Patents by Inventor Benyamin Buller

Benyamin Buller 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).

  • Support System for Solar Energy Generator Panels
    Publication number: 20130206936
    Abstract: A support system for a solar panel comprises a plurality of legs configured to receive multiple solar panels. The legs each comprise a base, a plurality of shafts, and a support precipice. The support precipice is divided into two sides by a t-bar. The first side comprises a guiding wing to effectuate modular assembly of the support system. The second side comprises a beveled edge to effectuate secure coupling of a solar panel. The system is able to be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools or implements. The system is also movable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Benyamin Buller, Chris Gronet, J. Kelly Truman, Thomas Brezoczky
  • Support system for solar energy generator panels
    Patent number: 8443558
    Abstract: A support system for a solar panel comprises a plurality of legs configured to receive multiple solar panels. The legs each comprise a base, a plurality of shafts, and a support precipice. The support precipice is divided into two sides by a t-bar. The first side comprises a guiding wing to effectuate modular assembly of the support system. The second side comprises a beveled edge to effectuate secure coupling of a solar panel. The system is able to be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools or implements. The system is also movable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Solyndra LLC
    Inventors: Benyamin Buller, Chris Gronet, Kelly Truman, Thomas Brezoczky
  • Anti-reflective photovoltaic module
    Patent number: 8445309
    Abstract: A method of forming an anti-reflective surface for photovoltaic modules. A photovoltaic module including a surface configured to be illuminated is provided. The surface is contacted with an etchant, thereby modifying a portion of the surface to alter the index of refraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Benyamin Buller, Markus Gloeckler, Yu Yang
  • HYBRID CONTACT FOR AND METHODS OF FORMATION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICES
    Publication number: 20130098435
    Abstract: Described herein is a contact for a photovoltaic device and method of making the same. The contact has a transparent conductive oxide stack, where a first portion of the transparent conductive oxide stack is formed by atmospheric pressure vapor deposition and a second portion of the transparent conductive oxide stack is formed by physical vapor deposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: FIRST SOLAR, INC
    Inventors: Zhibo Zhao, Benyamin Buller, Chungho Lee, Markus Gloeckler, David Hwang, Scott Mills, Rui Shao
  • PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE WITH REFLECTIVE STACK
    Publication number: 20130074905
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device that includes a reflective stack. The reflective stack is formed from a transparent material between two metal layers. The reflective stack is located within the photovoltaic device to partially reflect wavelengths of radiation that do not substantially contribute to the photovoltaic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventor: Benyamin Buller
  • PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE INTERLAYER
    Publication number: 20130068279
    Abstract: An interlayer for a photovoltaic device can include a base material and a filler material. The filler material can contain a flame retardant material, a desiccant material, a pigment, an inert material, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Benyamin Buller, Wenlai Feng, Casimir Kotarba, David Eaglesham, Brian E. Cohen
  • Elongated photovoltaic devices, methods of making same, and systems for making same
    Patent number: 8383929
    Abstract: Under one aspect, a nonplanar photovoltaic module having a length includes: (a) an elongated nonplanar substrate; and (b) a plurality of solar cells disposed on the elongated nonplanar substrate, wherein each solar cell in the plurality of solar cells is defined by (i) a plurality of grooves around the nonplanar photovoltaic module and (ii) a groove along the length of the photovoltaic module. In some embodiments, each groove of the plurality of grooves about the photovoltaic module, independently, has a repeating pattern, a non-repeating pattern, or is helical. In some embodiments, the module further includes a patterned conductor providing serial electrical communication between adjacent solar cells. In some embodiments, portions of the patterned conductor providing serial electrical communication between adjacent solar cells are within a groove of the plurality of grooves about the photovoltaic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Solyndra LLC
    Inventors: Erel Milshtein, Benyamin Buller
  • LASER SCRIBING APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20130037992
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for forming a photovoltaic cell from a common layer on a substrate are provided. A first pass is made with a first laser beam over an area on the common layer. The first pass forms a groove in the common layer. The first pass forms within the common layer a first edge and a second edge. The first edge is separated from the second edge by the groove. The groove provides a first level of electrical isolation between the first edge and the second edge. A second pass is made with a second laser beam over approximately the same area on the common layer. The second pass provides a second level of electrical isolation between the first edge and the second edge. The second level of electrical isolation is greater than the first level of electrical isolation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Erel Milshtein, Benyamin Buller
  • METAL BARRIER-DOPED METAL CONTACT LAYER
    Publication number: 20130005075
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device can include an intrinsic metal layer adjacent to a semiconductor absorber layer; and a doped metal contact layer adjacent to the intrinsic metal layer, where the doped metal contact layer includes a metal base material and a dopant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Long Chen, Akhlesh Gupta, Anke Abken, Benyamin Buller
  • PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE
    Publication number: 20120280567
    Abstract: A method and system for operating a photovoltaic module includes providing a reversed electrical bias to the photovoltaic module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Benyamin Buller, Dmitriy Marinskiy
  • Solar panel frame
    Patent number: 8227684
    Abstract: A solar panel apparatus includes a set of electrically-interconnected photovoltaic modules. Each module is elongated along an axis and has first and second axially opposite ends. Each module further has photovoltaic surface portions facing away from the axis in different directions to receive light to generate electricity. The first ends of the modules are fixed to a first end rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Solyndra LLC
    Inventors: James K. Truman, Benyamin Buller
  • Transparent conductive materials including cadmium stannate
    Patent number: 8198529
    Abstract: A photovoltaic cell can include a transparent conductive layer including cadmium stannate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale Roberts, John German, Keith J. Burrows, Benyamin Buller, Boil Pashmakov
  • CADMIUM STANNATE SPUTTER
    Publication number: 20120132261
    Abstract: A structure includes a barrier layer which can include a silicon aluminum oxide, and a transparent conductive oxide layer which can include a layer of cadmium and tin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Benyamin Buller, Douglas Dauson, Scott Mills, Dale Roberts, Yu Yang, Zhibo Zhao, Keith Burrows, Klaus Hartig, Annette Krisko
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FACILITATING ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION OF A PLURALITY OF SOLAR MODULES
    Publication number: 20120125395
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to facilitate electrical interconnection of solar modules by using a wiring assembly having a plurality of conductors, each having one end connector and a plurality of spaced connection structures, each spaced structure for facilitating an electrical connection of at least one of the conductors with a respective solar module. The wiring assembly is mounted adjacent a plurality of solar modules such that the plurality of spaced connection structures are associated with respective electrical connections on a solar module to facilitate connection of the solar modules to the wiring assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: FIRST SOLAR, INC
    Inventors: John Bellacicco, Tom Kuster, Benyamin Buller, David Eaglesham
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS TO ENABLE SAFE SERVICING OF PV MODULES
    Publication number: 20120118348
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the voltage in a photovoltaic system to allow servicing of solar modules. The apparatus includes a switch that electrically shorts conductors of the system, thereby reducing high voltage conditions at the modules. The apparatus and method can also include use of a detector that measures voltage and/or current in the system to control switch operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Benyamin Buller
  • CdZnO OR SnZnO BUFFER LAYER FOR SOLAR CELL
    Publication number: 20120067414
    Abstract: A structure for use in a photovoltaic device is disclosed, the structure includes a substrate, a buffer material, a barrier material in contact with the substrate; and a transparent conductive oxide between the buffer material and the barrier material. The buffer material comprises at least one of CdZnO and SnZnO. The structure can be included in a photovoltaic device. Methods for forming the structure are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Chungho Lee, Zhibo Zhao, Benyamin Buller, Rui Shao
  • PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE WITH A METAL SULFIDE OXIDE WINDOW LAYER
    Publication number: 20120067422
    Abstract: Methods and devices are described for a photovoltaic device and substrate structure. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic device includes a substrate structure and a MS 1-xOx window layer formed over the substrate structure, wherein M is an element from the group consisting of Zn, Sn, and In. Another embodiment is directed to a process for manufacturing a photovoltaic device including forming a MS 1-xOx window layer over a substrate by at least one of sputtering, evaporation deposition, CVD, chemical bath deposition process and vapor transport deposition process, wherein M is an element from the group consisting of Zn, Sn, and In.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: FIRST SOLAR, INC
    Inventors: Rui Shao, Markus Gloeckler, Benyamin Buller
  • PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE BARRIER LAYER
    Publication number: 20120060923
    Abstract: A structure including a barrier layer adjacent to a substrate, a transparent conductive oxide layer adjacent to the barrier layer, and a buffer layer adjacent to the transparent conductive oxide layer. In the structure, the barrier layer includes a silicon aluminum oxide, the transparent conductive oxide layer includes cadmium and tin and the buffer layer comprises tin oxide. A photovoltaic device that includes the described structure along with a semiconductor window layer adjacent to the buffer layer and a semiconductor absorber layer adjacent to the semiconductor window layer. Methods of manufacturing a photovoltaic structure are also disclosed, as well as a sputter target for use in the manufacture of a photovoltaic device and methods of manufacturing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Zhibo Zhao, Yu Yang, Benyamin Buller, Keith J. Burrows, Annette Krisko
  • PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE
    Publication number: 20120060891
    Abstract: A multilayered structure including a first barrier layer adjacent to a substrate, a barrier bi-layer adjacent to the first barrier layer, the barrier bi-layer comprising a second barrier layer and a third barrier layer, a transparent conductive oxide layer adjacent to the barrier bi-layer, and a buffer layer adjacent to the transparent conductive oxide layer and method of forming the same. A multilayered substrate including a barrier layer structure having a plurality of barrier layers being alternating layers of low refractive index material and high refractive index material, a transparent conductive oxide layer adjacent to the barrier bi-layer and a buffer layer adjacent to the transparent conductive oxide layer. The multilayered structure may serve as a front contact for photovoltaic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Benyamin Buller, Douglas Dauson, Chungho Lee, Scott Mills, Dale Roberts, Rui Shao, Zhibo Zhao, Keith Burrows, Annette Krisko
  • SOLAR MODULE WITH LIGHT-TRANSMISSIVE EDGE SEAL
    Publication number: 20120055550
    Abstract: A solar module with a front support, a back support, and a photovoltaic active material located between the front and back supports. An electrically insulative light transmissive seal is located at the peripheral edges of the front support and back support to electrically isolate the active material from the outer surfaces of the solar module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Benyamin Buller, Steve Murphy, Brian Cohen