Patents by Inventor Austin T Bumbalough

Austin T Bumbalough has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10930812
    Abstract: A fully automated fabrication method and system utilizing a single additive manufacturing platform to fabricate solar cell panels without human-touch labor. The system includes a computer and a robotic arm having a machine vision device and a tool changer to which tools are releasably secured. In an exemplary embodiment, the fabrication method uses pre-fabricated substrates wherein the computer controls the robotic arm to deposit an adhesive layer on a pre-fabricated substrate and thereafter place solar cells on the adhesive layer. The solar cells become bonded to the substrate when the adhesive layer cures. The computer then controls the robotic arm to print electrical connections and electrical bus bars on the substrate with electrically conductive ink in order to electrically connect the solar cells. After the electrically conductive ink cures, the computer controls the robotic arm to spray an encapsulating material over the solar cells and substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: John A Carr, Furman VanDrake Thompson, II, Austin T Bumbalough