Abstract: A liquid processing apparatus performs a liquid processing on a rotating substrate by supplying a processing liquid. Surrounding members surround a region including an upper space of a cup body surrounding the rotating substrate and provided with an opening above the substrate. An air flow forming portion forms a descending air flow from an upper side of the cup body. A bottom surface portion blocks between the cup body and the surrounding member along a circumferential direction. An exhaust port is provided above the bottom surface portion and outside the cup body to exhaust an atmosphere in a region surrounded by the surrounding members and the bottom surface portion.

Abstract: A spray control assembly for a dishwashing appliance is provided. Using concentric flow paths, the spray control assembly allows selection of e.g., the rotational direction for at least one spray arm assembly. The selection of flow through e.g., multiple different spray assemblies is also provided. The spray control assembly incorporates a diverter having multiple port selections.

Abstract: A beach umbrella anchoring system comprising a restraining device or container for preventing the beach umbrella from being blown about by unexpected, sudden gusts of wind comprising a container, i.e., a beach bag for containing ballast or a weighting medium such as sand, dirt, small rocks and the like therein to anchor the umbrella, a beach umbrella having easily accessible storage areas in the form of at least one pocket attached to at least one seam found on the interior of the umbrella. The beach umbrella is provided with a support shaft having a tapered end so as to facilitate insertion of the shaft into beach bag and/or the sand on the beach to provide the sole support for the umbrella. If a container or beach bag containing sand or dirt is provided, the support shaft will pass through the same and into the sand on the beach.

Abstract: A walker assembly to assist a person in moving from a seated position to a standing position, including a frame having a base, the base being configured to support the walker assembly on a support surface and including a pair of opposed side members, and at least one stabilizer slidably received in one of the pair of opposed side members so that the at least one stabilizer is movable between a first position in which a distal end of the at least one stabilizer is disposed above the support surface and a second position in which the distal end of the stabilizer contacts the support surface.

Abstract: A frame structure, in its expanded configuration forms a top portion having an elongated top ridge member and four downwardly-angled ridge members. Each end of the top ridge member is connected to an inner end of two ridge members, while the outer ends of each ridge member are connected to legs. The top ridge member and ridge members are composed of various trusses and connector/cap members that allow the ridge members to pivot or not pivot, in various directions, allowing the frame structure to be folded to its collapsed configuration and unfolded to its expanded position.

Abstract: A low powered system for providing sufficient current to a fuel control mechanism drive. The system may have a fuel control mechanism pick circuit that has an energy storage mechanism for providing a large amount of current for a short time to the fuel control mechanism drive. A safety switch may be enabled with a special signal to let current flow to the fuel control mechanism drive to operate a corresponding fuel control mechanism for controlling fuel to a pilot light or heating element. The pilot light or heating element may provide heat to a thermoelectric source that generates electrical power from the heat. The electrical power may go to a single DC-to-DC converter and voltage clamp for providing a voltage source to a microcontroller and other circuits of the system. The pick circuit may prevent a harmful reverse flow of current from the storage mechanism to the thermoelectric source.

Abstract: For the precise, low-cost measurement of the power loss of a solar installation (17) caused by dirt. The device comprises: a first photovoltaic cell (1) for transforming solar energy into a first current (8); cleaning means (4) of the first cell (1); a second photovoltaic cell (2) for transforming solar energy into a second current (9); a first voltmeter (10) and a second voltmeter (11) for measuring the electric current of the first voltage (8) and the second voltage (9); and a control module (12) for comparing the measurements of the voltmeters (10, 11) and determining the power drops.

Abstract: A power generating system comprising: a plurality of power generating units coupled in parallel; a power collecting device for collecting electric power output from the plurality of power generating units; and wirings for coupling the plurality of power generating units and the power collecting device. A ratio of a conductor diameter to a predetermined length of each of the wirings is defined as a reference ratio. A value obtained by multiplying the reference ratio, a number of the wirings, and a loss generated by a specific wiring together is subtracted from a value obtained by multiplying a predetermined number of wirings for adjustment by a ratio of a conductor diameter to a length of the specific wiring. A total of the ratios of the conductor diameters to the lengths of the predetermined number of the wirings for adjustment is determined as a value less than the subtracted value.

Abstract: In general, the invention relates to electro-conductive pastes with Ag-metal-oxide as additives and solar cells with high Ohmic sheet resistance, preferably photovoltaic solar cells. More specifically, the invention relates to solar cell precursors, processes for preparation of solar cells, solar cells and solar modules. The invention relates to an electro-conductive paste comprising the following paste constituents: a. At least 70 wt. % Ag particles, based on the paste, b. An organic vehicle, c. A glass, d. An Ag-metal-oxide, comprising Ag, a metal M or semiconductor element different from Ag, and oxygen.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a solar panel. The solar panel includes a plurality of subsets of solar cells. The solar cells in a subset are coupled in series, and the subsets of solar cells are coupled in parallel. The number of solar cells in a respective subset is sufficiently large such that the output voltage of the solar panel is substantially the same as an output voltage of a conventional solar panel with all of its substantially square shaped solar cells coupled in series.

Abstract: A mobile solar power system provides electricity to various electronic devices needing a source of electricity in remote locations. The mobile solar power system may be transported in a compact form to a remote location by a trailer configured for securely transporting the mobile solar power system. Arrays for containing solar panels may be attached to the mobile solar power system. When a user is ready to deploy the solar panels of the various arrays, the arrays may be slid out from the mobile solar power system and/or unfolded from the mobile solar power system. After the arrays are deployed, the arrays including solar panels may be angled such that the solar panels may be exposed to solar energy which may be subsequently passed through to the various electronic devices needing a source of electricity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tracking-type photovoltaic generator. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tracking-type photovoltaic generator in which multiple solar modules are aligned into one or more rows so as to form a group, and the solar modules of the group aligned in the same row may rotate according to the location of the sun by means of the operation of a linear actuator.

Abstract: This solar cell module is provided with a plurality of solar cells, a first protective member, a second protective member, a filler, and a wiring material. The solar cells have a photoelectric conversion part, transparent conductive layers formed on a principal surface of the photoelectric conversion part, and plated electrodes of silver or copper, formed directly on the transparent conductive layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel foils for solar cells which feature improved hydrolysis resistance, and to the solar cells comprising said foils.

Abstract: A solar cell module includes a solar cell module body (11), an adhesive (30), and a support rail (12) bonded and fixed by the adhesive (30) to a back surface of the solar cell module body (11), in which a spacer member (40) for ensuring the thickness of the adhesive (30) is arranged between the back surface of the solar cell module body (11) and an adhesive surface (12a1) of the support rail (12).

Abstract: A solar cell comprises a three layer semiconductor structure wherein the top (14) and middle (15) layer are made of a semiconductor of higher bandgap than the bottom layer (16), the middle layer (15) has a higher dopant concentration than the top layer (14), and the three layer semiconductor structure is either a p-n-p structure or an n-p-n structure. The solar cell includes three terminals or contacts: a top contact (17) contacting the top layer (14), a middle contact (18) contacting the middle layer (15) and a bottom contact (19) contacting the bottom layer (16). Light anti-reflecting layers and semiconductor layers to reduce surface recombination can also be added to the basic three layer semiconductor structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a multijunction solar cell comprising at least an upper subcell, a middle subcell, and a lower subcell, the method including forming a first alpha layer over said middle solar subcell using a surfactant and dopant including selenium, the first alpha layer configured to prevent threading dislocations from propagating; forming a metamorphic grading interlayer over and directly adjacent to said first alpha layer; forming a second alpha layer using a surfactant and dopant including selenium over and directly adjacent to said grading interlayer to prevent threading dislocations from propagating; and forming a lower solar subcell over said grading interlayer such that said lower solar subcell is lattice mismatched with respect to said middle solar subcell.

Abstract: Disclosed are a solar cell apparatus and a method of fabricating the same. The solar cell apparatus includes a substrate; a back electrode layer on the substrate; a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer; and a front electrode layer on the light absorbing layer, wherein the light absorbing layer includes: a first region having a bandgap energy which is gradually increased in a direction of the front electrode; a second region on the first region, the second region having a bandgap energy which is gradually decreased in a direction of the front electrode layer; a third region on the second region, the third region having a bandgap energy which is gradually increased in a direction of the front electrode layer; and a fourth region on the first region, the fourth region having a bandgap energy which is gradually decreased in a direction of the front electrode layer.

Abstract: Discussed is a solar cell including a semiconductor substrate comprising a base region, an emitter region having a conductive type opposite to that of the base region, and a back surface field region having the same conductive type as the base region and a higher doping concentration than the base region, and a first electrode and a second electrode respectively connected to the emitter region and the back surface field region, wherein the base region has a specific resistance of 0.3 ?cm to 2.5 ?cm.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell structure for manufacturing a photovoltaic device. The photovoltaic cell structure includes a substrate including a surface region. A first conductor layer overlies the surface region. The photovoltaic cell structure includes a lower cell structure. The lower cell structure includes a first P type absorber layer using a first semiconductor metal chalcogenide material and/or other semiconductor material overlying the first conductor layer. The first P type absorber material is characterized by a first bandgap ranging from about 0.5 eV to about 1.0 eV, a first optical absorption coefficient greater than about 104 cm?1. The lower cell structure includes a first N+ type window layer comprising at least a second metal chalcogenide material and/or other semiconductor material overlying the first P absorber layer. The photovoltaic cell structure includes an upper cell structure.

Abstract: Metal seed layers for solar cell conductive contacts and methods of forming metal seed layers for solar cell conductive contacts are described. For example, a solar cell includes a substrate. A semiconductor region is disposed in or above the substrate. A conductive contact is disposed on the semiconductor region and includes a seed layer in contact with the semiconductor region. The seed layer is composed of aluminum (Al) and a second, different, metal.

Abstract: A solar cell can include a substrate and a semiconductor region disposed in or above the substrate. The solar cell can also include a conductive contact disposed on the semiconductor region with the conductive contact including deformed conductive particles.

Abstract: A solar cell can include a substrate and a semiconductor region disposed in or above the substrate. The solar cell can also include a conductive contact disposed on the semiconductor region with the conductive contact including a paste, a first metal, and a first conductive portion that includes a conductive alloy formed from the first metal at an interface of the substrate and the semiconductor region.

Abstract: A thin epitaxial silicon solar cell includes one or more layers of doped oxides on the backside. A silicon nitride layer that serves as a moisture barrier is formed on the one or more layers of doped oxides. The doped oxides provide dopants for forming doped regions in an epitaxial silicon layer. Metal contacts are electrically coupled to the doped regions through the silicon nitride layer and the one or more layers of doped oxides.

Abstract: A solar cell structure includes P-type and N-type doped regions. A dielectric spacer is formed on a surface of the solar cell structure. A metal layer is formed on the dielectric spacer and on the surface of the solar cell structure that is exposed by the dielectric spacer. A metal foil is placed on the metal layer. A laser beam is used to weld the metal foil to the metal layer. A laser beam is also used to pattern the metal foil. The laser beam ablates portions of the metal foil and the metal layer that are over the dielectric spacer. The laser ablation of the metal foil cuts the metal foil into separate P-type and N-type metal fingers.

Abstract: Solar cell contact structures formed from metal paste and methods of forming solar cell contact structures from metal paste are described. In a first example, a solar cell includes a substrate. A semiconductor region is disposed in or above the substrate. A contact structure is disposed on the semiconductor region and includes a conductive layer in contact with the semiconductor region. The conductive layer includes a matrix binder having aluminum/silicon (Al/Si) particles and an inert filler material dispersed therein. In a second example, a solar cell includes a substrate. A semiconductor region is disposed in or above the substrate. A contact structure is disposed on the semiconductor region and includes a conductive layer in contact with the semiconductor region. The conductive layer includes an agent for increasing a hydrophobic characteristic of the conductive layer.

Abstract: Thin-layer photovoltaic cell structure with mirror layer. The invention relates to a photovoltaic cell structure intended for solar panel applications. The thin layer photovoltaic cell structure comprises at least one I-III-VI2 alloy layer (CIGS) with photovoltaic properties for the conversion of illuminating light into electricity. In particular, the structure comprises at least: one mirror layer (MR) comprising a surface reflecting (FR) a part of the illuminating light, where said reflecting surface (FR) is facing a first face (F1) of the I-III-VI2 alloy layer for receiving reflected illuminating light on said first face; and one or more first layers (CA, ENC) transparent to the illuminating light for receiving transmitted illuminating light on a second face (F2) of the I-III-VI2 alloy layer opposite to the first face (F1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dye-sensitized solar cell and a fabrication method thereof. The dye-sensitized solar cell according to the present invention comprises: a transparent substrate; a porous semiconductor layer provided on the transparent substrate and comprising a dye sensitizer; a current collecting electrode provided on the porous semiconductor layer and deposited such that a structure having at least one through-hole on the porous semiconductor layer is formed; a catalyst electrode; and an electrolyte material provided between the transparent substrate and the catalyst electrode.

Abstract: An electrolyte-sealing structure for a dye-sensitized solar cell includes: a pair of opposing substrates; a fluid electrolyte sealed between the substrates; a thermoplastic resin layer positioned in such a way as to laminate the pair of substrates together while providing an area in which the fluid electrolyte is to be sealed; and a siloxane-containing layer between each of the substrates and the thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: Discussed is a solar cell including a photoelectric converter and first and second electrodes connected to the photoelectric converter. The first electrode includes a finger electrode including a plurality of finger electrode portions and a bus bar electrode including a main portion formed in a direction crossing the finger electrode portions, and at least one protrusion protruding from the main portion and formed in the direction crossing the plurality of finger electrode portions. The protrusion is formed across at least two of the finger electrode portions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solar cell substrate having a transparent conductive film formed on a glass substrate, wherein the thermal expansion coefficient of the glass substrate is from 50×10?7 to 110×10?7/° C. The present invention also provides a solar cell substrate having a conductive film of fluorine-doped tin oxide or antimony-doped tin oxide formed on a glass substrate having a thickness of from 0.05 to 2 mm, wherein the strain point of the glass substrate is 525° C. or higher.

Abstract: The present invention provides an organic-inorganic composite light-emitting device including a luminescent layer emitting high-brightness light using low voltage, wherein the luminescent layer has a sandwich structure in which organic luminescent layers are formed on both sides of an inorganic thin film layer. The organic-inorganic composite light-emitting device configured as above is advantageous in that an inorganic thin film layer is inserted and formed between organic luminescent layers, and thus the injection of electrons that occurs when low voltage is applied stabilizes the structure of the luminescent layer, thereby emitting brighter light. Further, the organic-inorganic composite light-emitting device is effective in greatly improving the power efficiency of an organic light-emitting device by greatly increasing the luminance efficiency thereof.

Abstract: Described herein are organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells using gold complex(es) with as chemical structure of Structure I as active material: wherein, wherein R1-R15 are independently hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, an unsubstituted alkyl, a substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, an unsubstituted aryl, a substituted aryl, acyl, alkoxy, acyloxy, amino, alkylamino, nitro, acylamino, aralkyl, cyano, carboxyl, thio, styryl, aminocarbonyl, carbamoyl, aryloxycarbonyl, phenoxycarbonyl, hydroxyalkyl, or an alkoxycarbonyl group. The OPV cell can be fabricated by thermal deposition or solution process such as spin coat and printing.

Abstract: In various embodiments, fluid conduits such as high pressure hoses deployed in-between two sea-fairing vessels may be released during an emergency by using a rapid release emergency disconnect system as described herein, where the rapid release emergency disconnect system may engage with a hanger such as an industry standard frac hanger and be used in-line with fluid conduits such as high-pressure lines. Various skid embodiments are described which can be configured to interface with one or more of the described rapid release emergency disconnect systems.

Abstract: In various embodiments, fluid conduits such as high pressure hoses deployed in-between two sea-fairing vessels may be released during an emergency by using a rapid release emergency disconnect system as described herein, where the rapid release emergency disconnect system may engage with a hanger such as an industry standard frac hanger and be used in-line with fluid conduits such as high-pressure lines. Various skid embodiments are described which can be configured to interface with one or more of the described rapid release emergency disconnect systems.

Abstract: A processing-liquid supply apparatus includes a source, a discharge device, a supply channel connecting the source and discharge device, a filter device positioned in the channel to form first side having the source and second side having the discharge device, a pump device positioned in the channel, and a control device which controls suction and discharge by the pump device. The control device controls the pump device such that the liquid is discharged from the discharge device, that remaining of the liquid on the second side is suctioned to be returned to the first side and that the remaining of the liquid returned to the first side flows from the first toward second side together with refill of the liquid from the source, and the control device is set such that return amount of the liquid to the filter device is equal to or greater than amount of the discharge.

Abstract: Transfer chamber gas purge apparatus are disclosed. The transfer chamber gas purge apparatus has a transfer chamber adapted to contain at least a portion of a transfer robot, the transfer chamber including side walls, a chamber lid, and a chamber floor, wherein the chamber lid has a plurality of distributed chamber inlets. The plurality of distributed chamber inlets may include diffusing elements. Laminar purge gas flow may be provided above the substrate. Systems and methods including a plurality of distributed chamber inlets are disclosed, as are numerous other aspects.

Abstract: A liquid level control loop optimizer receives a selection of a vessel configuration and a variety of parameters specifying the vessel dimensions, the fluid type(s), and the flow parameters of the liquid level control loop. The optimizer also receives a selection of various valve and actuator options and determines a variety of available configurations based on the selected options. The optimizer simulates each of the available configurations under the conditions specified by the parameters, and determines control loop characteristics and/or properties based on the simulations. The optimizer may display and/or rank the various configurations to assist a user in selecting a configuration that best meets the requirements of the control loop.

Abstract: Methods, articles of manufacture, and kits for calibrating fluid delivery systems are provided. A fluid delivery system connected to N input streams, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, mixes together fluid from the N input streams to form an output stream. The methods involve obtaining N test solutions, each containing a dye, providing optical absorbances of the test solutions at appropriate wavelengths, injecting the test solutions into the input streams, mixing the test solutions, and measuring the absorbance of the output stream at the same wavelengths. The methods also involve comparing the absorbances of the test solutions with the absorbances of the output stream, which can include calculating ratios and comparing the ratios with target values. The methods can further involve adjusting operation of the fluid delivery system based upon the absorbances. In some embodiments, the dyes have largely non-overlapping absorbance spectra.

Abstract: Disclosed in certain embodiments are pressure release devices or filtering devices for adsorbed gas containers in order to increase the safety and efficiencies of adsorbed gas systems. In certain embodiments, the systems contain metal organic framework.

Abstract: A rotary selection valve (1) is disclosed having a stator (20) and a rotor (40) having complementary abutting fluid tight surfaces (30,50) for relative rotation between the stator (20) and the rotor (40) about a rotational axis. The stator or rotor has at least one connection port in fluid communication with an associated orifice at said stator or rotor abutment surfaces (30,50). The stator and/or rotor further comprise a separate fluid recess extending radially beyond said associated orifice or orifices and open to the complementary abutment surfaces for improving the automatic cleaning of the valve.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for venting pressure in a fuel tank. The valve assembly includes a housing that defines a passage and a valve seat provided at one end of the passage. A float assembly is disposed within the housing. The float assembly includes a flexible membrane seal that seals against the valve seat when the float assembly rises in response to a rising fuel level in the fuel tank, and a reopen profile that applies a reopening force along a select portion of the membrane seal to release the membrane seal from the valve seat when the float assembly drops in response to a falling fuel level in the fuel tank.

Abstract: Exemplary illustrations of a fluid valve, e.g., a return valve for returning residual paint, rinsing agent, and compressed air from a paint line when changing color in a painting system, are disclosed. An exemplary fluid valve may be adjusted between an open position, in which the fluid valve is at least partially open, e.g., for rinsing a paint line with a rinsing agent and for pressurizing the paint line with a new color for the color change, and a closed position, in which the fluid valve is closed, e.g., for applying the new color after the color change. An exemplary fluid valve may switch to the closed position, upon actuation by the medium thereof, e.g., medium flowing through or present in the valve. In another example, a fluid valve may close depending on the fluid present at the input side.

Abstract: An improved isolation valve is provided, along with removable shield insert assemblies for an isolation valve. In one embodiment, a shield insert assembly for an isolation valve is provided that includes a graphite first shield insert having a flat ring shape. The first shield insert has a circular outer diameter. An elongated aperture is formed through the first shield insert. At least two fastener holes are formed through the first shield insert configured to couple the first shield insert to a first shield support.

Abstract: A condensate overflow detection device includes a frame, a housing, an affixing device, a surface placement mechanism, a float and an actuator. The housing has a bottom and a plurality of pan engagement side surfaces extending upwardly from the bottom, each of which is disposed at a different angle relative to the bottom surface. The housing defines a vent structure passing therethrough that allows water to pass into the housing. The affixing device clamps a pan engagement side surface to a sidewall of a secondary condensate pan. The surface placement mechanism places one of the pan engagement side surfaces opposite from the affixing device. The float, disposed within the housing, has a first position when no water has entered the housing and a second position when a predetermined level of water has entered the housing. The actuator causes an event when the float is in the second position.

Abstract: A water tank has a container, a micro switch, a limiting assembly and a float. The float is mounted slidably in the container. The limiting assembly has an actuating rod that slides in a direction perpendicular to the sliding path of the float. An inclined guiding track is mounted between the float and the actuating rod to convert the moving direction. Since the actuating rod utilizes the movement to switch the micro switch on and off, the actuating rod and the micro switch need no abutting structures. Therefore, when the actuating rod is moved by an accidental force, the actuating rod self-moves back to its original position once the accidental force is removed. Then the micro switch is switched on again so that the household appliance is restarted without any extra acts by a user.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to set the temperature of a predetermined location inside a processing space in which a polishing pad and the like are disposed to within a predetermined temperature range, for example, a temperature range in which a polishing rate is maximum. A substrate processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a CMP apparatus 10 and an exhaust flow rate control apparatus 30 configured to be capable of exhausting a polishing space 20 in which the CMP apparatus 10 is disposed. The exhaust flow rate control apparatus 30 is provided with a first exhaust line 31a, a first exhaust flow rate-variable device 32a capable of adjusting the exhaust flow rate of the first exhaust line 31a, and an exhaust control unit 33 used to control the first exhaust flow rate-variable device 32a.

Abstract: An air-driven shutoff valve includes a valve seat formed in a main body, a valve element movable into or out of contact with the valve seat, a drive part integrally connected to the valve element, and a pilot opening/closing valve configured to supply compressed fluid to drive the drive part. The pilot opening/closing valve includes (a) a first needle valve, a first motor to change an opening degree of the first needle valve, and a first check valve allowing the compressed fluid to flow only from a pilot opening/closing valve side to a drive part side, and (b) a second needle valve, a second motor to change an opening degree of the second needle valve, and a second check valve allowing the compressed fluid to flow only from the drive part side to the pilot opening/closing valve side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting element, in particular for connecting vessels and for producing a fluidic connection between vessels or elements joined to the connecting element. The invention also relates to an elastic spring element as a valve element.

Abstract: A pilot-operated spool valve includes a body defining a bore. A supply port and a load port are in fluid communication with the bore. A spool is disposed in the longitudinal bore, and the spool and the body cooperate to define a command chamber at a first end of the spool, which command chamber is adapted to receive fluid at a command pressure supplied to the body. The spool is movable in the bore to control fluid communication between the supply port and the load port. A pressure space is defined in at least one of the body and the spool between the command chamber and both of the supply port and the load port in all operative positions of the spool. The pressure space is supplied with pressurized fluid such that leakage from the command chamber is minimized or eliminated.