Patents Examined by Michael Y Sun
  • Patent number: 11482967
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid, concentrating photovoltaic-solar thermal (CPV/T) system and components thereof, and methods for converting solar energy to electricity at high efficiencies while capturing and storing solar thermal energy for later deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: The Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund
    Inventors: Daniel Codd, Matthew David Escarra, Brian C. Riggs
  • Patent number: 11482639
    Abstract: A high efficiency configuration for a solar cell module comprises solar cells conductively bonded to each other in a shingled manner to form super cells, which may be arranged to efficiently use the area of the solar module, reduce series resistance, and increase module efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ratson Morad, Gilad Almogy, Itai Suez, Jean Hummel, Nathan Beckett, Yafu Lin, John Gannon, Michael J. Starkey, Robert Stuart, Tamir Lance, Dan Maydan
  • Patent number: 11463039
    Abstract: Provided is an energy harvester having excellent portability. The energy harvester includes a flat plate-shaped energy harvesting section and a pair of connectors that are electrically conductive. The energy harvesting section includes an electricity generating region that utilizes energy in the external environment to generate electrical power and metal foils. The metal foils extend from the electricity generating region to a peripheral part of the energy harvesting section. The electrical power of the electricity generating region is supplied to the metal foils. The peripheral part includes a pair of holes that expose part of each of the metal foils. Each of the connectors includes a spring, a terminal part that is electrically connected to the spring and is connectable to an external device, and a flat plate part that overlaps with the energy harvesting section. The springs are electrically connected to the metal foils exposed via the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: ZEON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayoshi Yoshida, Kiyoshige Kojima, Yuki Hayashi, Takatoshi Matsuo, Midori Yamaai
  • Patent number: 11453691
    Abstract: A method for preparing a sensitizing material and an organic light emitting diode are provided, the method including: adding C24H16Br2P2 and dichloromethane to a hydrogen peroxide solution to react therewith, dissolving a reactant in a dichloromethane solution and subjecting the solution to a purification with a first silica gel column; adding a purified product, a predetermined electron donor material, palladium acetate, and tri-tert-butylphosphine tetrafluoroborate in sodium tert-butoxide and toluene to react; extracting with dichloromethane and purified by a second silica gel column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Wuhan China Star Optoelectronics Semiconductor Display Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jiajia Luo
  • Patent number: 11437533
    Abstract: A solar cell for a solar cell array with one or more grid on a surface thereof, wherein electrical connections are made to the grids in a plurality of locations positioned around the solar cell; and the electrical connections extend to one or more conductors located under the solar cell. The conductors located under the solar cell are buried within a substrate, and each of the conductors comprises a low resistance conducting path that distributes current from the solar cell. The conductors are loops, U-shaped, or have only up or down pathways. The solar cell comprises a full cell that has four cropped corners and the locations are in the cropped corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric Rehder, Philip Chiu, Tom Crocker, Daniel Law, Dale Waterman
  • Patent number: 11404597
    Abstract: Provided are a solar cell having a good conversion efficiency in which damage to a p-n junction structure is prevented when an antireflection film is removed, and a method of manufacturing such a solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: MATERIAL CONCEPT, INC.
    Inventors: Junichi Koike, Masaaki Saiga, Yuji Sutou
  • Patent number: 11398575
    Abstract: Systems and methods taught herein provide thin film semiconductor devices such as thin film photovoltaic devices having via holes that enable electrical connection with a bottom surface of a topside contact of the thin film semiconductor device via the back side of the device (e.g., during mounting of the device). In some embodiments, the via holes are electrically insulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: MICROLINK DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Youtsey, Rekha Reddy, Christopher Stender
  • Patent number: 11398574
    Abstract: A solar cell includes: a semiconductor substrate which includes a first principal surface and a second principal surface; a first semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type disposed above the first principal surface; and a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type disposed below the second principal surface. The semiconductor substrate includes: a first impurity region of the first conductivity type; a second impurity region of the first conductivity type disposed between the first impurity region and the first semiconductor layer; and a third impurity region of the first conductivity type disposed between the first impurity region and the second semiconductor layer. A concentration of an impurity in the second impurity region is higher than a concentration of the impurity in the third impurity region, and the concentration of the impurity in the third impurity region is higher than a concentration of the impurity in the first impurity region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazunori Fujita, Kenta Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 11387050
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optoelectronic device comprising: (a) a substrate comprising at least one first electrode, which at least one first electrode comprises a first electrode material, and at least one second electrode, which at least one second electrode comprises a second electrode material; and (b) a photoactive material disposed on the substrate, which photoactive material is in contact with the at least one first electrode and the at least one second electrode, wherein the substrate comprises: a layer of the first electrode material; and, disposed on the layer of the first electrode material, a layer of an insulating material, which layer of an insulating material partially covers the layer of the first electrode material; and, disposed on the layer of the insulating material, the second electrode material, and wherein the photoactive material comprises a crystalline compound, which crystalline compound comprises: one or more first cations selected from metal or metalloid cations; one or m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: OXFORD UNIVERSITY INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Henry James Snaith, Tomas Leijtens, Jack Alexander-Webber, Maximillian Tobias Hoerantner
  • Patent number: 11378540
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a concentration of an analyte in a bio-sample using an electrochemical bio-sensor, includes a connector with a sample cell in which an oxidation/reduction enzyme and an electron transfer mediator are fixed and a working electrode and an counter electrode are provided; a digital-to-analog converter circuit configured to apply a constant DC voltage to start the oxidation/reduction reaction of the analyte, proceed with an electron transfer reaction, and apply a ?-step ladder-type perturbation potential for fluctuating a potential of the sample cell after applying the constant DC voltage; and a microcontroller configured to control the digital-to-analog converter circuit and directly obtain a concentration value of the analyte from a calibration equation using the ?-step ladder-type perturbation potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: I-SENS, INC.
    Inventors: Geun Sig Cha, Hakhyun Nam, Seok-Won Lee, Sung Hyuk Choi, Youngjea Kang, Myeongho Lee, Ho Dong Park, Sung Pil Cho
  • Patent number: 11381200
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for aligning a solar panel (20) with respect to an installation rail which is attached to a base, in particular a roof, prior to installation. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising at least one solar panel (20) and at least one such device (1) which is coupled to a frame (21) of the solar panel (20). The invention furthermore relates to a method for aligning a solar panel (20), with respect to an installation rail attached to a base, in particular a roof, prior to installation by using at least one such device (1), optionally followed by the installation of the at least one solar panel (20) to the support rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Esdec B.V.
    Inventors: Vincent De Vogel, Jeroen De Vogel, Frank Van Regteren
  • Patent number: 11362254
    Abstract: A small-scale thermoelectric power generator and combustion apparatus, components thereof, methods for making the same, and applications thereof. The thermoelectric power generator can include a burner including a matrix stabilized combustion chamber comprising a catalytically enhanced, porous flame containment portion. The combustion apparatus can include components connected in a loop configuration including a vaporization chamber; a mixing chamber connected to the vaporization chamber; a combustion chamber connected to the vaporization chamber; and a heat exchanger connected to the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber can include a porous combustion material which can include a unique catalytic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Nina Orlovskaya, Anthony Terracciano, Arindam Dasgupta
  • Patent number: 11332019
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) panel mounting system for a vehicle includes: a PV panel movably mounted on a vehicle panel; a first electrode electrically connected to the PV panel; a second electrode attached to the vehicle panel and electrically connected to the first electrode; and a damping mechanism elastically supporting the PV panel with respect to the vehicle panel. The damping mechanism allows the PV panel to move between a first position and a second position. The first position refers to a position in which an outer surface of the PV panel is flush with an outer surface of the vehicle panel and the second position refers to a position in which the outer surface of the PV panel is recessed from the outer surface of the vehicle panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sol Kim, Sang Hak Kim
  • Patent number: 11316054
    Abstract: Solar cell and method of manufacturing a solar cell. The solar cell has a silicon substrate (2) and a layer (4) disposed on a substrate side (2a) of the silicon substrate (2). It further has a contact structure (6) extending through the layer (4) from a cell side (1a) of the solar cell (1) to the silicon substrate (2). The layer (4) is composed of a polycrystalline silicon layer (8) and a tunnel oxide layer (10) interposed between the polycrystalline silicon layer (8) and the silicon substrate (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: John Anker, Evert Eugène Bende, Lambert Johan Geerligs, Maciej Krzyszto Stodolny
  • Patent number: 11309474
    Abstract: A thermoelectric module of the invention includes: first and second thermoelectric elements; a first electrode having a plate-shaped body whose first surface is bonded to a first end surface of the first thermoelectric element and a first end surface of the second thermoelectric element; a second electrode bonded to a second end surface of the first thermoelectric element; and a third electrode bonded to a second end surface of the thermoelectric element. The first electrode includes: a first cutout formed at a first side in a width direction; and a second cutout formed at a second side in the width direction. In the width direction, at least one of the first cutout or the second cutout is present in a section between the first side and the second side of the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: KELK Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Kushibiki, Masato Horikoshi, Hideaki Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 11282975
    Abstract: A sheet set for encapsulating a solar battery including a first encapsulating sheet and a second encapsulating sheet which are disposed between a light-incident surface protective member and a back surface protective member, and are used to encapsulate solar battery elements is provided. When the first encapsulating sheet and the second encapsulating sheet are subjected to a heating and pressurization treatment in which the first encapsulating sheet and the second encapsulating sheet are heated and depressurized under defined conditions, a volume resistivity of the first encapsulating sheet measured under defined conditions, is higher than a volume resistivity of the second encapsulating sheet. The first encapsulating sheet is disposed between the light-incident surface protective member and the solar battery elements. The second encapsulating sheet has at least one polar group selected from a carboxyl group, an ester group, a hydroxyl group, an amino group, and an acetal group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUI CHEMICALS TOHCELLO, INC.
    Inventors: Masaaki Odoi, Nobuhiro Maruko, Kazuhiro Yarimizu, Shigenobu Ikenaga, Kaoru Ohshimizu
  • Patent number: 11271521
    Abstract: A solar cell module is discussed. The solar cell module is defined with an effective area and a dead area, and includes a solar cell, and a substrate disposed at one surface of the solar cell. The substrate includes a light refraction pattern formed to correspond to the dead area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Daehee Jang, Minpyo Kim, Bojoong Kim, Seeun Hong, Taeyoon Kim, Hwanyeon Kim, Jongkyoung Hong
  • Patent number: 11239378
    Abstract: A solar cell is provided. The solar cell includes a p-n junction and a coating. The p-n junction includes upper and lower layers. The coating overlies the upper layer of the p-n junction. The coating includes a transparent conductive layer and a gate dielectric layer, which is interposed between the transparent conductive layer and the upper layer of the p-n junction. The solar cell further includes a front-contact and a back-contact, which are electrically communicative with each other. The front-contact is electrically communicative with the upper layer of the p-n junction through the coating. The back-contact is electrically communicative with the lower layer of the p-n junction. The solar cell can also include a contact via electrically communicative with the back-contact and with the transparent conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chen Zhang
  • Patent number: 11217398
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-based copolymer, a method for preparing the copolymer, a solar cell including the copolymer, and a method for manufacturing the solar cell. By applying the copolymer of the present invention to a hole transporting layer, a solar cell having improved device characteristics such as charge mobility and power conversion efficiency and allowing those characteristics to be maintained for a long time may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: GWANGJU INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Sukwon Hong, Minkyu Kyeong
  • Patent number: 11208406
    Abstract: Disubstituted diaryloxybenzoheterodiazole compound having general formula (I) or (II) and luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) including the same: wherein: Z represents a sulfur atom, an oxygen atom, a selenium atom; or an NR6 group wherein R6 is selected from linear or branched C1-C20 alkyl groups, or from optionally substituted aryl groups; R1, R2 and R3, identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom; or are selected from linear or branched C1-C20 alkyl groups optionally containing heteroatoms, optionally substituted cycloalkyl groups, optionally substituted aryl groups, optionally substituted linear or branched C1-C20 alkoxy groups, optionally substituted phenoxy groups, or a cyano group; or R1 and R2, may optionally be bound together to form, together with the carbon atoms to which they are bound, a saturated, unsaturated or aromatic, cyclic or polycyclic system containing from 3 to 14 carbon atoms, optionally containing one or more heteroatoms; or R2 and R3, may optionally be bound together so
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Eni S.P.A.
    Inventors: Giuliana Schimperna, Antonio Alfonso Proto