Patents by Inventor Thomas Phu

Thomas Phu 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: 20210135040
    Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a method of separating a photovoltaic strip from a solar cell. The method includes providing a solar cell, placing the front side of the solar cell on a platen such that the backside is facing a laser source, initiating a laser source to output a laser beam having a wavelength from 200 to 600 nanometers and a spot size of 18 to 30 microns, subjecting a portion of the backside to the laser beam at a power level ranging from about 20 Watts to about 35 Watts to cause an ablation to form a scribe region having a depth, width, and a length, the depth being from 40% to 60% of a thickness of the solar cell, the width being between 16 and 35 microns to create a plurality of scribe regions spatially disposed on the backside of the solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Kevin R. GIBSON, Aureo PARILLA, Thomas PHU
  • Publication number: 20200365756
    Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a method of separating a photovoltaic strip from a solar cell. The method includes providing a solar cell, placing the front side of the solar cell on a platen such that the backside is facing a laser source, initiating a laser source to output a laser beam having a wavelength from 200 to 600 nanometers and a spot size of 18 to 30 microns, subjecting a portion of the backside to the laser beam at a power level ranging from about 20 Watts to about 35 Watts to cause an ablation to form a scribe region having a depth, width, and a length, the depth being from 40% to 60% of a thickness of the solar cell, the width being between 16 and 35 microns to create a plurality of scribe regions spatially disposed on the backside of the solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin R. GIBSON, Aureo PARILLA, Thomas PHU
  • Patent number: 10777691
    Abstract: A method and apparatus directed to busbar components for photovoltaic modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Rose, Shan Daroczi, Thomas Phu
  • Patent number: 10763388
    Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a method of separating a photovoltaic strip from a solar cell. The method includes providing a solar cell, placing the front side of the solar cell on a platen such that the backside is facing a laser source, initiating a laser source to output a laser beam having a wavelength from 200 to 600 nanometers and a spot size of 18 to 30 microns, subjecting a portion of the backside to the laser beam at a power level ranging from about 20 Watts to about 35 Watts to cause an ablation to form a scribe region having a depth, width, and a length, the depth being from 40% to 60% of a thickness of the solar cell, the width being between 16 and 35 microns to create a plurality of scribe regions spatially disposed on the backside of the solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Solaria Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin R. Gibson, Aureo Parilla, Thomas Phu
  • Publication number: 20200259040
    Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a method of separating a photovoltaic strip from a solar cell. The method includes providing a solar cell, placing the front side of the solar cell on a platen such that the backside is facing a laser source, initiating a laser source to output a laser beam having a wavelength from 200 to 600 nanometers and a spot size of 18 to 30 microns, subjecting a portion of the backside to the laser beam at a power level ranging from about 20 Watts to about 35 Watts to cause an ablation to form a scribe region having a depth, width, and a length, the depth being from 40% to 60% of a thickness of the solar cell, the width being between 16 and 35 microns to create a plurality of scribe regions spatially disposed on the backside of the solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin R. GIBSON, Aureo PARILLA, Thomas PHU
  • Publication number: 20200259041
    Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a method of separating a photovoltaic strip from a solar cell. The method includes providing a solar cell, placing the front side of the solar cell on a platen such that the backside is facing a laser source, initiating a laser source to output a laser beam having a wavelength from 200 to 600 nanometers and a spot size of 18 to 30 microns, subjecting a portion of the backside to the laser beam at a power level ranging from about 20 Watts to about 35 Watts to cause an ablation to form a scribe region having a depth, width, and a length, the depth being from 40% to 60% of a thickness of the solar cell, the width being between 16 and 35 microns to create a plurality of scribe regions spatially disposed on the backside of the solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin R. GIBSON, Aureo PARILLA, Thomas PHU
  • Patent number: 10651333
    Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a method of separating a photovoltaic strip from a solar cell. The method includes providing a solar cell, placing the front side of the solar cell on a platen such that the backside is facing a laser source, initiating a laser source to output a laser beam having a wavelength from 200 to 600 nanometers and a spot size of 18 to 30 microns, subjecting a portion of the backside to the laser beam at a power level ranging from about 20 Watts to about 35 Watts to cause an ablation to form a scribe region having a depth, width, and a length, the depth being from 40% to 60% of a thickness of the solar cell, the width being between 16 and 35 microns to create a plurality of scribe regions spatially disposed on the backside of the solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: SOLARIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin R. Gibson, Aureo Parilla, Thomas Phu
  • Publication number: 20200091369
    Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a method of separating a photovoltaic strip from a solar cell. The method includes providing a solar cell, placing the front side of the solar cell on a platen such that the backside is facing a laser source, initiating a laser source to output a laser beam having a wavelength from 200 to 600 nanometers and a spot size of 18 to 30 microns, subjecting a portion of the backside to the laser beam at a power level ranging from about 20 Watts to about 35 Watts to cause an ablation to form a scribe region having a depth, width, and a length, the depth being from 40% to 60% of a thickness of the solar cell, the width being between 16 and 35 microns to create a plurality of scribe regions spatially disposed on the backside of the solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin R. GIBSON, Aureo PARILLA, Thomas PHU
  • Patent number: 10522707
    Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a method of separating a photovoltaic strip from a solar cell. The method includes providing a solar cell, placing the front side of the solar cell on a platen such that the backside is facing a laser source, initiating a laser source to output a laser beam having a wavelength from 200 to 600 nanometers and a spot size of 18 to 30 microns, subjecting a portion of the backside to the laser beam at a power level ranging from about 20 Watts to about 35 Watts to cause an ablation to form a scribe region having a depth, width, and a length, the depth being from 40% to 60% of a thickness of the solar cell, the width being between 16 and 35 microns to create a plurality of scribe regions spatially disposed on the backside of the solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: SOLARIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin R. Gibson, Aureo Parilla, Thomas Phu
  • Publication number: 20190273176
    Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a method of separating a photovoltaic strip from a solar cell. The method includes providing a solar cell, placing the front side of the solar cell on a platen such that the backside is facing a laser source, initiating a laser source to output a laser beam having a wavelength from 200 to 600 nanometers and a spot size of 18 to 30 microns, subjecting a portion of the backside to the laser beam at a power level ranging from about 20 Watts to about 35 Watts to cause an ablation to form a scribe region having a depth, width, and a length, the depth being from 40% to 60% of a thickness of the solar cell, the width being between 16 and 35 microns to create a plurality of scribe regions spatially disposed on the backside of the solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Kevin R. GIBSON, Aureo PARILLA, Thomas PHU
  • Patent number: 10347788
    Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a method of separating a photovoltaic strip from a solar cell. The method includes providing a solar cell, placing the front side of the solar cell on a platen such that the backside is facing a laser source, initiating a laser source to output a laser beam having a wavelength from 200 to 600 nanometers and a spot size of 18 to 30 microns, subjecting a portion of the backside to the laser beam at a power level ranging from about 20 Watts to about 35 Watts to cause an ablation to form a scribe region having a depth, width, and a length, the depth being from 40% to 60% of a thickness of the solar cell, the width being between 16 and 35 microns to create a plurality of scribe regions spatially disposed on the backside of the solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Solaria Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin R. Gibson, Aureo Parilla, Thomas Phu
  • Publication number: 20190051761
    Abstract: A method and apparatus directed to busbar components for photovoltaic modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Douglas Rose, Shan Daroczi, Thomas Phu
  • Publication number: 20190044000
    Abstract: Interconnection of back contact photovoltaic cells in a photovoltaic module is described. Pre-assembled busbars are connected with a configuration to enable correction for cell misalignment in the module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Douglas Rose, Thomas Phu
  • Patent number: 10121910
    Abstract: A photovoltaic system including a cell connection piece coupled to a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a terminal of a junction box. The cell connection piece includes an interconnect bus, a plurality of bus tabs unitarily formed with the interconnect bus, and a terminal bus coupled with the interconnect bus. The plurality of bus tabs extend from the interconnect bus. The terminal bus includes a nonlinear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Rose, Shan Daroczi, Thomas Phu
  • Publication number: 20170301822
    Abstract: In an example, the present invention provides a method of separating a photovoltaic strip from a solar cell. The method includes providing a solar cell, placing the front side of the solar cell on a platen such that the backside is facing a laser source, initiating a laser source to output a laser beam having a wavelength from 200 to 600 nanometers and a spot size of 18 to 30 microns, subjecting a portion of the backside to the laser beam at a power level ranging from about 20 Watts to about 35 Watts to cause an ablation to form a scribe region having a depth, width, and a length, the depth being from 40% to 60% of a thickness of the solar cell, the width being between 16 and 35 microns to create a plurality of scribe regions spatially disposed on the backside of the solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Kevin R. GIBSON, Aureo PARILLA, Thomas PHU
  • Patent number: 9716206
    Abstract: A solar cell interconnect processing assembly includes a stack of interconnects, a positioning head, and a control system. The positioning head picks up an interconnect from the stack of interconnects at a first location, moves the interconnect from the first location to a second location, heats the interconnect while moving the interconnect from the first location to the second location, and places the interconnect over two adjacent solar cells at the second location. The control system controls a temperature at which the interconnect is heated and controls movement of the positioning head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Phu, Shashwat Kumaria, Briccio deLeon
  • Patent number: 9537036
    Abstract: Interconnects for optoelectronic devices are described. For example, an interconnect for an optoelectronic device includes an interconnect body having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end, and a second end. A plurality of bond pads is coupled to the inner surface of the interconnect body, between the first and second ends. A stress relief feature is disposed in the interconnect body. The stress relief feature includes a slot disposed entirely within the interconnect body without extending through to the inner surface, without extending through to the outer surface, without extending through to the first end, and without extending through to the second end of the interconnect body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Linderman, Keith Johnston, Thomas Phu, Matthew Dawson
  • Publication number: 20160035908
    Abstract: A method and apparatus directed to busbar components for photovoltaic modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas Rose, Shan Daroczi, Thomas Phu
  • Patent number: 9184327
    Abstract: A cell connection piece for a photovoltaic module is disclosed herein. The cell connection piece includes an interconnect bus, a plurality of bus tabs unitarily formed with the interconnect bus, and a terminal bus coupled with the interconnect bus. The plurality of bus tabs extend from the interconnect bus. The terminal bus includes a non-linear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Rose, Shan Daroczi, Thomas Phu
  • Publication number: 20150287875
    Abstract: A solar cell interconnect processing assembly includes a stack of interconnects, a positioning head, and a control system. The positioning head picks up an interconnect from the stack of interconnects at a first location, moves the interconnect from the first location to a second location, heats the interconnect while moving the interconnect from the first location to the second location, and places the interconnect over two adjacent solar cells at the second location. The control system controls a temperature at which the interconnect is heated and controls movement of the positioning head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas PHU, Shashwat KUMARIA, Briccio deLEON