Patents Examined by Kourtney R S Carlson
  • Patent number: 10594249
    Abstract: A photovoltaic phase change battery system for converting intermittent solar power into day and night electrical power is disclosed. A photovoltaic array is pointed toward a solar energy source, such as Earth's sun during daytime operation, where a portion of the electricity generated is used to convert a pool of phase change material to a molten state. During night time operation the photovoltaic array is pointed at the phase change material to receive photons from thermal radiation and continue the electricity generating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventors: Jerry M. Woodall, Thomas E. Rowley
  • Patent number: 10553807
    Abstract: A functional layer for an organic electronic device, which contains a non-conjugated polymer having an amine group, and an organic electronic device including the same. An organic electronic device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and one or more organic material layers disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the organic material layers include an electron transport layer, and the electron transport layer contains polyallylamine or polylysine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: GWANGJU INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kwanghee Lee, Hongkyu Kang
  • Patent number: 10553736
    Abstract: Provided is a photovoltaic power converter receiver, including a photovoltaic cell, a waveguide coupled to the photovoltaic cell, and an optical transmission device of which an end is coupled to the waveguide for transmitting an optical wave to the photovoltaic cell through the waveguide, wherein the end of the optical transmission device is offset from a longitudinal central axis of the waveguide by a distance Doffset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: MH GO POWER COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Mei-huan Yang, Terry Zahuranec, Cheng-Liang Wu, Remigio Perales, Wei-Sheng Chao, Kuo-Hsien Wu, Ying-Lin Tseng, Mu-Kai Su, Jonathan Jackson
  • Patent number: 10522880
    Abstract: A method of detecting metallic lithium present on an electrode of a lithium ion secondary battery includes depositing a lithium-reactive solution including an oxidized fluorescent dye onto the electrode to form a coated electrode. Concurrent to depositing, the method includes reducing the oxidized fluorescent dye to form a reduced dye and a plurality of lithium ions. The method further includes, after reducing, drying the coated electrode to again form the oxidized fluorescent dye. After drying, the method includes exposing the oxidized fluorescent dye to ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of from 100 nm to 500 nm to thereby illuminate and detect the metallic lithium. A lithium ion secondary battery system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Daniel R. Thompson, John M. Moote, Michael P. Balogh, Mark A. Hughes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10523152
    Abstract: Solar-operated adjustment device for a solar installation including, at least one retaining element for fixing at least one solar element, a swivel device which is designed and intended to swivel the retaining element around a support point, wherein the swivel device includes at least one liquid tank, wherein a float of the retaining element is arranged at least in part beneath a filling level of the liquid tank and the float is supported on a perimeter of the liquid tank, and the retaining element can only be swiveled around a support point with respect to a longitudinal axis of the liquid tank by means of its buoyancy and is mounted above the filling level, at least indirectly on the edge of the liquid tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Inventor: Claus Tennler
  • Patent number: 10461206
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a solar photovoltaic-thermal system, combined with a solar heat collection assembly and a solar cell assembly, so that solar energy utilization is more efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Changzhou Almaden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinxi Lin, Jinhan Lin, Yuting Lin
  • Patent number: 10461285
    Abstract: Provided is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a bottomed cylindrical positive electrode casing, and a negative electrode casing which is fixed to an opening of the positive electrode casing through a gasket. The opening of the positive electrode casing is caulked to the negative electrode casing side to seal an accommodation space. A caulking tip end in the opening of the positive electrode casing is disposed in an inward direction of the negative electrode casing than a tip end of the negative electrode casing. A diameter d of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is in a range of 6.6 mm to 7.0 mm, a height h1 of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is in a range of 1.9 mm to 2.3 mm, a side surface portion of the positive electrode casing is formed in a curved surface shape, a radius of curvature R is set in a range of 0.8 mm to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventor: Takumi Sawayama
  • Patent number: 10461682
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a solar panel in a solar panel mounting assembly is disclosed. The solar panel mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket and a helical drive, where the mounting bracket is vertically adjustable by the helical drive. The helical drive engages with a stanchion that is variably positioned along a base member that is fixed to a roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Schuit, Jason Mayfield, Klaus Nicolaedis, Todd Ganshaw
  • Patent number: 10446702
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion material includes a germanane derivative having a composition represented by GeXMYHZ. M includes at least one of Ga and In. X?Y, X?Z>0, and X+Y=1 are satisfied. A solar cell includes: a first electrode having electrical conductivity; a second electrode having electrical conductivity; and a light-absorbing layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, the light-absorbing layer converting incident light into electric charge. The light-absorbing layer includes the photoelectric conversion material above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroko Okumura
  • Patent number: 10424782
    Abstract: Presented in the present disclosure are nanocomposites and rechargeable batteries which are resistant to thermal runaway and are safe, reliable, and stable electrode materials for rechargeable batteries operated at high temperature and high pressure. The nanocomposites include a plurality of transition metal oxide nanoparticles, a plurality of ultrathin sheets of a first two-dimensional (2D) material, and a plurality of ultrathin sheets of a different 2D material, which act in synergy to provide an improved thermal stability, an increased surface area, and enhanced electrochemical properties to the nanocomposites. For example, rechargeable batteries that include the nanocomposites as an electrode material have an enhanced performance and stability over a broad temperature range from room temperature to high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Muhammad Arsalan, Edreese Alsharaeh, Yasmin Mussa, Faheem Ahmed
  • Patent number: 10388813
    Abstract: This solar cell module comprises: a base member curved in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction; a plurality of solar cells disposed on the base member; first wiring members connecting adjacent solar cells to one another in the vertical direction and forming a plurality of strings; and second wiring members connected to the first wiring members that extend out in the vertical direction from the top of the solar cells located at an end of the columns of the strings. The interval between the at least some of the second wiring members and the solar cells of the strings connected to those wiring members is narrower toward the end portions in the horizontal direction of the string group than toward the central portion in the horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
    Inventors: Isao Hasegawa, Kaori Misawa
  • Patent number: 10385390
    Abstract: A technique for a nanodevice is provided. A reservoir is separated into two parts by a membrane. A nanopore is formed through the membrane, and the nanopore connects the two parts of the reservoir. The nanopore and the two parts of the reservoir are filled with ionic buffer. The membrane includes a graphene layer and insulating layers. The graphene layer is wired to first and second metal pads to form a graphene transistor in which transistor current flowing through the graphene transistor is modulated by charges or dipoles passing through the nanopore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hongbo Peng, Gustavo A. Stolovitzky, Wenjuan Zhu
  • Patent number: 10383207
    Abstract: Layers of conductive foil and insulating material are configured to interconnect an array of rear-contact solar cells. An embodiment provides that the layer of conductive foil may be patterned to form repeating sets of electrically isolated, interdigitated fingers. Each set of interdigitated fingers may be used to connect the positive polarity contacts of a first rear-contact solar cell to the negative polarity contacts of a second, adjacent rear-contact cell. The insulating layer is attached to the patterned conductive foil and provides mechanical support and/or electrical isolation. In some embodiments, a protective backsheet may be disposed beneath the conductive foil and/or insulating layer to provide further mechanical support and environmental protection. In some embodiments, the layers of conductive foil and insulating material may be incorporated as an interconnect circuit in a rear-contact PV module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: CELLINK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kevin Michael Coakley
  • Patent number: 10355282
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a cell, a cell stack, an electrochemical module and an electrochemical apparatus that can suppress decrease in output power. [Solution] A cell includes a solid oxide electrolyte layer 9, a fuel electrode layer 8 on one of the main surfaces of the electrolyte layer 9, and an oxygen electrode layer 10 on the other. The oxygen electrode layer 10 contains a plurality of pores, and the pore size distribution observed at a section of the oxygen electrode layer has at least three peaks (a first peak p1, a second peak p2 and a third peak p3). This structure leads to a cell, a cell stack, an electrochemical module and an electrochemical apparatus that can suppress decrease in output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Nakayama, Tetsuaki Ozaki, Norimitsu Fukami
  • Patent number: 10320014
    Abstract: A system for managing water content in one or more electrochemical cells, each comprising a plurality of electrodes and a liquid ionically conductive medium, includes a first gas-phase conduit for receiving humid gas-phase associated with the electrochemical cell. The system also includes a desiccator unit communicated to the first air conduit and configured for extracting water from the humid gas-phase. The system additionally includes a heater for selectively heating the desiccant to selectively release extracted water from the desiccator unit. The system further includes a return conduit communicating the desiccator unit to the ionically conductive medium for receiving extracted water from the desiccator unit, and directing the extracted water to the ionically conductive medium. Other associated systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: NANTENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Cody A. Friesen, Peter Kalal
  • Patent number: 10283822
    Abstract: A battery module assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a heat pipe having a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked in one direction, a coupling part which is in contact with and coupled to the side surface part of the battery module, and a cooling part which extends from the coupling part so as to project away from the battery module; and a cooling plate, one surface of which is in contact with and coupled to the cooling part of the heat pipe. A cooling passage may be formed on the other surface of the cooling plate. According to the present invention, heat generated from the battery module including the battery cell can be cooled effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: SK INNOVATION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gil Jae You, Ji Seok Lee, Hyun Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 10250180
    Abstract: The invention relates to a holding device (1) for a solar panel (2) on a parapet (3) of a balcony, said device having at least the following components: —a connection arrangement (4) for connecting an element to be held, wherein the connection arrangement has at least one support (5, 6, 7, 8) for placing on a parapet; and —at least one transverse strut (9, 10) for bridging a parapet width, wherein the at least one transverse strut is connected to the connection arrangement and has at least one flange (12, 13) for placing on a parapet, wherein by means of a movement of the at least one flange towards the connection arrangement, the at least one flange and the at least one support press in opposite directions against the parapet. The invention disclosed relates to a holding device which allows for greater flexibility with regard to the structure of a balcony parapet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: INDIELUX UG (HAFTUNGSBESCHRÄNKT)
    Inventors: Marcus Vietzke, Fabian Friedrich
  • Patent number: 10224527
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the invention has a power generating element with a single-cell layer which comprises a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material layer formed on a surface of a positive electrode collector, a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material layer formed on a surface of a negative electrode collector and a separator disposed between the positive electrode the negative electrode and containing a non-aqueous electrolyte, in which a value RA (=Rzjis (2)/Rzjis(1)) for the ratio between the surface roughness (Rzjis(1)) of the surface of the negative electrode active material layer on the side in contact with the separator and the surface roughness (Rzjis(2)) of the surface of the separator on the side in contact with the negative electrode active material layer is 0.15 to 0.85.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Miyuki Terado
  • Patent number: 10193007
    Abstract: This solar cell module includes a solar cell and a wiring member. The solar cell includes a collecting electrode on a light-receiving side of a photoelectric conversion section, and a back electrode on a back side of the photoelectric conversion section. Sequentially from the photoelectric conversion section side, the collecting electrode includes a first collecting electrode and a second collecting electrode, and the back electrode comprises a first back electrode and a second back electrode. It is preferable that the surface roughness Ra1 of the first collecting electrode and the surface roughness Ra2 of the second collecting electrode satisfy Ra1?Ra2 and Ra2=1.0 to 10.0 ?m. It is also preferable that the outermost layer of the second collecting electrode and the outermost layer of the second back electrode are mainly composed of the same electroconductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru Terashita, Daisuke Adachi
  • Patent number: 10193047
    Abstract: Electronic assemblies for thermoelectric generation are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electronic assembly includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, and a conductive plane and a plurality of thermal guide traces position on the first surface of the substrate. The conductive plane includes a plurality of arms radially extending from a central region. The plurality of thermal guide traces surrounds the conductive plane, and is shaped and positioned to guide heat flux present on or within the substrate toward the central region of the conductive plane. The electronic assembly may also include a thermoelectric generator device thermally coupled to the central region of the conductive plane, and a plurality of heat generating devices coupled to the second surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Ercan Mehmet Dede