Patents by Inventor Pat Buehler

Pat Buehler 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).

  • Electrical test apparatus for a photovoltaic component
    Patent number: 9312806
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electrical test apparatuses for photovoltaic modules and methods of testing photovoltaic modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Pat Buehler, David Kahle, Matthew J. Mattin, Kevin Niebel
  • Electrical test apparatus for a photovoltaic component
    Patent number: 9306491
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electrical test apparatuses for photovoltaic components and methods of testing photovoltaic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Pat Buehler, David Kahle, Matthew J. Mattin, Kevin Niebel
  • Solar module test control
    Patent number: 8803537
    Abstract: A method for conditioning a photovoltaic module for testing includes setting an effective irradiance of a continuous light source at a target plane, configuring a test photovoltaic module to operate at a substantially maximum power point configuration, positioning the test photovoltaic module adjacent to the target plane, and configuring the test photovoltaic module for testing by removing the light source, cooling the test module to a testing temperature, and reversing the substantially maximum power point configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Pat Buehler, Sumanth Varma Lokanath, Madhu Sayala, Christinia Snider, Jim Sorensen, Paul Wolffersdorff
  • System and method for measuring photovoltaic module thickness
    Patent number: 8681345
    Abstract: A system for determining a thickness of a photovoltaic module may include a first displacement sensor and a second displacement sensor along a shared axis. The system may also include a support structure that supports the first and second displacement sensors and locates the sensors on either side of the photovoltaic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Pat Buehler, David Kahle
  • Mechanical load testing system and pressure applicator for a photovoltaic device
    Patent number: 8534134
    Abstract: A system for determining load capacity for a photovoltaic module includes a clip to position a photovoltaic module surface at a load test position and a load test device proximate to the clip, including a pressure applicator and an actuator, wherein the actuator is capable of moving the pressure applicator toward the load test position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Pat Buehler, David Kahle, Kevin Niebel, Geoffrey Dean Rich
  • ELECTRICAL TEST APPARATUS FOR A PHOTOVOLTAIC COMPONENT
    Publication number: 20120293182
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electrical test apparatuses for photovoltaic components and methods of testing photovoltaic components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: PAT BUEHLER, David Kahle, Matthew J. Mattin, Kevin Niebel
  • ELECTRICAL TEST APPARATUS FOR A PHOTOVOLTAIC COMPONENT
    Publication number: 20120268149
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electrical test apparatuses for photovoltaic modules and methods of testing photovoltaic modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Pat Buehler, David Kahle, Matthew J. Mattin, Kevin Niebel
  • MECHANICAL LOAD TESTING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20110283806
    Abstract: A system for determining load capacity for a photovoltaic module includes a clip to position a photovoltaic module surface at a load test position and a load test device proximate to the clip, including a pressure applicator and an actuator, wherein the actuator is capable of moving the pressure applicator toward the load test position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Pat Buehler, David Kahle, Kevin Niebel, Geoffrey Dean Rich
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE THICKNESS
    Publication number: 20110235055
    Abstract: A system for determining a thickness of a photovoltaic module may include a first displacement sensor and a second displacement sensor along a shared axis. The system may also include a support structure that supports the first and second displacement sensors and locates the sensors on either side of the photovoltaic module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Pat Buehler, David Kahle
  • SOLAR MODULE TEST CONTROL
    Publication number: 20110204909
    Abstract: A method for conditioning a photovoltaic module for testing includes setting an effective irradiance of a continuous light source at a target plane, configuring a test photovoltaic module to operate at a substantially maximum power point configuration, positioning the test photovoltaic module adjacent to the target plane, and configuring the test photovoltaic module for testing by removing the light source, cooling the test module to a testing temperature, and reversing the substantially maximum power point configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Pat Buehler, Sumanth Varma Lokanath, Madhu Sayala, Christinia Snider, Jim Sorensen, Paul Wolffersdorff