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: 20150249162
    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: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventors: Douglas Rose, Thomas Phu
  • Patent number: 9029689
    Abstract: A method of connecting two solar cells is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises gripping an interconnect with a head of positioning device, heating the interconnect with the head of the positioning device to between two predetermined temperatures, where one is higher than the other, positioning the interconnect so as to overlay two adjacent solar cells, coupling the interconnect to each of the two adjacent solar cells, and releasing the interconnect from the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Phu, Shashwat Kumaria, Briccio deLeon
  • Patent number: 8991682
    Abstract: A method for connecting a plurality of solar cells and an improved interconnect is disclosed. The method includes aligning an interconnect to a plurality of solar cells having solder pads, where the interconnect has a main body and tabs extending therefrom, and where each of the tabs has a downward depression, such that the tabs are positioned above the solder pads in between solar cells and pinning the interconnect against a work surface by pressing a hold down pin against the main body of the interconnect such that a lower surface of the interconnect tabs are maintained parallel to an upper surfaces of the solder pads, and such that the depression of each of the tabs flatly contacts the solder pads. The method can also include cantilevered tabs extending downwardly from the main body providing a controlled spring force between the tab lower surface and the solder pad upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Sunpower Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Linderman, Thomas Phu
  • Publication number: 20140291852
    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: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Ryan Linderman, Keith Johnston, Thomas Phu, Matthew Dawson
  • Patent number: 8786095
    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: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Linderman, Keith Johnston, Thomas Phu, Matthew Dawson
  • Publication number: 20140137922
    Abstract: A method for connecting a plurality of solar cells and an improved interconnect is disclosed. The method includes aligning an interconnect to a plurality of solar cells having solder pads, where the interconnect has a main body and tabs extending therefrom, and where each of the tabs has a downward depression, such that the tabs are positioned above the solder pads in between solar cells and pinning the interconnect against a work surface by pressing a hold down pin against the main body of the interconnect such that a lower surface of the interconnect tabs are maintained parallel to an upper surfaces of the solder pads, and such that the depression of each of the tabs flatly contacts the solder pads. The method can also include cantilevered tabs extending downwardly from the main body providing a controlled spring force between the tab lower surface and the solder pad upper surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Linderman, Thomas Phu
  • Patent number: 8636198
    Abstract: A method for connecting a plurality of solar cells and an improved interconnect is disclosed. The method includes aligning an interconnect to a plurality of solar cells having solder pads, where the interconnect has a main body and tabs extending therefrom, and where each of the tabs has a downward depression, such that the tabs are positioned above the solder pads in between solar cells and pinning the interconnect against a work surface by pressing a hold down pin against the main body of the interconnect such that a lower surface of the interconnect tabs are maintained parallel to an upper surfaces of the solder pads, and such that the depression of each of the tabs flatly contacts the solder pads. The method can also include cantilevered tabs extending downwardly from the main body providing a controlled spring force between the tab lower surface and the solder pad upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Linderman, Thomas Phu
  • Publication number: 20130228906
    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: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Ryan Linderman, Keith Johnston, Thomas Phu, Matthew Dawson
  • Patent number: 8426974
    Abstract: Interconnects for optoelectronic devices are described. An interconnect may include a stress relief feature. An interconnect may include an L-shaped feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Linderman, Keith Johnston, Thomas Phu, Matthew Dawson
  • Publication number: 20120160294
    Abstract: A method of connecting two solar cells is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises gripping an interconnect with a head of positioning device, heating the interconnect with the head of the positioning device to between two predetermined temperatures, where one is higher than the other, positioning the interconnect so as to overlay two adjacent solar cells, coupling the interconnect to each of the two adjacent solar cells, and releasing the interconnect from the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas PHU, Shashwat KUMARIA, Briccio deLeon
  • Publication number: 20120074576
    Abstract: Interconnects for optoelectronic devices are described. An interconnect may include a stress relief feature. An interconnect may include an L-shaped feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Ryan Linderman, Keith Johnston, Thomas Phu, Matthew Dawson
  • Publication number: 20090139557
    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: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Douglas Rose, Thomas Phu
  • Publication number: 20080083453
    Abstract: A method and apparatus directed to busbar components for photovoltaic modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Douglas Rose, Shan Daroczi, Thomas Phu
  • Patent number: 7172184
    Abstract: A carrier for use in processing of a plurality of wafers or other substrates includes a support frame on which the wafers are mounted and in one embodiment at least one auxiliary frame for holding the substrates on the support frame. A plurality of clips extend from the auxiliary frame and engage the substrates in pressure engagement, and fasteners retain the auxiliary frame in position with respect to the support frame. In one embodiment two auxiliary frames can be employed for holding wafers on opposing surfaces of the support frame. The support frame has electrically non-conducting surfaces whereby the processing does not affect the support frame, and the auxiliary frame is made of electrically non-conductive material. The clips are electrically conductive and bridge current from the support frame to the wafers during plating operations. In another embodiment, auxiliary frame are not used and the wafer retention clips are mounted on the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sunpower Corporation
    Inventors: Luca Pavani, Neil Kaminar, Pongsthorn Uralwong, Thomas Phu, Douglas H. Rose, Thomas Pass
  • Publication number: 20050061665
    Abstract: A carrier for use in processing of a plurality of wafers or other substrates includes a support frame on which the wafers are mounted and in one embodiment at least one auxiliary frame for holding the substrates on the support frame. A plurality of clips extend from the auxiliary frame and engage the substrates in pressure engagement, and fasteners retain the auxiliary frame in position with respect to the support frame. In one embodiment two auxiliary frames can be employed for holding wafers on opposing surfaces of the support frame. The support frame has electrically non-conducting surfaces whereby the processing does not affect the support frame, and the auxiliary frame is made of electrically non- conductive material. The clips are electrically conductive and bridge current from the support frame to the wafers during plating operations. In another embodiment, auxiliary frame are not used and the wafer retention clips are mounted on the support frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Applicant: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Luca Pavani, Neil Kaminar, Pongsthorn Uralwong, Thomas Phu, Douglas Rose, Thomas Pass