Patents by Inventor Gabriela Bunea
Gabriela Bunea 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: 11961928Abstract: A photovoltaic module having a superstrate layer, an encapsulant having an upper layer and a lower layer, the upper layer being juxtaposed with a lower surface of the superstrate layer, and a photovoltaic layer intermediate the upper layer and the lower layer of the encapsulant. A first portion of the upper layer of the encapsulant includes a first light scattering value as measured in accordance with an ASTM E430 standard, and a second portion of the upper layer of the encapsulant has a second light scattering value as measured in accordance with the ASTM E430 standard. The second light scattering value is greater than the first light scattering value.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: GAF Energy LLCInventors: Richard Perkins, Alex Sharenko, Thierry Nguyen, Gabriela Bunea, Anna Wojtowicz
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Publication number: 20240120876Abstract: A system includes a roof deck with sloped roof planes, including a first roof plane having a first surface area, a second roof plane having a second surface area, and a third roof plane with a third surface area. The second roof plane is different from the first roof plane, and the third roof plane is different from the first roof plane and the second roof plane. A plurality of photovoltaic modules is installed on the first surface area of the first roof plane, a plurality of first roofing shingles, each of which do not include a solar cell and composed of at least a first material, is installed on the second surface area of the second roof plane, and plurality of second roofing shingles, each of which is composed of at least a second material, is installed on the third surface area of the third roof plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Gabriela Bunea, Dan Hua
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Publication number: 20240088832Abstract: A method including: obtaining a flexible underlayment, wherein the flexible underlayment comprises: a first sensor, wherein the first sensor comprises a first flexible circuit, and wherein the first flexible circuit is configured to: measure a first value representative of a first roofing system condition measurement, wherein the first flexible circuit measures the first value at a first location, wherein a first location identifier indicative of the first location is stored in a database in communication with the first sensor; determine a first roofing system condition in the first location based at least in part on the first value and the first location identifier; and generate a first notification representative of the first roofing system condition; installing the flexible underlayment on a roof deck of a steep slope roof of a structure; installing a first roofing shingle over the flexible underlayment and above at least the first sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Thierry Nguyen, Igor Alovert, Richard Perkins, Gabriela Bunea, Angelo Bossini
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Publication number: 20240079507Abstract: Some embodiments relate to photovoltaic shingle. A photovoltaic shingle comprises an encapsulated solar cell, a glass layer above the encapsulated solar cell, an anti-reflective layer above the glass layer, and a plurality of protrusions above the glass layer. The plurality of protrusions covers at least a portion of at least one of the glass layer, the anti-reflective layer, or any combination thereof, such that the anti-reflective coating is exposed between at least a portion of the plurality of protrusions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventor: Gabriela Bunea
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Patent number: 11876480Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic shingles installed on a roof deck, each of the shingles having a first layer including a head lap portion, and a second layer including at least one solar cell. A first photovoltaic shingle overlays at least a part of the head lap portion of a second photovoltaic shingle. The system includes at least one wireway installed proximate to a first end of at least the first photovoltaic shingle.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: GAF Energy LLCInventors: Gabriela Bunea, Thierry Nguyen, Michael David Kuiper, Evan Michael Wray, Lewis Abra, Peter Clemente, Brian West
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Publication number: 20240014338Abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) cells that can be interconnected with improved interconnect joints to form PV cell strings and PV modules. The improved interconnect joints comprise at least two types of adhesive bonding regions to maximize both electrical conductivity and mechanical strength of interconnect joints coupling terminals of PV cells. The disclosed approaches to PV cell interconnection provide greater manufacturing rates and higher quality PV cell strings and PV modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventors: SUNNY SETHI, MICHELE GUIDE, GABRIELA BUNEA, THIERRY NGUYEN
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Patent number: 11870227Abstract: A building integrated photovoltaic system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed in an array on a roof deck. Each of the photovoltaic modules at least one solar cell, a first encapsulant encapsulating the at least one solar cell, a frontsheet juxtaposed with a first surface of the first encapsulant, and a backsheet juxtaposed with a second surface of the first encapsulant. The frontsheet includes a glass layer, a second encapsulant, and a first polymer layer. The backsheet includes a first layer and a second polymer layer attached to the first layer. Each of the photovoltaic modules includes a wire cover bracket, which is configured to overlap the wire cover bracket of an adjacent one of the photovoltaic modules.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2023Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: GAF Energy LLCInventors: Gabriela Bunea, Thierry Nguyen, Michael David Kuiper, Evan Michael Wray, Lewis Abra, Peter Clemente, Brian West
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Patent number: 11824487Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods that may include attaching a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module to a back-sheet, wherein the first photovoltaic module includes a first end and a second end, and wherein the second photovoltaic module includes a first end and a second end; forming a seam on the back-sheet between the first and second photovoltaic modules; forming an electrical connection between the first and second photovoltaic modules by electrically connecting the first end of the first photovoltaic module to the second end of the second photovoltaic module; and separating the first and second photovoltaic modules along the seam while maintaining the electrical connection between the first and second photovoltaic modules. Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to roofing systems that may include photovoltaic modules.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2023Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: GAF Energy LLCInventors: Gabriela Bunea, Thierry Nguyen, Richard Perkins, Nicholas Boitnott, David Kavulak, Lewis Abra
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Patent number: 11799044Abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) cells that can be interconnected with improved interconnect joints to form PV cell strings and PV modules. The improved interconnect joints comprise at least two types of adhesive bonding regions to maximize both electrical conductivity and mechanical strength of interconnect joints coupling terminals of PV cells. The disclosed approaches to PV cell interconnection provide greater manufacturing rates and higher quality PV cell strings and PV modules.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Maxeon Solar Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Sunny Sethi, Michele Guide, Gabriela Bunea, Thierry Nguyen
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Publication number: 20230336110Abstract: A system includes a roof deck having a slope of 0.25 inch to 3 inches per foot and a roofing membrane is composed of a first material, and at least one photovoltaic module installed on the roof deck. The photovoltaic module includes at least one solar cell, an encapsulant, a frontsheet, and a backsheet. The backsheet includes a head flap located at a first end of the backsheet, and a bottom flap located at a second end of the backsheet. The backsheet is composed of the first material. At least a first portion of the head flap is attached to the roofing membrane, and at least a second portion of the bottom flap is attached to the roofing membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Thierry Nguyen, Gabriela Bunea, Gary Rossi, Nicholas Boitnott, Richard Perkins, David Kavulak
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Publication number: 20230327601Abstract: A system, including: a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed above a roof deck, where the plurality of photovoltaic modules includes at least a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module, where each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules includes: a top surface; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; a plurality of solar cells; a first receptacle on the top surface, where the first receptacle has: a plurality of first non-conductive openings, and a plurality of first conductive members in the plurality of first non-conductive openings; and a second receptacle on the bottom surface, where the second receptacle has: a plurality of second non-conductive openings, and a plurality of second conductive members in the plurality of second non-conductive openings, where at least a portion of the second photovoltaic module overlaps at least a portion of the first photovoltaic module, where the first receptacle of the first photovoltaic module is in mechanical connection with the second recepType: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Thierry Nguyen, Lewis Abra, Hasib Amin, Babak Farhangi, Gabriela Bunea
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Publication number: 20230291347Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods that may include attaching a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module to a back-sheet, wherein the first photovoltaic module includes a first end and a second end, and wherein the second photovoltaic module includes a first end and a second end; forming a seam on the back-sheet between the first and second photovoltaic modules; forming an electrical connection between the first and second photovoltaic modules by electrically connecting the first end of the first photovoltaic module to the second end of the second photovoltaic module; and separating the first and second photovoltaic modules along the seam while maintaining the electrical connection between the first and second photovoltaic modules. Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to roofing systems that may include photovoltaic modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Gabriela Bunea, Thierry Nguyen, Richard Perkins, Nicholas Boitnott, David Kavulak, Lewis Abra
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Patent number: 11757049Abstract: A bifacial solar cell module includes solar cells that are protected by front side packaging components and backside packaging components. The front side packaging components include a transparent top cover on a front portion of the solar cell module. The backside packaging components have a transparent portion that allows light coming from a back portion of the solar cell module to reach the solar cells, and a reflective portion that reflects light coming from the front portion of the solar cell module. The transparent and reflective portions may be integrated with a backsheet, e.g., by printing colored pigments on the backsheet. The reflective portion may also be on a reflective component that is separate from the backsheet. In that case, the reflective component may be placed over a clear backsheet before or after packaging.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2019Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: MAXEON SOLAR PTE. LTD.Inventors: Sung Dug Kim, Gabriela Bunea
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Publication number: 20230283054Abstract: A building integrated photovoltaic system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed in an array on a roof deck. Each of the photovoltaic modules at least one solar cell, a first encapsulant encapsulating the at least one solar cell, a frontsheet juxtaposed with a first surface of the first encapsulant, and a backsheet juxtaposed with a second surface of the first encapsulant. The frontsheet includes a glass layer, a second encapsulant, and a first polymer layer. The backsheet includes a first layer and a second polymer layer attached to the first layer. Each of the photovoltaic modules includes a wire cover bracket, which is configured to overlap the wire cover bracket of an adjacent one of the photovoltaic modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Gabriela Bunea, Thierry Nguyen, Michael David Kuiper, Evan Michael Wray, Lewis Abra, Peter Clemente, Brian West
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Publication number: 20230258369Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed on a roof deck in an array. Each of the photovoltaic modules includes a wire cover bracket substantially aligned with the wire cover bracket of an adjacent another one of the photovoltaic modules. At least one cover is removably attached to at least one of the wire cover brackets. The cover includes a top portion, a first side portion extending from a first side of the top portion, and a second side portion extending from a second side of the top portion opposite the first side. The top portion of the at least one cover is configured to divert water from entering the wire cover bracket from above the at least one cover. The first and second side portions are configured to divert water from entering the wire cover bracket from a lateral direction relative to the wire cover bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Peter Clemente, Evan Wray, Mike Kuiper, Brian D. West, Gary Rossi, Lewis Abra, Richard Perkins, Gabriela Bunea, Thierry Nguyen
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Patent number: 11728759Abstract: A system includes a roof deck having a slope of 0.25 inch to 3 inches per foot and a roofing membrane is composed of a first material, and at least one photovoltaic module installed on the roof deck. The photovoltaic module includes at least one solar cell, an encapsulant, a frontsheet, and a backsheet. The backsheet includes a head flap located at a first end of the backsheet, and a bottom flap located at a second end of the backsheet. The backsheet is composed of the first material. At least a first portion of the head flap is attached to the roofing membrane, and at least a second portion of the bottom flap is attached to the roofing membrane.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: GAF Energy LLCInventors: Thierry Nguyen, Gabriela Bunea, Gary Rossi, Nicholas Boitnott, Richard Perkins, David Kavulak
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Publication number: 20230203815Abstract: A system includes a plurality of roofing modules and a plurality of photovoltaic modules. The roofing modules include a first layer and a second layer. The first layer has a first surface that is textured. The roofing modules are configured to be installed on the roof deck of a structure proximate to the photovoltaic modules. An appearance of the roofing modules aesthetically matches an appearance of the photovoltaic modules when viewed from a vantage point located at a ground level of the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2023Publication date: June 29, 2023Inventors: Gabriela Bunea, Thierry Nguyen, Richard Perkins, Michael Kuiper, Gary Rossi, Nicholas Boitnott, David Kavulak, Alex Sharenko, Anna Wojtowicz, William Sirski, Ray Lu, Caleb Cheung, Nathan Peterson
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Patent number: 11661745Abstract: A roofing shingle includes a head lap and at least one solar cell. The head lap includes at least one handle located between a first end and a second end of the shingle and proximate to a first edge thereof. The at least one handle includes at least one cutout and a gripping portion. The at least one cutout is sized and shaped to receive an external object to facilitate transporting the shingle by a user.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2022Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: GAF Energy LLCInventors: Gabriela Bunea, Thierry Nguyen, Michael Kuiper, Evan Wray, Brian West
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Publication number: 20230143939Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an integrated photovoltaic (PV) roofing shingle comprising a photovoltaic (PV) module and a roofing shingle. In some embodiments, the roofing shingle is bonded to the PV module. In some embodiments, a bond strength between the roofing shingle and the PV module is from 5 N/mm to 60 N/mm tested according to ASTM D1876. In some embodiments, the integrated PV roofing shingle has a mass per unit area of 0.5 lb per square foot to 5 lbs per square foot. Methods, systems, and kits including the integrated PV roofing shingle are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2022Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventors: Nathan Peterson, Richard Perkins, Alex Sharenko, Gabriela Bunea
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Publication number: 20230126558Abstract: A roll, comprising: a laminate, comprising: a plurality of solar cells, wherein the plurality of solar cells comprises: a first solar cell, a second solar cell, and a third solar cell, wherein the first solar cell and the second solar cell are separated in a first direction by a first distance, wherein the second solar cell and the third solar cell are separated in the first direction by the first distance, and wherein each of the first, second, and third solar cells comprises: a width in the first direction, and a length in a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; a first encapsulant, wherein the first encapsulant encapsulates the plurality of solar cells, and wherein the first encapsulant includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a frontsheet, wherein the frontsheet includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface of the frontsheet, wherein the second surface of the frontsheet is adjacent the first surfaType: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2022Publication date: April 27, 2023Applicant: GAF Energy LLCInventors: Thierry Nguyen, Gabriela Bunea, Richard Perkins, David Kavulak