Patents Examined by Allison Bourke
  • Patent number: 9577133
    Abstract: Provided are novel Building Integrable Photovoltaic (BIPV) modules having one or more connectors that are movable between extended and retracted positions. Connector adjustment may be performed in the field, for example, during installation of a module. In certain embodiments, a connector includes a connector body and extension body. The extension body flexibly attaches the connector body to the module and allows the connector body to move with respect to the module edge. In an extended position, the connector body is positioned closer to the edge and is configured to make electrical connections to a joiner connector for interconnecting with an adjacent module. In a retracted positioned, the connector body is positioned further from the edge and is configured to make electrical connections to a jumper for interconnecting the conductive elements of the connector. In certain embodiments, a jumper does not protrude beyond the edge when connected to the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BEIJING APOLLO DING RONG SOLAR TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Adam C. Sherman
  • Patent number: 9559237
    Abstract: In one aspect, semiconductor structures are described herein. A semiconductor structure, in some implementations, comprises a first semiconductor layer having a first bandgap and a first lattice constant and a second semiconductor layer having a second bandgap and a second lattice constant. The second lattice constant is lower than the first lattice constant. Additionally, a transparent metamorphic buffer layer is disposed between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. The buffer layer has a constant or substantially constant bandgap and a varying lattice constant. The varying lattice constant is matched to the first lattice constant adjacent the first semiconductor layer and matched to the second lattice constant adjacent the second semiconductor layer. The buffer layer comprises a first portion comprising AlyGazIn(1-y-z)As and a second portion comprising GaxIn(1-x)P.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Xing-Quan Liu, Christopher M. Fetzer, Daniel C. Law, Richard R. King
  • Patent number: 9543888
    Abstract: In an example, a clamp assembly for a glass on glass solar module for a tracker is included. The assembly has a lower clamp structure characterized by a top-hat shaped rail structure having a length extending from a first end to a second end. In an example, the assembly has an upper clamp structure configured to sandwich a pair of edges of a pair of solar modules with a portion of the lower clamp structure. In an example, the assembly has a locking spacer configured to the pair of edges of the pair of solar modules. In an example, the pair of edges comprises substantially glass material. In an example, the assembly has a pair of key structures configured with the locking spacer. Each of the key structures is affixed to each of the solar modules to physically lock each of the solar modules to the upper clamp structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 9543890
    Abstract: In one example, a photovoltaic module includes a plurality of discrete photovoltaic cells arranged in a plurality of cell rows, and a substantially electrically conductive and continuous area backsheet. The photovoltaic cells in each cell row are electrically connected in parallel to each other. The cell rows are electrically connected in series to each other and include a first row and a last row. The backsheet forms a current return path between the first and last rows. The photovoltaic cells are configured such that, in operation, current flows substantially uni-directionally through the plurality of photovoltaic cells between the first row and the last row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: TENKSOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Dallas W. Meyer, Lowell J. Berg, Forrest C. Meyer, Raymond W. Knight, Steven E. Wheeler, John P. Novotny
  • Patent number: 9525079
    Abstract: A photoelectrical conversion module includes at least one photoelectrical conversion device, at least one first ribbon, a second ribbon, and at least two encapsulation layers. The photoelectrical conversion device includes a solar substrate having a plurality of finger electrodes. The first ribbon is located on the solar substrate and is intersected with the finger electrodes. The first ribbon has a first connection portion located out of the solar substrate. The second ribbon has at least one second connection portion. The first connection portion is intersected and overlapped with the second connection portion, such that a portion of the first connection portion is located above the second connection portion, and another portion of the first connection portion is located under the second connection portion. The relative position of the first and second ribbons is fixed by the encapsulation layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: AU OPTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yung-Chih Chen, Huang-Chi Tseng
  • Patent number: 9520518
    Abstract: Provided is a solar cell module wherein a rear surface protective sheet has excellent long-term durability, and transmissivity of ultraviolet that reaches the solar cell is retained for a long time. This solar cell module is configured by laminating a front surface protective sheet, a light receiving-side sealing sheet, a solar cell element, a rear surface-side sealing sheet, and a rear surface protective sheet in this order. The solar cell module is characterized in that the light receiving-side sealing sheet has a transmissivity of 50% or more with respect to light having a wavelength of 300 nm, and the rear surface-side sealing sheet contains a reactive ultraviolet absorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUI CHEMICALS TOHCELLO, INC.
    Inventor: Takanobu Murofushi
  • Patent number: 9508881
    Abstract: A microsystems-enabled multi-junction photovoltaic (MEM-PV) cell includes a first photovoltaic cell having a first junction, the first photovoltaic cell including a first semiconductor material employed to form the first junction, the first semiconductor material having a first bandgap. The MEM-PV cell also includes a second photovoltaic cell comprising a second junction. The second photovoltaic cell comprises a second semiconductor material employed to form the second junction, the second semiconductor material having a second bandgap that is less than the first bandgap, the second photovoltaic cell further comprising a first contact layer disposed between the first junction of the first photovoltaic cell and the second junction of the second photovoltaic cell, the first contact layer composed of a third semiconductor material having a third bandgap, the third bandgap being greater than or equal to the first bandgap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Anna Tauke-Pedretti, Jeffrey Cederberg, Gregory N. Nielson, Murat Okandan, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa
  • Patent number: 9508882
    Abstract: A solar cell module includes a solar cell panel including a plurality of solar cells and a bus bar connected to the solar cells, a protective substrate on the solar cell panel, and a spacer part between the solar cell panel and the protective substrate. The spacer part includes an air layer and a spacer surrounding the air layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyung Eun Park
  • Patent number: 9502597
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module comprising a plurality of solar cells in a thin-layer structure, in which the following are consecutively formed: an electrode on the rear surface (41), a photovoltaic layer (46) obtained by depositing a layer (42) of precursors and by annealing such as to convert the precursors into a semiconductor material, and another semiconductor layer (43) in order to create a pn junction with the photovoltaic layer (46); characterized in that the layer (42) is deposited in a localized manner, such as to leave free at least one area (410) of the electrode on the rear surface (41) placed between two adjacent cells, wherein the annealing step modifies said area (410) which has higher resistivity than the rest of the electrode on the rear surface (41), such as to provide electric insulation between two adjacent cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Joel Dufourcq, Sevak Amtablian, Nicolas Karst, Frederic Roux
  • Patent number: 9496475
    Abstract: A method and device produce thermoelectric power and thermoelectric modules. In one embodiment, a thermoelectric module comprises N-type carbon nanotube film and P-type carbon nanotube film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Jaime C. Grunlan, Choongho Yu
  • Patent number: 9496443
    Abstract: A solar cell module includes a light guide body that guides incident light to propagate therein, and a solar cell element that receives the light propagating within the light guide body, wherein the light guide body is made of a light-transmissive base material and has a curved surface in at least a part thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kamada, Tsuyoshi Maeda, Hideki Uchida, Tokiyoshi Umeda, Hideomi Yui
  • Patent number: 9490412
    Abstract: A Peltier module for laser diode that can be mounted with high melting point solder is provided. A Peltier module for laser diode includes: a heat dissipation-side substrate; a heat dissipation-side electrode; a p-type thermoelectric conversion element and an n-type thermoelectric conversion element; a solder joint layer; and Ni-containing layers. The solder joint layer is disposed between the heat dissipation-side electrode and each of the p-type and n-type thermoelectric conversion elements, and includes Ni intermetallic compound containing Au and Sn, Au5Sn intermetallic compound, and a eutectic composition including Au5Sn intermetallic compound and AuSn intermetallic compound. The Ni-containing layer is disposed between the solder joint layer and the heat dissipation-side electrode and between the solder joint layer and each of the p-type and n-type thermoelectric conversion elements. The solder joint layer has a eutectic ratio of 15.1% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: KELK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kousuke Terauchi, Masataka Yamanashi, Hideyuki Ishikawa, Akio Konishi
  • Patent number: 9490382
    Abstract: A solar module is provided which has improved output characteristics. The solar module (1) includes a first protecting member (21), a second protecting member (22), a first solar cell (10a) and a second solar cell (10b), and a first wiring member (11A). The first solar cell (10a) and the second solar cell (10b) are arranged between the first protecting member (21) and the second protecting member (22). The first wiring member (11A) electrically connects the first solar cell (10a) to the second solar cell (10b). A first conductive member (17a) is arranged on the same surface of the first solar cell (10a) as the second protecting member (22). The tip of protrusion portions (11c) formed on the surface of the first wiring member (11A) and the first conductive member (17a) are connected electrically by welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Haruhisa Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9467088
    Abstract: A small sized power generator is provided, being highly efficient in power generation. The power generator can include a heat-light conversion element for converting heat to infrared light and a semiconductor power generation cell for converting the infrared light to electrical energy. The heat-light conversion element can include a material in which reflectance is higher on a long wavelength side of a predetermined infrared wavelength, relative to reflectance on a short wavelength side thereof. The material can cause radiation of the infrared light upon being heated. Heat from a heat source is transferred to the heat-light conversion element, thereby radiating the infrared light. The semiconductor power generation cell converts this infrared light to electrical energy, thereby performing thermal power generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takahiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9467089
    Abstract: A solar concentrator comprises a pair of concentric reflectors having a spindle toroid geometry for focusing the collected solar radiation into a ring-shaped focal area, as opposed to the “point” or “line” focus of prior art configurations. In a preferred embodiment, each reflector is formed of a plurality of curved petals that are disposed in a contiguous, keystone arrangement that requires no additional fixturing to hold the petals in place. Such an arrangement reduces the weight, complexity and cost of the final solar concentrator structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: CEWA TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: John Stewart Fangman, Michael E. Fangman, John Matthew Fangman, Sudhakar Neti, Arati Shah-Yukich
  • Patent number: 9462734
    Abstract: Rail system and method for a photovoltaic array. The system includes at least one modular rail in a first direction. The modular rail includes a first vehicle support surface along the first direction and a first mounting surface along the first direction. The first vehicle support surface is configured to support at least a first vehicle moving in the first direction, and the first mounting surface is configured to support one or more photovoltaic modules mounted on the first mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Alion Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Anders Swahn, Wolfgang Oels
  • Patent number: 9437753
    Abstract: A device includes a conductive surface (12) and electrical contacts (14) by which an electric current is able to be passed. The electrical contacts (14) include conductive seeds (16) deposited on the conductive surface (12), an electrically insulating layer (18), which covers discontinuously the conductive seeds (16) in order to form openings leaving access to the conductive seeds (16), and a plating layer (22) recovering the discontinuous insulating layer (18) and deposited on conductive seeds (16) which are accessible through the openings and form points from which the deposit of the plating layer (22) can start. The rest of the conductive surface (12), which doesn't include any electrical contacts (14), is continuously covered by the electrically insulating layer (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL) EPFL-TTO
    Inventor: Christophe Ballif
  • Patent number: 9419163
    Abstract: A solar panel capable of exhibiting excellent aesthetics and power generation efficiency, and capable of easily forming a protection plate in a manufacturing process is provided. The solar panel of the present invention comprises a protection plate 1 having translucency from a front surface 1a to a back surface, a solar battery cell, and an encapsulant that is integrally provided on the back surface, and fixes the solar battery cell to the back surface in sealed state. The protection plate is formed from a resin with polycarbonate as a main component by injection molding. The front surface serves as a design surface. A portion of the back surface that faces the solar battery cell serves as an offset surface that is offset with respect to the solar battery cell, and differs from the design surface in shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Hirotaka Inaba, Hitoshi Sekita
  • Patent number: 9412928
    Abstract: A thermoelectric device includes a plurality of thin-film thermoelectric elements. Each thin-film thermoelectric element is a Seebeck-Peltier device. The thin-film thermoelectric elements are electrically coupled in parallel with each other. The thermoelectric device may be fabricated using conventional semiconductor processing technologies and may be a thin-film type device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: William Donley
  • Patent number: 9406825
    Abstract: A stacked and integrated electric power generating device for capturing multiple light sources for power generation has a first concentrating photovoltaic module and a second concentrating photovoltaic module. The first concentrating photovoltaic module 10 has a transparent solar concentrating panel and a thin film solar cell. The second concentrating photovoltaic module is positioned below the first concentrating photovoltaic module with an interval, such that the first and second concentrating photovoltaic modules are in the form of a stacked and integrated structure, and the second concentrating photovoltaic module can absorb the light concentrated by the transparent solar concentrating panel to generate electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Inventor: Chia-Lin Chen