Patents by Inventor Gerhard Strobl

Gerhard Strobl 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).

  • Publication number: 20160118524
    Abstract: A stacked integrated multi-junction solar cell, having a first subcell, whereby the first subcell has a layer of an InGaP compound with a first lattice constant and a first band gap energy, and the thickness of the layer is greater than 100 nm and the layer is formed as part of an emitter and/or as part of the base and/or as part of the space charge region lying between the emitter and base, and a second subcell with a second lattice constant and a second band gap energy, and a third subcell with a third lattice constant and a third band gap energy, and a fourth subcell with a fourth lattice constant and a fourth band gap energy, and a region with a wafer bond is formed between two subcells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Applicants: AZUR SPACE Solar Power GmbH, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Wolfgang GUTER, Gerhard STROBL, Frank DIMROTH, Alexandre William WALKER
  • Patent number: 9257586
    Abstract: A monolithic multiple solar cell includes at least three partial cells, with a semiconductor mirror placed between two partial cells. The aim of the invention is to improve the radiation stability of said solar cell. For this purpose, the semiconductor mirror has a high degree of reflection in at least one part of a spectral absorption area of the partial cell which is arranged above the semiconductor mirror and a high degree of transmission within the spectral absorption range of the partial cell arranged below the semiconductor mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Azur Space Solar Power GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Meusel, Gerhard Strobl, Frank Dimroth, Andreas Bett
  • Patent number: 9252313
    Abstract: A monolithic multiple solar cell includes at least three partial cells, with a semiconductor mirror placed between two partial cells. The aim of the invention is to improve the radiation stability of said solar cell. For this purpose, the semiconductor mirror has a high degree of reflection in at least one part of a spectral absorption area of the partial cell which is arranged above the semiconductor mirror and a high degree of transmission within the spectral absorption range of the partial cell arranged below the semiconductor mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Azur Space Solar Power GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Meusel, Gerhard Strobl, Frank Dimroth, Andreas Bett
  • Publication number: 20150325727
    Abstract: A multi-junction solar cell having a Ge or GaAs substrate, as well as a solar cell structure having several subcells deposited on the substrate, the substrate having peripheral side faces, and the solar cell structure having a peripheral circumferential surface, which runs spaced apart from the side faces. To prevent oxidation and penetration of moisture, the circumferential surface of the solar cell structure is coated with a protective, electrically insulating first coating under essential exclusion of the upper surface facing the rays, or that without encroaching on the solar cell structure, the side faces of the substrate are coated with a protective, electrically insulating second coating or that both the side faces of the substrate as well as the circumferential surface of the solar cell structure are coated with a third coating by essential exclusion of the upper surface facing the rays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: AZUR SPACE Solar Power GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard STROBL
  • Patent number: 9070810
    Abstract: A multi-junction solar cell having a Ge or GaAs substrate, as well as a solar cell structure having several subcells deposited on the substrate, the substrate having peripheral side faces, and the solar cell structure having a peripheral circumferential surface, which runs spaced apart from the side faces. To prevent oxidation and penetration of moisture, the circumferential surface of the solar cell structure is coated with a protective, electrically insulating first coating under essential exclusion of the upper surface facing the rays, or that without encroaching on the solar cell structure, the side faces of the substrate are coated with a protective, electrically insulating second coating or that both the side faces of the substrate as well as the circumferential surface of the solar cell structure are coated with a third coating by essential exclusion of the upper surface facing the rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: AZUR SPACE SOLAR POWER GMBH
    Inventor: Gerhard Strobl
  • Patent number: 9012768
    Abstract: A multi-junction solar cell having a Ge or GaAs substrate, as well as a solar cell structure having several subcells deposited on the substrate, the substrate having peripheral side faces, and the solar cell structure having a peripheral circumferential surface, which runs spaced apart from the side faces. To prevent oxidation and penetration of moisture, the circumferential surface of the solar cell structure is coated with a protective, electrically insulating first coating under essential exclusion of the upper surface facing the rays, or that without encroaching on the solar cell structure, the side faces of the substrate are coated with a protective, electrically insulating second coating or that both the side faces of the substrate as well as the circumferential surface of the solar cell structure are coated with a third coating by essential exclusion of the upper surface facing the rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Azur Space Solar Power GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Strobl, Victor Khorenko
  • Publication number: 20140190554
    Abstract: A monolithic multiple solar cell includes at least three partial cells, with a semiconductor mirror placed between two partial cells. The aim of the invention is to improve the radiation stability of said solar cell. For this purpose, the semiconductor mirror has a high degree of reflection in at least one part of a spectral absorption area of the partial cell which is arranged above the semiconductor mirror and a high degree of transmission within the spectral absorption range of the partial cell arranged below the semiconductor mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: AZUR SPACE Solar Power GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias MEUSEL, Gerhard STROBL, Frank DIMROTH, Andreas BETT
  • Publication number: 20140190559
    Abstract: A monolithic multiple solar cell includes at least three partial cells, with a semiconductor mirror placed between two partial cells. The aim of the invention is to improve the radiation stability of said solar cell. For this purpose, the semiconductor mirror has a high degree of reflection in at least one part of a spectral absorption area of the partial cell which is arranged above the semiconductor mirror and a high degree of transmission within the spectral absorption range of the partial cell arranged below the semiconductor mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: AZUR SPACE Solar Power GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias MEUSEL, Gerhard STROBL, Frank DIMROTH, Andreas BETT
  • Patent number: 8716593
    Abstract: A monolithic multiple solar cell includes at least three partial cells, with a semiconductor mirror placed between two partial cells. The aim of the invention is to improve the radiation stability of said solar cell. For this purpose, the semiconductor mirror has a high degree of reflection in at least one part of a spectral absorption area of the partial cell which is arranged above the semiconductor mirror and a high degree of transmission within the spectral absorption range of the partial cell arranged below the semiconductor mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Azur Space Solar Power GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Meusel, Gerhard Strobl, Frank Dimroth, Andreas Bett
  • Publication number: 20120240991
    Abstract: A multi-junction solar cell having a Ge or GaAs substrate, as well as a solar cell structure having several subcells deposited on the substrate, the substrate having peripheral side faces, and the solar cell structure having a peripheral circumferential surface, which runs spaced apart from the side faces. To prevent oxidation and penetration of moisture, the circumferential surface of the solar cell structure is coated with a protective, electrically insulating first coating under essential exclusion of the upper surface facing the rays, or that without encroaching on the solar cell structure, the side faces of the substrate are coated with a protective, electrically insulating second coating or that both the side faces of the substrate as well as the circumferential surface of the solar cell structure are coated with a third coating by essential exclusion of the upper surface facing the rays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: AZUR SPACE SOLAR POWER GMBH
    Inventors: Gerhard STROBL, Victor KHORENKO
  • Patent number: 7932462
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement having at least one solar cell, which is formed by a first sequence of differently doped layers (1, 2, 11, 12) on a substrate (6, 16), and at least one bypass diode, which is connected to the solar cell, particularly in a monolithic, series-connected solar module. The arrangement is characterized in that the bypass diode is formed by a second sequence of layers (4, 5, 13, 14), which is arranged between the substrate (6, 16) and the first layer sequence (1, 2, 11, 12). With the proposed arrangement monolithic, series-connected solar modules can be formed at a very low loss of active receiving surface, the solar cells of which are protected by bypass diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten e.V., Albert-Ludwigs-Universtät, AZUR SPACE Solar Power GmbH
    Inventors: Sascha Van Riesen, Rüdiger Löckenhoff, Gerhard Strobl, Ron Dietrich, Wolfgang Koestler
  • Patent number: 7770164
    Abstract: Interactive software applications are upgraded at a remote service center. The software applications are used at customer locations. Each software application may rely upon customer specific data and customer protocols. Periodically, a revised version of a software application becomes available for use. The customer specific data and/or customer protocols that the previous version of the software application implemented at a customer location may be identified at the remote service center. Subsequently, the revised version of the software application may be modified at the remote service center using the customer specific data and/or customer protocols. The modified revised software application may be transferred to the customer location for installation. The customer specific data may pertain to user interface settings of the software application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Horst Schuelein, Klaus Gartner, Gerhard Strobl
  • Patent number: 7696429
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solar cell which comprises photoactive semiconductor layers extending between the front and the back contact, and an integrated protective diode (bypass diode), said protective diode having a polarity opposite to that of the solar cell and is provided at its front with a p-conducting semiconductor layer, and the protective diode is connected to the front contact. The aim of the invention is to provide a highly stable protective diode and to prevent a migration of metal atoms. For this purpose, a tunnel diode (38) extends on the p-conducting semiconductor layer (36) of the protective diode (32), said tunnel diode being connected to the front contact (14) via an n+ layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Azur Space Solar Power GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Strobl
  • Publication number: 20080163920
    Abstract: A monolithic multiple solar cell includes at least three partial cells, with a semiconductor mirror placed between two partial cells. The aim of the invention is to improve the radiation stability of said solar cell. For this purpose, the semiconductor mirror has a high degree of reflection in at least one part of a spectral absorption area of the partial cell which is arranged above the semiconductor mirror and a high degree of transmission within the spectral absorption range of the partial cell arranged below the semiconductor mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: AZUR SPACE SOLAR POWER GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Meusel, Gerhard Strobl, Frank Dimroth, Andreas Bett
  • Publication number: 20080128014
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement having at least one solar cell, which is formed by a first sequence of differently doped layers (1, 2, 11, 12) on a substrate (6, 16), and at least one bypass diode, which is connected to the solar cell, particularly in a monolithic, series-connected solar module. The arrangement is characterised in that the bypass diode is formed by a second sequence of layers (4, 5, 13, 14), which is arranged between the substrate (6, 16) and the first layer sequence (1, 2, 11, 12). With the proposed arrangement monolithic, series-connected solar modules can be formed at a very low loss of active receiving surface, the solar cells of which are protected by bypass diodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicants: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V., RWE Space Solar Power GmbH, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
    Inventors: Sascha Van Riesen, Rudiger Lockenhoff, Gerhard Strobl, Ron Dietrich, Wolfgang Koestler
  • Publication number: 20070256730
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solar cell which comprises photoactive semiconductor layers extending between the front and the back contact, and an integrated protective diode (bypass diode), said protective diode having a polarity opposite to that of the solar cell and is provided at its front with a p-conducting semiconductor layer, and the protective diode is connected to the front contact. The aim of the invention is to provide a highly stable protective diode and to prevent a migration of metal atoms. For this purpose, a tunnel diode (38) extends on the p-conducting semiconductor layer (36) of the protective diode (32), said tunnel diode being connected to the front contact (14) via an n+ layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Inventor: Gerhard Strobl
  • Publication number: 20060271925
    Abstract: Interactive software applications are upgraded at a remote service center. The software applications are used at customer locations. Each software application may rely upon customer specific data and customer protocols. Periodically, a revised version of a software application becomes available for use. The customer specific data and/or customer protocols that the previous version of the software application implemented at a customer location may be identified at the remote service center. Subsequently, the revised version of the software application may be modified at the remote service center using the customer specific data and/or customer protocols. The modified revised software application may be transferred to the customer location for installation. The customer specific data may pertain to user interface settings of the software application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Horst Schuelein, Klaus Gartner, Gerhard Strobl
  • Publication number: 20010039082
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar cell (10) comprising a semiconductor body (12) having an n+p junction. In order that the solar cell exhibits a good EOL behavior, it is proposed that the solar cell (10) comprise first and second areas (28, 30, 32, 34, 48) having differing thicknesses (d1, d2), the first area (28, 30, 48) forming a support structure of the solar cell and the second area (32, 34) having a considerably lower thickness than the first area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Gerhard Strobl, Karlheinz Tentscher, Paul Uebele
  • Patent number: 4642414
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solar cell, wherein, in order to increase the efficiency, an amorphous or microcrystalline silicon layer is disposed on the side facing the incident light, thereby enabling the surface recombination speed to be reduced. In a preferred embodiment, this silicon layer is doped and is therefore additionally available for charge carrier transport. High doping effects are thus avoided in the thin surface zone of the semiconductor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: Telefunken Electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Rasch, Gerhard Strobl