With Concentrator, Orientator, Reflector, Or Cooling Means Patents (Class 136/246)
  • Patent number: 11444027
    Abstract: A wafer-scale satellite bus and a manner of making the same include using wafer reconstruction techniques to stack functional diced circuits onto each other and bond them. The disclosed techniques allow for a variety of functions in each die, including providing, without limitation: ground-based communications, attitude and propulsion control, fuel tanks and thrusters, and power generation. The wafers are initially manufactured according to a common wafer design that provides electrical and power interconnects, then different wafers are further processed using subsystem-specific techniques. The circuits on differently-processed wafers are reconstructed into a single stack using e.g. wafer bonding. Surface components are mounted, and the circuitry is diced to form the final satellites. Mission-specific functions can be incorporated, illustratively by surface-mounting, to the bus at an appropriate stage of assembly, on-wafer circuitry or instrument packages for performing these functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Mordechai Rothschild, Sumanth Kaushik, Melissa A. Smith, Livia Racz, Dennis Burianek
  • Patent number: 11444570
    Abstract: A modular solar skid includes a base including a skid, a panel support structure extending from the skid, at least one solar panel coupled to the panel support structure, and at least one enclosure coupled to the skid. The at least one enclosure is located within a cavity defined between the skid and the panel support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: OffGrid Power Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Natividad, Raymond Hamilton, Mike Mills
  • Patent number: 11442499
    Abstract: A display position adjusting apparatus includes a processor and an arcuate bracket. The arcuate bracket includes a first arcuate rod and a second arcuate rod that are disposed perpendicular to each other. The display is disposed on the second arcuate rod. The display is connected to the second arcuate rod through the first connector and configured to move along the second arcuate rod through the first connector under a control of the processor. The second arcuate rod is connected to the first arcuate rod through a second connector, and configured to move along the first arcuate rod through the second connector under the control of the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Lihua Geng
  • Patent number: 11444216
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, techniques related to manufacturing and applications of power photodiode structures and devices based on group-III metal nitride and gallium-based substrates are provided. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure include techniques for fabricating photodiode devices comprising one or more of GaN, AlN, InN, InGaN, AlGaN, and AlInGaN, structures and devices. Such structures or devices can be used for a variety of applications including optoelectronic devices, photodiodes, power-over-fiber receivers, and others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: SLT Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Drew W. Cardwell, Mark P. D'Evelyn
  • Patent number: 11437536
    Abstract: An improved solar power generation system, having at least one solar-array module. The solar cells in a solar-array module are interconnected in a crisscross matrix network configuration. The solar cells are a pre-sorted by the class of tolerance level of output power, such that the solar cells in each of the rows of solar cells are arranged in a steadily ascending (or steadily descending) order of the maximum power values that the solar cells are capable to provide, wherein the maximum power value of a solar cell in a particular row is higher or equal to the maximum power values of the previous (next, for steadily descending order) solar cells in the same row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SOLARWAT LTD.
    Inventor: Boris Vatelmacher
  • Patent number: 11435506
    Abstract: A solar thermophotovoltaic system has a heat exchanger containing a heat exchange fluid, and a thin-film integrated spectrally-selective plasmonic absorber emitter (ISSAE) in direct contact with an outer surface of the heat exchanger, the ISSAE including an ultra-thin non-shiny metal layer that is strongly absorbing in a solar spectral range and strongly reflective in an infrared spectral range. The metal layer has an inner surface in direct contact with an outer surface of the heat exchanger. A photovoltaic cell support structure with an inner surface in a concentric configuration partially surrounds the ISSAE; and an airgap separates the support structure and the outer surface of the metal layer. Photovoltaic cells are arranged on a portion of the inner surface of the support structure to receive emissions from the ISSAE, and a solar energy collector/concentrator allows solar radiation to impinge a portion of the metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: IP Equity Management, LLC
    Inventors: Gennady Shvets, Chih-Hui Wu
  • Patent number: 11421830
    Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods for retrofitting a light fixture using a lens-fitted retrofit assembly. The lens-fitted retrofit assembly is attached anterior to the LED lamp engine. A lens-fitted retaining adapter of the lens-fitted retrofit assembly includes at least one curved portion that matches a radius of curvature of a lens holder of the light fixture. The lens-fitted retrofit assembly is held into the light fixture based at least in part on the lens-fitted retaining adapter and the lens holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventors: Brian Robert Moon, John W. Luhrs
  • Patent number: 11423199
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a balance point of a building that has undergone or is about to undergo modifications (such as shell improvements) are provided. A balance point of the building before the modifications can be determined using empirical data. Total thermal conductivity of the building before and after the modifications is determined and compared. Indoor temperature of the building is obtained. The balance point temperature after the modifications can be determined using a result of the comparison, the temperature inside the building, and the pre-modification balance point temperature. Knowing post-modification balance point temperature allows power grid operators to take into account fuel consumption by that building when planning for power production and distribution. Knowing the post-improvement balance point temperature also provides owners of the building information on which they can base the decision whether to implement the improvements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: CLEAN POWER RESEARCH, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Hoff
  • Patent number: 11402294
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique of configuring flexible photovoltaic tracker systems with high damping and low angle stow positions. Under dynamic environmental loads implementing a high amount of damping (e.g., greater than 25% of critical damping, greater than 50% of critical damping) or a very high amount of damping (e.g., 100% or greater of critical damping, infinite damping) enables the flexible tracker system to prevent problematic aeroelastic behaviors while positioned in a low stow angle. The disclosed technique is further applied to a prototyping process during wind tunnel testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: FCX Solar LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
  • Patent number: 11398577
    Abstract: A multi-junction solar cell of an embodiment includes a first solar cell including a first photoelectric conversion device, a second solar cell including a plurality of second photoelectric conversion devices connected in series and having a back contact, and an insulating layer between the first solar cell and the second solar cell. A device isolation region is provided between the second photoelectric conversion devices connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Soichiro Shibasaki, Kazushige Yamamoto, Hiroki Hiraga, Naoyuki Nakagawa, Mutsuki Yamazaki, Shinya Sakurada, Michihiko Inaba, Hitomi Saito
  • Patent number: 11387376
    Abstract: A solar cell and a photovoltaic module including the solar cell. The solar cell includes: a semiconductor substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other; a first dielectric layer located on the first surface; a first N+ doped layer located on a surface of the first dielectric layer; a first passivation layer located on a surface of the first N+ doped layer; a first electrode located on a surface of the first passivation layer; a second dielectric layer located on the second surface; a first P+ doped layer located on a surface of the second dielectric layer; a second passivation layer located on a surface of the first P+ doped layer; and a second electrode located on a surface of the second passivation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignees: ZHEJIANG JINKO SOLAR CO., LTD, JINKO SOLAR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jie Yang, Peiting Zheng, Xinyu Zhang, Hao Jin
  • Patent number: 11380813
    Abstract: A multijunction solar cell including a metamorphic layer, and particularly the design and specification of the composition, lattice constant, and band gaps of various layers above the metamorphic layer in order to achieve reduction in “bowing” of the semiconductor wafer caused by the lattice mismatch of layers associated with the metamorphic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: SolAero Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Zachary Bittner, John Hart, Samantha Whipple, Nathaniel Miller, Daniel Derkacs
  • Patent number: 11362225
    Abstract: A connecting member set includes a first connecting member connected to one of a pair of solar cells, and a second connecting member connected to the other solar cell. The first connecting member and the second connecting member have a first planar portion and a second planar portion, respectively. The first planar portion and the second planar portion are layered on each other and electrically connected with each other. The first planar portion has at least one of a cut-out portion or an opening through which the second planar portion is exposed toward the first planar portion when the first planar portion and the second planar portion are layered on each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kohei Kojima, Toru Terashita, Gensuke Koizumi
  • Patent number: 11362228
    Abstract: A space-based solar power station, a power generating satellite module and/or a method for collecting solar radiation and transmitting power generated using electrical current produced therefrom is provided. Each solar power station includes a plurality of satellite modules. The plurality of satellite modules each include a plurality of modular power generation tiles including a photovoltaic solar radiation collector, a power transmitter and associated control electronics. Numerous embodiments relate to efficient power generation tiles. In one embodiment, an efficient power generation tile includes: at least one photovoltaic material; and at least one concentrator that redirects incident solar radiation towards a photovoltaic material such that the photovoltaic material experiences a greater solar flux relative to the case where the photovoltaic material experiences unaltered solar radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Harry A. Atwater, Sergio Pellegrino, Seyed Ali Hajimiri, Jeffrey P. Bosco, Dennis Callahan, Emily C. Warmann
  • Patent number: 11349041
    Abstract: A double-sided light-concentrating solar apparatus and system. The apparatus comprises a front-side concentrating groove (110), a back-side concentrating groove (110?), and a photovoltaic panel (120) provided at the bottom of each concentrating groove. Each concentrating groove comprises two groove walls (111, 112; 111?, 112?) extending along the bottom; opposite surfaces of the two groove walls are reflecting surfaces; the open side of each of the two groove walls forms an opening of the concentrating groove; the opening direction of the front-side concentrating groove (110) is opposite to the opening direction of the back-side concentrating groove (110?). According to the double-sided concentrating solar device, sunlight (LL) can be concentrated and received from two different directions, thereby enhancing direction adaptability and expanding device mounting methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: BOLY MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiaoping Hu
  • Patent number: 11342470
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an inclined thin film solar cell. The inclined thin film solar cell includes a substrate including at least one first surface having a surface inclined at a first angle with respect to the bottom surface of the substrate and at least one second surface located adjacent to the first surface and having a surface which is connected to a next inclined surface and inclined at a second angle, a first electrode famed on a surface of the substrate, a light absorbing layer famed on the first electrode, and a second electrode formed on the light absorbing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: DAEGU GYEONGBUK INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jin Kyu Kang, Dae-Hwan Kim, Kee Jeong Yang, Sam Mi Kim, Se Yun Kim, Kwang Seok Ahn
  • Patent number: 11333748
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to arrays of light detectors with a corresponding array of optical elements. An example embodiment includes a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system. The LIDAR system includes an array of light detectors. The LIDAR system also includes a shared imaging optic. Further, the LIDAR system includes an array of optical elements positioned between the shared imaging optic and the array of light detectors. Each light detector in the array of light detectors is configured to detect a respective light signal from a respective region of a scene. Each respective light signal is transmitted via the shared imaging optic and modified by a respective optical element in the array of optical elements based on at least one aspect of the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Ralph H. Shepard, Pierre-Yves Droz, David Schleuning, Mark Shand, Luke Wachter
  • Patent number: 11329180
    Abstract: The invention relates to a high yield multistage light-to-electricity multiplying platform unit which is provided on its front face with a protection antireflection coating or layer (1) and with an upper electrode layer (5) characterized in that it comprises: an opto-phonic platform composed of a UV radiation light-to-light down converter (2) to a particular sub-band in the visible radiation domain, a harvesting diffractive grading component (3) including an electronic passivation layer (4) and with light splitting means and one or more sub-band light into narrowed sub-band light concentration converter(s), a IR radiation up conversion dedicated light converter, a converting multiplying platform made of several optimal for each narrowed and concentrated sub-band light-to-electricity multiplying converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: SEGTON ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Zbigniew Kuznicki, Patrick Meyrueis
  • Patent number: 11327211
    Abstract: An asymmetric transmission film including a body having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface and a transmittance control member disposed in the body such that a forward transmittance of light passing in a direction from the first surface toward the second surface and a reverse transmittance of light passing in a direction from the second surface toward the first surface are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventors: Jin Suk Song, Sang Choll Han, Sung Hak Bae, Byung Mook Kim, Bum Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 11329171
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for user-preference driven control of electrical and thermal output from a photonic energy device are provided herein. A system includes a solar photovoltaic module, and a fluid positioned on the solar photovoltaic module. The system also includes configurable reflective surfaces that collect and distribute direct solar and diffuse solar radiation across multiple portions of the fluid and/or portions of the solar photovoltaic module. Additionally, the reflective surfaces is physically connected to the solar photovoltaic module at an angle that is variable in relation to the surface of the solar photovoltaic module. Further, the system includes a controller that modulates an amount of thermal output and/or electrical power output generated by the solar photovoltaic module by transmitting a signal to adjust at least one variable pertaining to the fluid, and transmitting a signal to adjust at least one variable pertaining to the reflective surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Vikas Chandan, Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, Pratyush Kumar, Sukanya Randhawa
  • Patent number: 11316470
    Abstract: A new solar power plant design that utilizes a “Light Room” built underground, commercially available mirrors used in CSP and CPV power plants, and also commercially available PV modules. The usage of a Light Room built underground significantly increases sunlight to electricity conversion efficiency by a higher percentage of sunlight directed towards the PV modules, which are kept cool and clean via fans. Construction, operations and maintenance become easier, faster and cheaper. Overall land usage requirement, investment cost per unit installed power and LCOE are significantly reduced. The design allows installation in rural and urban areas, making it possible for applications not feasible with the current state of the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventor: Can Baran Unal
  • Patent number: 11316053
    Abstract: A multijunction solar cell assembly and its method of manufacture including interconnected first and second discreate semiconductor body subassemblies disposed adjacent and parallel to each other, in the sense of the incoming illumination, each semiconductor body subassembly including first top subcell, and possibly third middle subcells and a bottom solar subcell; wherein the interconnected subassemblies form at least a Three junction solar cell by a series connection being formed between the bottom solar subcell in the first semiconductor body with its at least least two junctions and the bottom solar subcell in the second semiconductor body representing the additional junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Sol Aero Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Daniel Derkacs
  • Patent number: 11316060
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a solar module including an encapsulating layer, solar cells embedded in the encapsulating layer, and a patterned layer formed on the encapsulating layer. The pattered layer includes at least one patterned unit having a plurality of color spots separated from one another, thereby allowing light incident on the color spots to be diffracted through adjacent gaps, so as to produce Poisson spots on the solar cells at locations corresponding to the color spots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventor: Ting-Hui Huang
  • Patent number: 11316059
    Abstract: The present inventive concept relates to a thermal radiation body for cooling a heating element, which includes a pattern unit including a pore part provided as an empty space or filled with a gas phase and a cover part covering the pore part and dissipates heat of the heating element through heat radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventors: Duk Kyu Bae, Sung Hee Kim, Ka Youn Kim, Sun Kyung Kim, Jin Woo Cho
  • Patent number: 11302839
    Abstract: A design for a micro-lens (i.e., a lens on the scale of micrometers) incorporates existing nanofabrication techniques and can be incorporated into High Concentrating Photovoltaic (HCPV), solar thermal collectors, and traditional flat PV systems. Using the theory of wave optics, the design is able to achieve a high numerical aperture, i.e., it can receive light over a wider range of angles. The design also reduces the distance the focal point shifts as the light source shifts; this eliminates the need for a tracking system in CPV and PV applications. Reducing the lens size also facilitates smaller, lightweight CPV systems, which makes CPV attractive for additional applications. Finally, these concentrators reduce the exchanging area of a typical flat solar thermal system where heat is received, which improves the overall system's efficiency and allows its use also during rigid winter time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignees: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, DEMETRA ENERGIA SRL
    Inventors: Ya Sha Yi, Mao Ye, Roberto Santinelli
  • Patent number: 11296647
    Abstract: Solar array (1) comprising solar modules (3) distributed in rows (10), each solar module comprising solar collector (5) carried by a single-axis solar tracker (4), a reference solar power plant (2) comprising a central reference solar module and at least one secondary reference solar module, and a piloting unit (7) adapted for: piloting the angular orientation of the central reference module according to a central reference orientation setpoint corresponding to an initial orientation setpoint, piloting the orientation of each secondary reference module according to a secondary reference orientation setpoint corresponding to the initial orientation setpoint shifted by a predefined offset angle; receiving an energy production value from each reference module; piloting the orientation of the modules, except for the reference modules, by applying the reference orientation setpoint associated to the reference module having the highest production value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.
    Inventors: Madyan Michotte De Welle, Jérôme Arliaud
  • Patent number: 11296649
    Abstract: Several pre-assemblies holding panels of photovoltaic cells are constructed and pre-wired in a factory. The pre-assemblies are shipped to a solar farm, where they are lifted above posts secured to the ground. By being foldable, the solar panel assemblies can provide a compact shipping arrangement. Operators can connect the solar panel assemblies to a support and then unfolded the solar panel assemblies and lock them in the unfolded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Inventors: Travis James Miller, Farzad Azizi, Julio C Garza
  • Patent number: 11289914
    Abstract: A cryptocurrency computing power supply system includes a solar DC power generation system, a DC power bus, an electronic control system and a mining node power management system. The solar DC power generation system is structured to provide DC power to a DC/DC converter. The DC power bus is structured to selectably receive power from the DC/DC converter and to provide DC power to a number of mining servers. The electronic control system is structured to selectably control the cryptocurrency computing power supply system to operate in plurality of modes. The mining node power management system includes optimizing power distribution from the solar DC power generation system to the plurality of mining servers using a cryptocurrency solar curve algorithm generated based on an analysis of statistically predicted patterns of energy usage and production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventor: Sean Walsh
  • Patent number: 11290055
    Abstract: An optical light-transmission element for a solar energy assembly having a solar cell includes at least one harvesting portion for directing solar light onto the solar cell. For optimum operation of the solar energy assembly, the optical light-transmission element and the solar cell have to be carefully aligned. In order to facilitate the alignment, the optical light-transmission element further comprises at least one alignment control portion for concentrating the solar light onto a second focusing region, which is spaced apart from the primary focusing region. A method for aligning such a solar energy assembly involves focusing light on a focusing region that is spaced apart from the solar cell, and adjusting at least one of the position of the solar cell and the harvesting region until the focusing region is located at a predetermined target zone, which is spaced apart from the solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Saint-Augustin Canada Electric Inc.
    Inventors: Sven Wanka, Martin Neubauer
  • Patent number: 11283400
    Abstract: A modular, solar energy system comprising one or more modular solar panels. The solar panels include a pair of general planar, plates that are secured together to form a narrow channel therebetween for the circulation of a liquid. The solar panels have inlet and outlet fluid lines in fluid communication via manifolds with a cold fluid supply line and a warm fluid return line, respectively. The plates are preferably constructed of aluminum and one plate has a photovoltaic cell matrix affixed thereto to face the sun. The plates have dividers or partitions that enhance the heat transfer characteristics with respect to the liquid flowing though the channel between the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: TYLL SOLAR, LLC
    Inventor: Jay D. Fischer
  • Patent number: 11280522
    Abstract: A solar tracker system comprising a plurality of on sun trackers and a plurality of off sun tracker. Each tracker is selectively adjusted to achieve a desired power output of the solar power plant system in an example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: NEXTracker Inc.
    Inventors: Yu Dong Ma, Yang Liu, Francesco Borrelli, Allan Daly, Ricardo Delgado-Nanez, Alexander W. Au
  • Patent number: 11276795
    Abstract: A light converting optical system employing a planar light trapping optical structure illuminated by a source of monochromatic light. The light trapping optical structure includes a photoabsorptive layer including quantum dots. The photoabsorptive layer is configured at a relatively low thickness and located between a broad-area optically transmissive surface configured to reflect light using a total internal reflection and an opposing broad-area reflective surface formed by a thin sheet of material configured to diffusely reflect light. The opposing surfaces confine and redistribute light within the light trapping structure, causing multiple transverse propagation of light through the photoabsorptive layer and enhanced absorption and light conversion. The light trapping optical structure may further incorporate an array of lenses or other optical elements located on a light path between the light source and the photoabsorptive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: S.V.V. TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Sergiy Vasylyev
  • Patent number: 11271517
    Abstract: A solar tracking system preferably associated with a double-reflecting dish solar concentrator having an initial parabolic reflective surface for concentrating solar energy upon a focal cloud preferably spatially coinciding with the primary focus of a subsequent elliptical reflective surface for further concentrating solar energy within a beam directed through an opening defined, preferably at the origin, by the initial parabolic reflective surface to heat a thermal transfer fluid flowing through a heating element; said subsequent elliptical reflective surface having a photovoltaic element on its reverse; said photovoltaic element being divided into plural sections, preferably quadrants, from which respective photovoltaic-based voltmeter readings are utilized to reposition the initial parabolic reflective surface's axis of symmetry closer to parallel with the plurality of incoming solar energy thereby effectively tracking the sun and maximizing collectable/concentrated solar energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Herbert Martin
  • Patent number: 11264943
    Abstract: A system for tracking the sun has a bottom frame and a top frame hingedly coupled at a first end to the bottom frame. Further, the system has a solar panel removably coupled to the top frame via at least one clamp on a second end of the top frame. Also, the system has a processor configured to adjust the solar panel horizontally and vertically to align with the sun for maximum efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: JBC Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Ralph McGinty
  • Patent number: 11264942
    Abstract: A single-axis solar tracker consisting of a series of A-frame shaped foundation with actuators attached to each leg that are connected at one end to a common rotating assembly supporting multiple solar panels. Concerted action of the actuators causes the common rotating assembly to rotate about an axis of rotation. The system may include a central torque tube supported by the series of A-frame foundations or a frame assembly that is hingedly attached to each A-frame foundation via a torque arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ojjo, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Almy, Jack West
  • Patent number: 11264941
    Abstract: A system for mounting one or more solar panels is provided. One version of the system includes a post, a central portion interconnected to the post, and a solar panel support member arranged to slidably receive an edge of a solar panel and including a female portion adapted to receive the at least one male portion of the elongated member, the solar panel support member adapted for pivotal movement about the longitudinal axis of the elongated member to provide a corresponding pivotal movement of the solar panel mounted thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Systems Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Glenn Carless
  • Patent number: 11264518
    Abstract: A solar cell is fabricated by etching one or more of its layers without substantially etching another layer of the solar cell. In one embodiment, a copper layer in the solar cell is etched without substantially etching a topmost metallic layer comprising tin. For example, an etchant comprising sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide may be employed to etch the copper layer selective to the tin layer. A particular example of the aforementioned etchant is a Co-Bra Etch® etchant modified to comprise about 1% by volume of sulfuric acid, about 4% by volume of phosphoric acid, and about 2% by volume of stabilized hydrogen peroxide. In one embodiment, an aluminum layer in the solar cell is etched without substantially etching the tin layer. For example, an etchant comprising potassium hydroxide may be employed to etch the aluminum layer without substantially etching the tin layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas H. Rose, Pongsthorn Uralwong, David D. Smith
  • Patent number: 11248301
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a photo-electrochemical device for production of a gas, liquid or solid using concentrated electromagnetic irradiation. The device comprises a photovoltaic component configured to generate charge carriers from the concentrated electromagnetic irradiation; and an electrochemical component configured to carry out electrolysis of a reactant. The photovoltaic component contacts the electrochemical component at a solid interface to form an integrated photo-electrochemical device; and further includes at least one reactant channel or a plurality of reactant channels extending between the photovoltaic component and the electrochemical component to transfer heat and the reactant from the photovoltaic component to the electrochemical component. The integrated photo-electrochemical device and auxiliary devices (such as concentrator, flow controllers) build a system which can flexibly react to changes in operating condition and guarantee best performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FÉDÉRALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Saurabh Tembhurne, Meng Lin, Sophia Haussener
  • Patent number: 11251323
    Abstract: A system for providing a solar harvesting building envelope is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of solar harvesting apparatus configured to be installed as or on a building envelope in manner like that of traditional shingles or siding. The apparatus includes a frame having a photovoltaic end wall, as well as reflective base and side walls. A translucent, wedge-shaped body layer is positioned on the frame. A luminescent species film is positioned at and substantially parallel to a base of the wedge-shaped body layer, such that the luminescent species film is positioned at an angle relative to the photovoltaic end wall. Light incident on the wedge-shaped body layer is concentrated towards the photovoltaic end wall, such as through absorption and re-emission along with scattering by the luminescent species film and internal reflection by the wedge-shaped body layer and the reflective base and side walls of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Michael Hughes, Diana-Andra Borca-Tasciuc, Deborah A. Kaminski
  • Patent number: 11245355
    Abstract: One embodiment can provide a photovoltaic roof tile module. The photovoltaic roof tile module can include a photovoltaic roof tile module. The photovoltaic roof tile module can include at least: a first photovoltaic roof tile and a second photovoltaic roof tile positioned adjacent to each other, and a spacer coupled to and positioned between the first and second photovoltaic roof tiles. A respective photovoltaic roof tile can include front and back glass covers, and multiple cascaded strings encapsulated between the front and back glass covers. A respective cascaded string can include a plurality of photovoltaic structures electrically coupled to each other in series, and the multiple cascaded strings can be electrically coupled to each other in parallel. The first and second photovoltaic roof tiles can be electrically coupled to each other in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhavananda R. Nadimpally, Peter P. Nguyen, Mykola O. Pashkevych, Bobby Yang
  • Patent number: 11239790
    Abstract: A solar tower system; the solar tower system includes a module unit having a cylindrical core, a series of tower slices positioned in a continuous series around the cylindrical core and together forming a cylindrical solar tower, and a battery unit attachment. Each tower slice comprises a clear plastic block having a series of solar panel bays, each configured to house one of a series of solar panels. The solar tower system provides a portable solar energy source for various uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventor: Mihai Cantemir
  • Patent number: 11238193
    Abstract: A photovoltaic system's configuration specification can be inferred by an evaluative process that searches through a space of candidate values for the variables in the specification. Each variable is selected in a specific ordering that narrows the field of candidate values. A constant horizon is assumed to account for diffuse irradiance insensitive to specific obstruction locations relative to the photovoltaic system's geographic location. Initial values for the azimuth angle, constant horizon obstruction elevation angle, and tilt angle are determined, followed by final values for these variables. The effects of direct obstructions that block direct irradiance in the areas where the actual horizon and the range of sun path values overlap relative to the geographic location are evaluated to find the exact obstruction elevation angle over a range of azimuth bins or directions. The photovoltaic temperature response coefficient and the inverter rating or power curve of the photovoltaic system are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Clean Power Research, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Hoff
  • Patent number: 11205992
    Abstract: The disclosed solar plank snow fence performs two separate but unique functions in one structure. The structure is capable of harnessing solar power through the use of photovoltaics to produce electricity and acting as a snow fence to minimize the effects of blowing snow down-wind from the structure. In embodiments, based on weather conditions, detected at a site by sensors utilized by the solar snow fence, the disclosed fence is capable of autonomously transitioning between solar tracking mode and snow fence mode according to weather conditions. In snow fence mode, the disclosed solar plank snow fence performs the function of a snow fence with a tracking position fixed to a predetermined position or angle. In embodiments, the tracking position (angle) may be between 0° and 15° relative to the ground and may be positioned facing the prevailing wind direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventor: Tibor Hegedus
  • Patent number: 11201255
    Abstract: A concentrator photovoltaic module includes: a concentrating portion configured by arranging a plurality of Fresnel lenses that concentrate sunlight; a plurality of power generating elements arranged at positions corresponding respectively to the plurality of Fresnel lenses; a plurality of ball lenses corresponding respectively to the plurality of power generating elements and guide the sunlight concentrated by the plurality of Fresnel lenses to the plurality of power generating elements; and a housing that contains the plurality of ball lenses and the plurality of power generating elements. The housing includes a resin frame body, and a metal bottom plate that is fixed to the frame body, and on the inner surface of which the plurality of ball lenses and the plurality of power generating elements are arranged. The groove portion for reducing thermal expansion of the inner surface side of the bottom plate is on the inner surface of the bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Youichi Nagai, Kenji Saito, Kazushi Iyatani, Makoto Inagaki, Rui Mikami, Yoshiya Abiko
  • Patent number: 11188751
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) solar irradiation assessment system may automate several design parameters of solar panel design, cost and payoff estimations, and installation. The system determines the irradiance at various locations on a roof during various time periods. The system accounts for the effects of various existing, potential, or future obstacles proximate the structure. In some embodiments, a visual model of the roof may be shown with a heatmap of irradiance values and/or graphical placement of solar panels. In other embodiments, the data may be analyzed and reported without visual presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Loveland Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Loveland, Leif Larson, Dan Christiansen, Tad Christiansen
  • Patent number: 11189738
    Abstract: Peripheral side surface interconnects for interconnecting solar cells are disclosed. The peripheral side surface interconnects include a layer of an electrically conductive adhesive overlying an insulating layer overlying a peripheral side edge of a solar cell and electrically interconnected to a busbar. Photovoltaic modules include adjacent solar cells comprising peripheral side surface interconnects interconnected by the electrically conductive adhesive or by the electrically conductive adhesive and an interconnection element. An interconnection element can be a solder paste or a solder containing electrically conductive ribbon. Methods of forming solar cell peripheral side surface interconnects include applying an insulating layer to a side surface of a solar cell, depositing a busbar in proximity to the insulated side surface of the solar cell, depositing an electrically conductive adhesive over at least a portion of the busbar and over at least a portion of the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG KAIYING NEW MATERIALS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mohamed M. Hilali, Zhiyong Li
  • Patent number: 11177767
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating electricity from solar energy has a large dish reflector with a fly's eye receiver positioned near the focus of the dish reflector, held by a dual axis tracking structure. The fly's eye receiver includes a field lens that concentrates sunlight into an image of the dish reflector, a two-dimensional fly's eye array of contiguous convex lenses extending across the dish image, and a photovoltaic cell behind each convex lens of the fly's eye array. Two imaging stages are provided. First, the dish reflector and the field lens concentrate the sunlight in the form of an image of the dish that is stabilized against pointing errors of the tracking mechanism. Second, the contiguous array of convex lenses divides the sunlight energy of the dish image into portions, one per convex lens, each portion being further concentrated by the respective convex lens onto a corresponding photovoltaic cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
    Inventors: Roger P. Angel, Justin J. Hyatt, Dmitry Reshidko, Brian M. Wheelwright, Nicholas J. Didato
  • Patent number: 11158752
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optomechanical system (10) for capturing and transmitting incident light (40) with a variable direction of incidence to at least one collecting element (31, 31?, 31?, 31??, 31A, 31B), with an optical arrangement (20) able to capture a beam of the incident light (40), concentrate the captured beam of the incident light, and transmit one or more concentrated beams (50) of the incident light to the at least one collecting element (31, 31?, 31?, 31??, 31A, 31B), and a shifting mechanism for moving the optical arrangement (20) with respect to the at least one collecting element (31, 31?, 31?, 31??, 31A, 31B), wherein the moving of the shifting mechanism is controllable in such a way that, for any direction of incidence of the incident light (40), the one or more concentrated beams (50) of the incident light can be optimally collected by the at least one collecting element (31, 31?, 31?, 31??, 31A, 31B), In this optomechanical system (10), the optical arrangement (20) comprises a first optical la
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventors: Laurent Coulot, Mathieu Ackermann, Florian Gerlich
  • Patent number: 11132024
    Abstract: An electronic device having a battery assembly is disclosed. Unlike traditional battery assemblies that include rectilinear electrodes with two sides of equal length, the battery assemblies described herein may include electrodes having a shape/configuration resembling an L-shape electrode used to form chemical reactions in order to generate electrical energy. However, other shapes/configurations are possible. The shape/configuration of the housing of the battery assembly confirms to the shape/configuration of the electrodes. Further, in order to accommodate an internal component (such as a circuit board assembly), the shape of the battery assembly provides additional space in the electronic device. In order to form the electrodes, the electrodes may undergo a die cutting operation. Also, the housing may include a channel, or reduced dimension, that accommodates a flexible circuit in the electronic device that passes over the battery assembly at the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: David A. Pakula, Daniel W. Jarvis, Gregory N. Stephens, Ian A. Spraggs, James A. Bertin, Eric M. Bennett, Simon C. Helmore, Melissa A. Wah, Matthew D. Hill, Jon F. Housour, Douglas G. Fournier, Christopher S. Tomasetta
  • Patent number: 11125514
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for passively cooling water vapor to enable efficient condensation, and methods of making such systems. A passive cooler can include a thermally conductive substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a coating disposed on at least a portion of the first side of the substrate, and a housing having one or more insulative walls. The insulative walls may define a vapor flow channel from an inlet to an outlet of the housing such that the second side of the substrate is exposed to water vapor flowing through the vapor flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignees: The Research Foundation for The State University of New York, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Qiaoqiang Gan, Haomin Song, Zongfu Yu, Ming Zhou