Patents by Inventor Roland Kappaun

Roland Kappaun 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: 8603838
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a contact for solar cells (30) arranged in a laminated solar panel (1), wherein the solar cells (30) are coated on both sides of the main surfaces thereof with at least one layer and before a lamination step the solar cells (30) are connected with electrically-conducting connectors (31, 33), the electrically conducting connectors (31, 33) being arranged in the solar panel for laminating such as to be completely laminated within the solar panel (1) after the lamination step. After the lamination step a contact region (35) of the electrically-conducting connector (33) is exposed, wherein at least one of the layers covering the solar cells is completely punched through in the corresponding region, in particular by stripping. The contact region (35) of the electrically-conducting connector (33) can then be contacted by means of an externally-accessible contact element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignees: 3S Swiss Solar Systems AG, Guedel AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Güdel, Marcel Blanchet, Roland Kappaun, Walter Zulauf, Rudolf Heid, Hans-Ulrich Kurt
  • Patent number: 8597013
    Abstract: The invention describes a tensioning rail (3) for a membrane (2) of a membrane press. To allow a simpler and more rapid assembly and disassembly of the membrane (2) than in known devices, the tensioning rail includes a support rail (8), in which at least one tensioning strip (13) is mounted detachably, whereby the tensioning strip (13) is designed for securely clamping onto the edge of the membrane (2). In this way it is possible to equip a new replacement membrane (2) with tensioning strips (13) independently and outside of the membrane press, which then only need to be attached to the support rail (8). In this case the support rail does not need to be disassembled, but remains on the membrane press the whole time. A further essential advantage is that the tensioning rail (3) can also be installed into existing membrane presses, for example as a replacement for an existing securing device for the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: 3S Swiss Solar Systems AG
    Inventors: Beat Strebel, Roland Kappaun, Roman Polo
  • Publication number: 20110126681
    Abstract: In a method for severing a protruding section of a layer of a laminate, particularly a backing film of a laminate, which comprises at least one solid plate, particularly a glass plate, a severing tool having a rotating cutting blade and a rotating counter-blade is used. The blades are rotated in opposite directions about parallel axes. The cutting blade and the counter-blade are furthermore offset laterally such that a main surface of the cutting blade contacts a main surface of the counter-blade in a working region. The offset arrangement of the blades, and the fact that the main surface of the cutting blade and the main surface of the counter-blade mutually contact each other, enable a precise, scissors-like cutting operation, which is particularly suited for severing protruding sections of a laminate. Because the two main surfaces directly abut each other, a jamming of severed material between the blades is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Marcel Blanchet, Roland Kappaun, Walter Zulauf, Hans-Ulrich Kurt, Rudolf Güdel, Rudolf Heid
  • Publication number: 20110119898
    Abstract: In a method for processing a laminate, which comprises at least one solid plate, particularly a glass plate, prior to a lamination step at least one location marking is applied to the solid plate and at least one distance and/or angle value of the solid plate is determined with respect to the location marking. Following the lamination step, the laminate is processed, wherein the laminate and a processing tool are automatically positioned relative to each other as a function of the location marking and the at least one distance and/or angle value. Prior to lamination, the solid plate can be easily measured, the edge thereof can be detected both mechanically (such as by a sensor) and without contact (such as optically, by way of a camera), and common, in particular automated, methods can be used for measuring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicants: GÜDEL GROUP AG, 3S SWISS SOLAR SYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Marcel Blanchet, Roland Kappaun, Walter Zulauf, Hans-Ulrich Kurt, Rudolf Güdel, Rudolf Heid
  • Publication number: 20110111534
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a contact for solar cells (30) arranged in a laminated solar panel (1), wherein the solar cells (30) are coated on both sides of the main surfaces thereof with at least one layer and before a lamination step the solar cells (30) are connected with electrically-conducting connectors (31, 33), the electrically conducting connectors (31, 33) being arranged in the solar panel for laminating such as to be completely laminated within the solar panel (1) after the lamination step. After the lamination step a contact region (35) of the electrically-conducting connector (33) is exposed, wherein at least one of the layers covering the solar cells is completely punched through in the corresponding region, in particular by stripping. The contact region (35) of the electrically-conducting connector (33) can then be contacted by means of an externally-accessible contact element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicants: 3S SWISS SOLAR SYSTEMS AG, GUEDEL GROUP AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Güdel, Marcel Blanchet, Roland Kappaun, Walter Zulauf, Rudolf Heid, Hans-Ulrich Kurt
  • Publication number: 20090324768
    Abstract: The invention describes a tensioning rail (3) for a membrane (2) of a membrane press. To allow a simpler and more rapid assembly and disassembly of the membrane (2) than in known devices, the tensioning rail includes a support rail (8), in which at least one tensioning strip (13) is mounted detachably, whereby the tensioning strip (13) is designed for securely clamping onto the edge of the membrane (2). In this way it is possible to equip a new replacement membrane (2) with tensioning strips (13) independently and outside of the membrane press, which then only need to be attached to the support rail (8). In this case the support rail does not need to be disassembled, but remains on the membrane press the whole time. A further essential advantage is that the tensioning rail (3) can also be installed into existing membrane presses, for example as a replacement for an existing securing device for the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: 3S SWISS SOLAR SYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Beat Strebel, Roland Kappaun, Roman Polo