Patents Examined by Jayne Mershon
  • Patent number: 8987038
    Abstract: A method for forming a solar cell with selective emitters is disclosed, including selectively removing a portion of a barrier layer on a substrate to form an opening, performing a texture etching process to the substrate to form a second texture structure in a second region under the opening of the barrier layer, wherein the substrate surface in the first region does not change from the first texture structure. The first texture structure and the second texture structure include a plurality of protruding portions and recessing portions. The distance between neighboring protruding portions of the first texture structure is L1, the distance between neighboring protruding portions of the second texture structure is L2, and L1 is 2˜20 times that of L2. The method for forming a solar cell with selective emitters further comprises removing the barrier layer and performing a doping process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Dimitre Zahariev Dimitrov, Ching-Hsi Lin, Chung-Wen Lan, Der-Chin Wu
  • Patent number: 8987584
    Abstract: A solar panel mounting system includes first and second mounting supports, at least one having a lower mounting ledge, and at least the other having an upper mounting ledge. At least two brackets each have a first platform coupled to the lower mounting ledge and a second platform spaced apart therefrom. Each bracket includes a first hinge portion with a curved channel and a first catch. A first frame, at a first end, has a panel gripping portion for gripping an edge of a solar panel oriented generally parallel to the lower mounting ledge, and at an opposing second end has a second hinge portion with a flange and a curved hook extending therefrom. The first hinge portion is configured to rotatably receive the second hinge portion. The hook is received in the channel and retained by the first catch and the flange is supported on the second platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignees: Advanced Solar Products
    Inventors: Lyle K. Rawlings, Christopher Rawlings
  • Patent number: 8981202
    Abstract: Systems and methods for disposing and supporting a solar panel array are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for supporting a solar panel array includes the use of support columns and cables suspended between the support columns, with the solar panels received by solar panel receivers that are adapted to couple to the cables. The solar panel array may then be used to provide power as well as shelter. Cooling, lighting, security, or other devices may be added to the solar panel array. Embodiments of the invention include differing ways to support the solar panels by receivers of differing construction. Special installations of the system can include systems mounted over structure, such as parking lots, roads and aqueducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: P4P Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Steven J. Conger
  • Patent number: 8975513
    Abstract: A quantum dot (QD) sensitized wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductor heterojunction photovoltaic (PV) device comprises an electron conductive layer; an active photovoltaic (PV) layer adjacent the electron conductive layer; a hole conductive layer adjacent the active PV layer; and an electrode layer adjacent the hole conductive layer. The active PV layer comprises a wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductor material with Eg?2.0 eV, in the form of a 2-dimensional matrix defining at least two open spaces, and a narrower bandgap semiconductor material with Eg<2.0 eV, in the form of quantum dots (QD's) filling each open space defined by the matrix of WBG semiconductor material and establishing a heterojunction therewith. The active PV layer is preferably fabricated by a co-sputter deposition process, and the QD's constitute from about 40 to about 90 vol. % of the active PV layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Samuel D. Harkness, IV, Hans J. Richter
  • Patent number: 8975172
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a method for manufacturing a solar cell element including a semiconductor substrate that includes a high-concentration dopant layer located near the surface of the semiconductor substrate and a low-concentration dopant layer located more inside the semiconductor substrate than the high-concentration dopant layer. [Solving Means] A method includes heating a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type in a first atmosphere which contains a dopant having a second conductivity type and which has a first dopant concentration; heating in a second atmosphere the semiconductor substrate heated in the first atmosphere, the second atmosphere having a second dopant concentration less than the first dopant concentration; and heating in a third atmosphere the semiconductor substrate heated in the second atmosphere, the third atmosphere having a third dopant concentration greater than the second dopant concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Rui Yatabe, Kenichi Kurobe, Yosuke Inomata
  • Patent number: 8969709
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for using a thick-film conductive paste composition to form an electrode on a silicon semiconductor device, e.g, a photovoltaic cell, containing a lightly doped emitter. The thick-film paste comprises a source of an electrically conductive metal and a Pb—Te-based oxide dispersed in an organic medium. Also provided are devices made by the process and a photovoltaic cell comprising a lightly doped emitter and an electrode formed from the thick-film conductive paste composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Brian J. Laughlin, Kurt Richard Mikeska, Carmine Torardi, Paul Douglas Vernooy
  • Patent number: 8969714
    Abstract: The solar cell module comprises: a string including solar cell elements, each including a first main surface being rectangular in shape and an electrode extending along a longitudinal direction on the first main surface, and an interconnection connecting the solar cell elements adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction; a light-transmitting member located to cover the string; and a sealing material located between the string and the light-transmitting member. Each of solar cell elements includes a silicon substrate with the first and second main surface, and a first and second side surfaces each connecting the first and second main surface, the second side surface being located on the back side of the first side surface. The first and second side surfaces are arranged along the longitudinal direction, where silicon is exposed on the first side surface and the second side surface is covered with an insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hirata, Hiroshi Ueda, Kyouichi Ibaraki, Ken-ichiro Sumida, Noriyasu Kawakita, Takeshi Kyouda, Ryota Teshima
  • Patent number: 8962972
    Abstract: A structure installation rack in one embodiment is formed with horizontal rails (15) obtained by connecting a plurality of rail members (151, 152) having a pair of side plates extending in the same direction, and having a shape in which the sides of the pair of side plates extending in the direction are linked by the main plate. The connected rail members (151, 152) have a shape in which part of at least one end of the main plate or each side plate is cut off. One end of each side plate of each of the rail members (151, 152) and the other end of each side plate are connected in a state in which the one end of each side plate is superposed on the inside or outside of the other end of each side plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Sagayama
  • Patent number: 8956910
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a photoanode for a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is provided. The method includes the following steps. A particle colloid is electrospun to form a first electrospun thin film layer on a substrate. The particle colloid includes titanium dioxide nanopartictes, a polymer material, a dispersing agent and a solvent. The first electrospun thin film layer is then sintered to form a main titanium dioxide layer. A photoanode manufactured by the method mentioned above is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Textile Research Institute
    Inventors: Yu-Chou Chao, Yun-Yun Chu
  • Patent number: 8952236
    Abstract: A hybrid type roof panel of a vehicle has a solar cell mounted on the roof panel, in which two types of solar cell modules are simultaneously mounted, in order to provide a sense of openness of the roof panel and simultaneously maximize performance of the solar cell. In the roof panel covered with roof glass, two types of solar cells are disposed over an entire area of the roof glass in a hybrid manner, including: a first solar cell having transparent characteristics disposed in a center of the roof glass; and a second solar cell having better photovoltaic performance than the first solar cell disposed in an edge part of the roof glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Mi Yeon Song, Hae Yoon Jung, Eun Young Lee, Sang Hak Kim, Won Jung Kim, Sung Geun Park, Ji Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 8952238
    Abstract: A solar power system concurrently generates electricity and a heated transparent fluid while maintaining the solar cells at an optimum temperature and optimizing the heat transfer by matching the refractive index of the secondary sunlight concentrator to the transparent fluid. A solar tracker aligns a primary sunlight concentrator to collect sunlight and directs the sunlight and a system for transferring solar heat to a transparent fluid and into a solar power electrical generating system. The concentrated sunlight transfers solar heat to a transparent fluid via first pass through the transparent fluid. The concentrated sunlight is further concentrated to raise its temperature by passing the concentrated sunlight through a secondary sunlight concentrator, and then passed again through the transparent fluid to transfer heat. The solar energy diminished concentrated sunlight strikes a solar cell array to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Bingwu Gu
  • Patent number: 8952242
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes one or more structures, an array of at least one of quantum dots and quantum dashes, at least one groove, and at least one conductor. Each of the structures comprises an intrinsic layer on one of an n type layer and a p type layer and the other one of the n type layer and the p type layer on the intrinsic layer. The array of at least one of quantum dots and quantum dashes is located in the intrinsic layer in at least one of the structures. The groove extends into at least one of the structures and the conductor is located along at least a portion of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignees: Rochester Institute of Technology, The United States of America as represented by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Ryne P. Raffaele, David M. Wilt
  • Patent number: 8952241
    Abstract: A solar cell module includes a protective body, a sheet facing the protective body, a filler layer provided between the protective body and the sheet, and a solar cell disposed inside the filler layer. The filler layer has a first filler layer and a second filler layer. The first filler layer is provided in contact with the sheet. The first filler layer is formed of a resin. The second filler layer is formed of a resin whose gel fraction is higher than 0% and is less than a gel fraction of the resin of the first filler layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tasuku Ishiguro, Atsushi Saita
  • Patent number: 8946540
    Abstract: An imitation solar module for structural and aesthetic use in an array of electricity generating solar modules. The imitation solar module having a non-standard shape and a visual representation such as a decal of an actual solar module surface thereon. The imitation solar module includes triangular shapes for use in staggered module arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Zep Solar, LLC
    Inventors: John R. West, Alex Haines, Kyle Tripp
  • Patent number: 8940997
    Abstract: Systems and methods for disposing and supporting a solar panel array are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for supporting a solar panel array includes the use of support columns and cables suspended between the support columns, with the solar panels received by solar panel receivers that are adapted to couple to the cables. The solar panel array may then be used to provide power as well as shelter. Cooling, lighting, security, or other devices may be added to the solar panel array. Embodiments of the invention include differing ways to support the solar panels by receivers of differing construction. Special installations of the system can include systems mounted over structure, such as parking lots, roads and aqueducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: P4P Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Steven J. Conger
  • Patent number: 8936842
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to an electrode (e.g., front electrode) for use in a photovoltaic device or the like. In certain example embodiments, a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) based front electrode for use in a photovoltaic device is of or includes zinc oxide, or zinc aluminum oxide, doped with yttrium (Y). In certain example embodiments, the addition of the yttrium (Y) to the conductive zinc oxide or zinc aluminum oxide is advantageous in that potential conductivity loss of the electrode can be reduced or prevented. In other example embodiments, a low-E coating may include a layer of or including zinc oxide, or zinc aluminum oxide, doped with yttrium (Y).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Guardian Industris Corp.
    Inventor: Alexey Krasnov
  • Patent number: 8921685
    Abstract: A solar power camouflage system and apparatus are disclosed. The system includes a number of solar panels coupled to a net. The panels colored to produce a camouflage effect. A maximum power point tracking device coupled to the solar panels to manage to maintain the optimal voltage and current drawn through the panels. An energy storage device is coupled to the maximum power point tracking device. A power interface is coupled to said energy storage device to deliver power to other electrical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Princeton Satellite Systems
    Inventors: Yosef Shmuel Razin, Michael A. Paluszek
  • Patent number: 8921690
    Abstract: The light concentrator having a primary optical element which has an optical axis and a core comprising a rigid body which is co-linear with the optical axis and configured to support the primary optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Technology Partnership PLC
    Inventors: Andy Tomlinson, John-Paul Szczepanik
  • Patent number: 8921680
    Abstract: A low-cost solar collector employs a concave reflecting surface and a convex reflecting surface configured as a cylindrical Cassegrain optical system with planar symmetry to concentrate sunlight for photovoltaic solar panels. The collector achieves high concentration factors exceeding 20× and maintains focus of concentrated sunlight on the photovoltaic cells using a simple mechanical means to rotate the collector. A plurality of solar collectors is arranged in parallel in a conventional solar panel form factor and driven by a single drive system to maintain the sun continuously in the plane of symmetry of each of the solar collectors that comprise the solar panel. This reduces the area of photovoltaic cells required to convert a given quantity of light energy to electrical energy. Cost of electrical energy generated is reduced significantly because the cost per unit area of the solar collectors is much less than the cost of photovoltaic cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas Robert Wik
  • Patent number: 8921691
    Abstract: There is provided a solar cell in which a lower electrode layer, a photoelectric conversion layer having a chalcopyrite structure that includes a Group Ib element, a Group IIIb element, and a Group VIb element, and an upper electrode layer are sequentially formed on top of a substrate, wherein the solar cell is provided with a silicate layer between the substrate and the lower electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Shogo Ishizuka, Shigeru Niki, Nobuaki Kido, Hiroyuki Honmoto