Patent US3590344A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3590344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Light activated semiconductor controlled rectifier
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1969-06-20
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Granted: 1971-06-29
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Expires: 1989-06-20
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure is concerned with a four region light activated controlled rectifier. The controlled rectifier, which comprises in part a body of silicon having four alternate regions of opposite type conductivity, the two end regions being emitter regions and two middle regions being base regions, is ''''turnedon'''' by light. The light enters at one major surface of the body passes entirely through the body to the opposed major surface where reflective means causes the light to pass back through the body. The reflection of the light causes the rectifier to be ''''turned-on'''' faster than possible with prior art devices.
Inventors
- 👤 John S Roberts
- 👤 Daniel R Muss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:50
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F30/00; H10F30/20; H10F30/21; H10F30/26; H10F30/263; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2817; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4202; G02B6/4295; H10W; H10W76/00; H10W76/10; H10W76/12; H10W76/13; H10W76/138
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1 in which the at least one groove forms an angle of at least 16.5* to the normal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 2 in which the semiconductor material is silicon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 3 in which the metal electrical contacts are aluminum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
131 words
A semiconductor device comprising a body of semiconductive material having four regions of alternate type conductivity, the regions at the opposite ends of the body comprising emitters, at least one of the emitters projecting into a generally flat surface of the body, the two intermediate regions between the emitter region comprising base regions, means for directing light energy onto said flat surface portion of the at least one emitter to initiate conduction through the device, at least some of the light energy being of a wavelength which will pass entirely through the four regions of the body; and reflective means disposed on a surface of the body which is substantially parallel to said flat surface, whereby the light energy reaching said surface is reflected back into the body of semiconductor material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 5 in which the reflective means is at least one groove formed in the surface of the body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 5 in which the reflective means is a plurality of grooves formed in the surface of the body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 7 in which the semiconductor material is silicon and each of the grooves forms an angle of at least 16.5* with the normal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 8 in which the light energy is provided by a neodymium doped laser.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-28 | 1974-12-28 | 1975-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-28 | 1978-12-28 | 1979-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-28 | 1982-12-28 | 1983-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |