Patents by Inventor Tom Borgers

Tom Borgers 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).

  • Patent number: 12635263
    Abstract: A photovoltaic module includes at least one string of solar cells wherein the solar cells are electrically connected in series using a plurality of connecting elements, wherein each connecting element electrically connects a frontside of one of the solar cells of the at least one string with a backside of the neighboring solar cell of the at least one string; a weave of electrically insulating yarns on which the solar cells are positioned; at least one electronic device comprising a first terminal, and a second terminal, wherein the at least one electronic device is fixed to the weave and wherein the first terminal, and the second terminal are respectively electrically connected with the connecting elements at the backsides of neighboring solar cells of the at least one string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignees: IMEC VZW, UNIVERSITEIT HASSELT
    Inventors: Tom Borgers, Jonathan Govaerts
  • Patent number: 12419132
    Abstract: The present disclosure related to a method for interconnecting photovoltaic cells in order to form a photovoltaic cells assembly is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a first photovoltaic cell comprising a first surface, a second surface, a first edge, and a second edge, arranging a conductive wire on the first surface of the first photovoltaic cell according to a certain pattern, and attaching the conductive wire to the first surface of the first photovoltaic cell with the aid of a first non-conductive yarn by stitching in the area of the first edge of the first photovoltaic cell according to a first stitch type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2025
    Assignees: IMEC VZW, Universiteit Hasselt
    Inventors: Marc Meuris, Tom Borgers
  • Publication number: 20250107250
    Abstract: An assembly for electrically contacting and connecting photovoltaic cells, is provided, comprising first and second electrically insulating foils laterally shifted in a first direction. The assembly comprises a plurality of electrically conductive wires arranged substantially parallel to each other and substantially extending over both electrically insulating foils in the first direction, wherein the plurality of electrically conductive wires is arranged on a first foil surface of the first electrically insulating foil and further on a second foil surface of the second electrically insulating foil, being located at opposite sides of the assembly. The plurality of electrically conductive wires is locally attached to both electrically insulating foils without penetrating therethrough. A method for fabricating the assembly is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Tom BORGERS, Jonathan GOVAERTS
  • Publication number: 20250098336
    Abstract: A photovoltaic module includes at least one string of solar cells wherein the solar cells are electrically connected in series using a plurality of connecting elements, wherein each connecting element electrically connects a frontside of one of the solar cells of the at least one string with a backside of the neighboring solar cell of the at least one string; a weave of electrically insulating yarns on which the solar cells are positioned; at least one electronic device comprising a first terminal, and a second terminal, wherein the at least one electronic device is fixed to the weave and wherein the first terminal, and the second terminal are respectively electrically connected with the connecting elements at the backsides of neighboring solar cells of the at least one string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Tom BORGERS, Jonathan GOVAERTS
  • Patent number: 12109864
    Abstract: A damping control system includes: a damping chamber connected to one of (a) a body of a vehicle and (b) a wheel of the vehicle; a piston that is slidably disposed within the damping chamber and that includes: a piston rod that is connected to the other one of (a) the body of the vehicle and (b) the wheel of the vehicle; and a plunger that is connected to the piston rod and that divides the damping chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber; a first valve that regulates hydraulic fluid flow out of the first chamber; and a valve control module configured to selectively close the first valve when a position of the plunger is between (a) a first reference position within the first chamber and (b) a first end stop of the damping chamber that defines a boundary of the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Bert Vandersmissen, Thom Heylands, Nandish Calchand, Tom Borgers
  • Publication number: 20240286451
    Abstract: A damping control system includes: a damping chamber connected to one of (a) a body of a vehicle and (b) a wheel of the vehicle; a piston that is slidably disposed within the damping chamber and that includes: a piston rod that is connected to the other one of (a) the body of the vehicle and (b) the wheel of the vehicle; and a plunger that is connected to the piston rod and that divides the damping chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber; a first valve that regulates hydraulic fluid flow out of the first chamber; and a valve control module configured to selectively close the first valve when a position of the plunger is between (a) a first reference position within the first chamber and (b) a first end stop of the damping chamber that defines a boundary of the first chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Bert VANDERSMISSEN, Thom Heylands, Nandish Calchand, Tom Borgers
  • Publication number: 20240063326
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to methods for continuous photovoltaic cell stringing and photovoltaic cell assemblies. An example method includes providing a foil in a provision direction in a continuous manner. The method also includes cutting at least one slit into the foil along the provision direction. Additionally, the method includes creating at least one slit opening by folding open the foil at a location of the at least one slit. Further, the method includes providing at least one electrically conductive wire near a first surface of the foil along the provision direction aligned with the at least one slit opening in a continuous manner. Yet further, the method includes folding back the foil at the at least one slit opening after the electrically conductive wire provision such that the at least one electrically conductive wire changes its position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Tom Borgers, Marc Meuris
  • Publication number: 20230299226
    Abstract: The present disclosure related to a method for interconnecting photovoltaic cells in order to form a photovoltaic cells assembly is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a first photovoltaic cell comprising a first surface, a second surface, a first edge, and a second edge, arranging a conductive wire on the first surface of the first photovoltaic cell according to a certain pattern, and attaching the conductive wire to the first surface of the first photovoltaic cell with the aid of a first non-conductive yarn by stitching in the area of the first edge of the first photovoltaic cell according to a first stitch type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Marc Meuris, Tom Borgers
  • Patent number: 10978601
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to partially translucent photovoltaic modules and methods for manufacturing partially translucent photovoltaic modules. One embodiment includes a method for electrically interconnecting a plurality of thin-film photovoltaic plates. The method includes positioning a plurality of thin-film photovoltaic plates side by side. The thin-film photovoltaic plates are partially translucent or non-translucent. The method also includes providing at least one connection element on a surface of each of the plurality of thin-film photovoltaic plates. The at least one connection element includes a plurality of electrically conductive wires arranged in a grid structure. Further, the method includes physically separating each connection element into a first connection part that includes a plurality of first electrically interconnected, conductive wires and a second connection part that includes a plurality of second electrically interconnected, conductive wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: IMEC vzw
    Inventors: Marc Meuris, Tom Borgers, Bart Onsia
  • Publication number: 20200006585
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to partially translucent photovoltaic modules and methods for manufacturing partially translucent photovoltaic modules. One embodiment includes a method for electrically interconnecting a plurality of thin-film photovoltaic plates. The method includes positioning a plurality of thin-film photovoltaic plates side by side. The thin-film photovoltaic plates are partially translucent or non-translucent. The method also includes providing at least one connection element on a surface of each of the plurality of thin-film photovoltaic plates. The at least one connection element includes a plurality of electrically conductive wires arranged in a grid structure. Further, the method includes physically separating each connection element into a first connection part that includes a plurality of first electrically interconnected, conductive wires and a second connection part that includes a plurality of second electrically interconnected, conductive wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Marc Meuris, Tom Borgers, Bart Onsia
  • Publication number: 20180090635
    Abstract: A method and module for electrically contacting a photovoltaic cell and for electrically interconnecting such cell is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes providing a woven fabric comprising a plurality of electrically conductive wires being provided in a single one of a warp direction and a weft direction. The woven fabric further includes a plurality of polymer yarns being provided in at least the other one of the warp direction and the weft direction. In some embodiments, the woven fabric is brought into physical contact with a surface of a photovoltaic cell including a plurality of metal contacts, and afterwards a heating step is performed, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the respective metal contacts and at least one electrically conductive wire and thereby liquefying the plurality of polymer yarns and transforming them into an encapsulation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Tom BORGERS, Jozef SZLUFCIK
  • Patent number: 9490377
    Abstract: A uniform layer of insulating material is used to separate the connectors from the non-illuminated side of a back-contact solar cell, particularly a cell of the MWT type, the layer preferably being a uniform woven or non-woven fabric of a heat-resistant material such as glass fiber, and the electrical connection between the contact points of the cell and the connectors being made through the uniform layer thereby partially embedding the insulating material in the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: SOL IP S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Tom Borgers, Jozef Szlufcik
  • Publication number: 20130327390
    Abstract: A uniform layer of insulating material is used to separate the connectors from the non-illuminated side of a back-contact solar cell, particularly a cell of the MWT type, the layer preferably being a uniform woven or non-woven fabric of a heat-resistant material such as glass fibre, and the electrical connection between the contact points of the cell and the connectors being made through the uniform layer thereby partially embedding the insulating material in the connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: SOL INVICTUS ENERGY
    Inventors: Tom Borgers, Jozef Szlufcik