Patents by Inventor Nils-Peter Harder
Nils-Peter Harder 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: 9978892Abstract: A method of manufacturing a transparent pane, in particular a glass pane, which includes on at least one of its main surfaces a surface structure including an assembly of specified individual motifs in relief, in particular pyramids, cones, or truncated cones, created by embossing or by rolling. A structure is created on the surface of the pane constituted by individual motifs, based on one or more basic motifs but which are distinguished from each other by their depth, their height, and/or the perimeter of their base area, and/or by the position of their peak with respect to their base. With this variation, formation of intensity peaks of the reflected light is prevented and at the same time a high quality of light trapping is obtained by panes suitable, for example, for solar applications.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2017Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCEInventors: Nils-Peter Harder, Ulf Blieske, Dirk Neumann, Marcus Neander, Michele Schiavoni, Patrick Gayout
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Publication number: 20180097125Abstract: Methods of fabricating a solar cell, and system for electrically coupling solar cells, are described. In an example, the methods for fabricating a solar cell can include placing conductive wires in a wire guide, where conductive wires are placed over a first semiconductor substrate having first doped regions and second doped regions. The method can include aligning the conductive wires over the first and second doped regions, where the wire guide aligns the conductive wires substantially parallel to the first and second doped regions. The method can include bonding the conductive wires to the first and second doped regions. The bonding can include applying a mechanical force to the semiconductor substrate via a roller or bonding head of the wire guide, where the wire guide inhibits lateral movement of the conductive wires during the bonding.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2016Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Richard Hamilton Sewell, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Nils-Peter Harder
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Patent number: 9935213Abstract: Approaches for fabricating wire-based metallization for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a solar cell includes a substrate having a back surface and an opposing light-receiving surface. A plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the back surface of the substrate. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of metal wires. Each metal wire of the plurality of metal wires is parallel along a first direction to form a one-dimensional layout of a metallization layer for the solar cell.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2015Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignees: SunPower Corporation, Total Marketing ServicesInventors: Richard Hamilton Sewell, Robert Woehl, Jens Dirk Moschner, Nils-Peter Harder
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Publication number: 20180006172Abstract: Solar cells having conductive contacts are described. In an example, a solar cell can include a protective layer disposed over a substrate, where the protective layer comprises a contact hole. A first metal layer disposed over the protective layer, where the first metal layer is electrically connected to the substrate through the contact hole. A second metal layer disposed over the first metal layer and a bond region disposed between the first metal layer and the second metal layer, where the bond region is located above a region of the protective layer without a contact hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2016Publication date: January 4, 2018Inventors: Matthieu Moors, Taeseok Kim, Nils-Peter Harder
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Publication number: 20170288072Abstract: Thermocompression bonding approaches for foil-based metallization of non-metal surfaces of solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described. For example, a solar cell includes a substrate and a plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions disposed in or above the substrate. A plurality of conductive contact structures is electrically connected to the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. Each conductive contact structure includes a metal foil portion disposed in direct contact with a corresponding one of the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2016Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Richard Hamilton Sewell, Gabriel Harley, Nils-Peter Harder
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Publication number: 20170222073Abstract: Methods of fabricating solar cells using a metal-containing thermal and diffusion barrier layer in foil-based metallization approaches, and the resulting solar cells, are described. For example, a method of fabricating a solar cell includes forming a plurality of semiconductor regions in or above a substrate. The method also includes forming a metal-containing thermal and diffusion barrier layer above the plurality of semiconductor regions. The method also includes forming a metal seed layer on the metal-containing thermal and diffusion barrier layer. The method also includes forming a metal conductor layer on the metal seed layer. The method also includes laser welding the metal conductor layer to the metal seed layer. The metal-containing thermal and diffusion barrier layer protects the plurality of semiconductor regions during the laser welding.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2017Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Taeseok Kim, Robert Woehl, Gabriel Harley, Nils-Peter Harder, Jens-Dirk Moschner, Matthieu Moors, Michel Arsene Olivier Ngamo Toko
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Publication number: 20170179308Abstract: Laser foil trim approaches for foil-based metallization of solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described. For example, a method of fabricating a solar cell includes attaching a metal foil sheet to a surface of a wafer to provide a unified pairing of the metal foil sheet and the wafer, wherein the wafer has a perimeter and the metal foil sheet has a portion overhanging the perimeter. The method also includes laser scribing the metal foil sheet along the perimeter of the wafer using a laser beam that overlaps the metal foil sheet outside of the perimeter of the wafer and at the same time overlaps a portion of the unified pairing of the metal foil sheet and the wafer inside the perimeter of the wafer to remove the portion of the metal foil sheet overhanging the perimeter and to provide a metal foil piece coupled to the surface of the wafer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2017Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Robert Woehl, Richard Hamilton Sewell, Mohamed A. Elbandrawy, Taeseok Kim, Thomas P. Pass, Benjamin Ian Hsia, David Fredric Joel Kavulak, Nils-Peter Harder
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Publication number: 20170148931Abstract: A method of manufacturing a transparent pane, in particular a glass pane, which includes on at least one of its main surfaces a surface structure including an assembly of specified individual motifs in relief, in particular pyramids, cones, or truncated cones, created by embossing or by rolling. A structure is created on the surface of the pane constituted by individual motifs, based on one or more basic motifs but which are distinguished from each other by their depth, their height, and/or the perimeter of their base area, and/or by the position of their peak with respect to their base. With this variation, formation of intensity peaks of the reflected light is prevented and at the same time a high quality of light trapping is obtained by panes suitable, for example, for solar applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCEInventors: Nils-Peter HARDER, Ulf BLIESKE, Dirk NEUMANN, Marcus NEANDER, Michele SCHIAVONI, Patrick GAYOUT
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Publication number: 20170125612Abstract: Laser foil trim approaches for foil-based metallization of solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described. For example, a method of fabricating a solar cell includes attaching a metal foil sheet to a surface of a wafer to provide a unified pairing of the metal foil sheet and the wafer, wherein the wafer has a perimeter and the metal foil sheet has a portion overhanging the perimeter. The method also includes laser scribing the metal foil sheet along the perimeter of the wafer using a laser beam that overlaps the metal foil sheet outside of the perimeter of the wafer and at the same time overlaps a portion of the unified pairing of the metal foil sheet and the wafer inside the perimeter of the wafer to remove the portion of the metal foil sheet overhanging the perimeter and to provide a metal foil piece coupled to the surface of the wafer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: Robert Woehl, Richard Hamilton Sewell, Mohamed A. Elbandrawy, Taeseok Kim, Thomas P. Pass, Benjamin Ian Hsia, David Fredric Joel Kavulak, Nils-Peter Harder
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Patent number: 9634178Abstract: Methods of fabricating solar cells using a metal-containing thermal and diffusion barrier layer in foil-based metallization approaches, and the resulting solar cells, are described. For example, a method of fabricating a solar cell includes forming a plurality of semiconductor regions in or above a substrate. The method also includes forming a metal-containing thermal and diffusion barrier layer above the plurality of semiconductor regions. The method also includes forming a metal seed layer on the metal-containing thermal and diffusion barrier layer. The method also includes forming a metal conductor layer on the metal seed layer. The method also includes laser welding the metal conductor layer to the metal seed layer. The metal-containing thermal and diffusion barrier layer protects the plurality of semiconductor regions during the laser welding.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignees: SunPower Corporation, Total Marketing ServicesInventors: Taeseok Kim, Robert Woehl, Gabriel Harley, Nils-Peter Harder, Jens-Dirk Moschner, Matthieu Moors, Michel Arsène Olivier Ngamo Toko
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Publication number: 20170110619Abstract: Indentation approaches for foil-based metallization of solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described. For example, a method of fabricating a solar cell includes forming a plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions in or above a substrate. The method also includes locating a metal foil above the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The method also includes forming a plurality of indentations through only a portion of the metal foil, the plurality of indentations formed at regions corresponding to locations between the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The method also includes, subsequent to forming the plurality of indentations, isolating regions of the remaining metal foil corresponding to the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2015Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: Richard Hamilton Sewell, Nils-Peter Harder
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Patent number: 9620655Abstract: Laser foil trim approaches for foil-based metallization of solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described. For example, a method of fabricating a solar cell includes attaching a metal foil sheet to a surface of a wafer to provide a unified pairing of the metal foil sheet and the wafer, wherein the wafer has a perimeter and the metal foil sheet has a portion overhanging the perimeter. The method also includes laser scribing the metal foil sheet along the perimeter of the wafer using a laser beam that overlaps the metal foil sheet outside of the perimeter of the wafer and at the same time overlaps a portion of the unified pairing of the metal foil sheet and the wafer inside the perimeter of the wafer to remove the portion of the metal foil sheet overhanging the perimeter and to provide a metal foil piece coupled to the surface of the wafer.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignees: SunPower Corporation, Total Marketing ServicesInventors: Robert Woehl, Richard Hamilton Sewell, Mohamed A. Elbandrawy, Taeseok Kim, Thomas P. Pass, Benjamin Ian Hsia, David Fredric Joel Kavulak, Nils-Peter Harder
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Publication number: 20170092790Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device, and resulting semiconductor device are described. In an example, the method for manufacturing a semiconductor device include forming a semiconductor region and forming a metal seed region over the semiconductor region. The method can include placing a conductive strip over a first portion of the metal region, where the conductive strip is formed over the semiconductor region. The method can include bonding a contacting portion of the conductive strip to the first portion the metal region. The method can include etching a second portion of the metal region and where the conductive strip inhibits etching of the first portion of the metal region. In an example, the conductive strip can have a coating. In one example, the semiconductor device can be a solar cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventor: Nils-Peter Harder
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Publication number: 20160380134Abstract: Approaches for fabricating wire-based metallization for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a solar cell includes a substrate having a back surface and an opposing light-receiving surface. A plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the back surface of the substrate. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of metal wires. Each metal wire of the plurality of metal wires is parallel along a first direction to form a one-dimensional layout of a metallization layer for the solar cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2015Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Richard Hamilton Sewell, Robert Woehl, Jens Dirk Moschner, Nils-Peter Harder
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Publication number: 20150004331Abstract: A method for coating a substrate with an AlOx layer, in particular an Al2O3 layer, comprising the following method steps: (a) providing an inductively coupled plasma source (ICP source) having a reaction chamber and at least one RF inductor, (b) introducing an aluminium compound, preferably trimethylaluminium (TMA) into the ICP source, (c) introducing oxygen and/or an oxygen compound as reactive gas into the ICP source and inductively coupling of energy into the ICP source for forming a plasma, and (d) depositing the AlOx layer on the substrate. The invention also relates to a coating assembly for depositing thin layers on a substrate, in particular for carrying out the above method. The coating assembly comprises an inductively coupled plasma source (ICP) having a reaction chamber and at least one RF inductor, a substrate holder for arranging the substrate in the reaction chamber and channels for introducing the aluminium compound and a reactive gas in the ICP source.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Applicant: Singulus Technologies AGInventors: Torsten Dippell, Björn Roos, Oliver Hohn, Thorsten Dullweber, Nils-Peter Harder, Michael Seibert
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Patent number: 8866008Abstract: A method of manufacturing a transparent pane, in particular a glass pane, which includes on at least one of its main surfaces a surface structure including an assembly of specified individual motifs in relief, in particular pyramids, cones, or truncated cones, created by embossing or by rolling. A structure is created on the surface of the pane constituted by individual motifs, based on one or more basic motifs but which are distinguished from each other by their depth, their height, and/or the perimeter of their base area, and/or by the position of their peak with respect to their base. With this variation, formation of intensity peaks of the reflected light is prevented and at the same time a high quality of light trapping is obtained by panes suitable, for example, for solar applications.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass FranceInventors: Nils-Peter Harder, Ulf Blieske, Dirk Neumann, Marcus Neander, Michele Schiavoni, Patrick Gayout
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Publication number: 20140230878Abstract: The invention relates to a method for metallizing and connecting solar cell substrates and to a photovoltaic module made of several metallized solar cells that are electrically connected to one another. According to the invention, a solar cell substrate, in which second metal layers forming electrical metal contacts are optionally provided, is attached to a carrier substrate, on the surface of which at least one first metal layer is formed in a suitable pattern. By localized irradiation of the metal layer with laser radiation through the solar cell substrate or the carrier substrate, energy is introduced such that the metal layer is heated by absorbed laser radiation for an irreversible bonding to the adjacent surface of the solar cell substrate. By the laser bonding of the metal layer on the carrier substrate to the solar cell substrate, solar cells can be connected to form a photovoltaic module.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2012Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: INSTITUT FÜR SOLARENERGIEFORSCHUNG GMBHInventors: Henning Schulte-Huxel, Susanne Blankemeyer, Rolf Brendel, Robert Bock, Thorsten Dullweber, Nils-Peter Harder, Carsten Hampe, Yevgeniya Larionova
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Publication number: 20130269769Abstract: A method of manufacturing a transparent pane, in particular a glass pane, which includes on at least one of its main surfaces a surface structure including an assembly of specified individual motifs in relief, in particular pyramids, cones, or truncated cones, created by embossing or by rolling. A structure is created on the surface of the pane constituted by individual motifs, based on one or more basic motifs but which are distinguished from each other by their depth, their height, and/or the perimeter of their base area, and/or by the position of their peak with respect to their base. With this variation, formation of intensity peaks of the reflected light is prevented and at the same time a high quality of light trapping is obtained by panes suitable, for example, for solar applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventors: Nils-Peter HARDER, Ulf BLIESKE, Dirk NEUMANN, Marcus NEANDER, Michele SCHIAVONI, Patrick GAYOUT
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Patent number: 8174766Abstract: A plate of transparent material including, on its surface, a texture including a plurality of a feature in relief, whether in a form of depressions or projections. The feature includes a first face and a second face that are not mutually parallel, lines at a base of the faces being parallel. The first face forms, with the general plane of the plate, a larger angle than the angle formed by the second face with the general plane of the plate, the angles being angles inside the material if the feature is a projection, or angles on the outside of the material if the feature is a depression. The plate improves light transmission toward a photovoltaic cell, in particular when the plate is in a vertical position, for example on the surface of a noise barrier.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2006Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass FranceInventors: Michele Schiavoni, Patrick Gayout, Nils-Peter Harder, Ulf Blieske
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Patent number: 7994420Abstract: A photovoltaic solar cell including an upper electrode, a layer with light scattering and/or reflection properties, and a lower electrode. The layer with light scattering and/or reflection properties is located between the upper electrode and the lower electrode.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2005Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass FranceInventors: Nils-Peter Harder, Paul Mogensen, Ulf Blieske