Patents by Inventor David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse
David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse 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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Publication number: 20240047595Abstract: Wire-based metallization and stringing techniques for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, modules, and equipment, are described. In an example, a substrate has a surface. A plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the surface of the substrate. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of conductive wires, each conductive wire of the plurality of conductive wires essentially continuously bonded directly to a corresponding one of the N-type and P-type semiconductor regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Richard Hamilton Sewell, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Douglas Rose, Lewis Abra
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Publication number: 20230361232Abstract: A solar cell, and methods of fabricating said solar cell, are disclosed. The solar cell can include a first emitter region over a substrate, the first emitter region having a perimeter around a portion of the substrate. A first conductive contact is electrically coupled to the first emitter region at a location outside of the perimeter of the first emitter region.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Inventors: DAVID D. SMITH, JEFFREY EL COTTER, DAVID AARON RANDOLPH BARKHOUSE, TAESEOK KIM
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Patent number: 11742446Abstract: Wire-based metallization and stringing techniques for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, modules, and equipment, are described. In an example, a substrate has a surface. A plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the surface of the substrate. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of conductive wires, each conductive wire of the plurality of conductive wires essentially continuously bonded directly to a corresponding one of the N-type and P-type semiconductor regions.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Maxeon Solar Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Richard Hamilton Sewell, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Douglas Rose, Lewis Abra
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Patent number: 11735678Abstract: A solar cell, and methods of fabricating said solar cell, are disclosed. The solar cell can include a first emitter region over a substrate, the first emitter region having a perimeter around a portion of the substrate. A first conductive contact is electrically coupled to the first emitter region at a location outside of the perimeter of the first emitter region.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2020Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Maxeon Solar Pte. Ltd.Inventors: David D. Smith, Jeffrey El Cotter, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Taeseok Kim
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Publication number: 20230253517Abstract: Metallization of semiconductor substrates using a laser beam, and the resulting structures, e.g., micro-electronic devices, semiconductor substrates and/or solar cells, solar cell circuit, solar cell strings, and solar cell arrays are described. A solar cell string can include a plurality of solar cells. The plurality of solar cells can include a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor regions disposed in or above the substrate. A plurality of conductive contact structures is electrically connected to the plurality semiconductor regions. Each conductive contact structure includes a locally deposited metal portion disposed in contact with a corresponding one of the semiconductor regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: Pei Hsuan Lu, Benjamin I. Hsia, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Lewis C. Abra, George G. Correos, Marc Robinson, Paul W. Loscutoff, Ryan Reagan, David Okawa, Tamir Lance, Thierry Nguyen
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Patent number: 11682737Abstract: A method for fabricating a solar cell and the and the resulting structures, e.g., micro-electronic devices, semiconductor substrates and/or solar cells, are described. The method can include: providing a solar cell having metal foil having first regions that are electrically connected to semiconductor regions on a substrate at a plurality of conductive contact structures, and second regions; locating a carrier sheet over the second regions; bonding the carrier sheet to the second regions; and removing the carrier sheet from the substrate to selectively remove the second regions of the metal foil.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2022Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Maxeon Solar Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Pei Hsuan Lu, Benjamin I. Hsia, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Lewis C. Abra, George G. Correos, Boris Bastien
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Patent number: 11664472Abstract: Metallization of semiconductor substrates using a laser beam, and the resulting structures, e.g., micro-electronic devices, semiconductor substrates and/or solar cells, solar cell circuit, solar cell strings, and solar cell arrays are described. A solar cell string can include a plurality of solar cells. The plurality of solar cells can include a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor regions disposed in or above the substrate. A plurality of conductive contact structures is electrically connected to the plurality semiconductor regions. Each conductive contact structure includes a locally deposited metal portion disposed in contact with a corresponding one of the semiconductor regions.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2019Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Maxeon Solar Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Pei Hsuan Lu, Benjamin I. Hsia, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Lewis C. Abra, George G. Correos, Marc Robinson, Paul W. Loscutoff, Ryan Reagan, David Okawa, Tamir Lance, Thierry Nguyen
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Patent number: 11646387Abstract: A method of fabricating solar cell, solar laminate and/or solar module string is provided. The method may include: locating a metal foil over a plurality of semiconductor substrates; exposing the metal foil to laser beam over selected portions of the plurality of semiconductor substrates, wherein exposing the metal foil to the laser beam forms a plurality conductive contact structures having of locally deposited metal portion electrically connecting the metal foil to the semiconductor substrates at the selected portions; and selectively removing portions of the metal foil, wherein remaining portions of the metal foil extend between at least two of the plurality of semiconductor substrates.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2019Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Maxeon Solar Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Pei Hsuan Lu, Benjamin I. Hsia, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, David C. Okawa, David F. Kavulak, Lewis C. Abra, George G. Correos, Richard Hamilton Sewell, Ryan Reagan, Tamir Lance, Thierry Nguyen
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Publication number: 20220190179Abstract: Wire-based metallization and stringing techniques for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, modules, and equipment, are described. In an example, a substrate has a surface. A plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the surface of the substrate. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of conductive wires, each conductive wire of the plurality of conductive wires essentially continuously bonded directly to a corresponding one of the N-type and P-type semiconductor regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2021Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Richard Hamilton Sewell, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Douglas Rose, Lewis Abra
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Publication number: 20220158001Abstract: A method for fabricating a solar cell and the and the resulting structures, e.g., micro-electronic devices, semiconductor substrates and/or solar cells, are described. The method can include: providing a solar cell having metal foil having first regions that are electrically connected to semiconductor regions on a substrate at a plurality of conductive contact structures, and second regions; locating a carrier sheet over the second regions; bonding the carrier sheet to the second regions; and removing the carrier sheet from the substrate to selectively remove the second regions of the metal foil.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2022Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Pei Hsuan Lu, Benjamin I. Hsia, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Lewis C. Abra, George G. Correos, Boris Bastien
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Patent number: 11276785Abstract: A method for fabricating a solar cell and the and the resulting structures, e.g., micro-electronic devices, semiconductor substrates and/or solar cells, are described. The method can include: providing a solar cell having metal foil having first regions that are electrically connected to semiconductor regions on a substrate at a plurality of conductive contact structures, and second regions; locating a carrier sheet over the second regions; bonding the carrier sheet to the second regions; and removing the carrier sheet from the substrate to selectively remove the second regions of the metal foil.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: SunPower CorporationInventors: Pei Hsuan Lu, Benjamin I. Hsia, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Lewis C. Abra, George G. Correos, Boris Bastien
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Patent number: 11227962Abstract: Wire-based metallization and stringing techniques for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, modules, and equipment, are described. In an example, a substrate has a surface. A plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the surface of the substrate. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The conductive contact structure includes a plurality of conductive wires, each conductive wire of the plurality of conductive wires essentially continuously bonded directly to a corresponding one of the N-type and P-type semiconductor regions.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: SunPower CorporationInventors: Richard Hamilton Sewell, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Douglas Rose, Lewis Abra
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Publication number: 20210384366Abstract: Approaches for the metallization of solar cells and the resulting solar cells are described. In an example, a method of fabricating a solar cell involves forming a barrier layer on a semiconductor region disposed in or above a substrate. The semiconductor region includes monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon. The method also involves forming a conductive paste layer on the barrier layer. The method also involves forming a conductive layer from the conductive paste layer. The method also involves forming a contact structure for the semiconductor region of the solar cell, the contact structure including at least the conductive layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventors: Richard Hamilton Sewell, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Junbo Wu, Michael Cudzinovic, Paul Loscutoff, Joseph Behnke, Michel Arsène Olivier Ngamo Toko
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Patent number: 11127866Abstract: Approaches for the metallization of solar cells and the resulting solar cells are described. In an example, a method of fabricating a solar cell involves forming a barrier layer on a semiconductor region disposed in or above a substrate. The semiconductor region includes monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon. The method also involves forming a conductive paste layer on the barrier layer. The method also involves forming a conductive layer from the conductive paste layer. The method also involves forming a contact structure for the semiconductor region of the solar cell, the contact structure including at least the conductive layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2016Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignees: SunPower Corporation, Total Marketing ServicesInventors: Richard Hamilton Sewell, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Junbo Wu, Michael Cudzinovic, Paul Loscutoff, Joseph Behnke, Michel Arséne Olivier Ngamo Toko
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Patent number: 11004987Abstract: Methods of fabricating a solar cell, and system for electrically coupling solar cells, are described. In an example, the methods for fabricating a solar cell can include placing conductive wires in a wire guide, where conductive wires are placed over a first semiconductor substrate having first doped regions and second doped regions. The method can include aligning the conductive wires over the first and second doped regions, where the wire guide aligns the conductive wires substantially parallel to the first and second doped regions. The method can include bonding the conductive wires to the first and second doped regions. The bonding can include applying a mechanical force to the semiconductor substrate via a roller or bonding head of the wire guide, where the wire guide inhibits lateral movement of the conductive wires during the bonding.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2020Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignees: SunPower Corporation, Total Marketing Services and Total Energies Nouvelles Activites USAInventors: Richard Hamilton Sewell, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Nils-Peter Harder, Douglas Rose
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Publication number: 20200313016Abstract: A solar cell, and methods of fabricating said solar cell, are disclosed. The solar cell can include a first emitter region over a substrate, the first emitter region having a perimeter around a portion of the substrate. A first conductive contact is electrically coupled to the first emitter region at a location outside of the perimeter of the first emitter region.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: David D. Smith, Jeffrey El Cotter, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Taeseok Kim
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Patent number: 10727369Abstract: Methods of fabricating a solar cell, and system for electrically coupling solar cells, are described. In an example, the methods for fabricating a solar cell can include forming a first cut portion from a conductive foil. The method can also include aligning the first cut portion to a first doped region of a first semiconductor substrate. The method can include bonding the first cut portion to the first doped region of the first semiconductor substrate. The method can also include aligning and bonding a plurality of cut portions of the conductive foil to a plurality of semiconductor substrates.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2018Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: SunPower CorporationInventors: Richard Hamilton Sewell, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse
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Publication number: 20200220031Abstract: Methods of fabricating a solar cell, and system for electrically coupling solar cells, are described. In an example, the methods for fabricating a solar cell can include placing conductive wires in a wire guide, where conductive wires are placed over a first semiconductor substrate having first doped regions and second doped regions. The method can include aligning the conductive wires over the first and second doped regions, where the wire guide aligns the conductive wires substantially parallel to the first and second doped regions. The method can include bonding the conductive wires to the first and second doped regions. The bonding can include applying a mechanical force to the semiconductor substrate via a roller or bonding head of the wire guide, where the wire guide inhibits lateral movement of the conductive wires during the bonding.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2020Publication date: July 9, 2020Inventors: Richard Hamilton Sewell, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Nils-Peter Harder, Douglas Rose
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Patent number: 10644170Abstract: Methods of fabricating a solar cell, and system for electrically coupling solar cells, are described. In an example, the methods for fabricating a solar cell can include placing conductive wires in a wire guide, where conductive wires are placed over a first semiconductor substrate having first doped regions and second doped regions. The method can include aligning the conductive wires over the first and second doped regions, where the wire guide aligns the conductive wires substantially parallel to the first and second doped regions. The method can include bonding the conductive wires to the first and second doped regions. The bonding can include applying a mechanical force to the semiconductor substrate via a roller or bonding head of the wire guide, where the wire guide inhibits lateral movement of the conductive wires during the bonding.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignees: SunPower Corporation, Total Marketing Services and Total Energies Nouvelles Activites USAInventors: Richard Hamilton Sewell, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Nils-Peter Harder, Douglas Rose
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Publication number: 20190312157Abstract: A method for fabricating a solar cell and the and the resulting structures, e.g., micro-electronic devices, semiconductor substrates and/or solar cells, are described. The method can include: providing a solar cell having metal foil having first regions that are electrically connected to semiconductor regions on a substrate at a plurality of conductive contact structures, and second regions; locating a carrier sheet over the second regions; bonding the carrier sheet to the second regions; and removing the carrier sheet from the substrate to selectively remove the second regions of the metal foil.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2019Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: Pei Hsuan Lu, Benjamin I. Hsia, David Aaron Randolph Barkhouse, Lewis C. Abra, George G. Correos, Boris Bastien