Patents by Inventor Stan Faullin
Stan Faullin 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: 20210148833Abstract: In one respect, disclosed is a soiling measurement device for measuring the loss of light transmission to photovoltaic (PV) devices in a photovoltaic array arising from the accumulation of soiling particles, comprising a light source, a reference photodetector, a soiling collection window, a photodetector positioned underneath the soiling collection window, and a measurement and control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2020Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Michael Gostein, Stan Faullin, William Stueve
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Patent number: 10937139Abstract: A device comprising a transparent window, an imaging unit, and a computing element coupled to said imaging unit, wherein said device is configured to allow soiling particles to accumulate on a surface of said transparent window, said imaging unit is configured to capture an image of said surface, and said computing element is configured to perform analysis of said image to determine a soiling level of said transparent window, wherein a surface of said transparent window may include reference marks enabling calibration of said image during said analysis. Additionally, a method of performing said analysis.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Inventors: Michael Gostein, Stan Faullin, Jason Schneider, William Stueve
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Patent number: 10715081Abstract: A device or system to measure a soiling level and/or soiling level non-uniformity, or power loss arising from soiling including soiling non-uniformity, representative of a PV module. In one respect, a device comprising at least a first transparent window and at least two sensors, wherein said sensors comprise a soiling sensor, an irradiance sensor, or a photovoltaic device, and wherein at least two of said sensors are configured to measure separate regions of said first transparent window and at least one of said sensors is a soiling sensor configured to measure a soiling level of said first transparent window or of a second transparent window substantially close to said first transparent window, and wherein from said measurements of said sensors said device determines a soiling level and/or a non-uniformity of said soiling level of said first transparent window.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Inventors: Michael Gostein, William Stueve, Stan Faullin
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Publication number: 20190273466Abstract: A device or system to measure a soiling level and/or soiling level non-uniformity, or power loss arising from soiling including soiling non-uniformity, representative of a PV module. In one respect, a device comprising at least a first transparent window and at least two sensors, wherein said sensors comprise a soiling sensor, an irradiance sensor, or a photovoltaic device, and wherein at least two of said sensors are configured to measure separate regions of said first transparent window and at least one of said sensors is a soiling sensor configured to measure a soiling level of said first transparent window or of a second transparent window substantially close to said first transparent window, and wherein from said measurements of said sensors said device determines a soiling level and/or a non-uniformity of said soiling level of said first transparent window.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2019Publication date: September 5, 2019Inventors: Michael Gostein, William Stueve, Stan Faullin
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Publication number: 20190114763Abstract: A device comprising a transparent window, an imaging unit, and a computing element coupled to said imaging unit, wherein said device is configured to allow soiling particles to accumulate on a surface of said transparent window, said imaging unit is configured to capture an image of said surface, and said computing element is configured to perform analysis of said image to determine a soiling level of said transparent window, wherein a surface of said transparent window may include reference marks enabling calibration of said image during said analysis. Additionally, a method of performing said analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2018Publication date: April 18, 2019Inventors: Michael Gostein, Stan Faullin, Jason Schneider, William Stueve
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Patent number: 9800202Abstract: A system for measuring the power or energy loss in a photovoltaic array due to soiling, which is the accumulation of dust, dirt, and/or other contaminants on the surfaces of photovoltaic modules, comprising: a pair of photovoltaic reference devices placed within or near the photovoltaic array and co-planar to the modules comprising the array, wherein one reference device is a module similar to those of the array and is allowed to accumulate soiling at the natural rate, and wherein the second reference device is a module or a cell and is periodically cleaned; and a measurement and control unit which measures and compares the electrical outputs of the soiled reference device and the clean reference device in order to determine the fraction of power lost by the soiled reference module due to soiling.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2017Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Inventors: Michael Gostein, Stan Faullin, Lawrence R. Dunn, William Stueve
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Publication number: 20170230001Abstract: A system for measuring the power or energy loss in a photovoltaic array due to soiling, which is the accumulation of dust, dirt, and/or other contaminants on the surfaces of photovoltaic modules, comprising: a pair of photovoltaic reference devices placed within or near the photovoltaic array and co-planar to the modules comprising the array, wherein one reference device is a module similar to those of the array and is allowed to accumulate soiling at the natural rate, and wherein the second reference device is a module or a cell and is periodically cleaned; and a measurement and control unit which measures and compares the electrical outputs of the soiled reference device and the clean reference device in order to determine the fraction of power lost by the soiled reference module due to soiling.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2017Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: Michael Gostein, Stan Faullin, Lawrence R. Dunn, William Stueve
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Patent number: 9564853Abstract: A system for measuring the power or energy loss in a photovoltaic array due to soiling, which is the accumulation of dust, dirt, and/or other contaminants on the surfaces of photovoltaic modules, comprising: a pair of photovoltaic reference devices placed within or near the photovoltaic array and co-planar to the modules comprising the array, wherein one reference device is a module similar to those of the array and is allowed to accumulate soiling at the natural rate, and wherein the second reference device is a module or a cell and is periodically cleaned; and a measurement and control unit which measures and compares the electrical outputs of the soiled reference device and the clean reference device in order to determine the fraction of power lost by the soiled reference module due to soiling.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2013Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Atonometrics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Gostein, Stan Faullin, Lawrence R. Dunn, William Stueve
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Patent number: 9413174Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrical characteristics of solar panels (photovoltaic modules) wherein the apparatus measures current versus voltage (“I-V”) relationships for both illuminated (“light I-V”) and/or non-illuminated (“dark I-V”) conditions; optionally provides single, dual, or four-quadrant source/sink capability; and measures one or more devices under test (DUTs). The apparatus comprises one or more source measurement units (SMUs), wherein each SMU is connected to one DUT, and optionally includes a positive high-voltage programmable power supply and/or a negative high-voltage programmable power supply. Additionally, the apparatus includes a controller which controls the functions of the SMUs, the high-voltage supplies, and other components of the apparatus, wherein the controller communicates with the SMUs over a signal bus.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Atonometrics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Gostein, Russell Apfel, Lawrence R. Dunn, Stan Faullin, Naoum Gitnik, Jason Schneider
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Publication number: 20160204737Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrical characteristics of solar panels (photovoltaic modules) wherein the apparatus measures current versus voltage (“I-V”) relationships for both illuminated (“light I-V”) and/or non-illuminated (“dark I-V”) conditions; optionally provides single, dual, or four-quadrant source/sink capability; and measures one or more devices under test (DUTs). The apparatus comprises one or more source measurement units (SMUs), wherein each SMU is connected to one DUT, and optionally includes a positive high-voltage programmable power supply and/or a negative high-voltage programmable power supply. Additionally, the apparatus includes a controller which controls the functions of the SMUs, the high-voltage supplies, and other components of the apparatus, wherein the controller communicates with the SMUs over a signal bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2016Publication date: July 14, 2016Applicant: ATONOMETRICS, INC.Inventors: Michael Gostein, Russell Apfel, Lawrence R. Dunn, Stan Faullin, Naoum Gitnik, Jason Schneider
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Patent number: 9347827Abstract: A system for field measurement and calibration of photovoltaic reference devices, including a reference device electronics unit that measures the electrical output of a photovoltaic reference module and provides data to determine the solar irradiance received by the reference module as a function of its electrical output; and a calibrator unit that is used to routinely recalibrate the reference device electronics unit and the reference module, wherein the calibrator unit contains one or more calibrated photovoltaic reference cell(s).Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Atonometrics, Inc.Inventors: William Stueve, Michael Gostein, Lawrence R. Dunn, Stan Faullin
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Publication number: 20150308889Abstract: A system for field measurement and calibration of photovoltaic reference devices, including a reference device electronics unit that measures the electrical output of a photovoltaic reference module and provides data to determine the solar irradiance received by the reference module as a function of its electrical output; and a calibrator unit that is used to routinely recalibrate the reference device electronics unit and the reference module, wherein the calibrator unit contains one or more calibrated photovoltaic reference cell(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2013Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: ATONOMETRICSInventors: WILLIAM STUEVE, MICHAEL GOSTEIN, LAWRENCE R. DUNN, STAN FAULLIN
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Publication number: 20150280644Abstract: A system for measuring the power or energy loss in a photovoltaic array due to soiling, which is the accumulation of dust, dirt, and/or other contaminants on the surfaces of photovoltaic modules, comprising: a pair of photovoltaic reference devices placed within or near the photovoltaic array and co-planar to the modules comprising the array, wherein one reference device is a module similar to those of the array and is allowed to accumulate soiling at the natural rate, and wherein the second reference device is a module or a cell and is periodically cleaned; and a measurement and control unit which measures and compares the electrical outputs of the soiled reference device and the clean reference device in order to determine the fraction of power lost by the soiled reference module due to soiling.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2013Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Michael Gostein, Stan Faullin, Lawrence R. Dunn, William Stueve
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Patent number: 8773021Abstract: An apparatus for exposing photovoltaic (PV) modules to simulated sunlight for testing purposes, comprising a chamber including a plurality of lamps disposed on a substantially vertical lamp plane, at least one substantially vertical target plane upon which are disposed one or more PV modules, at least one reflector for directing light from the lamps to the at least one target plane, and a cooling system to exhaust heat from the apparatus and maintain the temperature of the PV modules at a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2010Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Atonometrics, LLCInventors: Michael Gostein, Stan Faullin, Lawrence R. Dunn
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Publication number: 20130181736Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrical characteristics of solar panels (photovoltaic modules) wherein the apparatus measures current versus voltage (“I-V”) relationships for both illuminated (“light I-V”) and/or non-illuminated (“dark I-V”) conditions; optionally provides single, dual, or four-quadrant source/sink capability; and measures one or more devices under test (DUTs). The apparatus comprises one or more source measurement units (SMUs), wherein each SMU is connected to one DUT, and optionally includes a positive high-voltage programmable power supply and/or a negative high-voltage programmable power supply. Additionally, the apparatus includes a controller which controls the functions of the SMUs, the high-voltage supplies, and other components of the apparatus, wherein the controller communicates with the SMUs over a signal bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: ATONOMETRICS, INC.Inventors: Michael Gostein, Russell Apfel, Lawrence R. Dunn, Stan Faullin, Naoum Gitnik, Jason Schneider
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Publication number: 20120274215Abstract: An apparatus for exposing photovoltaic (PV) modules to simulated sunlight for testing purposes, comprising a chamber including a plurality of lamps disposed on a substantially vertical lamp plane, at least one substantially vertical target plane upon which are disposed one or more PV modules, at least one reflector for directing light from the lamps to the at least one target plane, and a cooling system to exhaust heat from the apparatus and maintain the temperature of the PV modules at a predetermined value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2010Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: ATONOMETRICS, INC.Inventors: Michael Gostein, Stan Faullin, Lawrence R. Dunn