Patents by Inventor Rami Ghannam

Rami Ghannam 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: 10320328
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a photovoltaic thermal hybrid system having a hybrid solar receiver with a photovoltaic module, operatively coupled to the system to deliver an electrical output power for a power user, a thermal collector distinct from the photovoltaic module, wherein the photovoltaic module and/or the thermal collector are movably mounted in the system, a collector thermal storage thermally connected to the thermal collector to store heat collected at the thermal collector, and a positioning mechanism adapted to move the photovoltaic module and/or the thermal collector. The method includes instructing the positioning mechanism to move the photovoltaic module and/or the thermal collector to change a ratio of an intensity of radiation received at the photovoltaic module to an intensity of radiation received at the thermal collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES COPORATION, EGYPT NANOTECHNOLOGY CENTER
    Inventors: Werner Escher, Bruno Michel, Stephan Paredes, Rami Ghannam
  • Patent number: 9985147
    Abstract: A photovoltaic cell includes an absorbing layer configured to generate electron-hole pairs from incident photons of incoming light; and a first grating layer arranged at a first surface of the absorbing layer which is opposite to a second surface of the absorbing layer from which light is incident, wherein the first grating layer includes at least one grating extending along the first surface, wherein the at least one grating has grating structures which are dimensioned to provide a reflectivity for light incident through the absorbing layer back into the absorbing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, EGYPT NANOTECHNOLOGY CENTER
    Inventors: Bruno Michel, Nikolaj Moll, Rami Ghannam
  • Publication number: 20160322933
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a photovoltaic thermal hybrid system having a hybrid solar receiver with a photovoltaic module, operatively coupled to the system to deliver an electrical output power for a power user, a thermal collector distinct from the photovoltaic module, wherein the photovoltaic module and/or the thermal collector are movably mounted in the system, a collector thermal storage thermally connected to the thermal collector to store heat collected at the thermal collector, and a positioning mechanism adapted to move the photovoltaic module and/or the thermal collector. The method includes instructing the positioning mechanism to move the photovoltaic module and/or the thermal collector to change a ratio of an intensity of radiation received at the photovoltaic module to an intensity of radiation received at the thermal collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Werner Escher, Bruno Michel, Stephan Paredes, Rami Ghannam
  • Patent number: 9437766
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a photovoltaic thermal hybrid system having a hybrid solar receiver with a photovoltaic module, operatively coupled to the system to deliver an electrical output power for a power user, a thermal collector distinct from the photovoltaic module, wherein the photovoltaic module and/or the thermal collector are movably mounted in the system, a collector thermal storage thermally connected to the thermal collector to store heat collected at the thermal collector, and a positioning mechanism adapted to move the photovoltaic module and/or the thermal collector. The method includes instructing the positioning mechanism to move the photovoltaic module and/or the thermal collector to change a ratio of an intensity of radiation received at the photovoltaic module to an intensity of radiation received at the thermal collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, EGYPT NANOTECHNOLOGY CENTER
    Inventors: Werner Escher, Bruno Michel, Stephan Paredes, Rami Ghannam
  • Patent number: 9219183
    Abstract: A photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar receiver includes a thermal collector, extending in a first plane and comprising an aperture; and a photovoltaic module, configured for electrical output power delivery, comprising a photo-active area that extends in a second plane at a distance from the first plane, the photo-active area being vis-à-vis the aperture, a projection of the aperture perpendicularly to the second plane corresponding to the photo-active area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, EGYPT NANOTECHNOLOGY CENTER
    Inventors: Werner Escher, Bruno Michel, Stephan Paredes, Rami Ghannam
  • Publication number: 20140060642
    Abstract: A photovoltaic cell includes an absorbing layer configured to generate electron-hole pairs from incident photons of incoming light; and a first grating layer arranged at a first surface of the absorbing layer which is opposite to a second surface of the absorbing layer from which light is incident, wherein the first grating layer includes at least one grating extending along the first surface, wherein the at least one grating has grating structures which are dimensioned to provide a reflectivity for light incident through the absorbing layer back into the absorbing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicants: Egypt Nanotechnology Center, International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bruno Michel, Nikolaj Moll, Rami Ghannam
  • Publication number: 20130255752
    Abstract: A photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar receiver includes a thermal collector, extending in a first plane and comprising an aperture; and a photovoltaic module, configured for electrical output power delivery, comprising a photo-active area that extends in a second plane at a distance from the first plane, the photo-active area being vis-à-vis the aperture, a projection of the aperture perpendicularly to the second plane corresponding to the photo-active area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicants: Egypt Nanotechnology Center, International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Werner Escher, Bruno Michel, Stephan Paredes, Rami Ghannam
  • Publication number: 20130255753
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a photovoltaic thermal hybrid system having a hybrid solar receiver with a photovoltaic module, operatively coupled to the system to deliver an electrical output power for a power user, a thermal collector distinct from the photovoltaic module, wherein the photovoltaic module and/or the thermal collector are movably mounted in the system, a collector thermal storage thermally connected to the thermal collector to store heat collected at the thermal collector, and a positioning mechanism adapted to move the photovoltaic module and/or the thermal collector. The method includes instructing the positioning mechanism to move the photovoltaic module and/or the thermal collector to change a ratio of an intensity of radiation received at the photovoltaic module to an intensity of radiation received at the thermal collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicants: Egypt Nanotechnology Center, International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Werner Escher, Bruno Michel, Stephan Paredes, Rami Ghannam