Patents by Inventor James R. Walle

James R. Walle 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).

  • Patent number: 6407327
    Abstract: A radiation tolerant solar cell array module which can be efficiently assembled into a larger solar panel to generate power for a spacecraft the module includes at least first and second single-crystal solar cells. The first and second solar cells have front sides and back sides. At least one of the solar cells has a shallow junction N on P structure. A first contact is formed on at least the back side of the first solar cell. A second contact formed on at least the back side of the second solar cell. A conductor is in electrical communication with the first contact and the second contact. A substantially transparent ceria-doped cover overlays at least a portion of each of the solar cells. The cover remains substantially transparent when exposed to an AM0 space radiation environment. A substantially transparent adhesive is situated between the cover and the solar cell portions. The adhesive remains substantially transparent when exposed to a space radiation environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Tecstar Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Ralph, Ellen B. Linder, James P. Hanley, Mark DeWitt, James R. Walle, Norman L. Beze
  • Patent number: 6156967
    Abstract: A radiation tolerant solar cell array module which can be efficiently assembled into a larger solar panel to generate power for a spacecraft the module includes at least first and second single-crystal solar cells. The first and second solar cells have front sides and back sides. At least one of the solar cells has a shallow junction N on P structure. A first contact is formed on at least the back side of the first solar cell. A second contact formed on at least the back side of the second solar cell. A conductor is in electrical communication with the first contact and the second contact. A substantially transparent ceria-doped cover overlays at least a portion of each of the solar cells. The cover remains substantially transparent when exposed to an AM0 space radiation environment. A substantially transparent adhesive is situated between the cover and the solar cell portions. The adhesive remains substantially transparent when exposed to a space radiation environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Tecstar Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Ralph, Ellen B. Linder, James P. Hanley, Mark DeWitt, James R. Walle, Norman L. Beze