Patents by Inventor Nathan Stoddard
Nathan Stoddard 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: 11885036Abstract: A ribbon is formed such that the ribbon floats on a melt using a cold initializer facing an exposed surface of the melt. The ribbon is single crystal silicon. The ribbon is pulled from the silicon melt at a low angle off the melt surface. The ribbon is formed at a same rate as the pulling. The ribbon is separated from the melt at a wall of the crucible where a stable meniscus forms. The ribbon has a thickness between a first surface and an opposite second surface from 50 ?m to 5 mm. The ribbon includes a first region extending a first depth from the first surface. The first region has a reduced oxygen concentration relative to a bulk of the ribbon.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2020Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Inventors: Jesse S. Appel, Alison Greenlee, Nathan Stoddard, Peter Kellerman, Parthiv Daggolu, Alexander Martinez, Saeed Pirooz, Brandon Williard, Charles Bowen, Brian McMullen, David Morrell, Dawei Sun
-
Publication number: 20230332332Abstract: An apparatus for growing a crystal includes a growth chamber and a melt chamber thermally isolated from the growth chamber. The growth chamber includes: a growth crucible configured to contain a liquid melt; and a die located in the growth crucible, the die having a die opening and one or more capillaries extending from within the growth crucible toward the die opening. The melt chamber includes: a melt crucible configured to receive feedstock material; and at least one heating element positioned within the melt chamber relative to the melt crucible to melt the feedstock material within the melt crucible to form the liquid melt. The apparatus also includes at least one capillary conveyor in fluid communication with the melt crucible and the growth crucible to transport the liquid melt from the melt crucible to the growth crucible.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventor: Nathan STODDARD
-
Patent number: 11761119Abstract: A die for growing a single crystal by an Edge-defined Film-fed Growth (EFG) technique includes a first outer die plate; a second outer die plate; and at least one central die plate positioned between the first outer die plate and the second outer die plate such that at least two capillaries are formed between the first outer die plate and the second outer die plate. First ends of the first outer die plate and the second outer die plate have a slope extending away from at least one of the at least two capillaries to form a growth interface at a top of the die. Second ends of the first outer die plate and the second outer die plate are immersed in a raw material melt provided in a crucible. The raw material melt is configured to travel to the growth interface by capillary flow of the raw material melt through the at least two capillaries.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: II-VI DELAWARE, INC.Inventors: Nathan Stoddard, Melissa Seitz
-
Patent number: 11725304Abstract: An apparatus for growing a crystal includes a growth chamber and a melt chamber thermally isolated from the growth chamber. The growth chamber includes: a growth crucible configured to contain a liquid melt; and a die located in the growth crucible, the die having a die opening and one or more capillaries extending from within the growth crucible toward the die opening. The melt chamber includes: a melt crucible configured to receive feedstock material; and at least one heating element positioned within the melt chamber relative to the melt crucible to melt the feedstock material within the melt crucible to form the liquid melt. The apparatus also includes at least one capillary conveyor in fluid communication with the melt crucible and the growth crucible to transport the liquid melt from the melt crucible to the growth crucible.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: II-VI DELAWARE, INC.Inventor: Nathan Stoddard
-
Patent number: 11728451Abstract: A solar module includes a laminate structure having at least two solar cells. Each of the solar cells has an individual reinforcement laminated to one face of each of the solar cells. The solar cells are spaced apart from each other and the individual reinforcements are spaced apart from each other such that a gap is defined between each of the solar cells. The solar module includes flexible conductors that extend through the gap between the solar cells and electrically connect the solar cells to each other.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2019Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: MAXEON SOLAR PTE. LTD.Inventors: Nathan Stoddard, Mukesh Dulani
-
Publication number: 20230099939Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a thickness of a crystalline ribbon grown on a surface of a melt includes a crucible configured to hold a melt; a cold initializer facing an exposed surface of the melt; a segmented cooled thinning controller disposed above the crucible on a side of the crucible with the cold initializer; and a uniform melt-back heater disposed below of the crucible opposite the cooled thinning controller. Heat is applied to the ribbon through the melt using a uniform melt-back heater disposed below the melt. Cooling is applied to the ribbon using a segmented cooled thinning controller facing the crystalline ribbon above the melt.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2021Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Peter KELLERMAN, Alison GREENLEE, Parthiv DAGGOLU, Alexander MARTINEZ, Nathan STODDARD
-
Publication number: 20220325438Abstract: A single crystal silicon wafer has a thickness between a first surface and an opposite second surface from 50 ?m to 300 ?m. The wafer includes a first region extending a first depth from the first surface. The first region has a reduced oxygen concentration relative to an adjacent region of the wafer. The wafer has a bulk minority carrier lifetime greater than 100 ?s.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2020Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventors: Jesse S. Appel, Alison Greenlee, Nathan Stoddard, Peter Kellerman, Parthiv Daggolu, Alexander Martinez, Saeed Pirooz
-
Publication number: 20220316087Abstract: A ribbon is formed such that the ribbon floats on a melt using a cold initializer facing an exposed surface of the melt. The ribbon is single crystal silicon. The ribbon is pulled from the silicon melt at a low angle off the melt surface. The ribbon is formed at a same rate as the pulling. The ribbon is separated from the melt at a wall of the crucible where a stable meniscus forms. The ribbon has a thickness between a first surface and an opposite second surface from 50 ?m to 5 mm. The ribbon includes a first region extending a first depth from the first surface. The first region has a reduced oxygen concentration relative to a bulk of the ribbon.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2020Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Alison Greenlee, Nathan Stoddard, Jesse S. Appel, Peter Kellerman, Parthiv Daggolu, Alexander Martinez, Saeed Pirooz, Brandon Williard, Charles Bowen, Brian McMullen, David Morrell, Dawei SUN
-
Patent number: 11463044Abstract: Corner connection members for a photovoltaic module frame include thru-passages for receiving insert components that perform and facilitate a variety of functions, such as attaching the photovoltaic module to a roof, providing a ground connection for the solar cells, to facilitate the mechanical and electrical connection of photovoltaic modules which are arranged side-by-side, to facilitate securing photovoltaic modules in a stack, and providing mechanical and electrical connections to adjacent photovoltaic modules in an array. Insert components may also include electronic devices, such as microinverters and energy storage devices, which are connected to the photovoltaic modules when the insert component is installed in the corner member.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATIONInventors: Beryl Weinshenker, Nathan Stoddard, Steve Sefchick, Eric Olson
-
Publication number: 20220162772Abstract: A die for growing a single crystal by an Edge-defined Film-fed Growth (EFG) technique includes a first outer die plate; a second outer die plate; and at least one central die plate positioned between the first outer die plate and the second outer die plate such that at least two capillaries are formed between the first outer die plate and the second outer die plate. First ends of the first outer die plate and the second outer die plate have a slope extending away from at least one of the at least two capillaries to form a growth interface at a top of the die. Second ends of the first outer die plate and the second outer die plate are immersed in a raw material melt provided in a crucible. The raw material melt is configured to travel to the growth interface by capillary flow of the raw material melt through the at least two capillaries.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2022Publication date: May 26, 2022Inventors: Nathan Stoddard, Melissa Seitz
-
Publication number: 20220145494Abstract: A system for producing a ribbon from a melt includes a crucible to contain a melt and a cold block. The cold block has a surface that directly faces an exposed surface of the melt. A ribbon is formed on the melt using the cold block. A furnace is operatively connected to the crucible. The ribbon passes through the furnace after removal from the melt. The furnace includes at least one gas jet. The gas jet can dope the ribbon, form a diffusion barrier on the ribbon, and/or passivate the ribbon. Part of the ribbon passes through the furnace while part of the ribbon is being formed in the crucible using the cold block.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2020Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Alison GREENLEE, Jesse S. APPEL, Nathan STODDARD
-
Publication number: 20220127753Abstract: An apparatus for growing a crystal includes a growth chamber and a melt chamber thermally isolated from the growth chamber. The growth chamber includes: a growth crucible configured to contain a liquid melt; and a die located in the growth crucible, the die having a die opening and one or more capillaries extending from within the growth crucible toward the die opening. The melt chamber includes: a melt crucible configured to receive feedstock material; and at least one heating element positioned within the melt chamber relative to the melt crucible to melt the feedstock material within the melt crucible to form the liquid melt. The apparatus also includes at least one capillary conveyor in fluid communication with the melt crucible and the growth crucible to transport the liquid melt from the melt crucible to the growth crucible.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2022Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventor: Nathan Stoddard
-
Patent number: 11274379Abstract: A die for growing a single crystal by an Edge-defined Film-fed Growth (EFG) technique includes a first outer die plate; a second outer die plate; and at least one central die plate positioned between the first outer die plate and the second outer die plate such that at least two capillaries are formed between the first outer die plate and the second outer die plate. First ends of the first outer die plate and the second outer die plate have a slope extending away from at least one of the at least two capillaries to form a growth interface at a top of the die. Second ends of the first outer die plate and the second outer die plate are immersed in a raw material melt provided in a crucible. The raw material melt is configured to travel to the growth interface by capillary flow of the raw material melt through the at least two capillaries.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: II-VI DELAWARE, INC.Inventors: Nathan Stoddard, Melissa Seitz
-
Patent number: 11248312Abstract: An apparatus for growing a crystal includes a growth chamber and a melt chamber thermally isolated from the growth chamber. The growth chamber includes: a growth crucible configured to contain a liquid melt; and a die located in the growth crucible, the die having a die opening and one or more capillaries extending from within the growth crucible toward the die opening. The melt chamber includes: a melt crucible configured to receive feedstock material; and at least one heating element positioned within the melt chamber relative to the melt crucible to melt the feedstock material within the melt crucible to form the liquid melt. The apparatus also includes at least one capillary conveyor in fluid communication with the melt crucible and the growth crucible to transport the liquid melt from the melt crucible to the growth crucible.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: II-VI DELAWARE, INC.Inventor: Nathan Stoddard
-
Publication number: 20210262120Abstract: A die for growing a single crystal by an Edge-defined Film-fed Growth (EFG) technique includes a first outer die plate; a second outer die plate; and at least one central die plate positioned between the first outer die plate and the second outer die plate such that at least two capillaries are formed between the first outer die plate and the second outer die plate. First ends of the first outer die plate and the second outer die plate have a slope extending away from at least one of the at least two capillaries to form a growth interface at a top of the die. Second ends of the first outer die plate and the second outer die plate are immersed in a raw material melt provided in a crucible. The raw material melt is configured to travel to the growth interface by capillary flow of the raw material melt through the at least two capillaries.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2020Publication date: August 26, 2021Inventors: Nathan Stoddard, Melissa Seitz
-
Publication number: 20210156047Abstract: An apparatus for growing a crystal includes a growth chamber and a melt chamber thermally isolated from the growth chamber. The growth chamber includes: a growth crucible configured to contain a liquid melt; and a die located in the growth crucible, the die having a die opening and one or more capillaries extending from within the growth crucible toward the die opening. The melt chamber includes: a melt crucible configured to receive feedstock material; and at least one heating element positioned within the melt chamber relative to the melt crucible to melt the feedstock material within the melt crucible to form the liquid melt. The apparatus also includes at least one capillary conveyor in fluid communication with the melt crucible and the growth crucible to transport the liquid melt from the melt crucible to the growth crucible.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2019Publication date: May 27, 2021Inventor: Nathan Stoddard
-
Publication number: 20190305160Abstract: A solar module includes a laminate structure having at least two solar cells. Each of the solar cells has an individual reinforcement laminated to one face of each of the solar cells. The solar cells are spaced apart from each other and the individual reinforcements are spaced apart from each other such that a gap is defined between each of the solar cells. The solar module includes flexible conductors that extend through the gap between the solar cells and electrically connect the solar cells to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Applicant: SunPower CorporationInventors: Nathan Stoddard, Mukesh Dulani
-
Patent number: 10421208Abstract: A method for cleaving wafers comprising the following steps: providing a slice of a crystalline material with at least a first plane side, providing at least one stressing means to be attached to said slice, wherein said at least one stressing means is at least in parts made of a material with a coefficient of thermal expansion different from that of the slice, attaching said stressing means to said first plane side of said slice to form a stack, inducing a thermal shear stress to said slice by applying a temperature change to said stack.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATIONInventors: Nathan Stoddard, Bjoern Seipel
-
Patent number: 10381498Abstract: A solar module includes a laminate structure having at least two solar cells. Each of the solar cells has an individual reinforcement laminated to one face of each of the solar cells. The solar cells are spaced apart from each other and the individual reinforcements are spaced apart from each other such that a gap is defined between each of the solar cells. The solar module includes flexible conductors that extend through the gap between the solar cells and electrically connect the solar cells to each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2018Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATIONInventors: Nathan Stoddard, Mukesh Dulani
-
Patent number: 10355152Abstract: A solar module includes a laminate structure having at least two solar cells. Each of the solar cells has an individual reinforcement laminated to one face of each of the solar cells. The solar cells are spaced apart from each other and the individual reinforcements are spaced apart from each other such that a gap is defined between each of the solar cells. The solar module includes flexible conductors that extend through the gap between the solar cells and electrically connect the solar cells to each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2015Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Sunpower CorporationInventors: Nathan Stoddard, Mukesh Dulani