Patents by Inventor Keith L. Kauffmann

Keith L. Kauffmann 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: 11018624
    Abstract: A photovoltaic assembly comprising: (a) at least two photovoltaic components that are adjacent to each other, each photovoltaic component comprising: (i) a partial connector channel in communication with a partial connector channel in an adjacent photovoltaic component and (ii) one or more connector receptors; (b) a connector located at least partially in the partial connector channel of the photovoltaic component and at least partially in the partial connector channel of the adjacent photovoltaic component so that the connector connects the photovoltaic component to the adjacent photovoltaic component, the connector comprising: a housing having: (1) a top housing and (2) a bottom housing, wherein the top housing and the bottom housing each include a first end and a second end; one or more flexible electrical conductors that extend from the first end to the second end; wherein the top housing and the bottom housing each include one or more mechanical flexing regions that allow the housing to mechanically flex
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Piyush R. Thakre, Abhijit A. Namjoshi, Jay M. Tudor, Joseph A. Langmaid, Keith L. Kauffmann, Leonardo C. Lopez
  • Patent number: 10173813
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a flexible container. In an embodiment, the flexible container includes a first multilayer film and a second multilayer film. Each multilayer film comprises an inner seal layer. The multilayer films are arranged such that the seal layers oppose each other and the second multilayer film is superimposed on the first multilayer film. The multilayer films are sealed along a common peripheral edge. The flexible container includes an orifice in one of the multilayer films, and a pop-up spout extends through the orifice. The pop-up spout has a flange sealed to the multilayer film around the orifice. The pop-up spout comprises an ethylene/?-olefin multi-block copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Liangkai Ma, Jorge Caminero Gomes, Scott R. Kaleyta, Daniel Ramirez, Ronald K. Jenkins, Kevin L. Church, Jeffrey D. Zawisza, Sam L. Crabtree, Keith L. Kauffmann, Peter J. Schulz, John F. Kohn, Chad V. Schuette
  • Publication number: 20180086515
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a flexible container. In an embodiment, the flexible container includes a first multilayer film and a second multilayer film. Each multilayer film comprises an inner seal layer. The multilayer films are arranged such that the seal layers oppose each other and the second multilayer film is superimposed on the first multilayer film. The multilayer films are sealed along a common peripheral edge. The flexible container includes an orifice in one of the multilayer films, and a pop-up spout extends through the orifice. The pop-up spout has a flange sealed to the multilayer film around the orifice. The pop-up spout comprises an ethylene/?-olefin multi-block copolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Liangkai Ma, Jorge Caminero Gomes, Scott R. Kaleyta, Daniel Ramirez, Ronald K. Jenkins, Kevin L. Church, Jeffrey D. Zawisza, Sam L. Crabtree, Keith L. Kauffmann, Peter J. Schulz, John F. Kohn, Chad V. Schuette
  • Publication number: 20170317644
    Abstract: A photovoltaic assembly comprising: (a) at least two photovoltaic components that are adjacent to each other, each photovoltaic component comprising: (i) a partial connector channel in communication with a partial connector channel in an adjacent photovoltaic component and (ii) one or more connector receptors; (b) a connector located at least partially in the partial connector channel of the photovoltaic component and at least partially in the partial connector channel of the adjacent photovoltaic component so that the connector connects the photovoltaic component to the adjacent photovoltaic component, the connector comprising: a housing having: (1) a top housing and (2) a bottom housing, wherein the top housing and the bottom housing each include a first end and a second end; one or more flexible electrical conductors that extend from the first end to the second end; wherein the top housing and the bottom housing each include one or more mechanical flexing regions that allow the housing to mechanically flex
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Piyush R. Thakre, Abhijit A. Namjoshi, Jay M. Tudor, Joseph A. Langmaid, Keith L. Kauffmann, Leonardo C. Lopez
  • Publication number: 20170248344
    Abstract: A photovoltaic module comprising: a base plate and a photovoltaic laminate that are connected together; wherein the photovoltaic module is configured to be directly connected to a roofing structure and provide roofing functions, and wherein the photovoltaic laminate is removable from the base plate without damaging the base plate and the base plate retains its roofing functions when the photovoltaic laminate is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Keith L. Kauffmann, Leonardo C. Lopez, Gerald K. Eurich, Patrick M. Kelleher, Joseph A. Langmaid, Mark J. Lux, Abhijit A. Namjoshi, Chad V. Schuette, Matthew A. Stempki, Jay M. Tudor, Kwanho Yang
  • Publication number: 20170099029
    Abstract: The present invention is premised upon an improved photovoltaic device (“PV device”) more particularly to an improved photovoltaic device with a multilayered photovoltaic cell assembly and a body portion joined at an interface region and including an intermediate layer, at least one interconnecting structural member, relieving feature, unique component geometry or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Jason A. Reese, James R. Keenihan, Ryan S. Gaston, Keith L. Kauffmann, Joseph A. Langmaid, Leonardo C. Lopez, Kevin D. Maak, Michael E. Mills, Narayan Ramesh, Samar R. Teli
  • Patent number: 9602046
    Abstract: The present invention is premised upon an improved photovoltaic device (“PV device”), more particularly to an improved photovoltaic device with a multilayered photovoltaic cell assembly and a body portion joined at an interface region and including an intermediate layer, at least one interconnecting structural member, relieving feature, unique component geometry, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jason A Reese, James R Keenihan, Ryan S Gaston, Keith L Kauffmann, Joseph A Langmaid, Leonardo C Lopez, Kevin D Maak, Michael E Mills, Narayan Ramesh, Samar R Teli
  • Patent number: 9525090
    Abstract: The invention is a flexible photovoltaic article having excellent environmental barrier and mechanical protection for the photovoltaic system. The article comprises top side protective layers that include a flexible thin film glass under a top side stress relieving layer and on the opposite side of the photovoltaic cell a backside stress relieving layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Rahul Sharma, Siddharth Ram Athreya, Xuming Chen, Keith L. Kauffmann, Leonardo C. Lopez, Kwanho Yang
  • Publication number: 20150263665
    Abstract: The present invention is premised upon an improved photovoltaic device (“PV device”), more particularly to an improved photovoltaic device with a multilayered photovoltaic cell assembly and a body portion joined at an interface region and including an intermediate layer, at least one interconnecting structural member, relieving feature, unique component geometry, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Jason A. Reese, James R. Keenihan, Ryan S. Gaston, Keith L. Kauffmann, Joseph A. Langmaid, Leonardo C. Lopez, Kevin D. Maak, Michael E. Mills, Narayan Ramesh, Samar R. Teli
  • Patent number: 9123847
    Abstract: The present invention is premised upon an improved photovoltaic device (“PV device”), more particularly to an improved photovoltaic device (10) with a multilayered photovoltaic cell assembly (100) and a body portion (200) joined at an interface region (410) and including an intermediate layer (500), at least one interconnecting structural member (1500), relieving feature (2500), unique component geometry, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Jason A. Reese, James R. Keenihan, Ryan S. Gaston, Keith L. Kauffmann, Joseph A. Langmaid, Leonardo C. Lopez, Kevin D. Maak, Michael E. Mills, Narayan Ramesh, Samar R. Teli
  • Publication number: 20150222224
    Abstract: An article of manufacture includes at least two solar active elements separated by a gap, with a flexible material provided to define the gap. The article provides for enhanced resilience and conformity to an installation surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Onkareshwar V. Bijjargi, Siddharth Ram R. Athreya, Edoardo Nicoli, Hua Liu, Keith L. Kauffmann, Jie Feng, Leonardo C. Lopez, Rebekah K. Feist, Rahul Sharma
  • Publication number: 20150155822
    Abstract: The present invention: is premised upon an improved photovoltaic building sheathing member (“PV device”), more particularly to a flexible high modulus photovoltaic building sheathing member, the member comprising: a flexible photovoltaie eel! assembly, a body portion comprised of a body material and connected to a peripheral edge segment of the photovoltaic cell assembly, wherein; the body portion has a cross-sectional area of at least 35 mm2 within 1 cm oft at least 95 percent of points along the peripheral edge segment; wherein the body material comprises a composition having a modulus of 1600 to 9000 MPa between a temperature of ?40 to 85° C., with a coefficient of thermal expansion (GTE) between 5×10?6/° C. and 55×10?6/° C. and the body portion exhibiting a warpage value of less than 15 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Jie Feng, Keith L. Kauffmann, Kwanho Yang, Hua Liu, Jeffrey D. Zawisza, Leonardo C. Lopez
  • Patent number: 9048358
    Abstract: The present invention is premised upon an improved photovoltaic device (“PV device”), more particularly to an improved photovoltaic device with a multilayered photovoltaic cell assembly and a body portion joined at an interface region and including an intermediate layer, at least one interconnecting structural member, relieving feature, unique component geometry, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jason A. Reese, James R. Keenihan, Ryan S. Gaston, Keith L. Kauffmann, Joseph A. Langmaid, Leonardo C. Lopez, Kevin D. Maak, Michael E. Mills, Narayan Ramesh, Samar R. Teli
  • Publication number: 20140311556
    Abstract: The present invention is premised upon -m improved photovoltaic building sheathing member (“PV device”), more particularly to a flexible low modulus photovoltaic building sheathing member, the member comprising: a flexible photovoltaic cell assembly, a body portion comprised of a body material and connected to a; peripheral edge segment of the photovoltaic cell assembly, wherein the body portion has a cross-sectional area of at least 35 mm2 within 1 cm on at least 95 percent of points along the peripheral edge segment: wherein the body material comprises a composition having a modulus of 5 to 200 MPa between a temperature of ?40 to 85° C., with a coefficient of thermal expansion (GTE) below 100×10?6/° C., and the body portion exhibiting a warpage value of less than 15 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jie Feng, Keith L. Kauffmann, Kwanho Yang, Hua Liu, Jeffrey D. Zawisza, Leonardo C. Lopez
  • Publication number: 20140083490
    Abstract: The invention is a flexible photovoltaic article having excellent environmental barrier and mechanical protection for the photovoltaic system. The article comprises top side protective layers that include a flexible thin film glass under a top side stress relieving layer and on the opposite side of the photovoltaic cell a backside stress relieving layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Rahul Sharma, Siddharth Ram Athreya, Xuming Chen, Keith L. Kauffmann, Leonardo C. Lopez, Kwanho Yang
  • Publication number: 20130247988
    Abstract: The present invention is premised upon an improved photovoltaic device (“PV device”), more particularly to an improved photovoltaic device (10) with a multilayered photovoltaic cell assembly (100) and a body portion (200) joined at an interface region (410) and including an intermediate layer (500), at least one interconnecting structural member (1500), relieving feature (2500), unique component geometry, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Jason A. Reese, James R. Keenihan, Ryan S. Gaston, Keith L. Kauffmann, Joseph A. Langmaid, Leonardo C. Lopez, Kevin D. Maak, Michael E. Mills, Narayan Ramesh, Samar R. Teli
  • Publication number: 20130247986
    Abstract: The present invention is premised upon an improved photovoltaic device (“PV device”), more particularly to an improved photovoltaic device with a multilayered photovoltaic cell assembly and a body portion joined at an interface region and including an intermediate layer, at least one interconnecting structural member, relieving feature, unique component geometry, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Jason A. Reese, James R. Keenihan, Ryan S. Gaston, Keith L. Kauffmann, Joseph A. Langmaid, Leonardo C. Lopez, Kevin D. Maak, Michael E. Mills, Narayan Ramesh, Samar R. Teli
  • Publication number: 20130233385
    Abstract: The present invention is premised upon an improved photovoltaic device (“PV device”), more particularly to an improved photovoltaic device with a multilayered photovoltaic cell assembly and a body portion joined at an interface region and including an intermediate layer, at least one interconnecting structural member, relieving feature, unique component geometry, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Jason A. Reese, James R. Keenihan, Ryan S. Gaston, Keith L. Kauffmann, Joseph A. Langmaid, Leonardo C. Lopez, Kevin D. Maak, Michael E. Mills, Narayan Ramesh, Samar R. Teli