US1708773A - Photo-electric cell - Google Patents

Description

, P 9, 1929. A. B. PAGE PHAOTO ELECTRIC CELL Filed April 27, 1925 Inventor: Albert B. Page,

D His Attorn ey.

'40 abulb Patented Apr. 9, 1929.

I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT 3. PAGE, OF SCHENEGTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

PHOTO-ELECTRIC CELL.

Application filed April 27, 1925. Serial No. 25,965.

This application relates to improvements in electrical apparatus, and more particularly to an improvement in photo-electric cells.

I It is an object of my invention to provide a photo-electric cell which will have a greater efiiciency than the type of photo-electric cell which has generally been employed up to the present time.

In carrying my invention into effect I roughen the interior surface of the ordinary photo-electric cell by fusing to the glass bulb portion of the cell, numerous small glass particles having the same coefiicient of expansion as the bulb. The roughened surface is then given the usualcoatings of silver andlight sensitive material. I have found that a photo-electric cell thus constructed will give a greater current than a similar cell having a smooth light sensitive surface. While I have not determined the exact cause of the. increased current I believe that it is probably due to the fact that a roughened light sensitive surface of given dimensions absorbs more light than a light sensitive smooth surface having similar dimensions.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, will best be understood by reference to the followin description taken in connection with the fo owof a photo-electric cell constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a view partly broken away and on an enlarged sca e o a portion of a bulb of a photo-electric cell. Referring to the drawing, I have indicated at 1 a photo-electric cell orcontainer having portion 2, a neck portion 3, an anode 4, and the usual cathode connectlon 5. In

mg drawing in which Fig. 1 isan elevation the process of manufacture, small glass particles 6 capable of passing through a 40 mesh sieve but retained by a 60 mesh sieve are introduced into the bulb through the neck portion 3. The bulb is then heated and revolved slowly.. In this manner the glass particles are evenly distributed over substantially the entire inner surface of the bulb, and fused thereto and to each other. In producing the roughened surface of the cell care should be taken, however, to keep the glass particles away from the smooth window portion 7 of the cell.

After the interior surface of the bulb has been roughened, in the manner indicated, the container is evacuated and a coating of silver applied to the roughened surface. A coating of potassium is then applied to the silvered surface and formed by passing a glow discharge in hydrogen. The hydrogen is finally displaced and replaced by argon.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent from the United States, 1s:-

1. A photo-electric cell havin a roughened surface, a coating of li ht sensitive material on said roughened sur ace said coating comprising a cathode, and an anode positioned 1n photo-electron-receiving relation with respect to said cathode.

2. A light sensitive cell including a container, an anode located therein a plurality of glass particles fused to and projecting from the surface of said container to thereby provide a roughened interior portion, and a coating of light-sensitive material on said roughened portion. v

1 In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 25th day of April, 1925.

ALBERT B. PAGE.

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