Patents Examined by Dujuan Horton
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Patent number: 11107937Abstract: The n-type amorphous semiconductor layers 4 are on parts of that one of the faces of the semiconductor substrate 1, there being provided no p-type amorphous semiconductor layers 5 in the parts. The electrodes 6 are disposed on the n-type amorphous semiconductor layers 4. The electrodes 7 are disposed on the p-type amorphous semiconductor layers 5. The p-type amorphous semiconductor layers 5 between those n-type amorphous semiconductor layers 4 which are adjacent along an in-plane direction of the semiconductor substrate 1 include, arranged along a first direction that points from the n-type amorphous semiconductor layers 4 toward the adjacent n-type amorphous semiconductor layers 4: first and second electrode-provided regions where the electrodes 7 are disposed; and a no-electrode-provided region, between the first and second electrode-provided regions, where there are provided no electrodes 7.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Teruaki Higo, Takeshi Mori, Makoto Higashikawa
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Patent number: 11081423Abstract: A system and method system for conveying power from a heat source is disclosed. The system includes a conduit constructed of a heat conducting material. The conduit defines a passageway containing a primary working fluid, where the conduit is either mounted upon or extends within at least a portion of a barrier. The conduit is configured to conduct thermal energy generated by the heat source and transfer the thermal energy to the primary working fluid flowing within the passageway. The system also includes a thermoelectric generator in thermal communication with the conduit. The thermoelectric generator has a hot side and a cold side. The primary working fluid transfers the thermal energy to the hot side of the thermoelectric generator to heat the hot side of the thermoelectric generator to a temperature greater than the cold side and create electric current.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2017Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Nathan D. Hiller
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Patent number: 11056287Abstract: The present invention discloses an isodiketopyrrolopyrrole dye and use thereof. A series of pure organic dye based on isodiketopyrrolopyrrole are synthesized in the present invention, using 4,4?-dihexyloxytriphenylamine as an electron donor, isodiketopyrrolopyrrole as a ?-bridge, and cyanoacetic acid as an electron acceptor and an anchoring group, and with a alkyl chain introduced on an isodiketopyrrolopyrrole group. The types of dyes have a relatively good light-harvesting performance as well as a relatively large steric hindrance, and they are not easy to gather while being absorbed on a semiconducting film. The pure organic dye with isodiketopyrrolopyrrole as an electronic ?-bridge, which is used in a dye-sensitized solar cell, has a good ability of inhibiting the recombination of electrons, and the dye-sensitized solar cells have a high photoelectric conversion efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2015Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: SOUTH CHINA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Derong Cao, Xufeng Zang
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Patent number: 11056632Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion substrate includes an insulating substrate and at least one thermoelectric conversion unit. The insulating substrate has a first surface and a second surface at both sides of the insulating substrate in a thickness direction. The at least one thermoelectric conversion unit is incorporated in the insulating substrate. The at least one thermoelectric conversion unit includes a first thermoelectric member, a second thermoelectric member, and a first electrode disposed on the first surface of the insulating substrate. The first thermoelectric member includes a first tubular member having insulation property and a first semiconductor filled in the first tubular member. The second thermoelectric member includes a second tubular member having insulation property and a second semiconductor filled in the second tubular member. The second semiconductor has carriers different from carriers of the first semiconductor.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2018Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Takuji Aoyama, Satoshi Maeshima, Tatsuo Sasaoka, Junya Tanaka, Noboru Yamamoto
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Patent number: 11049982Abstract: A solar cell element includes a semiconductor substrate, a passivation layer located on the semiconductor substrate, a protective layer located on the passivation layer, and a first electrode located on the protective layer. The protective layer includes at least one void located from a first lower surface of the first electrode close to the semiconductor substrate up to a first upper surface of the passivation layer close to the first lower surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATIONInventors: Takanobu Yoshida, Ryo Matsuoka
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Patent number: 11012028Abstract: A reinforcing member according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a long member provided between a frame and a frame on the rear side of a solar cell module. The reinforcing member is provided with: a pair of leg parts respectively fixed to inner flanges and of the frames and; a pair of wall parts erected on the respective leg parts and arranged roughly vertical to the rear surface of a solar cell panel; and a top board part that connects upper ends of the wall parts and are arranged along the rear surface in a state of being close to or in contact with the rear surface of the solar cell panel.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2018Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Atsushi Fukushima, Takahiro Nakamura, Toshiyuki Sakuma, Masashi Tsuji
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Patent number: 10985688Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and apparatus for assembly a roofing structure that incorporates photovoltaic modules as shingles of the roofing structure. A sidelap is used to both establish consistent spacing between the solar shingles and prevent water passing between adjacent shingles from collecting beneath the solar shingles by guiding the water passing through the solar shingles and redirecting the water down-roof. In some embodiments, the sidelaps can have additional functionality. For example, a sidelap can include tabs configured to interact with lateral securing features positioned on downward-facing surfaces of the solar roofing modules to help keep the lateral sides of the photovoltaic modules from pulling away from the roofing structure during severe weather conditions. The sidelap could also include means for attaching a wire clip to one end of the sidelap.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Tesla, Inc.Inventors: Martin Seery, David Molina, Trevor B. Guthrie, Thomas Anderson, Jonathan Hewlett
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Patent number: 10985569Abstract: A photovoltaic power station includes, for example, a plurality of solar panels at a first location, the plurality of solar panels operable to provide a maximum power output, a controller operable to supply, from the plurality of solar panels, a predetermined power output less than the maximum power output to an electrical grid, and wherein the photovoltaic power station is operable to maintain, from the plurality of solar panels, a reserve power output to provide the reserve power output to the electrical grid, the reserve power output being the difference between the maximum power output and the predetermined power output.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORKInventor: Qilong Min
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Patent number: 10944353Abstract: A system for controlling a rotation of one or more solar panels about an axis of rotation, comprising one or more solar panels defining a longitudinal axis, one or more bellows actuators coupled to the one or more solar panels and defining an axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the panels, a fluid source, a first valve circuit coupled to the bellows actuators and the fluid source, a second valve circuit coupled to the bellows actuators and the fluid source, and a controller, wherein introduction or release of fluid from one or more of the bellows actuators is configured to cause rotation of the one or more actuators about the axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2018Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: SUNFOLDING, INC.Inventors: Louis Hong Basel, Joshua Earle Erickson, Dan Goldwater, Jeffrey Charles Lamb, Leila Madrone, Vincent Domenic Romanin, Matthew N Schneider
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Patent number: 10910541Abstract: A thermoelectric element according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first substrate; a plurality of P-type thermoelectric legs and a plurality of N-type thermoelectric legs that are alternately arranged on the first substrate; a second substrate disposed on the plurality of P- and N-type thermoelectric legs; and a plurality of electrodes that connect the plurality of P- and N-type thermoelectric legs in series, wherein the plurality of electrodes include a plurality of first electrodes disposed between the first substrate and the plurality of P- and N-type thermoelectric legs, and a plurality of second electrodes disposed between the second substrate and the plurality of P- and N-type thermoelectric legs, and grains constituting at least one of the plurality of first and second electrodes grow in the direction from the first substrate to the second substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2017Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.Inventor: Young Sam Yoo
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Patent number: 10714670Abstract: The present disclosure provides a thermoelectric conversion module that enables continued use of a thermoelectric generation system even when a part of a plurality of the thermoelectric conversion modules fails by being exposed to a higher temperature. The thermoelectric conversion module according to the present disclosure includes a substrate, a plurality of thermoelectric conversion element pairs electrically connected in series on the substrate, a pair of external terminals that carries out one of inputting and outputting of electric power, and a low melting point conductor. The low melting point conductor has a melting point that is substantially equal to a heat-resistant temperature of a p-type thermoelectric conversion element or an n-type thermoelectric conversion element.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2019Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroki Sato, Tsutomu Kanno, Hiromasa Tamaki, Yuriko Kaneko, Miho Uehara
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Patent number: 10693028Abstract: A micro-concentrator solar array is provided, and includes a plurality of solar cells and a plurality of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) based reflectors. Each solar cell includes a focal point. The MEMS based reflectors are each selectively tiltable about at least one axis to reflect a beam of light onto the focal point of one of the solar cells.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2014Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Nasser H. Karam, Dimitri D. Krut, Scott B. Singer
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Patent number: 10686087Abstract: Disclosed is a solar cell including a control passivation film on one surface of a semiconductor substrate, and being formed of a dielectric material; and a semiconductor layer on the control passivation film, wherein the semiconductor layer including a first conductive region having a first conductive type and a second conductive region having a second conductive type opposite to the first conductive type. The semiconductor substrate includes a diffusion region including at least one of a first diffusion region and a second diffusion region adjacent to the control passivation film, wherein the first diffusion region being locally formed to correspond to the first conductive region and having a doping concentration lower than a doping concentration of the first conductive region, wherein the second diffusion region being locally formed to correspond to the second conductive region and having a doping concentration lower than a doping concentration of the second conductive region.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Chungyi Kim, Youngsung Yang, Jaewoo Choi, Mihee Heo
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Patent number: 10601364Abstract: A solar tracker array has solar modules that may be configured to operate as a wind fence according to a wind characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2015Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.Inventor: Alexander W. Au
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Patent number: 10546968Abstract: An electromagnetic wave concentrating system, comprising a photovoltaic material and at least one holographic concentrator. The holographic concentrator includes at least two stacked holographic optical elements (HOE). Each HOE is configured to diffract incident light into a diffracted beams having different ranges of wavelengths. The diffracted beams generated by each HOE are directed at the photovoltaic material.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2014Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Inventors: David A. Waldman, Joby Joseph
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Patent number: 10541343Abstract: A method for fabricating a device with integrated photovoltaic cells includes supporting a semiconductor substrate on a first handle substrate and doping the semiconductor substrate to form doped alternating regions with opposite conductivity. A doped layer is formed over a first side the semiconductor substrate. A conductive material is patterned over the doped layer to form conductive islands such that the conductive islands are aligned with the alternating regions to define a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series on a monolithic structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2016Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Stephen W. Bedell, Bahman Hekmatshoartabari, Devendra K. Sadana, Ghavam G. Shahidi, Davood Shahrjerdi
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Patent number: 10510939Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion cell is provided with: an insulating member having a through hole, a female threaded portions (insulation-side threaded portion) at both end parts, respectively, of the through hole in the through-direction; a thermoelectric conversion member which has a thermoelectric conversion element (P-type thermoelectric conversion element), and is accommodated within the through hole; and electrode members coupled at the end parts, respectively, of the insulating member, and which have male threaded portions (electrode-side threaded portion) corresponding to the female threaded portions, and electrode parts electrically connected to the end part of the thermoelectric conversion member inside the through hole.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATIONInventors: Koya Arai, Masahito Komasaki
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Patent number: 10483411Abstract: A solar cell includes: a first electrode; a first hole transport layer containing nickel; an inorganic material layer containing titanium; a light-absorbing layer converting light into electric charge; and a second electrode. The first electrode, the first hole transport layer, the inorganic material layer, the light-absorbing layer, and the second electrode are layered in that order. The light-absorbing layer contains a perovskite compound represented by a formula AMX3, where A is a monovalent cation, M is a divalent cation, and X is a monovalent anion.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Takashi Nishihara, Shinya Fujimura, Takayuki Negami
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Patent number: 10460879Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element, having a photoconductor layer containing semiconductor fine particles carrying a metal complex dye of Formula (I); a metal complex dye, a dye solution, a dye-adsorbed electrode, a dye-sensitized solar cell, and a method for producing the solar cell: M(LA)(LD)(LX)mX·(CI)mY??Formula (I) M represents a metal ion, LA represents a ligand of Formula (AL), LD represents a bidentate or tridentate ligand, at least one of coordinating atoms being an anion; LX represents a monodentate ligand; CI represents a counter ion; mX is 0 or 1; mY is 0 to 3; Rings A to C represent a heterocycle; Z1 and Z2 represent a carbon or nitrogen atom; Anc1 to Anc3 represent an acidic group; X1 to X3 represent a single bond or linking group; R1 to R3 represent a substituent; l1, l3, l2, m1, m3, m2, n1, n2, and n3 each are an integer.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Kousuke Watanabe, Yukio Tani, Kouitsu Sasaki, Hirotaka Satou, Kazuhiro Tsuna, Katsumi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 10453975Abstract: Photovoltaic device includes a wafer, wherein it comprises a plurality of discontinuous first conductors oriented in a first direction, which conductors are interrupted in interconnection zones, and in that at least one second conductor electrically connects the first conductors to one another in the interconnection zones, and in that it includes at least one metal strip or braid fastened to at least one electrical conductor, this at least one metal strip or braid including fastening zones in which it is mechanically and electrically connected to an electrical conductor and non-connected zones in which the metal strip or braid is not mechanically fastened to an electrical conductor.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2011Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies AlternativesInventors: Armand Bettinelli, Eric Pilat