US 10230009

Here is a concise summary of US patent 10230009:

US Patent 10230009: Solar cell and method for manufacturing the same

• Title: Solar cell and method for manufacturing the same
• Assignee: Trina Solar Co Ltd (Current Assignee as of March 18, 2024)
• Inventors: Jungmin Ha, Sungjin Kim, Juhwa CHEONG, Junyong Ahn, Hyungwook Choi, Wonjae CHANG, Jaesung Kim
• Filing Date: June 1, 2018
• Issue Date: March 12, 2019

Abstract:
A solar cell and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The solar cell includes a semiconductor substrate, a tunnel layer on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, a first conductive type semiconductor region on the tunnel layer and configured to include impurities of a first conductive type, a second conductive type semiconductor region on a second surface which is the opposite surface of the semiconductor substrate and configured to include impurities of a second conductive type opposite the first conductive type, a first passivation film on the first conductive type semiconductor region, a first electrode formed on the first passivation film and connected to the first conductive type semiconductor region through an opening portion formed in the first passivation film, a second passivation film on the second conductive type semiconductor region, and a second electrode formed on the second passivation film and connected to the second conductive type semiconductor region through an opening portion formed in the second passivation film.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Solar Cell Structure): This claim describes a solar cell with a semiconductor substrate. A very thin insulating layer, called a tunnel layer, is on one side of the substrate. On top of this tunnel layer is a semiconductor layer (called the "first conductive type semiconductor region") with specific impurities. On the opposite side of the main substrate, there's another semiconductor layer (the "second conductive type semiconductor region") with different impurities. Both these top layers have a protective "passivation film" covering them. Finally, electrical contacts (electrodes) are connected to each semiconductor layer by going through openings in their respective passivation films.

• Independent Claim 11 (Method for Manufacturing a Solar Cell): This claim outlines the steps to build such a solar cell. It starts with forming the tunnel layer on one side of the semiconductor substrate. Then, an intrinsic (undoped) semiconductor layer is formed over the tunnel layer. This intrinsic layer is then doped with impurities to create the "first conductive type semiconductor region." Separately, impurities are added to the other side of the main semiconductor substrate to create the "second conductive type semiconductor region." Next, a passivation film is formed over the first semiconductor region. The final step involves creating the electrical contacts (electrodes) which connect to both the first and second semiconductor regions.

• Independent Claim 18 (Solar Cell Structure with Isolation Portion): This claim describes a solar cell similar to Claim 1, but it includes an additional structural feature: an "isolation portion." This isolation portion is designed to physically separate the first and second conductive type semiconductor regions, preventing unwanted electrical contact between them. This isolation feature is located at the edge of the semiconductor substrate (on the front, back, or side). Importantly, this isolation portion does not include the tunnel layer or the first semiconductor region itself. The first passivation film extends to cover this isolation portion, providing additional protection.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
As of April 26, 2026, a search of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) dockets for May and June 2026 did not explicitly show any cases directly involving US Patent 10230009. While other litigation related to this patent (e.g., PTAB cases, International Trade Commission cases, and District Court cases) is noted in the patent's legal status information, specific CAFC dockets for 2026 referencing US10230009 were not found in the search results.