Panel Or Array Patents (Class 136/244)
  • Patent number: 10644644
    Abstract: A support assembly for mounting photovoltaic modules on a support surface and a mounting system including the same are disclosed herein. The support assembly may comprise a the body portion including a base portion and at least one upright support member coupled to the base portion, the at least one upright support member comprising an integrally formed ballast tray slot in one side thereof for receiving an upturned edge of a ballast tray; and at least one clamp subassembly coupled to the at least one upright support member of the body portion, the at least one clamp subassembly configured to be coupled to one or more photovoltaic modules. In addition to a plurality of support assemblies, the mounting system may further comprise at least one ballast tray support bracket, the ballast tray support bracket supporting a portion of a ballast tray on the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Ecolibrium Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Brian Dick, Brian James Wildes
  • Patent number: 10639869
    Abstract: A laminated glazed roof includes a first glazing, forming an exterior glazing, with first and second main faces; a lamination interlayer made of polymeric material of thickness e1 of at most 1.8 mm; a second glazing, forming an interior glazing, with third and fourth main faces, the second and third main faces being the internal faces of the laminated glazing; and a set of diodes that are housed in through apertures or blind holes of the lamination interlayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventor: Pascal Bauerle
  • Patent number: 10644645
    Abstract: An offshore photovoltaic power plant (100) comprising a pliable mat (2) configured to be arranged on a surface (33) of a body of water, the mat (2) having a plurality of photovoltaic modules (1) fixed thereon. The photovoltaic modules may be marinized and equipped with a buoyant rigid aluminium structure which prevents mechanical damage to the cells. The rigid backside structure may also serve as an efficient heat sink by direct thermal conduction from the solar cells to the pliable mat. There is also provided a fish farm, an offshore power plant, a method of constructing an offshore photovoltaic power plant and a method of installing a floating photovoltaic power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: OCEAN SUN, AS
    Inventor: Børge Bjørneklett
  • Patent number: 10636928
    Abstract: A photovoltaic cell comprises a first layer of a first absorber material (1) comprising a front face, a rear face on which first contact electrodes having first polarity (101) are interdigitated with the second contact electrodes having second polarity (102), a second layer of a second absorber material (2), above the first layer, comprising a front face, of third contact electrodes having second polarity (203) being placed on the front face of the second layer, the first and second semiconductor materials having electron affinities and bandgap widths such that the carriers having the first polarity pass between the first and second layer and are collected from the first and second layers by the first electrodes (101), the carriers of second polarity are collected from the first layer by the second electrodes (102), and the carriers of second polarity are collected from the second layer by the third electrodes (203).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignees: Centre national de la recherche scientifique, CENTRALESUPELEC, Université Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines
    Inventors: Zakaria Djebbour, Anne Migan, Jean-Paul Kleider, Walid El-Huni
  • Patent number: 10636921
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solar cell module, the method includes a cell forming operation for forming a first solar cell and a second solar cell by, for each of the first and second solar cells, attaching a first auxiliary electrode and a second auxiliary electrode to a back surface of a semiconductor substrate on which a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes are formed; and a cell string forming operation for connecting the first auxiliary electrode of the first solar cell to the second auxiliary electrode of the second solar cell through an interconnector to form a cell string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Taeyoon Kim, Minpyo Kim, Hyeyoung Yang, Taeki Woo
  • Patent number: 10637391
    Abstract: There is disclosed Kirigami-inspired structures for use in solar tracking applications. When coupled with thin-film active materials, the disclosed microstructures can track solar position and maximize solar power generation. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a photovoltaic system comprising a single-axis, or multi-axis solar tracking structure comprising a support structure made of a flexible material having a defined unit cell structure, and a flexible photovoltaic cell disposed on the support structure. There is also disclosed methods of making such structures in which the photovoltaic cell is mounted to the support structure by a direct-attachment bonding processes such as cold-welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Kyusang Lee, Matthew Shlian, Chih-Wei Chien, Peicheng Ku, Aaron Lamoreux, Max Shtein
  • Patent number: 10636924
    Abstract: A solar module can include a first and second solar cell having front sides which face the sun during normal operation and back sides opposite the front sides. In an embodiment, a first interconnect can be coupled to the back sides of both the first and second solar cell, where the first interconnect comprises an anodized region facing substantially the same direction as the front sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Pass
  • Patent number: 10629761
    Abstract: An internal protection circuit structure of a photovoltaic module, which includes a plurality of solar cells including a first column, a second column, a third column, a fourth column, a fifth column, and a sixth column sequentially. Positive and negative electrodes of each column of the solar cells are sequentially connected in series to form a substring of the solar cell. The upper ends of the second column and the third column are connected to each other with a first diode connected in series to be pulled out as an outgoing terminal. The present invention uses a manner in which substrings are connected first in series and later in parallel, with four bypass diodes connected in the circuit. As such, the actual utilization ratio of the solar cell is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: TONGWEI SOLAR ENERGY (HEFEI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chengyin Jiang, Jun Sun, Fushen Zhou, Taihong Xie, Yi Xie
  • Patent number: 10629757
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating a solar cell assembly for streamlined bodies are provided. The solar cell assembly may be prepared on an assembly fixture. The solar cell assembly may then be removed from the assembly fixture and positioned on a top surface of the streamlined body. In examples, the solar cell assembly comprises a first film, an array of solar cells on top of the first film, and a second silicone film deposited over the solar cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: SolAero Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Matthew Kruse, Fadel Hernandez
  • Patent number: 10620652
    Abstract: A power management device managing electric power in a load facility group including plural load facilities includes: a detector that detects an instantaneous value of power consumption for each of the plural load facilities; a forecaster that forecasts an instantaneous value of power consumption for each of the plural load facilities; an operation unit that obtains a difference between the value detected by the detector and the value forecasted by the forecaster, for each of the plural load facilities; a controller that outputs a storage command or a discharge command based on whether the difference obtained by the operation unit is positive or negative; and a storage/discharge device that stores/discharges electricity based on the storage command or the discharge command output by the controller. The power management device can respond to instantaneous and steep power consumption amount change in a load facility to enable efficient use of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kei Kubota, Hiroyuki Imanari
  • Patent number: 10615738
    Abstract: A photovoltaic solar panel array support structure that has a negligible footprint and that may be adjustably sized in the future to accommodate an increase or decrease of the number of solar panel arrays. It is installed at a substantial elevation above ground level so as to allow unhampered, ongoing farming activities in the area directly below the solar panel array, including the use of large mechanized farm equipment. The photovoltaic solar panel array support structure utilizes a series of vertical pilings that support a pre-fabricated unitary segment platform upon which a solar panel system may be mounted and then lifted atop of the pilings as a single assembly. It is intended for erection and operation in locations where large-scale ground mounted solar panel arrays are not feasible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Inventor: Barry Sgarrella
  • Patent number: 10615342
    Abstract: The fabrication and characterization of large scale inverted organic solar array fabricated using all-spray process is disclosed. Solar illumination has been demonstrated to improve transparent solar photovoltaic devices. The technology using SAM has potential to revolute current silicon-based photovoltaic technology by providing a complete solution processable manufacturing process. The semi-transparent property of the solar module allows for applications on windows and windshields. The inventive arrays are more efficient than silicon solar cells in artificial light environments, permitting use of the arrays in powering microelectromechanical systems and in integration with microelectromechanical systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Jason Lewis, Xiaomei Jiang
  • Patent number: 10608129
    Abstract: A power generation system is disclosed herein. The power generation system includes two or more tiles and at least one generator. Each tile of the two or more tiles is configured to house one or more solar cells. The at least one generator apparatus couples each of the two or more tiles together at a vertex of each tile. The at least one generator apparatus is configured to harvest mechanical energy as mass traverses each tile of the two or more tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Touchlight Innovations
    Inventor: Swarnav Pujari
  • Patent number: 10608130
    Abstract: Discussed is a solar cell module including a plurality of bi-facial solar cells having a front surface and a back surface, a light transmission protection part positioned on the front surfaces of the plurality of bi-facial solar cells, a front protection part positioned between the light transmission protection part and the front surfaces of the plurality of bi-facial solar cells, a back sheet positioned on the back surfaces of the plurality of bi-facial solar cells, wherein the back sheet includes a first area overlapping the plurality of bi-facial solar cells, and a second area being a remaining portion except the first area and a back protection part positioned between the back sheet and the back surfaces of the plurality of bi-facial solar cells, wherein the back sheet includes a base layer, a first sheet layer, and a second sheet layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Byongsu Kim, Sungho Chang, Sanghwan Park
  • Patent number: 10604227
    Abstract: A solar panel window assembly for an aircraft and method of forming such assembly includes an outer window panel and an inner window panel mounted in a window frame structure. The window frame structure holds the outer window panel spaced from and parallel to the inner window panel. A solar panel is mounted on an inner surface of the window frame structure between the outer window panel and the inner window panel. A foam kit may be mounted between the solar panel and the window frame structure. The inner window panel may be an electrically dimmable window panel. The solar panel may be coupled to power the electrically dimmable window panel. In addition, an alternative solar panel window assembly includes a window plug assembly adapted to fit into a window aperture in an aircraft and a solar panel mounted on an outer surface of the window plug assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Curtis L. Hall, Jr., David A. Lutz
  • Patent number: 10597787
    Abstract: An electrochemical reaction device includes: an electrolytic solution tank to store an electrolytic solution; an oxidation electrode disposed in the electrolytic solution tank; a reduction electrode disposed in the electrolytic solution tank; and a generator connected to the oxidation electrode and the reduction electrode. At least one of the oxidation electrode or the reduction electrode has a porous structure containing fine pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Akihiko Ono, Satoshi Mikoshiba, Yuki Kudo, Ryota Kitagawa, Jun Tamura, Eishi Tsutsumi, Yoshitsune Sugano, Masakazu Yamagiwa
  • Patent number: 10600928
    Abstract: An item may include circuitry, a battery that powers the circuitry, and one or more photovoltaic cells that are used to recharge the battery. The photovoltaic cell may be a thin-film photovoltaic cell with a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate may be formed from fabric, leather, polymer, or other soft materials. In arrangements where the substrate is formed from fabric with conductive strands, the photovoltaic cell may include a first electrical terminal coupled to a first conductive strand and a second electrical terminal coupled to a second conductive strand. The first and second conductive strands may be coupled to control circuitry. The control circuitry may route the electricity from the photovoltaic cell to a battery or other circuitry. Items such as cases, covers, bands, headphones, interiors, and other items may have flexible or soft surfaces that can form substrates for photovoltaic films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph B. Walker, Kathleen A. Bergeron, Daniel D. Sunshine
  • Patent number: 10600925
    Abstract: A solar battery includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a solar cell, an insulating layer and a gate electrode. The solar cell includes a semiconductor structure, a carbon nanotube and a transparent conductive film. The semiconductor structure includes a P-type semiconductor layer and an N-type semiconductor layer and defines a first surface and a second surface. The carbon nanotube is located on the first surface of the semiconductor. The transparent conductive film is located on the second surface of the semiconductor. The transparent conductive film is formed on the second surface by a depositing method or a coating method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Zhang, Yang Wei, Kai-Li Jiang, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 10593824
    Abstract: A method for making an ultra-thin, flexible crystalline silicon solar cell from thick, inflexible cells. A thick, inflexible cell having a plurality of electrical contacts on the back side thereof is adhered to a mount by means of a temporary bonding adhesive tape and a thickness of the mounted stack. A thickness of the bonding tape and the back-side contacts is determined and compared to a desired thickness of the final cell. Excess material is ground from the front side of the stack to obtain a thinned stack having the desired thickness and the thinned stack is removed from the mount to produce an ultra-thin, flexible rear-contact Si solar cell having a total thickness of less than 80 ?m and a bending radius of less than 20 mm. The front surface can be textured, with a passivation layer and/or a dielectric layer being deposited thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Woojun Yoon, David Scheiman, Phillip Jenkins, Robert J. Walters
  • Patent number: 10591216
    Abstract: A solidifying device is for solidifying a substrate which includes a middle and two side portions. The thermostability of the middle portion is greater than that of the side portions. The solidifying device includes a housing, a heating member, a temperature control air-floating member and a conveyor. The housing defines a working space. The heating member is in the working space. The substrate has a heat receiving surface facing the heating member. The temperature control air-floating member is in the working space and below the heating member. The conveyor is for transporting the substrate into the working space and between the temperature control air-floating member and the heating member. The heating member is for providing heat to the substrate. The temperature control air-floating member is for supplying air towards the substrate to allow the substrate to float in the working space and form a high-temperature and two low-temperature areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Fu-Ching Tung, Muh-Wang Liang, Jung-Chen Chien, Yi-Jiun Lin
  • Patent number: 10586881
    Abstract: An optoelectronic device comprising a substrate comprising a groove having a first and a second side. The first and second sides of the groove are each coated with a conductor material and a semiconductor material. The semiconductor material on the first side of the groove and the conductor material on the second side of the groove are in contact with another semiconductor material in the groove. At the second side of the groove there is a gap between the semiconductor material on the second side of the groove and the another semiconductor material in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: POWER ROLL LIMITED
    Inventor: Alexander John Topping
  • Patent number: 10586745
    Abstract: Provided are an airtight package that can increase the bonding strength between the sealing material layer and the container and a method for manufacturing the same. An airtight package 1 includes: a container 2 with a frame 3; a glass lid 4 disposed on top of the frame 3 and sealing the container 2; and a sealing material layer 5 disposed between the frame 3 and the glass lid 4 and bonding the glass lid 4 and the container 2 together, wherein in the sealing material layer 5 a bonding surface 5b between the sealing material layer 5 and the container 2 is larger than a bonding surface 5a between the sealing material layer 5 and the glass lid 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: NIPPON ELECTRIC GLASS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuji Oka, Koichi Yabuuchi, Toru Shiragami
  • Patent number: 10586938
    Abstract: An optoelectronic device includes a stack of layers that are arranged on an electrically insulating substrate, including at least one cathode made of a material of work function ?1; one electron-collecting layer that is arranged above the cathode and that is made of a material of work function ?2 and of sheet resistance R; and one active layer comprising at least one p-type organic semiconductor the energy level of which is HO1, wherein the work function ?2 of the electron-collecting layer and the energy level HO1 of the active layer form a potential barrier able to block the injection of holes from the cathode into the active layer; and the sheet resistance R of the electron-collecting layer is higher than or equal to 108?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignees: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, ISORG, TRIXELL
    Inventors: Mohammed Benwadih, Simon Charlot, Jean-Yves Laurent, Jean-Marie Verilhac, Emeline Berthod, Pierre Rohr
  • Patent number: 10581374
    Abstract: A solar energy system for use with tufted geosynthetics on a substantially flat surface having a racking structure with bases and attachments for frictional seating to a tufted geosynthetic ground cover system, a bifacial solar panel mounted to the racking system and electrically connected to a connection box for communicating electrical current to an electricity power conditioner of an electrical current grid generated upon exposure of the solar panel to ambient light. A method of using a solar energy system with tufted geosynthetics cover system is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Watershed Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Jose L. Urrutia, Michael R. Ayers, Michael Lucini, Gregory Lucini
  • Patent number: 10580919
    Abstract: A solar cell panel or assembly including a string of solar cells, each solar cell having an oblique cut corner defining a space; a blocking diode positioned in correspondence with the space defined by said oblique cut corner; a first contact member connecting said blocking diode with the solar cell; a second contact member to connect said blocking diode to a metal bus bar; and a resistive element, connected in parallel to the blocking diode, between the first and the second contact members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: SolAero Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Lei Yang
  • Patent number: 10580917
    Abstract: A solar cell is provided including a substrate having a front and back side, a metallization pattern deposited on the front side, the metallization pattern including a plurality of front side bus bars each including fingers extending therefrom, and a plurality of back side bus bars deposited on the back side. On the front side, one front side bus bar is formed along an edge of the front side of the substrate, and a remainder of the front side bus bars are unequally spaced across the substrate. On the back side of the substrate, only one back side bus bar is formed along an edge of the back side of the substrate, and a remainder of the back side bus bars are unequally spaced across the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: The Solaria Corporation
    Inventors: Lisong Zhou, Huaming Zhou
  • Patent number: 10581266
    Abstract: An energy storage system for direct DC coupling includes a power source electrically connected to a first node, a power converter coupled to the first node, an energy storage unit coupled to the first node through direct DC coupling, and a control system. The power converter controls the output voltage of the power source under the control of the control system. The energy storage unit draws energy from the power source or the bus when charging and supplies energy to the bus when discharging. A main switch is coupled between the first node and the energy storage unit. The control system is configure to control the power converter to adjust the output voltage to the energy storage unit voltage, control the main switch to electrically connect the energy storage unit to the first node, and control the main switch to electrically disconnect the energy storage unit from the first node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: DYNAPOWER COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Apurva Somani, Xiaorong Xia, Gysler Castelino
  • Patent number: 10580587
    Abstract: Disclosed is a photoelectric conversion element including at least one photoelectric conversion cell. The photoelectric conversion cell includes a conductive substrate having a transparent substrate and a transparent conductive layer provided on the transparent substrate, a counter substrate facing the conductive substrate, an oxide semiconductor layer provided on the conductive substrate or the counter substrate, and an annular sealing portion adhering the conductive substrate and the counter substrate. An insulating material is provided at least between the conductive substrate and the sealing portion, and the insulating material is colored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Okada, Katsuyoshi Endoh
  • Patent number: 10581002
    Abstract: A flexible, thin film electronic device comprising a module cut from a web provided with one or more cells along substantially the whole of its length wherein the cells comprise a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer and one or more active layers provided between the electrode layers characterised in that the module includes one or more edge portions wherein an edge of the first electrode layer and an edge of the second electrode layer are each substantially coincident with an edge of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Eight19 Limited
    Inventors: Michael Niggemann, Jurjen Frederik Winkel
  • Patent number: 10573773
    Abstract: Backsheet for photovoltaic panels with conductive interface elements intended to simplify the electrical connection of the terminal points of the circuit to the back junction box. The conductive elements are of the non-through type through the backsheet, with double contacting face, and are integrated on the front side towards the cells within recessed seats and in correspondence of through-holes in such a way as to enable an electrical connection by contact from the back side through the holes, in a guided way, by means of respective conductive elements protruding and fastened to the junction box. In particular, such a simplified contacting solution can be realized with extreme precision, without manual operations and at extremely low costs, with an automated assembly method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: VISMUNDA SRL
    Inventors: Elisa Baccini, Stefano Scolari
  • Patent number: 10572089
    Abstract: A flexible transparent sensing film with embedded electrodes is described in the present invention, which would greatly improve the optical transmittance, electrical conductivity and reliability. The present sensing film can also simultaneously enable multiple touches for distinct locations sensing and at least another set of electrical signal sensing. The present sensing film includes a top conductive electrode, a bottom conductive electrode and a dielectric substrate or a functional substrate that would generate electrical signal response due to a specific input such as motion, light, chemical, or temperature. The present sensing film apparatus could be configured to have the top and bottom conductive electrodes which are partially or fully embedded onto the surfaces of the dielectric and/or functional substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignees: MIND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LIMITED, NEW ASIA GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Chung Pui Chan, Wing Hong Choi, Lai Fan Lai, Kwok Keung Paul Ho, Chien Chung
  • Patent number: 10566144
    Abstract: Provided are a solar cell that can be manufactured by non-vacuum process and can have more excellent photoelectric conversion efficiency and a manufacturing method therefor as well as such a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method therefor. A solar cell, includes at least a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer includes metal oxide particles of 1 nm or more and 500 nm or less in average particle size and a compound having relative permittivity of 2 or more and 1,000 or less. For instance, the content of the organic compound in the first semiconductor layer is 10 mass % or more and 90 mass % or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignees: Asahi Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha, Tohoku University
    Inventors: Toru Yumoto, Toshiyuki Hirano, Takahiro Sawamura, Akira Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10566474
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a solar cell is disclosed. The method can include forming a dielectric region on a surface of a solar cell structure and forming a first metal layer on the dielectric region. The method can also include forming a second metal layer on the first metal layer and locally heating a particular region of the second metal layer, where heating includes forming a metal bond between the first and second metal layer and forming a contact between the first metal layer and the solar cell structure. The method can include forming an adhesive layer on the first metal layer and forming a second metal layer on the adhesive layer, where the adhesive layer mechanically couples the second metal layer to the first metal layer and allows for an electrical connection between the second metal layer to the first metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignees: SunPower Corporation, Total Marketing Services
    Inventors: Matthieu Moors, Taeseok Kim
  • Patent number: 10559702
    Abstract: A thin-film monolithically integrated solar module with a solar cell, an integrated energy storage device, and a controller may be provided. It may comprise a thin-film solar cell, having at least one solar diode, on a transparent substrate, a thin-film energy storage device, and an electronic controller comprising at least one thin-film transistor above the thin-film energy storage device. The electronic controller may be electrically connected to the thin-film solar cell and the thin-film energy storage device by vias. The named functional units may build a monolithically integrated device on one substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Johann H. Bredel, Hans-Juergen Eickelmann, Ruediger Kellmann, Hartmut Kuehl, Markus Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10547270
    Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams, in both lateral and longitudinal directions, to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, adjacent photovoltaic modules may be oriented so that a boundary between an up-roof photovoltaic module and a down-roof photovoltaic module is not noticeable by observers positioned at typical viewing angles of the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: Tyrus Hawkes Hudson, Charles Almy, Martin Seery, Daniel Preston Flanigan, Jack Raymond West, Garret Anthony Bautista, William Paul Buchanan, Johann Fritz Karkheck, Ethan Ely
  • Patent number: 10546966
    Abstract: A lightweight photovoltaic module including: a first transparent layer forming the front face; photovoltaic cells; an assembly encapsulating the photovoltaic cells; and a second layer forming the rear face and containing an inner surface and an outer surface. The encapsulating assembly and the photovoltaic cells are located between the first and second layers. The module is characterized in that: the first layer is made from glass and/or polymer material and has a thickness that is less than or equal to 1.1 mm; the inner surface is substantially planar; and the second layer includes raised portions projecting from the outer surface, the outer surface and raised portions together defining the visible rear outer surface of the photovoltaic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignees: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, EDF ENR PWT
    Inventors: Julien Gaume, Paul Lefillastre, Gilles Goaer, Nam Le Quang, Samuel Williatte
  • Patent number: 10541343
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a device with integrated photovoltaic cells includes supporting a semiconductor substrate on a first handle substrate and doping the semiconductor substrate to form doped alternating regions with opposite conductivity. A doped layer is formed over a first side the semiconductor substrate. A conductive material is patterned over the doped layer to form conductive islands such that the conductive islands are aligned with the alternating regions to define a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in series on a monolithic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bedell, Bahman Hekmatshoartabari, Devendra K. Sadana, Ghavam G. Shahidi, Davood Shahrjerdi
  • Patent number: 10538278
    Abstract: A vehicle component is provided that includes a first cured layer of a molding composition having a predominant fiber filler chopped glass fibers, a second cured layer of molding composition having a predominant fiber filler chopped carbon fibers, and a bonding agent with elongation properties configured to accommodate the differential coefficients of linear thermal expansion between the first cured layer and the second cured layer. The second cured layer is substantially devoid of glass fiber. The bonding agent is an elastomeric adhesive, which is operative from ?40 to 205° C. The first cured layer forms an outer skin layer surface of a vehicle and the second cured layer forms an interior layer, where the outer skin layer surface has a class-A finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Continental Structural Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Probir Kumar Guha, Michael Siwajek, Michael J. Hiltunen, Shane Skop, Satish Haryadi
  • Patent number: 10535475
    Abstract: A continuous electric/electronic device and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The method of manufacturing a continuous electric/electronic device having a serial connection structure comprises (a) disposing a first electrode current collection unit, (b) disposing first organic?inorganic material in regard to the first electrode current collection unit, (c) laminating a first area of a second electrode current collection unit on the disposed first organic?inorganic material, (d) disposing second organic?inorganic material in regard to a second area of the second electrode current collection unit and (e) laminating a third electrode current collection unit on the disposed second organic?inorganic material. Here, the first area and the second area of the second electrode current collection unit operate as current collection units having different polarity in regard to adjoining first organic?inorganic material and second organic?inorganic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: FOUNDATION OF SOONGSIL UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY COOPERATION
    Inventors: Joo Yong Kim, Min Ki Choi
  • Patent number: 10536659
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state image capturing element, a manufacturing method therefor, and an electronic device, which are capable of controlling a thickness of a depletion layer. The solid-state image capturing element includes pixels each in which a photoelectric conversion film configured to perform photoelectric conversion on incident light and a fixed charge film configured to have a predetermined fixed charge are stacked on a semiconductor substrate. The technology of the present disclosure can be applied to, for example, back surface irradiation type solid-state image capturing elements, image capturing devices such as digital still cameras or video cameras, mobile terminal devices having an image capturing function, and electronic devices using a solid-state image capturing element as an image capturing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Itaru Oshiyama, Hirotsugu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10529882
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multi-junction photoelectric conversion device includes forming a first electrode on a first photoelectric conversion unit including a first semiconductor layer as a photoelectric conversion layer, the first electrode including a plurality of patterned regions separated from one another by separation grooves; and eliminating a leakage existing in the first semiconductor layer by applying a reverse bias voltage between one of the patterned regions of the first electrode and a second photoelectric conversion unit comprising a second semiconductor layer as a photoelectric conversion layer. The application of the reverse bias voltage is performed while irradiating the second photoelectric conversion unit with light, generating a photocurrent in the second photoelectric conversion unit that is larger than a photocurrent in the first photoelectric conversion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisashi Uzu, Mitsuru Ichikawa, Toru Terashita, Kenji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10529881
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a metallic interconnect member for connecting a first solar cell to a second solar cell. The interconnect member includes one or more serpentine paths having substantially perpendicular loops. The interconnect member may include two connection pads for connecting to the first solar cell. A further connection pad for connecting to a bypass diode may be included. The disclosure further relates to a string of solar cells including a first and a second solar cell connected by an interconnect member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SolAero Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Brian Guzie, Colton Fascitelli, Benjamin Heintz, Anthony Sandoval, Benjamin Cho
  • Patent number: 10529868
    Abstract: A solar cell array comprises a plurality of cells, adjacent cells connected by a metal wire. At least one metal wire extends reciprocally between a surface of a first cell and a surface of a second cell adjacent to the first cell to form a plurality of conductive wires. The number of the conductive wires is n, y?y×20%?n?y+y×20%, in which n is an integer and y=4.0533X?1.28/1562*A*B, in which X is a diameter value of the metal wire with mm as a unit, 0.1?X?0.5, A and B representing length and width of the cell with mm as the unit. The cells comprise secondary grid lines disposed on front surfaces thereof. The conductive wires are welded with the secondary grid lines by a welding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Zhao, Zhanfeng Jiang, Long He
  • Patent number: 10529772
    Abstract: A semiconductor photodetector includes a semiconductor substrate including a silicon substrate. The semiconductor substrate includes a second main surface as a light incident surface and a first main surface opposing the second main surface. In the semiconductor substrate, carriers are generated in response to incident light. A plurality of protrusions is formed on the second main surface. The protrusion includes a slope inclined with respect to a thickness direction of the semiconductor substrate. At the protrusion, a (111) surface of the semiconductor substrate is exposed as the slope. The height of the protrusion is equal to or more than 200 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Tatsuki Kasuya, Takeshi Kawahara, Yasuhito Miyazaki, Kentaro Maeta, Hisanori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10530172
    Abstract: A power line interface is electrically connectable to a direct-current power system including a power line. A bidirectional DC-DC converter is electrically connected to the power line interface and a battery. A controller receives a first current value measured by a first current sensor and a current command value and performs constant current control processing that controls the bidirectional DC-DC converter so that the first current value equals the current command value. The controller receives a first voltage value measured by a voltage sensor and a voltage command value and performs constant voltage control processing that controls the bidirectional DC-DC converter so that the first voltage value equals the voltage command value. The controller switches operation from the constant current control processing to the constant voltage control processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Yamaguchi, Makoto Ohashi, Osamu Uchida
  • Patent number: 10530287
    Abstract: An electric power adjustment system includes a fuel cell connected to a load, and a multi-phase converter connected between the fuel cell and the load. The multi-phase converter is constituted of a plurality of phases and converts an output voltage from the fuel cell by a predetermined required voltage ratio. The electric power adjustment system includes a ripple current characteristic switching unit configured to switch a ripple current characteristic with respect to an input current to the multi-phase converter by changing at least one of a drive phase number and the voltage ratio of the multi-phase converter according to an operation state of the fuel cell and a required electric power of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michihiko Matsumoto, Hideo Yoshida, Tetsuya Aoki
  • Patent number: 10522705
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a solar cell may include: a silicon substrate, which is crystalline; a p-doped silicon oxide layer, which may be disposed on a first principal surface of the silicon substrate and may include phosphorus as an impurity; and an amorphous silicon layer, which may be disposed on the p-doped silicon oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yamada, Ayumu Yano, Minato Seno
  • Patent number: 10523449
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus providing fully automatic control of energy consuming or producing devices within a building or group of buildings, the system automatically reprogramming a power consumption controller (PCC) responsive to a failure to achieve a performance goal for a respective controlled device and automatically replacing the PCC responsive to a continued failure to achieve the performance goal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Inventor: Rey Montalvo
  • Patent number: 10523011
    Abstract: A voltage compensation apparatus for a photovoltaic system and a photovoltaic system are provided. The voltage compensation apparatus includes a current direction limiting circuit and a compensation power supply connected in series; or only includes a current direction limiting circuit. The current direction limiting circuit includes at least one limiting device configured to conduct a current in a unidirectional manner. The voltage compensation apparatus is connected between the output terminal of the converter and the ground. The photovoltaic system includes: a photovoltaic array, a converter, a transformer and the voltage compensation apparatus. An output terminal of the converter is connected with a primary side of the transformer, and an input terminal of the converter is connected with the photovoltaic array. The voltage compensation apparatus is configured to raise or lower a voltage at the output terminal of the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: SUNGROW POWER SUPPLY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yanfei Yu, Hua Ni, Zongjun Yang, Shangfang Dai
  • Patent number: 10510979
    Abstract: A composite transparent electrode, an organic light-emitting diode and a method for manufacturing thereof, an array substrate and a display device. In the composite transparent electrode, a cover layer (12) is provided between a metal layer (11) and a transparent conducting oxide layer (13), the transparent conducting oxide layer (13) is electrically connected to the metal layer (11). The composite transparent electrode can reduce damages to the metal layer (11) or decrease pressure fall during a sputtering process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Juanjuan You, Changyen Wu