Patents by Inventor Steffen Keller

Steffen Keller 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).

  • Publication number: 20160133774
    Abstract: In a method for producing a solar cell, a layer stack of dielectric layers is applied to a back of a solar cell substrate and the layer stack is heated and is held at temperatures of at least 700° C. during a time period of at least 5 minutes. The novel solar cell has a layer stack of dielectric layers on its back. At least one of the dielectric layers of the layer stack is densified so that its resistivity to firing-through of pastes with glass components is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: ADOLF MUENZER, ANDREAS TEPPE, JAN SCHOENE, REINHOLD SCHLOSSER, STEFFEN KELLER
  • Patent number: 9276155
    Abstract: In a method for producing a solar cell, a layer stack of dielectric layers is applied to a back of a solar cell substrate and the layer stack is heated and is held at temperatures of at least 700° C. during a time period of at least 5 minutes. The novel solar cell has a layer stack of dielectric layers on its back. At least one of the dielectric layers of the layer stack is densified so that its resistivity to firing-through of pastes with glass components is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: RCT Solutions GmbH
    Inventors: Adolf Muenzer, Andreas Teppe, Jan Schoene, Reinhold Schlosser, Steffen Keller
  • Publication number: 20130061924
    Abstract: In a method for producing a solar cell, a layer stack of dielectric layers is applied to a back of a solar cell substrate and the layer stack is heated and is held at temperatures of at least 700° C. during a time period of at least 5 minutes. The novel solar cell has a layer stack of dielectric layers on its back. At least one of the dielectric layers of the layer stack is densified so that its resistivity to firing-through of pastes with glass components is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: CENTROTHERM PHOTOVOLTAICS AG
    Inventors: Adolf Münzer, Andreas Teppe, Jan Schöne, Reinhold Schlosser, Steffen Keller
  • Patent number: 8396674
    Abstract: A vibration-type measuring device includes an exciter arrangement which exerts a time-dependent force with at least one sinusoidal component at an adjustable excitation frequency on a measuring tube, through which a medium can flow, and causes the measuring tube to oscillate. The measuring device includes first and second sensors which are fitted to the measuring tube at different locations. The first and second sensors output first and second measurement signals, respectively. The measuring device includes an evaluation unit which determines a first phase shift between the first and second measurement signals and uses the determined phase shift to determine a measurement variable of the medium. The measuring device includes a phase comparator, which determines a second phase shift between the force and the average value of the first and second measurement signals, and a frequency generator which sets the excitation frequency on the basis of the second phase shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Jörg Gebhardt, René Friedrichs, Beat Kramer, Frank Kassubek, Steffen Keller
  • Publication number: 20130014819
    Abstract: A method for doping a semiconductor substrate includes heating the semiconductor substrate by irradiation with laser radiation and at the same time diffusing dopant from a dopant source into the semiconductor substrate in heated regions. The semiconductor substrate is heated by the irradiation with laser radiation. A surface portion of the semiconductor substrate that is less than 10% of the total surface of all irradiated regions is melted and recrystallized. There is also provided a solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: CENTROTHERM PHOTOVOLTAICS AG
    Inventors: Andreas Teppe, Matthias Geiger, Reinhold Schlosser, Adolf Muenzer, Jan Schoene, Joerg Isenberg, Tino Kuehn, Steffen Keller
  • Patent number: 8342741
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a sensor arrangement having at least one measuring sensor and at least one reference sensor for recording the same physical variable, and having an analysis unit electrically connected thereto, with a characteristic of the sensor arrangement being recorded in an initialization phase from measured values of the at least one measuring sensor and of the at least one reference sensor, and an alarm being given during continuous operation if the deviation from the characteristic lies outside a tolerance band. It is proposed to suspend the alarm dynamically so long as the changes in the measured value in the variation over time of the at least one measuring sensor or in the variation over time of the at least one reference sensor differ by more than a definable limit within a definable time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Harald U. Mueller, Paul Szasz, Ralf Huck, Steffen Keller, Tilo Merlin
  • Publication number: 20110214727
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solar cell via a two-stage doping includes the steps of forming an oxide layer, which can be penetrated by a first dopant, on at least one part of the surface of a solar cell substrate, forming an opening in the oxide layer in at least one high-doping region by removing the oxide layer in this high-doping region and diffusing the first dopant into the at least one high-doping region of the solar cell substrate through the opening. The first dopant is diffused into the solar cell substrate through the oxide layer. The diffusing-in through the openings and through the oxide layer takes place at the same time in a common diffusion step and the solar cell substrate is diffused in the common diffusion step in an at least partially hydrophilic state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: CENTROTHERM PHOTOVOLTAICS AG
    Inventors: Ainhoa Esturo-Breton, Matthias Geiger, Steffen Keller, Reinhold Schlosser, Catharine Voyer, Johannes Maier, Martin Breselge, Adolf Muenzer, Tobias Friess, Tino Kuehn
  • Publication number: 20110186116
    Abstract: Method for producing solar cells with a two-stage doping (9, 11) comprising the method steps of heavy doping (50) of at least a part of the solar cell substrate (1), of at least temporarily protecting doped areas (8), in which heavily doped areas (9) of the two-stage doping (9, 11) should be formed, from an etching medium and etching back (54; 62, 64; 72, 74) unprotected doped areas (17) of the solar cell substrate (1) by means of the etching medium, whereby, for the purpose of protecting the doped areas, sacrificial structures (7) are applied (52) on the areas (8) to be protected, which are at least partly etched (54; 62, 64; 72, 74) during etching back (54; 62, 64; 72, 74) of the unprotected doped areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: GP SOLAR GMBH
    Inventors: Jens Kruemberg, Ihor Melnky, Eva-Maria Holbig, Michael Schmidt, Steffen Keller, Peter Fath, Reinhold Schlosser
  • Patent number: 7874220
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a Coriolis mass flowmeter with an oscillatable straight measuring tube consisting of a corrosion-resistant metal, in particular of titanium or a titanium alloy, to which are attached mounted parts connected directly to the measuring tube for the implementation of the Coriolis measurement principle. Furthermore, stabilizing elements running parallel to the measuring tube are coupled to the measuring tube via mounted parts connected directly to the measuring tube, the mounted parts and the stabilizing elements consisting of a metal other than that of the measuring tube. The stabilizing elements are manufactured from a second material which possesses a coefficient of thermal expansion adapted to the metal of the measuring tube. The mounted parts connected directly to the measuring tube are manufactured from a third material which possesses a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the metal of the measuring tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Satish Gunturi, Frank Kassubek, Jörg Gebhardt, Lothar Deppe, Matthias Dettmer, René Friedrichs, Robert Huber, Steffen Keller
  • Patent number: 7866219
    Abstract: A measuring instrument to capture a physical/chemical measured value, including a sensor unit, which is linked via a contactless interface to a transmitter unit, for passing on to a central analysis unit, wherein the sensor unit includes an at least partly internal sensor element which vibrates against a sensor housing because of operation, and which is linked, contactlessly and inside the sensor unit, for sensor signal transmission, via a first transmission/reception unit, to a complementary second transmission/reception unit, which is arranged at a fixed location relative to the sensor housing, and which is also linked, contactlessly and outside the sensor unit, to a third transmission/reception unit of the transmitter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Kassubek, Lothar Deppe, Rolf Disselnkötter, Steffen Keller, Jörg Gebhardt, René Friedrichs, Beat Kramer
  • Patent number: 7814802
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a connection between a measuring tube and at least one flange, e.g., in the case of a Coriolis mass flowmeter. In order to ensure reliable connection of the components in this case, the measuring tube can be inserted at one end over a portion through a flange bore, such that it projects out of the bore on the other side, and that the projecting end be flared out over the sealing face of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Steinberg, Lothar Deppe, Wolfgang Waldi, Frank Kassubek, Steffen Keller, Jörg Gebhardt, René Friedrichs, Robert Huber
  • Patent number: 7730792
    Abstract: A method for compensation for influences, which interfere with the measurement accuracy, in measurement devices of the vibration type, comprising a measurement tube through which a fluid medium can flow and which is caused to oscillate mechanically, acting as an oscillation body, by an excitation unit, whose oscillation behavior, which changes as a function of the flowrate and/or the viscosity and/or the density of the fluid medium, is detected by at least one oscillation sensor in order to determine the flowrate, wherein the material strain in the measurement tube is detected by means of at least one sensor, from which an indicator value for the influence causing the material strain is calculated in order to correct the measurement signal, by signal processing, from the indicator value obtained in this way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Kassubek, Lothar Deppe, Jörg Gebhardt, René Friedrichs, Steffen Keller
  • Patent number: 7689372
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for operating a measurement device of the vibration type in which at least one exciter arrangement excites the system to vibration and from the vibration parameters, a measurement quantity of a measurement medium in a tube system is determined. A time-dependent force f(t)=F sin(?t)+g(t) with at least one sinusoidal component with an adjustable frequency ? can be used which acts on at least one vibration-capable part of the measurement device of the vibration type. A response signal of the vibration-capable part, (e.g., its time dependent velocity v(t)=V sin(?t+?)+h(t)) can be measured, and a phase shift ? between the response signal and the force f of a signal component which oscillates with a frequency ? is determined. The phase shift ? can be used as the input for a frequency controller so that the excitation frequency is automatically adjusted as a function of ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Rene Friedrichs, Lothar Deppe, Steffen Keller, Joerg Gebhardt, Frank Kassubek
  • Publication number: 20100011882
    Abstract: A method for operation of a vibratory measurement instrument comprises flowing a fluid through at least one measurement tube; causing the measuring tube to oscillate mechanically using an oscillation production unit; detecting an oscillation behavior of the tube using at least one oscillation sensor; determining at least one of a mass flow, a viscosity, and a density in a narrowband frequency range based on the oscillation behavior; evaluating at least one of the mass flow, the viscosity, and the density using signal processing of an electronics unit; and evaluating the oscillation behavior at least at times in a broadband frequency range using the electronics unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Gebhardt, Frank Kassubek, Lothar Deppe, Steffen Keller, Rene Friedrichs
  • Publication number: 20100005887
    Abstract: A vibration-type measuring device includes an exciter arrangement which exerts a time-dependent force with at least one sinusoidal component at an adjustable excitation frequency on a measuring tube, through which a medium can flow, and causes the measuring tube to oscillate. The measuring device includes first and second sensors which are fitted to the measuring tube at different locations. The first and second sensors output first and second measurement signals, respectively. The measuring device includes an evaluation unit which determines a first phase shift between the first and second measurement signals and uses the determined phase shift to determine a measurement variable of the medium. The measuring device includes a phase comparator, which determines a second phase shift between the force and the average value of the first and second measurement signals, and a frequency generator which sets the excitation frequency on the basis of the second phase shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Jörg GEBHARDT, René Friedrichs, Beat Kramer, Frank Kassubek, Steffen Keller
  • Patent number: 7558691
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining a characteristic of a sensor arrangement having at least one measuring sensor and at least one reference sensor for recording the same physical variable, and having an analysis unit electrically connected thereto. The characteristic is determined from measured values of the at least one measuring sensor and of the at least one reference sensor. It is proposed to record a characteristic point during continuous measurement operation, starting with the first time the sensor arrangement is put into operation, when a definable measurement point is reached in a process for the first time, if the changes in measured value in the variation over time of the at least one measuring sensor and in the variation over time of the at least one reference sensor remain within a definable tolerance band within a definable time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Harald U. Mueller, Paul Szasz, Ralf Huck, Tilo Merlin, Steffen Keller
  • Patent number: 7448283
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a vibration-type measuring device for measuring at least one process variable, in particular a mass flow rate, a density, a viscosity, a pressure or the like, in particular in a process line through which a medium can flow, which device comprises at least one measurement sensor which provides a measurement signal that can be influenced by the process variable, the measured value determined for the process variable by the measuring device being able to be determined from a functional relationship in conjunction with measurement parameters from the measurement signal, and the measurement parameters having a temperature-dependent cross-sensitivity with respect to the temperature distribution in the measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Kassubek, Joerg Gebhardt, Rene Friedrichs, Guenter Petri, Lothar Deppe, Steffen Keller
  • Publication number: 20080202257
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a Coriolis mass flowmeter with an oscillatable straight measuring tube consisting of a corrosion-resistant metal, in particular of titanium or a titanium alloy, to which are attached mounted parts connected directly to the measuring tube for the implementation of the Coriolis measurement principle. Furthermore, stabilizing elements running parallel to the measuring tube are coupled to the measuring tube via mounted parts connected directly to the measuring tube, the mounted parts and the stabilizing elements consisting of a metal other than that of the measuring tube. The stabilizing elements are manufactured from a second material which possesses a coefficient of thermal expansion adapted to the metal of the measuring tube. The mounted parts connected directly to the measuring tube are manufactured from a third material which possesses a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the metal of the measuring tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Satish Gunturi, Frank Kassubek, Jorg Gebhardt, Lothar Deppe, Matthias Dettmer, Rene Friedrichs, Robert Huber, Steffen Keller
  • Publication number: 20080156110
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for fixing an attachment part on the measurement tube of a Coriolis mass flowmeter at at least two connection points. According to the disclosure, the measurement tube and the attachment part are soldered to one another in a single hard-soldering process at the same time at the at least two connection points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Deppe, Reinhard Steinberg, Frank Kassubek, Wolfgang Waldi, Jorg Gebhardt, Rene Friedrichs, Steffen Keller
  • Publication number: 20080141787
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for operating a measurement device of the vibration type in which at least one exciter arrangement excites the system to vibration and from the vibration parameters, a measurement quantity of a measurement medium in a tube system is determined. A time-dependent force f(t)=F sin(?t)+g(t) with at least one sinusoidal component with an adjustable frequency ? can be used which acts on at least one vibration-capable part of the measurement device of the vibration type. A response signal of the vibration-capable part, (e.g., its time dependent velocity v(t)=V sin(?t+?)+h(t)) can be measured, and a phase shift ? between the response signal and the force f of a signal component which oscillates with a frequency ? is determined. The phase shift ? can be used as the input for a frequency controller so that the excitation frequency is automatically adjusted as a function of ?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: ABB PATENT GMBH
    Inventors: Rene Friedrichs, Lothar Deppe, Steffen Keller, Joerg Gebhardt, Frank Kassubek