Patents Examined by Michael Y Sun
  • Patent number: 11190128
    Abstract: One embodiment can provide a photovoltaic roof module. The photovoltaic roof module can include a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles positioned side by side. A respective solar roof tile comprises a plurality of photovoltaic structures positioned between a front cover and a back cover, and the photovoltaic structures are electrically coupled to each other in series. The photovoltaic roof tiles are electrically coupled to each other in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Bobby Yang, Peter P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11133474
    Abstract: Disubstituted diaryloxybenzoheterodiazole compound of general formula (1): in which:—Z represents a sulfur atom, an oxygen atom, a selenium atom; or an NR5 group in which R5 is selected from linear or branched C1-C20, preferably C1-C8, alkyl groups, or from optionally substituted aryl groups;—R1, R2 and R3 are as defined in the claims. The said disubstituted diaryloxybenzoheterodiazole compound of general formula (I) can advantageously be used as a spectrum converter in luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) which are in turn capable of improving the performance of photovoltaic devices (or solar devices) selected, for example, from photovoltaic cells (or solar cells), photovoltaic modules (or solar modules) on either a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Eni S.P.A.
    Inventors: Luigi Abbondanza, Andrea Alessi, Antonio Alfonso Proto, Giuliana Schimperna, Liliana Gila
  • Patent number: 11114252
    Abstract: Disclosures of the present invention mainly describe a method for manufacturing perovskite solar cell module. At first, a laser scribing is adopted for forming multi transparent conductive films (TCFs) on a transparent substrate. Subsequently, by using a first mask, multi HTLs, active layers, and ETLs are sequentially formed on the TCFs. Consequently, by the use of a second make, each of the ETLs is formed with an electrically connecting layer thereon, such that a perovskite solar cell module comprising a plurality of solar cell units is hence completed on the transparent substrate. It is worth explaining that, during the whole manufacturing process, each of the solar cell units is prevented from receiving bad influences that are provided by laser scribing or manufacture environment, such that each of the solar cell units is able to exhibit outstanding photoelectric conversion efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: CPC Corporation, Taiwan
    Inventors: Kuan-Chieh Huang, Li-Chung Lai, Chung-Kwang Lee
  • Patent number: 11107992
    Abstract: A compound of the formula, plus devices incorporating this compound, and a method of marking such devices: wherein: A represents a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, a biphenyl group or two phenyl groups linked by a C1-C8 alkyl chain; B1 and B2 in each occurrence are independently selected side chains of the structure —(Y1)n-L-(Y2)m—X wherein: Y1 and Y2 in each occurrence are independently selected from O, CO2— and CH2O, m and n in each occurrence are independently selected from 0 or 1; L in each occurrence is a C2-C14 straight chain alkyl group; and X in each occurrence is an independently selected cross linkable group; C is a side chain of the structure —(Z1)p-M-(Z2)q-E wherein: Z1 and Z2 are independently selected from O, CO2— and CH2O, p and q in each occurrence are independently selected from 0 or 1; M is a C1-C14 straight chain alkyl group; and E comprises a charge transport group; D is a side chain of the structure —(W1)r—N—(W2)s—F wherein: W1 and W2 are independently selected from O, CO2— and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Lomox Limited
    Inventors: Matthew P. Aldred, Luke William Judd, Clare Foden
  • Patent number: 11101395
    Abstract: This wiring module includes: a wiring substrate; a base portion at which the wiring substrate is placed; and an adhesive layer configured to adhere the wiring substrate to the base portion, wherein the wiring substrate includes: a land portion configured to have a power generating element mounted thereto; and a wire portion configured to be electrically connected to the power generating element, the adhesive layer has: a land adhesion region configured to adhere the land portion to the base portion; and a wire adhesion region configured to adhere the wire portion to the base portion, and a width of the wire adhesion region is smaller than a width of the land adhesion region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Toya, Takashi Iwasaki, Youichi Nagai, Koji Mori, Kenji Saito, Rui Mikami, Takeshi Yamana
  • Patent number: 11088309
    Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion element includes a thermoelectric member that is columnar and an insulator formed around the thermoelectric member. Particles are enclosed between the thermoelectric member and the insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yui Saitou, Yoshihiro Nakamura, Satoshi Maeshima
  • Patent number: 11045806
    Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated type microfluidic electrochemical biosensor system for rapid biochemical analysis and the usage of the system. The system comprising: a continuous feeding unit for sequentially conveying lead eluent, sample solution, sample eluent, signal probe solution, signal probe eluent and electrochemical detection buffer solution; a microfluidic chip consists of one or more micro-channel network, the microfluidic chip covers the electrode array to form a channel system, capture probes which have interaction with the said sample solution fixed on the surface of the electrode array, said channel system is connected with the continuous feed unit; and a power system for providing power to said continuous feeding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: HANGZHOU JINCHENGYIBANG TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD
    Inventors: Chunhai Fan, Fan Yang, Xiaolei Zuo, Qing Huang
  • Patent number: 11038072
    Abstract: A high efficiency configuration for a solar cell module comprises solar cells conductively bonded to each other in a shingled manner to form super cells, which may be arranged to efficiently use the area of the solar module, reduce series resistance, and increase module efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Ratson Morad, Gilad Almogy, Itai Suez, Jean Hummel, Nathan Beckett, Yafu Lin, John Gannon, Michael J. Starkey, Robert Stuart, Tamir Lance, Dan Maydan
  • Patent number: 11004992
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rear face element for a solar module, said element being made of a material sheet that is shaped, in particular embossed and/or stamped. Some sections of the material sheet are arranged on a first plane, and some sections are arranged on at least one second plane parallel to the first plane. The material sheet forms spacer elements in a transition region between the first and the second plane in order to space the first plane from the second plane, and at least one first material sheet section extends from a first lateral edge to an opposing second lateral edge of the material sheet continuously, in particular in a linear manner. The invention also relates to a solar module and to a method for producing a solar module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: MATRIX MODULE GMBH
    Inventors: Henning Busse, Maximilian Scherff
  • Patent number: 10967372
    Abstract: An apparatus for an electro-fluidic flow probe includes a body portion including an electro-fluidic bias tee for receiving (i) a fluid electrolyte and (ii) an electrical connection for providing an electrical potential to the fluid electrolyte; a first inlet including a tube extending from the first inlet to an outlet through the electro-fluidic bias tee; and a second inlet including the electrical connection having a wire that extends from the second inlet to the outlet through the electro-fluidic bias tee to transfer the electrical potential to a device under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yann Andre Nicolas Astier, Jingwei Bai, Young Hoon Kwark, Stanislav Polonsky, Joshua T. Smith
  • Patent number: 10967373
    Abstract: An apparatus for an electro-fluidic flow probe includes a body portion including an electro-fluidic bias tee for receiving (i) a fluid electrolyte and (ii) an electrical connection for providing an electrical potential to the fluid electrolyte; a first inlet including a tube extending from the first inlet to an outlet through the electro-fluidic bias tee; and a second inlet including the electrical connection having a wire that extends from the second inlet to the outlet through the electro-fluidic bias tee to transfer the electrical potential to a device under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yann Andre Nicolas Astier, Jingwei Bai, Young Hoon Kwark, Stanislav Polonsky, Joshua T. Smith
  • Patent number: 10965243
    Abstract: A solar tracking system for tracking the orientation of solar energy is disclosed. The solar tracking system may be integrated with solar cells and solar concentrators. The solar tracking system may have a first (22) and second (24) tracker module array that are opposite from another, aligned in substantially identical orientation, and form a tracker module pair array (1000). Tracker module pairs (12, 14; 12, 144) may allow motion relative to one another while maintaining substantially identical orientation. Solar concentrators may be attached to opposing tracker modules of a tracker module pair forming an array of solar concentrators. A base bar array (28) may be coupled to at least one tracker module pair. A transmission may operably rotate the base bar array and the tracker module pair array simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Kyusang Lee, Boning Qu
  • Patent number: 10950391
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photoelectric conversion device, that includes: forming a laminate structure of a substrate, a transparent electrode, an active layer produced by wet-coating, and a counter electrode, stacked in this order; and thereafter forming a cavity by: (a) pressing an adhesive material just against a defect formed on the surface of said counter electrode, and then peeling off said adhesive material together with said defect and the peripheral part thereof; or (b) sucking a defect formed on the surface of said counter electrode, so as to remove said defect and the peripheral part thereof, where said cavity penetrates through the counter electrode and unreached to the transparent electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Shigehiko Mori, Hideyuki Nakao, Takeshi Gotanda, Haruhi Oooka, Kenji Todori, Kenji Fujinaga
  • Patent number: 10944057
    Abstract: A compound represented by formula (A-0) or (B-0) is useful as a material for organic EL devices which realizes an organic EL device exhibiting high emission efficiency even when driving at a low voltage and has a long lifetime: wherein R1 to R10, n1, m2, k3, k4, n5, m6, k7, k8, L0 to L2, and Ar are as defined in the description.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: IDEMITSU KOSAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoki Kato, Nobuhiro Yabunouchi, Masakazu Funahashi, Takahiro Fujiyama
  • Patent number: 10917037
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a solar tracker assembly, particularly for solar collectors, with a table structure for supporting the solar collectors, particularly solar collector panels and/or solar collector assemblies, and with an assembly for carrying the table structure, wherein the table structure is rotatable relative to the assembly base at least about one axis of rotation. For allowing the table for supporting respective solar panels to have sufficiently large dimensions in order to accommodate an increased number of solar collectors in an easy way and, at the same time, to enable the table to be positioned at a precise angle with reduced effort, it is suggested that at least a portion of the table structure and/or a portion of the assembly base is formed as a truss structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Saint-Augustin Canada Electric Inc.
    Inventors: Thierry Remy, Patrick Herembert
  • Patent number: 10892372
    Abstract: High performance single crystal silicon cells and arrays thereof are manufactured using a rapid process flow. Tunneling junctions formed in the process provide performance benefits, such as higher efficiency and a lower power temperature coefficient. The process generates a large array of interconnected high performance cells smaller than typical cells without requiring additional process steps, and simplifies integration of these coupons into the final product. The cells can have different shapes, sizes, and orientations, enabling the array to be flexible in any desired direction. Higher efficiencies and lower hot spotting under shading is achieved by connecting small low current, high voltage cells in dense series and parallel configurations. Low current cells also require much less metallization than typical solar cells and arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: mPower Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Murat Okandan, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa
  • Patent number: 10886451
    Abstract: Provided are a thermoelectric material, a method of fabricating the same, and a thermoelectric device. The thermoelectric material includes a first material layer including a chalcogen element; and a second material layer including a reaction compound between the chalcogen element and a metal element, wherein the thermoelectric material has a structure in which the first material layer is inserted in the second material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY FOUNDATION (UIF), YONSEI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mann Ho Cho, Hye Jin Choi, Ji Min Chae, Han Bum Park
  • Patent number: 10825944
    Abstract: A device for converting electromagnetic radiation into electricity comprises an expander that includes a conical shape having an axis and a curved surface that is configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation away from the axis to expand a beam of the electromagnetic radiation; and one or more energy conversion components configured to receive a beam of electromagnetic radiation expanded by the expander, and to generate electricity from the expanded beam of electromagnetic radiation. With the expander's curved surface, a beam of electromagnetic radiation that is highly concentrated—has a large radiation flux—may be converted into a beam that has a larger cross-sectional area. Moreover, one can configure, if desired, the curved surface to provide a substantially uniform distribution of radiation across the expanded cross-sectional area. With such an expanded beam the one or more energy conversion components can efficiently convert some of the electromagnetic radiation into electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: LASERMOTIVE, INC.
    Inventors: Jordin T Kare, Thomas J. Nugent, Jr., David Bashford
  • Patent number: 10825945
    Abstract: What is proposed is a method of producing at least two differently heavily doped subzones (3, 5) predominantly doped with a first dopant type in a silicon substrate (1), in particular for a solar cell. The method comprises: covering at least a first subzone (3) of the silicon substrate (1) in which a heavier doping with the first dopant type is to be produced with a doping layer (7) of borosilicate glass, wherein at least a second subzone (5) of the silicon substrate (1) in which a lighter doping with the first dopant type is to be produced is not covered with the doping layer (7), and wherein boron as a dopant of a second dopant type differing from the first dopant type and oppositely polarized with respect to the same is included in the layer (7), and; heating the such prepared silicon substrate (1) to temperatures above 300° C., preferably above 900° C., in a furnace in an atmosphere containing significant quantities of the first dopant type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITÄT KONSTANZ
    Inventors: Sebastian Gloger, Barbara Terheiden, Daniel Sommer, Axel Herguth, Josh Engelhardt
  • Patent number: 10819270
    Abstract: Tailoring the emission spectra of a solar thermophotovoltaic emitter away from that of a blackbody, thereby minimizing transmission and thermalization loss in the energy receiver, is a viable approach to circumventing the Shockley-Queisser limit to single junction solar energy conversion. Embodiments allow for radically tuned selective thermal emission that leverages the interplay between two resonant phenomena in a simple planar structure—absorption in weakly-absorbing thin films and reflection in multi-layer dielectric stacks. A virtual screening approach is employed based on Pareto optimality to identify a small number of promising structures for a selective thermal emitter from a search space of millions, several of which approach the ideal values of a step-function selective thermal emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignees: UChicago Argonne, LLC, William Paterson University of New Jersey
    Inventors: Alex B. Martinson, Nari Jeon, Stephen K. Gray, Jonathan J. Foley, IV