Patents by Inventor Björn Seipel
Björn Seipel 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).
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Patent number: 10663029Abstract: A device and a method for influencing a dynamic property of at least one movably mounted body of two bodies coupled mechanically at least via a variably adjustable stiffness along a first force path. The invention includes a damping element with constant damping properties directly or indirectly coupled in series with the variably adjustable stiffness along the first force path Both bodies are mechanically directly or indirectly coupled via a second force path running parallel to the first force path along which at least one adjustable stiffness is incorporated. The damping property of the damping element and the adjustable stiffnesses are coordinated and configured so that a damping property assigned to the device for mechanical coupling can be varied exclusively by the adjustable stiffnesses.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2016Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Jan Christoph Hansmann, Stefan Wolter, Bjoern Seipel, William Kaal, Sven Herold
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Patent number: 10421208Abstract: A method for cleaving wafers comprising the following steps: providing a slice of a crystalline material with at least a first plane side, providing at least one stressing means to be attached to said slice, wherein said at least one stressing means is at least in parts made of a material with a coefficient of thermal expansion different from that of the slice, attaching said stressing means to said first plane side of said slice to form a stack, inducing a thermal shear stress to said slice by applying a temperature change to said stack.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATIONInventors: Nathan Stoddard, Bjoern Seipel
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Publication number: 20180238415Abstract: A device and a method for influencing a dynamic property of at least one movably mounted body of two bodies coupled mechanically at least via a variably adjustable stiffness along a first force path. The invention includes a damping element with constant damping properties directly or indirectly coupled in series with the variably adjustable stiffness along the first force path Both bodies are mechanically directly or indirectly coupled via a second force path running parallel to the first force path along which at least one adjustable stiffness is incorporated. The damping property of the damping element and the adjustable stiffnesses are coordinated and configured so that a damping property assigned to the device for mechanical coupling can be varied exclusively by the adjustable stiffnesses.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2016Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Jan Christoph HANSMANN, Stefan WOLTER, Bjoern SEIPEL, William KAAL, Sven HEROLD
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Publication number: 20170133545Abstract: A method of fabricating a passivated contact for a photovoltaic cell includes depositing a tunneling oxide layer on a first face of a substrate. An amorphous silicon layer is then deposited on top of the tunneling oxide layer. An aluminum layer is screen printed on top of the amorphous silicon layer. The aluminum layer is configured to serve as a crystallization catalyst for the amorphous silicon layer. The amorphous silicon layer and the aluminum layer are then heated to a crystallization temperature that is configured to cause the amorphous silicon to crystallize and to sinter the aluminum layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2015Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: Nathan Stoddard, Bjoern Seipel
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Patent number: 9581147Abstract: The invention is an actuator which includes at least one control element which has thermally activatable transducer material and which, in response to the supply or dissipation of energy, changes from a first shape state into a second shape state, and a mechanical energy storage, which is functionally connected to the control element. When the control element is in the second shape state, it exerts a restoring force on the control element which returns the control element to the first shape state. The mechanical energy storage includes an elastomer body, which at least in some regions is in direct physical and thermal contact with the control element. The elastomer body is connected in a spatially fixed manner to the control element in at least two spatially separated joining regions along the control element.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2012Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.Inventors: David Flaschenträger, Thorsten Koch, Björn Seipel, Tobias Melz
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Patent number: 9508878Abstract: Various embodiments provide a solar cell. The solar cell includes a substrate having a front side and a rear side. At least the front side receives light. The solar cell further includes a multiplicity of rear side solder pad regions at least partially arranged over the rear side, and a plurality of partial solder pads formed in each rear side solder pad region of the multiplicity of rear side solder pad regions. Each partial solder pad includes a first metal. The partial solder pads in a respective rear side solder pad region are separated from each other. The solar cell further includes a rear side metallization formed at the rear side of the substrate partly overlapping the partial solder pads, the rear side metallization including a second metal different from the first metal.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: SolarWorld Americas Inc.Inventor: Bjoern Seipel
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Patent number: 9429210Abstract: A device for transmitting or decoupling mechanical vibrations between a first component and a second component with at least one of the first and the second components being free to vibrate in the at least one direction including: a planar coupling element, coupling the first and second components together, having a planar top surface and a planar bottom surface, and having a variably adjustable stiffness extending in the at least one direction; the planar coupling element, having planar dimensions with the planar coupling element being dimensionally stable along the planar dimensions and being elastic in a direction perpendicular to the planar surfaces; the first and second components are rotatable relative to each other about an axis extending in the direction perpendicular to the planar surfaces and in which at least one of the components is free to vibrate for adjusting the stiffness.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2011Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.Inventors: William Kaal, Tobias Melz, Björn Seipel, Roman Kraus, Jan Hansmann
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Publication number: 20160230307Abstract: Apparatus and method for a production of silicon ingots, such as crucible-less production of silicon ingots, where a support with a seed layer and a liquid layer is gradually lowered in a temperature field with a vertical gradient to solidify the liquid layer in a controlled way.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2015Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventors: Nathan STODDARD, Carroll MURPHY, Thomas KURRASCH, Bjoern SEIPEL
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Publication number: 20160087121Abstract: Various embodiments provide a solar cell. The solar cell includes a substrate having a front side and a rear side. At least the front side receives light. The solar cell further includes a multiplicity of rear side solder pad regions at least partially arranged over the rear side, and a plurality of partial solder pads formed in each rear side solder pad region of the multiplicity of rear side solder pad regions. Each partial solder pad includes a first metal. The partial solder pads in a respective rear side solder pad region are separated from each other. The solar cell further includes a rear side metallization formed at the rear side of the substrate partly overlapping the partial solder pads, the rear side metallization including a second metal different from the first metal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2014Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventor: Bjoern Seipel
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Patent number: 8857591Abstract: The invention is a torque-limited coupling element including an input and output rotatably mounted about a common rotational axis, at least one Connection which is transferred from a first position into a second position upon exceeding a settable limit torque acting between the input and the output wherein in the first position the at least one connection connects the input and the output in a rotationally fixed manner, and in the second position, the input and the output are rotatably mounted relative to one another. A displacement body is movably mounted within a chamber filled with a magnetorheological fluid with the position of the displacement body resulting from a holding force provided by the magnetorheological fluid being under influence of a magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2010Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Björn Seipel, Michael Matthias, Marco Jackel
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Publication number: 20140298794Abstract: The invention is an actuator which includes at least one control element which has thermally activatable transducer material and which, in response to the supply or dissipation of energy, changes from a first shape state into a second shape state, and a mechanical energy store, which is functionally connected to the control element and, when the control element is in the second shape state, exerts on the control element a restoring force which returns the control element to the first shape state. The mechanical energy store includes an elastomer body, which at least in some regions is in direct physical and thermal contact with the control element, the elastomer body is connected in a spatially fixed manner to the control element in at least two spatially separated joining regions along the control element.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2012Publication date: October 9, 2014Inventors: David Flaschenträger, Thorsten Koch, Björn Seipel, Tobias Melz
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Publication number: 20140263524Abstract: A method for cleaving wafers comprising the following steps: providing a slice of a crystalline material with at least a first plane side, providing at least one stressing means to be attached to said slice, wherein said at least one stressing means is at least in parts made of a material with a coefficient of thermal expansion different from that of the slice, attaching said stressing means to said first plane side of said slice to form a stack, inducing a thermal shear stress to said slice by applying a temperature change to said stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: SOLARWORLD INDUSTRIES AMERICA INC.Inventors: Nathan STODDARD, Bjoern SEIPEL
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Publication number: 20140069324Abstract: A crucible for producing a silicon block comprises a crucible wall surrounding an interior and an opening for filling silicon melt into the interior, wherein the crucible wall comprises at least one doping means for providing dopant for the silicon melt.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Inventor: Bjoern SEIPEL
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Publication number: 20140014808Abstract: The invention is a device for transmitting or decoupling mechanical vibrations, comprising a first component and a second component, which are connected to each other by means of a coupling element that has a variably adjustable stiffness in at least one direction of action in which at least one component is supported in a vibrating manner With the coupling element by a planar element having a top side and a bottom side and extending in a longitudinal direction with the planar element being dimensionally stable in the longitudinal direction and elastic lateral to the longitudinal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2011Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventors: William Kaal, Tobias Melz, Björn Seipel, Roman Kraus, Jan Hansmann
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Patent number: 8312977Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for producing a frictional and/or form-fitting connection between first and second components which are linearly or rotationally movable relative to one another for transmitting forces and/or force moments that act between the first and second components in a linear and/or rotational manner. The first component surrounds the second component, at least sectionally, with at least one inner wall that faces the second component. The second component features at least one active-face element that can be transferred in a force-loaded manner from a first position, in which the active-face element is spaced apart from the inner wall, into a second position, in which the active-face element produces the frictional and/or form-fitting connection with the inner wall.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2006Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Tobias Melz, Sven Herold, Björn Seipel, Joachim Bös
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Publication number: 20120138407Abstract: A torque-limited coupling element is described, comprising an input part and an output part, each mounted rotatably about a common rotational axis, and at least one connecting means. If a predeterminable limit torque acting between the input part and output part is exceeded, the connection means can be transferred from a first position, in which the connecting means non-rotatably connects the input part and output part to one another forming a positive engagement, into a second position, in which the input part and output part are mounted rotatably relative to one another. Furthermore, a method for torque-limited coupling and uses for such a coupling element are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2010Publication date: June 7, 2012Inventors: Björn Seipel, Michael Matthias, Marco Jackel
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Patent number: 8061763Abstract: The invention relates to a device for a motor vehicle for protecting vehicle occupants when there is an impact of energy directed laterally at a motor vehicle door due to a collision, having a connecting structure which has at least two parts with a first part permanently connected with the motor vehicle door and a second part permanently connected with an energy-absorbing region of the motor vehicle body located in the vehicle interior. Both parts via at least one common joint region can be operationally connected with each other to conducting-away of at least part of the energy input laterally acting on the motor vehicle door in the region of the motor vehicle body. The energy impact acting on the motor vehicle door is conducted away from the pivot bearing by a force acting linearly and horizontally via the first and the second part to the first end of the second part permanently connected with the motor vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2007Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbHInventors: Tobias Melz, Björn Seipel, Thorsten Koch, Johannes Käsgen, Eric Zimmerman, Christo Gavrilov, Vlad Radu Muntean
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Patent number: 7905517Abstract: The invention is a device for increasing occupant protection in a motor vehicle during a lateral impact, in which the energy input acts laterally on a partial area of the motor vehicle door wherein a motor vehicle seat is situated on the side of the motor vehicle door facing away from the energy input. The motor vehicle door is provided with an interior lining facing the motor vehicle seat and at least one partial area of the interior door lining is conveyable from an initial state into an extended state projecting by a drive unit into the motor vehicle interior. The drive unit is connected to the motor vehicle door and to the partial area of the interior door lining.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2006Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V., Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbHInventors: Tobias Melz, Björn Seipel, Bernhard Sielhorst, Eric Zimmerman
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Patent number: 7770391Abstract: The invention relates to a device for a bi-directional displacement of a means or a connecting element, along a guide, which can be reversibly moved between at least two positions along the guide, with a means for driving that can be engaged with the means or connecting element, which is capable along the guide to displace the means or connecting element in a direction while being subjected to force and an actuator engaged with the means or connecting element, which is capable of displacing the means or connecting element in the opposite direction along the guide while being subjected to the force and wherein the actuator is actuatable by a converter material.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2006Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandtwn Forschung E.V.Inventors: Tobias Melz, Björn Seipel
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Publication number: 20100109378Abstract: The invention relates to a device for a motor vehicle for protecting vehicle occupants when there is an impact of energy directed laterally at a motor vehicle door due to a collision, having a connecting structure which has at least two parts, a first and a second part, of which the first part is permanently connected with the motor vehicle door and the second part is permanently connected with an energy-absorbing region of the motor vehicle body located in the vehicle interior and both parts via at least one common joint region can be operationally connected with each other for the calculated conducting-away of at least one part of the energy input laterally acting on the motor vehicle door in the region of the motor vehicle body.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2007Publication date: May 6, 2010Inventors: Tobias Melz, Björn Seipel, Thorsten Koch, Johannes Käsgen, Eric Zimmerman, Christo Gavrilov, Vlad Radu Muntean