Patents Assigned to Miasole
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Patent number: 8123565Abstract: Provided are low profile, water-resistant and touch safe electrical connectors for solar modules. According to various embodiments, the electrical connectors include a low-profile conductive stud, a low-profile sheath that surrounds the stud, and a socket to mate with the stud. According to various embodiments, the sheath and socket mate via keyed inter-engageable features. Also according to certain embodiments, the socket is fastened to the stud and/or sheath via snap fastening.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2011Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: MiasoleInventors: Jason Corneille, Michael Meyers
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Patent number: 8115095Abstract: A solar cell includes a substrate, a protective layer located over a first surface of the substrate, a first electrode located over a second surface of the substrate, at least one p-type semiconductor absorber layer located over the first electrode, an n-type semiconductor layer located over the p-type semiconductor absorber layer, and a second electrode over the n-type semiconductor layer. The p-type semiconductor absorber layer includes a copper indium selenide (CIS) based alloy material, and the second electrode is transparent and electrically conductive. The protective layer has an emissivity greater than 0.25 at a wavelength of 2 ?m, has a reactivity with a selenium-containing gas lower than that of the substrate, and may differ from the first electrode in at least one of composition, thickness, density, emissivity, conductivity or stress state. The emissivity profile of the protective layer may be uniform or non-uniform.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: MiaSoleInventors: Chris Schmidt, John Corson
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Publication number: 20120031492Abstract: A solar cell comprises a substrate, a first transition metal layer comprising an alkali element or an alkali compound located over the substrate, a second transition metal layer comprising gallium located over the first transition metal layer, at least one p-type semiconductor absorber layer including a copper indium selenide (CIS) based alloy material located over the second transition metal layer, an n-type semiconductor layer located over the p-type semiconductor absorber layer, and a top electrode located over the n-type semiconductor layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2010Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: MiaSoleInventors: Swati Sevvana, Korthan Demirkan, Robert B. Zubeck
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Patent number: 8110738Abstract: A solar cell includes a substrate, a protective layer located over a first surface of the substrate, a first electrode located over a second surface of the substrate, at least one p-type semiconductor absorber layer located over the first electrode, an n-type semiconductor layer located over the p-type semiconductor absorber layer, and a second electrode over the n-type semiconductor layer. The p-type semiconductor absorber layer includes a copper indium selenide (CIS) based alloy material, and the second electrode is transparent and electrically conductive. The protective layer has an emissivity greater than 0.25 at a wavelength of 2 ?m, has a reactivity with a selenium-containing gas lower than that of the substrate, and may differ from the first electrode in at least one of composition, thickness, density, emissivity, conductivity or stress state. The emissivity profile of the protective layer may be uniform or non-uniform.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: MiaSoleInventors: Chris Schmidt, John Corson
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Publication number: 20110318868Abstract: A solar cell includes a substrate, a protective layer located over a first surface of the substrate, a first electrode located over a second surface of the substrate, at least one p-type semiconductor absorber layer located over the first electrode, an n-type semiconductor layer located over the p-type semiconductor absorber layer, and a second electrode over the n-type semiconductor layer. The p-type semiconductor absorber layer includes a copper indium selenide (CIS) based alloy material, and the second electrode is transparent and electrically conductive. The protective layer has an emissivity greater than 0.25 at a wavelength of 2 ?m, has a reactivity with a selenium-containing gas lower than that of the substrate, and may differ from the first electrode in at least one of composition, thickness, density, emissivity, conductivity or stress state. The emissivity profile of the protective layer may be uniform or non-uniform.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: MiaSoleInventors: Chris Schmidt, John Corson
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Patent number: 8076174Abstract: A sputtering target, including a sputtering layer and a support structure. The sputtering layer includes an alkali-containing transition metal. The support structure includes a second material that does not negatively impact the performance of a copper indium selenide (CIS) based semiconductor absorber layer of a solar cell. The sputtering layer directly contacts the second material.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2011Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: MiaSoleInventors: Daniel R. Juliano, Deborah Mathias, Neil M. Mackie
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Patent number: 8062384Abstract: Provided herein are methods, apparatuses and systems for fabricating photovoltaic cells and modules. In certain embodiments, the methods, apparatuses and systems involve coating ferromagnetic substrates with thin film solar cell materials and using magnetic force to constrain, move or otherwise manipulate partially fabricated cells or modules. According to various embodiments, the methods, apparatuses and systems provide magnetically actuated handling throughout a photovoltaic cell or module fabrication process, from forming photovoltaic cell layers on a substrate to packaging the module for transport and installation. The magnetically manipulated processing provides advantages over conventional photovoltaic module processing operations, including fewer mechanical components, greater control over placement and tolerances, and ease of handling. As a result, the methods, apparatuses and systems provide highly efficient, low maintenance photovoltaic module fabrication processes.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2009Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: MiasoleInventors: Bruce Krein, Darin Birtwhistle, Jeff Thompson, William Sanders, Paul Alexander
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Patent number: 8058752Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes at least one photovoltaic cell and a DC/DC converter electrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell. The at least one photovoltaic cell and the DC/DC converter are integrated into a photovoltaic package.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: MiaSoleInventors: Robert W. Erickson, Jr., Steven Croft, Shawn Everson, Aaron Schultz
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Patent number: 8048706Abstract: Provided herein are improved methods of laser scribing photovoltaic structures to form monolithically integrated photovoltaic modules. The methods involve forming P1, P2 or P3 scribes by an ablative scribing mechanism having low melting, and in certain embodiments, substantially no melting. In certain embodiments, the methods involve generating an ablation shockwave at an interface of the film to be removed and the underlying layer. The film is then removed by mechanical shock. According to various embodiments, the ablation shockwave is generated by using a laser beam having a wavelength providing an optical penetration depth on the order of the film thickness and a minimum threshold intensity. In one embodiment, material including an absorber layer is scribed using an infrared laser source and a picosecond pulse width.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: MiasoleInventors: Osman Ghandour, Alex Austin, Daebong Lee, Jason Stephen Corneille, James Teixeira
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Patent number: 8048707Abstract: A method of making a photovoltaic device includes forming a compound semiconductor layer including copper, indium, gallium, selenium and sulfur by reactive sputtering at least one target including copper, indium, gallium and a sulfur compound in an atmosphere including selenium.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: MiaSoleInventors: Paul Shufflebotham, Daniel R. Juliano, Robert Tas, Neil Mackie
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Publication number: 20110259418Abstract: A method of manufacturing improved thin-film solar cells entirely by sputtering includes a high efficiency back contact/reflecting multi-layer containing at least one barrier layer consisting of a transition metal nitride. A copper indium gallium diselenide (Cu(InXGa1-X)Se2) absorber layer (X ranging from 1 to approximately 0.7) is co-sputtered from specially prepared electrically conductive targets using dual cylindrical rotary magnetron technology. The band gap of the absorber layer can be graded by varying the gallium content, and by replacing the gallium partially or totally with aluminum. Alternately the absorber layer is reactively sputtered from metal alloy targets in the presence of hydrogen selenide gas. RF sputtering is used to deposit a non-cadmium containing window layer of ZnS. The top transparent electrode is reactively sputtered aluminum doped ZnO. A unique modular vacuum roll-to-roll sputtering machine is described.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: MiaSoleInventor: Dennis R. Hollars
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Patent number: 8017976Abstract: A sputtering target, including a sputtering layer and a support structure. The sputtering layer includes an alkali-containing transition metal. The support structure includes a second material that does not negatively impact the performance of a copper indium selenide (CIS) based semiconductor absorber layer of a solar cell. The sputtering layer directly contacts the second material.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2010Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: MiaSoleInventors: Daniel R. Juliano, Deborah Mathias, Neil M. Mackie
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Patent number: 8004232Abstract: A method of providing power includes providing no power to an output device if the output device cannot or should not use power. If the output device can use power, power is provided to the output device from an input source. If power available at the input source would not overload the output device, power is provided to the output device from the input source according to a maximum power point tracking algorithm. If power available at the input source would overload the output device, power is provided to the output device from the input source according to a target power.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: MiaSoleInventor: Aaron Schultz
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Patent number: 7963802Abstract: Provided are low profile, water-resistant and touch safe safe electrical connectors for solar modules. According to various embodiments, the electrical connectors include a low-profile conductive stud, a low-profile sheath that surrounds the stud, and a socket to mate with the stud. According to various embodiments, the sheath and socket mate via keyed inter-engageable features. Also according to certain embodiments, the socket is fastened to the stud and/or sheath via snap fastening.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2010Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: MiasoleInventors: Jason Corneille, Michael Meyers
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Publication number: 20110108087Abstract: One photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and at least one device selected from a sensor, a data storage device and an indicator. Another photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a flexible circuit configured to act as an antenna for electromagnetic radiation. Methods of using such photovoltaic modules are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2011Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: MiaSoleInventors: Steven Croft, Randy Dorn, Ilan Gur, Bruce Hachtmann, Dennis Hollars, Shefali Jaiswal, Puthur Paulson, David Pearce, Kannan Ramanathan, William Sanders, Ben Tarbell
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Patent number: 7935558Abstract: A sputtering target includes at least one metal selected from copper, indium and gallium and a sodium containing compound.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2010Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: MiaSoleInventors: Daniel R. Juliano, Robert Tas, Neil Mackie, Abdelouahab Ziani
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Patent number: 7927912Abstract: A sputtering target, including a sputtering layer and a support structure. The sputtering layer includes an alkali-containing transition metal. The support structure includes a second material that does not negatively impact the performance of a copper indium selenide (CIS) based semiconductor absorber layer of a solar cell. The sputtering layer directly contacts the second material.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2010Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: MiaSoleInventors: Daniel R. Juliano, Deborah Mathias, Neil M. Mackie
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Patent number: 7897020Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solar cell includes providing a substrate, depositing a first electrode comprising an alkali-containing transition metal layer over the substrate, depositing at least one p-type semiconductor absorber layer over the first electrode, wherein the p-type semiconductor absorber layer includes a copper indium selenide (CIS) based alloy material, depositing an n-type semiconductor layer over the p-type semiconductor absorber layer, and depositing a second electrode over the n-type semiconductor layer. The step of depositing the alkali-containing transition metal layer includes sputtering from a first target comprising the transition metal and a second target comprising the alkali metal, where a composition of the first target is different from a composition of the second target.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2009Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: MiaSoleInventors: Neil M. Mackie, Daniel R. Juliano, Robert B. Zubeck
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Patent number: 7838763Abstract: A method of manufacturing improved thin-film solar cells entirely by sputtering includes a high efficiency back contact/reflecting multi-layer containing at least one barrier layer consisting of a transition metal nitride. A copper indium gallium diselenide (Cu(InxGa1-x)Se2) absorber layer (X ranging from 1 to approximately 0.7) is co-sputtered from specially prepared electrically conductive targets using dual cylindrical rotary magnetron technology. The band gap of the absorber layer can be graded by varying the gallium content, and by replacing the gallium partially or totally with aluminum. Alternately the absorber layer is reactively sputtered from metal alloy targets in the presence of hydrogen selenide gas. RF sputtering is used to deposit a non-cadmium containing window layer of ZnS. The top transparent electrode is reactively sputtered aluminum doped ZnO. A unique modular vacuum roll-to-roll sputtering machine is described.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2009Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: MiaSoleInventor: Dennis Hollars
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Patent number: 7829783Abstract: Provided are novel back sheets for solar module encapsulation. According to various embodiments, the back sheets are ungrounded and flexible. In certain embodiments, the back sheets include an integrated flexible and electrically isolated moisture barrier and a seal around the edge of the moisture barrier. The electrically isolated moisture barrier may be a thin metallic sheet, e.g., an aluminum foil. The electrically isolated, flexible moisture barrier eliminates the need for grounding.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2009Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: MiasoleInventors: Todd Krajewski, Jason Corneille, Shefali Jaiswal