Patents Examined by Andrew J Golden
  • Patent number: 12199553
    Abstract: Solar trackers that may be advantageously employed on sloped and/or variable terrain to rotate solar panels to track motion of the sun across the sky include bearing assemblies configured to address mechanical challenges posed by the sloped and/or variable terrain that might otherwise prevent or complicate use of solar trackers on such terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: NEVADOS ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Yezin Taha, Kyam Krieger, Jared Niemiec
  • Patent number: 12176850
    Abstract: A wireless self-charging power pack including a solution processed conductive thin film integrating a solar cell with a solid-state supercapacitor. Additionally, a method of forming a wireless self-charging power pack including integrating a solar cell with a solid-state supercapacitor by forming a layer of conductive thin film between the solar cell and the solid-state supercapacitor through solution processing of the material forming the conductive thin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventor: Xiong Gong
  • Patent number: 12166140
    Abstract: A solar cell is provided, including: a semiconductor substrate including a front surface and a rear surface arranged opposite to each other; an emitter located on the front surface of the semiconductor substrate; a front passivation layer located over the front surface of the semiconductor substrate; a tunneling layer located over the rear surface of the semiconductor substrate; a doped conductive layer located over a surface of the tunneling layer; a rear passivation layer located over a surface of the doped conductive layer; a front electrode in contact with the emitter; and a rear electrode in contact with the first doped conductive layer. The doped conductive layer includes a first doped conductive layer corresponding to a rear metallized region, and a second doped conductive layer corresponding to a rear non-metallized region. The first doped conductive layer has an oxygen content less than the second doped conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Zhejiang Jinko Solar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nannan Yang, Jingsheng Jin, Bike Zhang
  • Patent number: 12165815
    Abstract: Perovskites have high density of vacancies which absorb oxygen molecules and upon illumination, transform them into superoxide species which react with perovskites to decompose them, preventing use of these materials in many photo-applications. The present disclosure provides ways for improving the stability of perovskites in air ambient by doping perovskites with metals such as lead, cadmium, zinc, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper and tin which decreases the density of vacancies in perovskites and significantly increases the lifetime of perovskites. Perovskite solar cells containing inorganic and organic ions such as Cs+, formamidinium and methylammonium cations, Pb2+, Br— and I— with these metal dopants exhibit stable efficiency within a month of storage in air ambient with the relative humidity of 50%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
    Inventors: Makhsud Saidaminov, Junghwan Kim, Ankit Jain, Oleksandr Voznyy, Edward H. Sargent
  • Patent number: 12166137
    Abstract: Aligned metallization approaches for fabricating solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a solar cell includes a semiconductor layer over a semiconductor substrate. A first plurality of discrete openings is in the semiconductor layer and exposes corresponding discrete portions of the semiconductor substrate. A plurality of doped regions is in the semiconductor substrate and corresponds to the first plurality of discrete openings. An insulating layer is over the semiconductor layer and is in the first plurality of discrete openings. A second plurality of discrete openings is in the insulating layer and exposes corresponding portions of the plurality of doped regions. Each one of the second plurality of discrete openings is entirely within a perimeter of a corresponding one of the first plurality of discrete openings. A plurality of conductive contacts is in the second plurality of discrete openings and is on the plurality of doped regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Maxeon Solar Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Taeseok Kim, David Smith
  • Patent number: 12159952
    Abstract: A photovoltaic cell is provided, including: a substrate; a tunneling layer, a field passivation layer and a first passivation film that are sequentially disposed on a rear surface of the substrate; and a first electrode. The first electrode penetrates the first passivation film and is in contact with the field passivation layer. A doping concentration of the first doping element in the tunneling layer is less than a doping concentration of the first doping element in the field passivation layer, and the doping concentration of the first doping element in the tunneling layer is greater than a doping concentration of the first doping element in the substrate. The field passivation layer includes a first doped region and a second doped region, and a doping curve slope of the first doped region is greater than a doping curve slope of the second doped region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: JINKO SOLAR (HAINING) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jie Mao, Menglei Xu, Peiting Zheng, Jie Yang, Xinyu Zhang
  • Patent number: 12161002
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device that includes a perovskite layer; and a first layer that includes a molecule having a structure according to formula (I) Wherein the perovskite layer and the first layer are in physical contact, n is between 1 and 10, inclusively, R1 includes at least one of hydrogen, a first alkyl group, a first alkoxy group, and/or a first halogen, R2 includes at least one of hydrogen, a second alkyl group, a second alkoxy group, and/or a second halogen, R1 is bonded to aromatic ring (A) at carbon atom (1), carbon atom (2), carbon atom (3), or carbon atom (4), R2 is bonded to aromatic ring (B) at carbon atom (5), carbon atom (6), carbon atom (7), or carbon atom (8), and R1 and R2 are the same or different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaopeng Zheng, Joseph Matthew Luther
  • Patent number: 12155346
    Abstract: A solar array wing includes an extension mast to be extended from a wound state, and a support member, around which the extension mast is wound, to support the extension mast after the extension mast is extended. The support member is made of a fiber reinforced composite material. A coefficient of linear expansion of the fiber reinforced composite material, a unit of which is for each degree Celsius, in a direction that is orthogonal to an extension direction of the extension mast, is higher than or equal to ?1×10?6 and lower than or equal to 1×10?6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuya Koyama, Hiroki Kobayashi, Kazunori Takagaki, Sohei Samejima
  • Patent number: 12155347
    Abstract: Provided herein are various enhancements for solar arrays and photovoltaic systems for spacecraft, vehicles, and other applications. In one example, an assembly includes a base layer having a generally circular shape and comprising a plurality of gores interspersed by radial folds. The assembly includes a photovoltaic array coupled to the gores, and a tensioning element configured to apply circumferential tension about a central node of the base layer. The assembly includes a structural element disposed about an outer perimeter of the base layer against which the circumferential tension is conveyed for deployment of the base layer from a stowed configuration into a deployed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: John L. Gibb
  • Patent number: 12142443
    Abstract: A solar cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer interposed between the first and second electrodes, and a hole transport layer interposed between the first electrode and the photoelectric conversion layer. At least one electrode selected from the group consisting of the first and second electrodes is transparent to light. The photoelectric conversion layer includes a perovskite compound constituted by a monovalent cation, a divalent cation, and a halogen anion. The monovalent cation includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a formamidinium cation and a methylammonium cation. The divalent cation includes a Sn cation. The halogen anion includes an iodide ion. The hole transport layer includes 4,4?,4?-tris[9,9-dimethyl-2-fluorenyl(4-methoxy-phenyl)amino]triphenylamine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shohei Kusumoto, Kenji Kawano, Tomoyasu Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 12144257
    Abstract: A heat dissipation composite for a display device includes: a heat absorber; an electricity generator disposed on the heat absorber to convert heat from the heat absorber into electricity; and a vibrator disposed on the electricity generator to convert the electricity provided from the electricity generator into vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Woo You, Jeong In Lee, Hyuk Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 12142699
    Abstract: The solar cell includes a substrate having a central region and two peripheral regions. The solar cell further includes multiple finger electrodes arranged at intervals along the first direction, and the multiple finger electrodes include multiple first finger electrodes and multiple second finger electrodes. Each of the multiple first finger electrodes includes first body portions and first widened portions arranged alternatingly along the second direction, each of the multiple second finger electrodes includes second body portions and second widened portions arranged alternatingly along the second direction, and the first widened portions are arranged and aligned to the second widened portions. A respective first widened portion of a respective first finger electrode in two first finger electrodes farthest from the central region on the substrate has a larger orthographic projection than a respective first widened portion of each of two first finger electrodes closest to the central region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG JINKO SOLAR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wusong Tao, Zhendong Chen, Luchuang Wang, Changchun Peng, Chi Zhang
  • Patent number: 12113143
    Abstract: A thermal management device for a photovoltaic panel includes a phase change material layer attached to a back side of the photovoltaic panel. The thermal management device includes a Seebeck thermoelectric generator having a first surface attached to the phase change material layer. The thermal management further device includes a heat sink attached to a second surface of the Seebeck thermoelectric generator. The heat sink is configured with a sinuous coil, a water inlet port and a water outlet port connected to the sinuous coil, and a plurality of heat fins. The thermal management further device includes a casing box configured to enclose its various components, and a glass cover attached to the casing box and configured to cover a top surface of the photovoltaic panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: Kashif Irshad, Md. Hasan Zahir
  • Patent number: 12100777
    Abstract: A thermal management device for a photovoltaic panel includes a phase change material layer attached to a back side of the photovoltaic panel. The thermal management device includes a Seebeck thermoelectric generator having a first surface attached to the phase change material layer. The thermal management further device includes a heat sink attached to a second surface of the Seebeck thermoelectric generator. The heat sink is configured with a sinuous coil, a water inlet port and a water outlet port connected to the sinuous coil, and a plurality of heat fins. The thermal management further device includes a casing box configured to enclose its various components, and a glass cover attached to the casing box and configured to cover a top surface of the photovoltaic panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: Kashif Irshad, Md. Hasan Zahir
  • Patent number: 12100778
    Abstract: A thermal management device for a photovoltaic panel includes a phase change material layer attached to a back side of the photovoltaic panel. The thermal management device includes a Seebeck thermoelectric generator having a first surface attached to the phase change material layer. The thermal management further device includes a heat sink attached to a second surface of the Seebeck thermoelectric generator. The heat sink is configured with a sinuous coil, a water inlet port and a water outlet port connected to the sinuous coil, and a plurality of heat fins. The thermal management further device includes a casing box configured to enclose its various components, and a glass cover attached to the casing box and configured to cover a top surface of the photovoltaic panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: Kashif Irshad, Md. Hasan Zahir
  • Patent number: 12094992
    Abstract: The present inventive concept relates to a solar cell, a unit cell included in the solar cell, and a method for manufacturing the solar cell, the solar cell comprising: a first unit cell manufactured using any one piece from among a plurality of pieces formed by separating a mother substrate; and a second unit cell coupled to the first unit cell, wherein the first unit cell comprises a first cell electrode provided on a first unit substrate and having conductivity, the second unit cell comprises a second cell electrode provided on a second unit substrate and having conductivity, and the second cell electrode and the first cell electrode are bonded to each other without a bonding material to couple the second unit cell to the first unit cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: JUSUNG ENGINEERING CO., LTD
    Inventors: JungBae Kim, JunYoung Kang, HyangJu Mun, SeonKi Min, JeongHo Seo, WonSuk Shin, HyunKyo Shin, YoungTae Yoon, KyoungJin Lim
  • Patent number: 12080815
    Abstract: Metallization of semiconductor substrates using a laser beam, and the resulting structures, e.g., micro-electronic devices, semiconductor substrates and/or solar cells, solar cell circuit, solar cell strings, and solar cell arrays are described. A solar cell string can include a plurality of solar cells. The plurality of solar cells can include a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor regions disposed in or above the substrate. A plurality of conductive contact structures is electrically connected to the plurality semiconductor regions. Each conductive contact structure includes a locally deposited metal portion disposed in contact with a corresponding one of the semiconductor regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Maxeon Solar Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Pei Hsuan Lu, Benjamin I. Hsia, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Lewis C. Abra, George G. Correos, Marc Robinson, Paul W. Loscutoff, Ryan Reagan, David Okawa, Tamir Lance, Thierry Nguyen
  • Patent number: 12082503
    Abstract: Thermoelectric conversion cells of a thermoelectric conversion element include a thermoelectric conversion layer formed on a main surface of a substrate, an insulating layer covering the thermoelectric conversion layer, a first electrode including a first layer and a second layer, and a second electrode. The first layer connects to the main surface of the thermoelectric conversion layer via a first contact hole, and the second layer covers the first layer. The second electrode connects to the main surface of the thermoelectric conversion layer via a second contact hole. The second layer and the second electrode, and the first layer are formed from materials having different work functions. In thermoelectric conversion cells that are adjacent to each other, the second layer of one of the thermoelectric conversion cells and the second electrode of the other of the thermoelectric conversion cells are formed integrally, and the thermoelectric conversion cells are connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: TIANMA JAPAN, LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuya Seko
  • Patent number: 12074230
    Abstract: A solar cell, a method for manufacturing the solar cell, and a photovoltaic module are provided. The solar cell includes a substrate, a tunneling dielectric layer, a doped conductive layer, a plurality of first electrodes, at least one transmission layer, and at least one diffusion region. The tunneling dielectric layer and the doped conductive layer are arranged over a first surface of the substrate. The doped conductive layer includes main body portions. Each first electrode is disposed on and electrically connected to a side of a corresponding main body portion facing away from the substrate. Each transmission layer is disposed between a corresponding pair of adjacent main body portions. Each diffusion region is partially located in a corresponding transmission layer and extends into the tunneling dielectric layer and the substrate. A doping ion concentration of each diffusion region is greater than a doping ion concentration of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignees: ZHEJIANG JINKO SOLAR CO., LTD., JINKO SOLAR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jingsheng Jin, Bike Zhang, Xinyu Zhang
  • Patent number: 12074000
    Abstract: Iron-based photosensitizers, which can be used for solar energy conversion and photoluminescence applications, include an iron complex with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands (FeNHC), a linking unit, and a polarizable unit formed of a pi conjugated structure having a one-electron reduction potential more positive than NHC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ting Jiang, Yusong Bai, George Bullard, Erin J. Viere, Animesh Nayak, Peng Zhang, Courtney Rosenthal, Michael J Therien