Patents Examined by Bach Dinh
  • Patent number: 9739751
    Abstract: A particle manipulation device includes a substrate and a microchannel included in the substrate and configured to receive a fluid including particles therein. A biasing structure is formed on the substrate adjacent to, but outside the microchannel. The biasing structure is configured to dispense radiation at a frequency to bias movement of the particles within the microchannel from outside the microchannel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Jaione Tirapu Azpiroz
  • Patent number: 9741883
    Abstract: A floating cover sheet of a liquid reservoir is configured to rest on the liquid surface and includes a plurality of elongated sheet panels each defining edges and a lower region. The sheet panels are connected to one another and each of the sheet panels has a buoyant carrier sheet disposed in the lower region thereof. The buoyant carrier sheet is made of plastic and defines a carrier surface. A plurality of panel-shaped solar modules are applied to corresponding ones of the carrier surfaces of the carrier sheets. The solar module has a width less than the width of the corresponding sheet panel so as to define, on each sheet panel, a strip of carrier material free of the solar module corresponding thereto and configured to be walked on and to be slip resistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Benecke-Kaliko AG
    Inventors: Tobias Haarburger, Andreas Stoelting
  • Patent number: 9733205
    Abstract: This sensor has a diverter, such as a convex portion (608) and a concave portion (508), on the side wall (408) of a cavity (308). A biological sample deposited in a suction opening (52) is drawn into the cavity (308) by capillary action, but if the amount of biological sample is too small, either the biological sample is prevented from moving forward by the convex portion (608) and the concave portion (508), or the time it takes to reach a detecting electrode (33) is increased, which provides the user enough time to supply additional biological sample before a false detection occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Ezaki, Akihisa Higashihara
  • Patent number: 9733208
    Abstract: A gas sensor according to the present invention includes a sensor element made of a solid electrolyte and having at least a cylindrical portion arranged coaxially with an axis of the sensor element and a front end portion closing a front end of the cylindrical portion and a heater formed into either a cylindrical shape or a cylindrical column shape and located inside the sensor element to heat the sensor element by heat generation thereof, wherein a front end portion of the heater is in contact with an inner surface of the front end portion of the sensor element; and wherein a lateral portion of the heater is in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion of the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Isomura
  • Patent number: 9729105
    Abstract: A distributed solar power generation and hot water supplying system includes: a photovoltaic power generation self-service sun tracking system, an inverter, a controller, a storage battery, a heat-exchanging water tank and an electric heater provided therein, wherein a solar battery and a solar collector are mounted on the photovoltaic power generation self-service sun tracking system, an electricity output terminal of the photovoltaic power generation self-service sun tracking system is respectively connected to an inversing input terminal of an inverter and a surplus power supplying input terminal of a controller; an MCU-controlled power output terminal of the inverter is respectively connected for off-grid power consumption or grid-connected power generation, and to an inversing output terminal of the controller; a charging/discharging control output/input terminal inside the inverter is connected to an input/output terminal of the storage battery and a storage battery power supplying input terminal of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Jiangsu Zhenfa Holding Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiansheng Mao, Zhengfa Zha
  • Patent number: 9716194
    Abstract: A thin film solar cell includes a protection layer, a substrate and a photovoltaic conversion structure having a stack of one or several of non-planar light absorption layers, a first conductive layer being light transmissive and a second conductive layer being at least partially transparent or totally reflective. When the second conductive layer is totally reflective, it reflects the sunlight to the adjacent part of the thin film solar cell, proceeding another photovoltaic conversion and generating electric power again. If the non-planar light absorption layer is sloped enough, there will be several photovoltaic conversions produced by the same incident sunlight. More power will be generated and the efficiency of conversion is increased. If the second conductive layer is at least partially transparent, the incident light will be reflected less. However, the structure will provide several opportunities of photovoltaic conversions for the light with larger incident angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Chihhua Yang
  • Patent number: 9714912
    Abstract: The invention provides a composition for lateral flow assay device that comprises at least one fabric strand coated with a conducting material and a diagnostic material. The invention also provides a lateral flow assay device(10) having a proximal end(12), a distal end(14) and a testing zone intermediate between the proximal end(12) and the distal end(14). The lateral flow assay device(20) is made of a fabric comprising at least one strand(22) that defines a flow path. The at least one strand of the fabric in the testing zone is coated with a conducting material(24). The at least one strand is made of at least one of a cotton, a silk-based material, and combinations thereof. The invention also provides a lateral flow assay system(40) comprising the lateral flow assay device(42) of the invention, wherein the at least one electrode(52) connected to the strand(50) coated with the conducting material and measurement means(54) to measure the output from the at least one electrode(52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: ACHIRA LABS PVT. LTD.
    Inventors: Tripurari Choudhary, K B Gururaj, Ashish Kumar Lal, Manjunath Tahasildar
  • Patent number: 9705021
    Abstract: A solar pod system, comprising of an oval transparent enclosure. The oval transparent enclosure encapsulates a circular paraboloidal reflector mounted on solar cell. The solar cell extends over the circular parabolic reflector to place the focus of the paraboloidal reflector on the solar cell, whereby the solar cell receives light reflected by the circular parabolic reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Aveek N. Chatterjee, Kota V. R. M. Murali, Ninad D. Sathaye, Rajesh Sathiyanarayanan
  • Patent number: 9698285
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a substrate structure and a p-type semiconductor absorber layer, the substrate structure including a CdSSe layer. A photovoltaic device may alternatively include a CdSeTe layer. A process for manufacturing a photovoltaic device includes forming a CdSSe layer over a substrate by at least one of sputtering, evaporation deposition, CVD, chemical bath deposition process, and vapor transport deposition process. The process includes forming a p-type absorber layer above the CdSSe layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Damjanovic, Feng Liao, Rick Powell, Rui Shao, Jigish Trivedi, Zhibo Zhao
  • Patent number: 9691927
    Abstract: A solar cell apparatus according to the embodiment includes a support substrate; a back electrode layer on the support layer; a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer; a plurality of buffer layers on the light absorbing layer, the plurality of buffer layers having a bandgap gradually increased from a bottom thereof to a top thereof; and a window layer on the buffer layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Do Won Bae
  • Patent number: 9680043
    Abstract: The invention relates to a photovoltaic concentrator module comprising at least one lens and at least one photovoltaic cell, further comprising a distance adjustment means configured to adjust the distance between the at least one lens and the at least one photovoltaic cell. Using the distance adjustment means, the cell and the lens can be kept at a desired distance, e.g., the focal distance. The distance adjustment means can be a pressure varying means. The invention further relates to a photovoltaic concentrator array comprising a plurality of photovoltaic concentrator modules and to a method for improving the energy conversion efficiency of a photovoltaic concentrator module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Saint-Augustin Canada Electric Inc.
    Inventors: Eckart Gerster, Jacob Stor, Johannes Wullner
  • Patent number: 9666738
    Abstract: A semifinished product of a multi-junction solar cell includes a first semiconductor body that is designed as a first partial solar cell and has a first band gap, a second semiconductor body that is designed as a second partial solar cell and has a second band gap. The first semiconductor body and the second semiconductor body form a bonded connection to a tunnel diode and the first band gap is different from the second band gap. A first substrate material is adapted as a substrate layer, wherein a sacrificial layer is formed between the first substrate material and the first partial solar cell and the first substrate material is removed from the first semiconductor body, the sacrificial layer being destroyed in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Azur Space Solar Power GmbH
    Inventor: Daniel Fuhrmann
  • Patent number: 9657286
    Abstract: To allow fully automated implementation of all steps of from pre-processing up to electrophoresis. Provided is a pre-processing/electrophoresis integrated cartridge including one or more block structures corresponding to the individual steps of pre-processing. Each block structure includes (1) a first block having a reaction tank, a reagent tank, a plurality of flow channels that connect the tanks, a plurality of control valves arranged in the flow channels, and a flow channel that connects a reaction tank in a block structure located at a preceding stage and a reaction tank in a block structure located at a next stage, and (2) a second block having a phoretic solution tank, a cathode buffer solution tank, a wash solution tank, a flow channel that connects a carrier tank in the block structure located at the preceding stage and the phoretic solution tank, and a control valve for the flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Yukari Sahoyama, Motohiro Yamazaki, Yoshitaka Kodama, Takamichi Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 9660129
    Abstract: A solar cell is discussed, which includes a pair of connecting electrodes having a portion having a width smaller than a width of a plurality of bus bar electrodes, and the pair of connecting electrodes connects a plurality of second finger electrodes to both sides of an end of one of the plurality of bus bar electrodes, respectively, wherein the end of the one of the plurality of bus bar electrodes being positioned in a second direction, wherein an area not including the plurality of second finger electrodes is positioned between the pair of connecting electrodes, and wherein an auxiliary electrode not connected to the plurality of second finger electrodes and having a width smaller than the width of the plurality of bus bar electrodes is disposed in the area not including the plurality of second finger electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sungjin Kim, Taeyoung Kwon, Seongeun Lee, Gyeayoung Kwag
  • Patent number: 9658181
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a hemolysis sensor, a hemolysis sensor system and methods of utilizing the hemolysis sensor or hemolysis sensor system to monitor or detect hemolysis in a sample, such as a whole blood sample, a plasma sample, a serum sample or hemolyzed blood. The hemolysis sensor responds to extracellular hemoglobin levels, for example, extracellular hemoglobin in a whole blood sample as a method for detecting hemolysis in whole blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Instrumentation Laboratory Company
    Inventors: Shankar Balasubramanian, Paul D'Orazio
  • Patent number: 9658190
    Abstract: A nanopore based sequencing chip package is disclosed. The nanopore based sequencing chip package includes a reservoir defined by a plurality of surfaces. The chip package includes a nanopore cell array comprising a plurality of nanopore sensor cells enclosed by the reservoir. Each nanopore sensor cell has a working electrode. At least one surface of the reservoir is configured to be in contact with a conducting fluid when the conducting fluid is flowing through the reservoir. The chip package further includes a counter electrode disposed on the at least one surface of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Genia Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill Maney, David Bruce Robinson, Markus Wallgren, Robert A. Yuan
  • Patent number: 9638685
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to flow assays including at least one electrically-actuated valve configured to control fluid flow. Methods of operating such flow assays are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: TOKITAE LLC
    Inventors: David Gasperino, Kevin Paul Flood Nichols, Benjamin K. Wilson, Ozgur Emek Yildirim
  • Patent number: 9635783
    Abstract: A photovoltaic assembly for converting solar radiation to electrical energy is described. The photovoltaic assembly includes a photovoltaic module and an electronic component housing. The photovoltaic module has a frame, a laminate, a plurality of solar cells and a backsheet. The electronic component housing has an upper section to couple to the backsheet, a middle section and a lower section for enclosing electronic components. The electronic components can include a microinverter or electronics for a junction box. The middle section can have a heat sink in thermal communication with the electronic component and an opening. The opening can be a plurality of openings having a plurality of air fins distributed therein, or can be a diagonal or curved structure. The opening can permit fluid communication between the heat sink and an ambient environment. The upper section and/or the aforementioned air fins can also be coupled to the backsheet via a heat conductive adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zachary Kinyon, John Gannon, Nick McKibben
  • Patent number: 9620658
    Abstract: A modular, lightweight, high-survivable, photovoltaic flexible blanket assembly for a space solar array is disclosed. The modular blanket is an accordion foldable or rollable flexible photovoltaic solar panel blanket assembly comprising a plurality of common photovoltaic modules spaced in an orthogonal pattern. Each module is mechanically attached with multiple low profile fasteners on their backside to an open weave mesh tensioned backplane structure. The backplane forms a tensioned dimensionally stable planar surface in the deployed configuration onto which the modules are suspended. Each module is common and comprised of a rectangular substrate that includes solar cell assemblies, circuitry, exposed electrical contacts for integration of blanket-level harnessing, and frontside and rearside shielding and coatings as required for the mission application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Deployable Space Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R Spence, Stephen F White, Mark V Douglas, Kevin B Schmid, Ron S Takeda
  • Patent number: 9599589
    Abstract: A method is provided for sensing arrival and monitoring flow of a sample in a testing device. A meter relay is provided for sensing a sample arrival in the testing device that includes three electrodes for measurement of an analyte in a sample that includes a switch located in an analog or digital part of a circuit, the testing device including a reference electrode lead, a counter electrode lead, and a working electrode lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Don Alden