Patents by Inventor Harold John Hovel
Harold John Hovel 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: 10693025Abstract: A solar cell panel with a bottom cover plate and an electrically conductive bus bar. A top cover plate having at least one electrically conductive land in communication with a bottom surface of the top cover plate. The land having a height extending from the bottom surface of the top cover plate. An array of rows and columns of solar cell chips lying between the bottom cover plate and the top cover plate. Each solar cell chip of the array having an anode adjacent to a top surface and a cathode adjacent to a bottom surface. The bus bar in electrical communication with each cathode of each solar cell chip of the array. Each land in electrical contact with each anode of a solar cell chip of the array. An opening formed between adjacent lands wherein the opening extends at least the height of the lands.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Harold John Hovel, Rainer Klaus Krause, Xiaoyan Shao, Steven Erik Steen
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Publication number: 20190288146Abstract: A solar cell having n-type and p-type interdigitated back contacts (IBCs), which cover the entire back surface of the absorber layer. The spatial separation of the IBCs is in a direction perpendicular to the back surface, thus providing borderless contacts having a zero-footprint separation. As the contacts are on the back, photons incident on the cell's front surface can be absorbed without any shadowing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Joel P. De Souza, Harold John Hovel, Daniel Inns, Jeehwan Kim, Christian Lavoie, Devendra K. Sadana, Katherine L. Saenger, Davood Shahrjerdi, Zhen Zhang
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Publication number: 20170133533Abstract: A solar cell panel with a bottom cover plate and an electrically conductive bus bar. A top cover plate having at least one electrically conductive land in communication with a bottom surface of the top cover plate. The land having a height extending from the bottom surface of the top cover plate. An array of rows and columns of solar cell chips lying between the bottom cover plate and the top cover plate. Each solar cell chip of the array having an anode adjacent to a top surface and a cathode adjacent to a bottom surface. The bus bar in electrical communication with each cathode of each solar cell chip of the array. Each land in electrical contact with each anode of a solar cell chip of the array. An opening formed between adjacent lands wherein the opening extends at least the height of the lands.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2017Publication date: May 11, 2017Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Harold John Hovel, Rainer Klaus Krause, Xiaoyan Shao, Steven Erik Steen
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Patent number: 9583658Abstract: A solar cell panel and method of forming a solar cell panel. The method includes a: forming an electrically conductive bus bar on a top surface of a bottom cover plate; forming an electrically conductive contact frame proximate to a bottom surface of a top cover plate, the top cover plate transparent to visible light; and placing an array of rows and columns of solar cell chips between the bottom cover plate and the top cover plate, each solar cell chip of the array of solar cell chips comprising an anode adjacent to a top surface and a cathode adjacent to a bottom surface of the solar cell chip, the bus bar electrically contacting each cathode of each solar cell chip of the array of solar cell chips and the contact frame contacting each anode of each solar cell chip of the array of solar cell chips.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2010Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Harold John Hovel, Rainer Klaus Krause, Xiaoyan Shao, Steven Erik Steen
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Patent number: 9324872Abstract: A gate dielectric material and a gate conductor portion are formed on a single-crystal semiconductor material of a substrate. A dielectric structure is then formed surrounding the gate conductor portion and thereafter a stressor layer is formed on the dielectric structure. A controlled spalling process is then performed and thereafter a material removal process can be used to expose a surface of the single-crystal semiconductor material. A source region and a drain region are then formed on the exposed surface of the single-crystal semiconductor material, which exposed surface is opposite the surface including the gate dielectric.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2015Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Stephen W. Bedell, Bahman Hekmatshoartabari, Harold John Hovel, Ning Li, Devendra K. Sadana
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Publication number: 20150243796Abstract: A gate dielectric material and a gate conductor portion are formed on a single-crystal semiconductor material of a substrate. A dielectric structure is then formed surrounding the gate conductor portion and thereafter a stressor layer is formed on the dielectric structure. A controlled spalling process is then performed and thereafter a material removal process can be used to expose a surface of the single-crystal semiconductor material. A source region and a drain region are then formed on the exposed surface of the single-crystal semiconductor material, which exposed surface is opposite the surface including the gate dielectric.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: Stephen W. Bedell, Bahman Hekmatshoartabari, Harold John Hovel, Ning Li, Devendra K. Sadana
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Patent number: 8853524Abstract: A solar cell and method of fabrication are disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises depositing a first doped amorphous silicon layer on a first surface of a silicon substrate, depositing a second doped amorphous silicon layer on the first surface of the silicon substrate. The second doped amorphous silicon layer is doped oppositely from the first doped amorphous silicon layer. An anneal is performed to transform the first doped amorphous silicon layer and second doped amorphous silicon layer to crystalline silicon layers.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2011Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Harold John Hovel
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Patent number: 8535970Abstract: The invention relates to a manufacturing process of a photovoltaic solar cell (100) comprising: providing high doped areas (20) on the rear side (18) of the photovoltaic solar cell (100), providing localized metal contacts (30) localized on said high doped areas (20), providing a passivation layer (50) covering a surface (52) between said contacts (30), wherein the contacts (30) remain substantially free of the passivation layer (50), and depositing a metal layer (32) for a back surface field.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ranier Krauser, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Kevin Prettyman, Brian Christopher Sapp, Kevin S. Petrarca, Harold John Hovel, Gerd Pfeiffer, Zhengwen Li, Carl John Radens
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Publication number: 20130087195Abstract: A solar cell and method of fabrication are disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises depositing a first doped amorphous silicon layer on a first surface of a silicon substrate, depositing a second doped amorphous silicon layer on the first surface of the silicon substrate. The second doped amorphous silicon layer is doped oppositely from the first doped amorphous silicon layer. An anneal is performed to transform the first doped amorphous silicon layer and second doped amorphous silicon layer to crystalline silicon layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2011Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventor: Harold John Hovel
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Publication number: 20120285518Abstract: A solar cell having n-type and p-type interdigitated back contacts (IBCs), which cover the entire back surface of the absorber layer. The spatial separation of the IBCs is in a direction perpendicular to the back surface, thus providing borderless contacts having a zero-footprint separation. As the contacts are on the back, photons incident on the cell's front surface can be absorbed without any shadowing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2011Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Joel P. De Souza, Harold John Hovel, Daniel Inns, Jeehwan Kim, Christian Lavoie, Devendra K. Sadana, Katherine L. Saenger, Davood Shahrjerdi, Zhen Zhang
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Publication number: 20120285517Abstract: A Schottky Barrier solar cell having at least one of a low work function region and a high work function region provided on the front or back surface of a lightly-doped absorber material, which may be produced in a variety of different geometries. The method of producing the Schottky Barrier solar cells allows for short processing times and the use of low temperatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2011Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Joel P. de Souza, Harold John Hovel, Daniel Inns, Jeehwan Kim, Christian Lavoie, Conal Eugene Murray, Devendra K. Sadana, Katherine L. Saenger, Ghavam Shahidi, Davood Shahrjerdi, Zhen Zhang
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Patent number: 8129216Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solar cell. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate, applying a first dopant to a first surface, applying a second dopant to a second surface, covering the doped first surface with a hard mask, applying a third dopant to the substrate side, removing the hard mask, applying a pattern of first electrical contacts to the doping pattern, and applying a pattern of second electrical contacts to the doped second surface, the pattern of second electrical contacts and the doping pattern being straight-lined opposed.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Michael Haag, Harold John Hovel, Rainer Krause, Markus Schmidt, Steven Erik Steen
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Publication number: 20110318865Abstract: The invention relates to a manufacturing process of a photovoltaic solar cell (100) comprising: providing high doped areas (20) on the rear side (18) of the photovoltaic solar cell (100), providing localized metal contacts (30) localized on said high doped areas (20), providing a passivation layer (50) covering a surface (52) between said contacts (30), wherein the contacts (30) remain substantially free of the passivation layer (50), and depositing a metal layer (32) for a back surface field.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ranier Krauser, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Kevin Prettyman, Brian Christopher Sapp, Kevin S. Petrarca, Harold John Hovel, Gerd Pfeiffer, Zhengwen Li, Carl John Radens
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Publication number: 20110316343Abstract: A photovoltaic module (10) comprises a plurality of solar cells (20) interconnected in serial arrays (15). At least some of the solar cells (20) are equipped with control units (30) comprising at least one thermal sensor (42) and one power sensor (43). The control unit (30) comprises means (35) for removing a specific solar cell (20?) from the photovoltaic module (10) network if said solar cell (20?) is found to have reached a predefined level of degradation. In a preferred embodiment, control unit (30) is an ASIC chip (40) in thermal contact with said solar cell (20) and electrically connected to said solar cell (20).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ranier Krauser, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Kevin Prettyman, Brian Christopher Sapp, Kevin S. Petrarca, Harold John Hovel, Gerd Pfeiffer, Zhengwen Li, Carl John Radens
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Publication number: 20100297800Abstract: A solar cell panel and method of forming a solar cell panel. The method includes a: forming an electrically conductive bus bar on a top surface of a bottom cover plate; forming an electrically conductive contact frame proximate to a bottom surface of a top cover plate, the top cover plate transparent to visible light; and placing an array of rows and columns of solar cell chips between the bottom cover plate and the top cover plate, each solar cell chip of the array of solar cell chips comprising an anode adjacent to a top surface and a cathode adjacent to a bottom surface of the solar cell chip, the bus bar electrically contacting each anode of each solar cell chip of the array of solar cell chips and the contact frame contacting each anode of each solar cell chip of the array of solar cell chips.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Harold John Hovel, Rainer Klaus Krause, Xiaoyan Shao, Steven Erik Steen
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Publication number: 20100279454Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solar cell. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate, applying a first dopant to a first surface, applying a second dopant to a second surface, covering the doped first surface with a hard mask, applying a third dopant to the substrate side, removing the hard mask, applying a pattern of first electrical contacts to the doping pattern, and applying a pattern of second electrical contacts to the doped second surface, the pattern of second electrical contacts and the doping pattern being straight-lined opposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2009Publication date: November 4, 2010Inventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Michael Haag, Harold John Hovel, Rainer Krause, Markus Schmidt, Steven Erik Steen
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Patent number: 7749869Abstract: A method for improving the minority lifetime of silicon containing wafer having metallic contaminants therein is described incorporating annealing at 1200° C. or greater and providing a gaseous ambient of oxygen, an inert gas and a chlorine containing gas such as HCl.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2008Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Joel P. De Souza, Harold John Hovel, Daniel A. Inns, Devendra K. Sadana, Ghavam G. Shahidi
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Publication number: 20100037933Abstract: A solar cell panel and method of forming a solar cell panel. The method includes a: forming an electrically conductive bus bar on a top surface of a bottom cover plate; forming an electrically conductive contact frame proximate to a bottom surface of a top cover plate, the top cover plate transparent to visible light; and placing an array of rows and columns of solar cell chips between the bottom cover plate and the top cover plate, each solar cell chip of the array of solar cell chips comprising an anode adjacent to a top surface and a cathode adjacent to a bottom surface of the solar cell chip, the bus bar electrically contacting each anode of each solar cell chip of the array of solar cell chips and the contact frame contacting each anode of each solar cell chip of the array of solar cell chips.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2008Publication date: February 18, 2010Inventors: Harold John Hovel, Rainer Klaus Krause, Xiaoyan Shao, Steven Erik Steen
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Publication number: 20100035409Abstract: A method for improving the minority lifetime of silicon containing wafer having metallic contaminants therein is described incorporating annealing at 1200° C. or greater and providing a gaseous ambient of oxygen, an inert gas and a chlorine containing gas such as HCl.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2008Publication date: February 11, 2010Inventors: Joel P De Souza, Harold John Hovel, Daniel A. Inns, Devendra K. Sadana, Ghavam G. Shahidi
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Patent number: 6823098Abstract: An optical switch for routing light between two waveguides is disclosed. The switch, or router, comprises a movable waveguide, the movable waveguide having two positions, wherein in a first position the movable waveguide is interposed between the two waveguides and transmits light between the two waveguides by evanescent wave coupling, and in the other position the movable waveguide is retracted from the two waveguides and is not transmitting light between the two waveguides. Means for moving the movable waveguide between the two positions is also disclosed. The optical switches are used in M×N optical routing arrays being capable of directing light from any one of the M input ports to any one of the N output ports with additional ADD/DROP functions.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2002Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Daniel Guidotti, Harold John Hovel, Maurice McGlashan-Powell, Keith Randal Pope