Patents Examined by Daniel Malley, Jr.
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Patent number: 9431593Abstract: The present invention provides a thermoelectric conversion material capable of being produced in a simplified manner and at a low cost and excellent in thermoelectric conversion characteristics and flexibility, and provides a method for producing the material. The thermoelectric conversion material has, on a support, a thin film of a thermoelectric semiconductor composition containing thermoelectric semiconductor fine particles, a heat-resistant resin and an ionic liquid. The method for producing a thermoelectric conversion material having, on a support, a thin film of a thermoelectric semiconductor composition containing thermoelectric semiconductor fine particles, a heat-resistant resin and an ionic liquid comprises a step of applying a thermoelectric semiconductor composition containing thermoelectric semiconductor fine particles, a heat-resistant resin and an ionic liquid onto a support and drying it to form a thin film thereon, and a step of annealing the thin film.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: LINTEC CORPORATIONInventors: Kunihisa Kato, Tsuyoshi Mutou, Takeshi Kondo
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Patent number: 9431563Abstract: A solar cell element includes a semiconductor substrate which includes a first semiconductor region positioned on a first main surface and a second semiconductor region in a surface layer portion of a second main surface, and an electrode in line shape disposed on the second main surface. The second semiconductor region includes a first concentration region being separated from the electrode by a predetermined distance in plan view, and a second concentration region including a high concentration region where a dopant concentration is higher than that in the first concentration region and exists along a longitudinal direction of the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: December 25, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: KYOCERA CorporationInventors: Kazunori Hosomi, Kenji Ooba
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Patent number: 9431555Abstract: A solar cell is provided with: an n-type region formed over a substrate; a p-type region formed over the substrate and the n-type region; and mark sets for judging positional deviation between the n-type region and the p-type region. The mark sets respectively include first marks, and second marks, which are formed within the first marks.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Sumito Shimizu, Tomohiro Saitou
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Patent number: 9368288Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element includes a photoanode that includes a solid semiconductor layer containing a dye molecule, a counter electrode, and an electrolyte medium disposed between the photoanode and the counter electrode. The dye molecule includes XD represented by chemical formula (1) and YA represented by chemical formula (2) in a molecule: R(XD/YA), which is a ratio of the number of XD to the number of YA in the dye molecule, is 2 or more.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2014Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Takashi Sekiguchi, Masahiro Takahata, Michio Suzuka, Naoki Hayashi
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Patent number: 9368727Abstract: An organic photoelectric device may include an anode and a cathode facing each other and the active layer between the anode and cathode, wherein the active layer includes a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 and a compound represented by Chemical Formula 2. Chemical Formula 1 and Chemical Formula 2 are the same as in the detailed description.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2013Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seon Jeong Lim, Dong Seok Leem, Kyu Sik Kim, Kyung Bae Park, Kwang Hee Lee
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Patent number: 9343646Abstract: A power generating bearing assembly (100) comprises a bearing subassembly (120) retained by a bearing housing (110). During operation, friction and other factors increase a temperature of the bearing assembly (100). The housing (110) can optionally include a bearing cooling passage system comprising at least one liquid cooling passage (134) formed internally therein. The liquid cooling passage (134) would be routed proximate the bearing subassembly (120) to remove heat therefrom. A thermal energy transfer media (204) is inserted into a thermal transfer conduit (180), wherein the thermal transfer conduit (180) passes across a heated section of the housing (110). The transfer media (204) conveys the thermal energy to a Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) (200) located in a thermoelectric generator housing (250) attached to the bearing housing (110). The Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) (200) utilizes a temperature difference between the transfer media (204) and the ambient air to generated electric power.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2012Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKFInventors: Frank Bartl, Andreas Clemens Van Der Ham
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Patent number: 9236514Abstract: A solar module riser assembly that is configured to allow a solar module attached thereto to fall-to-flat when not being forced into an angular position is provided. A riser assembly includes a riser support and a tube support attached to the riser support. A torque tube may extend across a plurality of riser assemblies and be retained by tube supports attached to each of the riser assemblies. A torque tube support is configured to rotate about the riser support and thereby position a solar module coupled thereto at an optimum angular orientation for solar exposure and track the sun. A first riser and second riser may be configured on opposing sides of a central drive device and lever arms attached to link bars drive tube supports when the link bar is moved. The first and second riser may be configured to create equal and opposite force on the link bar.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2013Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: ViaSol Energy SolutionsInventors: Daniel J. Tarico, James Kenneth Smith, Michael H. Yount, Michael Kremer
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Patent number: 9231518Abstract: A design is described for solar panel that allows for modular installation and efficient removal of panels irrespective of the panel's relative location in an array arrangement. A system is provided that includes a plurality of modular panels (such as solar power panels). These panels are rimmed by frames featuring one or more exterior-facing, grooved channels. A first channel—which may be used to mount the panel, and which replaces traditional railing installation systems—and a second channel that is configured to allow movement of one or more panel splices used to secure the panels together. Integrated electrical connection interfaces are provided on opposite side surfaces of the frames to couple with the electrical connection interfaces of adjacent panels to establish an electrical path between them.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: SPICE SOLAR, INC.Inventors: Barry Cinnamon, Wilson Leong, David Baker
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Patent number: 9206999Abstract: A solar panel array system has posts for mounting vertically in earth along a Z-axis. A torque tube extends along an X-axis at upper ends of the posts for supporting and pivoting solar panels to track the sun. A bearing saddle base has a downward-facing surface that is placed on an upward-facing surface of the post. Lugs and slots on the upward-facing and downward-facing surfaces are positioned so that rotating the base about the Z-axis causes the lugs to enter the slots. A bearing saddle cradle is adjustably mounted to the base at selected pitch angles relative to the base. The base is rotatable about the Z-axis to various positions either centered or placing the X-axis at a yaw angle relative to the post.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: JSI Equipment Solutions LLCInventors: Max W. Reed, Brian D. Kirtland
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Patent number: 9196758Abstract: Methods of fabricating solar cell emitter regions with differentiated P-type and N-type regions architectures, and resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a back contact solar cell includes a substrate having a light-receiving surface and a back surface. A first polycrystalline silicon emitter region of a first conductivity type is disposed on a first thin dielectric layer disposed on the back surface of the substrate. A second polycrystalline silicon emitter region of a second, different, conductivity type is disposed on a second thin dielectric layer disposed on the back surface of the substrate. A third thin dielectric layer is disposed laterally directly between the first and second polycrystalline silicon emitter regions. A first conductive contact structure is disposed on the first polycrystalline silicon emitter region. A second conductive contact structure is disposed on the second polycrystalline silicon emitter region.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: SunPower CorporationInventors: Seung Bum Rim, David D. Smith, Taiqing Qiu, Staffan Westerberg, Kieran Mark Tracy, Venkatasubramani Balu
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Patent number: 9183993Abstract: A one-pot synthesis of Nb5+-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) with low cost and high efficiency for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is disclosed in the present invention. The Nb5+-doped TiO2 NPs with Nb dopants of 0˜5 mol % are prepared by directly mixing TiO2 slurry with Nb2O5 gel obtained by UV treatment of a mixture of NbCl5 powder, ethanol and water in a certain ratio, following by heat treatment without using hydrothermal method. The as-prepared NPs exhibit well-crystallized pure anatase TiO2 phase with uniform particle distribution. The incorporation of Nb5+ leads to a stronger and broader light absorption in visible light range and a decrease of band gap with increasing Nb dopant content, which enhances the efficiencies of light-harvesting and electron injection and suppresses the charge recombination. The present method provides a simple and cost-effective mass-production route to synthesize n-type metallic ion doped TiO2 nanoparticles as excellent photoanode materials.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2014Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: NANO AND ADVANCED MATERIALS INSTITUTE LIMITEDInventors: Shien-Ping Feng, Haijun Su, Ya-Huei Chang, Yu-Ting Huang, Nga Yu Hau, Peng Zhai