Patents Examined by Devina Pillay
  • Patent number: 12376415
    Abstract: A solar cell, a manufacturing method thereof, and a photovoltaic module are provided. The solar cell includes a substrate having electrode regions and non-electrode regions that are alternatingly arranged in a first direction, where the non-electrode regions of the substrate include connection regions, first regions, and second regions; a dielectric layer formed over the electrode regions, the second regions, and the connection regions; a doped conductive layer formed over the dielectric layer; a passivation layer formed over the first regions and the doped conductive layer; and a plurality of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignees: ZHEJIANG JINKO SOLAR CO., LTD., JINKO SOLAR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bike Zhang, Jingsheng Jin, Guangming Liao, Xinyu Zhang
  • Patent number: 12375028
    Abstract: A system of photovoltaic solar panels comprises a plurality of photovoltaic solar panels and a supporting structure provided for supporting the photovoltaic solar panels in a number of rows parallel to one another on the supporting structure. The supporting structure includes a series of cross members arranged parallel to and at a distance apart from one another, configured for blocking a respective side of a photovoltaic solar panel. In one example, each cross member comprises a single piece of sheet metal bent so as to perform the functions of centring, referencing, and blocking said photovoltaic solar panels, without the aid of further fixing or referencing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Comau S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Beccarisi, Giovanni Di Stefano
  • Patent number: 12351944
    Abstract: Two-dimensional halide perovskites are provided. The perovskites have two-dimensional Dion-Jacobson phases and are composed of a plurality of inorganic perovskite layers separated by 3-(aminomethyl)piperidinium (3AMP) and/or 4-(aminomethyl)piperidinium (4AMP) spacer cations. The halide perovskites may have a single perovskitizer cation or mixed perovskitizer cations. Also provided are radiation-absorbing materials comprising the perovskites and photovoltaic cells comprising the radiation-absorbing materials as photoactive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Lingling Mao, Weijun Ke, Konstantinos Stoumpos, Mercouri G. Kanatzidis
  • Patent number: 12356732
    Abstract: According to the embodiments provided herein, an island in a regular, closed shape is ablated in a first conductive layer. An interconnect is formed through the island, using the island as an alignment fiducial. The island and the interconnect are isolated from the remainder of the first conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikhil Bhandari, Matthew Davis, Rhett Miller, Charles Wickersham
  • Patent number: 12342720
    Abstract: A thermoelectric generator system comprising a thermoelectric generator, a vortex tube for receiving a compressed gas from a flow input and separating the compressed gas into a hot flow exiting a first output and a cold flow exiting a second output, a sensor system for determining a first parameter, a second parameter, and a third parameter, the third parameter being indicative of a temperature of a third fluid flow, a radiator system comprising a first and second heat exchangers disposed on opposing sides of the thermoelectric generator; a tube system to separately direct the hot, cold, and third fluid flows towards a switch arrangement configured to be moveable between a first configuration, a second configuration, and a third configuration, with a control unit for controlling the switch arrangement based on the first, second, and third parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Jia Li, Seok Woo Lee, Vincent B. Gill
  • Patent number: 12324354
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a thermoelectric module is disclosed, the thermoelectric module comprising: a first heat-conducting member; a second heat-conducting member; a thermoelectric element disposed between the first heat-conducting member and the second heat-conducting member; a first sealing member disposed outside the thermoelectric element; and a second sealing member disposed outside the first sealing member, wherein the thermoelectric element includes a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a semiconductor structure disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the first sealing member is disposed between the upper surface of the first substrate and the lower surface of the second substrate, and includes a convex side surface toward the semiconductor structure, and the second sealing member is in contact with the side surface of the first substrate and the side surface of the second substrate, and includes a gap between the second sealing member and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Myoung Lae Roh
  • Patent number: 12316269
    Abstract: A solar power collection system includes one or more photovoltaic (PV) panel assemblies positioned by one or more tracker drive units. Each PV panel assembly includes at least one PV panel comprising PV cells that collect solar energy and a base attached to the PV panel. The base includes at least one curved rocker surface that presents a first convex surface in at least a first direction to a substrate. The base is positionable on the substrate with the first direction aligned with an east-west orientation. The tracker drive unit is mechanically coupled to the base via a selected one of: (i) a drive rod; (ii) a closed loop cable; (iii) a torsion mechanism to impart a selected amounting of rolling-rocking movement of the base across the substrate to position the PV panel to efficiently receive sunlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: KemHi LLC
    Inventors: Darin Palmer, Jordyn Palmer, Logan Palmer
  • Patent number: 12288829
    Abstract: A transparent photovoltaic cell is proposed. The transparent photovoltaic cell may include a transparent substrate, a plurality of micro-pillars arranged on an upper part of the transparent substrate and formed with respective transparent windows, through which incident sunlight transmits, on respective upper parts thereof. The transparent photovoltaic cell may also include a photoelectric converter formed on an upper surface of the transparent substrate between each of the plurality of micro-pillars and on side surfaces of each micro-pillar, and configured to generate power through absorption of incident sunlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: CHEONGJU UNIVERSITY Industry & Academy Cooperation Foundation
    Inventor: Je Ha Kim
  • Patent number: 12288876
    Abstract: Provided are a cathode active material having a suitable particle size and high uniformity, and a nickel composite hydroxide as a precursor of the cathode active material. When obtaining nickel composite hydroxide by a crystallization reaction, nucleation is performed by controlling a nucleation aqueous solution that includes a metal compound, which includes nickel, and an ammonium ion donor so that the pH value at a standard solution temperature of 25° C. becomes 12.0 to 14.0, after which, particles are grown by controlling a particle growth aqueous solution that includes the formed nuclei so that the pH value at a standard solution temperature of 25° C. becomes 10.5 to 12.0, and so that the pH value is lower than the pH value during nucleation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Atsushi Fukui, Katsuya Inoue, Shuhei Oda, Hiroyuki Toya
  • Patent number: 12255261
    Abstract: A solar panel includes: a cell group in which a plurality of solar cells is arranged in one direction; and a connecting element for electrically connecting the solar cells to each other. Among the solar cells arranged adjacent to each other, an edge portion of a front surface of a first solar cell is arranged so as to overlap an edge portion of a back surface of a second solar cell. The connecting element is arranged between the overlapping edge portions and on the back surface of the solar cells. The cell group includes a plurality of parallel connection regions in which at least two solar cells are electrically connected in parallel. The parallel connection regions are electrically connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Taizo Masuda
  • Patent number: 12250881
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a photoelectric conversion element having excellent heat resistance. In addition, an imaging element and an optical sensor which include the photoelectric conversion element are provided. Furthermore, a compound applied to the photoelectric conversion element is provided. A photoelectric conversion element according to the present invention includes a conductive film, a photoelectric conversion film, and a transparent conductive film, in this order, in which the photoelectric conversion film contains a compound represented by Formula (1). In Formula (1), Y1 represents a group represented by Formula (1-1) or a group represented by Formula (1-2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoaki Yoshioka, Tomoyuki Mashiko, Koichi Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 12239007
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer, an organic solar cell comprising the polymer, and a perovskite solar cell comprising the polymer. The polymer according to the present invention has excellent absorption ability for visible light and an energy level suitable for the use as an electron donor compound in a photo-active layer of the organic solar cell, thereby increasing the light conversion efficiency of the organic solar cell. In addition, the polymer according to the present invention has high hole mobility, and is used as a compound for a hole transport layer, and thus can improve efficiency and service life of the perovskite solar cell without an additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY R&DB FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Soo Young Park, Won Sik Yoon, Dong Won Kim, Jun Mo Park
  • Patent number: 12231084
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for generating electricity. The system comprises at least two photovoltaic modules each having at least one photovoltaic element. Each photovoltaic module has ends and each end has an electrical coupling portion that is electrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell. Each photovoltaic module is configured to be positioned in use near a perimeter of a panel that is at least partially transmissive for visible light. The system further comprises an electrical connector configured to electrically couple to the electrical coupling portions of adjacent photovoltaic modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: CLEARVUE TECHNOLOGIES LTD
    Inventors: Jamie Lyford, Victor Rosenberg, Kim Harmer
  • Patent number: 12224367
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solar cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. In a case where a photoluminescence spectrum of the photoelectric conversion layer is measured at a temperature of 100 K or lower, a first maximum value (A) which is a maximum value of emission intensity in a wavelength range of more than 650 nm and 1000 nm or less is 100 times or less of a second maximum value (B) which is a maximum value of emission intensity in a wavelength range of 600 nm or more and 650 nm or less (A?100B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ENERGY SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soichiro Shibasaki, Mutsuki Yamazaki, Naoyuki Nakagawa, Sara Yoshio, Kazushige Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 12218626
    Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER LLC
    Inventors: David E. Kresse, Samuel Heller
  • Patent number: 12183842
    Abstract: Discussed is a solar cell module including a plurality of solar cells including a first electrode and a second electrode, the plurality of solar cells being disposed along a first direction and a plurality of wiring members connected to the first electrode of a first solar cell and the second electrode of a second solar cell, wherein each of the plurality of solar cells includes a first side surface of one side in the first direction, a second side surface having a larger surface roughness than the first side surface on another side, and a protrusion formed adjacent to the second side surface, and wherein the first and second solar cells are disposed with a gap of approximately 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, and the first side surface of the second solar cell and the second side surface of the first solar cell are disposed to face each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: SHANGRAO XINYUAN YUEDONG TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD
    Inventors: Jinsung Kim, Chunghyun Lim
  • Patent number: 12185629
    Abstract: A thermoelectric module includes a thermoelectric element disposed between a pair of electrodes, and an anchor layer disposed between the electrode and the thermoelectric element and connected with the thermoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: KELK Ltd.
    Inventor: Yonghoon Lee
  • Patent number: 12170504
    Abstract: A solar module includes a plurality of solar cells arranged on the front side of a carrier of the solar module is described, wherein a plurality of conductive ribbons electrically contacts the solar cells and extends from the front side to a rear side of the carrier. The carrier is circumferentially surrounded by a frame of the solar module. A connection system includes the solar module and a connection box, which can further be connected to module electronics via a socket of the connection box in order to form a solar module system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Solarnative GmbH
    Inventor: Hendrik Oldenkamp
  • Patent number: 12139912
    Abstract: The invention concerns a truss structure including a plurality of longitudinal members extending parallel to one another in a main extension direction and crossmembers (9) distributed in the main extension direction to connect the longitudinal members mechanically two-by-two, forming a plurality of polygons (11) each contained in a plane perpendicular to the main extension direction. According to the invention, each crossmember (9) connecting two longitudinal members includes a first half-crossmember (9a) with a first end connected to one of the two longitudinal members so as to be able to pivot about a first axis (X1-X?1) and a second half-crossmember (9b) a first end of which is connected to the other of the two longitudinal members so as to be able to pivot about a second axis (X2-X?2). The two half-crossmembers are connected to one another by an articulation hinge (13) allowing relative rotation of the two half-crossmembers (9a, 9b) about a third axis (X3-X?3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: NEXANS
    Inventors: Jérome Tordo, Fabien Viennois, Christophe Micoli
  • Patent number: 12136898
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating electricity via thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy conversion is described. High efficiency is obtained by introducing a material into a combustion chamber that emits bright near-monochromatic visible light upon heating. This light is then directed to fall on an array of photovoltaic (PV) cells which convert the light to electricity. Heat and infrared radiation that is not absorbed by the PV cells is returned to the combustion chamber to further improve conversion efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: LightCell Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle A. Fong, Stephen E. Crane, Gregory Fong, Jonathan Mapel