Patents Examined by Liesl C Baumann
  • Patent number: 11311052
    Abstract: A device with a separated gas inlet for cigarette set includes a controller switch, a controller switch seat, a transparent light guide seat, a filter holding seat, an insulation fixing sleeve, and a charging base. In the device with the separated gas inlet for cigarette set, air inlet channel for initiating a controller switch is separated from a smoke gas channel for cigarette, thereby avoiding the failure of the controller switch caused by tarry matters of cigarette gas attaching on an initiating hole of the controller switch, and prolonging the service life of cigarette set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: CHINA TOBACCO YUNNAN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ru Wang, Xu Zeng, Chengya Wang, Shanzhai Shang, Ping Lei, Jingmei Han, Zhiqiang Li, Dalin Yuan, Liheng Zhao, Jianrong Zhang, Yongkuan Chen, Hongyong Luo, Fengren Fang
  • Patent number: 10819274
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for optimally adjusting the lens plate in a CPV module which consists of a plurality of CPV sensors and a plurality of lenses mounted over the sensors at a distance from the focal length of said sensors in a container, having the following features: a) a sensor support plate (1) with a plurality of CPV sensors (5), b) a lens plate (2) with a number of lenses, said number corresponding to the number of CPV sensors, c) a fixed lens plate (3) mounted parallel to the position of the lens plate (2), d) a number of sensors which are oriented parallel to the lens plate (3), said number corresponding to the number of CPV sensors, e) two devices (12, 13) for adjusting the lens plate (2) in two horizontal directions, and f) a control device (9) for evaluating output signals, said control device (9) controlling the two devices (12, 13) dependent on characteristics of the output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: GRENZEBACH MASCHINENBAU GMBH
    Inventor: Ulrich Neuhäusler
  • Patent number: 10727782
    Abstract: A sun tracking system for use with a solar panel is disclosed. The system has an actuator configured to cause a change in orientation of a solar panel; and a logic controller configured to control the actuator in accordance with a schedule so as to change the orientation of the solar panel. The schedule includes a set of times throughout a day when the orientation of the solar panel will be changed, an orientation of the solar panel being associated with each time. The schedule can include a set of target orientations of the solar panel, each target orientation being associated with a time of day, including: sunrise+1 hour, sunrise+4 hours, sunrise+7 hours, and sunrise+10 hours, where each of the four orientations of the solar panel is most direct with respect to the position of the sun at that time of day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Inventors: Dennis Peet, Rene Graham
  • Patent number: 10573767
    Abstract: A solar cell includes a substrate containing impurities of a first conductive type, an emitter region which is positioned at a first surface of the substrate and contains impurities of a second conductive type opposite the first conductive type to form a p-n junction along with the substrate, an anti-reflection layer positioned on the emitter region, a first electrode which is positioned on the anti-reflection layer and is coupled to the emitter region, and a second electrode which is positioned on a second surface of the substrate and is coupled to the substrate. A first area of the anti-reflection layer, which is positioned under the first electrode, has a plurality of openings. The first electrode couples to the emitter region exposed through the plurality of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Heejin Nam, Yoonsil Jin, Sangwook Park
  • Patent number: 10529875
    Abstract: The present invention is provided with an interface layer that minimizes interdiffusion between a silicon substrate and copper electrode wiring that are used as a solar cell, that improves the adhesive properties of copper wiring, and that is used to obtain ohmic contact characteristics. This silicon solar cell comprises a silicon substrate and is provided with a metal oxide layer that is formed on the silicon substrate and wiring that is formed on the metal oxide layer and that comprises mainly copper. The metal oxide layer contains (a) one of either titanium or manganese, (b) one of vanadium, niobium, tantalum, or silicon, and (c) at least one of copper and nickel. In addition, the metal oxide layer comprises copper or nickel as metal particles that are diffused in the interior of the metal oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: MATERIAL CONCEPT, INC.
    Inventors: Junichi Koike, Yuji Sutou, Daisuke Ando, Tri Hai Hoang
  • Patent number: 10510940
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for constructing thermoelectric devices (TEDs). N-type elements are paired with P-type elements in an array of pairs between substrates. The paired elements are electrically connected in series by various techniques including brazing for hot side and/or also cold side connections, and soldering for cold side connections while being thermally connected in parallel. In selected embodiments, electrical and mechanical connections of the elements may be made solely by mechanical pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: AVX Corporation
    Inventors: Craig W. Nies, Andrew P. Ritter
  • Patent number: 10490359
    Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell module (1) has at least two dye-sensitized solar cell units (2a-c) arranged adjacent each other and connected in series. Each dye-sensitized solar cell module has a porous insulating substrate (7), a first porous conducting layer (4) formed on one side of the porous insulating substrate (7) and a second porous conducting layer (5) formed on an opposite side of the porous insulating substrate (7). A series connecting element (6) penetrates through the porous insulating substrate (7) and extends between the first porous conducting layer (4) of one of the cell units and the second porous conducting layer (5) of the adjacent cell unit. Each of the cell units is surrounded by an ion barrier (12) in the form of a non-porous layer penetrating through the porous insulating substrate (7) to prevent the electrolyte from leaking to an adjacent cell unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Exeger Operations AB
    Inventors: Henrik Lindström, Giovanni Fili
  • Patent number: 10483409
    Abstract: A solar cell includes a substrate formed of n-type single crystal silicon, an emitter region of a p-type which is positioned at a first surface of the substrate and includes a first emitter region having a first sheet resistance and a second emitter region having a second sheet resistance less than the first sheet resistance, a plurality of surface field regions of the n-type locally positioned at a second surface opposite the first surface of the substrate, a plurality of first electrodes which are positioned only on the second emitter region to be separated from one another and are connected to the second emitter region, and a plurality of second electrodes which are positioned on the plurality of surface field regions to be separated from one another and are connected to the plurality of surface field regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seunghwan Shim, Kisu Kim, Eunae Yoon, Yuju Hwang, Younghyun Lee, Sangwook Park
  • Patent number: 10483449
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for constructing thermoelectric devices (TEDs). N-type elements are paired with P-type elements in an array of pairs between substrates. The paired elements are electrically connected in series by various techniques including brazing for hot side and/or also cold side connections, and soldering for cold side connections while being thermally connected in parallel. In selected embodiments, electrical and mechanical connections of the elements may be made solely by mechanical pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: AVX Corporation
    Inventors: Craig W. Nies, Andrew P. Ritter
  • Patent number: 10439084
    Abstract: An energy harvesting device includes prefabricated thin film energy absorption sheets that are each tuned to absorb electromagnetic energy of a corresponding wavelength. The energy harvesting device can include a prefabricated thin film converter sheet to convert the electromagnetic energy into electrical power. The energy harvesting device can include a prefabricated thin film battery sheet to store the electrical power. Each thin film energy absorption sheet can be fabricated using a roll-to-roll process. The energy harvesting device can be fabricated using a roll-to-sheet process from rolls of the thin film energy absorption sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellman, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10431705
    Abstract: Techniques for cooling concentrating solar collector systems are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus for cooling a photovoltaic cell includes a heat exchanger having a metal plate with a bend therein that positions a first surface of the metal plate at an angle of from about 100 degrees to about 150 degrees relative to a second surface of the metal plate, and a plurality of fins attached to a side of the metal plate opposite the first surface and the second surface; a vapor chamber extending along the first surface and the second surface of the metal plate, crossing the bend; and a cladding material between the vapor chamber and the heat exchanger, wherein the cladding material is configured to thermally couple the vapor chamber to the heat exchanger. A photovoltaic system and method for operating a photovoltaic system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ayman Alabduljabbar, Abdullah I. Alboiez, Yaseen G. Alharbi, Alhassan Badahdah, Hussam Khonkar, Yves C. Martin, Naim Moumen, Robert L. Sandstrom, Theodore Gerard van Kessel
  • Patent number: 10418932
    Abstract: A method and system for generating electrical energy, comprises a plurality of photovoltaic panels positioned in a core area, a plurality of ground mirrors positioned in a plurality of land areas and a plurality of reverse mirror systems held at each of the plurality of reflection centers for increasing the amount of solar energy falling on the core area. Each of the plurality of reverse mirror systems further comprises a high rising cylindrical pole having a hollow horizontal support and a vertical support, a plurality of adjustable supports and a reverse mirror placed in a mirror support frame and rigidly or hingedly connected to the vertical support. The plurality of ground mirrors and the plurality of reverse mirror systems are positioned to maximize the concentration of solar energy falling on the plurality of photovoltaic panels and thereby to increase the amount of electric energy produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventor: Eustratios N. Carabateas
  • Patent number: 10403777
    Abstract: A double layered superimposed and parallel solar panels having an optical system comprising cylindrical rods and convex lenses at either end of said rods. Said optical rods are centrally longitudinally and transversely inserted in the upper panel through slits where sunlight rays pass and diffract through said rods and widely diffuse over the entire surface of the lower solar panel. A plurality of optical rods may be used thereby increasing the light transmission to the lower solar panel. The present invention significantly reduces the surface needed to install conventional residential as well as commercial solar panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: JOINT INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Zafer Termanini
  • Patent number: 10355157
    Abstract: A photovoltaic cell incorporating a semiconductor element (10) composed entirely of a single conductivity type. A biasing agent (26) having a work function different from that of the semiconductor element overlies a face of the element and produces a band bending and thus an electric field in a space charge region. Electrodes are in contact with the semiconductor element within the space charge region. Carriers generated by light absorbed in the semiconductor element are accelerated toward the electrodes by the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Columbus Photovoltaics LLC
    Inventor: Corey E. Lerner
  • Patent number: 10340404
    Abstract: Provided is a multilayer film including inorganic particles having a band gap energy of 3.3 eV or more and inorganic particles having a band gap energy of less than 3.3 eV in different layers. Here, the layer including inorganic particles having band gap energy of 3.3 eV or more is disposed at an upper portion than the layer including inorganic particles having a band gap energy of less than 3.3 eV. Accordingly, the layer including inorganic particles having a band gap energy of 3.3 eV or more is included close to incident light to increase a reflectance in UV region and induce internal reflection, thereby enhancing energy conversion efficiency of a cell. At the same time, the multilayer film may include a lower encapsulant layer or backsheet including inorganic particles having a band gap energy of 3.3 eV or more, thereby increasing reflectances in visible and IR regions and thus reducing a loss of the incident light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Cheol Kim, Je Sik Jung, Do Won Ahn
  • Patent number: 10302333
    Abstract: The invention is a new stabilized racking system for solar cell panels on a surface through a novel use of ballast weights and a wind optimized design. The system is further optimized to fit a range of sizes and thicknesses of modules through a combination of self adjusting end clamps, adjustable tilt legs, and unique wind screen design. The system can include an array of individual solar panel systems that are reinforced in both lateral directions to reduce the amount of ballast weight required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Sunrun South LLC
    Inventor: Greg McPheeters
  • Patent number: 10186621
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a solar cell device comprising; a support substrate; a rear electrode layer on the substrate; a light absorption layer on the rear electrode layer; a front electrode layer on the light absorption layer; and wherein a first through-hole is defined in the rear electrode layer; wherein at least one protrusion is formed on an exposed top face of the substrate via the first through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Myoung Seok Sung
  • Patent number: 10170250
    Abstract: An oxadiazole dye for use as an organic photosensitizer. The oxadiazole dye comprising donor-?-spacer-acceptor type molecules in which at least one of an oxadiazole group acts as a ?-conjugated bridge (spacer), a naphthyl unit acts as an electron-donating unit, a carboxyl group act as an electron acceptor group, and a cyano group acts as an anchor group. An optional thiophene group acts as part of the ?-conjugated bridge (spacer). The dye for use as organic photosensitizers in a dye-sensitized solar cell. The dye for use in photodynamic therapies. Computational DFT and time dependent DFT (TD-DFT) modeling techniques showing Light Harvesting Efficiency (LHE), Free Energy for Electron Injection (?Ginject), Excitation Energies, and Frontier Molecular Orbitals (FMOs) indicate that the series of dye comprise a more negative ?Ginject and a higher LHE value; resulting in a higher incident photon to current efficiency (IPCE).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Umer Mehmood, Shakeel Ahmed, Ibnelwaleed A. Hussein
  • Patent number: 10141119
    Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell is provided. The dye-sensitized solar cell includes a working electrode which includes a plurality of twisted carbon nanotube yarns. The dye-sensitized solar cell also includes a hybrid sensitizer. The hybrid sensitizer includes a nanoporous titanium oxide layer coated on the plurality of twisted carbon nanotube yarns, a microporous titanium oxide layer coated onto the nanoporous titanium oxide layer, and dye particles and quantum dots disposed in the pores of the microporous titanium oxide layer. In addition, the dye-sensitized solar cell includes a conducting electrode which includes at least one carbon nanotube yarn disposed about the hybrid sensitizer. The dye-sensitized solar cell also includes a solid state electrolyte disposed about the hybrid sensitizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Okenwa I. Okoli, Jin Yan, Tarik J. Dickens, M. Jasim Uddin
  • Patent number: 10141492
    Abstract: A method and/or apparatus of energy harvesting for wearable technology through a thin flexible thermoelectric device is disclosed. A lower conduction layer is deposited onto a lower dielectric layer. An active layer, comprising at least one thin film thermoelectric conduit and a thermal insulator, is above the lower conduction layer. An internal dielectric layer is deposited above the active layer, and conduit holes are drilled above each thermoelectric conduit. An upper conduction layer and upper dielectric layer are deposited, connecting the thermoelectric conduits in series. The resulting flexible thermoelectric device generates a voltage when exposed to a temperature gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: NIMBUS MATERIALS INC.
    Inventor: Sridhar Kasichainula