Solar cell cover glass

Details Solar cell cover glass Solar cell cover glass

1999-04-23

2001-03-27

Bell, Mark L. (Department: 1755)

Compositions: ceramic

Ceramic compositions

Glass compositions, compositions containing glass other than...

C501S067000, C501S069000, C501S072000, C136S256000, C136S257000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06207603

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Glasses adapted to produce microsheet cover glass for use in solar cells.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,634 (Danielson) discloses glasses having borosilicate compositions developed for production of microsheet to be used in cover glasses on solar cells. The cover glasses are strongly resistant to solarization, exhibit a cutoff value of 50% at 370 nm. for ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and have properties adapted to forming microsheets.
The glass compositions disclosed in the Danielson patent consist essentially of, expressed in terms of weight percent on an oxide basis:
SiO
2
59-63
ZnO
6.5-7.5
B
2
O
3
 8.75-10  
CeO
2
4-6
Al
2
O
3
  2-2.5
TiO
2
1-3
Na
2
O
6.75-7.75
CeO
2
+ TiO
2
6-8
K
2
O
6.25-7.0 
Sb
2
O
3
  0-0.5
A commercial glass, based on these composition ranges, was developed that has proven eminently satisfactory for use in producing microsheet cover glass for solar cells. Recent developments in solar cell use, particularly for space vehicles or a station, have imposed severe limitations on cover glasses for such cells.
One such requirement is to provide as great a solar spectral transmission as possible. This is necessary to provide maximum efficiency in solar cells used to provide power to space vehicles. It is a purpose of the present invention to provide a cover glass improved in these respects, and a solar cell embodying such cover glass.
In this regard, another purpose is to provide a glass having a sharp cutoff in the UV portion of the spectrum. This maximizes solar intensity while still protecting an organic adhesive against deterioration by shorter wavelength, UV radiation.
Finally, the possible danger of a static electrical discharge in a space vehicle imposes a requirement of a lower bulk electrical resistivity in the glass. This is necessary to aid in reducing buildup of static charge on the space vehicle. It is, then, another purpose to provide a cover glass having a low bulk resistivity.
Over and above providing these several improvements, it has also been required that the properties described in the Danielson patent for forming microsheet glass be at least retained, and preferably improved. A final purpose, then, is to reach this desired end.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention resides, in part, in a glass that has properties that permit the glass to be drawn as microsheet, that has a transmission greater than about 90% at wavelengths greater than 370 nm., that has a sharp cutoff between 310-370 nm., that has a transmission no greater than about 50% at about 330 nm., and that has a composition consisting essentially of, expressed in terms of weight percent on an oxide basis:
SiO
2
59-69
ZnO
6.5-8.5
B
2
O
3
 8.5-14  
CeO
2
0.25-3  
Al
2
O
3
  2-2.5
TiO
2
0-1
Na
2
O
 5.5-12.5
CeO
2
+ TiO
2
  0-0.5
K
2
O
0-8
Sb
2
O
3
  0-0.5
The invention further resides in a solar cell having, as a component, a cover glass as defined above.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4106946 (1978-08-01), Ritze
patent: 4746634 (1988-05-01), Danielson
patent: 5108960 (1992-04-01), Boek et al.
patent: 5219801 (1993-06-01), Shorrock et al.
patent: 5569630 (1996-10-01), Landa et al.
patent: 5618763 (1997-04-01), Frank et al.
patent: 5714422 (1998-02-01), Favrot et al.
patent: 5827790 (1998-10-01), Evans et al.
patent: 0 261 885 A1 (1987-09-01), None
patent: 0 505 061 A3 (1992-03-01), None
patent: 0 779 252 A1 (1996-11-01), None
patent: 54-055016 (1979-05-01), None
patent: 62-187141 (1987-08-01), None
patent: 63-215533 (1998-09-01), None
“CMG Solar Cell Coverglasses” report from Pilkington Space Technology (no further info prov.) (No Date Available).

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Solar cell cover glass does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Solar cell cover glass, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Solar cell cover glass will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2461339