Patents by Inventor Kenneth R. Kormanyos
Kenneth R. Kormanyos 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: 9076901Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a glass sheet 10, 21 coated with a semiconductor material, which comprises the steps (a) production of a glass strip in a float bath 3 containing liquid tin; (b) discharge of the glass strip from the float bath 3 and optionally coating of the glass strip with a transparent, electrically conductive intermediate layer; (c) transfer of the uncoated or coated glass strip into a deposition chamber 5 for the physical deposition of the semiconductor material from the gas phase; and (d) coating of the coated or uncoated glass strip from step (c) with the semiconductor material by physical deposition of the semiconductor material from the gas phase at a gas pressure of at least 0.1 bar. The invention additionally relates to an apparatus for producing a glass strip coated with a semiconductor material, a process for producing a solar cell or a solar module and also a solar cell or a solar module which can be obtained by this process.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Calyxo GMBHInventors: Frank Becker, John Bohland, Hubert Joachim Frenck, Michael Bauer, Robert Fischer, Kenneth R. Kormanyos, Norman W. Johnston
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Publication number: 20130068295Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a glass sheet 10, 21 coated with a semiconductor material, which comprises the steps (a) production of a glass strip in a float bath 3 containing liquid tin; (b) discharge of the glass strip from the float bath 3 and optionally coating of the glass strip with a transparent, electrically conductive intermediate layer; (c) transfer of the uncoated or coated glass strip into a deposition chamber 5 for the physical deposition of the semiconductor material from the gas phase; and (d) coating of the coated or uncoated glass strip from step (c) with the semiconductor material by physical deposition of the semiconductor material from the gas phase at a gas pressure of at least 0.1 bar. The invention additionally relates to an apparatus for producing a glass strip coated with a semiconductor material, a process for producing a solar cell or a solar module and also a solar cell or a solar module which can be obtained by this process.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2011Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: CALYXO GMBHInventors: Frank Becker, John Bohland, Hubert Joachim Frenck, Michael Bauer, Robert Fischer, Kenneth R. Kormanyos, Norman W. Johnston
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Patent number: 8076224Abstract: A process for coating a substrate at atmospheric pressure is disclosed, the process comprising the steps of vaporizing a mass of semiconductor material within a heated inert gas stream to create a fluid mixture having a temperature above the condensation temperature of the semiconductor material, directing the fluid mixture at the substrate, the substrate having a temperature below the condensation temperature of the semiconductor material thereby depositing a layer of the semiconductor material onto a surface of the substrate, extracting undeposited semiconductor material; and circulating the undeposited semiconductor material into the fluid mixture having a temperature above the condensation temperature.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2009Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Calyxo GmbHInventor: Kenneth R. Kormanyos
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Publication number: 20110207301Abstract: A process for coating a substrate heated to a temperature below the condensation temperature of a semiconductor material at atmospheric pressure is disclosed, the process including the steps of mixing a mass of semiconductor material and a heated inert gas stream, vaporizing the controlled mass of semiconductor material within the inert gas to generate a sub-saturated fluid mixture, directing the sub-saturated fluid mixture at the substrate, wherein the substrate is at substantially atmospheric pressure, depositing a layer of the semiconductor material onto a surface of the substrate, extracting undeposited semiconductor material, and repeating the steps of generating, directing, depositing, and extracting, to minimize an amount of undeposited semiconductor material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Inventors: Kenneth R. Kormanyos, Nicholas A. Reiter
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Publication number: 20100144130Abstract: A process for coating a substrate at atmospheric pressure is disclosed, the process comprising the steps of vaporizing a mass of semiconductor material within a heated inert gas stream to create a fluid mixture having a temperature above the condensation temperature of the semiconductor material, directing the fluid mixture at the substrate, the substrate having a temperature below the condensation temperature of the semiconductor material thereby depositing a layer of the semiconductor material onto a surface of the substrate, extracting undeposited semiconductor material; and circulating the undeposited semiconductor material into the fluid mixture having a temperature above the condensation temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2009Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventor: Kenneth R. Kormanyos
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Patent number: 7674713Abstract: A process for coating a substrate at atmospheric pressure comprises the steps of vaporizing a controlled mass of semiconductor material at substantially atmospheric pressure within a heated inert gas stream, to create a fluid mixture having a temperature above the condensation temperature of the semiconductor material, directing the fluid mixture at substantially atmospheric pressure onto the substrate having a temperature below the condensation temperature of the semiconductor material, and depositing a layer of the semiconductor material onto a surface of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2005Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Calyxo GmbHInventors: Norman W. Johnston, Kenneth R. Kormanyos, Nicholas A. Reiter
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Publication number: 20080153268Abstract: A process for coating a substrate at atmospheric pressure comprises the steps of vaporizing a controlled mass of semiconductor material at substantially atmospheric pressure within a heated inert gas stream, to create a fluid mixture having a temperature above the condensation temperature of the semiconductor material, directing the fluid mixture at substantially atmospheric pressure onto the substrate having a temperature below the condensation temperature of the semiconductor material, and depositing a layer of the semiconductor material onto a surface of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2005Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicant: SOLAR FIELDS, LLCInventors: Norman W. Johnston, Kenneth R. Kormanyos, Nicholas A. Reiter
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Patent number: 6045358Abstract: A forced convection heating apparatus and process for heating glass sheets therewithin includes a housing (200) having an interior region, a conveyor for conveying the glass sheets through the interior region of the housing (200), a gas burner (204) operably associated with the housing (200) for producing hot combustion gases, thereby providing a heat input to the apparatus. An adjustor (210) is operably connected to, and controls, the inputs to the gas burner (204) to vary the heat input, and, thereby, maintain the temperature of the working fluid at a preselected set point. At least one velocity control for controlling the impingement velocity of the working fluid onto the top and/or bottom surfaces of the glass sheet is also provided. The impingement velocity, and thereby the rate of convective heat exchange between the working fluid and the glass sheet, is controlled independently of the heat input to the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1998Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Glasstech, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth R. Kormanyos
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Patent number: 5968220Abstract: A process and apparatus (26) for quenching a heated glass sheet by directing modulated cryogenic flows (36) that is initially completely liquid (42) toward the oppositely facing surfaces (38) of the glass sheet to quench the glass sheet. The modulated cryogenic flows (36) can be started and fully stopped to provide flow pulses and can also be continuous and have periodic increased flow pulses.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1998Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: Glasstech, Inc.Inventors: Ronald A. McMaster, Kenneth R. Kormanyos
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Patent number: 5938808Abstract: A process for quenching a heated glass sheet is performed by apparatus (26) that includes a pair of quench units (28) between which the glass sheet is located with each quench unit having nozzles (34) for directing cryogenic flows (36) including a liquid (42) toward the oppositely facing surfaces (38) of the glass sheet so that the liquid completely vaporizes before penetrating the gas boundary layer (40) on each surface of the glass sheet. The cryogenic flows (36) can be initially completely liquid (42) or can be a two phase as the liquid (42) and a gas (44) with the latter preferably being done by spraying the two phase cryogenic flows as liquid droplets and the gas.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1998Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Glasstech, Inc.Inventors: Ronald A. McMaster, Kenneth R. Kormanyos
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Patent number: 5931981Abstract: A process for quenching heated glass sheets is performed by locating a glass sheet between a pair of spaced quench units (28) and directing from first and second arrays of nozzles (34, 64) cryogenic flows (36) interspersed with pressurized air flows (66) so as to cooperate with each other in providing the quenching. In one practice the interspersed cryogenic flows (36) and the pressurized air flows (66) are provided at the same time as each other. In another practice, the interspersed cryogenic flows (36) and pressurized air flows (66) are provided at different times.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1998Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Glasstech, Inc.Inventors: Ronald A. McMaster, Kenneth R. Kormanyos
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Patent number: 5873675Abstract: Apparatus (10) and a method for vitrifying hazardous waste includes a melting vessel (12) in which hazardous waste and any other necessary components for forming a glassy mixture upon heating are introduced for heating by a heater (38), and a metallic containment vessel (46) of the apparatus receives the melting vessel so as to receive and contain any material that exits the melting vessel upon failure. A voltage is applied across spaced electrical connections (72) of the melting vessel (46) to heat material within the melting vessel. Any failure of the melting vessel (12) is detected by a sensor (48). Different embodiments of the heater (38) provide current flow through molten material (18) being heated, induction heating, electric resistance heating, and using the metallic mixing vessel (12) as an electric resistance element. A stirrer (39) can be utilized to mix the material (18) during the heating.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1997Date of Patent: February 23, 1999Assignee: Stir-Melter, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth H. Wetmore, Kenneth R. Kormanyos, Stephen F. Cox
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Patent number: 5792232Abstract: A forced convection heating apparatus and process for heating glass sheets therewithin. The apparatus includes at least one gas burner for producing hot combustion gases which is to be distributed to the top and/or bottom surfaces of a glass sheet within the apparatus housing. Spent hot working fluid, which has impinged the top and bottom surfaces of the glass sheet, is drawn into a mixing chamber operably positioned about a gas burner. The spent hot working fluid and newly produced hot combustion gases from the gas burner are mixed within the mixing chamber and then distributed toward and into operable contact with at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the glass sheet.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 1996Date of Patent: August 11, 1998Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventor: Kenneth R. Kormanyos
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Patent number: 5762677Abstract: A forced convection heating apparatus and process for heating glass sheets therewithin. The apparatus includes at least one gas burner for producing hot combustion gases to be distributed toward and into contact with the top and/or bottom surfaces of a glass sheet within the apparatus housing. The temperature of the hot combustion gases which is distributed to the top surface of the glass sheet is adjustable independently of the temperature of the hot combustion gases being distributed to the bottom surface of the glass sheet to, in turn, enable independent control of convection heat transfer to both surfaces of the glass sheet.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1996Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventor: Kenneth R. Kormanyos
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Patent number: 5746799Abstract: A forced convection heating apparatus and process for heating glass sheets therewithin. The apparatus includes at least one gas burner for producing hot combustion gases which is to be distributed to the top and/or bottom surfaces of a glass sheet within the apparatus housing. Spent hot working fluid, which has impinged the top and bottom surfaces of the glass sheet, is drawn into a mixing chamber operably positioned about a gas burner. The spent hot working fluid and newly produced hot combustion gases from the gas burner are mixed within the mixing chamber and then distributed toward and into operable contact with at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the glass sheet.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1996Date of Patent: May 5, 1998Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventor: Kenneth R. Kormanyos
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Patent number: 5735924Abstract: A forced convection heating apparatus and process for heating glass sheets therewithin. The apparatus includes at least one gas burner for producing hot combustion gases which is to be distributed toward and into contact with the top and/or bottom surfaces of a glass sheet within the apparatus housing. The velocity of the distributed hot combustion gases which eventually impinges upon the top surface of the glass sheet is controllable independently of the impingement velocity of the hot combustion gases being distributed, and, in turn, directed toward and into contact with the bottom surface of the glass sheet.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1996Date of Patent: April 7, 1998Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventor: Kenneth R. Kormanyos
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Patent number: 5711635Abstract: Apparatus (10) and a method for vitrifying hazardous waste includes a melting vessel (12) in which hazardous waste and any other necessary components for forming a glassy mixture upon heating are introduced for heating by a heater (38), and a metallic containment vessel (46) of the apparatus receives the melting vessel so as to receive and contain any material that exits the melting vessel upon failure. A voltage is applied across spaced electrical connections (72) of the melting vessel (46) to heat material within the melting vessel. Any failure of the melting vessel (12) is detected by a sensor (48). A stirrer (39) can be utilized to mix the material (18) during the heating. The containment vessel (46) is preferably hermetically sealed around the melting vessel (12) to contain gases as well as any melted material received from the failed melting vessel (12).Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1996Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: Stir-Melter, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth H. Wetmore, Kenneth R. Kormanyos, Stephen F. Cox
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Patent number: 5672191Abstract: A forced convection heating apparatus and process for heating glass sheets therewithin. The apparatus includes at least one gas burner for producing hot combustion gases which is to be distributed toward and into contact with the top and/or bottom surfaces of a glass sheet within the apparatus housing. The velocity of the distributed hot combustion gases which eventually impinges upon the top surface of the glass sheet is controllable independently of the impingement velocity of the hot combustion gases being distributed, and, in turn, directed toward and into contact with the bottom surface of the glass sheet.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1994Date of Patent: September 30, 1997Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventor: Kenneth R. Kormanyos
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Patent number: 5669954Abstract: A forced convection heating apparatus and process for heating glass sheets therewithin. The apparatus includes at least one gas burner for producing hot combustion gases to be distributed toward and into contact with the top and/or bottom surfaces of a glass sheet within the apparatus housing. The temperature of the hot combustion gases which is distributed to the top surface of the glass sheet is adjustable independently of the temperature of the hot combustion gases being distributed to the bottom surface of the glass sheet to, in turn, enable independent control of convection heat transfer to both surfaces of the glass sheet.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1994Date of Patent: September 23, 1997Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventor: Kenneth R. Kormanyos
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Patent number: 5647833Abstract: Apparatus (10) and a method for vitrifying hazardous waste includes a melting vessel (12) in which a stirrer (38) mixes hazardous waste and any other necessary components for forming a glassy mixture upon heating while an electrical current is applied across the melting vessel and the stirrer to provide electrical current flow, and a metallic containment vessel (46) of the apparatus receives the melting vessel so as to receive and contain any material that exits the melting vessel upon failure. Any failure of the melting vessel (12) is detected by a sensor (48). The containment vessel (46) is preferably hermetically sealed around the melting vessel (12) to contain gases as well as any melted material received from the failed melting vessel (12). The sensing of the failure can be either by a pressure change in the hermetically sealed chamber (58) or by sensing of the presence of material received by the containment vessel (46) from the failed melting vessel (12) such as by an electrical circuit type detection.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1996Date of Patent: July 15, 1997Assignee: Stir-Melter, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth H. Wetmore, Kenneth R. Kormanyos, Stephen F. Cox