Patents by Inventor Tim Leong
Tim Leong 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: 20140144489Abstract: A solar panel apparatus includes a set of photovoltaic modules. The modules are configured to photovoltaically generate electricity from light. Each module is elongated along an axis and has first and second axially opposite ends. An end rail has a groove into which the first end of each module is potted in place with potting material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2013Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: Solyndra LLCInventors: Benyamin Buller, Brian H. Cumpston, Tim Leong
-
Patent number: 8710361Abstract: Volume compensation in photovoltaic device is provided. The photovoltaic device has an outer transparent casing and a substrate that, together, define an inner volume. At least one solar cell is on the substrate. A filler layer seals the at least one solar cell within the inner volume. A container within the inner volume has an opening in fluid communication with the filler layer. A diaphragm is affixed to the opening thereby sealing the interior of the container from the filler layer. The diaphragm is configured to decrease the volume within the container when the filler layer thermally expands and to increase the volume within the container when the filler layer thermally contracts. In some instances, the substrate is hollowed and the container is formed within this hollow. The container can have multiple openings, each sealed with a diaphragm. There can be multiple containers within the photovoltaic device.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2012Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Solyndra, LLCInventors: Brian Cumpston, Tim Leong
-
Patent number: 8530737Abstract: A solar panel apparatus includes a set of photovoltaic modules. The modules are configured to photovoltaically generate electricity from light. Each module is elongated along an axis and has first and second axially opposite ends. An end rail has a groove into which the first end of each module is potted in place with potting material.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2007Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Solyndra LLCInventors: Benyamin Buller, Brian H. Cumpston, Tim Leong
-
Publication number: 20120298184Abstract: Volume compensation in photovoltaic device is provided. The photovoltaic device has an outer transparent casing and a substrate that, together, define an inner volume. At least one solar cell is on the substrate. A filler layer seals the at least one solar cell within the inner volume. A container within the inner volume has an opening in fluid communication with the filler layer. A diaphragm is affixed to the opening thereby sealing the interior of the container from the filler layer. The diaphragm is configured to decrease the volume within the container when the filler layer thermally expands and to increase the volume within the container when the filler layer thermally contracts. In some instances, the substrate is hollowed and the container is formed within this hollow. The container can have multiple openings, each sealed with a diaphragm. There can be multiple containers within the photovoltaic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventors: Brian Cumpston, Tim Leong
-
Patent number: 8106292Abstract: Volume compensation in photovoltaic device is provided. The photovoltaic device has an outer transparent casing and a substrate that, together, define an inner volume. At least one solar cell is on the substrate. A filler layer seals the at least one solar cell within the inner volume. A container within the inner volume has an opening in fluid communication with the filler layer. A diaphragm is affixed to the opening thereby sealing the interior of the container from the filler layer. The diaphragm is configured to decrease the volume within the container when the filler layer thermally expands and to increase the volume within the container when the filler layer thermally contracts. In some instances, the substrate is hollowed and the container is formed within this hollow. The container can have multiple openings, each sealed with a diaphragm. There can be multiple containers within the photovoltaic device.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Solyndra LLCInventors: Brian Cumpston, Tim Leong
-
Patent number: 8093493Abstract: A photovoltaic device having (i) an outer transparent casing, (ii) a substrate, the substrate and the outer transparent casing defining an inner volume, (iii) at least one solar cell on the substrate, (iv) a filler layer sealing the at least one solar cell and (v) a container within the inner volume is provided. The container decreases in volume when the filler layer expands, and increases in volume when the filler layer contracts. In some instances, the container is sealed and has a plurality of ridges. In some instances, the container has an opening that is sealed by a spring loaded seal. In some instances, the container has a first opening and a second opening, where the first opening is sealed by a first spring loaded seal and the second opening is sealed by a second spring loaded seal. In some instances, the container has an elongated asteroid shape.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Solyndra LLCInventors: Brian H. Cumpston, Tim Leong, Thomas P. Frangesh
-
Publication number: 20110168230Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus for electrically connecting a plurality of photovoltaic modules in a solar panel includes a first electrically conductive line engageable with and capable of electrically connecting a plurality of first output contacts of the photovoltaic modules along a common axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2011Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: SOLYNDRA, INC.Inventors: Benyamin Buller, Tim Leong
-
Patent number: 7963813Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus for electrically connecting a plurality of photovoltaic modules in a solar panel includes a first electrically conductive line engageable with and capable of electrically connecting a plurality of first output contacts of the photovoltaic modules along a common axis.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2007Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Solyndra, Inc.Inventors: Benyamin Buller, Tim Leong
-
Publication number: 20100147367Abstract: A photovoltaic device having (i) an outer transparent casing, (ii) a substrate, the substrate and the outer transparent casing defining an inner volume, (iii) at least one solar cell on the substrate, (iv) a filler layer sealing the at least one solar cell and (v) a container within the inner volume is provided. The container decreases in volume when the filler layer expands, and increases in volume when the filler layer contracts. In some instances, the container is sealed and has a plurality of ridges. In some instances, the container has an opening that is sealed by a spring loaded seal. In some instances, the container has a first opening and a second opening, where the first opening is sealed by a first spring loaded seal and the second opening is sealed by a second spring loaded seal. In some instances, the container has an elongated asteroid shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Inventors: Brian H. Cumpston, Tim Leong, Thomas P. Frangesh
-
Publication number: 20080264472Abstract: A photovoltaic device having (i) an outer transparent casing, (ii) a substrate, the substrate and the outer transparent casing defining an inner volume, (iii) at least one solar cell on the substrate, (iv) a filler layer sealing the at least one solar cell and (v) a container within the inner volume is provided. The container decreases in volume when the filler layer expands, and increases in volume when the filler layer contracts. In some instances, the container is sealed and has a plurality of ridges. In some instances, the container has an opening that is sealed by a spring loaded seal. In some instances, the container has a first opening and a second opening, where the first opening is sealed by a first spring loaded seal and the second opening is sealed by a second spring loaded seal. In some instances, the container has an elongated asteroid shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: Brian H. Cumpston, Tim Leong, Thomas P. Frangesh
-
Publication number: 20080264473Abstract: Volume compensation in photovoltaic device is provided. The photovoltaic device has an outer transparent casing and a substrate that, together, define an inner volume. At least one solar cell is on the substrate. A filler layer seals the at least one solar cell within the inner volume. A container within the inner volume has an opening in fluid communication with the filler layer. A diaphragm is affixed to the opening thereby sealing the interior of the container from the filler layer. The diaphragm is configured to decrease the volume within the container when the filler layer thermally expands and to increase the volume within the container when the filler layer thermally contracts. In some instances, the substrate is hollowed and the container is formed within this hollow. The container can have multiple openings, each sealed with a diaphragm. There can be multiple containers within the photovoltaic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: Brian Cumpston, Tim Leong
-
Publication number: 20080163921Abstract: A three-legged solar cell apparatus for producing photovoltaic electricity has a solar panel and a three-legged structure. The three-legged structure can be a tripod-like assembly or three separate legs mounted to the solar panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Applicant: SOLYNDRA, INC., a Delaware CorporationInventors: Tim Leong, Benyamin Buller
-
Publication number: 20080113567Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus for electrically connecting a plurality of photovoltaic modules in a solar panel includes a first electrically conductive line engageable with and capable of electrically connecting a plurality of first output contacts of the photovoltaic modules along a common axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2007Publication date: May 15, 2008Applicant: Solyndra, Inc.Inventors: Benyamin Buller, Tim Leong
-
Publication number: 20080110492Abstract: A solar panel apparatus includes a set of photovoltaic modules. The modules are configured to photovoltaically generate electricity from light. Each module is elongated along an axis and has first and second axially opposite ends. An end rail has a groove into which the first end of each module is potted in place with potting material.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2007Publication date: May 15, 2008Inventors: Benyamin Buller, Brian H. Cumpston, Tim Leong
-
Publication number: 20080110488Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus for reducing the transmission of stress to at least one among a plurality of photovoltaic modules mounted within a solar energy collection or absorption device includes a first electrically conductive line extending between and electrically connected to at least first and second photovoltaic modules and being capable of yielding in response to stress placed upon it.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2007Publication date: May 15, 2008Applicant: Solyndra, Inc., a Delware CorporationInventors: Benyamin Buller, Tim Leong
-
Patent number: 6709218Abstract: The present invention generally provides a robot blade which provides a plurality of semi-conductive or conductive contacts disposed at least partially on the surface of the blade to support a substrate above the blade. The contacts are preferably located inwardly from the edge of the blade and toward the center of the blade to provide a collection area on the blade to capture any particles which may form. The blade is preferably made of a semi-conductive material, such as alumina or other semi-conductive material, to provide an electrical flow path through the contact(s) to discharge any electrical charge which may build up on the substrate during processing.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1999Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Frederik W. Freerks, Tetsuya Ishikawa, Timothy Y. Wang, Jeffrey C. Hudgens, James R. Ciulik, Mohsen Salek, Tim Leong, Al DiFrancesco