Patents by Inventor Hartmut Kuehl
Hartmut Kuehl 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: 10741710Abstract: Photovoltaic cells, photovoltaic devices, and methods of fabrication are provided. The photovoltaic cells include a transparent substrate to allow light to enter the photovoltaic cell through the substrate, and a light absorption layer associated with the substrate. The light absorption layer has opposite first and second surfaces, with the first surface being closer to the transparent substrate than the second surface. A passivation layer is disposed over the second surface of the light absorption layer, and a plurality of first discrete contacts and a plurality of second discrete contacts are provided within the passivation layer to facilitate electrical coupling to the light absorption layer. A first electrode and a second electrode are disposed over the passivation layer to contact the plurality of first discrete contacts and the plurality of second discrete contacts, respectively. The first and second electrodes may include a photon-reflective material.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2017Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Patent number: 10651327Abstract: Methods of fabricating photovoltaic cells are provided. The photovoltaic cells include a transparent substrate to allow light to enter the photovoltaic cell through the substrate, and a light absorption layer associated with the substrate. The light absorption layer has opposite first and second surfaces, with the first surface being closer to the transparent substrate than the second surface. A passivation layer is disposed over the second surface of the light absorption layer, and a plurality of first discrete contacts and a plurality of second discrete contacts are provided within the passivation layer to facilitate electrical coupling to the light absorption layer. A first electrode and a second electrode are disposed over the passivation layer to contact the plurality of first discrete contacts and the plurality of second discrete contacts, respectively. The first and second electrodes may include a photon-reflective material.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Patent number: 10559702Abstract: A thin-film monolithically integrated solar module with a solar cell, an integrated energy storage device, and a controller may be provided. It may comprise a thin-film solar cell, having at least one solar diode, on a transparent substrate, a thin-film energy storage device, and an electronic controller comprising at least one thin-film transistor above the thin-film energy storage device. The electronic controller may be electrically connected to the thin-film solar cell and the thin-film energy storage device by vias. The named functional units may build a monolithically integrated device on one substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2019Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Johann H. Bredel, Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Patent number: 10439084Abstract: An energy harvesting device includes prefabricated thin film energy absorption sheets that are each tuned to absorb electromagnetic energy of a corresponding wavelength. The energy harvesting device can include a prefabricated thin film converter sheet to convert the electromagnetic energy into electrical power. The energy harvesting device can include a prefabricated thin film battery sheet to store the electrical power. Each thin film energy absorption sheet can be fabricated using a roll-to-roll process. The energy harvesting device can be fabricated using a roll-to-sheet process from rolls of the thin film energy absorption sheets.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2015Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellman, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Publication number: 20190288136Abstract: Methods of fabricating photovoltaic cells are provided. The photovoltaic cells include a transparent substrate to allow light to enter the photovoltaic cell through the substrate, and a light absorption layer associated with the substrate. The light absorption layer has opposite first and second surfaces, with the first surface being closer to the transparent substrate than the second surface. A passivation layer is disposed over the second surface of the light absorption layer, and a plurality of first discrete contacts and a plurality of second discrete contacts are provided within the passivation layer to facilitate electrical coupling to the light absorption layer. A first electrode and a second electrode are disposed over the passivation layer to contact the plurality of first discrete contacts and the plurality of second discrete contacts, respectively. The first and second electrodes may include a photon-reflective material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Hans-Juergen EICKELMANN, Ruediger KELLMANN, Hartmut KUEHL, Markus SCHMIDT
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Publication number: 20190214510Abstract: A thin-film monolithically integrated solar module with a solar cell, an integrated energy storage device, and a controller may be provided. It may comprise a thin-film solar cell, having at least one solar diode, on a transparent substrate, a thin-film energy storage device, and an electronic controller comprising at least one thin-film transistor above the thin-film energy storage device. The electronic controller may be electrically connected to the thin-film solar cell and the thin-film energy storage device by vias. The named functional units may build a monolithically integrated device on one substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Johann H. Bredel, Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Patent number: 10290748Abstract: A thin-film monolithically integrated solar module with a solar cell, an integrated energy storage device, and a controller may be provided. It may comprise a thin-film solar cell, having at least one solar diode, on a transparent substrate, a thin-film energy storage device, and an electronic controller comprising at least one thin-film transistor above the thin-film energy storage device. The electronic controller may be electrically connected to the thin-film solar cell and the thin-film energy storage device by vias. The named functional units may build a monolithically integrated device on one substrate.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2018Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Johann H. Bredel, Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Patent number: 10170659Abstract: An integrated thin-film lateral multi junction solar device and fabrication method are provided. The device includes, for instance, a substrate, and a plurality of stacks extending vertically from the substrate. Each stack may include layers, and be electrically isolated against another stack. Each stack may also include an energy storage device above the substrate, a solar cell above the energy storage device, a transparent medium above the solar cell, and a micro-optic layer of spectrally dispersive and concentrating optical devices above the transparent medium. Furthermore, the device may include a first power converter connected between the energy storage device and a power bus, and a second power converter connected between the solar cell and the power bus. Further, different solar cells of different stacks may have different absorption characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2017Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Patent number: 10170655Abstract: An energy harvesting device includes prefabricated thin film energy absorption sheets that are each tuned to absorb electromagnetic energy of a corresponding wavelength. The energy harvesting device can include a prefabricated thin film converter sheet to convert the electromagnetic energy into electrical power. The energy harvesting device can include a prefabricated thin film battery sheet to store the electrical power. Each thin film energy absorption sheet can be fabricated using a roll-to-roll process. The energy harvesting device can be fabricated using a roll-to-sheet process from rolls of the thin film energy absorption sheets.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2015Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellman, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Publication number: 20180166586Abstract: A thin-film monolithically integrated solar module with a solar cell, an integrated energy storage device, and a controller may be provided. It may comprise a thin-film solar cell, having at least one solar diode, on a transparent substrate, a thin-film energy storage device, and an electronic controller comprising at least one thin-film transistor above the thin-film energy storage device. The electronic controller may be electrically connected to the thin-film solar cell and the thin-film energy storage device by vias. The named functional units may build a monolithically integrated device on one substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2018Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventors: Johann H. Bredel, Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Publication number: 20180102450Abstract: Photovoltaic cells, photovoltaic devices, and methods of fabrication are provided. The photovoltaic cells include a transparent substrate to allow light to enter the photovoltaic cell through the substrate, and a light absorption layer associated with the substrate. The light absorption layer has opposite first and second surfaces, with the first surface being closer to the transparent substrate than the second surface. A passivation layer is disposed over the second surface of the light absorption layer, and a plurality of first discrete contacts and a plurality of second discrete contacts are provided within the passivation layer to facilitate electrical coupling to the light absorption layer. A first electrode and a second electrode are disposed over the passivation layer to contact the plurality of first discrete contacts and the plurality of second discrete contacts, respectively. The first and second electrodes may include a photon-reflective material.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventors: Hans-Juergen EICKELMANN, Ruediger KELLMANN, Hartmut KUEHL, Markus SCHMIDT
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Patent number: 9941419Abstract: A thin-film monolithically integrated solar module with a solar cell, an integrated energy storage device, and a controller may be provided. It may comprise a thin-film solar cell, having at least one solar diode, on a transparent substrate, a thin-film energy storage device, and an electronic controller comprising at least one thin-film transistor above the thin-film energy storage device. The electronic controller may be electrically connected to the thin-film solar cell and the thin-film energy storage device by vias. The named functional units may build a monolithically integrated device on one substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2015Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Johann H. Bredel, Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Patent number: 9859451Abstract: Photovoltaic cells, photovoltaic devices, and methods of fabrication are provided. The photovoltaic cells include a transparent substrate to allow light to enter the photovoltaic cell through the substrate, and a light absorption layer associated with the substrate. The light absorption layer has opposite first and second surfaces, with the first surface being closer to the transparent substrate than the second surface. A passivation layer is disposed over the second surface of the light absorption layer, and a plurality of first discrete contacts and a plurality of second discrete contacts are provided within the passivation layer to facilitate electrical coupling to the light absorption layer. A first electrode and a second electrode are disposed over the passivation layer to contact the plurality of first discrete contacts and the plurality of second discrete contacts, respectively. The first and second electrodes include a photon-reflective material.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Publication number: 20170338368Abstract: An integrated thin-film lateral multi junction solar device and fabrication method are provided. The device includes, for instance, a substrate, and a plurality of stacks extending vertically from the substrate. Each stack may include layers, and be electrically isolated against another stack. Each stack may also include an energy storage device above the substrate, a solar cell above the energy storage device, a transparent medium above the solar cell, and a micro-optic layer of spectrally dispersive and concentrating optical devices above the transparent medium. Furthermore, the device may include a first power converter connected between the energy storage device and a power bus, and a second power converter connected between the solar cell and the power bus. Further, different solar cells of different stacks may have different absorption characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Patent number: 9755099Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method for manufacturing, and a structure for a thin film solar module. The method of manufacturing includes fabricating a thin film solar cell and fabricating an electronic conversion unit (ECU) on a single substrate. The thin film solar cell has at least one solar cell diode on a substrate. The ECU has at least one transistor on the substrate. The ECU may further comprise a capacitor and an inductor. The ECU is integrated on the substrate monolithically and electrically connected with the thin film solar cell. The ECU and the thin film solar cell interconnect to form a circuit on the substrate. The ECU is electrically connected to a microcontroller on the solar cell module.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2013Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.Inventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellman, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Patent number: 9735309Abstract: An integrated thin-film lateral multi-junction solar device and fabrication method are provided. The device includes, for instance, a substrate, and a plurality of stacks extending vertically from the substrate. Each stack may include layers, and be electrically isolated against another stack. Each stack may also include an energy storage device above the substrate, a solar cell above the energy storage device, a transparent medium above the solar cell, and a micro-optic layer of spectrally dispersive and concentrating optical devices above the transparent medium. Furthermore, the device may include a first power converter connected between the energy storage device and a power bus, and a second power converter connected between the solar cell and the power bus. Further, different solar cells of different stacks may have different absorption characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Patent number: 9634166Abstract: Photovoltaic cells, photovoltaic devices, and methods of fabrication are provided. The photovoltaic cells include a transparent substrate to allow light to enter the photovoltaic cell through the substrate, and a light absorption layer associated with the substrate. The light absorption layer has opposite first and second surfaces, with the first surface being closer to the transparent substrate than the second surface. A passivation layer is disposed over the second surface of the light absorption layer, and a plurality of first discrete contacts and a plurality of second discrete contacts are provided within the passivation layer to facilitate electrical coupling to the light absorption layer. A first electrode and a second electrode are disposed over the passivation layer to contact the plurality of first discrete contacts and the plurality of second discrete contacts, respectively. The first and second electrodes include a photon-reflective material.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Patent number: 9634171Abstract: An integrated thin-film lateral multi-junction solar device and fabrication method are provided. The device includes, for instance, a substrate, and a plurality of stacks extending vertically from the substrate. Each stack may include layers, and be electrically isolated against another stack. Each stack may also include an energy storage device above the substrate, a solar cell above the energy storage device, a transparent medium above the solar cell, and a micro-optic layer of spectrally dispersive and concentrating optical devices above the transparent medium. Furthermore, the device may include a first power converter connected between the energy storage device and a power bus, and a second power converter connected between the solar cell and the power bus. Further, different solar cells of different stacks may have different absorption characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Patent number: 9583649Abstract: Embodiments of the invention related to a method for manufacturing a thin film solar cell backside contact. Prior to application of materials, a planar substrate is provided and an associated backside of the substrate is modified to form one or more pedestals. The modified substrate is layered with multiple layers of material, including a conducting layer, a reflective layer, and a passivation layer. The layered backside substrate is polished to expose portions of the conducting layer at discrete locations on the backside of the substrate. The exposed portions of the conducting layer maintain direct electrical communication between an absorber layer deposited on the layered backside substrate and the conducting layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Patent number: 9577130Abstract: Embodiments relate to a thin film solar cell backside contact. A planar substrate is provided and an associated backside of the substrate is modified to form one or more pedestals. The modified substrate is layered with multiple layers of material, including a conducting layer, a reflective layer, and a passivation layer. The layered backside substrate is polished to expose portions of the conducting layer at discrete locations on the backside of the substrate. The exposed portions of the conducting layer maintain direct electrical communication between an absorber layer deposited on the layered backside substrate and the conducting layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2016Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt