Patents by Inventor Norman W. Johnston

Norman W. 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).

  • Patent number: 9076901
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a glass sheet 10, 21 coated with a semiconductor material, which comprises the steps (a) production of a glass strip in a float bath 3 containing liquid tin; (b) discharge of the glass strip from the float bath 3 and optionally coating of the glass strip with a transparent, electrically conductive intermediate layer; (c) transfer of the uncoated or coated glass strip into a deposition chamber 5 for the physical deposition of the semiconductor material from the gas phase; and (d) coating of the coated or uncoated glass strip from step (c) with the semiconductor material by physical deposition of the semiconductor material from the gas phase at a gas pressure of at least 0.1 bar. The invention additionally relates to an apparatus for producing a glass strip coated with a semiconductor material, a process for producing a solar cell or a solar module and also a solar cell or a solar module which can be obtained by this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Calyxo GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Becker, John Bohland, Hubert Joachim Frenck, Michael Bauer, Robert Fischer, Kenneth R. Kormanyos, Norman W. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20130068295
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a glass sheet 10, 21 coated with a semiconductor material, which comprises the steps (a) production of a glass strip in a float bath 3 containing liquid tin; (b) discharge of the glass strip from the float bath 3 and optionally coating of the glass strip with a transparent, electrically conductive intermediate layer; (c) transfer of the uncoated or coated glass strip into a deposition chamber 5 for the physical deposition of the semiconductor material from the gas phase; and (d) coating of the coated or uncoated glass strip from step (c) with the semiconductor material by physical deposition of the semiconductor material from the gas phase at a gas pressure of at least 0.1 bar. The invention additionally relates to an apparatus for producing a glass strip coated with a semiconductor material, a process for producing a solar cell or a solar module and also a solar cell or a solar module which can be obtained by this process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: CALYXO GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Becker, John Bohland, Hubert Joachim Frenck, Michael Bauer, Robert Fischer, Kenneth R. Kormanyos, Norman W. Johnston
  • Patent number: 7674713
    Abstract: A process for coating a substrate at atmospheric pressure comprises the steps of vaporizing a controlled mass of semiconductor material at substantially atmospheric pressure within a heated inert gas stream, to create a fluid mixture having a temperature above the condensation temperature of the semiconductor material, directing the fluid mixture at substantially atmospheric pressure onto the substrate having a temperature below the condensation temperature of the semiconductor material, and depositing a layer of the semiconductor material onto a surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Calyxo GmbH
    Inventors: Norman W. Johnston, Kenneth R. Kormanyos, Nicholas A. Reiter
  • Patent number: 7635647
    Abstract: A process for coating a substrate at atmospheric pressure comprises the steps of vaporizing a controlled mass of semiconductor material at substantially atmospheric pressure within a heated inert gas stream, to create a fluid mixture having a temperature above the condensation temperature of the semiconductor material, directing the fluid mixture at substantially atmospheric pressure onto the substrate having a temperature below the condensation temperature of the semiconductor material, and depositing a layer of the semiconductor material onto a surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Calyxo GmbH
    Inventor: Norman W. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20080311729
    Abstract: A process for coating a substrate at atmospheric pressure comprises the steps of vaporizing a controlled mass of semiconductor material at substantially atmospheric pressure within a heated inert gas stream, to create a fluid mixture having a temperature above the condensation temperature of the semiconductor material, directing the fluid mixture at substantially atmospheric pressure onto the substrate having a temperature below the condensation temperature of the semiconductor material, and depositing a layer of the semiconductor material onto a surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: SOLAR FIELDS, LLC.
    Inventor: Norman W. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20080153268
    Abstract: A process for coating a substrate at atmospheric pressure comprises the steps of vaporizing a controlled mass of semiconductor material at substantially atmospheric pressure within a heated inert gas stream, to create a fluid mixture having a temperature above the condensation temperature of the semiconductor material, directing the fluid mixture at substantially atmospheric pressure onto the substrate having a temperature below the condensation temperature of the semiconductor material, and depositing a layer of the semiconductor material onto a surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: SOLAR FIELDS, LLC
    Inventors: Norman W. Johnston, Kenneth R. Kormanyos, Nicholas A. Reiter
  • Patent number: 4951927
    Abstract: An encapsulated multiple glazed structure is formed by positioning at least two spaced apart substantially coextensive sheets of glazing material wherein the sheets are maintained in aligned spaced relation by a suitable spacer element adjacent the peripheral portions of the facing surfaces of the glazing sheets. The above assemblage is then typically placed within a mold cavity of a suitable molding apparatus and a charge of an elastomeric gasket forming material is injected therein to form an encapsulating gasket around the peripheral edge portions of the assemblage to produce a multiple glazed structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Libbey-Owens-Ford Co.
    Inventors: Norman W. Johnston, Edward W. Curtze
  • Patent number: 4813198
    Abstract: A variable solar control window assembly includes a pair of spaced parallel planar transparent sheets mounted in a frame. An induced transmission filter sheet is selectively movable between the transparent sheets for varying the solar transmission through the window assembly. The filter sheet includes a carrier layer and one or more coating layers, each coating layer formed as a layer of reflective metal material between two layers of dielectric material. The filter sheet can have bearing/protective layers or strips adhered thereto to seal against the frame and to assist in the sliding movement of the filter sheet with respect to the frame. One or both of the transparent sheets can include an anti-lacerative material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Libbey-Owens-Ford Co.
    Inventors: Norman W. Johnston, Darryl J. Costin
  • Patent number: 4712287
    Abstract: A method of assembling a vehicle includes the steps of forming a plurality of different modular window assemblies each having at least one sheet of transparent material upon which a gasket has been formed. A windshield module can include a peripheral gasket, integral leaf screen and a hinged sun roof. A door module can include a peripheral gasket and bracket attached to a window installed in a door. A rear window module can include hinged side windows and a roof panel. After the modules have been formed, they are then assembled to a vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: Libbey-Owens-Ford Co.
    Inventor: Norman W. Johnston
  • Patent number: 3971753
    Abstract: Polymer composites having enhanced mechanical or chemical properties have been prepared by first coating the filler component of the composite with a free-radical polymerization initiator which adheres to the surface of the filler and then polymerizing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer onto the filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1973
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1976
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur C. Frechtling, Norman W. Johnston, Richard G. Shaw