Patents by Inventor Christoph Erben
Christoph Erben has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9947822Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a bifacial solar panel. The bifacial solar panel includes a first transparent cover on a first side of the solar panel, a second transparent cover on a second side of the solar panel, a plurality of solar cells sandwiched between the first cover and the second cover, and one or more lead wires for outputting power generated by the solar panel. The lead wires are positioned on an edge of the solar panel without shading the first and second sides of the solar panel. A respective solar cell comprises a photovoltaic structure, a first metal grid on the first side of the photovoltaic structure, which allows the solar cell to absorb light from the first side, and a second metal grid on the second side of the photovoltaic structure, which allows the solar cell to absorb light from the second side.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Tesla, Inc.Inventors: Jiunn Benjamin Heng, Christoph Erben, Bobby Yang
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Patent number: 9793421Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing solar panels are disclosed. Solar cells are placed on a conveyor that transports the cells from a start point to an end point. A laser scribing module scribes the cells at a predetermined depth. A paste dispensing module deposits a predetermined amount of conductive paste on the surface of the solar cells. A cleaving apparatus divides the cells into smaller strips. A shingling module creates a string of cells by overlapping the strips. A targeted annealing module cures the paste, and a layup module places the strings on a backsheet. A glass cover is then added to one side of the strings.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2015Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: SolarCity CorporationInventors: Pablo Gonzalez, Jiunn Benjamin Heng, Bobby Yang, Peter P. Nguyen, Christoph Erben
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Publication number: 20170194900Abstract: A solar module assembly is provided that can include a framed solar panel. The panel may include bifacial solar cells, a front facing glass cover layer, and a back facing glass cover layer. A junction box may be mounted over the back facing glass cover layer. In particular, the back facing glass cover layer may have a cutout portion through which conductive leads connect to the bifacial solar cells and the junction box. The cutout portion may be formed along an edge or a corner of the back facing glass cover layer. The frame may have a first flange member that extends at least partially over the junction box and a second flange member that extends over the front facing glass layer. The junction box and the frame may be attached to the solar panel and hermetically sealed using silicone adhesive material, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2015Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: Christoph Erben, Scott Tripp
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Publication number: 20160225931Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a bifacial solar panel. The bifacial solar panel includes a first transparent cover on a first side of the solar panel, a second transparent cover on a second side of the solar panel, a plurality of solar cells sandwiched between the first cover and the second cover, and one or more lead wires for outputting power generated by the solar panel. The lead wires are positioned on an edge of the solar panel without shading the first and second sides of the solar panel. A respective solar cell comprises a photovoltaic structure, a first metal grid on the first side of the photovoltaic structure, which allows the solar cell to absorb light from the first side, and a second metal grid on the second side of the photovoltaic structure, which allows the solar cell to absorb light from the second side.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2015Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Jiunn Benjamin Heng, Christoph Erben, Bobby Yang
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Publication number: 20160163914Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing solar panels are disclosed. Solar cells are placed on a conveyor that transports the cells from a start point to an end point. A laser scribing module scribes the cells at a predetermined depth. A paste dispensing module deposits a predetermined amount of conductive paste on the surface of the solar cells. A cleaving apparatus divides the cells into smaller strips. A shingling module creates a string of cells by overlapping the strips. A targeted annealing module cures the paste, and a layup module places the strings on a backsheet. A glass cover is then added to one side of the strings.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2015Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: Pablo Gonzalez, Jiunn Benjamin Heng, Bobby Yang, Peter P. Nguyen, Christoph Erben
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Patent number: 8637401Abstract: A method is explained that allows for a via to be filled with a dispensed material while the substrate is in continuous movement. A device is described that allows for a via to be filled while the target substrate is in continuous movement. The device consists of a material jetting system, a machine vision system that can detect the optimum trigger point, an electronic control circuit, a feedback mechanism and a web handling provision.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Inventors: Anthony Nicholas Brady Garvan, III, Christoph Erben, Darren Lochun
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Publication number: 20090227774Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid polyhedron having a moiety associated therewith together with methods of making the nucleic acid polyhedron.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2007Publication date: September 10, 2009Applicant: Isis Innovation LimitedInventors: Andrew Jonathan Turberfield, Christoph Erben, Russell Goodman
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Publication number: 20070238856Abstract: Reactive monomers containing the trifluorovinyloxy group may be copolymerized to form polymers useful as membranes, especially polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cells. The monomers have the formula ((CF2CFO(R1)p)nArX2 wherein Ar is a trivalent, tetravalent or pentavalent, substituted or unsubstituted, aromatic or heteroaromatic, monocyclic or polycyclic group having from 5 to 50 carbon atoms; X is OH, SH, NR2aR2b, F or Br; p is 0 or 1; n is 1, 2 or 3; R1 is substituted or unsubstituted phenyl and R2a and R2b are independently H, C1-C8 alkyl or C1-C8 perfluoroalkyl.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2006Publication date: October 11, 2007Inventors: David Moore, Hongyi Zhou, Christoph Erben, Marianne Harmon, Joyce Hung, Hongwei Liu, Daniel Steiger, Daniel Brunelle
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Publication number: 20070152816Abstract: A tamper detection system is described as including at least one optical energy transmitter and a material for transmitting optical energy from the at least one optical energy transmitter. The system further includes at least one support structure adjacent the energy transmitting layer and at least one detector for detecting a change in energy distribution within the material. Also described is a container utilizing the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2006Publication date: July 5, 2007Inventors: Glen Koste, Florian Krug, Christoph Erben, Walter Dixon
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Publication number: 20070146835Abstract: A method of making a holographic data storage medium is provided. The method comprises: (a) providing an optically transparent substrate comprising at least one photochemically active dye; and (b) irradiating the optically transparent substrate at at least one wavelength at which the optically transparent substrate has an absorbance in a range from about 0.1 to 1, to produce a modified optically transparent substrate comprising at least one optically readable datum and at least one photo-product of the photochemically active dye. The at least one wavelength is in a range from about 300 nanometers to about 800 nanometers. The optically transparent substrate is at least 100 micrometers thick, and comprises the photochemically active dye in an amount corresponding to from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent based on a total weight of the optically transparent substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2005Publication date: June 28, 2007Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christoph Erben, Eugene Boden, Kathryn Longley, Brian Lawrence, Xiaolei Shi
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Publication number: 20070147214Abstract: A method of storing holographic data is provided. The method includes providing an optically transparent substrate comprising a photochemically active dye and a singlet-oxygen generator, irradiating the optically transparent substrate with a holographic interference pattern, wherein the pattern has a first wavelength and an intensity both sufficient to convert, within a volume element of the substrate, at least some of the photochemically active dye into a photo-product, and producing within the irradiated volume element concentration variations of the photo-product corresponding to the holographic interference pattern, thereby producing an optically readable datum corresponding to the volume element, and activating the optically transparent substrate to generate singlet oxygen to stabilize the optically readable datum.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2005Publication date: June 28, 2007Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christoph Erben, Eugene Boden
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Publication number: 20070127329Abstract: The present invention provides a method for storing holographic data comprising providing an optically transparent substrate comprising a photochemically active dye and a photo-acid generator; irradiating the optically transparent substrate with a holographic interference pattern, wherein the pattern has a first wavelength and an intensity both sufficient to convert, within a volume element of the substrate, at least some of the photochemically active dye into a photo-product, producing within the irradiated volume element concentration variations of the photo-product corresponding to the holographic interference pattern, thereby producing a first optically readable datum corresponding to the volume element; and irradiating the optically transparent substrate at a second wavelength and intensity sufficient to activate the photo-acid generator to stabilize the optically readable datum.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2005Publication date: June 7, 2007Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christoph Erben, Eugene Boden, Xiaolei Shi
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Publication number: 20070097469Abstract: A method of making a holographic data storage medium is provided. The method comprises: (a) providing an optically transparent substrate comprising at least one photochemically active dye; and (b) irradiating the optically transparent substrate at least one wavelength at which the optically transparent substrate has an absorbance in a range from about 0.1 to 1, to produce a modified optically transparent substrate comprising at least one optically readable datum and at least one photo-product of the photochemically active dye. The at least one wavelength is in a range from about 300 nanometers to about 800 nanometers. The optically transparent substrate is at least 100 micrometers thick, and comprises the photochemically active dye in an amount corresponding to from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent based on a total weight of the optically transparent substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2006Publication date: May 3, 2007Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christoph Erben, Eugene Boden, Kathryn Longley, Brian Lawrence, Xiaolei Shi
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Publication number: 20060199081Abstract: Disclosed are a holographic storage medium, a method for producing a holographic storage medium, a method for storing data on a holographic storage medium, and an optical reading method. The holographic storage medium comprises an dimensionally stable film that is formed by partially curing a mixture, wherein said mixture comprises (a) a binder material; (b) a curable photoactive material; (c) an optional sensitizer; and (d) a photoinitiator, and wherein at least a portion of the photoactive material remains unreacted after the forming. Articles comprising holographic storage media in various forms are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2005Publication date: September 7, 2006Inventors: Michael McLaughlin, Christoph Erben
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Publication number: 20060127021Abstract: An optical device structure includes a first cladding having a first refractive index, a second cladding having a second refractive index, a core disposed between the first and second claddings, wherein the core has a third refractive index, and wherein the first and second refractive indices are relatively lower than the third refractive index, and a diffusion region disposed between the core and one of the first cladding, the second cladding, or both. A method for making the aforementioned optical device structure is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2004Publication date: June 15, 2006Inventors: Christoph Erben, Thomas Gorczyca
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Publication number: 20060073392Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a data storage media comprising mixing a photochromic dye with an organic material or an inorganic material to form a holographic composition; and molding the holographic composition into holographic data storage media. Disclosed herein too is an article comprising a photochromic dye and an organic material, wherein the article is used as a data storage media. Disclosed herein too is a method for recording information comprising irradiating an article that comprises a photochromic dye; wherein the irradiation is conducted with electromagnetic energy having a wavelength of about 350 to about 1,100 nanometers; and reacting the photochromic dye.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2004Publication date: April 6, 2006Inventors: Christoph Erben, Eugene Boden, Michael McLaughlin
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Publication number: 20050214479Abstract: A polycyclic or monocyclic perfluorovinyl compound comprising at least one structural unit selected from the group consisting of formula I and formula II wherein M is independently at each occurrence a metal selected from group 14 of the periodic table of the elements; and R is independently at each occurrence a bond, a hydrogen, an aliphatic group, a cycloaliphatic group, or an aromatic group. The polycyclic or monocyclic compound comprises at least two perfluorovinyl groups. A method for making an optical film of the disclosed compound, an electro-optical device comprising a polymer fabricated from the disclosed compound and a polymer fabricated from the disclosed compound are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2004Publication date: September 29, 2005Inventors: Christoph Erben, Eric Breitung, Ryo Tamaki