Patents Examined by Lindsey Bernier
  • Patent number: 9842957
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a solar cell design featuring p-or-n type GaAs with alternating p-n junction regions on the back-surface of the cell, opposite incident solar irradiance. Various layers of p-or-n type GaAs are interfaced together to collect charge carriers, and a thin layer of AlGaAs is applied to the front and back surfaces to prevent recombination of charge carriers. In some embodiments, the layered an doped structure generally provides an AlGaAs window layer of about 20 nm doped to about 4×(1018) cm?3, a GaAs absorption layer of about 2000 nm doped to about 4×(1017) cm?3, a GaAs emitter layer of about 150 nm and doped to 1×(1018) cm?3, an AlGaAs heterojunction layer of about 40 nm doped to about 3×(1018) cm?3, and a GaAs emitter-contact layer of about 20 nm doped to about 1×(1019) cm?3. Additionally, AlGaAs BSF layer and GaAs BSF-contact layers each have a depth of about 20 nm and are doped to about 4×(1018) cm?3 and 1×(1019) cm?3 respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Sherif Michael, Joseph E. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 9825346
    Abstract: An adverse event-resilient network system consisting of autonomously powered and mobile nodes in communication with each other either through radio, light or other electromagnetic signals or through a physical connection such as through wiring, cables or other physical connected methods capable of carrying information and communication signals. The nodes powered by an energy generator comprising multiple data, information and voice gathering, receiving and emitting devices as well as mechanical, optical and propulsion devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Conceptual Werks LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Beretich
  • Patent number: 9825188
    Abstract: A solar cell module includes: two solar cells, each including: a first main face and a second main face; a first electrode on the first main face, comprising a bus-bar electrode having at least one of an opening portion, notch portion, and gap portion; and a second electrode on the first or second main face having a polarity opposite to that of the first electrode; a wiring member that electrically connects the first electrode of one solar cell to the second electrode of another solar cell; and an electrically conductive connection layer that contacts the wiring member and the first main face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Hishida, Yasufumi Tsunomura, Eiji Maruyama
  • Patent number: 9796478
    Abstract: A method of controlling solar panels in a solar propelled aircraft which has a wing having solar cell modules mounted therein. The solar propelled aircraft includes: first solar cell modules which are positioned in a main wing or a tail wing of the aircraft and receive solar energy directly from the sun; second solar cell modules which are positioned in a main wing or a tail wing of the aircraft and supplied with directed energy from the earth; and rotating shafts which rotate the first solar cell modules and the second solar cell modules so that the first solar cell modules and the second solar cell modules correspond to each other in both directions. The first solar cell module at the upper surface obtains solar energy from the sun, and the second solar cell module at the lower surface obtains directed energy transferred from the earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: KOREA AEROSPACE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Hyo Jung Ahn
  • Patent number: 9748413
    Abstract: In a solar cell module, a plurality of solar cells are provided between a front surface protection member and a back surface protection member and bus bar electrodes 20 of the plurality of solar cells are electrically connected to each other by wiring members. The solar cell module includes an adhesive layer made of a resin 60 containing a plurality of conductive particles 70, the adhesive layer provided between each of the bus bar electrodes 20 and the wiring member 40. Each of the bus bar electrodes 20 and the corresponding wiring member 40 are electrically connected by the plurality of conductive particles 70. The resin 60 covers side surface of each of the bus bar electrodes 20 and configured to bond the wiring member 40 with the surface of a photoelectric conversion body 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasufumi Tsunomura, Yukihiro Yoshimine, Shigeyuki Okamoto
  • Patent number: 9731262
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing an aqueous or hydro-alcoholic colloidal solution of metal chalcogenide amorphous nanoparticles notably of the Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) type and to the obtained colloidal solution. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a film of large-grain crystallized semi-conducting metal chalcogenide film notably of CZTS obtained from an aqueous or hydro-alcoholic colloidal solution according to the invention, said film being useful as an absorption layer deposited on a substrate applied in a solid photovoltaic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: IMRA EUROPE SAS
    Inventors: Stephane Bourdais, Christophe Chone, Yan Cuccaro
  • Patent number: 9735301
    Abstract: A layer of an n-type chalcogenide compositions provided on a substrate in the presence of an oxidizing gas in an amount sufficient to provide a resistivity to the layer that is less than the resistivity a layer deposited under identical conditions but in the substantial absence of oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Todd R. Bryden, Buford I. Lemon, Joseph George, Rebekah Kristine Ligman Feist
  • Patent number: 9729103
    Abstract: A solar module (2) comprising: (a) a plurality of interconnected photovoltaic cells (4); (b) a forward protective layer (22); (c) a rearward protective layer (24); and (d) an reinforcement (10); wherein the reinforcement is integrally located within the solar module and extends from a location substantially proximate to the forward protective layer to a location substantially proximate to the rearward protective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith L. Kauffman, Kwanho Yang, Jie Feng, Hua Liu, Scott T. Burr, Rebekah K. Feist, Rahul Sharma, Leonardo Lopez
  • Patent number: 9711668
    Abstract: A photovoltaic cell is provided that enables cost reduction and stable operation with a simple configuration and enhances conversion efficiency by a new technology of forming an energy level in a band gap. In the photovoltaic cell, a substrate, a conductive first electrode, an electromotive force layer, a p-type semiconductor layer, and a conductive second electrode are laminated, electromotive force is generated by photoexciting the electron in the band gap of the electromotive force layer by light irradiation, the electromotive force layer is filled with an n-type metal oxide semiconductor of fine particles coated by an insulating coat, a new energy level is formed in a band gap by photoexcited structural change caused by ultraviolet irradiation, and efficient and stable operation can be performed by providing a layer of an n-type metal oxide semiconductor between the first electrode and the electromotive force layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: GUALA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akira Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 9702595
    Abstract: Thermoelectric devices are provided. In one embodiment, a thermoelectric device may include a glass wafer defined by conductive vias, a second wafer, and a plurality of metal film disposed between the glass wafer and the second wafer and against solid, conductive, integral, end surfaces of the conductive vias. A nanogap may be disposed between the metal film and the second wafer. The nanogap may have been created by applying a voltage extending between the conductive vias and the second wafer. Methods of forming the devices, along with methods of using the devices to transform heat energy to electricity, and for refrigeration, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Minas Tanielian
  • Patent number: 9698291
    Abstract: A solar cell panel and a method for manufacturing the same are discussed. The solar cell panel includes a plurality of solar cells each including a substrate and a plurality of electrode parts positioned on a surface of the substrate, an interconnector electrically connecting the electrode parts of adjacent ones of the plurality of solar cells to one another, and conductive adhesive films including a resin and a plurality of conductive particles dispersed in the resin. The conductive adhesive films is pressed between the electrode parts and the interconnector to electrically connect the electrode parts to the interconnector. A plurality of uneven portions are positioned on at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the interconnector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jongkyoung Hong, Jongdae Kim
  • Patent number: 9691921
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to device fabrication of thin films used as solar devices or other electronic devices, and include textured back reflectors utilized in solar applications. In one embodiment, a method for forming a textured metallic back reflector which includes depositing a metallic layer on a gallium arsenide material within a thin film stack, forming an array of metallic islands from the metallic layer during an annealing process, removing or etching material from the gallium arsenide material to form apertures between the metallic islands, and depositing a metallic reflector layer to fill the apertures and cover the metallic islands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: ALTA DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Harry Atwater, Brendan Kayes, Isik C. Kizilyalli, Hui Nie
  • Patent number: 9640691
    Abstract: A solar module and manufacturing method for the solar module are provided which are able to reduce problems caused by thermal stress. The solar module (1) includes a solar cell (10), a wiring member (11), and an adhesive layer (12). The wiring member (11) is arranged on a surface of the solar cell (10). The adhesive layer (12) is made of resin. The adhesive layer (12) has wide portions (12a) and narrow portions (12b) along the longitudinal direction of the wiring member (11). The solar module (1) has a region at least to the outside of the narrow portions (12b) in which the wiring member (11) and the surface of the solar cell (10) face each other without an interposing adhesive layer (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tasuku Ishiguro, Yukihiro Yoshimine, Tsukasa Kawakami
  • Patent number: 9640803
    Abstract: A solid state energy generator and storage device, comprising two layers, in contact with each other, of dissimilar materials in terms of electron density and configuration, sandwiched between an anode and a cathode. One of the layers is a stabilized mixture of carbon and an ionic material (carbon matrix) and the other layer is a stabilized manganese oxide mixed with an ionic material (oxide matrix). The built-in potential of the device is determined mathematically by integrating the electrostatic forces across the barrier and will rise or fall in direct proportion to the device temperature (in Kelvin). In addition the device can be charged and thus function as a charge storage device, with the rated voltage varying according to the temperature of the device. When a load is attached across the terminals of the device a current flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Conceptual Works LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Beretich
  • Patent number: 9634217
    Abstract: A thermally controllable energy generation system comprising an insulated, thermally-enhanced generator with a power circuit for conveying power. The thermally enhanced generator and its available voltage is controlled by a circuit which changes the ambient temperature of the generator through the use of a heating element and heating circuit. A controller circuit is in communication with the temperature sensor, the control circuit, the heating circuit and the power circuit. The thermally enhanced generator includes at least one cell, which comprises a layer of electron-rich donor material in contact with a layer of hole-rich acceptor material, sandwiched between an anode and a cathode. One of the layers is a stabilized mixture of carbon and an ionic material (carbon matrix) and the other layer is a stabilized oxide mixed with an ionic material (oxide matrix).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Conceptual Works LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Beretich
  • Patent number: 9634167
    Abstract: A solar cell module comprising: a first protective member having a curved surface having a prescribed radius of curvature set in at least a first direction; a first filling material arranged upon the first protective member; a plurality of solar cell strings arranged in the first direction upon the first filling material and connected in parallel to each other; a second filling material arranged upon the solar cell strings; and a second protective member arranged upon the second filling material. The solar cell strings have connected in series a plurality of solar cells that are arranged in a second direction. The solar cells have end cross-sections along at least the first direction that have a waveform shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yousuke Ishii, Keiichi Kuramoto
  • Patent number: 9627554
    Abstract: A solar cell module includes: two solar cells, each including: a first main face and a second main face; a first electrode on the first main face, comprising a bus-bar electrode having at least one of an opening portion, notch portion, and gap portion; and a second electrode on the first or second main face having a polarity opposite to that of the first electrode; a wiring member that electrically connects the first electrode of one solar cell to the second electrode of another solar cell; and an electrically conductive connection layer that contacts the wiring member and the first main face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Hishida, Yasufumi Tsunomura, Eiji Maruyama
  • Patent number: 9627565
    Abstract: A photovoltaic solar cell assembly includes a bypass diode, a first and a second planar solar cell. Each of the first and the second solar cell includes a front facing side and a rear facing side, each rear facing side including a respective conductive surface, each front facing side including a respective current collector bar, and corresponding grid of metallic lines conductively coupled with the current collector bar. A first terminal of the bypass diode is electrically coupled with the conductive surface of the first solar cell. A second terminal of the bypass diode is electrically coupled with the current collector bar of the second solar cell. Electrical coupling of the bypass diode with the first solar cell and the second solar cell excludes any external wiring or busbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, LLC
    Inventors: Bao Hoang, Samuel Geto Beyene
  • Patent number: 9627601
    Abstract: A thermoelectric element includes a first thermoelectric layer and a second thermoelectric layer, wherein a p-n junction is formed when the layers are formed. To specify a generic thermoelectric element that is suitable for a series connection in a thermoelectric generator without cabling, according to the invention—a substrate comprises a first and second contact surface on a cold side and a third contact surface on a hot side of the substrate. A temperature gradient can be applied between the contact surfaces on the cold and hot side. The first thermoelectric layer of the thermoelectric element is arranged on the substrate and connects a second contact surface to a third contact surface. The second thermoelectric layer of the thermoelectric element is arranged on the first thermoelectric layer, the p-n junction thereby being formed, and is connected to the first contact surface. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a thermoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: O-FLEXX TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Nikolay Iosad
  • Patent number: 9620699
    Abstract: An insulating substrate is prepared. In this substrate, plural via holes penetrating in a thickness direction are filled with a conductive paste. This paste is produced by adding an organic solvent to a powder of an, and by processing the power of the alloy to a paste. The substrate is then pressed from a front surface and a back surface of the substrate, while being heated. The conductive paste is solid-phase sintered and interlayer connecting members are formed. A front surface protective member is disposed on a front surface of the substrate and a back surface protective member is disposed on a back surface of the substrate, and a laminate is formed. The laminate is integrated by a lower pressure being applied while heating at a lower temperature, compared to the temperature and pressure in the process of forming the interlayer connecting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eijirou Miyagawa, Keita Saitou, Yoshihiko Shiraishi, Yoshitaro Yazaki, Toshihisa Taniguchi, Atusi Sakaida