Patents Examined by A. Cannon
  • Patent number: 12148844
    Abstract: A solar battery module having high photoelectric conversion efficiency and superior aesthetic appearance. A solar battery module comprises a plate-shaped front-surface protection material having, on an exterior peripheral part, a light-blocking region that blocks light; a plurality of solar battery strings each having a plurality of solar battery cells that are aligned in one line in a first direction and connected, the plurality of solar battery strings being positioned aligned in a second direction that intersects with the first direction on the back side of the front-surface protection material; a plate-shaped or sheet-shaped back-surface protection material positioned on the back side of the plurality of solar battery strings; and a sealing material filled between the front-surface protection material and the back-surface protection material. The solar battery strings are arranged so that a portion of at least one end of the solar battery cells overlaps with the light-blocking region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichi Nakamura, Shimpei Okamoto
  • Patent number: 12142704
    Abstract: A tandem photovoltaic device and production method. The tandem photovoltaic device includes: an upper battery cell and a lower battery cell, and a tunnel junction located between the upper battery cell and the battery cell; the lower battery is a crystalline silicon cell; the tunnel junction includes: an upper crystalline silicon layer, a lower crystalline silicon layer and an intermediate layer located between the upper crystalline silicon layer and the lower crystalline silicon layer; the upper crystalline silicon layer, the lower crystalline silicon layer and the intermediate layer are in direct contact, and the doping types of the upper crystalline silicon layer and the lower crystalline silicon layer are opposite; the doping concentration of the upper crystalline silicon layer at the interface with the intermediate layer and the doping concentration of the lower crystalline silicon layer at the interface with the intermediate layer are greater than or equal to 1018 cm?3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: LONGI GREEN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhao Wu, Chen Xu, Zifeng Li
  • Patent number: 12122790
    Abstract: A compound of formula (I): Each R1 and R2 is, independently in each occurrence, a substituent. Each R3-R10 is, independently in each occurrence, H or a substituent. At least one occurrence of at least one of R11-R14 is CN. Each Y is independently O or S. Z1-Z4 are each independently a direct bond or Z1, Z2, Z3 and/or Z4 together with, respectively, R4 or R5, R7 or R8, R6, or R9 forms an aromatic or heteroaromatic group. The compound of formula (I) may be provided in an active layer of an organic electronic device, e.g. as an electron acceptor in a bulk heterojunction layer of an organic photodetector. A photosensor may comprise the organic photodetector and a light source, e.g. a near infra-red light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nir Yaacobi-Gross
  • Patent number: 12125928
    Abstract: A resin composition for a solar cell encapsulant that is used for forming a solar cell encapsulant, the resin composition including at least one kind of ethylene-polar monomer copolymer (A1) selected from an ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer and an ethylene-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester copolymer, an epoxy group-containing ethylene-based copolymer (A2) (excluding the ethylene-polar monomer copolymer (A1)), an ethylene-?-olefin copolymer (B), and a metal inactivating agent (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: DOW-MITSUI POLYCHEMICALS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kei Nagayama, Kana Kukita, Motoaki Isokawa
  • Patent number: 12108672
    Abstract: Power generation assemblies and methods relating thereto are disclosed. In an embodiment, the power generation assembly includes a thermoelectric generator, and a conductor configured to conduct electricity generated by the thermoelectric generator to the surface of a subterranean wellbore. The power generation assembly is to circulate a working fluid through a closed loop in the power generation assembly in response to the receipt of geothermal energy within a subterranean formation, to cause the thermoelectric generator to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: James William Weir, Travis James Miller, Frank Benjamin Springett
  • Patent number: 12107180
    Abstract: Provided is a solar cell assembly that includes a plurality of small segments, each of the plurality of small segments being defined by a defining line, which is a straight line substantially parallel to a linear one side of the cell assembly, the solar cell assembly including: a photoelectric conversion part; a transparent conductive layer disposed on an area of a main surface of the photoelectric conversion part corresponding to each of the plurality of small segments, the transparent conductive layer having a first area and a second area; a collector electrode disposed on the first area of the transparent conductive layer and including a plating layer; and a transparent insulating layer disposed on the second area of the transparent conductive layer, in which the photoelectric conversion part is exposed in a defining area, which is an area formed along the defining line and including the defining line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masanori Fukuda
  • Patent number: 12100775
    Abstract: A method of making a photovoltaic module includes the step of obtaining a frontsheet having a glass layer, a light scattering encapsulant layer, and a polymer layer. The light scattering encapsulant layer includes a first region, a plurality of first portions extending from the first region, and at least one area located between the first portions. The first portions of the light scattering encapsulant layer has a first light scattering value and a second portion defined by the area has a second light scattering value different from the first light scattering value. The method includes the steps of obtaining at least one solar cell, an encapsulant, and a backsheet, and laminating the frontsheet, the encapsulant, the at least one solar cell, and the backsheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: GAF Energy LLC
    Inventors: Richard Perkins, Alex Sharenko, Thierry Nguyen, Gabriela Bunea, Anna Wojtowicz
  • Patent number: 12095415
    Abstract: A system includes at least one photovoltaic module installed on a roof deck, at least one electrical connector electrically connected to the photovoltaic module, and at least one electrical component electrically and removably connected to the electrical connector. The electrical component includes a housing and an electronic component located within the housing. The electronic component includes at least one of an optimizer, a rapid shutdown device, or an inverter. The electrical component is separate from the photovoltaic module and is configured to be disconnected from the electrical connector while the photovoltaic module remains installed on the roof deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: GAF Energy LLC
    Inventors: Gabriela Bunea, Thierry Nguyen, Lewis Abra
  • Patent number: 12068424
    Abstract: Provided is a thermally conductive and electrically insulating paint composition, and an exterior steel sheet for a solar cell, comprising same. Specifically, the thermally conductive and electrically insulating paint composition includes: a first mixture, which comprises a thermoplastic resin and a thermally conductive filler, a polymer dispersant, and a first hydrocarbon-based solvent; and an exterior steel sheet for a solar cell, comprising: a steel sheet on which a heat dissipation layer is formed on one surface thereof; and a thermally conductive and electrically insulating coating layer which comprises a thermoplastic resin, a thermally conductive filler and a polymer dispersant, and which is formed on the other surface of the steel sheet, wherein the thermally conductive filler is dispersed in the coating layer in a form of being encompassed by the polymer dispersant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: POSCO CO., LTD
    Inventor: Young-Jun Park
  • Patent number: 12063009
    Abstract: Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems for energy harvesting with thermal management are provided. The systems include a three-dimensional architected wick having a porous structure for delivering a two-phase working fluid via capillary action to maintain efficient cooling of a TPV cell array. The wick is configured to uniformly deliver working fluid for evaporative cooling of the TPV cells. The wick may be in direct thermal communication with the TPV cell or employed to locally deliver working fluid to an evaporator that is in direct thermal communication with the TPV cell. The increased surface area of porous structure of the wick and the evaporator increases heat dissipation and evaporative cooling providing an improvement in temperature distribution and heat transfer critical to maintaining the TPV cell at a constant temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ercan M. Dede, Ziqi Yu, Taehwa Lee, Shailesh Joshi
  • Patent number: 12051989
    Abstract: A portable solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generator module comprises a plurality of smart power slat (SPS) units, each SPS unit comprising a plurality of solar cells electrically connected together based on a specified cell interconnection design, and, at least one power maximizing integrated circuit collecting electricity generated by the plurality of solar cells. The plurality of SPS units are mechanically connected such that the SPS units can be retracted for volume compaction of the module, and can be expanded for increasing PV electricity generation by the module. The module can be used as part of an electric power supply with a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) power optimizer, storage battery and leads to connect to a load. The load can be AC or DC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Sigmagen, Inc.
    Inventor: Mehrdad M. Moslehi
  • Patent number: 12051990
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an integrated photovoltaic (PV) roofing shingle comprising a photovoltaic (PV) module and a roofing shingle. In some embodiments, the roofing shingle is bonded to the PV module. In some embodiments, a bond strength between the roofing shingle and the PV module is from 5 N/mm to 60 N/mm tested according to ASTM D1876. In some embodiments, the integrated PV roofing shingle has a mass per unit area of 0.5 lb per square foot to 5 lbs per square foot. Methods, systems, and kits including the integrated PV roofing shingle are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: GAF Energy LLC
    Inventors: Nathan Peterson, Richard Perkins, Alex Sharenko, Gabriela Bunea
  • Patent number: 12047031
    Abstract: A mount for an energizer includes a base body, a pivot element attachable to the energizer, and a pivot assembly connecting the pivot element to the base body. The pivot assembly is movable between a first position and a second position in which the pivot assembly is biased toward the first position. The pivot element is held at a fixed pivot angle by the base body with the pivot assembly in the first position. The pivot element is pivotable with respect to the base body with the pivot assembly in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignees: Woodstream Corporation, Ares Capital Corporation
    Inventors: Marko Konstantin Lubic, Luke Benjamin Haney, Andrew Joseph Gauker
  • Patent number: 12029052
    Abstract: A solar cell module includes a first substrate and a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements disposed on the first substrate. Each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements includes a first electrode, an electron transport layer, a perovskite layer, a hole transport layer, and a second electrode. In at least two of the photoelectric conversion elements adjacent to each other, the hole transport layers are extended continuous layers; and the first electrodes, the electron transport layers, and the perovskite layers in the at least two of the photoelectric conversion elements adjacent to each other are separated by the hole transport layer. The hole transport layer includes, as hole transport material, a polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 2,000 or more or a compound having a molecular weight of 2,000 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tamotsu Horiuchi, Takahiro Ide, Yuuji Tanaka, Nozomu Tamoto, Naomichi Kanei, Masana Shiba
  • Patent number: 12021488
    Abstract: Solar thermal units and methods of operating solar thermal units for the conversion of solar insolation to thermal energy are provided. In some examples, solar thermal units have an inlet, and a split flow of heat absorbing fluid to either side of the solar thermal unit, along a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Optionally, one or more photovoltaic panels can be provided as part of the solar thermal unit, which may convert solar insolation to electric power that may be used by a system connected to the solar thermal unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Source Global, PBC
    Inventors: Cody Friesen, Michael Robinson, Grant Friesen, Heath Lorzel, Justin Zachary Bessant
  • Patent number: 12015375
    Abstract: A lead assembly includes at plurality of drop line joined to a feeder cable at joints each having a compression lug that is preferably surrounded by undermolding and overmolding. In use, each drop line is connected to a solar array, and the feeder cable is connected to an inverter. In this manner a plurality of solar arrays are electrically coupled together, with a common feeder cable connecting them all to the inverter. A system of the present invention doesn't require a combiner box which is conventionally employed directly upstream of the inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: SHOALS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Dean Solon
  • Patent number: 12015373
    Abstract: A window unit for a building or structure comprises a first panel and a second panel each having an area transparent for at least a portion of visible light and a spacer spacing the first panel from the second panel. The spacer surrounds a space between the first and second panels. A first edge area of the first panel extends beyond a projection of the circumference of the spacer in a direction of a surface normal of the first panel. The window unit also comprises a housing incorporating at least one electric or electronic element which is indirectly or directly electrically coupled to at least one other electrical component positioned within the window unit. The housing is positioned at or near the spacer and at least partially within a projection of the circumference of the first edge area of the first panel in the direction of the surface normal of the first panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: CLEARVUE TECHNOLOGIES LTD
    Inventor: Steven Coonen
  • Patent number: 12015376
    Abstract: A lead assembly includes a feeder cable, one or more drop lines, and one or more mold structures. Each drop line includes a drop line connector, the drop line connector configured to be capable of detachable connection to a wire harness having a plurality of branches that are each configured to receive electrical power generated by a corresponding photovoltaic (PV) panel resulting in combined electrical power at the drop line connector. The one or more mold structures are disposed about a region of electrical interconnection between the feeder cable and the one or more drop lines. The one or more mold structures substantially seal the region of electrical interconnection from external environmental conditions. The combined electrical power received at each drop line connector is delivered to the feeder cable at the region of electrical interconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: SHOALS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Dean Solon
  • Patent number: 12012235
    Abstract: A solar panel module includes a solar panel; a printed circuit board combined with a plane of the solar panel and including a microchamber and an ignition circuit; and a propellant inserted into the microchamber and connected to the ignition circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: CUBEROCKET INC.
    Inventors: Jeongrak Lee, Eunji Lee, Youngbin Son, Yoonju Lee, Hanseong Jo
  • Patent number: 12009780
    Abstract: A photovoltaic renewable energy system utilizes a light source and one or more reflectors to produce power via photovoltaic cells. An exemplary photovoltaic renewable energy system utilizes a light source, such as Light Emitting Diodes (LED), to provide light to photovoltaic cells that therein produce electrical power. The photovoltaic cells may be arranged in a photovoltaic array to ensure maximum power conversion from the incident light. A reflector, such as a prism may be used to direct light from the light source onto the photovoltaic cells. A cell reflector, which may also be a prism, may be configured proximal to the photovoltaic cell surfaces to reflect light onto the photovoltaic surface to increase power conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Inventor: Abron Arrington