Patents by Inventor Chris FRANCE

Chris FRANCE 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).

  • FORMING FRONT METAL CONTACT ON SOLAR CELL WITH ENHANCED RESISTANCE TO STRESS
    Publication number: 20220173260
    Abstract: System and method of providing a photovoltaic (PV) cell having a cushion layer to alleviate stress impact between a front metal contact and a thin film PV layer. A cushion layer is disposed between an extraction electrode and a photovoltaic (PV) surface. The cushion layer is made of a nonconductive material and has a plurality of vias filled with a conductive material to provide electrical continuity between the bus bar and the PV layer. The cushion layer may be made of a flexible material preferably with rigidity that matches the substrate. Thus, the cushion layer can effectively protect the PV layer from physical damage due to tactile contact with the front metal contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Linlin YANG, Liguang LAN, Chris FRANCE, Gang HE, Erhong LI, Jose CORBACHO
  • Forming front metal contact on solar cell with enhanced resistance to stress
    Patent number: 11257965
    Abstract: System and method of providing a photovoltaic (PV) cell having a cushion layer to alleviate stress impact between a front metal contact and a thin film PV layer. A cushion layer is disposed between an extraction electrode and a photovoltaic (PV) surface. The cushion layer is made of a nonconductive material and has a plurality of vias filled with a conductive material to provide electrical continuity between the bus bar and the PV layer. The cushion layer may be made of a flexible material preferably with rigidity that matches the substrate. Thus, the cushion layer can effectively protect the PV layer from physical damage due to tactile contact with the front metal contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: UTICA LEASECO, LLC
    Inventors: Linlin Yang, Liguang Lan, Chris France, Gang He, Erhong Li, Jose Corbacho
  • Forming front metal contact on solar cell with enhanced resistance to stress
    Patent number: 10483410
    Abstract: System and method of providing a photovoltaic (PV) cell having a cushion layer to alleviate stress impact between a front metal contact and a thin film PV layer. A cushion layer is disposed between an extraction electrode and a photovoltaic (PV) surface. The cushion layer is made of a nonconductive material and has a plurality of vias filled with a conductive material to provide electrical continuity between the bus bar and the PV layer. The cushion layer may be made of a flexible material preferably with rigidity that matches the substrate. Thus, the cushion layer can effectively protect the PV layer from physical damage due to tactile contact with the front metal contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: ALTA DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Linlin Yang, Liguang Lan, Chris France, Gang He, Erhong Li, Jose Corbacho
  • FORMING FRONT METAL CONTACT ON SOLAR CELL WITH ENHANCED RESISTANCE TO STRESS
    Publication number: 20190288134
    Abstract: System and method of providing a photovoltaic (PV) cell having a cushion layer to alleviate stress impact between a front metal contact and a thin film PV layer. A cushion layer is disposed between an extraction electrode and a photovoltaic (PV) surface. The cushion layer is made of a nonconductive material and has a plurality of vias filled with a conductive material to provide electrical continuity between the bus bar and the PV layer. The cushion layer may be made of a flexible material preferably with rigidity that matches the substrate. Thus, the cushion layer can effectively protect the PV layer from physical damage due to tactile contact with the front metal contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Linlin YANG, Liguang LAN, Chris FRANCE, Gang HE, Erhong LI, Jose CORBACHO
  • FORMING FRONT METAL CONTACT ON SOLAR CELL WITH ENHANCED RESISTANCE TO STRESS
    Publication number: 20170110603
    Abstract: System and method of providing a photovoltaic (PV) cell having a cushion layer to alleviate stress impact between a front metal contact and a thin film PV layer. A cushion layer is disposed between an extraction electrode and a photovoltaic (PV) surface. The cushion layer is made of a nonconductive material and has a plurality of vias filled with a conductive material to provide electrical continuity between the bus bar and the PV layer. The cushion layer may be made of a flexible material preferably with rigidity that matches the substrate. Thus, the cushion layer can effectively protect the PV layer from physical damage due to tactile contact with the front metal contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Linlin YANG, Liguang LAN, Chris FRANCE, Gang HE, Erhong LI, Jose CORBACHO