Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a solid-liquid interface, including providing a vessel configured to contain an at least partially melted material; detecting radiation reflected from a surface of a liquid portion of the at least partially melted material; providing sound energy to the surface; measuring a disturbance on the surface; calculating at least one frequency associated with the disturbance; and determining a thickness of the liquid portion based on the at least one frequency, wherein the thickness is calculated based on L=(2m?1)vs/4f, where f is the frequency where the disturbance has an amplitude maximum, vs is the speed of sound in the material, and m is a positive integer (1, 2, 3, . . . ).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a solar array on the roof of a residence or the like which uses a pan in the installation of the solar modules that make up the array. The pan may also be used as part of the packaging of the solar modules. The pan is comprised of a length of material having a trough-like cross-section. For packaging, shipping inserts are fitted into the trough of each pan. Opposite edges of a solar module are fitted into respective slots in the inserts of two facing pans and a protector is fitted over each end thereof to form a package for shipping. Once on site, the packages are disassembled, the pans are mounted on the roof, and the modules are connected to the pans to form the array.

Abstract: A junction box adapted to protect soldered electrical connections between outputs and cables wherein the connections are on a flat surface (e.g. the backing sheet of a solar module) and a method for installing the box over the connections. The junction box can have a split housing that can be spread to fit over the cables before filling the housing with a sealant which, in turn, covers and protects the connections. A separate cover is then latched onto the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for installing a solar module on a roof using a mounting structure which can be adjusted after it has been fixed to the roof. The mounting structure is comprised of a plate having a slot into which an adjustable bracket is slidably positioned. The mounting structures are spaced from each other and the plates are fixed to the roof by toggle bolts or the like. A framed module is placed across the structures and one or both of the adjustable brackets are adjusted to align holes in the frame of the module with threaded chambers in the brackets. Next, threaded fasteners are passed through the holes and into the chambers to thereby secure the solar module to the roof.

Abstract: This invention is a layered thin film semiconductor device comprising a first transparent layer; a thin, second transparent layer having a conductivity less than the first transparent layer; an n-type layer; and a p-type layer comprising one or more IIB and VIA elements. This invention is also a method for making such semiconductor device. The thin film semiconductor devices of this invention are useful for making photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a crystalline ribbon continuously from a melt pool of liquid feed material, e.g. silicon. The silicon is melted and flowed into a growth tray to provide a melt pool of liquid silicon. Heat is passively extracted by allowing heat to flow from the melt pool up through a chimney. Heat is simultaneously applied to the growth tray to keep the silicon in its liquid phase while heat loss is occurring through the chimney. A template is placed in contact with the melt pool as heat is lost through the chimney so that the silicon starts to “freeze” (i.e. solidify) and adheres to the template. The template is then pulled from the melt pool thereby producing a continuous ribbon of crystalline silicon.

Abstract: A tool and method for installing an expansion bolt in a remote location where the expansion bolt is not readily accessible. The tool is comprised of a housing having a rod with a puller element on one end slidably mounted in the housing. A barrel is attached to and extends from the front of the housing. The headless screw of an expansion bolt is loosely threaded into the puller element and the barrel of the tool and the bolt are lowered until the expandable anchor on the screw is in or below a hole in a remote support structure. A ratchet in the housing moves the puller within the housing to pull the screw upward while the lower end of the barrel abuts and holds the flange on the anchor portion against the support structure to set the expandable anchor.

Abstract: An efficient photovoltaic cell, and its process of manufacture, is disclosed wherein the back surface p-n junction is removed from a doped substrate having an oppositely doped emitter layer. A front surface and edges and optionally the back surface periphery are masked and a back surface etch is performed. The mask is not removed and acts as an anti-reflective coating, a passivating agent, or both. The photovoltaic cell retains an untextured back surface whether or not the front is textured and the dopant layer on the back surface is removed to enhance the cell efficiency. Optionally, a back surface field is formed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thin film photovoltaic module comprising series connected cells, the cells comprising a front contact, a back contact and a photovoltaically active region positioned between the front and back contacts, the series connected cell being formed by scribing a front contact layer, a photovoltaically active layer and a back contact layer on a substrate, the method comprising laser scribing at least one of the front contact layer, the photovoltaically active layer or the back contact layer to form laser scribes using a laser beam scanned rapidly over the layer.

Abstract: A fluid bed process for the manufacture of vinyl acetate from ethylene, acetic acid and oxygen comprising feeding ethylene and acetic acid into a fluid bed reactor through a first inlet, introducing the oxygen into the reactor through a second inlet, co-joining the oxygen, ethylene and acetic acid in the reactor in contact with a fluid bed catalyst to produce vinyl acetate. The particle size diameter of the particulate catalyst material has a range of 60% of the particles being below 200 microns (0.1 mm) with no more than 40% of the particles being below 40 microns (0.04 mm).

Abstract: This invention is a layered thin film semiconductor device comprising a first transparent layer; a thin, second transparent layer having a conductivity less than the first transparent layer; an n-type layer; and a p-type layer comprising one or more IIB and VIA elements. This invention is also a method for making such semiconductor device. The thin film semiconductor devices of this invention are useful for making photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell comprising a supporting substrate, a front contact layer on the substrate, a layer or layers of semiconductor material and a back contact layer comprising a metal, the back contact having areas without metal thereby permitting the passage of light through the cell.

Abstract: A process of treating waste solvent acetonitrile streams which contain at least one water extractable impurity such as isopropyl acetate to remove substantially all of the impurity by distilling the waste solvent acetonitrile in the presence of water for a time sufficient to allow the water extractable impurity to be extractively distilled from the acetonitrile. In preferred embodiments of the present invention the feed may contain either a mixture of waste solvent acetonitrile and crude acetonitrile or crude acetonitrile free of hydrogen cyanide by itself.

Abstract: A process for the enhanced recovery and operation of hydrogen cyanide (HCN)/heads column obtained from the reactor effluent of an ammoxidation reaction of propane, propylene or isobutylene by reducing the polymer formation above the feed tray in the heads tower.

Abstract: This invention is a photovoltaic device comprising an intrinsic or i-layer of amorphous silicon and where the photovoltaic device is more efficient at converting light energy to electric energy at high operating temperatures than at low operating temperatures. The photovoltaic devices of this invention are suitable for use in high temperature operating environments.

Abstract: A method for the purification of crude acetonitrile comprising distilling the crude acetonitrile in a first fractional distillation column at below atmospheric pressure, withdrawing a first side draw fraction comprising acetonitrile, distilling the first side draw fraction in a second fractional distillation column at super atmospheric pressure, and withdrawing from the second distillation a second side draw fraction comprising purified acetonitrile.

Abstract: A process increasing the yield of both HCN and acetonitrile produced during the manufacture of acrylonitrile comprising introducing a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propylene and propane, a crude ketone and/or a mixture of at least two ketones, ammonia and air, into a reaction zone containing an ammoxidation catalyst, reacting the. hydrocarbon, the ketone, ammonia and oxygen over said catalyst at an elevated temperature to produce acrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile, and recovering the acrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile from the reactor.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and an apparatus for identifying and quantifying components in an effluent stream from an ammoxidation reactor, the apparatus comprising a microprocessor; and a Fourier Transform infrared spectrometer having a sample cell through which may flow a portion of the effluent stream, an infrared source to emit infrared radiation and pass the infrared radiation through the effluent stream, an infrared detector to detect transmitted infrared radiation at the selected infrared wavelengths and to generate absorbance data due to absorbance of the infrared radiation by the components, wherein each of the components absorbs infrared radiation at one or more of the infrared wavelengths, and an output apparatus to provide the absorbance data to the microprocessor; wherein the microprocessor is programmed to identify and quantify each of the plurality of components based upon the absorbance data and calibration data, the calibration data being obtained from recovery run analyses and calibrat

Abstract: A multi-purpose photovoltaic module framing system is provided which combines and integrates the framing system with the photovoltaic electrical system. The user friendly framing system is easy to install and can be directly mounted to a roof surface without auxiliary brackets and beams. The economical framing system has aesthetically pleasing frames to mechanically hold and support photovoltaic modules. The multi-purpose frames desirably have integral electrical raceways which conceal and protect most electrical components and wires. The reliable frames are specially constructed and arranged to permit easy access to output wires and do not require junction boxes. Ground clips can be directly connected to the convenient framing system.