

solid electrolyte layer, a negative electrode, and 

current collectors for the positive and negative 

electrodes. The intercalating or deintercalating compound 

is a Chevrel compound or vornite. The 

photoelectrochemical cell serves as both solar and 

secondary cells. Various cell constructions are also 

described including a multi-layered structure and a 

two-cell construction. 

4,916,296 

Streck, Donald A., inventor; Jerry R. Iggulden, assignee. 

Ught Modulating Smart Card. April 10, 1 990. 

A smart card which transmits its stored data by means 

of light modulated by a spatial light modulating device. 

I n one embodiment, the reader for the smart card includes 

apparatus for producing the beam of light and for 

directing it on the smart card and the card includes 

provision for directing the beam of light through the 

light modulator. For medical alert device use, and the 

like, the reader includes a slot for receiving the card 

directly therein. Optionally, reflectors or optic fibers 

can direct the light beam on the smart card. In one 

version, solar cell(s) carried by the smart card convert 

light incident thereon into power for the card. In a 

variation thereof, there is a light splitter for 

splitting the beam of light into a portion directed onto 

the solar cell(s) for producing power and a portion 

directed through the light modulator. In an active 

embodiment, the light modulator includes light producing 

apparatus for producing the beam of light as a modulated 

beam such as an infrared diode. Also disclosed is a smart 

card traffic enforcement system wherein a plurality of 

the smart cards are carried by the automobiles on the 

highway and contain information about the respective 

automobiles. The sensing apparatus adapted to be disposed 

adjacent the highway for reading the smart cards for 

checking the legality of the associated automobile 

against preestablished !egal conditions, and for causing 

a citation to be issued against automobiles operating in 

violation of legal conditions. 

Patents 59 
4,916,382 

Kent, William A., inventor; Harner Equipment of Florida, 

Inc., assignee. System for Maximizing Efficiency of 

Power Transfer. April 10, 1 990. 

A system for maximizing the efficiency of power 

transfer from a photDvoltaic source to a load element, 

such as a fluid pump to circulate fluid in a swimming 

pool system. The system is operative to maximize the 

power output by the photovoltaic power source, or, 

alternatively, to maximize the amount of work periormed 

by the load element. A microprocessor controller receives 

input information concerning the voltage and current 

levels of the electrical power generated by the 

photovoltaic source, and input information concerning the 

work performed by the load element. When the load element 

is a fluid pump, the input information includes the flow 

rate of the fluid pumped by the fluid pump. The 

controller generates an output signal causing a power 

converter to increase the current of the signal output by 

the power converter until the output power is maximized, 

or, alternatively, until the effciency of the work 

performed by the load element is maximized. The 

controller provides overload protection to the load 

element by responding to an appropriate sensor output 

with an appropriate control signal. 

4,917,752 

Jensen, Millard J.; Levine, Jules D., inventors; Texas 

Instruments Incorporated, assignee. Method of Forming 

Contacts on Semiconductor Members. April 1 7, 1 990. 

The disclosure relates to a method of forming 

adherent contacts to oxide coated semiconductor material 

wherein the oxide coating and a portion of the 

semiconductor material are mechanically removed, such as 

by abrading. to provide a roughened surface on the 

semiconductor material. The contact material is then 

applied over the mechanically roughened surface and 

bonded at elevated temperatures to provide the adherent 

contact. 

4,918,030 

Lamb, Walter R.; Lawrence, John E., inventors; Electric 

Power Research Institute, assignee. Method of Forming 

Ught-Trapping Surface for Photovoltaic Cell and 

Resulting Structure. April 17, 1 990. 

An improved textured surface of a photovaltaic device 

is provided by an anisotropic etching process in which 

pyramidal structures are formed on a silicon surface 

having a (100) crystallographic orientation. An aqueous 

solution of an alkali metal hydroxide is heated to 

approximately 85°C whereupon isopropyl alcohol is added. 

Separated silicon wafers are immersed in the solution for 

approximately 45 minutes. The wafers can be agitated for 

a limited time in the solution, and preferably the wafers 

and solution are covered during the etching step. The 

resulting pyramids are on the order of 14 microns high 

60 U.S. Photavaltaic Patents: 1988-1990 

and 20 microns on each side of the base. The overlap of 

the pyramids provides desired random locations for the 

pyramids. 

4,918,357 

Waterbury, Nelson J., inventor. Combination 

Incandescent and Solar-Electric Light Bulb with Automatic 

Switching Device and Charging Means Therefor. April 1 7, 

1 990. 

A dual-filament light bulb with associated adapter 

apparatus which uses photovoltaic cells mounted within 

the light bulb to charge a battery which powers one of 

the filaments. The adapter apparatus is designed to mount 

in an ordinary light socket which provides external 

current to the other filament. The adapter apparatus 

includes circuitry which alternately switches from the 

filament powered by the battery to the filament powered 

by external current in a manner which reduces the amount 

of electricity needed to produce a given amount of light. 

4,919,913 

Kurz, Gunter; Abels, Martin; Schwirtlich, Ingo; 

Woditsch, Peter, inventors; Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, 

assignee. Process for the Production Of Solar 

Silicon. April 24, 1990. 

The process for producing silicon suitable for use in 

safar cells is improved by reacting a gaseous silicon 

compound with aluminum wherein a finely dispersed molten 

surface of pure aluminum or an aluminum/silicon alloy is 

intensively contacted with the gaseous silicon compound 

during the reaction. 

4,920,067 

Knapp, Jamie, inventor. Process for /I-VI Compound 

Epitaxy. April 24, 1990. 

H9t.xCdxTe, H91•xZnxTe and other 

related II-VI ternary semiconductor compounds are-, 

important strategic materials for photavoltaic infrared 

detector applications. Liquid phase epitaxy employing a 

tellurium-rich molten nonstoichiometric solution is an 

accepted technology for thin film epitaxial crystal 

growtl1. 

This present invention describes a crystal growth 

process employing specially encapsulated graphite 

components which directly facilitate a high volume, high 

quality large area epitaxial layer production. 

4,920,917 

Nakatani, Kenji; Okaniwa, Hiroshi; Yano, Mitsuaki, 

inventors; Teijin Limited, assignee. Reactor for 

Depositing a Layer on a Moving Substrate. May 1, 1 990. 

A solar cell having a layered structure with improved 

characteristics can be manufactured in plasma assisted 

CVD at a high rate deposition. In one aspect, separators 

are arranged between discharge electrodes to control a 
distribution of the composition of a reaction gas in a 

reaction chamber giving a desired composition profile of 

a layer in the direction of the layer thickness. In 

another aspect, a grid electrode is inserted between a 

substrate and one of discharge electrodes only near an 

entrance portion thereof so that a high power can be 

appJied to discharge electrodes to increase a deposition 

rate without plasma damage to an interface between a 

layer to be deposited and an underlying substrate. In a 

further aspect, an electric-field-adjusting means such as 

a metal wire is provided with an opening of a mask 

arranged between a substrate and one of the discharge 

electrodes for controlling the quality and layer 

thickness of a layer to be deposited. This electric-field 

adjusting means makes the electric field distribution 

uniform in the mask opening, thereby preventing a 

nonuniformity of the characteristics of a deposited layer. 

4,922,088 

Kasuya, Satoshi, inventor; Technology Network, Inc., 

assignee. Automatic Solar Ughting Apparatus Having a 

Solar Following Sensor. May 1, 1 990. 

An automatic solar lighting apparatus having a 

reflecting means for reflecting the sunlight and a solar 

following sensor composed of an X-shape cross member 

having four side grooves, a light shielding top plate 

disposed on the front end of the X-shape cross member, 

and photosensors located in the side grooves of the 

X-shape cross member. The solar following sensor is 

controlled to be always pointed toward the sun, and the 

reffecting means can automatically be driven so as to 

reflect and direct the sunlight toward a prescribed 

portion for lighting. 

4,922,218 

Watanabe, Kaneo; Iwamoto, Masayuki; Minami, KOji, 

inventors; Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., assignee. 

Photovoltaic Device. May 1 , 1990. 

A photovoltaic device comprises a photo active layer 

for generating carriers when light is applied thereto, 

and a window layer containing at least silicon and 

hydrogen and provided on the light incidence side of the 

photoactive layer. Hydrogen concentration in the window 

layer is higher in the layer's light incidence side than 

in the side facing the photoactive layer. Thus, the light 

incidence side of the window layer has a rough surface. 

4,923,524 

Kiss, Zoltan J., inventor; Chronar Corp., assignee. 

Wide Ranging Photovo�taic Laminates Comprising 

Particulate Semiconductors. May 8, 1990. 

A photovoltaic laminate of different semiconductor 

layers for providing a wide range of photovoltaic 

characteristics. One of the layers is an amorphous 

semiconductor and at [east one other of the layers is of 

crystalline particles. Additional semiconductor layers, 

both amorphous and non-amorphous, may be included. The 

amorphous layers have a thickness of about a few microns 

and the crystalline layers have a thickness above about 

60 microns. The various semiconductor layers can include 

p, N, and intrinsic regions. In accordance with a method 

aspect of the invention, the particulate layers are 

produced by blowing a molten semiconductor through a 

nozzle or by the spin coating of emulsions. The particles 

are desirably accompanied by a binder in the form of a 

silicate, an acrylic, or a cycloaliphatic epoxy. 

4,924,096 

Mroczkowski, Jacek A.; Reine, Marion B.; Butler, Neal 

R., inventors. Non-Contact Testing of Photovoltaic 

Detector Arrays. May 8, 1 990. 

The present method for non-contact testing of 

infrared photovoltaic detectors employs a probe Which is 

positioned a distance " d" from a detector contact to form 

a capacitance between the probe and the detector. The 

probe signal is amplified by a preamplifier and the diode 

is excited both electrically, through the common contact, 

and optically with a known infrared signal. The probe 

position is controlled by measuring the probe to detector 

capacitance. Electrical and electro-optical detector 

parameters can be determined using standard AC circuit 

analysis techniques. 

4,925,335 

Eigenmann, Ludwig, inventor. Prefabricated Continuous 

Roadmarking Tape Having Optical and Electromagnetic 

Function. May 15, 1990. 

A prefabricated continuous multilayer road-marking 

tape is described, which includes retroreflecting optical 

components, light emitting diodes (LEOs), solar cells, 

storage batteries, and reflectors and transmitters of 

electromagnetic waves. There are given examples of the 

use of the reflectors in order to control the speed of a 

vehicle which travels far from the tape, and examples of 

Ille use of EPROMs (erasable programmable read only 

memory) where messages are recorded, with the purpose of 

giving information about the conditions of the road, the 

presence of ice or of traffic jams, and so on, said 

messages being transmitted by a radio transmitter. 

4,926.229 

Nakagawa, Katsumi; Ishihara, Shunichi; Kanai, Masahiro; 

Arao, Kozo; Fujioka, Yasushi; Sakai, Akira, inventors; 

Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, assignee. PIN Junction 

Photovoltaic Element with P or N-Type Semiconductor Layer 

Comprising Non-Single Crystal Material Containing Zn, Se, 

H in an Amount of 1 to 4 Atomic % and a Dopant and I-Type 

Semiconductor Layer Comprising Non-Single Crystal Si(H,F) 

Material. May 15, 1 990. 

An improved pin junction photovoltaic element which 

causes photoelectromotive force by the junction of a 

p-type semiconductor layer, an i-type semiconductor layer 

and an n-type semiconductor layer, characterized in that 

at least one of said p-type semiconductor layer and said 

Patents 61 
oOtype semiconductor layer comprises a p-typed or n-typed 

ZnSe:H:M film, where M is a dapant af p-type ar n-type: 

the amount of the H is in the range of from 1 to 4 atomic 

%: and said film contains crystal grain domains in a 

proportion of 65 to 85 vol % per unit volume; and said 

i-type semiconductor layer comprises a non-single crystal 

Si(H,F) film ar a nan-single crystal Si(C,Ge)(H,F) film. 

4,926,230 

Yamagishi, Hideo; Yamaguchi, Minori; Asaoka, Keizo; 

Hiroe, Akihiko; Kondo, Masataka; Tsuge, Kazunori; 

Tawada, Yoshihisa, inventors; Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo 

Kabushiki Kaisha, assignee, Multiple Junction Solar 

Power Generation Cells. May 15, 1990. 

A photovoltaic device of amorphous or 

microcrystalline semiconductor having multijunction 

wherein one or more layer including high concentration 

impurities is interposed between p-type conductive layer 

and n-type conductive layer. A tunnel junction is formed 

by the interposed layer to elevate the photoelectric 

conversion rate. 

4,927,489 

Campbell, Rabert B.; Kochka, Edgar L.; Piotrowski, Paul 

A., inventors; Westinghouse Electric Corp., assignee. 

Method for Doping a Melt. May 22, 1 990. 

A method for doping a silicon melt for growing 

Silicon dendritic web crystals is disclosed, The melt is 

doped with antimony prior to commencing web growth, which 

allows the crystals to be grown without the need for 

replenishing the dopant, and producing crystals having 

uniform resistivities. Photovoltaic cells produced from 

crystals grown from the antimony doped melt exhibit 

superior properties relative to those doped according to 

other methods. 

4,927,721 

Gratzel, Michael; Liska, PaUl, inventors. 

Photo-Electrochemical Cell. May 22, 1 990. 

The regenerative photo-electrochemical cell comprises 

a polycrystalline metal oxide semiconductor layer having 

a substantially monomolecular chromophore layer in a 

surface zone. The surface of the metal oxide 

semiconductor layer has a roughness factor of more than 

20, preferably more than 200. Photo-electrochemical cells 

having such metal oxide semiconductors have good 

monochromatic efficiency using redox systems with iodides 

or bromides, 

4,927,770 

Swanson, Richard M., inventor; Electric Power Research 

Inst. Corp. of District of Columbia; Board of Trustees of 

the Leland Stanford California Corporation, assignee. 

Method of Fabricating Back Surface Point Contact Solar 

Cells. May 22, 1 990. 

62 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1 988-1990 

A back surface point contact silicon solar cell 

having improved characteristics is fabricated by 

hydrogenating a silicon-silicon oxide interface where 

hydrogen atoms are diffused through silicon nitride and 

silicon oxide passivating layers on the surface of a 

silicon substrate. In carrying out the hydrogenation, the 

substrate and passivation layers are placed in a hydrogen 

atmosphere at an elevated temperature of at least 90QoC 

whereby hydrogen atoms diffuse through the two 

passivation layers. Self·alignment techniques are 

employed in forming small-geometry doped regions in the 

suriace of the silicon substrate for the p-n junctions of 

the solar cell. Openings are formed through the 

passivation layers to expose first suriace areas on the 

substrate, and a doped Silicon oxide layer is then formed 

over the passivation layers and on the exposed surface 

areas. Portions of the first doped layer on the two 

passivation layers are removed and then second portions 

of the two passivation layers are removed, thereby 

exposing second surface areas, A second doped silicon 

oxide layer is then formed over the pa,ssivation layers 

and on the second exposed surface areas. Dopants from the 

two doped silicon oxide layers are then diffused into the 

first and second surface layers to form p and n diffused 

regions in the surface of the substrate. Thereafter, the 

first and second doped silicon oxide layers are removed 

by a preferential etchant which does not remove the 

silicon nitride layer, thereby exposing the first and 

second surtace areas. A two-level metal interconnect 

structure is then formed for separately contacting the 

first surface areas and the second surface areas, 

4,928,154 

Umeno, Masayoshi; Sakai, Shiro; Yahagi, Shinichiro, 

inventors; Daido Tokushuko Kabushiki Kaisha; Nagoya 

Institute of Technology, assignee, Epitaxial Gallium 

Arsenide Semiconductor on Silicon Substrate with Gallium 

Phosphide and Super/attice Intermediate Layers. May 22, 

1990. 

A semiconductor wafer having an epitaxial GaAs layer, 

including a monocrystalline Si substrate having a major ' 

surface which is inclined at an off angle between 0.50 

and 50 with respect to (100); and at least one 

intermediate layer epitaxially grown on the major surface 

of the monocrystalline Si substrate, as a buffer Jayer 

for accommodating a lattice mismatch between the Si 

substrate and the epitaxial GaAs layer which is 

epitaxially grown on a major surface of a top layer of 

the at least one intermediate layer. The at least one 

intermediate layer may comprise one or more GaP/GaAsP, 

GaAsP/GaAs superlattice layers. The wafer may be used to 

produce a semiconductor light emitting element which has 

a plurality of crystalline GaAs layers including a light 

emitting layer epitaxially grown on the GaAs layer on the 

intermediate layer. The wafer may also be used to produce 

a compound semiconductor device such as amplifying and 

switching elements, light emitting and receiving elements 

and photovoltaic elements. MethodS for producing the 

semiconductor wafer, light emitting element and compound 
semiconductor devices are also disclosed. 

4,929,281 

Worner, J6rg, inventor; Nukem GmbH, assignee. 

Method for Producing Thin-Film Solar Cells in a 

Series-Connected Array. May 29, 1 990. 

Disclosed is a method for producing an array of 

thin-film solar cells so that the individual solar cells 

are electrically connected in series. Individual solar 

cells are manufactured by depositing and structuring the 

layers required by each solar cell on a large-area 

substrate. According to the invention, a first electrode 

layer is structured before subsequent layers, including a 

semiconductive material layer and a second electrode 

layer, are deposited. Preferably, the structures of the 

subsequently depOSited layers are determined by 

simultaneously applying matefial in paste form to the 

first electrode layer. 

4,929,842· 

ter Hasebrg, Jan L.; Nedwig, Joachim; Kruse, 

Klaus-Dieter, inventors; Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs GmbH, 

assignee. Electro-Optical Measuring and Transmission 

Device Using Overload and Overvoltage Protection 

Circuits. May 29, 1 990. 

The present invention relates to a miniaturized, 

isotropic electro-optical measuring and transmission 

device including a measuring head having small exterior 

dimensions which is supplied only by means of optical 

conductors and includes an overload protection in the 

transducer supply and a frequency compensated overvoltage 

protection in the signal branch. 

4,929,942 

Niimi, Kikuo, inventor; Klctec Incorporation, assignee. 

Ughting Peg. May 29, ' 990. 

A lighting peg having a solar cell and a battery 

installed in a casing including a number of sensors each 

including a photoelectric conversion element mounted on a 

side surface of the casing, a differential circuit 

provided on the subsequent stage of the conversion 

element, and a comparator which delivers a high level 

output when the output of the differential circuit 

exceeds a predetermined value. A multivibrator generating 

a series of pulses are also provided, so that when either 

of the sensors detect light having a variation rate 

larger than a predetermined value. the multivibrator 

starts generating pulse for energizing a number of 

light-emitting elements also provided on the side suriace 

of the casing, and the flashing operation of the 

light-emitting elements continues even after the 

termination of the detection of the aforementioned 

condition, until the counter starting the operation at 

that terminating instant completes the counting of the 

predetermined nu�ber of pulses. 

4.931,412 

Fischer, Roland; Grabe, Gerhard; Niemann, Ekkehard, 

inventors; Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs GmbH, assignee. 

Method of Producing a Thin Film Solar Cell Having a 

N-I-P Structure. June 5, 1 990. 

A thin film solar cell with an n-i-p structure has 

roughened substrate surface and to achieve an improved 

fill factor, the substrate surface and to achieve an 

improved fiU factor, the substrate surface of the solar 

cell is a multiply concave surface and has no sharp 

points. 

4,933,020 

Wenzel, Joachim, inventor. Solar Installation. June 

12, 1990. 

A solar installation having a collector field having 

at least one of planar absorbers and solar cells, the 

collector field being fixed in non-trackable manner of 

the roof, reflecting surfaces extending laterally over 

and beyond the absorber surfaces in shading free manner 

with respect to the absorbers andlor solar cells, the 

reflecting surfaces having associated carrier members, 

the reflecting surfaces with the associated carrier 

members being subdivided into at least two reflecting 

surfaces in a plane extending horizontally from the 

absorbers andlor solar cells, the inclinations of the 

reflecting suriaces increasing with increase in distance 

of the absorbers or solar cells from the horizontal, and 

a spacing between at least two of the reflecting surfaces. 

4,933,021 

Swanson, Richard M., inventor; Electric Power Research 

Institute, assignee. Monolithic Series-Connected Solar 

Cells Employing Shorted P-N Junctions for Electric 

Isolation. June 12, 1990. 

Electrical isolation between cells in a dual metal 

layer contact solar cell or an interdigitated contact 

solar cell structure is provided interconnecting adjacent 

cells. The shorted p-n junctions function as minority 

carrier traps for minority carriers flowing between the 

cells. 

4,933,022 

Swanson, Richard M., inventor; Board of Trustees of the 

Leland Stanford University; Electric Power Research 

Institute, assignee. Solar Cell having Interdigitated 

Contacts and Internal Bypass Diodes. June 12, 1 990. 

A solar cell structure having dual metal layer 

contacts or interdigitated metal contact fingers on one 

surface is provided with internal bypass diodes in each 

cell. Each bypass diode comprises doped regions in 

contact with the metal spaced from the doped regions of 

the active solar cell. The doped regions of the bypass 

diodes are of opposite conductivity type from the doped 

regions of the active solar cell for each contact. The 

bypass diode is spaced from the active region and is 

Patents 63 
shaded from irradiation during normal operation. 

4,933,618 

Ortlieb, Johann F., inventor. Chair for Sunbathing. 

June 12, 1990. 

A chair for sunbathing has a stationary base carrying 

a rotatable support for a seating or lying surface. A 

motor is controlled by a control unit in a chamber which 

also contains sensors responsive to ambient sunlight 

whereby the motor is caused to rotate until it has 

aligned the chair with the sun's rays. The motor can also 

be powered by means responsive to solar energy. 

4,934,338 

Hollick, John C.; Peter, Rolf W., inventors; Solarwall 

International limited, assignee. Method and Apparatus 

for Preheating Ventilation Air for a Building. June 19, 

1990. 

Ventilation air for a building is preheated by 

providing on a south�facing wall a solar-energy absorbent 

collector panel with a plurality of air-inlet openings 

which communicate with air collection channels behind the 

pane!. Outside air paSSing upwardly along the panel is 

heated by the heat of the panel which itself is heated by 

a combination of solar radiation and heat being lost from 

the interior of the building. The outside air, passing 

upwardly a short distance along the panel to the closest 

air inlet opening, is withdrawn therethrough into the air 

collection channel and expelled into the interior of the 

building. 

4,935,067 

Sato, Katsumi; Hokuyo, Shigeru; Matsumoto, Hideo, 

inventors; Mitsubishi Oenki Kabushiki Kaisha, assignee. 

Solar Cell and Fabrication Method Thereof. June 19, 

1 990. 

In the fabrication processes of a solar cell, a first 

p-n junction having a function required for supplying 

electric power to the exterior of the solar cell is 

formed in the vicinity of the light receiving surface, 

while a second p-n junction is provided in a position not 

reached by incident light The two p-n junctions are 

interconnected in anti-parallel, so that, when a reverse 

voltage is applied to the first p-n junction, the second 

p-n junction is forward biased to have a current flow 

therein, thereby to prevent the solar cell from breaking 

down. Since the first and second p-n junctions are 

integrated with each other, the cost for fabricating the 

solar cell is decreased and the reliability thereof is 

increased. 

4,935,383 

Nouhi, Akbar; Stirn, Richard J., inventors; The United 

States of America as represented by the Administrator of 

the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 

assignee. Preparation of Dilute Magnetic Semiconductor 

Films by Meta/organic Chemical Vapor Deposition. June 

64 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988-1990 

1 9, 1 990. 

A method for preparation of a dilute magnetic 

semiconductor (OMS) film ;s provided, wherein a Group II 

metal source, a Group VI metal source and a transition 

metal magnetic ion source are pyrolyzed in the reactor of 

a metalorganic chemica! vapor deposition (MOCVO) system 

by contact with a heated substrate. As an example, the 

preparation of films of Cd1 •xMnxTe, wherein 

0.5.X.5.0.7, on suitable substrates (e.g. GaAs) is 

described as a source of manganese, tricarbonyl 

(methycyc!opentadienyl) maganese (TCPMn) is employed. To 

prevent TCPMn condensation during the introduction 

thereof into the reactor, the gas lines, valves and 

reactor tubes are heated. A thin-film solar cell of n-i-p 

structure, wherein the i-type layer comprises a OMS, is 

also described; the i-type layer is suitably prepared by 

MOeVD. 

4,935,742 

Marin, Jonathan, inventor. Automatic Radar 

Generator. June 19, 1 990. 

An autonomous radar transmitting system transmits 

radar signals which simulate the presence of a 

police-manned radar station. A controller runs 

pseudo-randomizing programs to select the width of a 

radar pulse transmitted as well as the time lapse between 

subsequent pulses. The radar output of the system is 

therefore sufficiently random to prevent a detecting 

circuit from identifying it in the time it takes for a 

motorist with a radar detector to reach the radar source. 

The system is battery powered and a photovoltaic panel is 

provided to recharge the battery, thus giving the system 

a long lifespan. Also provided is an infrared detector 

through which infrared signals may be input to the 

controller. Thus, external control is provided without 

making the system susceptible to tampering or vandalism. 

Most of the electrical components are enclosed in a 

weatherproof casing capable of being mounted in a number 

Of discrete convenient locations. The casing includes a 

drainage hole with a downwardly extending tube for 

allowing the drainage of condensation buildup within the 

casing. 

4,936,043 

Steele, John J., inventor. Uve Bait Container 

Incorporating Aerator and Power Supply. June 26, 1990. 

A bait container in the form of a foamed plastic 

chest and lid is disclosed. A solar cell assembly is 

positioned on the lid; conductors extend to the lid to 

metal foil contact strips on the nether side of the lid. 

A pair of matching metal strips for contact purposes is 

located on the upper peripheral lip of the chest. The 

metal contacts connect with conductors to a motor and the 

motor connects with a pump to remove pump from the chest, 

to pump the water through a feedline and into a header to 

be sprayed into the chest. 
4,936,924 

Inuzuka, Takahiko, inventor; Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki 

Kaisha, assignee. Thin-Film Solar Battery and Its 

Manufacturing Method. June 26, 1990. 

This invention relates to a method of manufacturing a 

thin-film solar battery comprising a plurality of 

photoelectric power generating elements connected in 

series. It comprises a process of arranging two or more 

photoelectric power generating elements each including a 

junction electrode back electrode, semiconductive layer, 

light-permeable electrode (and current collecting 

electrode) laminated in this order on an insuiative and 

light-permeable substrate and a process of irradiating a 

laser beam from the substrate side to the junction 

electrode of one of adjacent photoelectric power 

generating elements with the coagulation of the melt. 

Accordingly, since the back electrode can be patterned 

prior to the formation of the semiconductive layer and 

since the series connection of adjacent photoelectric 

generating elements can be made by laser bonding from the 

substrate side, the photovoltaic characteristics of the 

semiconductive layer are never impaired. 

4,937,651 

Yamazaki, Shunpei; Suzuki, Kunia; Kinka, Mikio; Fukada, 

Takeshi; Abe, Masayoshi; Kobayashi, Ippei; Shibata, 

Katsuhiko; Susukida, Masato; Nagayama, Susumu; 

Koyanagi, Kaoru, inventors; Semiconductor Energy 

Laboratory Co., Ltd., assignee. Semiconductor Device 

Free from the Current Leakage Through a Semiconductor 

Layer and Method for Manufacturing Same. June 26, 1990. 

An improved semiconductor device is disclosed which 

is free from current leakage due to pin· holes or other 

gaps. Also an improved method for processing a 

semiconductor device is shown. According to the invention, 

gaps produced in fabricating process of the semiconductor 

layer are filled with insulator in advance of deposition 

of electrodes. 

4,939,986 

Turner, Charles R, inventor; John C. Garvin, Jr. and 

Harold W. Hilton, assignee. Exhaust Ventilator. 

July 10, 1 990. 

A ventilator assembly for attachment in an opening in 

a partition such as a ceiling of a structure such as a 

dwelling. The ventilator assembly includes a housing 

having an elongated body portion of sufficient length to 

extend through insulation which may be disposed adjacent 

the partition. A first removable cap member having a 

central opening therethrough is disposed on a first end 

of the housing and a second removable cap member is 

secured to a second end of the housing. The second cap 

member is provided with air inlet means having a grill 

secured thereover. In one embodiment of the invention, a 

filter is provided in the grill of the air inlet means 

and in the removable first cap member. Additionally, 

activated carbon filters are provided in the interior of 

the housing. In a second embodiment, the removable first 

cap member supports an electric motor and exhaust fan 

therein and a movable baffle is mounted in the housing 

adjacent the air inlet means of the second cap member. 

This assembly may be powered by solar energy or other 

readily available electrical sources. 

4,940,495 

Weber, Michael F.; Tran, Nang T.; Jeffrey, Frank R.; 

Gilbert, James R.; Aspen, Frank E., inventors; Minnesota 

Mining and Manufacturing Company, assignee. 

Photovoitaic Device Having Light Transmitting 

Electrically Conductive Stacked Films. July 1 0, 1990. 

A light transmitting electrically conductive stacked 

film, useful as a light transmitting electrode, including 

a first light transmitting electrically conductive layer, 

having a first optical thickness, a second light 

transmitting layer, having a second optical thickness 

different from the optical thickness of the first layer, 

and an electrically conductive metallic layer interposed 

between and in intimate contact with the first and second 

layers. 

4,940,496 

Matsumoto, Hideo; Sato, Katsumi; Hokuyo, Shigeru, 

inventors; Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha, assignee. 

Solar Battery Device. July 1 0, 1990. 

According to the present invention, an electrode is 

formed on a first region of a light receiving surface of 

a solar battery element and an end portion of an 

interconnector is connected to a part of the surface 

region of the electrode, while an adhesive layer is 

provided on the light receiving surface, the surface of 

the electrode and the end portion of the interconnector. 

Further, one or more through holes are provided in a 

region of the interconnector being adjacent to the end 

portion. Thus, even if an adhesive agent forming the 

adhesive layer flows out during formation of the adhesive 

layer, the outflow parts of the adhesive agent are 

trapped in the through holes, whereby the solar battery 

device can be reduced in size. 

4,940,568 

Hoyler, Gerhard; Grabmaier, Josef; Falckenberg, Richard; 

Freienstein, Bernhard, inventors; Siemens 

Aktiengesellschaft, assignee .. Arrangement for the 

Continuous Melting of Granulated Silicon for a 

Band-Drawing Method. July 10, 1 990. 

For the continuous melting of silicon granulate for a 

band drawing method, a melt reservoir in communication 

with the melt crucible based on the accelerated is 

arranged, the speed thereof being continuously varied. 

Two pipe parts connected to one another at an angle 

between approximately 45° to about 90° are secured on 

the rotary plate, the one, vertical pipe part thereof 

serving as admission in the rotational axis and the other 

pipe part thereof forming the acceleration path for the 

Patents 65 
granulate particles in the direction toward the angular 

melt crucible. On the basis of this arrangement, a 

uniform delivery and melting of the granulate particles 

in the melt surface is achieved and, thus, a continuous 

silicon band drawing with uniform layer thickness is 

enabled. The arrangement is used in the manufacture of 

silicon bands for solar cells. 

4,940,604 

Suyama, Naoki; Ueno, Noriyuki; Omura, Kuniyoshi; 

Takada, Hazime; Kita, Vuutaro; Murozono, Mikio, 

inventors; Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., 

assignee. Method for Production of Copper Indium 

Diselenide. July 10, 1990. 

A polycrystalJine CulnSe2 film is produced by 

adding a liquid cooling medium to a mixture of Cu, In, 

and Se powders, grinding the resulting composition by 

means of a ball-mill to provide a slurry containing 

CulnSe, of low crystallinity, drying and adding a 

binding agent to the slurry to form a paste, coating a 

substrate with the paste, and sintering the paste so 

applied under a nitrogen atmosphere. 

The starting materials that can be used are nat 

limited to respective powders of the above-mentioned 

elements but may be Cu-Se and In-Se compounds and the 

method provides CulnSez of excellent quality on a 

mass production scale at low cost. 

4,941 ,032 

Kobayashi, Kenji; Kondo, Masataka; Tsuge, Kazunori; 

Tawada, Voshihisa, inventors; Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo 

Kabushiki Kaisha, assignee. Semiconductor Device. 

July 10, 1990. 

A semiconductor device comprising an amorphous 

semiconductor which might contain microcrystal therein, 

and a metal electrode electrically connected to the 

amorphous semiconductor and containing AI as a first 

component; wherein at least one element selected from the 

group cansisling of (i) Ag, (ii) Au, (iii) Ca, Mg, Mn, W, 

Cr, or Cu, (iv) Zn or Ge, and (v) Fe, Mo, Ni, Pd, PI, Ti, 

V, or Zr is added, as an additional component of the 

metal electrode, to the first component. According the 

present invention, there can be prevented the diffusion 

of an element of a metal electrode into a semiconductor 

layer during the production and the use of a 

semiconductor device. Thereby, the degradation of 

properties of the semiconductor device can be 

substantially prevented. Further, the yield of products 

can be improved and the lifetime of products can be 

greatly lengthened. 

4,942,723 

Wassell, Stephen R., inventor. SoJar Powered 

Lawnmower. July 24, 1990. 

66 U.S. Phalovoltaic Palents: 1988·1990 

A solar powered lawn mower is disclosed comprising an 

electric motor, a rechargeable battery pack, and a panel 

of photovoltaic cells built into the handle of the 

lawnmower. The angle of the handle is arranged to ensure 

that the photovoltaic cells will receive nearly maximal 

solar exposure when the lawn mower is left in the sun with 

the angle of the handle approximately perpendicular to 

the sun's rays. In case of insufficient photovoltaic 

recharging, the solar powered lawnmower comprises the 

means to employ standard AC current to recharge the 

battery pack. The solar powered lawnmower is used to mow 

a lawn without generating air pollution or excessive 

noise pollution. 

4,942,865 

Pierce-Bjorklund, Patricia, inventor. Compound Solar 

Collector Bui/ding Construction. July 24, 1990. 

A compound convective construction matrix having an 

anterior half-matrix disposed to form the first radiation 

receiving surfaces of the compound matrix and a posterior 

half�matrix disposed to form the last radiation receiving 

surfaces of the compound matrix, each of the said halfmatrices consisting of two identical frame members 

arranged in a stacked relation and each frame member 

having inclined frame elements disposed in intersecting 

relation to form a grid having grid intersections forming 

a plurality of compartments, each compartment housing a 

transparent component cushioned securely therein. The two 

identical half-matrices are arranged in paired and 

opposed mirror-image relation and having opposed halfcompartments cooperate to form a plurality of internal 

hollow chambers. Two opposed half-matrices are joined by 

compressive devices at grid extending the full length and 

breadth of the matrix and intersecting in each chamber. 

The joined half-matrices form a single structural member 

having two distinct thermal gradients, an external 

gradient in the anterior half-matrix and an interior 

gradient in the posterior half-matrix. 

4,943,325 

Levy, Sheldon L., inventor; Black & Veatch, 

Engineers-Architects, assignee. Reflector Assembly. 

July 24, 1 990. 

A reflector assembly for a solar energy system 

including a circular dish-shaped concentrator which may 

be oriented towards the sun. The concentrator provides a 

conical flux concentration with a circular, 

cross-sectional image. A photovoltaic receiver with a 

square surface is positioned partly within the flux 

concentration. The reflector assembly includes reflector 

elements for redirecting concentrated flux from marginal 

portions of the flux concentration image to corner 

portions of the receiver surface. 

4,945,065 

Gregory, James A.; Hanoka, Jack I.; Vayman, Zinovy V., 

inventors; Mobil Solar Energy Corporation, assignee. 

Method of Passivating Crystalline Substrates. July 
31, 1 990. 

A method of bulk passivating a crystalline or 

polycrystalline substrate made from silicon, germanium, 

gallium arsenide or other IfIN compounds, and II-VI 

compounds by exposing the substrate to a fluorine ion 

beam created by a Kaufman ion source. The Kaufman ion 

source is controlled so that the intensity of and 

duration of exposure to the fluorine ion beam is 

sufficient to bulk passivate the substrate. Preferably, 

the substrate is preheated to a selected temperature 

prior to the ion beam exposure. 

4,946,512 

Fukuroi, Takeo; Yoshida, Shinichirou; Ohmura, Akira, 

inventors; Yoshida Kogyo K. K., assignee. Solar Energy 

Collector Device. August 7. 1990. 

A so!ar energy collector device is disclosed for 

selectively collecting an electrical energy and a thermal 

energy at the same time from a solar energy. The device 

comprises an inorganic-and-metal composite in the form of 

a roof tile or a wall-forming member which includes a 

solar battery exposed to sun rays and a heat medium 

passageway disposed underneath the battery. The density 

of distribution of a particulate inorganic substance 

within a metal mass is varied through the areas of the 

tile or wall member so as to effectively collect the 

respective energies without adversely affecting the 

interior conditions of a building in which the device is 

installed. 

4,946,514 

Nakagawa, Katsumi; Shimizu, Isamu, inventors; Canon 

Kabushiki Kaisha, assignee. Thin Film 

Photoelectromotive Force Bement Having Multi-Thin Films 

Stacked Semiconductor Layer. August 7, 1990. 

Improved pin type and Schottky time thin film 

photoelectromotive force elements which exhibit desired 

effects in short-circuit current (lsc), open-circuit. 

voltage (V 0')' fill factor (FF), photoelectric 

conversion efficiency and SIN ratio, characterized in 

that at least one of the n-type semiconductor layer and 

the p-type semiconductor layer is constituted with a 

non-single-crystal silicon semiconductor layer comprised 

of a plurality of stacked non-single-crystal silicon 

films of 100 A or less thickness containing 1 to 10 

atomic % of hydrogen atoms. 

4,947,219 

Boehm, Marcus, inventor; Chronar Corp., assignee. 

Particulate Semiconductor Devices and Methods. 

August 7, 1 990. 

Particulate semiconductor devices and method of 

preparation by a low temperature process. A particulate 

layer is screen printed on a metallized substrate and a 

rear contact is formed by alloying the semiconductor 

particules to the substrate. The layer is fired and a 

front Schottky contact applied. The resulting device has 

sharp diode IV-characteristics, low leakage current, and 

significant reverse break-down voltages. In the 

manufacture of efficient and red-enhanced particulate 

silicon pn-junction solar cells, prediffused particles 

are used, offering major advantages compared to other 

techniques, such as where the junction is formed atter 

completion of a particulate layer. 

4,948,436 

Juergens, Wilfried, inventor; Siemens AktiengeseiJschaft, 

assignee. Thin-Film Solar Cell Arrangement. August 

14, 1990. 

A thin-film solar cell arrangement is provided. The 

thin-film solar cell contains at least two pin (nip) 

solar cells that are arranged relative to one another as 

a tandem cell, the neighboring layers of the two solar 

cells being of the same conductivity type. The two solar 

cells are interconnected to one another in a parallel 

circuit. The thin-film solar cell arrangement is suitable 

for module structure comprising series interconnection, 

whereby the parallel circuit of the respectively two 

solar cells in the tandem cell ensues together with the 

series interconnection. 

4,948,688 

Kitatani, Katsuji; Hoshi,. Satoshi, inventors; Fuji Photo 

Film Co., Ltd., assignee. Layered Electrophotographic 

Photoreceptor Comprises B/S-AZO Charge Generator 

Compound. August 14, 1990. 

A electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising: (1) 

an electrophotographic photosensitive layer which 

comprises a charge carrier transporting compound and a 

charge carrier generating compound, or (2) an 

electrophotographic photosensitive layer which comprises 

a charge carrier transporting compound layer and a charge 

carrier generating compound layer, on an electrically 

conductive support, wherein said charge carrier 

generating compound is a bis-azo compound. 

4,948,740 

Plaettner, Rolf, inventor; Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, 

assignee. Method for the Integrated 

Series-Interconnection of Thick-Film Solar Celfs and 

Method for the Manufacture of Tandem Solar Cells. 

August 14, 1 990. 

A method is provided for the series-interconnection 

of a plurality of thick-film solar cells. Separating 

grooves in the thick-film semiconductor layer necessary 

for farming conductive connections between the cells are 

produced through a lift-off technique. The stripe pattern 

needed for the lift-off technique is applied onto a 

substrate having structure base electrodes. The stripe 

pattern is applied thereto as a paste in a silk-screening 

method before the surface-wide deposition of the 

thick-film semiconductor and is removed before the 

deposition of the cover electrode layer. Involved 

Patents 67 
mechanical parting methods are avoided through the method 

of the present invention. According to an embodiment of 

the present invention, a polycrystaltine silicon layer 

can be used as a thick-film and the solar cell 

manufactured therewith can be combined via an optional 

coupler with a solar celt based on amorphous, 

hydrogenated silicon (a-Si:H), whereby an a·Si:H cell 

comprising two transparent electrodes can be wired as the 

front cell. The method is cost·beneficial because it can 

be easily automated and allows a high throughput. 

4,948,750 

Kausche, Helmold; Plaettner, Rolf, inventors; Siemens 

AktiengeseUschaft, assignee. Method and Apparatus for 

Producing Semiconductor Layers Composed of Amorphous 

Silicon-Germanium Alloys Through Glow Discharge Technique 

Particularly for Solar Cells. August 14, 1 990. 

A method and apparatus are provided for improving the 

dangling-bond saturation in amorphous silicon-germanium 

semiconductor layers. The depositon from the vapor phase 

of germane, Silane, and hydrogen proceeds on the basis of 

different plasma excitations in the same reactor, that 

are spatially separated. Capacitive and inductively 

coupled plasmas are generated at different locations, in 

such a manner that the two plasmas superimpose in a 

central substrate region. For increasing the ionization 

density, the inductively excited plasma has a dc magnetic 

field for resonance excitation superimposed on it 

perpendicular to the radio frequency magnetic field. 

Amorphous silicon-germanium layers containing hydrogen 

are produced that have a low density of states and are 

particularly suitable for thin·film tandem solar cells. 

4,950,615 

Basal, Bulent M.; Kapur, Vijay K., inventors; 

International Solar Electric Technology, Inc., assignee. 

Method and Making Group liB Metal-Telluride Films and 

Solar Cells. August 21, 1 990. 

A technique is disclosed forming thin films of group 

UB metal-telluride, such as CdxZn1.xTe (O�X�l), 

on a substrate which comprises depositing Te and at least 

one of the elements of Cd, Zn, and Hg onto a substrate 

and then heating the elements to form the telluride. A 

tech nique is also provided for doping this material by 

chemically forming a thin layer of a dopant on the 

surface of the unreacted elements and then heating the 

elements along with the layer of dopant. A method is 

disclosed of fabricating a thin film photovoltaic cell 

which comprises depositing Te and at least one of the 

elements of Cd, Zn, and Hg onto a substrate which 

contains on its surface a semiconductor film and then 

heating the elements in the presence of a halide of the 

Group liB metals, causing the formation of solar cell 

grade Group liB metal·telluride film and also causing the 

formation of a rectifying junction, in situ, between the 

semconductor film on the substrate and the Group liB 

metal· telluride layer which has been formed. 

68 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988-1990 

4,953,577 

Marshall, Jack, inventor; Solarex Corporation, assignee. 

Spray Encapsulation of Photovoltaic Modules. 

September 4, 1 990. 

A method for encapsulating a photovoltaic module and 

an encapsulated photovoltaic module. The photovoltaic 

module includes a superstrate and one or more 

photovoltaic cells disposed on the superstrate. A barrier 

coating is applied to the exposed side of the 

photovoltlaic mooule. The barrier coating is a mixture of 

a two component-fluorinated polyurethane with 3'glycidoxy 

propyltrimethoxy silane. The photovoltaic module may also 

include an isolation scribe located around the perimeter 

of the exposed surface of the module. 

4,954,181 

Nishiura, Masaharu; Ichimura, Takeshige; Kamiyama, 

Michinari, inventors; Fuji Electric Company Ltd.; Fuji 

Electric Corporate Research and Development Ltd., 

?lssignee. Solar Cell Module and Method of 

Manufacture. September 4, 1 990. 

A solar ceH module and method of manufacture in 

which the cell has a transparent substrate, an overlying 

transparent electrode, a layer of amorphous Silicon and a 

metal electrode. Adjacent ceUs are connected in series 

by using a laser to divide the transparent electrode into 

strips and similarly dividing the metal electrode into 

overlying strips to define gaps between adjacent strips, 

with the layer of amorphous sHicon lying across the 

gaps. That overlying portion is then crystallized by a 

laser beam so as to form a connection between the 

transparent electrode of one strip and the metal 

electrode of an adjacent strip. 

4,954,182 

Ovshinsky, Stanford R.; Adler, David, inventors; Energy 

Conversion Devices, Inc., assignee. Multiple Cell 

Phoforesponsive Amorphous Photo Voltaic Devices Including 

Graded Band Gaps. September 4, 1990. 

The production of improved multiple cel! photovoltaic 

amorphous silicon devices having improved wavelength 

threshold characteristics is made possible by adding one 

or more band gap adjusting elements to the silicon alloy 

material in one or more cells of the device. The 

adjusting element or elements are added at least to the 

active photo responsive regions of constituent amorphous 

silicon cells, which regions preferably further include 

at least one of fluorine and hydrogen. One adjusting 

element is germanium which narrows the band gap from that 

of the silicon alloy materials without the adjusting 

element incorporated thereinto. Other adjusting elements 

can be used, such as carbon or nitrogen to widen the band 

gap. The silicon and adjusting elements are concurrently 

combined and deposited as amorphous silicon aUoys by 

glow discharge decomposition techniques. 
4,954,856 

Yamazaki, Shunpei, inventor; Semiconductor Energy 

Laboratory Co., Ltd., assignee. Semiconductor 

Photoelectric Conversion Device and Method of Making the 

Same. September 4, 1 990. 

A photosensitive device including a laminate member 

incorporating a PIN junction where at least the portions 

of the I layer adjacent the P and N layers are 

crystallized and the P and N layers are 

non-single-crystalline where the degree of 

crystallization of the portions of the I layer is greater 

than that of the P and N layers. At least one of the P 

and N layers is made of silicon carbide and the I layer 

is photoannealed and contains one atom % or less oxygen. 

In one embodiment, the device is a tandem device 

including first and second photoelectric conversion 

devices where the second device is formed on the first 

device and where the first device has the same 

characteristics as the above described laminate member. 

4,955,982 

Paulos, Harry D., inventor; Olympic Machines, Inc., 

assignee. Raised Depressible Pavement Marker. 

September 11, 1 990. 

A depressible pavement marker is provided and 

includes a base receptacle, a piston assembly with a 

reflector and a resilient, compressible water impervious 

mass. The base receptacle is mounted in the pavement with 

a portion of the piston assembly protruding above the 

pavement so that the reflector can be seen. The piston 

assembly and base are of a piston-in-cylinder arrangement 

with the piston assembly depressible into the base. The 

mass fills substantially the entire cavity formed between 

the inner surfaces of the piston assembly and the base .. 

In another embodiment a self illuminating marker is 

provided and includes a solar cell, rechargeable battery, 

light source and sensor. The solar cell recharged the 

battery during daylight hours. The sensor energized and 

de-energized the light source in response to external 

indications. A further embodiment is also provided which 

includes a locational traffic marker having a transmitter 

in the piston assembly for sending a locational signal to 

a remote receiver such as for example a suitable equipped 

emergency vehicle. 

4,956,023 

Tsuge, Kazunori; Endo, Toshihito; Kobayashi, Kenji; 

Tawada, Yoshihisa, inventors; Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo 

Kabushiki Kaisha, assignee. Integrated Solar Cell 

Device. September 11, 1 990. 

An integrated solar cell device characterized in that 

a plurality of amorphous silicon solar cells, each having 

a transparent electrode on the light impinging side and a 

metal electrode on the side opposite of the light 

impinging side, are placed on a transparent substrate. 

The plurality of solar cells are connected in series or 

series-parallel using the transparent electrodes and the 

metal electrodes thereof, wherein at least a conductive 

anti-oxidation film is formed at the series connection 

part between the transparent electrode and the metal 

electrode. According to the integrated solar cell device 

of the present invention, the transparent electrode is 

prevented from oxidizing the metal electrode, so that the 

contact resistance is prevented from increasing and the 

output of the solar cell device can be prevented from 

decreasing. Consequently, the life of the solar cell 

device is extended, such that the output of the solar 

cell device can be maintained in the designed range for a 

long period. 

4,956,601 

Levine, Jules D.; Jensen, Millard J., inventors; Texas 

Instruments Incorporated, assignee. Method of Forming 

an Array of Apertures in an Aluminum Foil. September 

18, 1990. 

The disclosure relates to a method of forming an 

array of small apertures in an aluminum foil for 

receiving semiconductor spheres in said aperture. The 

apertures are formed by embossing the foil at the 

locations of the apertures to provide worked metal 

regions of reduced thickness at said locations. The foil 

is then etched in toto, etching taking place more rapidly 

at the worked metal region. Also, due to the reduced 

thickness of the foil at the embossed regions, such 

regions are etched away to provide apertures before the 

remainder of the foil undergoes material metal loss to 

provide the desired aperture array. 

4,956,603 

Russo, Vincenzo, inventor, SGS·Thomson Microelectronics 

S.r.L., assignee. Method and Apparatus for Measuring 

the Ufetime on PAN Semiconductor Junctions by 

Photovoltaic Effect. September 11, 1 990. 

A method for measuring the lifetime of P .N. 

semiconductor junctions which includes subjecting one 

side of the junction to monochromatic radiation of a 

pre-established intensity and measuring the voltage 

V p generated by the photovoltaic effect at the ends 

of the junction in order to calculate the lifetime tau 

because of a correlation between tau and V p which can 

be expressed by means of a function tau(V p) that 

takes into account the data relating to the measuring 

conditions and the structural parameters of the junction. 

4,956,685 

Fischer, Roland; Grabe, Gerhard; Niemann, Ekkard, 

inventors; Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs GmbH, assignee. 

Thin Film Solar Cell Having a Concave N-J-P 

Structure. September 11, 1 990. 

A thin film solar cell with an n-i-p structure has a 

roughened substrate surface, and, to achieve an improved 

fill factor, the substrate surface of the solar cell is a 

multiply concave surface and has no sharp points. 

Patents 69 
.,956,877 

Kroll, Mark W.; Pommrehn, Mark R.t inventors; Cherne 

Medical, Inc., assignee. Optical Fiber Reflective 

Signa/ Modu/alion System. September 11, 1990. 

The device of the present invention provides a signal 

modulation system. The system has a first station 

communicatively connected to an optical fiber. The first 

station has a transmitter to produce an unmodulated light 

carrier signal through the optical fiber and a receiver 

to convert a modulated light signal received from the 

optical fiber to a demodulated electrical signal for 

output. The system also has a second station 

communicatively connected to the optical fiber. The 

second station has an amplifier and power source which 

receive input carrier modulating signals via the optical 

fiber. 

4,957,772 

Saitoh, Keishi; Hashizume, Junichiro; lida, Shigehira; 

Takei, Tetsuya; Arai, Takayoshi, inventors; Canon 

Kabushiki Kaisha, assignee. Method for Forming 

Functional Deposited Films by Means of Microwave Plasma 

Chemical Vapor Deposition Method. September 1 8, 1 990. 

An improved method for forming a functional deposited 

film by introducing a raw material gas into a 

substantially enclosed reaction chamber containing a 

substrate onto which the functional deposited film is to 

be deposited and coupling microwave energy from a source 

of microwave energy thereinto to thereby form a glow 

discharge plasma causing decomposition of the raw 

material gas whereby forming the functional deposited 

film on the substrate. the improvement comprising 

supplying microwave of a power equivalent to 1.1 times or 

more over that of microwave with which the deposition 

rate for the decomposed products from the raw material 

gas being deposited onto the substrate to be saturated to 

the raw material gas in the reaction chamber and 

regulating the inner pressure of the reaction chamber to 

a vacuum of 10m Torr or less. 

According to the method of this invention, there can 

be formed a desired functional deposited film having a 

wealth of many practically applicable characteristics and 

having an improved response speed against photocurrent at 

an improved deposition rate with a raw material gas 

utilization efficiency of hundred percent or nearly 

hundred percent. And the method of this invention makes 

it possible to mass-produce various functional elements 

comprising such deposited film usable in 

electrophotographic photosensitive member. photosensor, 

thin-film transistor, solar cell, etc. on an industrial 

scale thereby enabling low cost production. 

4,958,575 

Antosh, Mark J., inventor. Transit Vehicle Apparatus 

and Method for Sali:lr Induction Monorails. September 25, 

1990. 

70 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988-1990 

A transportation system including a solar energy 

collecting monorail structure formed with a photovoltaic 

surface layer having a solar energy converting means for 

converting the collected solar energy to electrical 

energy. A power distribution means for distributing 

stored energy to transit vehicles being propelled along 

the monorail structure or distributing excess energy to a 

remote power utility source. The monorail structure 

includes means for propelling a transit vehicle according 

to magnetic principals associated with transverse flux 

motors. The system also includes a computer controlled, 

elevation compensating monorail structure extrusion 

machine comprising a fabrication chamber which 

continuously fabricates the monorail structure along a 

monorail construction right-of-way. 

4,959,106 

Nakagawa, Katsumi; Kanai, Masahiro; Ishihara, Shunichi; 

Arao, Kozo; Fujioka, Yasushi; Sakai, Akira; Murakami, 

Tsutomu, inventors; Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, assignee. 

Photovoltaic Element With a Semiconductor Layer 

Comprising Non-Single Crystal Material Containing at 

Least Zn, Se and H in An Amount of 1 to 4 Atomic %. 

September 25, 1990. 

A photovoltaic element which generates 

photoelectromotive force by the contact of a p-type 

semiconductor layer and an n-type semiconductor layer, 

characterized in that at least one of said semiconductor 

!ayers is made up from a deposited film composed of zinc 

atoms, selenium atoms, optional tellurium atoms, and at 

least hydrogen atoms, said deposited film containing a 

p-type or n-type doping agent, containing 1 to 4 atomic % 

of hydrogen atoms, containing selenium atoms and 

tellurium atoms in a ratio of 1:9 to 3:7 (in terms of 

number of atoms), and also containing crystal grains in a 

ratiO of 65 to 85 vol % per unit volume. 

4,959,603 

Yamamoto, Shigeo; Noda, Toshio, inventors: Osaka 

Titanium Co., Ltd., assignee. Solar Battery 

Equipment. September 25, 1 990. 

A solar battery system characterized by at least one 

solar cell for converting light energy to electrical 

energy which is stored in the system is provided. The 

solar cell is formed of a semiconductor selected from the 

group consisting of single crystal, polycrystalline and 

amorphous substrates and is coupled in parallel to an 

energy-storage capacitor, which capacitor is also 

connected in parallel with a loading circuit. The 

capacitor is formed of compressed particles of activated 

carbon which stores electrical energy charged to it by 

the solar cell at a selected voltage level. A diode is 

coupled in series to an output terminal of said solar 

cell to prevent the flow of a reverse current to the 

solar cell during discharge of the capacitor to the 

loading circuit. 
4,960,468 

Sinton, Ronald A.; Swanson, Richard M., inventors; The 

Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior 

University, assignee. Photovo/taic Converter Having 

Apertured Reflective Enclosure. October 2, 1 990. 

A photavoltaic converter includes a photovoltaic cell 

and an enclosure around the cell with a reflective inner 

surface that reflects light to the cell. An aperture 

through the wall of the enclosure has a size smaller than 

the size of the photDvoltaic cell. Light enters the 

enclosure through the aperture and falls upon the cell. 

Some light is reflected o'r nat absorbed by the cell. This 

light is re-reflected back to the cell by the reflective 

inner surface of the enclosure. The small size of the' 

aperture minimizes the escape of reflected light back out 

of the enclosure. 

4,962,461 

Meyer, Meinhard; Stormer, Oswald, inventors; 

Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH, assignee. Method 

for the Reproducable Formation of Material Layers and/or 

the Treatment of Semiconductor Materials Layers. 

October 9, 1990. 

A method and apparatus for process control in both 

the production of uniform material layers using vapor 

deposition, sputtering, chemical deposition etc. and the 

treating of material layers. In particular, the process 

and apparatus are particularly useful in semiconductor 

fabrication where ion implantation or diffusion is used. 

A brief test signal of preset shape, frequency spectrum, 

or frequency sequence is applied at given time intervals 

to the material layer whose production characteristics 

need to be monitored. The measuring signal is applied to 

a digital evaluation circuit in a process control 

computer. The signal has various components whose time 

constants and/or conductivities are different from one 

another and which together are characteristics of the 

current flowing through the layer being monitored. In 

particular, the current flowing over the surface layer 

i" the current flowing through particle boundary 

areas ia, and the current through homogeneous 

material ranges i2 can be distinguished from one 

another. The results from the measuring signal can be 

compared to stored reference values for the layer. 

Discrepancies between the actual and desired values are 

measured and used to adjust the process in a known 

fashion. 

4,963,196 

Hashimoto, Yuichi. inventor; Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, 

assignee. Organic Solar Cell. October 16. 1990. 

An organic solar cell, comprising an organic 

photoconductive layer comprising a charge generating 

substance and a charge transporting substance, and a 

protective layer covering the organic photoconductive 

layer blocking low-wavelength light of below 450 nm. 

Because of the presence of the protective layer, a change 

in photo-current due to photo-degradation of the charge 

transporting substance is suppressed while maintaining a 

high photo-electric conversion efficiency. 

4,963,811 

Weber, Hans R., inventor. Method and Apparatus for 

Powering Electrical and Electronic Consuming Devices with 

Solar Energy. October 1 6, 1990. 

In order to provide the required electric power 

uninterruptedly to an electrical or electronic consuming 

device powered by solar cells, the supply of power to the 

consuming deviGe must be assured even under inadequate 

illumination conditions and/or during brief failures of 

the solar collector, an electronic system is proposed 

wherein a control circuit is provided between the solar 

collector, the consuming device, and an electrical energy 

storage device. The control circuit functions at least as 

a connecting and com mutating switching device which, 

subject to the priority of maintaining the operational 

readiness of the consuming device. The control circuit 

makes these various connections in dependence on (1) the 

voltage at the solar collector, (2) the voltage required 

for operation of the consuming device, and (3) the state 

of charge of the storage device. In this way, it is 

possible to maintain desired conditions (i.e., operation 

of the consuming device) during brief failures of the 

solar collector when the illumination is inadequate. At 

the same time a situation can be avoided wherein the 

consuming device can only receive adequate electric power 

after the capacitor has been charged to the specified 

operating voltage of the consuming device by the solar 

collector. Thus, the invention makes it possible to avoid 

the drawbacks of previously known solar power delivery 

circuits and at the same time enables optimum utilization 

of the incident light as an energy source for electrical 

consuming devices. 

4,964,713 

Goetzberger, Adolf, inventor; Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur 

Forderund der Forschung E. V., assignee. Concentrator 

Arrangement. October 23, 1 990. 

A concentrator arrangement consists of a plate to 

which there is coupled a plurality of first stages with 

parabolic side walls, arranged parallel to one another. 

The first stages are optically coupled with second stages 

whose coupling surfaces with. the first stages and whose 

coupling surfaces with the solar cells are square. The 

side walls as well as the front and rear walls of the 

second stages are parabolically curved. 

4,964,793 

Antosh. Mark J., inventor. Solar Induction Monorail 

Fabrication Apparatus. October 23. 1990. 

A transportation system including a solar energy 

collecting monorail structure formed with a photovoltaic 

surface layer having a solar energy convertor for 

converting the collected solar energy to electrical 

Patents 71 
energy. A power distribution device for distributing 

stored energy to transit vehicles being propelled along 

the monorail structure or distributing excess energy to a 

remote power utility source. The monorail structure 

includes a device for propelling a transit vehicle 

according to magnetic principals associated with 

transverse flux motors. The system also includes a 

computer controlled, elevation compensating monorail 

structure extrusion machine comprising a fabrication 

chamber which continuously fabricates the monorail 

structure along a monorail construction right-of-way. 

4,965,655 

Grimmer, Derrick P.; Paulson, Kenneth R.; Gilbert, 

James R., inventors; Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing 

Company, assignee. Interconnected Semiconductor 

Devices. October 23, 1 990. 

Semiconductor layer and conductive layer formed on a 

flexible substrate, divided into individual devices and 

interconnected with one another in series by 

interconnection layers and penetrating terminals. 

4,966,631 

Matlin, Ronald W.; Lenskold, Richard K.; Rangarajan, 

Anand, inventors; Chronar Corp., assignee. Suppart far 

Photovaltaic Arrays. October 30, 1990. 

A supported photavaltaic array and method in which 

support elements are in raws spaced from one another and 

are bi-directionally spanned by members which mount 

photovoltaic modules that are separated from one another 

and are secured to the spanning members by cushioned 

load-spreading attachments positioned in the spaces 

between adjacent modules. 

4,967,895 

Speas, Gary W., inventor; POM, Incorporated, assignee. 

Parameter Control System for Electronic Parking 

Meter. November 6, 1 990. 

An electronic parking meter system for receiving at 

least one type of coin or other payment device and 

including circuits for controlling Changeable parameters, 

such as temperature drift, low voltage levels, aging, 

etc. The electronic parking meter has a power source 

which may be a solar type power source with a low voltage 

control circuit. The meter also has a microprocessor with 

a memory connected to the power supply. The 

microprocessor has a power-up mode, a standby mode and an 

operational mode. An electronic display is connected to 

the microprocessor and displays pertinent information. A 

coin received in the meter causes a signal to be 

generated upon receipt of the Cain by a sensor. The meter 

also has a coin detector and a microprocessor controlled 

circuit for adjusting a set-point of the coin detector. 

72 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1 988-1990 

4,968,354 

Nishiura, Masaharu; Yamada, Katsumi, inventors; Fuji 

ElectriC Co., Ltd., assignee. Thin Film Solar Cell 

Array. November 6, 1 990. 

The present invention pertains to a thin film solar 

cell array that has an increased durability to high 

temperatures and high humidity. The thin film solar cell 

includes a transparent insulating substrate on which unit 

cells are made of a paste material containing conductive 

particles and baked at about 1 50 °C. Further, the present 

invention achieves low contact resistance to the a-Si 

layer. 

4,968,355 

Johnson, Kenneth C., inventor. Twa-Axis Tracking Solar 

Collector Mechanism. November 6, 1 990. 

This invention is a novel solar tracking mechanism 

incorporating a number of practical features that give it 

superior environmental resilience and exceptional 

tracking accuracy. The mechanism comprises a light-weight 

space-frame assembly supporting an array of paint-focus 

Fresnel lenses in a two-axis tracking structure. The 

system is enclosed under a glass cover which isolates it 

from environmental exposure and enhances tracking 

accuracy by eliminating wind loading. Tracking accuracy 

is also enhanced by the system's broad-based tracking 

support. The system's primary intended application would 

be to focus highly concentrated sunlight into optical 

fibers for transmission to core building illumination 

zones, and the system may also have potential for 

photovoltaic or photothermal solar energy conversion. 

4,968,372 

Maass, Heinz, inventor; Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs GmbH, 

assignee. Method of Producing a Flexible Carrier 

Substrate. November 6, 1990. 

A method of producing a flexible carrier substrate 

for a phatovoltaic solar generator wherein a polyimide 

film disposed on a heatable lamination table is coated 

with an adhesive and hardened whereupon, after the 

application of an adhesion promoting layer, a glass 

filament faMe is placed onto the polyimide film and is 

subsequently saturated with a silicone adhesive. 

Resistance of the generator to atomic oxygen is obtained 

by performing the following method steps: (a) during the 

production of the substrate, a tear-away fabric is 

introduced into the not-yet-hardened silicone adhesive; 

(b) the laminate composed of polyimide film glass 

filament fabric and tear-away fabric is hardened under 

vacuum; and (c) before the solar cells are glued onto the 

flexible carrier substrate, the tear-away fabric is 

removed in such a manner that a torn-open, structured 

silicone surface is produced onto which the solar cells 

of the generator can be glued. 
4,970,453 

Oogita, Yoshinori, inventor; Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, 

assignee. Solar Charging System for an Ie Card Having 

Voltage Current Regulation. November 13, 1 990. 

An electronic apparatus such as an Ie card is 

comprised of a power source including a secondary cell 

and solar cells which are connected in parallel to the 

secondary cell, an Ie and a plurality of terminal$ 

inclusive of a power receiving terminal for contacting an 

extemal power source, and is characterized as also 

having voltage regulating diodes connected between the 

power receiving termInal and the secondary cell for 

regulating voltage applied to the secondary cell, and a 

current regulating diode connected between the power 

receiving terminal and the secondary cell and in parallel 

to the voltage regulating diodes for preventing the 

secondary cell from becoming directly recharged by an 

external power source connected to the apparatus through 

the power receiving terminal. 

4,971 ,633 

Beavis, Leonard C.; Panitz, Janda K.G.; Sharp, Donald 

J., inventors; The United States of America as 

represented by the Department of Energy, assignee. 

Photovoltaic Cell Assembly. November 20, 1 990. 

A photDvoltaic assembly for converting high intenSity 

solar radiation into electrical energy in which a solar 

cell is separated from a heat sink by a thin layer of a 

composite material which has excellent dielectric 

properties and good thermal conductivity. This composite 

material is a thin film of porous A1203 in which 

the pores have been substantially filled with an 

electrophoretically deposited layer of a styrene·acrylate 

resin. This composite provides electrical breakdown 

strengths greater than that of a layer consisting 

essentially of AI203 and has a higher thermal 

conductivity than a layer of styrene·acrylate alone. 

4,972,094 

Marks, Alvin M., inventor. Ughting Devices with 

Quantum 8ectriclUght Power Converters. November 20, 

1990. 

Lighting devices are described in which the light 

source comprises a plurality of light emitting structures 

utilizing the direct conversion of electron energy to 

photon energy, at high efficiency. Structures are 

described which will emit color or white light. The 

lighting devices include thin light sources which emit 

polarized light in a radiation lobe pattern or as a 

parallel beam of light, useful for ceiling panels for 

general polarized nonglare lighting, street lighting, 

polarized automobile nonglare systems, and long life 

white light electric lighting lightbulbs with screw·in 

sockets for 1 20v AC, which are self rectifying. A solar 

powered street lamp system is also described. 

4,973,518 

Kida, Michio; Sahira, Kensho; Nozoe, Akikuni, inventors; 

Mitsubishi Kinzoku Kabushiki Kaisha, assignee. 

Monocrystal Rod Pulled From a Melt. November 27, 

1 990. 

A monocrystal rod utilized for producing the 

semiconductor device or solar cell includes a neck 

section, a main rod section and a shoulder section. The 

neck section is smaller in diameter than a seed crystal. 

The main rod section is formed integrally with the neck 

section and is larger in diameter than the neck section. 

The shoulder section is tapered for linking the neck 

section to the main rod section. The main rod section has 

a stopper section at the top portion of the main rod 

section, and the stopper section is larger than the main 

rod section. 

Also, an apparatus for preparing the monocrystal rod 

has a safety member for supporting 'upwards the stopper 

section of the falling monocrystal rod. 

Further, a method of preparing the monocrystal rod 

includes the steps as follows. The seed crystal is pulled 

out from a melt in a crucible while rotating it. The 

speed of pulling the seed crystal is at first increased 

to grow the neck section whose diameter is smaller than 

the seed crystal, and then is gradually decreased to grow 

the shoulder section. Subsequently, the pulling speed is 

increased again so as to prevent further increase in 

diameter to grow the stopper section at the lower end of 

the shoulder section or at the top portion of the main 

rod section, and then is decreased again to grow the main 

rod section whose diameter is equal to a required 

diameter. 

4,974,126 

Hwang, Feng·Lin, inventor. Lamp With Power Source 

Supply For Fan. November 27, 1 990. 

A lamp with a power source to supply a fan, 

comprising a light installation, a solar cell connected 

inside of the lampshade, a rechargeable battery to be 

charged with electrical power by means of the solar cell, 

and a small fan or other small electrical apparatus 

attached to the rechargeable battery. As the light 

installation uses alternating·current, radiation energy 

sent from the light bulb, is converted by the solar 

cell's photoelectric effect to provide current again to 

charge a rechargeable battery, thereby supplying the 

small fan or any other electrical apparatus (such as 

shaver, transistor radio) with the required power source 

to operate, and thereby save energy. 

4,975,133 

Gochermann, Hans, inventor, Licentia Patent·Verwaltungs 

GmbH, assignee. Apparatus for Welding Components 

Together with the Use of Ultrasound. December 4, 1 990. 

Patents 73 
An apparatus for receiving components having 

overlapping surfaces and welding the components together 

with the use of ultrasound. An ultrasound emitter 

receives a high frequency current and converts it into 

mechanical ultrasonic vibrations having the same 

frequency. A transmitter transmits the ultrasonic 

vibrations to a sonotrode which focuses the ultrasonic 

vibrations on the components to be welded together. The 

sonotrode is provided with a Circumferential collar and 

means are provided for lowering the coliar during the 

welding process so that a part of the collar tangentially 

contacts the overlapping surface of one of the 

components. The part of the collar which tangentially 

contacts the overlapping surface introduces ultrasonic 

energy into the components. The ultrasonic emitter, 

transmitter and sonotrode are rotatably mounted via a 

vibration node of the transmitter. Means are provided for 

rotation of the sonotrode and movement of the sonotrode 

relative to the components such that the coliar rolls 

over the components during the welding process. 

4,975,584 

Benjamin, Thomas L.; Robillard, Jean J., inventors; 

Mountain Ocean, Ltd., assignee. Method and Apparatus 

far Collecting, Processing and Displaying Ultraviolet 

Radiation Data. December 4, 1 990. 

A system for public display of ultraviolet radiation 

levels wherein said radiation is collected and measured 

by one or several optical collectors or sensor assemblies 

at remote sensing stations. Optical fibers receive and 

then convey the radiation of the sun through a filter and 

onto a photovoltaic sensor, measuring the intensity of 

the ultraviolet radiation. An electrical signal 

proportional to the ultraviolet radiation is produced 

with the signal being amplified and either used directly 

as analog data or converted to a digital signal for the 

modulation of a radio transceiver. The signal is 

transmitted to a transceiver of a central data processing 

station, where it is processed. The processed signal is 

retransmitted to a receiver in which the processed signal 

carrier is demodulated and the signal fed to a display 

station providing the level of exposure to the public. 

4,975,816 

Frost, John S.; Erickson, Mark R.; Seegan, Kimberly E.; 

Felder, Bethanne; Wallace, Lloyd V., inventors; Siemens 

Solar Industries, assignee. Lens for Low Ught Level 

Lamp. December 4, 1 990. 

A lens for use in a stand alone lamp utilizing low 

wattage light bulbs. The lamp is powered through the 

utilization of photovoltaic cells which charge a battery 

which then provides power to the bulb in the absence of 

the sun. The lens is constructed of a hollow body having 

horizontally disposed ribs formed on the exterior surface 

thereof with a clear, unobstructed lower portion closing 

the bottom of the lens. 

74 U.S. Photovoltaic Palent.: 1 988-1990 

4,976,606 

Nelson, Robert E., inventor; TPV Energy Systems, Inc., 

assignee. Thermophotavaftaic Technology. December 

11, 1 990. 

A high output, narrow band thermally energized 

radiation source comprises a rare earth oxide radiator 

member that has a cross-sectional dimenSion in the range 

of five to thirty micrometers, the rare earth oxide 

radiator member, when heated to about 1 700°C, having a 

concentrated radiated flux over the 400-2500 nanometer 

wavelength range such that at least 50% of the radiated 

flux is within a spectral band that is less than 400 

nanometers wide. 

4,977,097 

Meyers, Peter V.; Liu, Chung-Heng; Frey, Timothy J., 

inventors; Ametek, Inc., assignee. Method of Making 

Heterojunction P+N Photovo/taic Cell. December 11, 

1 990. 

A heterojunction p+n photovoltaic cell having at 

least three difference semiconductor layers formed of at 

least four different elements comprises a p-type 

relatively wide band gap semiconductor layer, used as an 

absorber of light radiation, and an n-type relatively 

wide band gap semiconductor layer. The intrinsic is in 

electrically conductive contact on one side with the 

p-type layer and on an opposite side with the n-type 

layer. First and second ohmic contacts are in 

electrically conductive contact with the p-type layer and 

the n-type layer, respectively. 

4,980,574 

Cirrito, William J., inventor; Photocomm, Inc., assignee. 

Solar Irrigation D.C. to A.C. Power System Supplying 

A.C. Voltage at a Precise Power Frequency. December 25, 

1 990. 

A solar power system supplying A.C. voltages at 60 Hz 

as required for irrigation control with frequency 

precision and voltage levels in accordance with 

specifications for off-the-shelf irrigation timers and 

controls. 
Indexes 

Patents 75 
ASSIGNEE 

AAI Corporation 

1 988: 4,788,899 

Agency of Industrial Science and Technology; 

Ministry of International Trade and Industry; 

Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. 

1 989: 4,818,867 

Aimpoint AB 

1 989: 4,804,858 

American General Products, Inc. 

1 989: 4,867,191 

Ametek, Inc. 

1 989: 4,836,012 

4,873,1 98 

1 990: 4,977,097 

Applied Solar Energy Corporation 

1 988: 4,759,803 

1 990: 4,91 5,744 

Astrosystems, Inc. 

1 988: 4,772,564 

4,781,766 

Asulab SA 

1 990: 4,901,295 

Atlantic Richfield Company 

1 988: 4,724,011 

4,734,381 

4,769,086 

1 989: 4,798,660 

4,798,808 

4,816,324 

4,830,038 

4,873,1 18 

1990: 4, 915, 745 

Bayer Aktiengesellschaft 

1 990: 4,91 9,913 

Black & Veatch, Engineers-Architects 

1 990: 4,943,325 

Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford 

University; Electric Power Research Institute 

1 990: 4,933,022 

Bobier Electronics, Inc. 

1 988: 4,742,291 

1 989: 4,847,546 

76 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988 - 1990 

California Institute of Technology 

1 989: 4,857,976 

Canon Kabushiki Kaisha 

1 989: 4,851 ,302 

4,882,471 

4,888,062 

1 990: 4,926,229 

4,946,514 

4,957,772 

4,959,1 06 

4,963,196 

Canon Kabushiki Kaisha; Kanegafuchi Chemical 

Industry Co., Ltd. 

1 990: 4,892,594 

Casio Computer Co., Ltd. 

1 988: 4,749,982 

4,754,418 

4,785,226 

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 

(C.N.R.S·l 

1 989: 4,806,993 

Cherne Medical, Inc. 

1 989: 4,879,760 

1 990: 4,956,877 

Chevron Research Company 

1 988: 4,725,559 

4,746,371 

4,776,893 

Chronar Corp. 

1 988: 4,770,71 6 

1 989: 4,851,308 

1 990: 4,923,524 

4,947,219 

4,966,631 

Ciba-Geigy AG 

1 988: 4,759,830 

4,773,973 

Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. 

1 988: 4,764,91 0 

4,785,436 

Clean Scene Advertising, Inc. 

1 989: 4,827,645 
CNI 

1 988: 4,772,990 

Comfortex Corporation 

1 989: 4,807,686 

Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique 

1 988: 4,791 ,467 

Daido Tokushuko Kabushiki Kaisha; Nagoya 

Institute of Technology 

1 990: 4,928,154 

Danfoss AlS 

1 988: 4,760,954 

Director-General of Agency of Industrial 

Science and Technology 

1 988: 4,721 ,535 

Display tech Incorporated 

1 989: 4,813,771 

E-Lited Limited, A California Limited 

Partnership 

1 988: 4,775,865 

Electric Power Research Ins!. Corp. of 

District of Columbia; Board of Trustees of 

the Leland Stanford California Corporation 

1 990: 4,927,770 

Electric Power Research Institute 

1 990: 4,91 8,030 

4,933,021 

Electrical Generation Technology, Inc. 

1 989: 4,841,731 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. 

1 988: 4,746,618 

4,754,544 

4,768,096 

4,769,682 

4,773,944 

4,775,425 

4,777,534 

4,788,593 

4,788,594 

1 989: 4,816,082 

303,244 

4,868,664 

1 990: 4,891,074 

4,954,1 82 

Exxon Research and Engineering Company 

1 988: 4,739,383 

Farmont Production GmbH & Co., KG 

1 989: 4,800,803 

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderund der 

Forschung E. V. 

1 990: 4,964,713 

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung 

1 988: 4,763,310 

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der 

angewandten Forschung e V. 

1 988: 4,775,923 

Perna, Fred P. 

1 988: 4,726,044 

Fred P. Perna 

1 989: 4,833,697 

Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. 

1 990: 4,968,354 

Fuji Electric Company Ltd.; Fuji Electric 

Corporate Research and Development Ltd. 

1 990: 4,954,1 81 

Fuji Electric Corporate Research and 

Development Ltd.; Seiji Wakamatsu; Shigeru 

Ikeda 

1 988: 4,784,701 

Fuji Electric Corporate Research and 

Development, Ltd. 

1 989: 4,875,944 

1 990: 4,900,370 

Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. 

1 989: 4,804,992 

1 990: 4,948,688 

GA Technologies, Inc. 

1 988: 4,746,370 

4,773,945 

GAF Corporation 

1 989: 4,886,554 

General Dynamics Corp.lSpace Systems Div. 

1 988: 4,784,700 

General Electric Company 

1 988: 4,737,712 

4,782,376 

4,787,580 

1 989: 4,799,778 

4,876,430 

Assignee Index 77 
Glasstech International, L. P. 

1 989: 4,864,100 

Glasstech Solar, Inc. 

1 988: 4,763,602 

1 989: 4,808,462 

4,865,999 

Glasstech, Inc. 

1 989: 4,872,925 

1 990: 4,907,915 

Golight, Inc. 

1 990: 4,891,075 

Gregory A. Steiner 

1 989: 4,839,106 

Harvey-Westbury Corp. 

1 989: 4,823,241 

Heliotronic Forschungs- und 

Entwicklungsgesellschaft fur 

Solarzellen-Grundstoffe mbH 

1 988: 4,769,107 

Hitachi, ltd. 

1 988: 4,758,525 

4,788,582 

Horner Equipment of Florida, Inc. 

1 990: 4,91 6,382 

Hughes Aircraft Company 

1 988: 4,753,683 

1 989: 4,846,425 

4,849,028 

4,854,975 

4,864,016 

1 990: 4,894,508 

4,909,856 

Integrated Power Corporation 

1 989: 4,888,702 

• 

International Rectifier Corporation 

1 988: 4,721,986 

4,777,387 

International Solar Electric Technology, Inc. 

1 990: 4,950,615 

Intersolar Ltd. 

1 990: 4,899,645 

Jerry R. Iggulden 

1 990: 4,91 6,296 

78 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988 - 1990 

John C. Garvin, Jr. and Harold W. Hilton 

1 990: 4,939,986 

John E. Fetzer Foundation 

1 990: 4,907,864 

Joseph Leeb Enterprises, Inc. 

1 989: 4,836,786 

Junghans Uhren GmbH 

1 988: 4,791 ,621 

Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho 

1 988: 4,746,372 

Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba 

1 988: 4,783,589 

4,792,749 

1 989: 4,806,873 

4,819,121 

4,81 9,241 

4,875,101 

Kanegafuchi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. 

1 990: 4.965,225 

Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha 

1 988: 4,773,942 

4,786,851 

1 989: 4,875,943 

1 990: 4,907,052 

4,926,230 

4,941 ,032 

4,956,023 

Kictec Incorporation 

1 990: 4,904,998 

4,929,942 

Kopin Corporation 

1 989: 4,889,565 

Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Tech. 

1 989: 4,828,875 

Kyocera Corporation 

1 988: 4,773,943 

4,786,795 

1 989: 4,841 ,278 

Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs GmbH 

1 988: 4,71 7,790 

1 990: 4,929,842 

4,931,41 2 

4,956,685 

4,968,372 

4,975,133 
Logical Co., Ltd. 

1 988: 4,730,1 15 

M.C.B. 

1 988: 4,71 9,346 

4,739,1 63 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

1 989: 4,81 6,420 

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. 

1 990: 4,91 6,035 

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. 

1 990: 4,940,604 

Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. 

1 989: 4,801 ,822 

4,804,866 

4,873,202 

Mazda Motor Corporation 

1 990: 4,91 1 ,257 

ME Generations Inc. 

1 988: 4,782,432 

Messerschmitt-B6Ikow-Blohm GmbH 

1 988: 4,758,526 

1 990: 4,962,461 

Midwest Research Institute 

1 988: 4,779,980 

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company 

1 989: 4,882,239 

4,888,061 

1 990: 4,940,495 

4,965,655 

Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 

1 988: 4,737,1 96 

4,774,1 94 

4,789,641 

4,794,305 

1 989: 4,846,896 

4,861 ,387 

1 990: 4,897,123 

4,935,067 

4,936,924 

4,940,496 

Mitsubishi Kinzoku Kabushiki Kaisha 

1 990: 4,973,518 

Mobil Solar Energy Corporation 

1 988: 4,751 ,191 

1 990: 4,945,065 

Mountain Ocean, Ltd. 

1 990: 4,975,584 

MWB Messwandler-Bau AG 

1 989: 4,835,918 

Nichimo Co., Ltd. 

1 989: 4,809,458 

None 

1 988: 4,782,617 

Nukem GmbH 

1 989: 4,828,628 

4,869,755 

4,886,555 

1 990: 4,891 ,325 

4,900,369 

4,929,281 

Olympic Machines, Inc. 

1 990: 4,955,982 

Optical Coating Laboratory, Inc. 

1 988: 4,783,373 

Optyl Eyewear Fashion International 

Corporation 

1 990: 4.942,629 

Osaka Titanium Co., Ltd. 

1 990: 4,959,603 

Ovonic Imaging Systems, Inc. 

1 988: 4,739,41 4 

Photocomm, Inc. 

1 990: 4,980,574 

Pilkington P. E. Limited 

1 989: 4,850,660 

POM, Incorporated 

1 989: 4,823,928 

4,827,206 

4,872,1 49 

1 990: 4,967,895 

Power Plus, Inc. 

1 988: 4,751 ,622 

1 989: 4,843,525 

4,884,01 7 

Quantum Group, Inc. 

1 988: 4,776,895 

4,778,378 

4,793,799 

1 989: 4,806,095 

1 990: 4,898,531 

4,906, 1 78 

Assignee Index 79 
Recurrent Solutions Limited Partnership 

1 989: 4,839,039 

Samwha Co. 

1 988: 4,771 ,556 

Santa Barbara Research Center 

1 988: 4,794,247 

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 

1 988: 4,721 ,629 

4,726,849 

4,732,621 

4,755,483 

4,776,894 

4,781,765 

1 989: 4,795,500 

4,799,968 

4,808,242 

4,824,488 

4,843,451 

4,857,115 

1 990: 4,922,21 8 

Sartorius GmbH 

1 989: 4,856,605 

Schlage Lock Company 

1 989: 4,890,093 

Seiko Instruments, Inc. 

1 988: 4,750,099 

4,760,564 

4,785,435 

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., ltd. 

1 988: 4,725,558 

4,786,607 

1 989: 4,812,415 

4,874,920 

1 990: 33,208 

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory 

1 990: 4,937,651 

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., ltd. 

1 990: 4,954,856 

Sera Solar Corporation 

1 988: 4,764,439 

1 989: 4,824,489 

SGS-Thomson Microelectronics S.r.L. 

1 990: 4,956,603 

80 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988 · 1990 

Sharp Corporation 

1 990: 307,032 

308,693 

309,747 

31 0,093 

Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha 

1 988: 4,725,740 

4,737,1 97 

4,751,413 

4,760,918 

1 990: 4,91 0,415 

4,970,453 

Showa Aluminum Corporation 

1 989: 4,806,436 

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft 

1 988: 4,744,835 

4,745,078 

4,774,1 93 

4,788,904 

1 989: 4,871,517 

4,879,251 

1 990: 4,913,199 

4,91 4,044 

4,940,568 

4,948,436 

4,948,740 

4,948,750 

Siemens Solar Industries 

1 990: 4,975,816 

SmartCard International Inc. 

1 989: 4,868,376 

Solar Lighting Research, Inc. 

1 989: 4,833,340 

Solar Signage, Inc. 

1 988: 4,718,185 

Solarex Corporation 

1 988: 4,718,947 

4,749,454 

4,777,023 

4,783,421 

1 989: 4,808,904 

4,854,974 

1 990: 4,892,592 

4,910,153 

4,953,577 

Solarwall International Limited 

1 990: 4,934,338 

Solems 

1 988: 4,782,276 
Spectrolab, Inc. 

1 989: 4,838,952 

Spire Corporation 

1 988: 4,740,431 

4,771,017 

SRI International 

1 989: 4,828,814 

Standard Oil Company 

1 990: 4,909,857 

Stauffer Chemical Company 

1 989: 4,81 8,636 

4,822,581 

Stemcor Corporation 

1 988: 4,764,261 

4,772,335 

Sumitomo Electric Industries, Inc. 

1 988: 4,728,370 

Tactical Fabs, Inc. 

1 989: 4,836,861 

Tactilitics, Inc. 

1 989: 4,839,512 

Talefunken Electronic GmbH 

1 990: 4,915,743 

TDK Corporation 

1 988: 4,781,767 

Technology Network, Inc. 

1 990: 4,922,088 

Teijin Limited 

1 988: 4,724,010 

1 990: 4,920,917 

Teles Computer Products, Inc. 

1 988: 4,783,598 

Telettra Telefonia Elettronica e Radio S.pA 

1 988: 4,755,804 

Tennant Company 

1 989: 4,876,444 

Texas Instruments Incorporated 

1 989: 4,806,495 

1 990: 4,91 7,752 

4,956,601 

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford 

Junior University 

1 990: 4,960,468 

The Boeing Company 

1 989: 4,795,501 

4,832,755 

4,867,801 

The General Electric Company 

1 988: 4,761 ,21 1 

Standard Oil Company 

1 988: 4,735,662 

The Standard Oil Company 

1 988: 4,753,684 

1 989: 4,816,120 

The United States Department of Energy 

1 988: 4,761 ,302 

The United States of America as represented 

by the Administrator of the National 

Aeronautics and Space Administration 

1 990: 4,935,383 

The United States of America as represented 

by the Department of Energy 

1 990: 4,971 ,633 

The United States of America as represented 

by the Secretary of the Air Force 

1 989: H667 

The United States of America as represented 

by the Secretary of the Army 

1 990: H855 

The United States of America as represented 

by the Secretary of the Navy 

1 990: 4,902,967 

United States of America as represented by 

the United States Department of Energy 

1 988: 4,729,962 

The University of Delaware 

1 989: 4,876,210 

Thomson-CSF 

1 988: 4,784,702 

Toa Nenryo Kogyo K.K. 

1 988: 4,726,851 

TPV Energy Systems, Inc. 

1 990: 4,976,606 

Assignee Index 81 
TRW Inc. 

1 988: 4,755,231 

1 989: 4,81 2,737 

U.S. Philips Corp. 

1 989: 4,833,515 

Unisearch Limited 

1 988: 4,726,850 

4,748,130 

University of Delaware 

1 988: 4,778,478 

1 989: 4,81 8,337 

1 990: 4,909,863 

Ushio Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 

1 988: 4,769,718 

Utility Power Group 

1 989: 4,868,379 

Varian Associates, Inc. 

1 988: 4,756,074 

4,771,321 

1 989: 4,881 ,979 

Wacker Chemitronic 

1 989: 4,834,062 

Wacker-Chemitronic Gesellschaft fur 

Elektronik-Grundstoffe mbH 

1 989: 4,834,832 

Wattsun, Inc. 

1 989: 4,834,805 

Westinghouse Electric Corp. 

1 988: 4,775,800 

1 990: 4,899,044 

4,927,489 

Wetzel Enterprises, Inc. 

1 988: 4,771,763 

Yoshida Kogyo K. K. 

1 990: 4,946,512 

82 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988 - 1990 
ASSignee Index 83 
Abe, Kozo 

1 988: 4,730,1 1 5 

Abe, Masayoshi 

1 988: 4,725,558 

4,786,607 

1 990: 4,937,651 

Abels, Martin 

1 990: 4,91 9,913 

Adler, David 

1 990: 4,891,074 

4,954, 1 82 

Akhtar, Masud 

1 989: 4,851 ,308 

Akiyama, Sigeo 

1 989: 4,804,866 

4,873,202 

Albanese, Philip 

1 988: 4,764,850 

Allard, Ira L. 

1 988: 4,755,231 

Allison, James R. 

1 989: 4,890,093 

Amingual, Daniel 

1 988: 4,791,467 

And6, Hideo 

1 988: 4,783,589 

Anderson, A. Jerome 

1 989: 4,830,038 

Antosh, Mark J. 

1 989: 4,885,995 

1 990: 4,958,575 

4,964,793 

Arai, Takayoshi 

1 990: 4,957,772 

Arao, Kozo 

1 989: 4,851,302 

4,888,062 

1 990: 4,926,229 

4,959,1 06 

INVENTOR 

84 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988 · 1990 

Arnold, Aaron L. 

1 990: 4,900,432 

Artigliere, Fiore 

1 989: 4,808,904 

Arya, Rajeewa R. 

1 988: 4,71 8,947 

4,749,454 

Asai, Kunio 

1 988: 4,738,729 

Asai, Masahito 

1 988: 4,737,1 97 

Asaoka, Keizo 

1 990: 4,926,230 

Asars, Juris A. 

1 990: 4,899,044 

Aspen, Frank E. 

1 990: 4,940,495 

Baker, Ian M. 

1 989: 4,833,515 

Barnard, Timothy 

1 988: 4,746,618 

Barnett, Allen M. 

1 988: 4,772,564 

4,778,478 

4,781,766 

1 989: 4,81 8,337 

4,876,21 0 

Barton, John R. 

1 989: 4,832,755 

Basol, Bulent M. 

1 990: 4,950,615 

Bass, John C. 

1 988: 4,773,945 

1 990: 4,906,1 78 

Baumann, John A. 

1 989: 4,81 8,636 

4,822,581 

Baumeister, Philip W. 

1 988: 4,783,373 
Beavis. Leonard C. 

1 990: 4.971 .633 

Bechtel. Richard L. 

1 989: 4.836.861 

Bedair. Salah M. 

1 989: H667 

Benjamin. Thomas L. 

1 990: 4.975.584 

Berman. Elliot 

1 989: 4.798.808 

4,81 6.324 

Beze. Norman L. 

1 989: 4.830.038 

Bilow. Norman 

1 989: 4.864.016 

Birkmire. Robert W. 

1 990: 4.909.863 

Biter. William J. 

1 988: 4.735.662 

Bito. Hiroyasu 

1 988: 4.749.982 

Bobier. Joseph A. 

1 988: 4.742.291 

1 989: 4.847.546 

Boehm. Marcus 

1 990: 4.947.219 

Bogorad. Alexander 

1 989: 4.876,430 

Bohaski. Frank L. 

1 989: 4.872.679 

Bolin. Garry J. 

1 989: 4.890.093 

Bozler. Carl O. 

1 989: 4.816

,420 

Brotz. Gregory R. 

1 988: 4.746,458 

1 990: 4.900.368 

Brown. Gerald E. 

1 988: 4.742.291 

1 989: 4.847.546 

Brownfield. Richard E. 

1 989: 4.81 6,120 

1 990: 4.909.857 

Brum. Jose A. 

1 989: 4.806.993 

Buchwald. Randall H. 

1 988: 4.737.712 

Butler. Neal R. 

1 990: 4.924.096 

Cahill. Douglas R. 

1 988: 4,765.623 

Callaghan. John K. 

1 990: 4.899.645 

Campbell. Robert B. 

1 988: 4.729.962 

1 990: 4.927,489 

Cannella. Vincent D. 

1 988: 4.768.096 

4.777,534 

1 989: 4.868.664 

Cannon. Theodore W. 

1 988: 4.779.980 

Cantrell. Michael P. 

1 988: 4.718.185 

Cape. John A. 

1 988: 4.746.371 

4.776.893 

Cardillo. Gary J. 

1 988: 4.765.623 

Carlson. David E. 

1 988: 4.783,421 

1 989: 4.854.974 

Catalano. Anthony W. 

1 988: 4.782.376 

1 989: 4.845.043 

Chaky. Rebecca C. 

1 988: 4.755.231 

Champetier. Robert J. 

1 989: 4.846,425 

Chandler. Charles E. 

1 988: 4.788.899 

Inventor Index 85 
Chang, Kwangling 

1 989: 4,796,370 

Chao, Suyueh 

1 989: 4,871 ,042 

Cherwin, Charles 

1 989: 4,794,715 

Christel, Lee A. 

1 989: 4,824,489 

Cicak, Michael J. 

1 989: 4,864,1 00 

Cirrito, William J. 

1 990: 4,980,574 

Clark, Noel A. 

1 989: 4,813,771 

Cluff, C. Brent 

1 988: 4,771 ,764 

Coffman, Stephen L. 

1 988: 4, 782,432 

Cogan, George W. 

1 988: 4,764,439 

1 989: 4,824,489 

Cohen, Marshall J. 

1 988: 4,759,803 

Collins, Howard W. 

1 988: 4,777,387 

Conlin, Kevin L. 

1 988: 4,718,185 

Cornelius, Klaus 

1 989: 4,856,605 

Cornwall, Mickey 

1 988: 4,784,700 

Czernienko, George 

1 988: 4,751 ,191 

D'Aiello, Robert V. 

1 988: 4,783,421 

1 989: 4,854,974 

Dakubu, Salifu 

1 990: 4,891 ,075 

Dame, Richard E. 

1 990: 4,905,579 

86 u.s. Photovaitaic Patents: 1988

· 1 990 

Danziger, Leslie A. 

1 990: 4,907,864 

Davidson, Alexander 

1 988: 4,781,766 

Davidson, J. Paul 

1 988: 4,775,865 

Davis, James G. 

1 988: 4,781 ,119 

Davis, Murray W. 

1 989: 4,806,855 

Dickson, Charles R. 

1 988: 4,783,421 

1 989: 4,854,974 

1 990: 4,892,592 

4,91 0,153 

Dill, Hans G. 

1 989: 4,838,952 

Dillinger, Bill R. 

1 989: 4,830,606 

Dippel, Hans-Jurgen 

1 989: 4,835,918 

Dolan, James P. 

1 989: 4,827,246 

Dolan, Patrick M. 

1 989: 4,827,246 

Dolick, Earl M. 

1 988: 4,793,799 

Dolnick, Earl M. 

1 988: 4,778,378 

1 989: 4,806,095 

1 990: 4,898,531 

4,906,1 78 

Dominguez, Richard L. 

1 989: 4,833,340 

Doss, Todd 

1 989: 4,841 ,41 6 

Doty, Mitchell E. 

1 989: 4,836,012 

Downing, Jr., John P. 

1 989: 4,841,157 

DuPont, Preston S. 

1 989: 4,864,016 
Edington, Jeff W. 

1 988: 4,78 1 ,766 

Edwards, Willie 

1 988: 4,754,271 

Eigenmann, Ludwig 

1 990: 4,925,335 

Elias, Eric 

1 989: 4,873,118 

Ellion, M. Edmund 

1 988: 4,753,683 

Endo, Toshihito 

1 990: 4,956,023 

Endo, Yukio 

1 989: 4,875,1 01 

Endroes, Arthur 

1 990: 4,914,044 

Erbert, Virgil 

1 989: 4,834,805 

Erickson, Mark R. 

1 990: 4,975,81 6 

Ermer, James H. 

1 989: 4,798,660 

1 990: 4,915,745 

Exner, Rainer 

1 989: 4,856,605 

Falckenberg, Richard 

1 989: 4,871,517 

1 990: 4,913,199 

4,940,568 

Fan, John C.C. 

1 989: 4,816,420 

4,889,565 

Farmont, Rolf 

1 989: 4,800,803 

Felder, Bethanne 

1 990: 4,975,816 

Felix, Pierre 

1 988: 4,791,467 

Field, Bruce F. 

1 989: 4,876,444 

Fieselmann, Benjamin 

1988: 4,777,023 

Filippi, Ernest A. 

1 989: 4,875,031 

Fischer, Roland 

1 990: 4,931 ,412 

4,956,685 

Fitzsimmons, James W. 

1 988: 4,789,408 

Fleck, Gerald W. 

1 989: 4,81 2,737 

Fleishman, Roc V. 

1 989: 4,836,862 

Flesner, Larry D. 

1 990: 4,902,967 

Fraas, Lewis M. 

1 988: 4,725,559 

4,746,371 

4,776,893 

Frank, Walter 

1 989: 4,834,062 

Freienstein, Bernhard 

1 990: 4,91 3,199 

4,940,568 

Frey, Timothy J. 

1 989: 4,873,1 98 

1 990: 4,977,097 

Frost, John S. 

1 990: 4,975,816 

Fuji, Sadao 

1 988: 4,786,851 

Fujimura, Ikuo 

1 989: 4,804,992 

Fujioka, Yasushi 

1 989: 4,851 ,302 

4,888,062 

1 990: 4,926,229 

4,959,1 06 

Fujisawa, Hidetaka 

1 988: 4,785,226 

Inventor Index 87 
Fujita, Nobuhiko 

1 988: 4,728,370 

Fujiwara, Ryoji 

1 990: 4,892,594 

Fukada, Takeshi 

1 988: 4,725,558 

4,786,607 

1 989: 4,812,415 

1 990: 4,937,651 

Fukuda, Nobuhiro 

1 988: 4,749,588 

Fukuroi, Takeo 

1 990: 4,946,512 

Gaddis, John J. 

1 988: 4,782,628 

Gali, Carl E. 

1 989: 4,871,959 

Gambs, Paul 

1 988: 4,71 9,346 . 

4,739,1 63 

Ganssle, Eugene R. 

1 988: 4,787,580 

Garvin, Jr., John C. 

1 990: 4,939,986 

Gay, Robert R. 

1 988: 4,724,01 1 

Geisler, Jr., Herbert A. 

1 989: 4,830,677 

Gerhardt, David B. 

1 990: 4,892,592 

Gerken, Kenneth F. 

1 989: 4,888,702 

Gessert, Cord 

1 988: 4,769,1 07 

Gibbons, James F. 

1 988: 4,764,439 

1 989: 4,824,489 

Gilbert, James R. 

1 990: 4,940,495 

4,965,655 

Gimbal, Eric A. 

1 990: 4,896,305 

88 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1 988 - 1990 

Girling, Ian R. 

1 988: 4,761,21 1 

Glenn, Gregory S. 

1 990: 4,894,508 

Gochermann, Hans 

1 988: 4,71 7,790 

1 990: 4,975,133 

Goetzberger, Adolf 

1 988: 4,763,310 

1 990: 4,964,713 

Goldstein, Mark K. 

1 988: 4,776,895 

4,778,378 

4,793,799 

1 989: 4,806,095 

1 990: 4,898,531 

4,906,178 

Gonsiorawski, Ronald C. 

1 988: 4,751,191 

Gruniger, Hans R. 

1 988: 4,759,830 

4,773,973 

Grabe, Gerhard 

1 990: 4,931 ,412 

4,956,685 

Grabmaier, Josef 

1 989: 4,871,517 

1 990: 4,913,199 

4,91 4,044 

4,940,568 

Gratzel, Michael 

1 990: 4,927,721 

Green, Martin A. 

1 988: 4,726,850 

4,748,1 30 

Gregory, James A. 

1 990: 4,945,065 

Grimmer, Derrick P. 

1 989: 4,882,239 

1 990: 4,965,655 

Gronet, Christian M. 

1 988: 4, 764,439 
Gruppuso, Frank M. 

1 989: 4,868,376 

Guha, Subhendu 

1 988: 4,775,425 

1 989: 4,81 6,082 

Guterman, Charles 

1 988: 4,782,276 

Hackstein, Karl G. 

1 989: 4,828,628 

1 990: 4,900,369 

Hackstein, Karl-Gerhard 

1 989: 4,886,555 

Hagerty, James J. 

1 990: 4,907,864 

Hahs, Jr., Charles A. 

1 988: 4,772,990 

Haku, Hisao 

1 988: 4,755,483 

1 989: 4,843,451 

Halani, Arvind 

1 988: 4,724,01 1 

Hall, Robert B. 

1 988: 4,772,564 

4,781 ,766 

Haller, Edgar 

1 988: 4,79 1,621 

Hamakawa, Yoshihiro 

1 988: 4,773,942 

1 989: 4,875,943 

Hanak, Joseph J. 

1 988: 4,754,544 

1 989: 303,244 

Handdschy, Mark A. 

1 989: 4,813,771 

Haney, Ronald E. 

1 989: 4,806,495 

Hanoka, Jack I. 

1 990: 4,945,065 

Hansen, Allan H. 

1 988: 4,760,954 

Hansen, J. Richard 

1 990: 4,899,044 

Hara, Kazuya 

1 988: 4,754,41 8 

Harada, Nozomu 

1 989: 4,875,1 01 

Harhigh, Robert N. 

1 989: 4,876,430 

Harrison, Shelley A. 

1 989: 4,868,376 

Hashimoto, Yuichi 

1 990: 4,963,1 96 

Hashizume, Junichiro 

1 990: 4,957,772 

Hashoian, Ralph S. 

1 988: 4,737,712 

Haugen, Alvin E. 

1 989: 4,827,534 

Hauser, John R. 

1 989: H667 

Hayashi, Yutaka 

1 989: 4,818,867 

Helmreich, Dieter 

1 988: 4,769,1 07 

Henri, Yves 

1 988: 4,784,702 

Hering, Reinhard F. 

1 988: 4,794,027 

Herschitz, Roman 

1 989: 4,876,430 

Heusquin, Anke 

1 989: 4,878,043 

Heusquin, Guy 

1 989: 4,878,043 

Hewig, Gerd ' 

1 989: 4,812,416 

Hezel, Rudolf 

1 989: 4,828,628 

4,886,555 

1 990: 4,891 ,325 

4,900,369 

Inventor Index 89 
Hichler, Marty A. 

1 988: 4,764,261 

Hicks, Michael C. 

1 988: 4,739,383 

Higaki, Shigetoshi 

1 989: 4,819,121 

Hilton, Harold W. 

1 990: 4,939,986 

Hiraishi, Hisato 

1 989: 4,818,867 

Hiroe, Akihiko 

1 990: 4,926,230 

Hitotsuyanagi, Hajime 

1 988: 4,728,370 

Ho, Frank F. 

1 990: 4,915,744 

Hoegl, Helmut 

1 990: 4,913,744 

Hoffman, Winfried 

1 989: 4,869,755 

1 990: 4,891 ,325 

Hokuyo, Shigeru 

1 989: 4,846,896 

1990: 4,935,067 

4,940,496 

Hokuyou, Shigeru 

1 988: 4,774,1 94 

Hollick, John C. 

1 990: 4,934,338 

Holmquist, Melvin L. 

1 989: 4,81

1 ,694 

Horner Jr., Charles J. 

1 989: 4,886,554 

Horner, Jr., Jack L. 

1 989: 4,872,679 

Hoshi, Satoshi 

1 990: 4,948,688 

Hoyler, Gerhard 

1 989: 4,871,517 

1 990: 4,91 3,199 

4,940,568 

90 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1 988 · 1990 

Hsu, Chi-chu 

1 989: 4,871,042 

Huang, Miguel C.J. 

1 989: 4,871,042 

Huang, Wingo C. 

1 988: 4,772,335 

Huber, Lothar 

1 989: 4,834,832 

Hudgens, Stephen 

1 988: 4,769,682 

Hudgens, Stephen J. 

1 988: 4,739,414 

Hulstrom, Roland L. 

1 988: 4,779,980 

Huschka, Hans 

1 989: 4,869,755 

Hutchby, James A. 

1 989: H667 

Hwang, Feng-Lin 

1 990: 4,974,1 26 

Ichikawa, Shingo 

1 988: 4,764,910 

Ichimura, Takeshige 

1 990: 4,900,370 

4,954,1 81 

Idaka, Yukio 

1 989: 4,801,822 

lida, Katsuhiro 

1 990: 308,693 

31 0,093 

lida, Shigehira 

1 990: 4,957,772 

Ikeda, Shigeru 

1 988: 4,784,701 

1m, Ho-Bin 

1 989: 4,828,875 

Imamura, Kenji 

1 988: 4,769,71 8 

Inoue, Hiroshi 

1 989: 4,795,500 
Inoue, Yuichi 

1 988: 4,750,099 

4,785,435 

Inouye, George T. 

1 988: 4,755,231 

Inuzuka, Takahiko 

1 988: 4,789,641 

1 990: 4,936,924 

Ishihara, Seiichi 

1 989: 4,818,867 

Ishihara, Shuniehi 

1 989: 4,851 ,302 

4,888,062 

1 990: 4,926,229 

4,959,106 

Ishii, Masayuki 

1 988: 4,728,370 

Ito, Makoto 

1 988: 4,792,749 

Itoga, Kazusue 

1 990: 4,900,370 

Itoh, Haruo 

1 988: 4,721,535 

Itoh, Kenji 

1 989: 4,874,920 

Iwamoto, Masayuki 

1 989: 4,799,968 

4,857,115 

1 990: 4,922,218 

Izawa, Hideo 

1988: 4,75 1 ,413 

Izumina, Masanobu 

1988: 4,773,942 

1 989: 4,875,943 

Jiirliiv, Richard 

1 989: 4,804,858 

Jawetz, Ira 

1988: 4,763,126 

Jebens, Robert W. 

1 989: 4,799,778 

Jeffrey, Frank R. 

1 990: 4,940,495 

Jenkofsky, John J. 

1 989: 4,867,574 

Jensen, Millard J. 

1 989: 4,806,495 

1 990: 4,91 7,752 

4,956,601 

Jester, Theresa L. 

1 988: 4,769,086 

Johncock, Annette 

1 988: 4,769,682 

Johnson, Barry J. 

1 990: 4,892,592 

Johnson, Kenneth C. 

1 990: 4,968,355 

Jones, David P. 

1 989: 4,850,660 

Jordan, Debbee J. 

1 990: H855 

Juergens, Wilfried 

1 988: 4,774,1 93 

1 990: 4,948,436 

Kaake, Steven A.F. 

1 990: 4,907,915 

Kai, Tomoko 

1 989: 4,882,471 

Kainez, Bela 

1 988: 4,784,700 

Kajimoto, Shins hi 

1 990: 4,911,257 

Kamiyama, Miehinari 

1 990: 4,954,1 81 

Kanai, Masahiro 

1 989: 4,851,302 

4,888,062 

1 990: 4,926,229 

4,959,106 

Kanamori, Hideto 

1 988: 4,788,582 

Kapur, Vijay K. 

1 990: 4,950,61 5 

Kara, Kazuya 

1 988: 4,749,982 

Inventor Index 91 
Kasuya, Satoshi 

1 990: 4,922,088 

Kausche, Helmold 

1 990: 4,948,750 

Kelly, Bernard 

1 988: 4,773,944 

Kent, William A. 

1 990: 4,91 6,382 

Kern, Ralf M. 

1 990: 4,913,744 

Kern, Rudolf 

1 988: 4,759,830 

4,773,973 

Kida, Michio 

1 990: 4,973,518 

Kida, Yasuhiro 

1 988: 4,758,525 

Kim, Young J. 

1 988: 4,771,556 

Kinka, Mikio 

1 988: 4,725,558 

1 989: 4,812,415 

1 990: 4,937,651 

Kinzer, Daniel M. 

1 988: 4,721 ,986 

Kishi, Yasuo 

1 988: 4,726,849 

1 989: 4,795,500 

4,808,242 

Kiss, Zoltan J. 

1 990: 4,923,524 

Kita, Yuutaro 

1 990: 4,940,604 

Kitagawa, Nobutaka 

1 988: 4,792,749 

Kitatani, Katsuji 

1 990: 4,948,688 

Kiyono, Yoshihiko 

1 988: 4,750,099 

92 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1 988 - 1990 

Knapp, Jamie 

1 990: 4,920,067 

Knapp, Karl E. 

1 988: 4,790,883 

1 989: 4,873,118 

Ko, Wen C. 

1 989: 4,836,861 

Kobayashi, Ippei 

1 988: 4,725,558 

4,786,607 

1 989: 4,812,41 5 

1 990: 4,937,651 

Kobayashi, Kenji 

1 990: 4,941,032 

4,956,023 

Kochka, Edgar l. 

1 990: 4,927,489 

Kondo, Masataka 

1 990: 4,926,230 

4,941 ,032 

Koyanagi, Kaoru 

1 988: 4,725,558 

4,786,607 

1 989: 4,812,41 5 

1 990: 4,937,651 

Koyano, Toshihide 

'1989: 4,841,278 

Krause, Stanley J. 

1 989: 4,849,028 

4,854,975 

Krisl, Matthew E. 

1 988: 4,783,373 

Kroll, Mark W. 

1 989: 4,879,760 

1 990: 4,956,877 

Kruehler, Wolfgang 

1 989: 4,879,251 

1 990: 4,914,044 

Kruse, Klaus-Dieter 

1 990: 4,929,842 

Kuboi, Osamu 

1 988: 4,746,372 

Kuck, Mark A. 

1 989: 4,81 8,636 

4,822,581 
Kurashima, Shozo 

1 988: 4,786,795 

Kurland, Richard M. 

1 988: 4,755,231 

Kuroiwa, Mitsutoshi 

1990: 4,91

1 ,257 

Kurz, Gunter 

1 990: 4,919,913 

Kuwamura, Shinji 

1 988: 4,786,851 

Kuwano, Yukinori 

1 988: 4,721 ,629 

1 989: 4,824,488 

Laaly, Heshmat O. 

1 989: 4,860,509 

Laarman, Timothy 

1 988: 4,773,944 

Lafferty, Donald L. 

1 989: 4,873,480 

Lamb, Walter R. 

1 990: 4,91 8,030 

Laterza, Joseph 

1 989: 4,873,790 

Lawrence, John E. 

1990: 4,91 8,030 

Lenskold, Richard K. 

1 990: 4,966,631 

Lessin, Arlen R. 

1 989: 4,868,376 

Levati, Aldo 

1 988: 4,755,804 

Levine, Jules D. 

1 989: 4,806,495 

1990: 4,91 7,752 

4,956,601 

Levy, Sheldon L. 

1 990: 4,943,325 

Lew, Hyok S. 

1 990: 4,892,593 

Lewenhaupt, Sixten 

1 989: 4,804,858 

Lewis, Carol L. R. 

1 989: 4,881,979 

Lewis, Carol R. 

1 988: 4,756,074 

4,771 ,321 

Lewis, Nathan S. 

1 988: 4,764,439 

Liggett, William T. 

1 989: 4,836,861 

Lillington, David R. 

1 989: 4,838,952 

Linehan, Dave M. 

1 988: 4,772,990 

Liska, Paul 

1 990: 4,927,721 

Little, Roger G. 

1 988: 4,740,431 

Liu, Chung-Heng 

1 989: 4,873,1 98 

1 990: 4,977,097 

Love, Robert B. 

1 989: 4,798,660 

Lyczek, Kazimierz E. 

1 988: 4,791 ,413 

Maass, Heinz 

1 990: 4,968,372 

Maass, Joachim A. 

1 988: 4,783,799 

Madan, Arun 

1 988: 4,763,602 

1 989: 4,808,462 

4,865,999 

Marin, Jonathan 

1 990: 4,935,742 

Marks, Alvin J. 

1 989: 4,841 ,946 

Marks, Alvin M. 

1 990: 4,972,094 

Inventor Index 93 
Markunas, Robert J. 

1 9S9: H667 

Marshall, Jack 

1 990: 4,953,577 

Martin, Wayne A. 

1 9S9: 4,797,535 

Marusak, Thomas J. 

1 9S9: 4,S07,686 

Maruska, Paul H. 

1 9S5: 4,739,3S3 

Masaki, Hiroyuki 

1 988: 4,785,435 

Masayoshi, Abe 

1 9S9: 4,S12,415 

Maserjian, Joseph 

1 989: 4,S57,976 

Matlin, Ronald W. 

1 990: 4,966,631 

Matsubara, Sunao 

1 985: 4,721,535 

. Matsukawa, Takyuki 

1 9S8: 4,794,305 

Matsukuma, Kunihiro 

1 988: 4,75S,525 

Matsumoto, Hideo 

1 9S9: 4,861 ,387 

1 990: 4,935,067 

4,940,496 

Matsumoto, Takeshi 

1 989: 4,801 ,S22 

Matsumura, Mitsuo 

1 988: 4,726,851 

4,738,729 

Matsuoka, Tsugufumi 

1 985: 4,755,483 

1 989: 4,S43,451 

Mauk, Michael G. 

1 9S9: 4,81 8,337 

McAdams, Charles K. 

1988: 4,783,598 

94 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988 

- 1990 

McCandless, Brian E. 

1 990: 4,909,S63 

McClelland, Robert W. 

1 9S9: 4,S1 6,420 

McCoy, Thomas R. 

1 9S5: 4,744,430 

McGill, John 

1 989: 4,868,664 

McLeod, Paul S. 

1 9S5: 4,746,371 

4,776,893 

McMaster, Harold A. 

1 9S9: 4,872,925 

Merchant, J. Thomas 

1 989: 4,S24,489 

Meyer, Meinhard 

1 990: 4,962,461 

Meyers, Peter V. 

1 989: 4,873,1 98 

1 990: 4,977,097 

Michel, Christian G . 

1 989: 4,81 S,636 

4,822,581 

Michihara, Osamu 

1 990: 4,91

1 ,257 

Miki, Keiko 

1 990: 4.965,225 

Mildice, James W. 

1 988: 4,784,700 

Milia, Peter 

1 9S9: 4,879,251 

Miller, Hans-Dieter 

1 988: 4,769,107 

Miller, Kenneth l. 

1 989: 4,875,031 

Milton, Richard D. 

1 990: HS55 

Minami, Koji 

1 9S9: 4,799,968 

1 990: 4,922,218 
Minami, Kouji 

1 989: 4,857,115 

Mitchell, Kim W. 

1 988: 4,734,381 

1 990: 4,91 5,745 

Mitsui, Kotaro 

1 990: 4,897,123 

Miyaji, Kenji 

1 988: 4,749,588 

Miyake, Tsuneo 

1 988: 4,746,372 

Mohr, Ralph 

1 988: 4,769,682 

Mont jar, William O. 

1 990: 4,894,508 

Morel, Don l. 

1 988: 4,724, 01 1 

Morita, Keiichi 

1 988: 4,758,525 

Moriyama, Motonori 

1 989: 4,804,992 

Moustakas, Theodore D, 

1 988: 4,739,383 

Mroczkowski, Jacek A, 

1 990: 4,924,096 

Muhl, Stephen 

1 989: 4,808,462 

Mulberger, Ronald G. 

1 988: 4,739,41 4 

Mullaney, Kevin 

1 989: 4,850,660 

Murakami, Tsutomu 

1 989: 4,888,062 

1 990: 4,959,106 

Muramatsu, Shin-ichi 

1 988: 4,721,535 

Murata, Kenji 

1 988: 4,726,849 

4,732,621 

1 989: 4,808,242 

Murozono, Mikio 

1 990: 4,940,604 

Murphy, Mark 

1 989: 4,830,678 

Nagahara, Yoshiyuki 

1 988: 4,737,1 97 

Nagamatsu, Kimiaki 

1 989: 4,809,458 

Nagano, Katsumi 

1 989: 4,806,873 

4,819,241 

Nagayama, Susumu 

1 988: 4,725,558 

1 989: 4,81 2,41 5 

4,874,920 

1 990: 4,937,651 

Nakagawa, Katsumi 

1 989: 4,851 ,302 

4,888,062 

1 990: 4,926,229 

4,946,514 

4,959,1 06 

Nakajima, Shinichi 

1 988: 4,737,197 

Nakamura, Chiaki 

1 988: 4,750,099 

4,785,435 

Nakamura, Nobuo 

1 988: 4,721 ,535 

Nakamura, Osamu 

1 988: 4,738,729 

Nakano Hiroshi 

1 988: 4,786,851 

Nakano, Harumi 

1 988: 4,749,982 

Nakano, Shoichi 

1 988: 4,721,629 

Nakano, Toshio 

1 988: 4,788,582 

Nakashima, Yukio 

1 988: 4,755,483 

4,776,894 

4,781,765 

1 989: 4,843,451 

Inventor Index 95 
Nakata, Yukihiko 

1 988: 4,725,740 

Nakatani, Kenji 

1 988: 4,724,010 

1 990: 4,920,917 

Nath, Prem 

1 988: 4,739,414 

4,746,618 

4,769,682 

4,773,944 

Nedwig, Joachim 

1 990: 4,929,842 

Negayama, Susumu 

1 988: 4,786,607 

Nelson, Robert E. 

1 990: 4,976,606 

Nevin, William A. 

1 990: 4.965,225 

Nicholson, Robert D. 

1 990: 4,907,915 

Niemann, Ekkard 

1 990: 4,956,685 

Niemann, Ekkehard 

1 990: 4,931,412 

Niimi, Kikuo 

1 990: 4,904,998 

4,929,942 

Niitani, Tooru 

1 990: 4,91 1 ,257 

Nishio, Hitoshi 

1 990: 4.965,225 

Nishiura, Masaharu 

1 990: 4,954,181 

4,968,354 

Niwa, Yasuo 

1 988: 4,781,767 

Noda, Toshio 

1 990: 4,959,603 

96 u.s. Photovoitaic Patents: 1 988 - 1990 

Nogami, Kouji 

1 989: 4,841,278 

Norris, Lawrence G. 

1 988: 4,788,593 

4,788,594 

Nouhi, Akbar 

1 990: 4,935,383 

Nozoe, Akikuni 

1 990: 4,973,518 

Nystrom, Lars 

1 989: 4,804,858 

Oates, Robert M. 

1 990: 4,899,044 

Ochiai, Hitoshi 

1 988: 4,750,099 

Odagiri, Hiroshi 

1 988: 4,760,564 

Ohashi, Yutaka 

1 988: 4,749,588 

Ohmura, Akira 

1 990: 4,946,512 

Ohtawa, Shuji 

1 988: 4,750,099 

4,785,435 

Okaniwa, Hiroshi 

1 988: 4,724,010 

1 990: 4,920,917 

Okayasu, Yoshinobu 

1 988: 4,738,729 

Omura, Kuniyoshi 

1 990: 4,940,604 

Ondris, Miroslav 

1 988: 4,753,684 

4,764,261 

1 989: 4,816,120 

1 990: 4,909,857 

Oogita, Yoshinori 

1 990: 4,970,453 

Ortlieb, Johann F. 

1 990: 4,933,618 

Oswald, Robert S. 

1 988: 4,749,454 
Otsuka, Tatsuo 

1 989: 4,806,436 

Otto, William F. 

1 990: H855 

Overhauser, Albert W. 

1 989: 4,857,976 

Ovshinsky, Stanford R. 

1 988: 4,775,425 

4,788,593 

4,788,594 

1 989: 4,81 6,082 

1 990: 4,891,074 

4,954,1 82 

Palme, Gerhard 

1 989: 4,834,062 

Panitz, Janda K.G. 

1 990: 4,971 ,633 

Parhiskari, Mustafa 

1 989: 4,839,833 

Park, Kyu-Charn 

1 989: 4,828,875 

Parsons, Natan E. 

1 989: 4,839,039 

Partain, Larry D. 

1 988: 4,746,371 

4,776,893 

Paulos, Harry D. 

1 990: 4,955,982 

Paulson, Kenneth R. 

1 990: 4,965,655 

Peikin, Aaron J. 

1 988: 4,782,617 

1 989: 4,864,763 

Pelka, David G. 

1 989: 4,836,862 

Peltzer, Douglas L. 

1 989: 4,836,861 

Perna; Fred P. 

1 988: 4,726,044 

1 989: 4,833,697 

Perrot, Jean-Claude 

1 988: 4,71 9,346 

4,739,163 

Peter, Rolf W. 

1 990: 4,934,338 

Peters, Win fried 

1 988: 4,745,078 

Peterson, Ian R. 

1 988: 4,761,21 1 

Peterson, Stuart R. 

1 988: 4,726,044 

1 989: 4,833,697 

Pfister, Henry L. 

1 988: 4,775,865 

Pichler, Marty A. 

1 988: 4,753,684 

1 989: 4,816,120 

1 990: 4,909,857 

Pidgeon, Simon 

1 990: 4,899,645 

Pierce-Bjorklund, Patricia 

1 990: 4,942,865 

Piotrowski, Paul A. 

1 990: 4,927,489 

Plaettner, Rolf 

1 988: 4,744,835 

1 990: 4,948,740 

4,948,750 

Pollock, Gary A. 

1 990: 4,915,745 

Pommrehn, Mark R. 

1 989: 4,879,760 

1 990: 4,956,877 

Popovich, John M. 

1 989: 4,836,862 

Posnansky, Hernan 

1 988: 4,730,602 

Posnansky, Mario 

1 988: 4,730,602 

Powell, Roger A. 

1 989: 4,888,063 

Inventor Index 97 
Pressacco, Sylvia 

1 989: 4,828,814 

Priewasser, Georg 

1 988: 4,769,1 07 

1 989: 4,834,832 

Pryor, Roger W. 

1 988: 4,739,414 

Raccah, Paul M. 

1 989: 4,81 8,636 

4,822,581 

Radtke, Wolfgang 

1 988: 4,788,904 

Ralph, Eugene L. 

1 990: 4,909,856 

Ramaprasad, K. R. 

1 988: 4,770,716 

Rangarajan, Anand 

1 990: 4,966,631 

Reine, Marion B. 

1 990: 4,924,096 

Reiss, Amy C. 

1 989: 4,832,755 

Renaud, Jean-Marie 

1 988: 4,719,346 

4,739,1 63 

Ricaud, Alain M. 

1 989: 4,808,904 

Rikuna, Kenji 

1 988: 4,749,982 

Robillard, Jean J. 

1 990: 4,975,584 

Russo, Vincenzo 

1990: 4,956,603 

Rys, Paul 

1 988: 4,759,830 

4,773,973 

Sahira, Kensho 

1990: 4,973,518 

Saimen, Tadahiko 

1 990: 309,747 

98 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988 - 1990 

Saito, Suzuo 

1 989: 4,819,121 

Saitoh, Keishi 

1990: 4,957,772 

Sakaguchi, Hiroshi 

1 990: 308,693 

309,747 

31 0,093 

Sakai, Akira 

1 989: 4,851 ,302 

4,888,062 

1990: 4,926,229 

4,959,1 06 

Sakai, Hiroshi 

1 988: 4,784,701 

Sakai, Shiro 

1 990: 4,928,1 54 

Sakai, Souichi 

1 988: 4,721 ,629 

1 989: 4,824,488 

Sanjurjo, Angel 

1 989: 4,828,814 

Sano, Seijiro 

1 988: 4,746,372 

Sapp, Fletcher D. 

1 990: 4,896,452 

Sasano, Akira 

1 988: 4,788,582 

Sase, Masahiro 

1 988: 4,785,436 

Sato, Katsumi 

1 990: 4,935,067 

4,940,496 

Sawada, Masaji 

1 990: 307,032 

Schatzle, Rainer 

1 988: 4,775,923 

Sch6niger, Karl-Heinz 

1 990: 4,903,1 72 

Schachter, Rozalie 

1 989: 4,81 8,636 

4,822,581 
Scheid, Winfried 

1 990: 4,903,1 72 

Schilling, Roland 

1 990: 4,915,743 

Schmid, Jurgen 

1 988: 4,775,923 

Schmidhammer, Leonhard 

1 988: 4,769,1 07 

Schmidt, Ferenc J. 

1 989: 4,836,012 

Schnebly, John 

1 989: 4,807,686 

Schum, Berthold 

1 989: 4,812,41 6 

1 990: 4,891 ,325 

Schwirtlich, Ingo 

1 990: 4,91 9,913 

Seegan, Kimberly E. 

1 990: 4,975,816 

Seki, Koichi 

1 988: 4,788,582 

Sekido, Satoshi 

1 990: 4,91 6,035 

Sharp, Donald J. 

1 990: 4,971 ,633 

Shibata, Akira 

1 988: 4,737,1 97 

Shibata, Katsuhiko 

1 988: 4,725,558 

4,786,607 

1 989: 4,81 2,415 

1 990: 4,937,651 

Shigenaga, Yoshimi 

1 988: 4,749,982 

Shimada, Toshikazu 

1 988: 4,721 ,535 

Shimizu, Isamu 

1 990: 4,892,594 

4,946,514 

Shimomoto, Yasuharu 

1 988: 4,788,582 

Sichanugrist, Porponth 

1 988: 4,790,883 

Silverman, Sidney 

1 989: 4,832,755 

Sing, Peter 

1 988: 4,784,215 

Sinton, Ronald A. 

1 990: 4,960,468 

Siviero, Pietro 

1988: 4,755,804 

Smith, Harry D. 

1 990: 4,896,452 

Smith, Michael R. 

1 988: 4,775,865 

Smith, Robert F. 

1 990: 4,907,91 5 

Speas, Gary W. 

1 989: 4,823,928 

4,827,206 

4,872,1 49 

1 990: 4,967,895 

Speck, Richard P. 

1 989: 4,839,512 

Spitzer, Mark B. 

1 988: 4,771,017 

Stormer, Oswald 

1 990: 4,962,461 

Stadlmann, Gunter 

1 990: 4.942,629 

Stamps, Jr., William E. 

1 989: 4,827,645 

Stanbery, Billy J. 

1 989: 4,795,501 

4,867,801 

Steele, John J. 

1 990: 4,936,043 

Steiner, Gregory 

1 989: 4,839,1 06 

Stern, Theodore G. 

1 988: 4,784,700 

Inventor Index 99 
Stetter, Walter 

1988: 4,745,078 

Stevenson, Edward J. 

1 989: 4,860,509 

Stineman, Jr., John A. 

1 988: 4,794,247 

Stirn, Richard J. 

1 990: 4,935,383 

Stock, Horst 

1989: 4,834,832 

Stormont, Robert S. 

1 988: 4,737,712 

Streck, Donald A. 

1 990: 4,91 6,296 

Suda, Koichi 

1988: 4,758,525 

Suenobu, Kazuhiro 

1 988: 4,786,851 

Susukida, Masato 

1 988: 4,725,558 

4,786,607 

1989: 4,812,415 

1990: 4,937,651 

Suyama, Naoki 

1 990: 4,940,604 

Suzuki, Kazutomi 

1988: 4,724,01 0 

Suzuki, Kunio 

1 988: 4,725,558 

4,786,607 

1989: 4,812,415 

1990: 4,937,651 

Swanson, Richard M. 

1 990: 4,927,770 

4,933,021 

4,933,022 

4,960,468 

Szabo, Louis F. 

1988: 4,735,662 

Tada, Kiyoshi 

1 989: 4,806,436 

Taguezout, Daho 

1 990: 4,901,295 

100 u.s. Photovoitaic Patents: 1988 

- 1 990 

Taillebois, Jacques 

1 988: 4,71 9,346 

4,739,1 63 

Tajika, Jun 

1 988: 4,746,372 

Takada, Hazime 

1 990: 4,940,604 

Takada, Jun 

1 990: 4,907,052 

Takahashi, Kohji 

1 988: 4,781,767 

Takahashi, Toshiya 

1 990: 307,032 

Takamatsu, Osamu 

1 988: 4,786,851 

Takamori, Nobuyuki 

1 988: 4,737,1 97 

Takeda, Takeshi 

1 990: 4,91 6,035 

Takei, Tetsuya 

1 990: 4,957,772 

Takeuchi, Eiichi 

1 988: 4,749,982 

Tamiya, Morito 

1 988: 4,749,982 

Tanaka, Hiroyuki 

1 989: 4,795,500 

Tanaka, Toshihiro 

1 988: 4,788,582 

Tanaka, Tsutomu 

1 989: 4,804,992 

Tanikuro, Hideo 

1 989: 4,809,458 

Tanimoto, Akira 

1 988: 4,760,918 

Tanner, David P. 

1 988: 4,769,086 

Tarrant, Dale E. 

1 988: 4,724,01 1 
Tawada, Yoshihisa 

1 988: 4,773,942 

1 989: 4,875,943 

1 990: 4.965,225 

4,907,052 

4,926,230 

4,941 ,032 

4,956,023 

ter Hasebrg, Jan L. 

1 990: 4,929,842 

Tezuka, Hirofumi 

1 989: 4,841 ,278 

Thalheimer, Klaus 

1 988: 4,758,526 

Tiller, William A. 

1 988: 4,781 ,766 

Timmons, Michael L. 

1 989: H667 

Tindell, Gene 

1 989: 4,841,731 

Tobin, Stephen P. 

1 988: 4,771,01 7 

Toda, Kohji 

1 988: 4,781,767 

Todorof, William J. 

1 989: 4,830,678 

Tomita, Kenji 

1 988: 4,773,943 

Tran, Nang T. 

1 990: 4,940,495 

Trattner, Burton 

1 989: 4,823,241 

Tsuchiya, Sohji 

1 990: 4,91 6,035 

Tsuge, Kazunori 

1 988: 4,773,942 

1 989: 4,875,943 

1 990: 4.965,225 

4,926,230 

4,941 ,032 

4,956,023 

Tsukada, Toshihisa 

1 988: 4,788,582 

Tsukamoto, Kenji 

1 989: 4,806,436 

Turner, Gary B. 

1 988: 4,724,01 1 

Ueno, Noriyuki 

1 990: 4,940,604 

Umeno, Masayoshi 

1 990: 4,928,1 54 

Umezawa, Yasuhiko 

1 988: 4,786,795 

Vanzo, Gordon F. 

1 990: 4,91 0,963 

Vayman, Zinovy Y. 

1 990: 4,945,065 

Vogeli, Craig 

1 988: 4,773,944 

Voisin, Paul 

1 989: 4,806,993 

Von Roedern, Bolko 

1 988: 4,763,602 

Worner, Jorg 

1 989: 4,81 2,416 

1 990: 4,929,281 

Wakamatsu, Seiji 

1 988: 4,784,701 

Wakita, Katsuhiro 

1 988: 4,785,226 

Walker, Christopher 

1 989: 4,808,462 

Wallace, Lloyd V. 

1 990: 4,975,816 

Walters, Jon S. 

1 989: 4,867,191 

Washizuka, Isamu 

1 988: 4,760,918 

Wassell, Stephen R. 

1 990: 4,942,723 

Inventor Index 101 
Watanabe, Kaneo 

1 988: 4,755,483 

4,776,894 

4,78 1 ,765 

1 989: 4,799,968 

4,843,451 

4,857, 115 

1 990: 4,922,21 8 

Watanabe, Takeshi 

1 989: 4,804,992 

Waterbury, Nelson J. 

1 990: 4,91 8,357 

Waters, William A. 

1 990: 4,893,356 

Weber, Hans R. 

1 990: 4,963,81 1 

Weber, Michael F. 

1 990: 4,940,495 

Weil, Raoul B. 

1 988: 4,761,302 

Weinert, Friedrich 

1 988: 4,768,738 

Wen, Hung-Sheng 

1 989: 4,835,664 

Wenham, Stuart R. 

1 988: 4,726,850 

4,748,130 

Wenz, Robert P. 

1 989: 4,882,239 

4,888,061 

Wenzel, Joachim 

1 990: 4,933,020 

West, Rick 

1 989: 4,868,379 

Wetzel, Jr., Otto K. 

1 988: 4,771,763 

Whelan, Kenneth 

1 988: 4,773,944 

Wild, Gerhard 

1 988: 4,791,621 

Williams, Lloyd E. 

1 988: 4,751,622 

1 989: 4,843,525 

4,884,01 7 

102 U.S. Photovol!aic Patents: 1988 

- 1990 

Winstel, Guenter 

1 988: 4,744,835 

Woditsch, Peter 

1 990: 4,919,913 

Wolfe, Philip R. 

1 990: 4,899,645 

Wolff, George 

1 988: 4,753,683 

Wong, Robert P. 

1 989: 4,836,786 

Wood, Peter 

1 988: 4,775,800 

Woodring, William J. 

1 989: 4,886,554 

Woodward, Daniel A. 

1 990: 4,900,432 

Woolf, Lawrence D. 

1 988: 4,746,370 

4,773,945 

Wroclawski, Michel T. 

1 988: 4,787,1 67 

Xi, Jianping 

1 989: 4,865,999 

Xuan, Mai T. 

1 990: 4,901 ,295 

Yaba, Susumu 

1 989: 4,808,462 

Yahagi, Shinichiro 

1 990: 4,928,1 54 

Yamada, Katsumi 

1 990: 4,968,354 

Yamagishi, Hideo 

1 990: 4.965,225 

4,926,230 

Yamaguchi, Fuminori 

1 988: 4,773,943 

Yamaguchi, Minori 

1 990: 4,892,594 

4,907,052 

4,926,230 
Yamaguchi, Shuichiroh 

1 989: 4,801,822 

Yamamoto, Hideaki 

1 988: 4,788,582 

Yamamoto, Hideo 

1 988: 4,738,729 

Yamamoto, Shigeo 

1 990: 4,959,603 

Yamashita, Akio 

1 990: 4,91 6,035 

Yamawski, Takeharu 

1 988: 4,786,851 

Yamazaki, Shumpei 

1 988: 4,786,607 

Yamazaki, Shunpei 

1 988: 4,725,558 

1 989: 4,812,415 

4,874,920 

1 990: 33,208 

4,937,651 

4,954,856 

Yang, Chi C. 

1 988: 4,769,682 

Yang, Chi-Chung 

1989: 4,816,082 

Yaniv, Zvi 

1 988: 4,768,096 

4,777,534 

1 989: 4,868,664 

Yano, Mitsuaki 

1 990: 4,920,91 7 

Yah, Milton Y. 

1 990: 4,915,744 

Yin, Ming-Jau 

1 988: 4,769,086 

Yoshida, Shinichirou 

1 990: 4,946,512 

Yoshida, Takashi 

1 989: 4,875,944 

Yoshida, Toshihiko 

1 988: 4,726,851 

4,738,729 

Yoshimura, Yutaka 

1 990: 4,910,415 

Yu, Chin-ching 

1 989: 4,871 ,042 

Yukimoto, Yoshinori 

1 988: 4,737,1 96 

Zaderej, Victor V. 

1 988: 4,772,990 

Zauhar, Helmut 

1 988: 4,769,1 07 

Zavracky, Paul M. 

1 989: 4,889,565 

Zolper, John C. 

1 989: 4,876,210 

Inventor Index 103 
Subject Index 

This subject index lists the patents according to 17 categories under three major divisions. The divisions 

and categories are as follows. 

Cells and Materials 

• Single-Crystal Silicon Cells 

• POlycrystaliine and Ribbon Silicon Celis 

• Amorphous Silicon Celis 

• Celis from IIi-V Materials (e.g., GaAs) 

• Cells from 1-III-VI2 or II-VI Materials (e.g., CulnSe2 or CdTe) 

• Other PV Devices and Concepts 

• Cell Components (metalization, substrates, conductive coatings, anti reflective coatings) 

• Cell Enhancement Techniques (surface and grain-boundary passivation, annealing) 

• Materials Production and Processes (purification, deposition, doping) 

• Characterization and Analysis 

Collectors 

• Flat-Plate Collectors (design, components, production) 

• Concentrator Collectors (design, components, production) 

• Optics and Trackers (lenses, reflectors, tracking devices, and related components) 

Systems 

• Utility-Interactive Systems and Interface Technologies (power conditioning) 

• Utility-Independent Systems and Storage Technologies 

• PV-Hybrid Systems (PV-thermal, photoelectrochemical) 

• Systems Support (testing, maintenance, operation, and control) 

Subject Index 105 
CELLS AND MATERIALS 

Single-Crystal Silicon Cells 

1 988 

4,737,197 

Solar Cell with Metal Paste Contact. 

Nagahara, Yoshiyuki; Shibata, Akira; Asai, 

Masahito; Nakajima, Shinichi; Takamori, 

Nobuyuki 

Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,751,191 

Method of Fabricating Solar Cells with 

Silicon Nitride Coating. 

Gonsiorawski, Ronald C.; Czernienko, George 

Mobil Solar Energy Corporation 

4,758,525 

Method of Making Light-Receiving Diode. 

Kida, Yasuhiro; Suda, Koichi; Matsukuma, 

Kunihiro; Morita, Keiichi 

Hitachi, Ltd. 

1989 

4,818,337 

Thin Active-Layer Solar Cell with Multiple 

Internal Reflections. 

Barnett, Allen M.; Mauk, Michael G. 

University of Delaware 

4,824,489 

Ultra-Thin Solar Cell and Method. 

Cogan, George W.; Christel, Lee A.; 

Merchant, J. Thomas; Gibbons, James F. 

Sera Solar Corporation 

4,828,628 

Solar Cell. 

Hezel, Rudolf; Hackstein, Karl G. 

Nukem GmbH 

4,836,861 

Solar Cell And Cell Mount. 

Peltzer, Douglas L.; Bechtel, Richard L.; 

Ko, Wen C.; Liggett, William T. 

Tactical Fabs, Inc. 

106 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1 988 - 1 990 

SUBJECT 

4,838,952 

Controlled Reflectance Solar Cell. 

Dill, Hans G.; Lillington, David R. 

Spectrolab, Inc. 

4,886,555 

Solar Cell. 

Hackstein, Karl-Gerhard; Hezel, Rudolf 

Nukem GmbH 

1990 

4,927,710 

Method of Fabricating Back Surface Point 

Contact Solar Cells. 

Swanson, Richard M. 

Electric Power Research Ins!. Corp. of 

District of Columbia; Board of Trustees of 

the Leland Stanford California Corporation 

4,933,021 

Monolithic Series-Connected Solar Cells 

Employing Shorted P-N Junctions for Electric 

Isolation. 

Swanson, Richard M. 

Electric Power Research Institute 

4,933,022 

Solar Cell having Interdigitated Contacts 

and Internal Bypass Diodes. 

Swanson, Richard M. 

Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford 

University; Electric Power Research Institute 

4,973,518 

Monocrystal Rod Pulled From a Melt. 

Kida, Michio; Sahira, Kensho; Nozoe, 

Akikuni 

Mitsubishi Kinzoku Kabushiki Kaisha 

Polycrystalline and Ribbon Silicon 

Cells 

1 988 

4,729,962 

Semiconductor Junction Formation by 

Directed Heat. 

Campbell, Robert B. 

The United States of America as 

represented by the United States Department 

of Energy 
4,758,525 

Method of Making Light-Receiving Diode. 

Kida, Yasuhiro; Suda, Koichi; Matsukuma, 

Kunihiro; Morita, Keiichi 

Hitachi, Ltd. 

4,759,830 

Process for the Production of 

Polycrystalline Silicon Coatings by 

Electrolytic Deposition of Silicon. 

GrOniger, Hans R.; Kern, Rudolf; Rys, 

Paul 

Ciba-Geigy AG 

4,773,973 

Process for the Production of 

Polycrystalline Silicon Coatings by 

Electrolytic Deposition of Silicon. 

GrOniger, Hans R.; Kern, Rudolf; Rys, 

Paul 

Ciba-Geigy AG 

4,778,478 

Method Of Making Thin Film Photo voltaic 

Solar Cell. 

Barnett, Allen M. 

University of Delaware 

1 989 

4,871 ,517 . 

Apparatus For Parting Wafer-Shaped Silicon 

Bodies, Useful For Solar Cells, From A 

Silicon Tape Manufactured In A Horizontal 

Tape-Drawing Method. 

Falckenberg, Richard; Hoyler, Gerhard; 

Grabmaier, Josef 

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft 

4,879,251 

Method of Making Series-Connected, 

Thin-Film Solar Module Formed of Crystalline 

Silicon. 

Kruehler, Wolfgang; Milia, Peter 

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft 

4,886,555 

Solar Cell. 

Hackstein, Karl-Gerhard; Hezel, Rudolf 

Nukem GmbH 

1 990 

4,891,325 

Method for Reusing Silicon Base Material 

of a Metal Insulator Semiconductor (MIS) 

Inversion-Layer Solar Cell. 

Hezel, Rudolf; Hoffman, Winfried; Schum, 

Berthold 

Nukem GmbH 

4,900,369 

Solar Cell. 

Hezel, Rudolf; Hackstein, Karl G. 

Nukem GmbH 

4,913,199 

Arrangement for the Complete Emptying of 

Quartz Tanks or Crucibles Filled with a 

Silicon Melt Following Silicon Band 

Drawing. 

Falckenberg, Richard; Hoyler, Gerhard; 

Freienstein, Bernhard; Grabmaier, Josef 

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft 

4,927,489 

Method for Doping a Melt. 

Campbell, Robert B.; Kochka, Edgar L.; 

Piotrowski, Paul A. 

Westinghouse Electric Corp. 

4,945,065 

Method of Passivating Crystalline 

Substrates. 

Gregory, James A.; Hanoka, Jack I.; Vayman, 

Zinovy Y. 

Mobil Solar Energy Corporation 

4,947,219 

Particulate Semiconductor Devices and 

Methods. 

Boehm, Marcus 

Chronar Corp. 

4,956,601 

Method of Forming an Array of Apertures in 

an Aluminum Foil. 

Levine, Jules D.; Jensen, Millard J. 

Texas Instruments Incorporated 

Amorphous Silicon Cells 

1 988 

4,718,947 

Super/attice Doped Layers for Amorphous 

Silicon Photovoltaic Cells. 

Arya, Rajeewa R. 

Solarex Corporation 

4,721,535 

Solar Cell. 

Itoh, Haruo; Shimada, Toshikazu; Muramatsu, 

Shin-ichi; Matsubara, Sunao; Nakamura, Nobuo 

Director-General of the Agency of 

Industrial Science and Technology 

Subject Index '07 
4,721,629 

Method of Manufacturing Photo voltaic 

Device. 

Sakai, Souichi; Nakano, Shoichi; Kuwano, 

Yukinori 

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,724,010 

Solar Cell Module. 

Okaniwa, Hiroshi; Nakatani, Kenji; Suzuki, 

Kazutomi 

Teijin Limited 

4,724,01 1 

Solar Cell Interconnection by Discrete 

Conductive Regions. 

Turner, Gary B.; Morel, Don L.; Gay, 

Robert R.; Halani, Arvind; Tarrant, Dale E. 

Atlantic Richfield Company 

4,725,558 

Semiconductor Defects Curing Method and 

Apparatus. 

Yamazaki, Shunpei; Suzuki, Kunio; Kinka, 

Mikio; Fukada, Takeshi; Abe, Masayoshi; 

Kobayashi, Ippei; Shibata, Katsuhiko; 

Susukida, Masato; Nagayama, Susumu; Koyanagi, 

Kaoru 

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. 

4,726,849 

Photo voltaic Device and a Method of 

Manufacturing Thereof. 

Murata, Kenji; Kishi, Yasuo 

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,726,851 

Amorphous Silicon Semiconductor Film and 

Production Process Thereof. 

Matsumura, Mitsuo; Yoshida, Toshihiko 

Toa Nenryo Kogyo K.K. 

4,728,370 

Amorphous Photovoltaic Elements. 

Ishii, Masayuki; Fujita, Nobuhiko; 

Hitotsuyanagi, Hajime 

Sumitomo Electric Industries, Inc. 

4,732,621 

Method for Producing a Transparent 

Conductive Oxide Layer and a Photo voltaic 

Device Including Such a Layer. 

Murata, Kenji 

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,737,196 

Amorphous Solar Cell. 

Yukimoto, Yoshinori 

Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 

108 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988 · 1990 

4,738,729 

Amorphous Silicon Semiconductor Solar 

Cell. 

Yoshida, Toshihiko; Matsumura, Mitsuo; 

Yamamoto, Hideo; Asai, Kunio; Nakamura, 

Osamu; Okayasu, Yoshinobu 

4,740,431 

Integrated Solar Cell and Battery. 

Little, Roger G. 

Spire Corporation 

4,744,835 

Arrangement for Avoiding Unwanted 

Degradation in No-Load Operation of Solar 

Cell Modules Composed of Amorphous Silicon. 

Winstel, Guenter; Plaettner, Rolf 

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft 

4,746,372 

Amorphous Silicon Solar Cells. 

Tajika, Jun; Sano, Seijiro; Miyake, Tsuneo; 

Kuboi, Osamu 

Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho 

4,746,618 

Method of Continuously Forming an Array of 

Photovoltaic Cells Electrically Connected in 

Series. 

Nath, Prem; Barnard, Timothy 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. 

4,749,588 

Process for Producing Hydrogenated 

Amorphous Silicon Thin Film and a Solar 

Cell. 

Fukuda, Nobuhiro; Ohashi, Yutaka; Miyaji, 

Kenji 

4,754,544 

Extremely Lightweight, Flexible 

Semiconductor Device Arrays. 

Hanak, Joseph J. 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. 

4,755,483 

Method for Producing Semiconductor Device 

with P-Type Amorphous Silicon Carbide 

Semiconductor Film Formed by Photo-Chemical 

Vapor Deposition. 

Haku, Hisao; Nakashima, Yukio; Matsuoka, 

Tsugufumi; Watanabe, Kaneo 

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,761 ,302 

Fluorination of Amorphous Thin-Film 

Materials with Xenon Fluoride. 

Weil, Raoul B. 

The United States Department of Energy 
4,763,602 

Thin Film Deposition Apparatus Including a 

Vacuum Transport Mechanism. 

Madan, Arun; Von Roedern, Bolko 

Glasstech Solar, Inc. 

4,769,086 

Thin Film Solar Cell with Nickel Back. 

Tanner, David P.; Jester, Theresa L.; Yin, 

Ming-Jau 

Atlantic Richfield Company 

4,769,682 

Boron Doped Semiconductor Materials and 

Method for Producing Same. 

Yang, Chi C.; Mohr, Ralph; Hudgens, 

Stephen; Johncock, Annette; Nath, Prem 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. 

4,770,716 

Stabilization of Intraconnections and 

Interfaces. 

Ramaprasad, K.R. 

Chronar Corp. 

4,773,942 

Flexible Photovoltaic Device. 

Hamakawa, Yoshihiro; Tawada, Yoshihisa; 

Tsuge, Kazunori; Izumina, Masanobu 

Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,773,943 

Photo voltaic Device and a Method of 

Producing the Same. 

Yamaguchi, Fuminori; Tomita, Kenji 

Kyocera Corporation 

4,773,944 

Large Area, Low Voltage, High Current 

Photovoltaic Modules and Method of 

Fabricating Same. 

Nath, Prem; Laarman, Timothy; Vogeli, 

Craig; Whelan, Kenneth; Kelly, Bernard 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. 

4,774,193 

Method for Avoiding Shorts in the 

Manufacture of Layered Electrical 

Components. 

Juergens, Wilfried 

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft 

4,775,425 

P and N-Type Microcrystalline 

Semiconductor Alloy Material Including Band 

Gap Widening Elements, Devices Utilizing 

Same. 

Guha, Subhendu; Ovshinsky, Stanford R. 

Energy Conversion Devices, INc. 

4,776,894 

Photo voltaic Device. 

Watanabe, Kaneo; Nakashima, Yukio 

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,781 ,765 

Photo voltaic Device. 

Watanabe, Kaneo; Nakashima, Yukio 

San yo Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,782,276 

Electric Signal Generator System And Its 

Application. 

Guterman, Charles 

Solems 

4,782,376 

Photovoltaic Device With Increased Open 

Circuit Voltage. 

Catalano, Anthony W. 

General Electric Company 

4,783,421 

Method For Manufacturing Electrical 

Contacts For A Thin-Film Semiconductor 

Device. 

Carlson, David E.; Dickson, Charles R.; 

D'Aiello, Robert V. 

Solarex Corporation 

4,784,701 

Multi-Layered Thin Film Solar Cell. 

Sakai, Hiroshi; Wakamatsu, Seiji; Ikeda, 

Shigeru 

Fuji Electric Corporate Research and 

Development Ltd.; Seiji Wakamatsu; Shigeru 

Ikeda 

4,784,702 

PIN Photodiode Formed From an Amorphous 

Semiconductor. 

Henri, Yves 

Thomson-CSF 

4,786,607 

Method for Manufacturing A Semiconductor 

Device Free From Current Leakage Through A 

Semiconductor Layer. 

Yamazaki, Shumpei; Suzuki, Kunio; Fukada, 

Takeshi; Abe, Masayoshi; Kobayashi, Ippei; 

Shibata, Katsuhiko; Susukida, Masato; 

Negayama, Susumu; Koyanagi, Kaoru 

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. 

4,788,582 

Semiconductor Device and Method of 

Manufacturing the Same. 

Yamamoto, Hideaki; Seki, Koichi; Tanaka, 

Toshihiro; Sasano, Akira; Tsukada, Toshihisa; 

Shimomoto, Yasuharu; Nakano, Toshio; 

Kanamori, Hideto 

Hitachi, Ltd. 

Subject lndex 109 
4,789,641 

Method of Manufacturing Amorphous 

Photo voltaic-Cell Module. 

Inuzuka, Takahiko 

Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,790,883 

Low Light Level Solar Cell. 

Sichanugrist, Porponth; Knapp, Karl E. 

1989 

4,795,500 

Photovoltaic Device. 

Kishi, Yasuo; Inoue, Hiroshi; Tanaka, 

Hiroyuki 

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,798,808 

Photoconductive Device Containing 

Electro/ess Metal Deposited Conductive 

Layer. 

Berman, Elliot 

Atlantic Richfield Company 

4,799,968 

Photovoltaic Device. 

Watanabe, Kaneo; Iwamoto, Masayuki; Minami, 

Koji 

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,808,242 

Photo voltaic Device and a Method of 

Manufacturing Thereof. 

Murata, Kenji; Kishi, Yasuo 

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,808,462 

Solar Cell Substrate. 

Yaba, Susumu; Walker, Christopher; Muhl, 

Stephen; Madan, Arun 

Glasstech Solar, Inc. 

4,812,415 

Method For Making Semiconductor Device 

Free From Electrical Short Circuits Through 

A Semiconductor Layer. 

Yamazaki, Shunpei; Suzuki, Kunio; Kinka, 

Mikio; Fukada, Takeshi; Masayoshi, Abe; 

Kobayashi, Ippei; Shibata, Katsuhiko; 

Susukida, Masato; Nagayama, Susumu; Koyanagi, 

Kaoru 

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. 

110 u.S. Photovoitaic Patents: 1988 · 1990 

4,81 6,082 

Thin Film Solar Cell Including a Spatially 

Modulated Intrinsic Layer. 

Guha, Subhendu; Yang, Chi-Chung; Ovshinsky, 

Stanford R. 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. 

4,816,324 

Flexible Photovoltaic Device. 

Berman, Elliot 

Atlantic Richfield Company 

4,824,488 

Photo voltaic Device. 

Sakai, Souichi; Kuwano, Yukinori 

San yo Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,843,451 

Photovoitaic Device With 0 and N Doping. 

Watanabe, Kaneo; Matsuoka, Tsugufumi; 

Nakashima, Yukio; Haku, Hisao 

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,845,043 

Method for Fabricating Photo voltaic Device 

Having Improved Short Wavelength 

Photoresponse. 

Catalano, Anthony W. 

4,854,974 

Electrical Contacts for a Thin-Film 

Semiconductor Device. 

Carlson, David E.; Dickson, Charles R.; 

D' Aiello, Robert V. 

Solarex Corporation 

4,857,115 

Photo voltaic Device. 

Iwamoto, Masayuki; Minami, Kouji; Watanabe, 

Kaneo 

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,857,976 

Hydrogen-Stabilized Semiconductor 

Devices. 

Overhauser, Albert W.; Maserjian, Joseph 

California Institute of Technology 

4,872,925 

Photovoltaic Cell Fabrication Method and 

Panel Made Thereby. 

McMaster, Harold A. 

Glasstech, Inc. 

4,873,118 

Oxygen Glow Treating Of ZNO Electrode For 

Thin Film Silicon Solar Cell. 

Elias, Eric; Knapp, Karl E. 

Atlantic Richfield Company 
4,875,943 

Flexible Photo voltaic Device. 

Hamakawa, Yoshihiro; Tawada, Yoshihisa; 

Tsuge, Kazunori; Izumina, Masanobu 

Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,875,944 

Amorphous Photoelectric Converting 

Device. 

Yoshida, Takashi 

Fuji Electric Corporate Research and 

Development, Ltd. 

4,888,061 

Thin-Film Solar Cells Resistant to Damage 

During Flexion. 

Wenz, Robert P. 

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company 

1 990 

4.965,225 

Method of Stabilizing Amorphous 

Semiconductors. 

Yamagishi, Hideo; Nevin, William A.; 

Nishio, Hitoshi; Miki, Keiko; Tsuge, 

Kazunori; Tawada, Yoshihisa 

Kanegafuchi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. 

4,891 ,074 

Multiple Cell Photoresponsive Amorphous 

Alloys and Devices. 

Ovshinsky, Stanford R.; Adler, David 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. 

4,892,592 

Thin Film Semiconductor Solar Cell Array 

and Method of Making. 

Dickson, Charles R.; Johnson, Barry J.; 

Gerhardt, David B. 

Solarex Corporation 

4,892,594 

Photovoltaic Element. 

Fujiwara, Ryoji; Yamaguchi, Minori; 

Shimizu, Isamu 

Canon Kabushiki Kaisha; Kanegafuchi 

Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. 

4,900,370 

Solar Battery. 

Itoga, Kazusue; Ichimura, Takeshige 

Fuji Electric Corporate Research and 

Development, Ltd. 

4,907,052 

Semiconductor Tandem Solar Cells with 

Metal Silicide Barrier. 

Takada, Jun; Yamaguchi, Minori; Tawada, 

Yoshihisa 

Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,910,153 

Deposition Feedstock and Dopant Materials 

Useful in the Fabrication of Hydrogenated 

Amorphous Silicon Alloys for Photo voltaic 

Devices and Other Semiconductor Devices. 

Dickson, Charles R. 

Solarex Corporation 

4,914,044 

Method of Making Tandem Solar Cell 

Module. 

Grabmaier, Josef; Kruehler, Wolfgang; 

Endroes, Arthur 

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft 

4,920,917 

Reactor for Depositing a Layer on a Moving 

Substrate. 

Nakatani, Kenji; Okaniwa, Hiroshi; Yano, 

Mitsuaki 

Teijin. Limited 

4,922,218 

Photo voltaic Device. 

Watanabe, Kaneo; Iwamoto, Masayuki; Minami, 

Koji 

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,923,524 

Wide Ranging Photo voltaic Laminates 

Comprising Particulate Semiconductors. 

Kiss, Zoltan J. 

Chronar Corp. 

4,926,229 

PIN Junction Photovoltaic Element with P 

or N-Type Semiconductor Layer Comprising 

Non-Single Crystal Material Containing Zn, 

Se, H in an Amount of 1 to 4 Atomic % and a 

Dopant and I-Type Semiconductor Layer 

Comprising Non-Single Crystal Si(H,F) 

Material. 

Nakagawa, Katsumi; Ishihara, Shunichi; 

Kanai, Masahiro; Arao, Kozo; Fujioka, 

Yasushi; Sakai, Akira 

Canon Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,926,230 

Multiple Junction Solar Power Generation 

Cells. 

Yamagishi, Hideo; Yamaguchi, Minori; 

Asaoka, Keizo; Hiroe, Akihiko; Kondo, 

Masataka; Tsuge, Kazunori; Tawada, Yoshihisa 

Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha 

Subject Index 111 
4,931,412 

Method of Producing a Thin Film Solar Cell 

Having a N-I-P Structure. 

Fischer, Roland; Grabe, Gerhard; Niemann, 

Ekkehard 

Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs GmbH 

4,936,924 

Thin-Film Solar Battery and Its 

Manufacturing Method. 

Inuzuka, Takahiko 

Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,937,651 

Semiconductor Device Free from the Current 

Leakage Through a Semiconductor Layer and 

Method for Manufacturing Same. 

Yamazaki, Shunpei; Suzuki, Kunio; Kinka, 

Mikio; Fukada, Takeshi; Abe, Masayoshi; 

Kobayashi, Ippei; Shibata, Katsuhiko; 

Susukida, Masato; Nagayama, Susumu; Koyanagi, 

Kaoru 

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. 

4,940,495 

Photovoltaic Device Having Light . 

Transmitting Electrically Conductive Stacked 

Fifms. 

Weber, Michael F.; Tran, Nang T.; Jeffrey, 

Frank R.; Gilbert, James R.; Aspen, Frank E. 

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company 

4,941 ,032 

Semiconductor Device. 

Kobayashi, Kenji; Kondo, Masataka; Tsuge, 

Kazunori; Tawada, Yoshihisa 

Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,946,514 

Thin Fifm Photoelectromotive Force Element 

Having Multi-Thin Fifms Stacked 

Semiconductor Layer. 

Nakagawa, Katsumi; Shimizu, Isamu 

Canon Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,948,436 

Thin-Fifm Solar Cell Arrangement. 

Juergens, Wilfried 

Siemens Aktiengesellschatt 

4,948,740 

Method for the Integrated 

Series-Interconnection of Thick-Fifm Solar 

Cells and Method for the Manufacture of 

Tandem Solar Cells. 

Plaettner, Rolf 

Siemens Aktiengesellschatt 

1 12 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988 - 1 990 

4,948,750 

Method and Apparatus for Producing 

Semiconductor Layers Composed of Amorphous 

Sificon-Germanium Alloys Through Glow 

Discharge Technique, Particularly for Solar 

Cells. 

Kausche, Helmold; Plaettner, Rolf 

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft 

4,954, 181 

Solar Cell Module and Method of 

Manufacture. 

Nishiura, Masaharu; Ichimura, Takeshige; 

Kamiyama, Michinari 

Fuji Electric Company Ltd.; Fuji Electric 

Corporate Research and Development Ltd. 

4,954,182 

Multiple Cell Photoresponsive Amorphous 

Photo Voltaic Devices Including Graded Band 

Gaps. 

Ovshinsky, Stanford R.; Adler, David 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. 

4,954,856 

Semiconductor Photoelectric Conversion 

Device and Method of Making the Same. 

Yamazaki, Shunpei 

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. 

4,956,023 

Integrated Solar Cell Device. 

Tsuge, Kazunori; Endo, Toshihito; 

Kobayashi, Kenji; Tawada, Yoshihisa 

Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,956,685 

Thin Fifm Solar Cell Having a Concave 

N-I-P Structure. 

Fischer, Roland; Grabe, Gerhard; Niemann, 

Ekkard 

Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs GmbH 

4,957,772 

Method for Forming Functional Deposited 

Fifms by Means of Microwave Plasma Chemical 

Vapor Deposition Method. 

Saitoh, Keishi; Hashizume, Junichiro; lida, 

Shigehira; Takei, Tetsuya; Arai, Takayoshi 

Canon Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,965,655 

Interconnected Semiconductor Devices. 

Grimmer, Derrick P.; Paulson, Kenneth R.; 

Gilbert, James R. 

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company 
4,968,354 

Thin Film Solar Cell Array. 

Nishiura, Masaharu; Yamada, Katsumi 

Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. 

Cells from I II-V Materials (e.g., 

GaAs) 

1988 

4,725,559 

Process for the Fabrication of a Gallium 

Arsenide Grating Solar Cell. 

Fraas, Lewis M. 

Chevron Research Company 

4,746,371 

Mechanically Stacked Photovoltaic Cells, 

Package Assembly, and Modules. 

McLeod, Paul S.; Cape, John A.; Fraas, 

Lewis M.; Partain, Larry D. 

Chevron Research Company 

4,753,683 

Gallium Arsenide Solar Cell System. 

Ellion, M. Edmund; Wolff, George 

Hughes Aircraft Company 

4,756,074 

Method of Making a High Conductance Ohmic 

Junction for Monolithic Semiconductor 

Devices. 

Lewis, Carol R. 

Varian Associates, Inc. 

4,759,803 

Monolithic Solar Cell and Bypass Diode 

System. 

Cohen, Marshall J. 

Applied Solar Energy Corporation 

4,771,321 

High Conductance Ohmic Junction for 

Monolithic Semiconductor Devices. 

Lewis, Carol R. 

Varian Associates, Inc. 

4,773,945 

Solar Cell with Low Infra-Red Absorption 

and Method orManufacture. 

Woolf, Lawrence D.; Bass, John C. 

GA Technologies, Inc. 

4,774, 194 

Process for Manufacturing a Solar Cell 

Device. 

Hokuyo, Shigeru 

Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,776,893 

GaAs on GaSb Mechanically Stacked 

Photovoltaic Cells, Package Assembly, and 

Modules. 

McLeod, Paul S.; Cape, John A.; Fraas, 

Lewis M.; Partain, Larry D. 

Chevron Research Company 

1 989 

H667 

Patterned Tunnel Junction. 

Bedair, Salah M.; Markunas, Robert J.; 

Timmons, Michael L.; Hutchby, James A.; 

Hauser, John R. 

The United States of America as 

represented by the Secretary of the Air Force 

4,795,501 

Single Crystal, Heteroepitaxial, 

GaAIAs/CulnSe2 Tandem Solar Cell and Method 

of Manufacture. 

Stanbery, Billy J. 

The Boeing Company 

4,816,420 

Method Of Producing Tandem Solar Cell 

Devices From Sheets Of Crystalline 

Material. 

Bozler, Carl a.; Fan, John C.C.; 

McClelland, Robert W. 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

4,846,896 

Solar Cell with Integral Reverse Voltage 

Protection Diode. 

Hokuyo, Shigeru 

Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,849,028 

Solar Cell with Integrated Interconnect 

Device and Process for Fabrication Thereof. 

Krause, Stanley J. 

Hughes Aircraft Company 

4,854,975 

Solar Cell with Integrated Interconnect 

Device and Process for Fabrication Thereof. 

Krause, Stanley J. 

Hughes Aircraft Company 

4,861 ,387 

Solar Cell and Method of Fabricating Solar 

Cell. 

Matsumoto, Hideo 

Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 

Subject Index 1 13 
4,867,801 

Triple-Junction Heteroepitaxial 

AIGaiCulnSe2 Tandem Solar Cell and 

Method of Manufacture. 

Stanbery, Billy J. 

The Boeing Company 

4,881,979 

Junctions For Monolithic Cascade Solar 

Cells And Methods. 

Lewis, Carol L. R. 

Varian Associates, Inc. 

4,889,565 

High Temperature Photovoltaic System. 

Fan, John C.C.; Zavracky, Paul M. 

Kopin Corporation 

1990 

4,897,123 

Solar Cells and Method for Producing Solar 

Cells. 

Mitsui, Kotaro 

Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,915,744 

High Efficiency Solar Cell. 

Ho, Frank F.; Yeh, Milton Y. 

Applied Solar Energy Corporation 

4,928,154 

Epitaxial Gallium Arsenide Semiconductor 

on Silicon Substrate with Gallium Phosphide 

and Superlattice Intermediate Layers. 

Umeno, Masayoshi; Sakai, Shiro; Yahagi, 

Shinichiro 

Daido Tokushuko Kabushiki Kaisha; Nagoya 

Institute of Technology 

4,935,067 

Solar Cell and Fabrication Method 

Thereof. 

Sato, Katsumi; Hokuyo, Shigeru; Matsumoto, 

Hideo 

Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,935,383 

Preparation of Dilute Magnetic 

. . Semiconductor Films by Metalorgamc Chemical 

Vapor Deposition. 

Nouhi, Akbar; Stirn, Richard J. 

The United States of America as 

represented by the Administrator of the 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

1 14 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988 · 1 990 

Cells from 1-III-VI2 or I I-VI Materials 

(e.g., CulnSe2 or CdTe) 

1 988 

4,734,381 

Method of Making a Thin Film Cadmium 

Telluride Solar Cell. 

Mitchell, Kim W. 

Atlantic Richfield Company 

4,735,662 

Stable Ohmic Contacts to Thin Films of 

p-type Tellurium-Containing II-VI 

Semiconductors. 

Szabo, Louis F.; Biter, William J. 

The Standard Oil Company 

4,753,684 

Photovoltaic Heterajunction Structures. 

Ondris, Miroslav; Pichler, Marty A. 

The Standard Oil Company 

4,764,261 

Method of Making Improved Photo voltaic 

Heterajunction Structures. 

Ondris, Miroslav; Hichler, Marty A. 

Stemcor Corporation 

4,791 ,467 

Heterajunction HgCdTe Photovoltaic 

Detector and its Praduction Process. 

Amingual, Daniel; Felix, Pierre 

Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique 

1 989 

4,795,501 

Single Crystal, Heteroepitaxial, 

GaAIAsiCulnSe2 Tandem Solar Cell and Method 

of Manufacture. 

Stanbery, Billy J. 

The Boeing Company 

4,798,660 

Method for Forming CulnSe2 Films. 

Ermer, James H.; Love, Robert B. 

Atlantic Richfield Company 

4,812,41 6 

Method For Executing A Reproducible Glow 

Discharge. 

Hewig, Gerd; Schum, Berthold; Worner, 

Jorg 

4,816,120 

Electrodeposited Doped II-VI Semiconductor 

Films And Devices Incorporating Such Films. 
Ondris, Miroslav; Pichler, Marty A.; 

Brownfield, Richard E. 

The Standard Oil Company 

4,867,801 

Triple-Junction Heteroepitaxial 

AIGa/CulnSe2 Tandem Solar Cell and 

Method of Manufacture. 

Stanbery, Billy J. 

The Boeing Company 

4,873,198 

Method Of Making Photo voltaic Cell With 

Chloride Dip. 

Meyers, Peter V.; Liu, Chung-Heng; Frey, 

Timothy J. 

Ametek, Inc. 

4,888,062 

PIN Junction Photovoltaic Element Having 

1-Type Semiconductor Layer Comprising 

Non-Single Crystal Material Containing at 

Least Zn, Se, and H in an Amount of 1 to 4 

Atomic %. 

Nakagawa, Katsumi; Kanai, Masahiro; 

Ishihara, Shunichi; Arao, Kozo; Fujioka, 

Yasushi; Sakai, Akira; Murakami, Tsutomu 

Canon Kabushiki Kaisha 

1 990 

4,909,857 

Electrodeposited Doped II-VI Semiconductor 

Films and Devices Incorporating Such Films. 

Ondris, Miroslav; Pichler, Marty A.; 

Brownfield, Richard E. 

Standard Oil Company 

4,909,863 

Process for Levelling Film Surfaces and 

Products Thereof. 

Birkmire, Robert W.; McCandless, Brian E. 

University of Delaware 

4,915,745 

Thin Film Solar Cell and Method of 

Making. 

Pollock, Gary A.; Mitchell, Kim W.; Ermer, 

James H. 

Atlantic Richfield Company 

4,920,067 

Process for II· VI COmpound Epitaxy. 

Knapp, Jamie 

4,926,229 

PIN Junction Photovoitaic Element with P 

or N-Type Semiconductor Layer Comprising 

Non·Single Crystal Material Containing Zn, 

Se, H in an Amount of 1 to 4 Atomic % and a 

Dopant and I-Type Semiconductor Layer 

Comprising Non-Single Crystal Si(H,F) 

Material. 

Nakagawa, Katsumi; Ishihara, Shunichi; 

Kanai, Masahiro; Arao, Kozo; Fujioka, 

Yasushi; Sakai, Akira 

Canon Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,935,383 

Preparation of Dilute Magnetic 

Semiconductor Films by Metalorganic Chemical 

Vapor Deposition. 

Nouhi, Akbar; Stirn, Richard J. 

The United States of America as 

represented by the Administrator of the 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

4,940,604 

Method for Production of Copper Indium 

Diselenide. 

Suyama, Naoki; Ueno, Noriyuki; Omura, 

Kuniyoshi; Takada, Hazime; Kita, Yuutaro; 

Murozono, Mikio 

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. 

4,950,615 

Method and Making Group liB 

Metal-Telluride Films and Solar Cells. 

8asol, Bulent M.; Kapur, Vijay K. 

International Solar Electric Technology, 

Inc. 

4,959,106 

Photo voltaic Element With a Semiconductor 

Layer Comprising Non-Single Crystal Material 

Containing at Least Zn, Se and H in An 

Amount of 1 to 4 Atomic %. 

Nakagawa, Katsumi; Kanai, Masahiro; 

Ishihara, Shunichi; Arao, Kozo; Fujioka, 

Yasushi; Sakai, Akira; Murakami, Tsutomu 

Canon Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,977,097 

Method of Making Heterojunction P-I-N 

Photovoltaic Cell. 

Meyers, Peter V.; Liu, Chung-Heng; Frey, 

Timothy J. 

Ametek, Inc. 

Other PV Devices and Concepts 

1988 

4,718,947 

Superlattice Doped Layers for Amorphous 

Silicon Photo voltaic Cells. 

Arya, Rajeewa R. 

Solarex Corporation 

Subject Index t t 5 
4,721,535 

Solar Cel/. 

Itoh, Haruo; Shimada, Toshikazu; Muramatsu, 

Shin-ichi; Matsubara, Sunao; Nakamura, Nobuo 

Director-General of the Agency of 

Industrial Science and Technology 

4,721 ,986 

Bidirectional Output Semiconductor Field 

Effect Transistor and Method for Its 

Manufacture. 

Kinzer, Daniel M. 

International Rectifier Corporation 

4,726,850 

Buried Contact Solar Cel/. 

Wenham, Stuart R.; Green, Martin A. 

Unisearch Limited 

4,737,712 

Isolated Power Transfer and Patient 

Monitoring System with Interference 

Rejection Useful with NMR Apparatus. 

Stormont, Robert S.; Buchwald, Randall H.; 

Hashoian, Ralph S. 

General Electric Company 

4,739,163 

Position Locating Optical Coder Utilizing 

Optical Fiber. 

Gambs, Paul; Taillebois, Jacques; Renaud, 

Jean-Marie; Perrot, Jean-Claude 

M.C.B. 

4,739,383 

Optical Detector and Amplifier Based on 

Tandem Semiconductor Devices. 

Maruska, Paul H.; Hicks, Michael C.; 

Moustakas, Theodore D. 

Exxon Research and Engineering Company 

4,739,41 4 

Large Area Array of Thin Film 

Photosensitive Elements for Image 

Detection. 

Pryor, Roger W.; Hudgens, Stephen J.; Nath, 

Prem; Mulberger, Ronald G. 

Ovonic Imaging Systems, Inc. 

4,746,370 

Photothermophotovoltaic Converter. 

Woolf, Lawrence D. 

GA Technologies, Inc. 

4,746,458 

Photovoitaic Material. 

Bratz, Gregory R. 

116 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988 · 1990 

4,751 ,413 

Solar Energy Motor. 

Izawa, Hideo 

Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,764,439 

Photoelectrochemical Cel/. 

Gibbons, James F. ; Cogan, George W.; 

Gronet, Christian M.; Lewis, Nathan S. 

Sera Solar Corporation 

4,768,096 

Contact-Type Portable Digitizing Wand for 

Scanning Image-Bearing Surfaces. 

Cannella, Vincent D.; Yaniv, Zvi 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. 

4,769,71 8 

Image Processing Apparatus. 

Imamura, Kenji 

Ushio Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,771,556 

Sport Shoe with Melody Emitting Device. 

Kim, Young J. 

Samwha Co. 

4,772,335 

Photovoltaic Device Responsive to 

Ultraviolet Radiation. 

Huang, Wingo C. 

Stem cor Corporation 

4,775,865 

Emergency Vehicle Warning And Traffic 

Control System. 

Smith, Michael R.; Davidson, J. Paul; 

Pfister, Henry L. 

E-Lited Limited, A California Limited 

Partnership 

4,776,895 

Multiband Emitter Matched to Multilayer 

Photovoltaic Col/ector. 

Goldstein, Mark K. 

Quantum Graup, Inc. 

4,777,023 

Preparation Of Silicon And Germainum 

Hydrides Containing Two Different Group 4A 

Atoms. 

Fieselmann, Benjamin F. 

Solarex Corporation 

4,777,387 

Fast Turn-Off Circuit For Photovoltaic 

Driven MOSFET. 

Collins, Howard W. 

International Rectifier Corporation 
4,777,534 

Light Piping Substrate For Contact Type 

Image Replication. 

Yaniv, Zvi; Cannella, Vincent D. 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. 

4,778,378 

Self-Powered Intermittent Ignition And 

Control System for Gas Combustion 

Appliances. 

Dolnick, Earl M.; Goldstein, Mark K. 

Quantum Group, Inc. 

4,781,766 

Fault Tolerant Thin-Film Photo voltaic Cell 

and Method. 

Barnett, Allen M.; Hall, Robert B.; 

Edington, Jeff W.; Davidson, Alexander; 

Tiller, William A. 

Astrosystems, Inc. 

4,781,767 

Photoelectric Conversion Device. 

Toda, Kohji; Takahashi, Kohji; Niwa, Yasuo 

TDK Corporation 

4,782,276 

Electric Signal Generator System And Its 

Application. 

Guterman, Charles 

Sol ems 

4,783,589 

Focus And Tracking Detection Apparatus For 

Optical Head Employing Light Guide Means 

Having Different Radii of Curvature. 

And6, Hideo 

Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba 

4,783,598 

Optically Coupled Interface For Portable 

Semi-Conductor Data Media. 

McAdams, Charles K. 

Teles Computer Products, Inc. 

4,788,593 

High Resolution Scanning System Including 

Optical Enlargement. 

Ovshinsky, Stanford R.; Norris, Lawrence G. 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. 

4,788,594 

Solid State Electronic Camera Including 

Thin Film Matrix of Photosensors. 

Ovshinsky, Stanford R.; Norris, Lawrence G. 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. 

4,788,899 

Ammunition With Internal Light·Settable 

Pickup Arrangement For Digital Memory 

Storage. 

Chandler, Charles E. 

AAI Corporation 

4,791,413 

Soil Moisture Detector With Light 

Activated Audio Alarm Inhibitor. 

Lyczek, Kazimierz E. 

4,791 ,467 

Heterojunction HgCdTe Photovoltaic 

Detector and its Production Process. 

Amingual, Daniel; Felix, Pierre 

Commissariat A L' Energie Atomique 

4,794,247 

Read-Out Amplifier For Photo voltaic 

Detector. 

Stineman, Jr., John A. 

Santa Barbara Research Center 

1 989 

4,801 ,822 

Semiconductor Switching Circuit. 

Idaka, Yukio; Yamaguchi, Shuichiroh; 

Matsumoto, Takeshi 

Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. 

4,804,866 

Solid State Relay. 

Akiyama, Sigeo 

Matsushita Electric Works, ltd. 

4,804,992 

Photographic Film Package. 

Moriyama, Motonori; Fujimura, Ikuo; Tanaka, 

Tsutomu; Watanabe, Takeshi 

Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. 

4,806,873 

Laser Diode Driving Circuit. 

Nagano, Katsumi 

Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba 

4,806,993 

Method And Device For Rapid 

Photo-Detection By Means Of A 

Super-Lattice. 

Voisin, Paul; Brum, Jose A. 

Centre National de la Recherche 

Scientifique (C.N.R.S.l 

Subject Index 117 
4,813,771 

Electro-Optic Switching Devices Using 

Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals. 

Handdschy, Mark A.; Clark, Noel A. 

Display tech Incorporated 

4,816,420 

Method Of Producing Tandem Solar Cell 

Devices From Sheets Of Crystalline 

Material. 

Bozler, Carl O.; Fan, John C.C.; 

McClelland, Robert W. 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

4,818,636 

Films of Catenated Phosphorus Materials, 

Their Preparation and Use, and Semiconductor 

and Other Devices Employing Them. 

Michel, Christian G.; Schachter, Rozalie; 

Kuck, Mark A.; Baumann, John A.; Raccah, 

Paul M. 

Stauffer Chemical Company 

4,818,867 

Optical Information Processing Device 

Using Optical Shutter Elements. 

Hayashi, Yutaka; Ishihara, Seiichi; 

Hiraishi, Hisato 

Agency of Industrial Science and 

Technology; Ministry of International Trade 

and Industry; Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. 

4,819,241 

Laser Diode Driving Circuit. 

Nagano, Katsumi 

Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba 

4,822,581 

Catenated Phosphorus Materials and Their 

Preparation: . 

. 

Michel, Christian G.; Schachter, Rozalle; 

Kuck, Mark A.; Baumann, John A.; Raccah, 

Paul M. 

Stauffer Chemical Company 

4,824,489 

Ultra-Thin Solar Cell and Method. 

Cogan, George W.; Christel, Lee A.; 

Merchant, J. Thomas; Gibbons, James F. 

Sera Solar Corporation 

4,830,606 

Gas Lamp and Control Thereof. 

Dillinger, Bill H. 

4,833,515 

Imaging Devices Comprising Photo voltaic 

Detector Elements. 

Baker, Ian M. 

U.S. Philips Corp. 

118 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988 - 1990 

4,836,012 

Gas Sensor. 

Doty, Mitchell E.; Schmidt, Ferenc J. 

Ametek, Inc. 

4,839,512 

Tactile Sensing Method And Apparatus 

Having Grids As A Means To Detect A Physical 

Parameter. 

Speck, Richard P. 

Tactilitics, Inc. 

4,841, 157 

Optical Backscatter Turbidimeter Sensor. 

Downing, Jr., John P. 

4,841,731 

Electrical Energy Production Apparatus. 

Tindell, Gene 

Electrical Generation Technology, Inc. 

4,851,302 

Functional ZnSe:H DepOSited Films. 

Nakagawa, Katsumi; Ishihara, Shunichi; 

Arao, Kozo; Fujioka, Yasushi; Sakai, Akira; 

Kanai, Masahiro 

Canon Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,857,115 

Photovoltaic Device. 

Iwamoto, Masayuki; Minami, Kouji; Watanabe, 

Kaneo 

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,867, 191 

Solar Activated Gas Light Control Module. 

Walters, Jon S. 

American General Products, Inc. 

4,867,574 

Ultra High Speed Infrared Temperature 

Measuring Device. 

Jenkofsky, John J. 

4,868,664 

Contact Type Image Replication Employing A 

Light Piping Faceplate. 

Yaniv, Zvi; Cannella, Vincent D.; McGill, 

John 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. 

4,873,202 

Solid State Relay And Method Of 

Manufacturing The Same. 

Akiyama, Sigeo 

Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. 
4,875,101 

Solid State Photo voltaic Imaging Device 

With Excess Charge Eliminator. 

Endo, Yukio; Harada, Nozomu 

Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba 

4,876,210 

Solution Growth Of Lattice Mismatched And 

Solubility Mismatched Heterostructures. 

Barnett, Alien M.; Zolper, John C. 

The University of Delaware 

4,876,444 

Protection From Extraneous Light For Light 

Guided Vehicle. 

Field, Bruce F. 

Tennant Company 

4,881,979 

Junctions For Monolithic Cascade Solar 

Cel/s And Methods. 

Lewis, Carol L. R. 

Varian Associates, Inc. 

4,888,062 

PIN Junction Photovoltaic Element Having 

1-Type Semiconductor Layer Comprising 

Non-Single Crystal Material Containing at 

Least Zn, Se, and H in an Amount of 1 to 4 

Atomic %. 

Nakagawa, Katsumi; Kanai, Masahiro; . 

Ishihara, Shunichi; Arao, Kozo; Fujioka, 

Yasushi; Sakai, Akira; Murakami, Tsutomu 

Canon Kabushiki Kaisha 

1 990 

4,891,075 

Photovoltaic Cell Including Wavelength 

Shifter Comprising Lanthanide Chelate 

Fluorophores Based on Dihydropyridine 

Condensation Products. 

Dakubu, Salifu 

Golight, Inc. 

4,900,368 

Foamed Energy Cell. 

Brotz, Gregory R. 

4,910,963 

Solar Energy Process. 

Vanzo, Gordon F. 

4,916,035 

Photoelectrochemical Cells Having 

Functions as a Solar Cell and a Secondary 

Cel/. 

Yamashita, Akio; Sekido, Satoshi; Takeda, 

Takeshi; Tsuchiya, Sohji 

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. 

4,923,524 

Wide Ranging Photovoltaic Laminates 

Comprising Particulate Semiconductors. 

Kiss, Zoltan J. 

Chronar Corp. 

4,927,721 

Photo-Electrochemical Cel/. 

Gratzel, Michael; Liska, Paul 

4,947,219 

Particulate Semiconductor Devices and 

Methods. 

Boehm, Marcus 

Chronar Corp. 

4,948,688 

Layered Electrophotographic Photoreceptor 

Comprises BIS-AZO Charge Generator 

Compound. 

Kitatani, Katsuji; Hoshi, Satoshi 

Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. 

4,963,196 

Organic Solar Cel/. 

Hashimoto, Yuichi 

Canon Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,976,606 

Thermophotovoltaic Technology. 

Nelson, Robert E. 

TPV Energy Systems, Inc. 

Cell Components (metalization, 

substrates, conductive coatings, 

anti reflective coatings) 

1 988 

4,726,850 

Buried Contact Solar Cell. 

Wenham, Stuart R.; Green, Martin A. 

Unisearch Umited 

4,726,851 

Amorphous Silicon Semiconductor Film and 

Production Process Thereof. 

Matsumura, Mitsuo; Yoshida, Toshihiko 

Toa Nenryo Kogyo K.K. 

4,732,621 

Method for Producing a Transparent 

Conductive Oxide Layer and a Photo voltaic 

Device Including Such a Layer. 

Murata, Kenji 

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 

Subject Index 119 
4,735,662 

Stable Ohmic Contacts to Thin Films of 

p-type Tellurium-Containing II-VI 

Semiconductors. 

Szabo, Louis F.; Biter, William J. 

The Standard Oil Company 

4,737,197 

Solar Cell with Metal Paste Contact. 

Nagahara, Yoshiyuki; Shibata, Akira; Asai, 

Masahito; Nakajima, Shinichi; Takamori, 

Nobuyuki 

Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,738,729 

Amorphous Silicon Semiconductor Solar 

Cell. 

Yoshida, Toshihiko; Matsumura, Mitsuo; 

Yamamoto, Hideo; Asai, Kunio; Nakamura, 

Osamu; Okayasu, Yoshinobu 

4,745,078 

Method for Integrated Series Connection of 

Thin Film Solar Cells. 

Stetter, Walter; Peters, Winfried 

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft 

4,746,372 

Amorphous Silicon Solar Cells. 

Tajika, Jun; Sana, Seijiro; Miyake, Tsuneo; 

Kuboi, Osamu 

Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho 

4,748,130 

Method of Making Buried Contact Solar 

Cell. 

Wenham, Stuart R.; Green, Martin A. 

Unisearch Limited 

4,751 ,191 

Method of Fabricating Solar Cells with 

Silicon Nitride Coating. 

Gonsiorawski, Ronald C.; Czernienko, George 

Mobil Solar Energy Corporation 

4,755,231 

Flexible Solar Array Cell and Substrate 

Therefor. 

Kurland, Richard M.; Allard, Ira L.; Chaky, 

Rebecca C.; Inouye, George T. 

TRW Inc. 

4,756,074 

Method of Making a High Conductance Ohmic 

Junction for Monolithic Semiconductor 

Devices. 

Lewis, Carol R. 

Varian Associates, Inc. 

120 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1 988 - 1 990 

4,759,803 

Monolithic Solar Cell and Bypass Diode 

System. 

Cohen, Marshall J. 

Applied Solar Energy Corporation 

4,761,21 1 

Method of Improving the Electrical 

Characteristics of a Thin Film. 

Peterson, Ian R.; Girling, Ian R. 

The General Electric Company 

4,771 ,017 

Patterning Process. 

Tobin, Stephen P.; Spitzer, Mark B. 

Spire Corporation 

4,771,321 

High Conductance Ohmic Junction for 

Monolithic Semiconductor Devices. 

Lewis, Carol R. 

Varian Associates, Inc. 

4,772,564 

Fault Tolerant Thin-Film Photovoltaic Cell 

Fabrication Process. 

Barnett, Allen M.; Hall, Robert B. 

Astrosystems, Inc. 

4,773,942 

Flexible Photo voltaic Device. 

Hamakawa, Yoshihiro; Tawada, Yoshihisa; 

Tsuge, Kazunori; Izumina, Masanobu 

Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,781,766 

Fault Tolerant Thin-Film Photovoltaic Cell 

and Method. 

Barnett, Allen M.; Hall, Robert B.; 

Edington, Jeff W.; Davidson, Alexander; 

Tiller, William A. 

Astrosystems, Inc. 

4,783,373 

Article With Thin Film Coating Having An 

Enhanced Emissivity And Reduced Absorption 

Of Radiant Energy. 

Baumeister, Philip W.; Krisl, Matthew E. 

Optical Coating Laboratory, Inc. 

1989 

H667 

Patterned Tunnel Junction. 

Bedair, Salah M.; Markunas, Robert J.; 

Timmons, Michael L.; Hutchby, James A; 

Hauser, John R. 

The United States of America as 

represented by the Secretary of the Air Force 
4,798,808 

Photoconductive Device Containing 

Electroless Metal Deposited Conductive 

Layer. 

Berman. Elliot 

Atlantic Richfield Company 

4.806,436 

Substrate For Amorphous Silicon Solar 

Cells. 

Tada. Kiyoshi; Tsukamoto. Kenji; Otsuka. 

Tatsuo 

Showa Aluminum Corporation 

4,808,462 

Solar Cell Substrate. 

Yaba. Susumu; Walker. Christopher; Muhl. 

Stephen; Madan. Arun 

Glasstech Solar. Inc. 

4,834.805 

Photo voltaic Power Modules and Methods for 

Making Same. 

Erbert. Virgil 

Wattsun. Inc. 

4,838,952 

Controlled Reflectance Solar Cell. 

Dill. Hans G.; Lillington, David R. 

Spectrolab. Inc. 

4,846,896 

Solar Cell with Integral Reverse Voltage 

Protection Diode. 

Hokuyo, Shigeru 

Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,850,660 

High Emissivity Article Having Multiple 

Layers Of A Material Of High Internal 

Stress. 

Jones. David P.; Mullaney. Kevin 

Pilkington P. E. Limited 

4,851,302 

Functional ZnSe:H Deposited Films. 

Nakagawa. Katsumi; Ishihara. Shunichi; 

Arao. Kozo; Fujioka. Yasushi; Sakai. Akira; 

Kanai. Masahiro 

Canon Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,861 ,387 

Solar Cell and Method of Fabricating Solar 

Cell. 

Matsumoto, Hideo 

Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,864.016 

Polyimide Composition and Method for 

Protecting Photoreactive Cells. 

DuPont. Preston S.; Bilow. Norman 

Hughes Aircraft Company 

4,869,755 

Encapsulation of a Photovoltaic Element. 

Huschka. Hans; Hoffman. Winfried 

Nukem GmbH 

4,875,943 

Flexible Photovoltaic Device. 

Hamakawa. Yoshihiro; Tawada. Yoshihisa; 

Tsuge. Kazunori; Izumina. Masanobu 

Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,889.565 

High Temperature Photovoltaic System. 

Fan. John C.C.; Zavracky. Paul M. 

Kopin Corporation 

1 990 

4.900.370 

Solar Battery. 

Itoga, Kazusue; Ichimura, Takeshige 

Fuji Electric Corporate Research and 

Development. Ltd. 

4,909,856 

Composite Coverglass for Solar Cell. 

Ralph, Eugene L. 

Hughes Aircraft Company 

4,910,415 

Interconnection Between a Battery Cell and 

a Printed Circuit Board in an Electric 

Apparatus. 

Yoshimura, Yutaka 

Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha 

4.915,743 

Space Solar Cell. 

Schilling. Roland 

Talefunken Electronic GmbH 

4,917,752 

Method of Forming Contacts on 

Semiconductor Members. 

Jensen. Millard J.; Levine. Jules D. 

Texas Instruments Incorporated 

4,928,154 

Epitaxial Gallium Arsenide Semiconductor 

on Silicon Substrate with Gallium Phosphide 

and Super/attice Intermediate Layers. 

Umeno, Masayoshi; Sakai. Shiro; Yahagi. 

Shinichiro 

Daido Tokushuko Kabushiki Kaisha; Nagoya 

Institute of TeChnology 

Subject Index 121 
4,933,021 

Monolithic Series-Connected Solar Cells 

Employing Shorted P-N Junctions for Electric 

Isolation. 

Swanson, Richard M. 

Electric Power Research Institute 

4,933,022 

Solar Cell having Interdigitated Contacts 

and Internal Bypass Diodes. 

Swanson, Richard M. 

Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford 

University; Electric Power Research Institute 

4,940,495 

Photovoltaic Device Having Light 

Transmitting Electrically Conductive Stacked 

Films. 

Weber, Michael F.; Tran, Nang T.; Jeffrey, 

Frank R.; Gilbert, James R.; Aspen, Frank E. 

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company 

4,941,032 

Semiconductor Device. 

Kobayashi, Kenji; Kondo, Masataka; Tsuge, 

Kazunori; Tawada, Yoshihisa 

Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,959,106 

Photo voltaic Element With a Semiconductor 

Layer Comprising Non-Single Crystal Material 

Containing at Least Zn, Se and H in An 

Amount of 1 to 4 Atomic %. 

Nakagawa, Katsumi; Kanai, Masahiro; 

Ishihara, Shunichi; Arao, Kozo; Fujioka, 

Yasushi; Sakai, Akira; Murakami, Tsutomu 

Canon Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,968,372 

Method of Producing a Flexible Carrier 

Substrate. 

Maass, Heinz 

Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs GmbH 

4,971,633 

Photovoltaic Cell Assembly. 

Beavis, Leonard C.; Panitz, Janda K.G.; 

Sharp, Donald J. 

The United States of America as 

represented by the Department of Energy 

122 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988 - 1990 

Cell Enhancement Techniques (surface 

and gr�in-boundary passivation, 

annealing) 

1 988 

4,725,558 

Semiconductor Defects Curing Method and 

Apparatus. . 

Yamazaki, Shunpei; Suzuki, Kunio; Kinka, 

Mikio; Fukada, Takeshi; Abe, Masayoshi; 

Kobayashi, Ippei; Shibata, Katsuhiko; 

. Susukida, Masato; Nagayama, Susumu; Koyanagl, 

Kaoru 

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. 

4,744,835 

Arrangement for Avoiding Unwanted 

Degradation in No-Load Operation of Solar 

Cell Modules Composed of Amorphous Silicon. 

Winstel, Guenter; Plaettner, Rolf 

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft 

4,749,454 

Method of Removing Electrical Shorts and 

Shunts from a Thin-Film Semiconductor 

Device. 

Arya, Rajeewa R.; Oswald, Robert S. 

Solarex Corporation 

4,770,716 

Stabilization of Intraconnections and 

Interfaces. 

Ramaprasad, K.R. 

Chronar Corp. 

1989 

4,812,415 

Method For Making Semiconductor Device 

Free From Electrical Short Circuits Through 

A Semiconductor La}'er. 

Yamazaki, Shunpei; Suzuki, Kunio; Kinka, 

Mikio; Fukada, Takeshi; Masayoshi, Abe; 

Kobayashi, Ippei; Shibata, Katsuhiko; 

. Susukida, Masato; Nagayama, Susumu; Koyanagl, 

Kaoru 

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. 

4,828,628 

Solar Cell. 

Hezel, Rudolf; Hackstein, Karl G. 

Nukem GmbH 

4,857,976 

Hydrogen-Stabilized Semiconductor 

Devices. 

Overhauser, Albert W.; Maserjian, Joseph 

California Institute of Technology 
4,873,118 

Oxygen Glow Treating Of ZNO Electrode For 

Thin Film Silicon Solar Cel/. 

Elias, Eric; Knapp, Karl E. 

Atlantic Richfield Company 

1 990 

4.965,225 

Method of Stabilizing Amorphous 

Semiconductors. 

Yamagishi, Hideo; Nevin, William A. ; 

Nishio, Hitoshi; Miki, Keiko; Tsuge, 

Kazunori; Tawada, Yoshihisa 

Kanegafuchi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. 

4,918,030 

Method of Forming Light-Trapping Surface 

for Photo voltaic Cel/ and Resulting 

Structure. 

Lamb, Walter R.; Lawrence, John E. 

Electric Power Research Institute 

4,945,065 

Method of Passivating Crystalline 

Substrates. 

Gregory, James A.; Hanoka, Jack I.; Vayman, 

Zinovy Y. 

Mobil Solar Energy Corporation 

Materials Production and Processes 

(purification, deposition, doping) 

1988 

4,721 ,629 

Method of Manufacturing Photo voltaic 

Device. 

Sakai, Souichi; Nakano, Shoichi; Kuwano, 

Yukinori 

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,721 ,986 

Bidirectional Output Semiconductor Field 

Effect Transistor and Method for Its 

Manufacture. 

Kinzer, Daniel M. 

International Rectifier Corporation 

4,724,01 1 

Solar Cel/ Interconnection by Discrete 

Conductive Regions. 

Turner, Gary B.; Morel, Don L.; Gay, 

Robert R.; Halani, Arvind; Tarrant, Dale E. 

Atlantic Richfield Company 

4,725,559 

Process for the Fabrication of a Gallium 

Arsenide Grating Solar Cel/. 

Fraas, Lewis M. 

Chevron Research Company 

4,726,849 

Photovoltaic Device and a Method of 

Manufacturing Thereof. 

Murata, Kenji; Kishi, Yasuo 

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,729,962 

Semiconductor Junction Formation by 

Directed Heat. 

Campbell, Robert B. 

The United States of America as 

represented by the United States Department 

of Energy 

4,749,588 

Process for Producing Hydrogenated 

Amorphous Silicon Thin Film and a Solar 

Cel/. 

Fukuda, Nobuhiro; Ohashi, Yutaka; Miyaji, 

Kenji 

4,755,483 

Method for Producing Semiconductor Device 

with P-Type Amorphous Silicon Carbide 

Semiconductor Film Formed by Photo-Chemical 

Vapor Deposition. 

Haku, Hisao; Nakashima, Yukio; Matsuoka, 

Tsugufumi; Watanabe, Kaneo 

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,758,526 

Procedure for Producing an Integrated 

System of Thin-Film Solar Cel/s Connected in 

Series. 

Thalheimer, Klaus 

Messerschmitt-B6Ikow-Blohm GmbH 

4,759,830 

Process for the PrOduction of 

Polycrystalline Silicon Coatings by 

Electrolytic Deposition of Silicon. 

Gruniger, Hans R.; Kern, Rudolf; Rys, 

Paul 

Ciba-Geigy AG 

4,763,602 

Thin Film Deposition Apparatus Including a 

Vacuum Transport Mechanism. 

Madan, Arun; Von Roedern, Bolko 

Glasstech Solar, Inc. 

Subject Index 123 
4,764,261 

Method of Making Improved Photo voltaic 

Heterojunction Structures. 

Ondris, Miroslav; Hichler, Marty A. 

Stem cor Corporation 

4,769,107 

Process and Apparatus for the Cyclical 

Manufacture of Silicon Shaped Articles. 

Helmreich, Dieter; Gessert, Cord; Miller, 

Hans-Dieter; Zauhar, Helmut; Priewasser, 

Georg; Schmid hammer, Leonhard 

Heliotronic Forschungs- und 

Entwicklungsgesellschaft fur 

Solarzellen-Grundstoffe mbH 

4,769,682 

Boron Doped Semiconductor Materials and 

Method for Producing Same. 

Yang, Chi C.; Mohr, Ralph; Hudgens, 

Stephen; Johncock, Annette; Nath, Prem 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. 

4,771 ,017 

Patterning Process. 

Tobin, Stephen P.; Spitzer, Mark B. 

Spire Corporation 

4,772,564 

Fault Tolerant Thin-Film Photovoltaic Cell 

Fabrication Process. 

Barnett, Allen M.; Hall, Robert B. 

Astrosystems, Inc. 

4,773,973 

Process for the Production of 

Polycrystalline Silicon Coatings by 

Electrolytic Deposition of Silicon. 

Gruniger, Hans R.; Kern, Rudolf; Rys, 

Paul 

Ciba-Geigy AG 

4,774,193 

Method for Avoiding Shorts in the 

Manufacture of Layered Electrical 

Components. 

Juergens, Wilfried 

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft 

4,774, 194 

Process for Manufacturing a Solar Cell 

Device. 

Hokuyo, Shigeru 

Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,777,023 

Preparation Of Silicon And Germainum 

Hydrides Containing Two Different Group 4A 

Atoms. 

Fieselmann, Benjamin F. 

Solarex Corporation 

124 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988 - 1990 

4,778,478 

Method Of Making Thin Film Photovoltaic 

Solar Cell. 

Barnett, Allen M. 

University of Delaware 

4,786,607 

Method for Manufacturing A Semiconductor 

Device Free From Current Leakage Through A 

Semiconductor Layer. 

Yamazaki, Shumpei; Suzuki, Kunio; Fukada, 

Takeshi; Abe, Masayoshi; Kobayashi, Ippei; 

Shibata, Katsuhiko; Susukida, Masato; 

Negayama, Susumu; Koyanagi, Kaoru 

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. 

4,788,582 

Semiconductor Device and Method of 

Manufacturing the Same. 

Yamamoto, Hideaki; Seki, Koichi; Tanaka, 

Toshihiro; Sasano, Akira; Tsukada, Toshihisa; 

Shimomoto, Yasuharu; Nakano, Toshio; 

Kanamori, Hideto 

Hitachi, Ltd. 

4,789,641 

Method of Manufacturing Amorphous 

Photo voltaic-Cell Module. 

Inuzuka, Takahiko 

Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,794,305 

Substrate Support Structure For Ion 

Implantation Device. 

Matsukawa, Takyuki 

Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 

1989 

4,806,495 

Method of Making Solar Array With Aluminum 

Foil Matrix. 

Levine, Jules D.; Jensen, Millard J.; 

Haney, Ronald E. 

Texas Instruments Incorporated 

4,812,416 

Method For Executing A Reproducible Glow 

Discharge. 

Hewig, Gerd; Schum, Berthold; Worner, 

Jorg 

4,816,120 

Electrodeposited Doped /I-VI Semiconductor 

Films And Devices Incorporating Such Films. 

Ondris, Miroslav; Pichler, Marty A.; 

Brownfield, Richard E. 

The Standard Oil Company 
4,818,337 

Thin Active-Layer Solar Cell with Multiple 

Internal Reflections. 

Barnett, Allen M.; Mauk, Michael G. 

University of Delaware 

4,818,636 

Films of Catenated Phosphorus Materials, 

Their Preparation and Use, and Semiconductor 

and Other Devices Employing Them. 

Michel, Christian G.; Schachter, Rozalie; 

Kuck, Mark A.; Baumann, John A.; Raccah, 

Paul M. 

Stauffer Chemical Company 

4,822,581 

Catenated Phosphorus Materials and Their 

Preparation. 

Michel, Christian G.; Schachter, Rozalie; 

Kuck, Mark A.; Baumann, John A.; Raccah, 

Paul M. 

Stauffer Chemical Company 

4,828,814 

Process for Purification of Solid 

Material. 

Sanjurjo, Angel; Pressacco, Sylvia 

SRI International 

4,828,875 

Process for the Production of Sintered 

Films of Cd1 _xZnxS. 

1m, Ho-Bin; Park, Kyu-Charn 

Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Tech. 

4,834,062 

Multiblade Inner Hole Saw for the Sawing 

of Crystal Rods Into Thin Blades. 

Frank, Walter; Palme, Gerhard 

Wacker Chemitronic 

4,834,832 

Process And Apparatus For The Manufacture 

of Silicon Rods. 

Stock, Horst; Huber, Lothar; Priewasser, 

Georg 

Wacker-Chemitronic Gesellschaft fur 

Elektronik-Grundstoffe mbH 

4,845,043 

Method for Fabricating Photo voltaic Device 

Having Improved Short Wavelength 

Photoresponse. 

Catalano, Anthony W. 

4,849,028 

Solar Cell with Integrated Interconnect 

Device and Process for Fabrication Thereof. 

Krause, Stanley J. 

Hughes Aircraft Company 

4,865,999 

Solar Cell Fabrication Method. 

Xi, Jianping; Madan, Arun 

Glasstech Solar, Inc. 

4,871 ,517 

Apparatus For Parting Wafer-Shaped Silicon 

Bodies, Useful For Solar Cells, From A 

Silicon Tape Manufactured In A Horizontal 

Tape-Drawing Method. 

Falckenberg, Richard; Hoyler, Gerhard; 

Grabmaier, Josef 

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft 

4,873,198 

Method Of Making Photovoltaic Cell With 

Chloride Dip. 

Meyers, Peter V.; Liu, Chung-Heng; Frey, 

Timothy J. 

Ametek, Inc. 

4,873,202 

Solid State Relay And Method Of 

Manufacturing The Same. 

Akiyama, Sigeo 

Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. 

4,874,920 

Electronic Device Manufacturing Methods. 

Yamazaki, Shunpei; Itoh, Kenji; Nagayama, 

Susumu 

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. 

4,876,210 

Solution Growth Of Lattice Mismatched And 

Solubility Mismatched Heterostructures. 

Barnett, Allen M.; Zolper, John C. 

The University of Delaware 

4,876,430 

Preweld Test Method. 

Herschitz, Roman;. Bogorad, Alexander; 

Harhigh, Robert N. 

General Electric Company 

4,879,251 

Method of Making Series-Connected, 

Thin-Film Solar Module Formed of Crystalline 

Silicon. 

Kruehler, Wolfgang; Milia, Peter 

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft 

Subject Index 1 25 
1 990 

4,891,074 

Multiple Cell Photoresponsive Amorphous 

Alloys and Devices. 

Ovshinsky, Stanford R.; Adler, David 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. 

4,891,325 

Method for Reusing Silicon Base Material 

of a Metal Insulator Semiconductor (MIS) 

Inversion-Layer Solar Cell. 

Hezel, Rudolf; Hoffman, Winfried; Schum, 

Berthold 

Nukem GmbH 

4,894,508 

Welder Control System. 

Glenn, Gregory S.; Mont jar, William O. 

Hughes Aircraft Company 

4,897,123 

Solar Cells and Method for Producing Solar 

Cells. 

Mitsui, Kotaro 

Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,909,863 

Process for Levelling Film Surfaces and 

Products Thereof. 

Birkmire, Robert W.; McCandless, Brian E. 

University of Delaware 

4,910,153 

Deposition Feedstock and Dopant Materials 

Useful in the Fabrication of Hydrogenated 

Amorphous Silicon Alloys for Photo voltaic 

Devices and Other Semiconductor DeVIces. 

Dickson, Charles R. 

Solarex Corporation 

4,913,199 

Arrangement for the Complete Emptying of 

Quartz Tanks or Crucibles Filled with a 

Silicon Melt Following Silicon Band 

Drawing. 

Falckenberg, Richard; Hoyler, Gerhard; 

Freienstein, Bernhard; Grabmaier, Josef 

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft 

4,913,744 

Solar Cell Arrangement. 

Hoegl, Helmut; Kern, Ralf M. 

4,918,030 

Method of Forming Ught-Trapping Surface 

for Photovoltaic Cell and Resulting 

Structure. 

Lamb, Walter R.; Lawrence, John E. 

Electric Power Research Institute 

126 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988 · 1 990 

4,919,913 

Process for the Production of Solar 

Silicon. 

Kurz, Gunter; Abels, Martin; Schwirtlich, 

Ingo; Woditsch, Peter 

Bayer Aktiengesellschaft 

4,920,067 

Process for 11-VI Compound Epitaxy. 

Knapp, Jamie 

4,927,489 

Method for Doping a Melt. 

Campbell, Robert B.; Kochka, Edgar L.; 

Piotrowski, Paul A. 

Westinghouse Electric Corp. 

4,940,568 

Arrangement for the Continuous Melting of 

Granulated Silicon for a Band-Drawing 

Method. 

Hoyler, Gerhard; Grabmaier, Josef; 

Falckenberg, Richard; Freienstein, Bernhard 

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft 

4,940,604 

Method for Production of Copper Indium 

Diselenide. 

Suyama, Naoki; Ueno, Noriyuki; Omura, 

Kuniyoshi; Takada, Hazime; Kita, Yuutaro; 

Murozono, Mikio 

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. 

4,950,615 

Method and Making Group liB 

Meta/-Telluride Films and Solar Cells. 

Basol, Bulent M.; Kapur, Vijay K. 

International Solar Electric Technology, 

Inc. 

4,957,772 

Method for Forming Functional Deposited 

Films by Means of Microwave Plasma Chemical 

Vapor Deposition Method. 

Saitoh, Keishi; Hashizume, Junichiro; lida, 

Shigehira; Takei, Tetsuya; Arai, Takayoshi 

Canon Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,962,461 

Method for the Reproducable Formation of 

Material Layers andlor the Treatment of 

Semiconductor Materials La ers. 

Meyer, Meinhard; Stormer, Oswald 

Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH 
4,973,518 

Monocrystal Rod Pulled From a Melt. 

Kida, Michio; Sahira, Kensho; Nozoe, 

Akikuni 

Mitsubishi Kinzoku Kabushiki Kaisha 

Characterization and Analysis 

1988 

4,779,980 

Atmospheric Optical Calibration System. 

Hulstrom, Roland L.; Cannon, Theodore W. 

Midwest Research Institute 

1990 

4,902,967 

Scanning Electron Microscopy by 

Photo voltage Contrast Imaging. 

Flesner, Larry D. 

The United States of America as 

represented by the Secretary of the Navy 

4,924,096 

Non-Contact Testing of Photovoltaic 

Detector Arrays. 

Mroczkowski, Jacek A.; Reine, Marion B.; 

Butler, Neal R. 

4,956,603 

Method and Apparatus for Measuring the 

Lifetime on P-N Semiconductor Junctions by 

Photo voltaic Effect. 

Russo, Vincenzo 

SGS-Thomson Microelectronics S.r.L. 

4,962,461 

Method for the Reproducable Formation of 

Material Layers' andlor the Treatment of 

Semiconductor Materials La ers. 

Meyer, Meinhard; Stormer, Oswald 

Messerschmitl-Biilkow-Blohm GmbH 

COLLECTORS 

Flat-Plate Collectors (design, 

components, productIon) 

1 988 

4,717,790 

Contoured Solar Generator. 

Gochermann, Hans 

Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs GmbH 

4,724,010 

Solar Cell Module. 

Okaniwa, Hiroshi; Nakatani, Kenji; Suzuki, 

Kazutomi 

Teijin Limited 

4,745,078 

Method for Integrated Series Connection of 

Thin Film Solar Cells. 

Stetler, Walter; Peters, Winfried 

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft 

4,746,618 

Method of Continuously Forming an Array of 

Photo voltaic Cells Electrically Connected in 

Series. 

Nath, Prem; Barnard, Timothy 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. 

4,749,454 

Method of Removing Electrical Shorts and 

Shunts from a Thin-Film Semiconductor 

Device. 

Arya, Rajeewa R.; Oswald, Robert S. 

Solarex Corporation 

4,753,683 

Gallium Arsenide Solar Ceff System. 

Ellion, M. Edmund; Wolff, George 

Hughes Aircraft Company 

4,754,544 

Extremely Lightweight, Flexible 

Semiconductor Device Arrays. 

Hanak, Joseph J. 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. 

4,755,231 

Flexible Solar Array Cell and Substrate 

Therefor. 

Kurland, Richard M.; Allard, Ira L.; Chaky, 

Rebecca C.; Inouye, George T. 

TRW Inc. 

4,758,526 

Procedure for Producing an Integrated 

System of Thin-Film Solar Ceffs Connected in 

Series. 

Thalheimer, Klaus 

Messerschmitl-Biilkow-Blohm GmbH 

4,769,086 

Thin Film Solar Cell with Nickel Back. 

Tanner, David P.; Jester, Theresa L.; Yin, 

Ming-Jau 

Atlantic Richfield Company 

Subject Index 127 
4,773,943 

Photo voltaic Device and a Method of 

Producing the Same. 

Yamaguchi, Fuminori; Tomita, Kenji 

Kyocera Corporation 

4,773,944 

Large Area, Low Voltage, High Current 

Photo voltaic Modules and Method of 

Fabricating Same. 

Nath, Prem; Laarman, Timothy; Vogeli, 

Craig; Whelan, Kenneth; Kelly, Bernard 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. 

4,783,421 

Method For Manufacturing Electrical 

Contacts For A Thin-Film Semiconductor 

Device. 

Carlson, David E.; Dickson, Charles R.; 

D'Aiello, Robert V. 

Solarex Corporation 

4,787,580 

Large Solar Arrays with High Natural 

Frequencies. 

Ganssle, Eugene R. 

General Electric Company 

4,794,027 

Process for Coating A Base Material With 

An Elastomer and Product Produced By Such 

Process. 

Hering, Reinhard F. 

1 989 

303,244 

Combined Flexible Solar Cell Panel and 

Deployment/Storage Mast. 

Hanak, Joseph J. 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. 

4,795,500 

Photovoltaic Device. 

Kishi, Yasuo; Inoue, Hiroshi; Tanaka, 

Hiroyuki 

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,806,436 

Substrate For Amorphous Silicon Solar 

Cells. 

Tada, Kiyoshi; Tsukamoto, Kenji; Otsuka, 

Tatsuo 

Showa Aluminum Corporation 

4,806,495 

Method of Making Solar Array With Aluminum 

Foil Matrix. 

Levine, Jules D.; Jensen, Millard J.; 

Haney, Ronald E. 

Texas Instruments Incorporated 

128 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988 - 1990 

4,808,242 

Photovoltaic Device and a Method of 

Manufacturing Thereof. 

Murata, Kenji; Kishi, Yasuo 

San yo Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,816,324 

Flexible Photo voltaic Device. 

Berman, Elliot 

Atlantic Richfield Company 

4,824,488 

Photo voltaic Device. 

Sakai, Souichi; Kuwano, Yukinori 

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,830,038 

Photovoltaic Module. 

Anderson, A. Jerome; Beze, Norman L. 

Atlantic Richfield Company 

4,832,755 

Glass Encapsulation of Solar Cell Arrays 

to Minimize Voltage/Plasma Interaction 

Effects in a Space Environment. 

Barton, John R.; Reiss, Amy C.; Silverman, 

Sidney 

The Boeing Company 

4,854,974 

Electrical Contacts for a Thin-Film 

Semiconductor Device. 

Carlson, David E.; Dickson, Charles R.; 

D' Aiello, Robert V. 

Solarex Corporation 

4,854,975 

Solar Cell with Integrated Interconnect 

Device and Process for Fabrication Thereof. 

Krause, Stanley J. 

Hughes Aircraft Company 

4,869,755 

Encapsulation of a Photo voltaic Element. 

Huschka, Hans; Hoffman, Winfried 

Nukem GmbH 

4,872,925 

Photo voltaic Cell Fabrication Method and 

Panel Made Thereby. 

McMaster, Harold A. 

Glasstech, Inc. 

4,876,430 

Pre weld Test Method. 

Herschitz, Roman; Bogorad, Alexander; 

Harhigh, Robert N. 

General Electric Company 
4,886,554 

Solar Roofing Assembly. 

Woodring, William J.; Horner Jr., Charles 

J. 

GAF Corporation 

4,888,061 

Thin·Film Solar Cells Resistant to Damage 

During Flexion. 

Wenz, Robert P. 

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company 

1 990 

4,892,592 

Thin Film Semiconductor Solar Cell Array 

and Method of Making. 

Dickson, Charles R.; Johnson, Barry J.; 

Gerhardt, David B. 

Solarex Corporation 

4,900,369 

Solar Cell. 

Hezel, Rudolf; Hackstein, Karl G. 

Nukem GmbH 

4,907,915 

Template for Installing Photovoltaic Panel 

Assembly and Method. 

Nicholson, Robert D.; Kaake, Steven A.F.; 

Smith, Robert F. 

Glasstech, Inc. 

4,909,856 

Composite Coverglass for Solar Cell. 

Ralph, Eugene l. 

Hughes Aircraft Company 

4,910,415 

Interconnection Between a Battery Cell and 

a Printed Circuit Board in an Electric 

Apparatus. 

Yoshimura, Yutaka 

Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,913,744 

Solar Cell Arrangement. 

Hoegl, Helmut; Kern, Ralf M. 

4,914,044 

Method of Making Tandem Solar Cell 

Module. 

Grabmaier, Josef; Kruehler, Wolfgang; 

Endroes, Arthur 

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft 

4,915,745 

Thin Film Solar Cell and Method of 

Making. 

Pollock, Gary A.; Mitchell, Kim W.; Ermer, 

James H. 

Atlantic Richfield Company 

4,917,752 

Method of Forming Contacts on 

Semiconductor Members. 

Jensen, Millard J.; Levine, Jules D. 

Texas Instruments Incorporated 

4,920,917 

Reactor for Depositing a Layer on a Moving 

Substrate. 

Nakatani, Kenji; Okaniwa, Hiroshi; Yano, 

Mitsuaki 

Teijin Limited 

4,929,281 

Method for Producing Thin-Film Solar Cells 

in a Series-Connected Array. 

Worner, Jorg 

Nukem GmbH 

4,931,412 

Method of Producing a Thin Film Solar Cell 

Having a N-I-P Structure. 

Fischer, Roland; Grabe, Gerhard; Niemann, 

Ekkehard 

Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs GmbH 

4,933,020 

Solar Installation. 

Wenzel, Joachim 

4,935,067 

Solar Cell and Fabrication Method 

Thereof. 

Sato, Katsumi; Hokuyo, Shigeru; Matsumoto, 

Hideo 

Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,936,924 

Thin-Film Solar Battery and Its 

Manufacturing Method. 

Inuzuka, Takahiko 

Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,937,651 

Semiconductor Device Free from the Current 

Leakage Through a Semiconductor Layer and 

Method for Manufacturing Same. 

Yamazaki, Shunpei; Suzuki, Kunia; Kinka, 

Mikio; Fukada, Takeshi; Abe, Masayoshi; 

Kobayashi, Ippei; Shibata, Katsuhiko; 

Susukida, Masato; Nagayama, Susumu; Koyanagi, 

Kaoru 

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., ltd. 

Subject Index 129 
4,940,496 

Solar Battery Device. 

Matsumoto, Hideo; Sato, Katsumi; Hokuyo, 

Shigeru 

Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,942,865 

Compound Solar Collector Building 

Construction. 

Pierce-Bjorklund, Patricia 

4,948,740 

Method for the Integrated 

Series-Interconnection of Thick-Film Solar 

Cells and Method for the Manufacture of 

Tandem Solar Cells. 

Plaettner, Rolf 

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft 

4,953,577 

Spray Encapsulation of Photo voltaic 

Modules. 

Marshall, Jack 

Solarex Corporation 

4,954,181 . 

Solar Cell Module and Method of 

Manufacture. 

. 

Nishiura, Masaharu; Ichimura, Takeshige; 

Kamiyama, Michinari 

Fuji Electric Company Ltd.; Fuji Electric 

Corporate Research and Development Ltd. 

4,956,023 

Integrated Solar Cell Device. 

Tsuge, Kazunori; Endo, Toshihito; 

Kobayashi, Kenji; Tawada, Yoshihisa 

Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,956,601 

Method of Forming an Array of Apertures in 

an Aluminum Foil. 

Levine, Jules D.; Jensen, Millard J. 

Texas Instruments Incorporated 

4,965,655 

Interconnected Semiconductor Devices. 

Grimmer, Derrick P.; Paulson, Kenneth R.; 

Gilbert, James R. 

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company 

4,966,631 

Support for Photo voltaic Arrays. 

Matlin, Ronald W.; Lenskold, Richard K.; 

Rangarajan, Anand 

Chronar Corp. 

130 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988 - 1990 

4,968,354 

Thin Film Solar Cell Array. 

Nishiura, Masaharu; Yamada, Katsumi 

Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. 

4,968,372 

Method of Producing a Flexible Carrier 

Substrate. 

Maass, Heinz 

Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs GmbH 

4,975,133 

Apparatus for Welding Components Together 

with the Use of Ultrasound. 

Gochermann, Hans 

Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs GmbH 

Concentrator Collectors (design, 

components, production) 

1988 

4,746,371 

Mechanically Stacked Photo voltaic Cells, 

Package Assembly, and Modules. 

McLeod, Paul S.; Cape, John A.; Fraas, 

Lewis M.; Partain, Larry D. 

Chevron Research Company 

4,748,130 

Method of Making Buried Contact Solar 

Cell. 

Wenham, Stuart R.; Green, Martin A. 

Unisearch Limited 

4,776,893 

GaAs on GaSb Mechanically Stacked 

Photovoltaic Cells, Package Assembly, and 

Modules. 

McLeod, Paul S.; Cape, John A.; Fraas, 

Lewis M.; Partain, Larry D. 

Chevron Research Company 

4,784,700 

Point Focus Solar Concentrator Using 

Reflector Strips of Various Geometries to 

Form Primary and Secondary Reflectors. 

Stern, Tbeodore G.; Cornwall, Mickey; 

Kaincz, Bela; Mildice, James W. 

General Dynamics Corp.lSpace Systems Div. 

4,789,408 

Solar Collector. 

Fitzsimmons, James W. 
1989 

4,830,678 

Liquid·Cooled Sealed Enclosure for 

Concentrator Solar Cell and Secondary Lens. 

Todorof, William J.; Murphy, Mark 

4,834,805 

Photovoltaic Power Modules and Methods for 

Making Same. 

Erbert, Virgil 

Wattsun, Inc. 

4,836,861 

Solar Cell And Cell Mount. 

Peltzer, Douglas L.; Bechtel, Richard L.; 

Ko, Wen C.; Liggett, William T. 

Tactical Fabs, Inc. 

4,888,063 

Variable Aperture, Variable Flux Density, 

Aerospace Solar Collector. 

Powell, Roger A. 

1990 

4,960,468 

Photo voltaic Converter Having Apertured 

Reflective Enclosure. 

Sinton, Ronald A.; Swanson, Richard M. 

The Board of Trustees of the Leland 

Stanford Junior University 

4,971 ,633 

Photo voltaic Cell Assembly. 

Beavis, Leonard C.; Panitz, Janda K.G.; 

Sharp, Donald J. 

The United States of America as 

represented by the Department of Energy 

Op.tics and Trackers (lenses, 

reflectors, tracking devices, and 

related componenls) 

1988 

4,730,602 

Apparatus for Automatically Directing 

Solar Radiation Focused by a Reflector. 

Posnansky, Mario; Posnansky, Hernan 

4,771,764 

Water-Borne Azimuth-Altitude Tracking 

Solar Concentrators. 

Cluff, C. Brent 

4,786,795 

Sun Tracking Device Floating Upon Liquid 

Surface. 

Kurashima, Shozo; Umezawa, Yasuhiko 

Kyocera Corporation 

4,789,408 

Solar Collector. 

Fitzsimmons, James W. 

1 989 

4,799,778 

Fresnel Lens Concentrator. 

Jebens, Robert W. 

General Electric Company 

4,833,340 

Solar Lighting Reflector Apparatus Having 

Slatted Mirrors and Improved Tracker. 

Dominguez, Richard L. 

Solar Lighting Research, Inc. 

4,868,379 

Photo voltaic Array With Two-Axis Power 

Maximization Tracking. 

West, Rick 

Utility Power Group 

1 990 

33,208 

Photoelectric Conversion Panel and 

Assembly Thereof. 

Yamazaki, Shunpei 

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. 

4,891 ,075 

Photo voltaic Cell Including Wavelength 

Shifter Comprising Lanthanide Chelate 

Fluorophores Based on Dihydropyridine 

Condensation Products. 

Dakubu, Salifu 

Golight, Inc. 

4,892,593 

Solar Trap. 

Lew, Hyok S. 

4,907,864 

Macro-Gradient Optical Density 

Transmissive Light Concentrators, Lenses and 

Compound Lenses of Large Geometry. 

Hagerty, James J.; Danziger, Leslie A. 

John E. Fetzer Foundation 

4,933,020 

Solar Installation. 

Wenzel, Joachim 

Subject Index 131 
4,943,325 

Reflector Assembly. 

Levy, Sheldon L. 

Black & Veatch, Engineers-Architects 

4,960,468 

Photovoltaic Converter Having Apertured 

Reflective Enclosure. 

Sinton, Ronald A.; Swanson, Richard M. 

The Board of Trustees of the Leland 

Stanford Junior University 

4,964,713 

Concentrator Arrangement. 

Goetzberger, Adolf 

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderund der 

Forschung E. V. 

4,968,355 

Two-Axis Tracking Solar Collector 

Mechanism. 

Johnson, Kenneth C. 

4,975,816 

Lens for Low Light Level Lamp. 

Frost, John S.; Erickson, Mark R.; Seegan, 

Kimberly E.; Felder, Bethanne; Wallace, 

Lloyd V. 

Siemens Solar Industries 

SYSTEMS 

Utilitv- Interactive Systems and Interface Technologies (power 

conditioning) . 

1988 

4,725,740 

DC-AC Converting Arrangement for 

Photovoltaic System. 

Nakata, Yukihiko 

Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,775,865 

Emergency Vehicle Warning And Traffic 

Control System. 

Smith, Michael R.; Davidson, J. Paul; 

Pfister, Henry L. 

E-Lited Limited, A California Limited 

Partnership 

132 u.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988 - 1990 

4,781 ,119 

Solar-Rapid Mass Transit System. 

Davis, James G. 

1 989 

4,819,121 

Security Apparatus for Power Converter. 

Saito, Suzuo; Higaki, Shigetoshi 

Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba 

4,823,928 

Electronic Parking Meter System. 

Speas, Gary W. 

POM, Incorporated 

4,827,206 

Solar Power System For Electronic Parking 

Meter. 

Speas, Gary W. 

POM, Incorporated 

4,888,702 

Photovoltaic System Controller. 

Gerken, Kenneth F. 

Integrated Power Corporation 

1 990 

H855 

Optical Beam Switching Circuit for 

Photo voltaic Energy Conversion. 

Otto, William F.; Milton, Richard D.; 

Jordan, Debbee J. 

The United States of America as 

represented by the Secretary of the Army 

4,916,382 

System for Maximizing Efficiency of Power 

Transfer. 

Kent, William A. 

Horner Equipment of Florida, Inc. 

4,918,357 

Combination Incandescent and 

Solar-Electric Light Bulb with Automatic 

Switching Device and Charging Means 

Therefor. 

Waterbury, Nelson J. 

4,958,575 

Transit Vehicle Apparatus and Method for 

Solar Induction Monorails. 

Antosh, Mark J. 

4,972,094 

Lighting Devices with Quantum 

Electric/Light Power Converters. 

Marks, Alvin M. 
4,974,126 

Lamp With Power Source Supply For Fan. 

Hwang, Feng-Lin 

Utility· Independent Systems and 

Storage Technologies 

1 988 

4,718,185 

Modular Solar Generating System. 

Conlin, Kevin l.; Cantrell, Michael P. 

Solar Signage, Inc. 

4,719,346 

Optical Position Locating Apparatus with 

Bidirectional Light Transmission. 

Taillebois, Jacques; Renaud, Jean-Marie; 

Perrot, Jean-Claude; Gambs, Paul 

M.C.B. 

4,726,044 

Writing Instrument with Solar-Powered 

Electronic Counting and Liquid Crystal 

Display. 

Perna, Fred P.; Peterson, Stuart R. 

Fred P. Perna 

4,730,1 15 

Transformer System and Direct Current 

Power Supply. 

Abe, Kozo 

Logical Co., Ltd. 

4,737,712 

Isolated Power Transfer and Patient 

Monitoring System with Interference 

Rejection Useful with NMR Apparatus. 

Stormont, Robert S.; Buchwald, Randall H.; 

Hashoian, Ralph S. 

General Electric Company 

4,739, 163 

Position Locating Optical Coder Utilizing 

Optical Fiber. 

Gambs, Paul; Taillebois, Jacques; Renaud, 

Jean-Marie; Perrot, Jean-Claude 

M.C.B. 

4,740,431 

Integrated Solar Cell and Battery. 

Little, Roger G. 

Spire Corporation 

4,744,430 

Solar Powered Golf Cart. 

McCoy, Thomas R. 

4,749,982 

Intelligent Card. 

Rikuna, Kenji; Nakano, Harumi; Kara, 

Kazuya; Shigenaga, Yoshimi; Bito, Hiroyasu; 

Takeuchi, Eiichi; Tamiya, Morito 

Casio Computer Co., Ltd. 

4,750,099 

Circuit for Charging Capacitors. 

Inoue, Yuichi; Ohtawa, Shuji; Ochiai, 

Hitoshi; Kiyono, Yoshihiko; Nakamura, Chiaki 

Seiko Instruments, Inc. 

4,751,622 

Solar Powered Construction Light. 

Williams, Lloyd E. 

Power Plus, Inc. 

4,754,271 

Liquid Crystal Photograph. 

Edwards, Willie 

4,754,418 

Combined Electronic Calculator and Credit 

Card. 

Hara, Kazuya 

Casio Computer Co., Ltd. 

4,755,804 

System for Feeding and Controlling Low 

Intensity Obstruction Lights. 

Levati, Aldo; Siviero, Pietro 

Telettra Telefonia Elettronica e Radio 

S.p.A. 

4,760,564 

Analog Electronic Timepiece with Charging 

Function. 

Odagiri, Hiroshi 

Seiko Instruments, Inc. 

4,760,918 

Pocketbook Type Electronic Apparatus. 

Washizuka, Isamu; Tanimoto, Akira 

Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,760,954 

Auxiliary Equipment for the Thermostatic 

Valve of a Radiator. 

Hansen, Allan H. 

Danfoss AlS 

4,763,126 

Mooring Location System. 

Jawetz, Ira 

Subject Index 133 
4,763,310 

Bectronic Clock with Solar Cell and 

Rechangeable Battery. 

Goetzberger, Adolf 

Fraunhofer·Geselischaft zur Forderung 

4,764,850 

Solar-Powered Display Device. 

Albanese, Philip 

4,764,910 

Bectronic Timepiece. 

Ichikawa, Shingo 

Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. 

4,765,623 

Talking Crystal Ball Toy. 

Cardillo, Gary J.; Cahill, Douglas R. 

4,771 ,556 

Sport Shoe with Melody Emitting Device. 

Kim, Young J. 

Samwha Co. 

4,772,990 

Solar Powered Warning Flasher. 

Linehan, Dave M.; Zaderej, Victor V.; Hahs, 

Jr., Charles A. 

CNI 

4,775,800 

Power· Supply Apparatus. 

Wood, Peter 

Westinghouse Electric Corp. 

4,778,378 

Self-Powered Intermittent Ignition And 

Control System for Gas C(jmbustion 

Appliances. 

Dolnick, Earl M.; Goldstein, Mark K. 

Quantum Group, Inc. 

4,782,432 

Multi-Function Light. 

Coffman, Stephen L. 

ME Generations Inc. 

4,782,617 

Water Temperature Measurement Apparatus. 

Peikin, Aaron J. 

None 

4,782,628 

Gate Opening Apparatus. 

Gaddis, John J. 

134 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988 · 1 990 

4,783,799 

Electronic Communications And Control 

System. 

Maass, Joachim A. 

4,784,215 

Thermal Insulating Shades. 

Sing, Peter 

4,785,226 

Powder Supply Device With Solar Cell. 

Fujisawa, Hidetaka; Wakita, Katsuhiro 

Casio Computer Co., Ltd. 

4,785,435 

Self-Chargeable Bectronic Timepiece with 

Operating Voltage Checking. 

Inoue, Yuichi; Nakamura, Chiaki; Ohtawa, 

Shuji; Masaki, Hiroyuki 

Seiko Instruments, Inc. 

4,785,436 

Photovoltaic Electronic Timepiece. 

Sase, Masahiro 

Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. 

4,786,851 

Battery Charger. 

Fuji, Sadao; Yamawski, Takeharu; Takamatsu, 

Osamu; Kuwamura, Shinji; Suenobu, Kazuhiro; 

Nakano Hiroshi 

Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,787,167 

Apparatus Artificial Fishing Lures Having 

Variable Characteristics. 

Wrociawski, Michel T. 

4,788,904 

Assembly for Cooling Vehicle Parts. 

Radtke, Wolfgang 

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft 

4,791,413 

Soil Moisture Detector With Light 

Activated Audio Alarm Inhibitor. 

Lyczek, Kazimierz E. 

4,791,621 

Solar Cell Powered Clock Having A 

Decorative Pendulum. 

Wild, Gerhard; Haller, Edgar 

Junghans Uhren GmbH 

4,794,305 

Substrate Support Structure For Ion 

Implantation Device. 

Matsukawa, Takyuki 

Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha 
1 989 

4,794,715 

Motor-Driven Map Holder. 

Cherwin, Charles 

4,796,370 

Numerical Display Module. 

Chang, Kwangling 

4,797,535 

T ungsten·Halogen Heater. 

Martin, Wayne A. 

4,800,803 

Ventilation Device. 

Farmont, Rolf 

Farmont Production GmbH & Co., KG 

4,804,858 

Power Supply Circuit For A Diode Adapted 

To Emit Light In Dependence Of The 

Prevailing Surrounding Light. 

Jorlov, Richard; Nystrom, Lars; 

Lewenhaupt, Sixten 

Aimpoint AB 

4,806,095 

Fuel Valve Control System. 

Goldstein, Mark K.; Dolnick, Earl M. 

Quantum Group, Inc. 

4,806,855 

System For Rating Electric Power 

Transmission Lines and Equipment. 

Davis, Murray W. 

4,807,686 

Shade System. 

Schnebly, John; Marusak, Thomas J. 

Comfortex Corporation 

4,808,904 

Portable Photovoltaic Battery Recharger. 

Ricaud, Alain M.; Artigliere, Fiore 

Solarex Corporation 

. 

4,809,458 

Self-Luminous Buoy. 

Tanikuro, Hideo; Nagamatsu, Kimiaki 

Nichimo Co., Ltd. 

4,811,694 

Bird Feeder With Scale. 

Holmquist, Melvin L. 

4,823,241 

Portable Solar Charged Operated Lamp 

Having Orientation Switch For Selectively 

Energizing Lamp Based Upon Its Physical 

Orientation. 

Trattner, Burton 

Harvey-Westbury Corp. 

4,823,928 

Electronic Parking Meter System. 

Speas, Gary W. 

POM, Incorporated 

4,827,206 

Solar Power System For Electronic Parking 

Meter. 

Speas, Gary W. 

POM, Incorporated 

4,827,246 

Hydrocarbon and Water Level Sensor System 

Used To Monitor Underground Storage Sites. 

Dolan, James P.; Dolan, Patrick M. 

4,827,534 

Sun-Powered Vest. 

Haugen, Alvin E. 

4,827,645 

Illuminated Trash Receptacle. 

Stamps, Jr., William E. 

Clean Scene Advertising, Inc. 

4,830,606 

Gas Lamp and Control Thereof. 

Dillinger, Bill R. 

4,833,697 

Writing Instrument for Electronic Counting 

and Gravity Switch Reset. 

Perna, Fred P.; Peterson, Stuart R. 

Fred P. Perna 

4,835,664 

Solar Lighting Device For Garden Or 

Driveway. 

Wen, Hung-Sheng 

4,835,918 

Device for Shading Spaces. 

Dippel, Hans-Jurgen 

MWB Messwandler-Bau AG 

4,836,012 

Gas Sensor. 

Daly, Mitchell E.; Schmidt, Ferenc J. 

Ametek, Inc. 

Subject Index 135 
4,836,786 

Demonstration Calculator. 

Wong, Robert P. 

Joseph Leeb Enterprises, Inc. 

4,839,039 

Automatic Flow-Control Device. 

Parsons, Natan E.; Novak, Joel S. 

Recurrent Solutions Limited Partnership 

4,839,106 

Portable Misting Fan. 

Steiner, Gregory 

Gregory A. Steiner 

4,839,833 

Programmable Display Engineering Scale. 

Parhiskari. Mustafa 

4,841,157 

Optical Backscatter Turbidimeter Sensor. 

Downing, Jr., John P. 

4,841,278 

Self-lIIuminant Delineator And Delineator 

System By Use Thereof. 

. 

Tezuka, Hirofumi; Nogami, Kouji; Koyano. 

Toshihide 

Kyocera Corporation 

4,841 ,416 

Solar Charging Lamp. 

Doss, Todd 

4,843,525 

Solar Powered Yard Marker. 

Williams, Lloyd E. 

Power Plus, Inc. 

4,847,546 

Solar Panel Output Enhancement Circuit. 

Bobier, Joseph A.; Brown, Gerald E. 

Bobier Electronics, Inc. 

4,851,308 

Solid-State Energy Storage Cell Wherein 

The Electrolyte Comprises An Organic Support 

And An Inorganic Salt. 

Akhtar, Masud 

Chronar Corp. 

4,856,605 

Nonsystem-Connected Electronic Balance. 

Cornelius. Klaus; Exner, Rainer 

Sartorius GmbH 

4,864, 100 

Controlled Zone Defrosting System. 

Cicak, Michael J. 

Glasstech International, loP. 

136 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1 988 · 1990 

4,864,763 

Temperature Measurement Apparatus for Use 

in Recreational and Sporting Activities. 

Peikin, Aaron J. 

4,867, 191 

Solar Activated Gas Light Control Module. 

Walters, Jon S. 

American General Products, Inc. 

4,868,376 

Intelligent Portable Interactive Personal 

Data System. 

Lessin. Arlen R.; Gruppuso, Frank M.; 

Harrison. Shelley A. 

SmartCard International Inc. 

4,871,042 

Electric Bicycle. 

Hsu, Chi-chu; Yu, Chin-ching; Chao, Suyueh; 

Huang, Miguel C.J. 

4,871 ,959 

Solar Trickle Charger for Lead Acid 

Batteries. 

Gali, Carl E. 

4,872,149 

Electronic Advertising System for Solar 

Powered Parking Meter. 

Speas, Gary W. 

POM, Incorporated 

4,872,679 

Combination Table Top Football And Hockey 

Game. 

Bohaski, Frank lo; Horner, Jr .• Jack lo 

4,873,790 

Plant Spinner. 

Laterza, Joseph 

4,875,031 

Vapor Monitoring System. 

Filippi, Ernest A.; Miller. Kenneth lo 

4,878,043 

Device for Indicating Hydroculture-Related 

Values. 

Heusquin. Guy; Heusquin, Anke 

4,879,760 

Optical Fiber Transmissive Signal 

Modulation System. 

Kroll, Mark W.; Pommrehn, Mark R. 

Cherne Medical, Inc. 
4,882,239 

Light-Rechargeable Battery. 

Grimmer, Derrick P.; Wenz, Robert P. 

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company 

4,882,471 

Electronic Equipment Using A Cover. 

Kai, Tomoko 

Canon Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,884,017 

Solar Powered Construction Light. 

Williams, Lloyd E. 

Power Plus, Inc. 

4,890,093 

Solar Powered Proximity Triggered Light. 

Allison, James R.; Bolin, Garry J. 

Schlage Lock Company 

1990 

307,032 

Electronic Calculator with Solar Cell. 

Sawada, Masaji; Takahashi, Toshiya 

Sharp Corporation 

308,693 

Electronic Calculator with Solar Cell. 

Sakaguchi, Hiroshi; lida, Katsuhiro 

Sharp Corporation 

309,747 

Electronic Calculator with Solar Cel/. 

Sakaguchi, Hiroshi; Saimen, Tadahiko 

Sharp Corporation 

310,093 

Electronic Calculator with Solar Cel/. 

Sakaguchi, Hiroshi; lida, Katsuhiro 

Sharp Corporation 

4_942,629 

Ski Goggles with Heated Lens. 

Stadlmann, Gunter 

Optyl Eyewear Fashion International 

Corporation 

4,893,356 

Air Conditioned Headwear Having 

Convertible Power Module. 

Waters, William A. 

4,896,305 

Animal Luring Device. 

Gimbal, Eric A. 

4,896,452 

Solar Powered Bait Box. 

Smith, Harry D.; Sapp, Fletcher D. 

4,898,531 

Photosensitive Control of Electrically 

Powered Emissive Ignition Devices. 

Goldstein, Mark K.; Dolnick, Earl M. 

Quantum Group, Inc. 

4,899,044 

Optically Coupled Remote Sensor Apparatus 

and System. 

Hansen, J. Richard; Asars, Juris A.; Oates, 

Robert M. 

Westinghouse Electric Corp. 

4,899,645 

Solar Powered Ventilator. 

Wolfe, Philip R.; Callaghan, John K.; 

Pidgeon, Simon 

Intersolar Ltd. 

4,900,432 

Pool Surface Cleaner. 

Arnold, Aaron L.; Woodward, Daniel A. 

4,901,295 

Device Comprising a Solar Cell for Winding 

a Barrel Spring. 

Taguezout, Daho; Xuan, Mai T. 

Asulab SA 

4,903,1 72 

Display Construction. 

Sch6niger, Karl-Heinz; Scheid, Winfried 

4,904,998 

Lighting Peg with Variable Pulsation 

Rate. 

Niimi, Kikuo 

Kictec Incorporation 

4,905,579 

Radon Gas Ventilation Pump System and 

Method. 

Dame, Richard E. 

4,906,178 

Self-Powered Gas Appliance. 

Goldstein, Mark K.; Dolnick, Earl M.; Bass, 

John C. 

Quantum Group, Inc. 

4,91 1 ,257 

Vehicle Having a Solar Battery System. 

Kajimoto, Shinshi; Niitani, Tooru;. 

Michihara, Osamu; Kuroiwa, Mitsutoshi 

Mazda Motor Corporation 

Subject Index 137 
4,916,296 

Light Modulating Smart Card. 

Streck, Donald A. 

Jerry R. Iggulden 

4,922,088 

Automatic Solar Lighting Apparatus Having 

a Solar Following Sensor. 

Kasuya, Satoshi 

Technology Network, Inc. 

4,925,335 

Prefabricated Continuous Roadmarking Tape 

Having Optical and Electromagnetic 

Function. 

Eigenmann, Ludwig 

4,929,842 

Electro-Optical Measuring and Transmission 

Device Using Overload and Overvoltage 

Protection Circuits. 

ter Hasebrg, Jan l.; Nedwig, Joachim; 

Kruse, Klaus-Dieter 

Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs GmbH 

4,929,942 

Lighting Peg. 

Niimi, Kikuo 

Kictec Incorporation 

4,933,618 

Chair for Sunbathing. 

Ortlieb, Johann F. 

4,934,338 

Method and Apparatus for Preheating 

Ventilation Air for a Building. 

Hollick, John C.; Peter, Rolf W. 

Solarwall International Limited 

4,935,742 

Automatic Radar Generator. 

Marin, Jonathan 

4,936,043 

Live Bait Container Incorporating Aerator 

and Power Supply. 

Steele, John J. 

4,939,986 

Exhaust Ventilator. 

Turner, Charles R. 

John C. Garvin, Jr. and Harold W. Hilton 

4,942,723 

Solar Powered Lawnmower. 

Wassell, Stephen R. 

138 U.S. PhOlovoltaic Patents: 1988 · 1990 

4,955,982 

Raised Depressible Pavement Marker. 

Paulos, Harry D. 

Olympic Machines, Inc. 

4,959,603 

Solar Battery Equipment. 

Yamamoto, Shigeo; Noda, Toshio 

Osaka Titanium Co., Ltd. 

4,963,811 

Method and Apparatus for Powering 

Electrical and Electronic Consuming Devices 

with Solar Energy. 

Weber, Hans R. 

4,967,895 

Parameter Control System for Electronic 

Parking Meter. 

Speas, Gary W. 

POM, Incorporated 

4,970,453 

Solar Charging System for an IC Card 

Having Voltage Current Regulation. 

Oogita, Yoshinori 

Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,975,584 

Method and Apparatus for Collecting, 

Processing and Displaying Ultraviolet 

Radiation Data. 

Benjamin, Thomas l.; Robillard, Jean J. 

Mountain Ocean, Ltd. 

4,975,816 

Lens for Low Light Level Lamp. 

Frost, John S.; Erickson, Mark R.; Seegan, 

Kimberly E.; Felder, Bethanne; Wallace, 

Lloyd V. 

Siemens Solar Industries 

4,980,574 

Solar Irrigation D.C. to A.C. Power System 

Supplying A. C. Voltage at a Precise Power 

Frequency. 

Cirrito, William J. 

Photocomm, Inc. 
PV-Hybrid Systems (PV-thermal, 

photoelectrochemical) 

1988 

4,730,602 

Apparatus for Automatically Directing 

Solar Radiation Focused by a Reflector. 

Posnansky, Mario; Posnansky, Hernan 

4,746,370 

Photothermophotovoltaic Converter. 

Woolf, Lawrence D. 

GA Technologies, Inc. 

4,751,413 

Solar Energy Motor. 

Izawa, Hideo 

Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha 

4,768,738 

Flexible Solar Skin in Combination with an 

Airplane. 

Weinert, Friedrich 

4,771,763 

Solar Powered Fluid Heating System. 

Wetzel, Jr., Otto K. 

Wetzel Enterprises, Inc. 

4,771,764 

Water-Borne Azimuth-Altitude Tracking 

Solar Concentrators. 

Cluff, C. Brent 

4,776,895 

Multiband Emitter Matched to Multilayer 

Photo voltaic Collector. 

Goldstein, Mark K. 

Quantum Group, Inc. 

4,784,215 

Thermal Insulating Shades. 

Sing, Peter 

4,784,700 

Point Focus Solar Concentrator Using 

Reflector Strips of Various Geometries to 

Form Primary and Secondary Reflectors. 

Stern, Theodore G.; Cornwall, Mickey; 

Kaincz, Bela; Mildice, James W. 

General Dynamics Corp.lSpace Systems Div. 

4,793,799 

Photovoltaic Control System. 

Goldstein, Mark K.; Dolnick, Earl M. 

Quantum Group, Inc. 

1989 

4,797,535 

Tungsten-Halogen Heater. 

Martin, Wayne A. 

4,830,677 

Solar Generator. 

Geisler, Jr., Herbert A. 

4,836,862 

Thermophotovoltaic System. 

Pelka, David G.; Popovich, John M.; 

Fleishman, Roc V. 

4,841,731 

Electrical Energy Production Apparatus. 

Tindell, Gene 

Electrical Generation Technology, Inc. 

4,841,946 

Solar Collector, Transmitter and Heater. 

Marks, Alvin M. 

4,860,509 

Photo voltaic Cells In Combination With 

Single Ply Roofing Membranes. 

Laaly, Heshmat 0.; Stevenson, Edward J. 

4,885,995 

Solar Induction Monorail System and Method 

of Using. 

Antosh, Mark J. 

4,888,063 

Variable Aperture, Variable Flux Density, 

Aerospace Solar Collector. 

Powell, Roger A. 

1990 

4,892,593 

Solar Trap. 

Lew, Hyok S. 

4,898,531 

Photosensitive Control of Electrically 

Powered Emissive Ignition Devices. 

Goldstein, Mark K.; Dolnick, Earl M. 

Quantum Group, Inc. 

4,906,178 

Self-Powered Gas Appliance. 

Goldstein, Mark K.; Dolnick, Earl M.; Bass, 

John C. 

Quantum Group, Inc. 

4,910,963 

Solar Energy Process. 

Vanzo, Gordon F. 

Subject Index 1 39 
4,916,035 

Photoelectrochemical Cel/s Having 

Functions as a Solar Cel/ and a Secondary 

Cel/. 

Yamashita, Akio; Sekido, Satoshi; Takeda, 

Takeshi; Tsuchiya, Sohji 

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. 

4,918,357 

Combination Incandescent and 

Solar-Electric Light Bulb with Automatic 

Switching Device and Charging Means 

Therefor. 

Waterbury, Nelson J. 

4,934,338 

Method and Apparatus for Preheating 

Ventilation Air for a Building. 

Hollick, John C.; Peter, Rolf W. 

Solarwall International Limited 

4,946,512 

Solar Energy Col/ector Device. 

Fukuroi, Takeo; Yoshida, Shinichirou; 

Ohmura, Akira 

Yoshida Kogyo K. K. 

4,956,877 

Optical Fiber Reflective Signal Modulation 

System. 

Kroll, Mark W.; Pommrehn, Mark R. 

Cherne Medical, Inc. 

4,964,793 

Solar Induction Monorail Fabrication 

Apparatus. 

Antosh, Mark J. 

4,976,606 

Thermophotovoltaic Technology. 

Nelson, Robert E. 

TPV Energy Systems, Inc. 

Systems SUPP'ort (testing, maintenance 

operation, ani:l control) 

1988 

4,742,291 

Interface Control for Storage Battery 

Based Alternate Energy Systems. 

Bobier, Joseph A.; Brown, Gerald E. 

Bobier Electronics, Inc. 

140 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1 988 - 1990 

4,775,800 

Power-Supply Apparatus. 

Wood, Peter 

Westinghouse Electric Corp. 

4,775,923 

Inverter For Converting A Direct Voltage 

Into An Alternating Voltage. 

Schmid, Jurgen; Schatzle, Rainer 

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der 

angewandten Forschung e V. 

4,792,749 

Power Source Voltage Detector Device 

Incorporated in LSI Circuit. 

Kitagawa, Nobutaka; Ito, Makoto 

Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba 

4,793,799 

Photovottaic Control System. 

Goldstein, Mark K.; Dolnick, Earl M. 

Quantum Group, Inc. 

1 989 

303,244 

Combined Flexible Solar Cel/ Panel and 

Deployment/Storage Mast. 

Hanak, Joseph J. 

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. 

4,812,737 

Voltage Regulator For Solar Cel/ Arrays. 

Fleck, Gerald W. 

TRW Inc. 

4,819,121 

Security Apparatus for Power Converter. 

Saito, uzuo; Higaki, Shigetoshi 

Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba 

4,846,425 

Method and Apparatus for Atomic Beam 

Irradiation. 

Champetier, Robert J. 

Hughes Aircraft Company 

4,847,546 

Solar Panel Output Enhancement Circuit. 

Bobier, Joseph A.; Brown, Gerald E. 

Bobier Electronics, Inc. 

4,851,308 

Solid-State Energy Storage Cell Wherein 

The Electrolyte Comprises An Organic Support 

And An Inorganic Salt. 

Akhtar, Masud 

Chronar Corp. 
4,868,379 

Photovoltaic Array With Two-Axis Power 

Maximization Tracking. 

West, Rick 

Utility Power Group 

4,873,480 

Coupling Network for Improving Conversion 

Efficiency of Photo voltaic Power Source. 

Lafferty, Donald L. 

1 990 

4,963,81 1 

Method and Apparatus for Powering 

Electrical and Electronic Consuming Devices 

with Solar Energy. 

Weber, Hans R. 

Subject Index 141 
142 U.S. Photovoltaic Patents: 1988 - 1 990 *U,S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1992-312-687165609