Patents by Inventor Keith Johnston

Keith Johnston 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: 20160049791
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) system can include strings of PV collection devices. A positive parallel bus can be coupled to positive terminals of first and second strings and a negative parallel bus can be coupled to negative terminals of first and second strings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Keith Johnston, Nicholas Ford
  • Publication number: 20160036380
    Abstract: A photovoltaic string may include an open circuit voltage limiter that conducts current in one direction to provide a limiter voltage less than an open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string, and that conducts current in the other direction. One or more open circuit voltage limiters may be connected across the photovoltaic string or across selected groups of solar cells of the photovoltaic string. The limiter voltage may be greater than a maximum power point voltage but less than the open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Keith JOHNSTON, Zachary S. JUDKINS
  • Patent number: 9190839
    Abstract: A photovoltaic string may include an open circuit voltage limiter that conducts current in one direction to provide a limiter voltage less than an open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string, and that conducts current in the other direction. One or more open circuit voltage limiters may be connected across the photovoltaic string or across selected groups of solar cells of the photovoltaic string. The limiter voltage may be greater than a maximum power point voltage but less than the open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Johnston, Zachary S. Judkins
  • Publication number: 20150037460
    Abstract: The invention process provides a novel process of making cheese comprising the production of a coagulum which is caused to disaggregate into small curd particles in an in-line continuous flow process, separation of the curd particles from the whey and subsequent heating and mechanical working of the curd particles into a cheese mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Keith Johnston, Allan Main, Peter Dudley Elston, Peter Aaron Munro, Robert J. Buwalda
  • Publication number: 20140352761
    Abstract: Optoelectronic devices with bypass diodes are described. An optoelectronic device includes a bypass diode, a heat spreader unit disposed above, and extending over, the bypass diode, and a heat sink disposed above the heat spreader unit. Another optoelectronic device includes a bypass diode, a heat spreader unit disposed above, but not extending over, the bypass diode, and a heat sink disposed above the heat spreader unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Ryan Linderman, Doug Rose, Nicholas Boitnott, Keith Johnston, David B. DeGraaff
  • Publication number: 20140291852
    Abstract: Interconnects for optoelectronic devices are described. For example, an interconnect for an optoelectronic device includes an interconnect body having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end, and a second end. A plurality of bond pads is coupled to the inner surface of the interconnect body, between the first and second ends. A stress relief feature is disposed in the interconnect body. The stress relief feature includes a slot disposed entirely within the interconnect body without extending through to the inner surface, without extending through to the outer surface, without extending through to the first end, and without extending through to the second end of the interconnect body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Ryan Linderman, Keith Johnston, Thomas Phu, Matthew Dawson
  • Patent number: 8809671
    Abstract: Optoelectronic devices with bypass diodes are described. An optoelectronic device includes a bypass diode, a heat spreader unit disposed above, and extending over, the bypass diode, and a heat sink disposed above the heat spreader unit. Another optoelectronic device includes a bypass diode, a heat spreader unit disposed above, but not extending over, the bypass diode, and a heat sink disposed above the heat spreader unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Sunpower Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Linderman, Doug Rose, Nicholas Boitnott, Keith Johnston, David B. DeGraaff
  • Patent number: 8786095
    Abstract: Interconnects for optoelectronic devices are described. For example, an interconnect for an optoelectronic device includes an interconnect body having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end, and a second end. A plurality of bond pads is coupled to the inner surface of the interconnect body, between the first and second ends. A stress relief feature is disposed in the interconnect body. The stress relief feature includes a slot disposed entirely within the interconnect body without extending through to the inner surface, without extending through to the outer surface, without extending through to the first end, and without extending through to the second end of the interconnect body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Linderman, Keith Johnston, Thomas Phu, Matthew Dawson
  • Publication number: 20140153149
    Abstract: A photovoltaic string may include an open circuit voltage limiter that conducts current in one direction to provide a limiter voltage less than an open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string, and that conducts current in the other direction. One or more open circuit voltage limiters may be connected across the photovoltaic string or across selected groups of solar cells of the photovoltaic string. The limiter voltage may be greater than a maximum power point voltage but less than the open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Keith JOHNSTON, Zachary S. JUDKINS
  • Publication number: 20140106029
    Abstract: The invention process provides a novel process of making cheese comprising the production of a coagulum which is caused to disaggregate into small curd particles in an in-line continuous flow process, separation of the curd particles from the whey and subsequent heating and mechanical working of the curd particles into a cheese mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited
    Inventors: Keith Johnston, Allan Main, Peter Dudley Elston, Peter Aaron Munro, Robert J. Buwalda
  • Publication number: 20140048119
    Abstract: Arrangements of diodes and heat spreaders for solar modules are described. For example, a solar module may include a backsheet with a low profile, surface-mount diode disposed above the backsheet. A pair of ribbon interconnects is coupled to the low profile, surface-mount diode and may penetrate the backsheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: KEITH JOHNSTON, Ryan Linderman, Lewis Abra, Matthew Dawson
  • Patent number: 8630077
    Abstract: A photovoltaic string may include an open circuit voltage limiter that conducts current in one direction to provide a limiter voltage less than an open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string, and that conducts current in the other direction. One or more open circuit voltage limiters may be connected across the photovoltaic string or across selected groups of solar cells of the photovoltaic string. The limiter voltage may be greater than a maximum power point voltage but less than the open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Johnston, Zachary S. Judkins
  • Publication number: 20130344198
    Abstract: The invention process provides a novel process of making cheese comprising the production of a coagulum which is caused to disaggregate into small curd particles in an in-line continuous flow process, separation of the curd particles from the whey and subsequent heating and mechanical working of the curd particles into a cheese mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Fontera Co-Operative Group Limited
    Inventors: Keith Johnston, Allan Main, Peter Dudley Elston, Peter Aaron Munro, Robert J. Buwalda
  • Patent number: 8563849
    Abstract: Arrangements of diodes and heat spreaders for solar modules are described. For example, a solar module may include a backsheet with a low profile, surface-mount diode disposed above the backsheet. A pair of ribbon interconnects is coupled to the low profile, surface-mount diode and may penetrate the backsheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Johnston, Ryan Linderman, Lewis Abra, Matthew Dawson
  • Publication number: 20130257155
    Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes solar cells and an inverter configured to convert direct current generated by the solar cells to alternating current. The photovoltaic system includes a maximum power point (MPP) tracking module configured to perform MPP tracking for the photovoltaic system. The MPP tracking module is configured to detect shading of the solar cells and to modify its MPP tracking to prevent tracking of local MPPs. The MPP tracking module may be incorporated in the inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Zachary S. JUDKINS, Keith JOHNSTON
  • Patent number: 8543710
    Abstract: Systems and methods intended to control a network devices access to a network are disclosed. Embodiments of the current invention expose a method for confining a network client's network access to a specific logical region of the network. A network communication may be received and the client that originated this communication determined. This client is associated with a set of rules or walled garden that specifies the access allowed by that client. The destination of the communication may also be determined and if the destination is allowed by the set of rules associated with the client and access to the destination allowed if access to the destination is allowed by the set of rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: RPX Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Turley, Keith Johnston, Steven D. Tonnesen
  • Publication number: 20130228906
    Abstract: Interconnects for optoelectronic devices are described. For example, an interconnect for an optoelectronic device includes an interconnect body having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end, and a second end. A plurality of bond pads is coupled to the inner surface of the interconnect body, between the first and second ends. A stress relief feature is disposed in the interconnect body. The stress relief feature includes a slot disposed entirely within the interconnect body without extending through to the inner surface, without extending through to the outer surface, without extending through to the first end, and without extending through to the second end of the interconnect body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Ryan Linderman, Keith Johnston, Thomas Phu, Matthew Dawson
  • Publication number: 20130163137
    Abstract: A photovoltaic string may include an open circuit voltage limiter that conducts current in one direction to provide a limiter voltage less than an open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string, and that conducts current in the other direction. One or more open circuit voltage limiters may be connected across the photovoltaic string or across selected groups of solar cells of the photovoltaic string. The limiter voltage may be greater than a maximum power point voltage but less than the open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Keith JOHNSTON, Zachary S. JUDKINS
  • Patent number: 8426974
    Abstract: Interconnects for optoelectronic devices are described. An interconnect may include a stress relief feature. An interconnect may include an L-shaped feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Linderman, Keith Johnston, Thomas Phu, Matthew Dawson
  • Publication number: 20130049710
    Abstract: Devices for reducing the open circuit voltages of solar systems are described. In one embodiment, a solar system includes a string of a plurality of solar modules having an open circuit voltage. The solar system also includes a device for reducing the open circuit voltage of the string of the plurality of solar modules during an open circuit configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Steven M. Kraft, Kevin Fischer, Greg Beardsworth, Zachary S. Judkins, Keith Johnston