Patents by Inventor Ruediger Kellmann
Ruediger Kellmann 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).
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Publication number: 20170179313Abstract: A stacked-layered thin film solar cell. The solar cell has reduced absorber thickness and an improved back contact for Copper Indium Gallium Selenide solar cells. The back contact provides improved reflectance particularly for infrared wavelengths while still maintaining ohmic contact to the semiconductor absorber. This reflectance is achieved by producing a back contact having a highly reflecting metal separated from an absorbing layer with a dielectric layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2017Publication date: June 22, 2017Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Michael Haag, Ruediger Kellmann, Markus Schmidt, Johannes Windeln
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Patent number: 9634166Abstract: Photovoltaic cells, photovoltaic devices, and methods of fabrication are provided. The photovoltaic cells include a transparent substrate to allow light to enter the photovoltaic cell through the substrate, and a light absorption layer associated with the substrate. The light absorption layer has opposite first and second surfaces, with the first surface being closer to the transparent substrate than the second surface. A passivation layer is disposed over the second surface of the light absorption layer, and a plurality of first discrete contacts and a plurality of second discrete contacts are provided within the passivation layer to facilitate electrical coupling to the light absorption layer. A first electrode and a second electrode are disposed over the passivation layer to contact the plurality of first discrete contacts and the plurality of second discrete contacts, respectively. The first and second electrodes include a photon-reflective material.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Patent number: 9634171Abstract: An integrated thin-film lateral multi-junction solar device and fabrication method are provided. The device includes, for instance, a substrate, and a plurality of stacks extending vertically from the substrate. Each stack may include layers, and be electrically isolated against another stack. Each stack may also include an energy storage device above the substrate, a solar cell above the energy storage device, a transparent medium above the solar cell, and a micro-optic layer of spectrally dispersive and concentrating optical devices above the transparent medium. Furthermore, the device may include a first power converter connected between the energy storage device and a power bus, and a second power converter connected between the solar cell and the power bus. Further, different solar cells of different stacks may have different absorption characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Patent number: 9583649Abstract: Embodiments of the invention related to a method for manufacturing a thin film solar cell backside contact. Prior to application of materials, a planar substrate is provided and an associated backside of the substrate is modified to form one or more pedestals. The modified substrate is layered with multiple layers of material, including a conducting layer, a reflective layer, and a passivation layer. The layered backside substrate is polished to expose portions of the conducting layer at discrete locations on the backside of the substrate. The exposed portions of the conducting layer maintain direct electrical communication between an absorber layer deposited on the layered backside substrate and the conducting layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Patent number: 9577130Abstract: Embodiments relate to a thin film solar cell backside contact. A planar substrate is provided and an associated backside of the substrate is modified to form one or more pedestals. The modified substrate is layered with multiple layers of material, including a conducting layer, a reflective layer, and a passivation layer. The layered backside substrate is polished to expose portions of the conducting layer at discrete locations on the backside of the substrate. The exposed portions of the conducting layer maintain direct electrical communication between an absorber layer deposited on the layered backside substrate and the conducting layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2016Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Publication number: 20170033255Abstract: An integrated thin-film lateral multi-junction solar device and fabrication method are provided. The device includes, for instance, a substrate, and a plurality of stacks extending vertically from the substrate. Each stack may include layers, and be electrically isolated against another stack. Each stack may also include an energy storage device above the substrate, a solar cell above the energy storage device, a transparent medium above the solar cell, and a micro-optic layer of spectrally dispersive and concentrating optical devices above the transparent medium. Furthermore, the device may include a first power converter connected between the energy storage device and a power bus, and a second power converter connected between the solar cell and the power bus. Further, different solar cells of different stacks may have different absorption characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Publication number: 20160380133Abstract: Photovoltaic cells, photovoltaic devices, and methods of fabrication are provided. The photovoltaic cells include a transparent substrate to allow light to enter the photovoltaic cell through the substrate, and a light absorption layer associated with the substrate. The light absorption layer has opposite first and second surfaces, with the first surface being closer to the transparent substrate than the second surface. A passivation layer is disposed over the second surface of the light absorption layer, and a plurality of first discrete contacts and a plurality of second discrete contacts are provided within the passivation layer to facilitate electrical coupling to the light absorption layer. A first electrode and a second electrode are disposed over the passivation layer to contact the plurality of first discrete contacts and the plurality of second discrete contacts, respectively. The first and second electrodes include a photon-reflective material.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2015Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Hans-Juergen EICKELMANN, Ruediger KELLMANN, Hartmut KUEHL, Markus SCHMIDT
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Publication number: 20160380139Abstract: Photovoltaic cells, photovoltaic devices, and methods of fabrication are provided. The photovoltaic cells include a transparent substrate to allow light to enter the photovoltaic cell through the substrate, and a light absorption layer associated with the substrate. The light absorption layer has opposite first and second surfaces, with the first surface being closer to the transparent substrate than the second surface. A passivation layer is disposed over the second surface of the light absorption layer, and a plurality of first discrete contacts and a plurality of second discrete contacts are provided within the passivation layer to facilitate electrical coupling to the light absorption layer. A first electrode and a second electrode are disposed over the passivation layer to contact the plurality of first discrete contacts and the plurality of second discrete contacts, respectively. The first and second electrodes include a photon-reflective material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2015Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Hans-Juergen EICKELMANN, Ruediger KELLMANN, Hartmut KUEHL, Markus SCHMIDT
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Publication number: 20160372617Abstract: Embodiments relate to a thin film solar cell backside contact. A planar substrate is provided and an associated backside of the substrate is modified to form one or more pedestals. The modified substrate is layered with multiple layers of material, including a conducting layer, a reflective layer, and a passivation layer. The layered backside substrate is polished to expose portions of the conducting layer at discrete locations on the backside of the substrate. The exposed portions of the conducting layer maintain direct electrical communication between an absorber layer deposited on the layered backside substrate and the conducting layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Publication number: 20160372613Abstract: Embodiments of the invention related to a method for manufacturing a thin film solar cell backside contact. Prior to application of materials, a planar substrate is provided and an associated backside of the substrate is modified to form one or more pedestals. The modified substrate is layered with multiple layers of material, including a conducting layer, a reflective layer, and a passivation layer. The layered backside substrate is polished to expose portions of the conducting layer at discrete locations on the backside of the substrate. The exposed portions of the conducting layer maintain direct electrical communication between an absorber layer deposited on the layered backside substrate and the conducting layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2015Publication date: December 22, 2016Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
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Patent number: 9455361Abstract: Use of chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) and/or pure mechanical polishing to separate sub-cells in a thin film solar cell. In one embodiment the CMP is only used to separate the active, thin film layer into sub-cells, with scribing still being used to achieve sub-cell separation in conductive layers above and below the active, thin film layer. Also, the active layer may be placed over a series of protrusions so that the CMP removes the active layer that is over the protrusion, while leaving intact the flat, planar portions of the active layer. In this way, the removed active layer, from over the protrusions then becomes the division between sub-cells in the active layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2014Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.Inventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Markus Schmidt
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Publication number: 20160240702Abstract: Manufacture of an improved stacked-layered thin film solar cell. The solar cell has reduced absorber thickness and an improved back contact for Copper Indium Gallium Selenide solar cells. The back contact provides improved reflectance particularly for infrared wavelengths while still maintaining ohmic contact to the semiconductor absorber. This reflectance is achieved by producing a back contact having a highly reflecting metal separated from an absorbing layer with a dielectric layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Michael Haag, Ruediger Kellmann, Markus Schmidt, Johannes Windeln
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Patent number: 9368666Abstract: Manufacture for an improved stacked-layered thin film solar cell. Solar cell has reduced absorber thickness and an improved back contact for Copper Indium Gallium Selenide solar cells. The back contact provides improved reflectance particularly for infrared wavelengths while still maintaining ohmic contact to the semiconductor absorber. This reflectance is achieved by producing a back contact having a highly reflecting metal separated from an absorbing layer with a dielectric layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2015Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Michael Haag, Ruediger Kellmann, Markus Schmidt, Johannes Windeln
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Publication number: 20160099369Abstract: An integrated thin-film lateral multi junction solar device and fabrication method are provided. The device includes, for instance, a substrate, and a plurality of stacks extending vertically from the substrate. Each stack may include layers, and be electrically isolated against another stack. Each stack may also include an energy storage device above the substrate, a solar cell above the energy storage device, a transparent medium above the solar cell, and a micro-optic layer of spectrally dispersive and concentrating optical devices above the transparent medium. Furthermore, the device may include a first power converter connected between the energy storage device and a power bus, and a second power converter connected between the solar cell and the power bus. Further, different solar cells of different stacks may have different absorption characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2015Publication date: April 7, 2016Inventors: Hans-Juergen EICKELMANN, Ruediger KELLMANN, Hartmut KUEHL, Markus SCHMIDT
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Patent number: 9246039Abstract: Manufacture for an improved stacked-layered thin film solar cell. Solar cell has reduced absorber thickness and an improved back contact for Copper Indium Gallium Selenide solar cells. The back contact provides improved reflectance particularly for infrared wavelengths while still maintaining ohmic contact to the semiconductor absorber. This reflectance is achieved by producing a back contact having a highly reflecting metal separated from an absorbing layer with a dielectric layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2012Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Michael Haag, Ruediger Kellmann, Markus Schmidt, Johannes Windeln
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Publication number: 20160020340Abstract: Embodiments relate to thickening a contact grid of a solar cell for increased efficiency. A mold containing soldering material is heated. The mold is aligned with the contact grid such that the soldering material is in physical contact with the contact grid. The mold is re-heated, transferring the solder material from the mold to the contact grid to create a thickened contact grid.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2015Publication date: January 21, 2016Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael Haag, Ruediger Kellmann, Markus Schmidt
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Publication number: 20160020341Abstract: Embodiments relate to thickening a contact grid of a solar cell for increased efficiency. A mold containing soldering material is heated. The mold is aligned with the contact grid such that the soldering material is in physical contact with the contact grid. The mold is re-heated, transferring the solder material from the mold to the contact grid to create a thickened contact grid.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2015Publication date: January 21, 2016Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Haag, Ruediger Kellmann, Markus Schmidt
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Patent number: 9227259Abstract: Thickening a contact grid of a solar cell for increased efficiency. A mold containing soldering material is heated. The mold is aligned with the contact grid such that the soldering material is in physical contact with the contact grid. The mold is re-heated, transferring the solder material from the mold to the contact grid to create a thickened contact grid.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2012Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael Haag, Ruediger Kellmann, Markus Schmidt
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Publication number: 20150380587Abstract: Manufacture for an improved stacked-layered thin film solar cell. Solar cell has reduced absorber thickness and an improved back contact for Copper Indium Gallium Selenide solar cells. The back contact provides improved reflectance particularly for infrared wavelengths while still maintaining ohmic contact to the semiconductor absorber. This reflectance is achieved by producing a back contact having a highly reflecting metal separated from an absorbing layer with a dielectric layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Michael Haag, Ruediger Kellmann, Markus Schmidt, Johannes Windeln
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Publication number: 20150200311Abstract: A thin-film monolithically integrated solar module with a solar cell, an integrated energy storage device, and a controller may be provided. It may comprise a thin-film solar cell, having at least one solar diode, on a transparent substrate, a thin-film energy storage device, and an electronic controller comprising at least one thin-film transistor above the thin-film energy storage device. The electronic controller may be electrically connected to the thin-film solar cell and the thin-film energy storage device by vias. The named functional units may build a monolithically integrated device on one substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Johann H. Bredel, Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt