Flat tubular solar cells and method of producing same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A solar cell unit comprising in combination:
- a substantially monocrystalline semi-conductor body in the form of a substantially flat oval tube having first and second opposed and mutually spaced flat side wall sections connected together by a pair of opposed edge sections, said side wall sections being substantially larger than said edge sections;
said tube having a radiation-receiving outer surface and a photo-voltaic junction which is close to said outer surface and is capable of responding to radiant energy passing through said surface, said outer surface being substantially flat along the length and breadth of said side wall sections; and
at least first, second and third electrodes for coupling said unit to an external circuit;
said first and third electrodes (1) being carried on said first and second flat side wall sections, respectively, of said radiation receiving outer surface, and (2) each comprising a plurality of spaced conductors, and said second electrode being carried by an inner surface of said body.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides solar cells in the form of substantially flat oval tubes, i.e. cells having a substantially flat oval ring cross-section.
38 Citations
10 Claims
-
1. A solar cell unit comprising in combination:
-
a substantially monocrystalline semi-conductor body in the form of a substantially flat oval tube having first and second opposed and mutually spaced flat side wall sections connected together by a pair of opposed edge sections, said side wall sections being substantially larger than said edge sections; said tube having a radiation-receiving outer surface and a photo-voltaic junction which is close to said outer surface and is capable of responding to radiant energy passing through said surface, said outer surface being substantially flat along the length and breadth of said side wall sections; and at least first, second and third electrodes for coupling said unit to an external circuit; said first and third electrodes (1) being carried on said first and second flat side wall sections, respectively, of said radiation receiving outer surface, and (2) each comprising a plurality of spaced conductors, and said second electrode being carried by an inner surface of said body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A method of producing a solar cell unit comprising the steps of:
-
a. providing a substantially monocrystalline body of a semiconductor material in the form of a flat oval tube having a pair of opposed mutually spaced flat side wall sections connected together by a pair of opposed edge sections, said side wall sections being substantially larger than said edge sections; b. forming a photo-voltaic junction near the outer surface of said tube along said side wall sections and said edge sections; and c. forming electrodes on the outer and inner surfaces of said side wall sections, with separate electrodes being formed on the outer surfaces of each of said flat side wall sections. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
-
Specification