Patents by Inventor Kevin Beernink
Kevin Beernink 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: 8168881Abstract: A photovoltaic module comprised of a plurality of series connected photovoltaic cells disposed upon a substrate is fabricated utilizing thin film device techniques. A body of photovoltaic stock material comprised of an electrically conductive substrate having at least a bottom electrode layer, a body of photovoltaic material, and a top electrode layer supported thereupon is patterned so as to define a number of individual, electrically isolated photovoltaic cells and a number of electrically isolated connection zones. The connection zones are patterned to each include a portion of the bottom electrode material and are configured so that the bottom electrode material in each segment of the connection zone is exposed, and is in electrical communication with the bottom electrode portion of a particular cell.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: United Solar Ovonic LLCInventors: Kevin Beernink, Shengzhong Liu
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Patent number: 7964476Abstract: A system for the laser scribing of semiconductor devices includes a laser light source operable to selectably deliver laser illumination at a first wavelength and at a second wavelength which is shorter than the first wavelength. The system further includes a support for a semiconductor device and an optical system which is operative to direct the laser illumination from the light source to the semiconductor device. The optical system includes optical elements which are compatible with the laser illumination of the first wavelength and the laser illumination of the second wavelength. In specific instances, the first wavelength is long wavelength illumination such as illumination of at least 1000 nanometers, and the second wavelength is short wavelength illumination which in specific instances is 300 nanometers or shorter. By the use of the differing wavelengths, specific layers of the semiconductor device may be scribed without damage to subjacent layers. Also disclosed are specific scribing processes.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2008Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: United Solar Ovonic LLCInventors: Shengzhong Liu, Ginger Pietka, Kevin Beernink, Arindam Banerjee, Chi Yang, Subhendu Guha
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Patent number: 7947149Abstract: A web of a first sheet material and a web of a second sheet material are laminated together by a process wherein the sheet materials are wound, in an interleaved relationship, upon a roller having a radially displaceable outer surface. The roller and webs and then subjected to heating and/or a low-pressure environment so as to complete the lamination. A body of adhesive material, such as a hot melt adhesive, may be interposed between the webs and the heating or low pressure environment can activate this adhesive. Further disposed are particular configurations of rollers with radially displaceable surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2008Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: United Solar Ovonic LLCInventors: Arthur Myatt, Gregory Demaggio, Kevin Beernink, Kermit Jones, Kenneth Lord
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Publication number: 20100059098Abstract: A photovoltaic module comprised of a plurality of series connected photovoltaic cells disposed upon a substrate is fabricated utilizing thin film device techniques. A body of photovoltaic stock material comprised of an electrically conductive substrate having at least a bottom electrode layer, a body of photovoltaic material, and a top electrode layer supported thereupon is patterned so as to define a number of individual, electrically isolated photovoltaic cells and a number of electrically isolated connection zones. The connection zones are patterned to each include a portion of the bottom electrode material and are configured so that the bottom electrode material in each segment of the connection zone is exposed, and is in electrical communication with the bottom electrode portion of a particular cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2008Publication date: March 11, 2010Inventors: Kevin Beernink, Shengzhong Liu
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Patent number: 7638353Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device having front-surface electrical terminals in which the device is manufactured so as to include a bottom electrode, a top electrode and a semiconductor body therebetween. A first bus bar is disposed in a groove in the semiconductor body. It is in electrical communication with the bottom electrode, and includes a tab portion which projects from the device. A second bus bar is in electrical communication with the top electrode, and is disposed atop the first electrode, and electrically insulated therefrom. The tab of the first bus bar provides one terminal of the device and is folded onto the second bus bar and is electrically insulated therefrom. The second bus bar provides the second terminal of the device.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2008Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: United Solar Ovonic LLCInventors: Kevin Beernink, Ginger Pietka, Timothy Barnard
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Publication number: 20090298217Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device having front-surface electrical terminals in which the device is manufactured so as to include a bottom electrode, a top electrode and a semiconductor body therebetween. A first bus bar is disposed in a groove in the semiconductor body. It is in electrical communication with the bottom electrode, and includes a tab portion which projects from the device. A second bus bar is in electrical communication with the top electrode, and is disposed atop the first electrode, and electrically insulated therefrom. The tab of the first bus bar provides one terminal of the device and is folded onto the second bus bar and is electrically insulated therefrom. The second bus bar provides the second terminal of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2008Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventors: Kevin Beernink, Ginger Pietka, Timothy Barnard
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Patent number: 7517465Abstract: An ultra lightweight semiconductor device such as a photovoltaic device is fabricated on a non-etchable barrier layer which is disposed upon an etchable substrate. The device is contacted with an appropriate etchant for a period of time sufficient to remove at least a portion of the thickness of the substrate. The barrier layer prevents damage to the photovoltaic material during the etching process. Photovoltaic devices fabricated by this method have specific power levels in excess of 300 w/kg.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2005Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: United Solar Ovonic LLCInventors: Subhendu Guha, Arindam Banerjee, Kevin Beernink, Todd Johnson, Ginger Pietka, Gregory DeMaggio, Shengzhong (Frank) Liu, Jeffrey Yang
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Publication number: 20090075483Abstract: An ultra lightweight semiconductor device such as a photovoltaic device is fabricated on a non-etchable barrier layer which is disposed upon an etchable substrate. The device is contacted with an appropriate etchant for a period of time sufficient to remove at least a portion of the thickness of the substrate. The barrier layer prevents damage to the photovoltaic material during the etching process. Photovoltaic devices fabricated by this method have specific power levels in excess of 300 w/kg.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2005Publication date: March 19, 2009Inventors: Subhendu Guha, Arindam Banerjee, Kevin Beernink, Todd Johnson, Ginger Pietka, Gregory DeMaggio, Shengzhong (Frank) Liu, Jeffrey Yang
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Publication number: 20080233715Abstract: A system for the laser scribing of semiconductor devices includes a laser light source operable to selectably deliver laser illumination at a first wavelength and at a second wavelength which is shorter than the first wavelength. The system further includes a support for a semiconductor device and an optical system which is operative to direct the laser illumination from the light source to the semiconductor device. The optical system includes optical elements which are compatible with the laser illumination of the first wavelength and the laser illumination of the second wavelength. In specific instances, the first wavelength is long wavelength illumination such as illumination of at least 1000 nanometers, and the second wavelength is short wavelength illumination which in specific instances is 300 nanometers or shorter. By the use of the differing wavelengths, specific layers of the semiconductor device may be scribed without damage to subjacent layers. Also disclosed are specific scribing processes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2008Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventors: Shengzhong Liu, Ginger Pietka, Kevin Beernink, Arindam Banerjee, Chi Yang, Subhendu Guha
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Publication number: 20080179001Abstract: A web of a first sheet material and a web of a second sheet material are laminated together by a process wherein the sheet materials are wound, in an interleaved relationship, upon a roller having a radially displaceable outer surface. The roller and webs and then subjected to heating and/or a low-pressure environment so as to complete the lamination. A body of adhesive material, such as a hot melt adhesive, may be interposed between the webs and the heating or low pressure environment can activate this adhesive. Further disposed are particular configurations of rollers with radially displaceable surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2008Publication date: July 31, 2008Inventors: Arthur Myatt, Gregory Demaggio, Kevin Beernink, Kermit Jones, Kenneth Lord
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Publication number: 20080173349Abstract: A light weight photovoltaic device for use in stratospheric and outer space applications. The device includes a protective surface coating on the light incident side thereof. The protective coating does not deleteriously affect the photovoltaic properties of the solar cell, is formed of a material which protects said solar cell from the harsh conditions in the stratospheric or outer space environment in which the photovoltaic device is adapted to be used; and remains substantially unchanged when exposed to the harsh conditions in the stratosphere or outer space. The protective coating is preferably made of a spray coated silicone based material and is between 0.01 and 2 mil thick.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2007Publication date: July 24, 2008Inventors: Shengzhoug Liu, Kevin Beernink, Arindam Banerjee, Chi-Chung Yang, Subhendu Guha
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Patent number: 7176543Abstract: A thin film semiconductor device such as a photovoltaic device is fabricated on a lightweight substrate material which is affixed to a layer of material which is in turn supported by a carrier. Following the fabrication of the device, the carrier is removed such as by an etching process, leaving the layer of material adhered to the substrate. The adhered layer provides a balancing force to the back side of the substrate which minimizes or eliminates the tendency of the semiconductor device supported on the opposite side of the substrate to cause the substrate to curl. Also disclosed are devices and structures made by this method.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2006Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: United Solar Ovonic Corp.Inventor: Kevin Beernink
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Publication number: 20070013019Abstract: A thin film semiconductor device such as a photovoltaic device is fabricated on a lightweight substrate material which is affixed to a layer of material which is in turn supported by a carrier. Following the fabrication of the device, the carrier is removed such as by an etching process, leaving the layer of material adhered to the substrate. The adhered layer provides a balancing force to the back side of the substrate which minimizes or eliminates the tendency of the semiconductor device supported on the opposite side of the substrate to cause the substrate to curl. Also disclosed are devices and structures made by this method.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2006Publication date: January 18, 2007Inventor: Kevin Beernink
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Patent number: 6803513Abstract: A photovoltaic module includes at least a first and a second photovoltaic cell each having a substrate electrode, a top electrode and a photovoltaic semiconductor body disposed therebetween in electrical communication with the substrate electrode and the top electrode. Each cell includes a plurality of current collecting grid wires disposed atop the top electrode in electrical contact therewith. The grid wires of the first cell are in electrical communication with a current collecting bus bar and the grid wires of the second cell extend onto the first cell so as to establish an unbroken current path therebetween. The grid wires of the second cell may establish electrical communication with the substrate electrode of the first cell, in which case a series connection therebetween is established. Alternatively, the grid wires of the second cell may establish electrical communication with the top electrode of the first cell so as to create a parallel electrical connection therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2002Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: United Solar Systems CorporationInventors: Kevin Beernink, Eric Akkashian
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Publication number: 20040035458Abstract: A photovoltaic module includes at least a first and a second photovoltaic cell each having a substrate electrode, a top electrode and a photovoltaic semiconductor body disposed therebetween in electrical communication with the substrate electrode and the top electrode. Each cell includes a plurality of current collecting grid wires disposed atop the top electrode in electrical contact therewith. The grid wires of the first cell are in electrical communication with a current collecting bus bar and the grid wires of the second cell extend onto the first cell so as to establish an unbroken current path therebetween. The grid wires of the second cell may establish electrical communication with the substrate electrode of the first cell, in which case a series connection therebetween is established. Alternatively, the grid wires of the second cell may establish electrical communication with the top electrode of the first cell so as to create a parallel electrical connection therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2002Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Kevin Beernink, Eric Akkashian
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Patent number: 6423595Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method for scribing the top electrode of semiconductor devices. According to the method, a scribe region of the top electrode is defined by creating a high electrical resistance perimeter there around. A channel having relatively high electrical conductivity is formed between the scribe region of the top electrode and the bottom electrode of the device. The device is then subjected to an electroconversion process wherein a current flow via the conductive path, and through the scribe region of the electrode, causes the bath to render the top electrode material in the scribe area nonconductive.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2001Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: United Solar Systems CorporationInventor: Kevin Beernink