Patents Examined by Jonathan Johnson
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Patent number: 8575475Abstract: A solar cell module with a simple configuration and high efficiency is provided. A solar cell module of the present invention is configured by electrically connecting a plurality of solar cell elements. Each of the plurality of solar cell elements includes a plurality of first connection parts representing wiring connection parts in a first electrode and a plurality of second connection parts representing wiring connection parts in a second electrode on the same surface. A first solar cell element and a second solar cell element arranged adjacent to each other have portions of the plurality of first connection parts of the first solar cell element and the plurality of second connection parts of the second solar cell element connected by a wiring having a linear form in plan view.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2007Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Kyocera CorporationInventors: Tomonari Sakamoto, Naoya Kobamoto, Yuta Shinike, Ken'ichi Okada
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Patent number: 8569614Abstract: A solar cell and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The solar cell includes a substrate of a first conductive type having at least one via hole, an emitter layer of a second conductive type opposite the first conductive type formed in the substrate, at least one first electrode formed on the emitter layer, at least one current collector positioned opposite the at least one first electrode with the substrate interposed between the at least one first electrode and the at least one current collector and is electrically connected to the at least one first electrode through the at least one via hole, and a second electrode that is spaced apart from the at least one current collector and is electrically connected to the substrate. A plurality of uneven portions are formed in the at least one via hole.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2009Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Juwan Kang, Jihoon Ko, Juhwan Yun, Jonghwan Kim
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Patent number: 8563854Abstract: A dye-sensitized photoelectric conversion apparatus having enhanced energy conversion efficiency and a production method thereof are provided. The dye-sensitized photoelectric conversion apparatus which has semiconductor layer (13) containing a photosensitizing dye (14) and is constituted such that a charge carrier generated by allowing light to incident in the photosensitizing dye (14) is drawn out through the semiconductor layer (13), in which the semiconductor layer (13) is constituted by a plurality of regions (13A to 13D) having different energy levels from one another of a passage through which the charge carrier is transferred. Further, the plurality of regions (13A to 13D) are arranged such that the energy levels are reduced stepwise and/or continuously in the direction of drawing the charge carrier out.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2003Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Tsutomu Imoto, Masao Oda
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Patent number: 8563850Abstract: A tandem photovoltaic cell device is disclosed including an upper and lower cell. The lower cell may comprise a glass substrate and overlying layers that may include an electrode, absorber, window layer, and a transparent conductive oxide layer. The upper cell may comprise an intermediate glass substrate and overlying layers that may include a transparent conductor, an absorber, a window layer, a second conductive oxide layer, and an upper glass material. The cells may be coupled with an optical coupling material, and edge sealing material may be disposed between the glass substrates for both the upper and lower cells.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Stion CorporationInventors: Chester A. Farris, III, Howard W. H. Lee, Robert Wieting
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Patent number: 8563846Abstract: A thin film type solar cell and a method for manufacturing the same is disclosed, the thin film type solar cell comprising a substrate; a plurality of front electrodes on the substrate at fixed intervals by each first separating part interposed in-between; a plurality of semiconductor layers on the front electrodes at fixed intervals by each contact part interposed in-between; and a plurality of rear electrodes connected with the front electrodes through the contact part, provided at fixed intervals by each second separating part interposed in-between, wherein a main isolating part is formed in the outermost front electrode, the outermost semiconductor layer, and the outermost rear electrode, wherein an auxiliary isolating part is formed in at least one of the outermost front electrode and the outermost rear electrode, wherein the auxiliary isolating part is positioned on the inside of the main isolating part.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2008Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Jusung Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Won Seok Park, Yong Woo Shin, Seong Ryong Hwang
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Patent number: 8563847Abstract: In one example, a photovoltaic module includes a plurality of discrete photovoltaic cells arranged in a plurality of cell rows, and a substantially electrically conductive and continuous area backsheet. The photovoltaic cells in each cell row are electrically connected in parallel to each other. The cell rows are electrically connected in series to each other and include a first row and a last row. The backsheet forms a current return path between the first and last rows. The photovoltaic cells are configured such that, in operation, current flows substantially uni-directionally through the plurality of photovoltaic cells between the first row and the last row.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Tenksolar, IncInventors: Dallas W. Meyer, Lowell J. Berg, Forrest C. Meyer, Raymond W. Knight, Steven E. Wheeler, John P. Novotny
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Patent number: 8563853Abstract: A solar cell device is provided, including a transparent substrate, a transparent conductive layer disposed over the transparent substrate, a photovoltaic element formed over the composite transparent conductive layer, and an electrode layer disposed over the photovoltaic element. In one embodiment, the transparent conductive layer includes lithium and fluorine-co-doped tin oxides, and the lithium and fluorine-co-doped tin oxides includes a plurality of polyhedron grains, and the polyhedron grains have a polyhedron grain distribution density of 60-95%.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Chin-Ching Lin, Mei-Ching Chiang, Hsiang-Chuan Chen, Jen-You Chu, Yi-Ping Chen, Pei-Chen Chuang
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Patent number: 8558106Abstract: A solar cell device is provided, including a transparent substrate, a transparent conductive layer disposed over the transparent substrate, a photovoltaic element formed over the composite transparent conductive layer, and an electrode layer disposed over the photovoltaic element. In one embodiment, the transparent conductive layer includes lithium and fluorine-co-doped tin oxides, and the lithium and fluorine-co-doped tin oxides have a lithium doping concentration of about 0.2˜2.3% and a fluorine doping concentration of about 0.1˜2.5%.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Chin-Ching Lin, Mei-Ching Chiang, Hsiang-Chuan Chen, Jen-You Chu, Yi-Ping Chen, Pei-Chen Chuang
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Patent number: 8552287Abstract: A stacked-layered thin film solar cell has a plurality of independent unit cells comprising a substrate, a first electrode layer, a first photoconductive layer, an interlayer, a second photoconductive layer, and a second electrode layer in a series stacked structure, wherein at least one first separation groove is formed within the first electrode layer and the stacked-layered thin film solar cell is characterized in: at least one second separation groove formed on the interlayer, at least one connection groove passing through the first photoconductive layer and the second photoconductive layer, and at least one third separation groove extending downward at a periphery of each of the unit cells so that the connection grooves and the third separation groove are concurrently located inside a projection zone of the second separation groove.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2008Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Nexpower Technology CorporationInventors: Chun-Hsiung Lu, Chien-Chung Bi
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Patent number: 8546683Abstract: The electrically conductive glass is obtained by providing a transparent electrically conductive film 12 such as ITO or FTO on a glass plate, and providing a grid including a film of a passivated metal on this transparent electrically conductive film. An insulating, fine oxide film formed on the surface of the passivated metal prevents leakage current from flowing from the grid to an electrolyte. In addition, leakage current is prevented from flowing from the transparent electrically conductive film to the electrolyte by providing a diffusion-preventing film including titanium or titanium oxide between the transparent electrically conductive film and the grid.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2004Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.Inventors: Kenichi Okada, Hiroshi Matsui, Nobuo Tanabe
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Patent number: 8546684Abstract: Provided is an organic photoelectric conversion element having a high photoelectric conversion ratio. Provided is also a method for manufacturing an organic photoelectric conversion element which can significantly reduce the manufacturing cost by forming a transparent electrode and an organic generation layer portion by coating a material. The organic photoelectric conversion element includes on a transparent substrate, a first electrode unit having a transparent conductive layer, an organic generation unit, and a second electrode unit which are successively arranged in this order when viewed from the transparent substrate. The transparent conductive layer constituting the first electrode unit contains conductive fiber and transparent conductive material.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2009Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Takahiko Nojima, Yasushi Okubo, Hiroaki Itoh, Ayako Wachi
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Patent number: 8546681Abstract: A photovoltaic device comprising an array of elongate reflector elements mounted substantially parallel to one another and transversely spaced in series, at least one of the reflector elements having an elongate concave reflective surface to reflect incident solar radiation towards a forward adjacent reflector element in the array. The at least one reflector element includes a photovoltaic receptor mounted on the reflector element by a mounting arrangement to receive reflected solar radiation from a rearward adjacent reflector element The reflector element also includes a heat sink in heat transfer relationship with the photovoltaic receptor, thermally isolating the photovoltaic receptor, at least partially, from the reflector element.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2012Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: SunPower CorporationInventors: Brian Wares, Stephan Barsun, Tom Dinwoodie
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Patent number: 8541910Abstract: A microelectrical mechanical system (MEMS) microgenerator cell and array is disclosed. The MEMS microgenerator cell of the present invention is effective in the conversion of thermal energy to electrical energy. In accordance with the present invention, an explosive material is loaded into a chamber. A diaphragm seals the chamber, containing a plasma material. The explosive material is subsequently heated to its ignition temperature thereby raising the pressure in the chamber until the diaphragm ruptures. The rupture of the diaphragm results in the flow of plasma out of the chamber. Upon exiting the chamber, the plasma is forced to flow between two parallel rectangular electrodes. A magnetic field is applied in a direction orthogonal to both the plasma flow and the electrodes, thereby generating an electromagnetic field sufficient to a power source for MEMS devices.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2005Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Shekhar Bhansali, Rajsekhar Popuri
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Patent number: 8541678Abstract: A thermionic or thermotunneling converter consisting of two electrodes maintained at a desired distance from one another by means of spacers in which the electrodes comprise silicon coated with a hard material, or comprise a ceramic or other refractory material. The spacers are formed by oxidizing one electrode, protecting certain oxidized areas and removing the remainder of the oxidized layer. The protected oxidized areas remain as spacers. These spacers have the effect of maintaining the electrodes at a desired distance without the need for active elements, thus greatly reducing costs.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2006Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Borealis Technical LimitedInventors: Hans Juergen Walitzki, Isaiah Watas Cox
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Patent number: 8536446Abstract: Multijunction solar cells that may include a first solar subcell with a first band gap, and a second solar subcell disposed over the first solar subcell and having a second band gap smaller than said first band gap. The solar cells may also include a grading interlayer disposed over the second solar subcell that may include a third band gap greater than the second band gap. The grading interlayer may not include phosphorus. The solar cells may also include a third solar subcell disposed over the interlayer that is lattice mismatched with respect to the second solar subcell. The third solar subcell may have a fourth band gap smaller than the third band gap.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2010Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Emcore Solar PowerInventors: Arthur Cornfeld, Mark A. Stan
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Patent number: 8535493Abstract: The Miami Max Hydro consists of a cylinder, with an inlet and outlet, contains two disks at one end, one having a positive charge, the other having a negative charge, as dictated by the electrode it is attached to. They do not touch. One is placed over the other and secured to it via a non-conductive material. The inner disk, herein named DISK B, has bored holes, lined with a non-conductive material, to allow passage of the rods that are attached to the outer disk, herein named Disk A, from touching Disk B and short-circuiting the cell. The number of rods of the two disks is adjustable, from two to infinite. Water passes through the cell while a positive and negative charge is applied to each electrode respectively. The electrical current vibrates the rods at a frequency that breaks the hydrogen-oxygen bond. The hydrogen is then harnessed for energy.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Inventors: Adam Stefan Kasprzak, Rima Kasprzak, Shennan Adam Kasprzak, Jenneka Sophia Kasprzak
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Patent number: 8536445Abstract: A method of forming a multijunction solar cell comprising an upper subcell, a middle subcell, and a lower subcell comprising providing first substrate for the epitaxial growth of semiconductor material; forming a first solar subcell on said substrate having a first band gap; forming a second solar subcell over said first subcell having a second band gap smaller than said first band gap; and forming a grading interlayer over said second subcell having a third band gap larger than said second band gap forming a third solar subcell having a fourth band gap smaller than said second band gap such that said third subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to said second subcell.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2006Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Emcore Solar Power, Inc.Inventors: Arthur Cornfeld, Mark A. Stan
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Patent number: 8536439Abstract: A thermoelectric device including a first insulating substrate (A) and a second insulating substrate (B) stacked on each other. Including a first electrode (2b) formed on the upper surface of the first insulating substrate (A), a pair of second electrodes (3c, 4c) individually formed on opposite surfaces thereof and connected to each other via a through-hole (7), and a thermoelectric material (5b) provided in the form of a thin film so as to contact the first electrode (2b) and the second electrode (3c). Furthermore, including a pair of third electrodes (8b, 9b) formed on opposite surfaces of the second insulating substrate (B) and connected to each other via a through-hole (10) while one of the third electrodes (8b, 9b) is connected to the first electrode (2b).Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2008Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Junichi Teraki
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Patent number: 8536440Abstract: The present invention provides nanowires and nanoribbons that are well suited for use in thermoelectric applications. The nanowires and nanoribbons are characterized by a periodic compositional longitudinal modulation. The nanowires are constructed using lithographic techniques from thin semiconductor membranes, or “nanomembranes.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: Max G. Lagally, Paul G. Evans, Clark S. Ritz
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Patent number: 8525017Abstract: [Task] To provide a solar battery sealing material obtained by using an olefin-based (co)polymer, which is excellent in flexibility, stress-absorbing property, transparency, and impact-resistant strength at low temperature, and with which the productivity is improved by omitting a cross-linking treatment if necessary. [Solving Means] A solar battery sealing material containing 1 to 40 parts by weight of polypropylene (i) which has a propylene unit of more than 90 mol %; and 60 to 99 parts by weight of a propylene.ethylene-based copolymer (ii) which has a propylene unit of 45 to 90 mol %, an ethylene unit of 10 to 25 mol %, and an ?-olefin unit (a) having 4 to 20 carbon atoms of 0 to 30 mol % ((i)+(ii)=100 parts by weight). The solar battery sealing material further contains 5 to 95 parts by weight of an ethylene.?-olefin copolymer (B), based on 95 to 5 parts by weight of the total amount of (i) and (ii) ((i)+(ii)+(B)=100 parts by weight).Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2006Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Ryoji Mori, Takashi Nakagawa, Hiromasa Marubayashi