Patents by Inventor James Hinkle

James Hinkle 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).

  • In-process electrical connector
    Patent number: 9054632
    Abstract: Characteristics of partially assembled photovoltaic modules can be determined using electrical connection apparatuses and methods. By providing deformable electrical contacts against a partially assembled module on an assembly line, an electrical bias can be applied to the module before the module is completely assembled. An electrical connection apparatus for a photovoltaic module may include a first contact configured to engage a first lead on the photovoltaic module, a second contact configured to engage a second lead on the photovoltaic module, and an electrical power source configured to apply an electrical bias between the first contact and the second contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: James Hinkle, Imran Khan, Modesto Sanchez, Thomas Truman
  • PROCESSING PHOTOVOLTAIC SUBSTRATES
    Publication number: 20140370641
    Abstract: A method for processing a coated glass substrate may include a high-temperature activation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel Burgard, Joshua Conley, James Hinkle, Stephen Murphy, Thomas Truman
  • Edge processing of photovoltaic substrates
    Patent number: 8850852
    Abstract: A method for processing a coated glass substrate may include a high-temperature activation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc
    Inventors: Daniel Burgard, Joshua Conley, James Hinkle, Stephen Murphy, Thomas Truman
  • IN-PROCESS ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
    Publication number: 20120032694
    Abstract: Characteristics of partially assembled photovoltaic modules can be determined using electrical connection apparatuses and methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: James Hinkle, Imran Khan, Modesto Sanchez, Thomas Truman
  • HIGH-TEMPERATURE ACTIVATION PROCESS
    Publication number: 20120000247
    Abstract: A method for processing a coated glass substrate may include a high-temperature activation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel Burgard, Joshua Conley, James Hinkle, Stephen Murphy, Thomas Truman
  • System and method for removing film from planar substrate peripheries
    Publication number: 20060108583
    Abstract: A system for removing film from a planar substrate includes a shuttle which transports a film-coated substrate through a film removal station to a rotation station. At the rotation station, the substrate is removed from the shuttle and rotated to a new orientation. After being repositioned on the shuttle, the substrate is transported by the shuttle through a second film removal station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Publication date: May 25, 2006
    Inventor: James Hinkle