Patents by Inventor Michael Nowlan

Michael Nowlan 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).

  • INFRARED DETECTION OF SOLAR CELL DEFECTS UNDER FORWARD BIAS
    Publication number: 20050252545
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for detecting solar cell defects by applying a forward-biasing electric current through a silicon solar cell or a group of interconnected solar cells for a short duration and then analyzing the resulting thermal image of each cell with an infrared (IR) camera. The invention is particularly useful in assembling solar cell arrays or modules in which large numbers of cells are to be wired together. Automated module assemblers are disclosed in which the cells (or strings of cells) are tested for defects prior to final module assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Applicant: SPIRE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Nowlan, Scott Moore, David Miller, Scot Sutherland