Patents by Inventor David Okawa
David Okawa 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: 11869998Abstract: Strings of interconnected PV cells within a PV laminate or module are themselves connected by one or more cross-ties. These cross-tied strings can be oriented in a straight or serpentine fashion and spacings between adjacent strings may differ depending upon whether a cross-tie connection is present or not. The PV cells may be multi-diode PV cells having a shared substrate. PV cells connected by a cross-tie are connected in parallel and have a shared voltage potential.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2022Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: MAXEON SOLAR PTE. LTD.Inventors: Tamir Lance, Hoi Hong Ng, David Okawa, Adam Rothschild Hoffman
-
Patent number: 11824130Abstract: Methods of fabricating solar cells having a plurality of sub-cells coupled by cell level interconnection, and the resulting solar cells, are described herein. In an example, a solar cell includes a plurality of sub-cells. Each of the plurality of sub-cells includes a singulated and physically separated semiconductor substrate portion. Each of the plurality of sub-cells includes an on-sub-cell metallization structure interconnecting emitter regions of the sub-cell. An inter-sub-cell metallization structure couples adjacent ones of the plurality of sub-cells. The inter-sub-cell metallization structure is different in composition from the on-sub-cell metallization structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Maxeon Solar Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Seung Bum Rim, Hung-Ming Wang, David Okawa, Lewis Abra
-
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
-
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
-
Patent number: 11611006Abstract: This specification describes automated reel processes for producing solar modules and solar module reels. In some examples, a method includes receiving a continuous feed of photovoltaic devices on a photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes locating and bypassing one or more defective photovoltaic devices on the photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes installing bussing for the photovoltaic devices on the photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes feeding the photovoltaic device sheet to an encapsulation system to output a photovoltaic module sheet.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2018Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: Maxeon Solar Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Cameron Hosken, David Okawa, Thierry Nguyen, Tamir Lance, Jason Kalus
-
Publication number: 20230033252Abstract: Methods of fabricating solar cells having a plurality of sub-cells coupled by cell level interconnection, and the resulting solar cells, are described herein. In an example, a solar cell includes a plurality of sub-cells. Each of the plurality of sub-cells includes a singulated and physically separated semiconductor substrate portion. Each of the plurality of sub-cells includes an on-sub-cell metallization structure interconnecting emitter regions of the sub-cell. An inter-sub-cell metallization structure couples adjacent ones of the plurality of sub-cells. The inter-sub-cell metallization structure is different in composition from the on-sub-cell metallization structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Seung Bum Rim, Hung-Ming Wang, David Okawa, Lewis Abra
-
Patent number: 11502213Abstract: Methods of fabricating solar cells having a plurality of sub-cells coupled by cell level interconnection, and the resulting solar cells, are described herein. In an example, a solar cell includes a plurality of sub-cells. Each of the plurality of sub-cells includes a singulated and physically separated semiconductor substrate portion. Each of the plurality of sub-cells includes an on-sub-cell metallization structure interconnecting emitter regions of the sub-cell. An inter-sub-cell metallization structure couples adjacent ones of the plurality of sub-cells. The inter-sub-cell metallization structure is different in composition from the on-sub-cell metallization structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2016Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: SunPower CorporationInventors: Seung Bum Rim, Hung-Ming Wang, David Okawa, Lewis Abra
-
Publication number: 20220345075Abstract: This specification describes angled polymer solar modules, methods for producing angled polymer solar modules, and methods for installing angled polymer solar modules. In some examples, a method includes producing a flat polymer sheet including one or more photovoltaic cells. The method includes applying force to the flat polymer sheet to curve the flat polymer sheet in at least one region, forming an angled polymer sheet from the flat polymer sheet. The method includes mounting the angled polymer sheet on a roof deck such that the photovoltaic cells are angled with respect to the roof deck by virtue of the at least one region being curved.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2022Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: David Okawa, Tamir Lance, Gabriela Bunea, Brian Wares, Zachary Judkins
-
Publication number: 20220310860Abstract: Strings of interconnected PV cells within a PV laminate or module are themselves connected by one or more cross-ties. These cross-tied strings can be oriented in a straight or serpentine fashion and spacings between adjacent strings may differ depending upon whether a cross-tie connection is present or not. The PV cells may be multi-diode PV cells having a shared substrate. PV cells connected by a cross-tie are connected in parallel and have a shared voltage potential.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2022Publication date: September 29, 2022Applicant: SunPower CorporationInventors: Tamir Lance, Hoi Hong Ng, David Okawa, Adam Rothschild Hoffman
-
Patent number: 11424714Abstract: This specification describes angled polymer solar modules, methods for producing angled polymer solar modules, and methods for installing angled polymer solar modules. In some examples, a method includes producing a flat polymer sheet including one or more photovoltaic cells. The method includes applying force to the flat polymer sheet to curve the flat polymer sheet in at least one region, forming an angled polymer sheet from the flat polymer sheet. The method includes mounting the angled polymer sheet on a roof deck such that the photovoltaic cells are angled with respect to the roof deck by virtue of the at least one region being curved.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2018Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATIONInventors: David Okawa, Tamir Lance, Gabriela Bunea, Brian Wares, Zachary Judkins
-
Publication number: 20190312163Abstract: 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 5, 2019Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: 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
-
Publication number: 20180331652Abstract: A folding photovoltaic (PV) panel is described. The folding PV panel may include several subpanels interconnected by a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly may include a first section, a second section, and a third section between the first and second sections. The first section of the hinge assembly may couple to a first subpanel and the second section of the hinge assembly may couple to a second subpanel. The folding PV panel may include at least one electrical conductor extending from the first subpanel to the second subpanel. The at least one electrical conductor may be located in the hinge assembly or in a cabling assembly bridging a channel defined by edges of the first and second subpanels and the third section of the hinge assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: David OKAWA, John Paul KAPLA, Brian WARES, Laurence B. MACKLER, Tamir LANCE, Ryan REAGAN, Alexander F. KELLER, Hikaru IWASAKA, Gabriela Elena BUNEA
-
Publication number: 20180316302Abstract: This specification describes angled polymer solar modules, methods for producing angled polymer solar modules, and methods for installing angled polymer solar modules. In some examples, a method includes producing a flat polymer sheet including one or more photovoltaic cells. The method includes applying force to the flat polymer sheet to curve the flat polymer sheet in at least one region, forming an angled polymer sheet from the flat polymer sheet. The method includes mounting the angled polymer sheet on a roof deck such that the photovoltaic cells are angled with respect to the roof deck by virtue of the at least one region being curved.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: David Okawa, Tamir Lance, Gabriela Bunea, Brian Wares, Zachary Judkins
-
Publication number: 20180315874Abstract: This specification describes automated reel processes for producing solar modules and solar module reels. In some examples, a method includes receiving a continuous feed of photovoltaic devices on a photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes locating and bypassing one or more defective photovoltaic devices on the photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes installing bussing for the photovoltaic devices on the photovoltaic device sheet. The method includes feeding the photovoltaic device sheet to an encapsulation system to output a photovoltaic module sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: Cameron Hosken, David Okawa, Thierry Nguyen, Tamir Lance, Jason Kalus
-
Publication number: 20180190849Abstract: Methods of fabricating solar cells having a plurality of sub-cells coupled by cell level interconnection, and the resulting solar cells, are described herein. In an example, a solar cell includes a plurality of sub-cells. Each of the plurality of sub-cells includes a singulated and physically separated semiconductor substrate portion. Each of the plurality of sub-cells includes an on-sub-cell metallization structure interconnecting emitter regions of the sub-cell. An inter-sub-cell metallization structure couples adjacent ones of the plurality of sub-cells. The inter-sub-cell metallization structure is different in composition from the on-sub-cell metallization structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2016Publication date: July 5, 2018Inventors: Seung Bum Rim, Hung-Ming Wang, David Okawa, Lewis Abra
-
Patent number: D879031Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2018Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATIONInventors: Tamir Lance, David Okawa, Ryan Reagan, Brian Wares, Laurence Mackler, Hikaru Iwasaka, Alexander Keller
-
Patent number: D904289Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2020Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATIONInventors: Tamir Lance, David Okawa, Ryan Reagan, Brian Wares, Laurence Mackler, Hikaru Iwasaka, Alexander Keller
-
Patent number: D928079Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2020Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATIONInventors: Tamir Lance, David Okawa, Ryan Reagan, Brian Wares, Laurence Mackler, Hikaru Iwasaka, Alexander Keller
-
Patent number: D953972Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2021Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATIONInventors: Tamir Lance, David Okawa, Ryan Reagan, Brian Wares, Laurence Mackler, Hikaru Iwasaka, Alexander Keller
-
Patent number: D1016736Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: MAXEON SOLAR PTE. LTD.Inventors: Tamir Lance, David Okawa, Ryan Reagan, Brian Wares, Laurence Mackler, Hikaru Iwasaka, Alexander Keller