Patents by Inventor Sung Dug Kim
Sung Dug Kim 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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Patent number: 10243087Abstract: A bifacial solar cell module includes solar cells that are protected by front side packaging components and backside packaging components. The front side packaging components include a transparent top cover on a front portion of the solar cell module. The backside packaging components have a transparent portion that allows light coming from a back portion of the solar cell module to reach the solar cells, and a reflective portion that reflects light coming from the front portion of the solar cell module. The transparent and reflective portions may be integrated with a backsheet, e.g., by printing colored pigments on the backsheet. The reflective portion may also be on a reflective component that is separate from the backsheet. In that case, the reflective component may be placed over a clear backsheet before or after packaging.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2017Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: SunPower CorporationInventors: Sung Dug Kim, Gabriela Bunea
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Patent number: 9941435Abstract: A photovoltaic module is disclosed. The photovoltaic module has a first side directed toward the sun during normal operation and a second, lower side. The photovoltaic module comprises a perimeter frame and a photovoltaic laminate at least partially enclosed by and supported by the perimeter frame.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2011Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: SunPower CorporationInventors: Gabriela E. Bunea, Sung Dug Kim, David F. J. Kavulak
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Publication number: 20180053860Abstract: A bifacial solar cell module includes solar cells that are protected by front side packaging components and backside packaging components. The front side packaging components include a transparent top cover on a front portion of the solar cell module. The backside packaging components have a transparent portion that allows light coming from a back portion of the solar cell module to reach the solar cells, and a reflective portion that reflects light coming from the front portion of the solar cell module. The transparent and reflective portions may be integrated with a backsheet, e.g., by printing colored pigments on the backsheet. The reflective portion may also be on a reflective component that is separate from the backsheet. In that case, the reflective component may be placed over a clear backsheet before or after packaging.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2017Publication date: February 22, 2018Applicant: SunPower CorporationInventors: Sung Dug KIM, Gabriela BUNEA
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Patent number: 9812590Abstract: A bifacial solar cell module includes solar cells that are protected by front side packaging components and backside packaging components. The front side packaging components include a transparent top cover on a front portion of the solar cell module. The backside packaging components have a transparent portion that allows light coming from a back portion of the solar cell module to reach the solar cells, and a reflective portion that reflects light coming from the front portion of the solar cell module. The transparent and reflective portions may be integrated with a backsheet, e.g., by printing colored pigments on the backsheet. The reflective portion may also be on a reflective component that is separate from the backsheet. In that case, the reflective component may be placed over a clear backsheet before or after packaging.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2012Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: SunPower CorporationInventors: Sung Dug Kim, Gabriela Bunea
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Publication number: 20170077336Abstract: A solar cell and a solar laminate are described. The solar cell can have a front side which faces the sun during normal operation and a back side opposite front side. The solar cell can include conductive contacts having substantially reflective outer regions disposed on the back side of the solar cell. The solar laminate can include a first encapsulant, the first encapsulant disposed on the back side of the solar cell and a second encapsulant. The solar laminate can include the solar cell laminated between the first and second encapsulant. The substantially reflective outer regions of the conductive contacts and the first encapsulant can be configured to scatter and/or diffuse light at the back side of the solar laminate for substantial light collection at the back side of the solar cell. Methods of fabricating the solar cell are also described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2015Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: David D. Smith, Sung Dug Kim, Joseph Behnke, Hung-Ming Wang
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Publication number: 20160163901Abstract: Approaches for the foil-based metallization of solar cells and the resulting solar cells are described. For example, a method of fabricating a solar cell involves forming a plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions in or above a substrate. The method also involves forming a paste between adjacent ones of the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The method also involves curing the paste to form non-conductive material regions in alignment with locations between the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The method also involves adhering a metal foil to the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. The method also involves laser ablating through the metal foil in alignment with the locations between the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions to isolate regions of remaining metal foil in alignment with the alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2014Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: Benjamin Ian Hsia, Gabriel Harley, Taeseok Kim, Richard Hamilton Sewell, Sung Dug Kim
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Patent number: 9312425Abstract: A crack resistant solar cell module includes a protective package mounted on a frame. The protective package includes a polyolefin encapsulant that protectively encapsulates solar cells. The polyolefin has less than five weight percent of oxygen and nitrogen in the backbone or side chain. In other words, the combined weight percent of oxygen and nitrogen in any location in the molecular structure of the polyolefin is less than five. The polyolefin also has a complex viscosity less than 10,000 Pa second at 90° C. as measured by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) before any thermal processing of the polyolefin. The protective package includes a top cover, the encapsulant, and a backsheet. The solar cell module allows for shipping, installation, and maintenance with less risk of developing cracks on the surfaces of the solar cells.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: SunPower CorporationInventors: Sung Dug Kim, Nicholas Boitnott
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Publication number: 20150221813Abstract: A crack resistant solar cell module includes a protective package mounted on a frame. The protective package includes a polyolefin encapsulant that protectively encapsulates solar cells. The polyolefin has less than five weight percent of oxygen and nitrogen in the backbone or side chain. In other words, the combined weight percent of oxygen and nitrogen in any location in the molecular structure of the polyolefin is less than five. The polyolefin also has a complex viscosity less than 10,000 Pa second at 90° C. as measured by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) before any thermal processing of the polyolefin. The protective package includes a top cover, the encapsulant, and a backsheet. The solar cell module allows for shipping, installation, and maintenance with less risk of developing cracks on the surfaces of the solar cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2015Publication date: August 6, 2015Applicant: SunPower CorporationInventors: Sung Dug KIM, Nicholas BOITNOTT
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Patent number: 9035172Abstract: A crack resistant solar cell module includes a protective package mounted on a frame. The protective package includes a polyolefin encapsulant that protectively encapsulates solar cells. The polyolefin has less than five weight percent of oxygen and nitrogen in the backbone or side chain. In other words, the combined weight percent of oxygen and nitrogen in any location in the molecular structure of the polyolefin is less than five. The polyolefin also has a complex viscosity less than 10,000 Pa second at 90° C. as measured by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) before any thermal processing of the polyolefin. The protective package includes a top cover, the encapsulant, and a backsheet. The solar cell module allows for shipping, installation, and maintenance with less risk of developing cracks on the surfaces of the solar cells.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: SunPower CorporationInventors: Sung Dug Kim, Nicholas Boitnott
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Publication number: 20150053248Abstract: A solar cell module includes serially connected solar cells. A solar cell includes a carrier that is attached to the backside of the solar cell. Solar cells are attached to a top cover, and vias are formed through the carriers of the solar cells. A solar cell is electrically connected to an adjacent solar cell in the solar cell module with metal connections in the vias.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: SunPower CorporationInventors: Seung RIM, Sung Dug KIM
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Patent number: 8716378Abstract: A thermoplastic polyester composition comprising, based on the total weight of the composition, a chlorine- and bromine-free combination of: from 40 to 60 wt % of a polyester; from 25 to 35 wt % of a reinforcing filler; from 2 to 8 wt % of a flame retardant synergist selected from the group consisting of melamine polyphosphate, melamine cyanurate, melamine pyrophosphate, melamine phosphate, and combinations thereof; from 5 to 15 wt % of a phosphinate salt flame retardant; from more than 0 to less than 5 wt % of an impact modifier component comprising a poly(ether-ester) elastomer and a (meth)acrylate impact modifier; from more than 0 to 5 wt % poly(tetrafluoroethylene) encapsulated by a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer; from more than 0 to 2 wt % of a stabilizer; wherein the thermoplastic polyester composition contains less than 5 wt % of a polyetherimide.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.Inventors: Tianhua Ding, Rodney Fonseca, Sung Dug Kim, Chris van der Weele
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Patent number: 8686072Abstract: A thermoplastic polyester composition comprising, based on the total weight of the composition, a chlorine- and bromine-free combination of: from 40 to 60 wt % of a modified poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate); from 25 to 35 wt % of a reinforcing filler; from 2 to 8 wt % of a flame retardant synergist selected from the group consisting of melamine polyphosphate, melamine cyanurate, melamine pyrophosphate, melamine phosphate, and combinations thereof; from 5 to 15 wt % of a phosphinate salt flame retardant; from more than 0 to less than 5 wt % of an impact modifier component comprising a poly(ether-ester) elastomer and a (meth)acrylate impact modifier; from more than 0 to 5 wt % poly(tetrafluoroethylene) encapsulated by a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer; from more than 0 to 2 wt % of a stabilizer; wherein the thermoplastic polyester composition contains less than 5 wt % of a polyetherimide.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.Inventors: Tianhua Ding, Rodney Fonseca, Sung Dug Kim, Chris van der Weele
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Patent number: 8680167Abstract: The invention relates to a composition comprising (a) from 5 to 99 wt % of a modified polybutylene terephthalate random copolymer that (1) is derived from polyethylene terephthalate component selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate copolymers and (2) has at least one residue derived from the polyethylene terephthalate component, and (b) at least 1 wt % of a filler component. In one embodiment, the invention relates to an article molded from the above-mentioned molding composition. In another embodiment, the invention relates to methods for making and methods for using the molding composition.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2007Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.Inventors: Parminder Agarwal, Kristen Cohoon, Shellie Virginia Gasaway, Ganesh Kannan, Sung Dug Kim, Kenneth Frederick Miller, Dhaval Shah
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Publication number: 20140034111Abstract: A photovoltaic module has a first side directed toward the sun during normal operation and a second, lower side. The photovoltaic module comprises a perimeter frame and a photovoltaic laminate at least partially enclosed by and supported by the perimeter frame. The photovoltaic laminate comprises a transparent cover layer positioned toward the first side of the photovoltaic module, an upper encapsulant layer beneath and adhering to the cover layer, a plurality of photovoltaic solar cells beneath the upper encapsulant layer, the photovoltaic solar cells electrically interconnected, a lower encapsulant layer beneath the plurality of photovoltaic solar cells, the upper and lower encapsulant layers enclosing the plurality of photovoltaic solar cells, and a homogenous rear environmental protection layer, the rear environmental protection layer adhering to the lower encapsulant layer, the rear environmental protection layer exposed to the ambient environment on the second side of the photovoltaic module.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Inventors: Gabriela E. BUNEA, Sung Dug KIM, David F. J. KAVULAK
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Publication number: 20130000694Abstract: A photovoltaic module is disclosed. The photovoltaic module has a first side directed toward the sun during normal operation and a second, lower side. The photovoltaic module comprises a perimeter frame and a photovoltaic laminate at least partially enclosed by and supported by the perimeter frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2011Publication date: January 3, 2013Inventors: Gabriela E. BUNEA, Sung Dug KIM, David F.J. KAVULAK
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Patent number: 8138244Abstract: A composition comprises, based on the total weight of the composition: from 20 to 90 wt. % of a polyester component comprising a modified poly(butylene terephthalate) copolymer that is derived from a poly(ethylene terephthalate) component; from 5 to 35 wt. % of a flame retardant phosphinate and/or a flame retardant diphosphinate; from 1 to 25 wt. % of a melamine polyphosphate, melamine cyanurate, melamine pyrophosphate, and/or melamine phosphate; from greater than zero to 50 wt. % of a glass fiber having a non-circular cross-section; and from 0 to 5 wt. % of an additive.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2008Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.Inventors: Tianhua Ding, Sung Dug Kim
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Publication number: 20110319534Abstract: A thermoplastic polyester composition comprising, based on the total weight of the composition, a chlorine- and bromine-free combination of: from 40 to 60 wt % of a modified poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate); from 25 to 35 wt % of a reinforcing filler; from 2 to 8 wt % of a flame retardant synergist selected from the group consisting of melamine polyphosphate, melamine cyanurate, melamine pyrophosphate, melamine phosphate, and combinations thereof; from 5 to 15 wt % of a phosphinate salt flame retardant; from more than 0 to less than 5 wt % of an impact modifier component comprising a poly(ether-ester) elastomer and a (meth)acrylate impact modifier; from more than 0 to 5 wt % poly(tetrafluoroethylene) encapsulated by a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer; from more than 0 to 2 wt % of a stabilizer; wherein the thermoplastic polyester composition contains less than 5 wt % of a polyetherimide.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2010Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: SABIC Innovative Plastics IP B.V.Inventors: TIANHUA DING, RODNEY FONSECA, SUNG DUG KIM, CHRIS VAN DER WEELE
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Publication number: 20110319536Abstract: A thermoplastic polyester composition comprising, based on the total weight of the composition, a chlorine- and bromine-free combination of: from 40 to 60 wt % of a polyester; from 25 to 35 wt % of a reinforcing filler; from 2 to 8 wt % of a flame retardant synergist selected from the group consisting of melamine polyphosphate, melamine cyanurate, melamine pyrophosphate, melamine phosphate, and combinations thereof; from 5 to 15 wt % of a phosphinate salt flame retardant; from more than 0 to less than 5 wt % of an impact modifier component comprising a poly(ether-ester) elastomer and a (meth)acrylate impact modifier; from more than 0 to 5 wt % poly(tetrafluoroethylene) encapsulated by a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer; from more than 0 to 2 wt % of a stabilizer; wherein the thermoplastic polyester composition contains less than 5 wt % of a polyetherimide.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2010Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: SABIC INNOVATIVE PLASTICS IP B.V.Inventors: TIANHUA DING, RODNEY FONSECA, SUNG DUG KIM, CHRIS VAN DER WEELE
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Patent number: 8080599Abstract: A thermoplastic polyester composition comprises, based on the total weight of the composition, from 20 to 95 wt. % of a polyester comprising a poly(alkylene terephthalate); from 1 to 35 wt. % of a phosphorous flame retardant consisting of a phosphinate of the formula (I) [(R1)(R2(PO)—O]?mMm+??(I), a diphosphinate of the formula (II) [(O—POR1)(R3)(POR2—O)]2?nMm+x??(II), and/or a polymer derived from the phosphinate of formula (I) or the diphosphinate of the formula (II); from 0.1 to less than 20 wt. % of a copolyetherester; from 0.1 to 5 wt. % of an anti-dripping agent; from 0 to 4.5 wt. % of a reinforcing fiber; and from 0 to 5 wt. % of an additive selected from the group consisting of a mold release agent, an antioxidant, a thermal stabilizer, and a UV stabilizer.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2009Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.Inventors: Tianhua Ding, Rodney Fonseca, Sung Dug Kim, Chris Van Der Weele
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Publication number: 20110071240Abstract: A thermoplastic polyester composition comprises, based on the total weight of the composition, from 20 to 95 wt. % of a polyester comprising a poly(alkylene terephthalate); from 1 to 35 wt. % of a phosphorous flame retardant consisting of a phosphinate of the formula (I) [(R1)(R2(PO)—O]?mMm+??(I), a diphosphinate of the formula (II) [(O—POR1)(R3)(POR2—O)]2?nMm+x??(II), and/or a polymer derived from the phosphinate of formula (I) or the diphosphinate of the formula (II); from 0.1 to less than 20 wt. % of a copolyetherester; from 0.1 to 5 wt. % of an anti-dripping agent; from 0 to 4.5 wt. % of a reinforcing fiber; and from 0 to 5 wt. % of an additive selected from the group consisting of a mold release agent, an antioxidant, a thermal stabilizer, and a UV stabilizer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Inventors: TIANHUA DING, RODNEY FONSECA, SUNG DUG KIM, CHRIS VAN DER WEELE