Patents Examined by Susan D Leong
  • Photoelectric conversion device
    Patent number: 8941005
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a photoelectric conversion device having a passivation layer suitable for a structure provided with a heat dissipation mechanism. A photoelectric conversion device 1 of the present invention has a first electrode layer 20, a single power generation laminate 22 having a nip structure formed of a-Si (amorphous silicon), and a second electrode layer 26 of Al formed on the power generation laminate 22 through a nickel layer 24. On the second electrode layer 26, a passivation layer 28 constructed of a material containing SiCN is formed. On the passivation layer 28, a heat sink 30 (for example, formed of Al) is mounted through an adhesive layer 29.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: National University Corporation Tohoku University
    Inventor: Tadahiro Ohmi
  • Oxide evaporation material, vapor-deposited thin film, and solar cell
    Patent number: 8941002
    Abstract: Provided are an oxide tablet for vapor deposition (oxide evaporation material), and a vapor-deposited thin film and a solar cell formed using the same. The tablet comprises a sintered body which contains indium oxide as a main component and cerium and which is subjected to no surface grinding after sintering, in which CompS/CompA=0.9 to 1.1, where the content of cerium in a surface layer to a depth of 5 ?m from a surface of the sintered body is represented by a Ce/In atomic ratio (CompS), and an average value of the content of cerium in the entire sintered body is represented by a Ce/In atomic ratio (CompA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Abe, Riichiro Wake, Masakazu Kuwahara, Kentaro Sogabe, Azusa Oshiro, Hisaki Yada
  • Biosensor system, sensor chip, and method of measuring analyte concentration in blood sample
    Patent number: 8940138
    Abstract: The present biosensor system prevents a measurement error caused by the temperature of the environment in use. A biosensor system 100 includes a measuring instrument 101 having an operation part 306, and a sensor chip 200 insertable into and removable from the measuring instrument 101 and which accepts a blood sample. The sensor chip 200 includes a measurement part 41 that acquires Data a related to the concentration of an analyte in a blood sample based on the amount of electric current that flows in the sample due to a reaction in which an oxidoreductase with the analyte used as a substrate is involved, and a measurement part 42 that acquires, from the sample, Data b for temperature correction of Data a. The operation part 306 determines the concentration of the analyte in the sample, corrected according to the temperature of the sample based on Data a and Data b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaki Fujiwara
  • Polyester film with UV-stability and high light transmittance
    Patent number: 8941003
    Abstract: A composite film comprising: (i) a heat-stabilised oriented polyester substrate comprising a UV-absorber in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 10% based on the total weight of the polyester substrate, and (ii) on one or both surfaces of the substrate a polymeric coating layer, which has a thickness in the range of from about 10 nm to about 200 nm, and which comprises an ethylene acrylic acid (EAA) copolymer, wherein the composite film exhibits a shrinkage at 150° C. for 30 minutes of less than 0.1% in both the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the film, and use thereof in the manufacture of photo-voltaic cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Dupont Teijin Films U.S. Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Nori Mandokoro, Simon Shepherd
  • Cable installation for pivoting a support structure for photovoltaic modules or comparable devices
    Patent number: 8937240
    Abstract: A cable installation having a support structure, for example a rod or a support frame will be proposed, the latter or the former, being able to be hinged to abuses structure about a first axis, respectively, wherein at each end of the support structure a deviating roller is rotatably provided, which is provided for a cable which at one end is fixed to an area of the support structure while the other end of the cable is fixed to a second area of the base structure which is spaced apart from the first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Inventor: Johann Czaloun
  • Thermoelectric remote power source
    Patent number: 8933317
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a strap configured to be coupled to a container. The strap includes a plurality of plates arranged to allow the strap to flex. The system also includes a thermoelectric device coupled to the strap. The strap is configured to transfer heat between the thermoelectric device and the container. The system includes a thermal interface situated between the thermoelectric device and the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Marlow Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua E. Moczygemba, Overton L. Parish, IV, Ryan A. Turner, Pravesh Parmanand
  • Thermally mounting electronics to a photovoltaic panel
    Patent number: 8933324
    Abstract: An electronics assembly for a photovoltaic panel includes a substrate of a thermally conductive material, wherein the substrate defines a thermal contact area for thermally contacting the electronics assembly to a photovoltaic panel; and at least one electronic component provided on the substrate and in thermal contact with the substrate, so that when the electronics assembly is in thermal contact with the photovoltaic panel. The thermal contact provides a heat conductive channel between the at least one electronic component and the photovoltaic panel, wherein the heat conductive channel enables the electronics assembly to use the photovoltaic panel as a heat sink for heat produced by the at least one electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Hendrik Oldenkamp, Irene Johanna De Jong
  • Digital microfluidics based apparatus for heat-exchanging chemical processes
    Patent number: 8926811
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for performing heat-exchanging reactions on an electro wetting-based micro fluidic device. The apparatus provides one or multiple thermal contacts to an electro wetting-based device, where each thermal contact controls the part of the electro wetting-based device it communicates with to a designed temperature. The electrowetting-based device can be used to create, merge and mix liquids in the format of droplets and transport them to different temperature zones on the micro fluidic device. The apparatus and methods of the invention can be used for heat-exchanging chemical processes such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other DNA reactions, such as ligase chain reactions, for DNA amplification and synthesis, and for real-time PCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Digital Biosystems
    Inventor: Chuanyong Wu
  • Solar cell element and solar cell module
    Patent number: 8912431
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate comprises a semiconductor region of one conductivity type and a layer of another conductivity type with first, second and side surfaces. Over surfaces on the first surface side, the side surface side and an outer peripheral portion on the second surface side of the semiconductor region, the layer is formed. An electrode of the one conductivity type is located on the second surface adjacent to the layer. The semiconductor substrate includes a trench located between the outer periphery of the second surface and an end of the electrode with a spacing from the electrode and configured to isolate the layer along the outer periphery of the second surface. When viewed from the second surface side, a shortest distance between the end of the electrode and the trench is smaller than a shortest distance between a junction of the layer of the side surface side and the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Ken-ichi Okada, Norikazu Nakatani, Naoya Kobamoto, Hiroshi Ueda
  • Cationic polymer based wired enzyme formulations for use in analyte sensors
    Patent number: 8906211
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include analyte-responsive compositions and electrochemical analyte sensors having a sensing layer that includes an analyte-responsive enzyme and a cationic polymer. Also provided are systems and methods of making the sensors and using the electrochemical analyte sensors in analyte monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Feldman, Tianmei Ouyang, Zenghe Liu
  • Semiconductor material and its application as an absorber material for solar cells
    Patent number: 8907210
    Abstract: This invention describes a semiconductor material of general formula (I) Me12Me21-xMe3xMe4(C11-yC2y)4, in which x stands for a numeric value from 0 to 1, and y stands for a numeric value of 0 to 1, as well as its use as an absorber material in a solar cell. The metal Mel is a metal which is selected from the metals in group 11 of the periodic table of the elements (Cu, Ag or Au). The metals Me2 and Me3 are selected from the elements of the 12th group of the periodic table of elements (Zn, Cd & Hg). The metal Me4 is a metal which is selected from the 4th main group of the periodic table of elements (C, Si, Ge, Sn and Pb). The non-metals C1 and C2 are selected from the group of chalcogenides (S, Se and Te).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: crystalsol OÜ
    Inventors: Dieter Meissner, Mare Altosaar, Enn Mellikov, Jaan Raudoja, Kristi Timmo
  • Cathodic materials for use in electrochemical sensors and associated devices and methods of manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 8888979
    Abstract: A cathodic material for use in an electrochemical sensor comprising: a carbonaceous material and an oxygen reduction catalyst associated with the carbonaceous material; and wherein the cathodic material does not materially exhibit catalytic activity for the oxidation of carbon monoxide. Associated electrochemical sensors may include an anode and cathode that are disposed upon the same or opposite sides of an ion exchange membrane and/or exposed to the same or different gaseous environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventor: Joel C. Nemes
  • Device for moving and treating volumes of liquid
    Patent number: 8864967
    Abstract: A device for displacing a small volume of liquid under the effect of an electric control, including a first substrate with a hydrophobic surface provided with a first electrical conductor, a second electrical conductor positioned facing the first conductor, and a third conductor, forming with the second conductor, a mechanism for analyzing or heating a volume of liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Gilles Marchand, Yves Fouillet, Philippe Clementz
  • Binuclear ruthenium complex dye, ruthenium-osmium complex dye, photoelectric conversion element using any one of the complex dyes, and photochemical cell
    Patent number: 8859894
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a binuclear ruthenium complex dye represented by the following general formula (1-1): wherein R01 represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms; X represents a counter ion; and n represents a number of the counter ions needed to neutralize a charge of the complex; and in which proton(s) (H+) of one or more carboxyl groups (—COOH) may dissociate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: UBE Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Kakita, Shusaku Wada, Takafumi Iwasa, Yoshihisa Kakuta
  • Frameless photovoltaic module
    Patent number: 8853525
    Abstract: A photovoltaic module employing an array of photovoltaic cells disposed between two optically transparent substrates such as to define a closed-loop peripheral area of the module that does not contain a photovoltaic cell. The module is sealed with a peripheral seal along the perimeter; and is devoid of a structural element affixed to an optically transparent substrate and adapted to mount the module to a supporting structure. The two substrates may be bonded together with the use of adhesive material and, optionally, the peripheral seal can include the adhesive material. The module optionally includes diffraction grating element(s) adjoining respectively corresponding PV-cell(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Prism Solar Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Beckerman, Jose E. Castillo-Aguilella, Paul S. Hauser, Michael Sprague
  • Oxygen sensors
    Patent number: 8845871
    Abstract: An electrochemical oxygen sensor includes a micro-porous plastic membrane supported on a sealing disk and located between a gas inflow port and the sensor's electrolyte. The membrane and disk minimize thermal shock effects due to using the sensor at a first location, at a first temperature, and then moving it to a second location at a different temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: John Chapples, John Anthony Tillotson, Ian McLeod, Martin Williamson
  • Analyte sensors and methods of manufacturing same
    Patent number: 8828201
    Abstract: Analyte sensors and methods of manufacturing same are provided, including analyte sensors comprising multi-axis flexibility. For example, a multi-electrode sensor system 800 comprising two working electrodes and at least one reference/counter electrode is provided. The sensor system 800 comprises first and second elongated bodies E1, E2, each formed of a conductive core or of a core with a conductive layer deposited thereon, insulating layer 810 that separates the conductive layer 820 from the elongated body, a membrane layer deposited on top of the elongated bodies E1, E2, and working electrodes 802?, 802? formed by removing portions of the conductive layer 820 and the insulating layer 810, thereby exposing electroactive surface of the elongated bodies E1, E2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter C. Simpson, Robert Boock, Paul V. Neale, Sebastian Bohm, Matthew Wightlin, Jack Pryor, Jason Mitchell, Jeff Jackson, Kaushik Patel, Antonio C. Llevares
  • Detachable dissolved oxygen sensor for single use bioreactor/mixer
    Patent number: 8828202
    Abstract: A dissolved oxygen sensor for use with a single use-bioreactor/container is provided. The bioreaction vessel includes a plastic wall defining a bioreaction chamber therein, and having an aperture therethrough. A membrane holder is attached to an inner surface of the plastic wall. The membrane holder has a cylindrical portion passing through the aperture. A sensor window membrane is coupled to the membrane holder proximate the aperture. The sensor window membrane has a high oxygen permeability, but forms a water-tight seal with the membrane holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Rosemount Analytical Inc.
    Inventor: Chang-Dong Feng
  • Coated metallic sample peel test
    Patent number: 8820155
    Abstract: A method for conducting a peel test of a polymer coated metallic sample includes making a peel test specimen having a polymer joined to a substrate. A free portion of the polymer is left unattached to the substrate. The peel test specimen is positioned in an environment for testing in such a manner that the polymer is allowed to peel downward from the substrate. A weight is joined to the free portion of the polymer and a start time is recorded. The attached portion of the polymer is periodically measured and the elapsed time is recorded. A peel rate is calculated from the measurement and time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Thomas S. Ramotowski
  • Solar battery and method for manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 8802973
    Abstract: A solar battery according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of solar battery cells formed on a first area of a substrate to include a rear electrode pattern, a light-absorbing layer, a buffer layer and a front electrode layer respectively; a metal film pattern formed on a second area of the substrate to electrically connect to each a plurality of solar battery cells and space each other; and a connection unit formed between the mutually spaced metal film patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyung Am Kim