Hybrid Conversion System Patents (Class 136/248)
  • Patent number: 11909352
    Abstract: A spectrum splitting, transmissive concentrating photovoltaic (tCPV) module is proposed and designed for a hybrid photovoltaic-solar thermal (PV/T) system. The system may be able to fully utilize the full spectrum of incoming sunlight. By utilizing III-V triple junction solar cells with bandgaps of approximately 2.1 eV, 1.7 eV, and 1.4 eV in the module, ultraviolet (UV) and visible light (in-band light) are absorbed and converted to electricity, while infrared (IR) light (out-of-band light) passes through and is captured by a solar thermal receiver and stored as heat. The stored heat energy may be dispatched as electricity or process heat as needed. The tCPV module may have an overall power conversion efficiency exceeding 43.5% for above bandgap (in-band) light under a standard AM1.5D solar spectrum with an average concentration ratio of 400 suns. Passive and/or active cooling methods may be used to keep cells below 110° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: THE ADMINISTRATORS OF THE TULANE EDUCATIONAL FUND
    Inventors: Matthew David Escarra, Qi Xu, Yaping Ji, Brian C. Riggs, Adam Ollanik, Kazi M. Islam, Daniel Codd, Vince Romanin, Nicholas David Farrar-Foley
  • Patent number: 11901860
    Abstract: A solar power system may comprise a back sheet that comprises an interconnect circuit coupling a plurality of cell tiles. A tiled solar cell, comprising a solar cell and encapsulating and glass layers, is inserted into the cell tiles of the back sheet. Each solar cell is individually addressable through the use of the interconnect circuit. Moreover, the interconnect circuit of the back sheet is programmable and allows for dynamic interconnect routing between solar cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SAFUL CONSULTING, INC.
    Inventor: Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli
  • Patent number: 11843066
    Abstract: A photovoltaic cell module in which a difference in color between a photovoltaic cell and the other portion is made to disappear and the changes of the color and appearance of its surface depending upon a viewing angle is hardly visually recognized, while suppressing the reduction of the power generation amount of the photovoltaic cell. The present photovoltaic cell module includes a thin plate-like photovoltaic cell enclosed in transparent sealing material; a transparent face plate laminated on the surface of the sealing material on the light receiving surface side of the photovoltaic cell; and a decorative layer laminated on the face plate, where a transparent resin is employed as base material of the decorative layer and light transmissive scaly glitter pigment is dispersed in the decorative layer such that the surface direction of the pigment is along the face plate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, NIPPON PAINT AUTOMOTIVE COATINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Kudo, Taizo Masuda, Masahiro Kitamura, Takakazu Hase
  • Patent number: 11595001
    Abstract: The invention relates to cooling element (5) having a fastening device (16) for upgrading any standard, commercially available photovoltaic module (1) for increasing the efficiency of the photovoltaic module (1). According to the invention, it comprises a heat insulation mat (6) having an upper surface (7), in which pipe channels (8) aligned parallel with each other are created, wherein the borders of the pipe channels (8) and the upper surface (7) of the heat insulation mat (6) are constructed with heat conduction plates (9), preferably aluminium plates. It further comprises a pipe (10) that is routed in loops (11) in all of the pipe channels (8) constructed with the heat conduction plates (9). The invention also relates to a method for attaching a cooling element (5) according to the invention to a photovoltaic module (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ATS ADVANCED THERMO SOLUTIONS AG
    Inventor: Markus Lehmann
  • Patent number: 11520367
    Abstract: Various embodiments are described that relate to charging a battery set. The battery set can comprise a first battery and a second battery. The batteries can be alternately charged so they are balanced. In one example, when the first battery is charged, then the second battery is not charged and vice versa. The alternation of charging can be managed based on different criteria, such as timing or charge level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: The Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Ernest Luoto, Brian Frymiare, David Carrier
  • Patent number: 11509261
    Abstract: Systems for generating solar power are provided. One such system includes a solar radiation collector and one or more side-emitting fiber-optic cables, coupled to the solar radiation collector. The system further includes one or more photovoltaic cell enclosures, including an outer housing and one or more photovoltaic cells, wherein the one or more side-emitting fiber-optic cables is positioned within the outer housing and configured to emit, to the one or more photovoltaic cells, solar radiation collected from the solar radiation collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventor: James Malone, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11360157
    Abstract: A fail-safe operating method for a decentralized power generation plant DG includes determining a leakage capacitance of a generator of the DG before connecting the DG. The method also includes comparing the determined leakage capacitance with a predetermined first limit value, and connecting the DG to a grid only if the determined leakage capacitance is smaller than the predetermined first limit value. A decentralized power generation plant is configured to perform the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Michael Viotto, Martin Putz, Christian Tschendel
  • Patent number: 11336224
    Abstract: Thermal receivers, systems, and methods are disclosed that efficiently capture concentrated solar energy into a plurality of heat absorption bodies for conversion into thermal energy. In an embodiment, the thermal receivers, systems, and methods enable simultaneous electricity conversion and thermal energy capture. The receiver design enables a high penetration of concentrated sunlight deep into the thermal receiver to increase light trapping and reduce thermal losses. The thermal receiver is integrated with a photovoltaic (PV) receiver platform that converts some of the incident light to electricity while passing the remaining light to the thermal receiver. In another embodiment, other thermal receivers, systems, and methods are disclosed that efficiently capture concentrated solar energy into a sheet of falling particles. In an embodiment, the thermal receivers, systems, and methods enable simultaneous electricity conversion and thermal energy capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventor: Clifford K. Ho
  • Patent number: 11322627
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solar cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. When a transmittance of the solar cell is measured in a wavelength range of 700 to 1000 nm, an average of the transmittance of the solar cell is 60% or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ENERGY SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soichiro Shibasaki, Mutsuki Yamazaki, Naoyuki Nakagawa, Sara Yoshio, Kazushige Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11264945
    Abstract: Systems for generating solar power are provided. One such system includes a solar radiation collector and one or more side-emitting fiber-optic cables, coupled to the solar radiation collector. The system further includes one or more photovoltaic cell enclosures, including an outer housing and one or more photovoltaic cells, wherein the one or more side-emitting fiber-optic cables is positioned within the outer housing and configured to emit, to the one or more photovoltaic cells, solar radiation collected from the solar radiation collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventor: James Malone, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11078725
    Abstract: A window shade system includes a mounting bracket configured to couple to a structure, a shade tube bracket configured to rotatably couple with the mounting bracket, and a shade coupled to the shade tube bracket and having a solar panel. The solar panel is electrically coupled with an external system via the shade tube bracket and the mounting bracket. The solar panel is configured to receive solar energy, transform the solar energy into electricity, and provide the electricity to the external system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: GEIGTECH EAST BAY, LLC
    Inventor: James Geiger
  • Patent number: 11022380
    Abstract: A heat pipe with micro tubes (2), includes a solid heat conductor (1) provided therein with two or more parallel micro tubes (2), the micro tubes being filled therein with working medium which exchanges heat through phase change; and the two ends of the heat conductor (1) are sealed and at least one of them is provided with a sealing strip of gradually shrinking shape that is formed from cold welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: GUANGWEI HETONG ENERGY TECHOLOGY (BEIJING) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yaohua Zhao, Kairong Zhang
  • Patent number: 10992138
    Abstract: A method of power transfer control among a plurality of power sources coupled through a distribution system. The method comprises determining, at each power source of the plurality of power sources, an assignment of priorities for each of the plurality of power sources. The method also comprises obtaining, at each power source, information indicating an availability of each of the plurality of power sources and determining a set of available power sources, and identifying, at each power source, a preferred power source and a standby power source from the plurality of power sources. The method further comprises determining to change the preferred power source from a first power source to a second power source in response to detecting a condition, and conducting the power transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Novak, Kevin J. Aufderhar, Paul R. Dahlen
  • Patent number: 10968107
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a material made of silicon and/or germanium nanowires, comprising the steps of: i) placing a source of silicon and/or a source of germanium in contact with a catalyst comprising a binary metal sulfide or a multinary metal sulfide, said metal(s) being selected from among Sn, In, Bi, Sb, Ga, Ti, Cu, and Zn, by means of which silicon and/or germanium nanowires are obtained, ii) optionally recovering the silicon and/or germanium nanowires obtained in step (i); the catalyst and, optionally, the source of silicon and/or the source of germanium being heated before, during and/or after being placed in contact under temperature and pressure conditions that allow the growth of the silicon and/or germanium nanowires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE
    Inventors: Pascale Chenevier, Peter Reiss
  • Patent number: 10951159
    Abstract: A pneumatic control unit configured to inflate a first and second set of bellows with fluid from a pneumatic fluid source via a pneumatic circuit, the first and second set of bellows associated with one or more pneumatic actuators. The pneumatic control unit determines a target configuration of the actuators based on a determined current position of the sun; determines a current configuration of the actuators; determines a difference between the determined current configuration and target configuration of the actuators; determines that the difference between current configuration and the target configuration of the actuators is outside of a tolerance range; and actuates the actuators toward the determined target configuration by at least one of inflating the first or second set of bellows with fluid from the pneumatic fluid source via the pneumatic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: SUNFOLDING, INC.
    Inventors: Kyle Douglass Betts, Joshua Earle Erickson, Dan Goldwater, Jeffrey Charles Lamb, Leila Madrone, James Vincent Nolan, IV, Vincent Domenic Romanin, Matthew N Schneider, Eric Preston Lien Suan
  • Patent number: 10833285
    Abstract: A photovoltaic solar cell apparatus is described herein combining the advantages of several discoveries that address the previously unsolved problem of creating high conversion efficiency solar cells at a low cost. The solar cell designs and underlying principals disclosed herein may be applied in any type of photovoltaic solar power application, such as large scale photovoltaic solar plants, rooftop panels, solar powered electronic devices, and many others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Dimerond Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dieter M. Gruen
  • Patent number: 10811550
    Abstract: A solar panel system including solar panel units reducing horizontal surface area is provided. The solar panel system may be a cylindrical configuration comprising solar panel units that are configured radially about an internal star-shaped structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Inventor: Bea Essie Glenn
  • Patent number: 10804706
    Abstract: A solar cell management system for increasing the efficiency and power output of a solar cell and methods for making and using the same. The management system provides an electric field across one or more solar cells. The imposed electric field exerts a force on both the electrons and holes created by light incident on the solar cell and accelerates the electron-hole pairs towards the electrodes of the solar cell. The solar cell management system considers variations in configuration of solar cells to maximize the power output of the solar cells. The accelerated electron-hole pairs have a lower likelihood of recombining within the cells' semiconductor's material. This reduction in the electron-hole recombination rate results in an overall increase in the solar cells' efficiency and greater power output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SOLARLYTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert P. McNamara, Douglas M. Raymond
  • Patent number: 10796858
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar cell and a method for manufacturing thereof. The solar cell comprises a porous insulating substrate (2), a first porous conducting layer (4) and a second porous conducting layer (6) disposed on opposite sides of the porous insulating substrate, a light absorbing layer (8) in electrical contact with the first conducting layer, and an electrolyte integrally positioned through the porous conductive layers, the porous insulating substrate and the light absorbing layer to transfer charge carriers between the second conducting layer and the light absorbing layer. The light absorbing layer (8) comprises a plurality of grains (10) of a doped semiconducting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Exeger Operations AB
    Inventor: Henrik Lindström
  • Patent number: 10763778
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel forms of operable and fixed windows capable of at least one or more of: producing an electrical current utilizing a transparent or semi-transparent solar collecting coating or film on a pane, and selectively changing one or more of opacity and tint of one or more electrochromatic layers in the window. Some embodiments also disclose a robust scaffold assembly utilized to enclose the perimeter of the substrate and one or more transparent solar cells or electrochromatic layers, or transparent solar cells and electrochromatic layers. Various structural and electrical configurations are disclosed to satisfy the kinematic demands of operable windows. Wired and wireless configurations of the windows are contemplated as are self-powered versions whereby the transparent solar collector powers the electrochromatic function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Inventor: Brian Patrick Janowski
  • Patent number: 10742110
    Abstract: A method for operating a renewable energy power system driven by at least one renewable energy power source and having at least one current conversion device includes determining a temperature of power semiconductor device(s) of the current conversion device(s). The method also includes determining whether an amount of power of the renewable energy power source(s) is above a predetermined threshold. Further, the method includes increasing or maintaining the temperature of the power semiconductor device(s) during periods of time when the amount of the renewable energy power source(s) is below the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Anthony William Galbraith, David Smith
  • Patent number: 10725226
    Abstract: Dual-direction collimation and a dual-direction optical collimator provide dual-direction collimated light at a non-zero propagation angle. The dual-direction collimator includes a vertical collimator configured to collimate light in a vertical direction and a horizontal collimator configured to collimate the vertically collimated light in a horizontal direction. The horizontal collimator is located at an output of the vertical collimator. A three-dimensional (3D) display includes the dual-direction collimator, a plate light guide and an array of multibeam diffraction gratings at a surface of the plate light guide to couple out the dual-direction collimated light guided in the plate light guide as a plurality of light beams corresponding to different 3D view of the 3D electronic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: LEIA INC.
    Inventors: David A. Fattal, Ming Ma, Xuejian Li
  • Patent number: 10707807
    Abstract: Solar panel assemblies and wall sections using such assemblies are described. In one solar panel assembly, there is a mounting post and three or more triangular shaped panels. Each triangular shaped panel is a solar panel responsive to a first spectrum of light and transparent to a second spectrum of light. The solar panel assembly also includes hinges which connect the triangular shaped panels to the mounting post. The at least three triangular shaped panels can move between a flat configuration and an inverted pyramid configuration. In a further embodiment of the solar panel assembly, the triangular shaped panels form a first solar panel layer, and the assembly also includes one or more additional solar panel layers. Each of the additional solar panel layers being responsive to an associated spectrum of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Inventor: Jonathan Jacques
  • Patent number: 10492381
    Abstract: An electricity generation method using orientable photovoltaic sensors disposed above crops, a shadow projected onto the crops being altered by changes in an orientation of the sensors. The orientation of the sensors is controlled in a computerized and automatic manner in order to affect microclimatic conditions of the crops by changing the orientation of the sensors, in particular in order to place crops in microclimatic conditions more suited to obtaining a desired agricultural result, while seeking to achieve an optimum, reducing electricity generation as little as possible in relation to a reference that is not combined with crops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: SUN'R
    Inventor: Antoine Nogier
  • Patent number: 10461206
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a solar photovoltaic-thermal system, combined with a solar heat collection assembly and a solar cell assembly, so that solar energy utilization is more efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Changzhou Almaden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinxi Lin, Jinhan Lin, Yuting Lin
  • Patent number: 10436182
    Abstract: Implementations of a system for collecting radiant energy with a non-imaging solar concentrator are provided. In some implementations, the system may be configured to focus radiant energy striking a plurality of concentric, conical ring-like reflective elements of the non-imaging concentrator onto a receiver positioned thereunder and to rotate and/or pivot the receiver so that at least a portion thereof is always kept within the focal point (or area) of the non-imaging concentrator. Wherein the center of the focal point (or area) is fixed with respect to the ground. In some implementations, the system for collecting radiant energy with a non-imaging solar concentrator may comprise a tracking apparatus configured to support the non-imaging concentrator and position it so that the sun is normal thereto, and a piping system that is configured to transfer concentrated solar energy from the receiver to an absorbing system where the energy is finally utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Inventors: Ayman Adnan S. Al-Maaitah, Adnan Ayman Al-Maaitah
  • Patent number: 10411640
    Abstract: A solar and wind energy harvesting system having a support structure with a pair of poles and a plurality of transversal members that extends between the pair of poles, a plurality of transducers affixed to a corresponding transversal member of the plurality of transversal members, a plurality of photovoltaic cells, wherein each photovoltaic cell is suspended from a corresponding transducer of the plurality of transducers and receives sunlight to provide sunlight input electricity and wind to bend the corresponding transducer and have the corresponding transducer provide wind input electricity, and a battery assembly that is electrically connected to the plurality of transducers and the plurality of photovoltaic cells to receive, regulate and store the solar input electricity and the wind input electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Inventor: Fahad Al Dughaish
  • Patent number: 10399441
    Abstract: Principles of the present disclosure present a new concept for solar photovoltaic systems wherein the load to the photovoltaic system is digitally managed. This allows for much higher system efficiency along with a much lower system cost as compared to traditional solar photovoltaic systems in specific applications. By eliminating storage and power electronics typically present in traditional solar photovoltaic systems, exemplary systems achieve a cost reduction of over 50%, while the system efficiency is improved to over 95%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventor: Meng Tao
  • Patent number: 10355638
    Abstract: A solar junction box includes a box cover and a terminal plate. The terminal plate includes a plurality of terminals arranged side by side and diode units for connecting adjacent terminals, and the terminals and diode units are integrally packaged in plastic. Two outermost terminals are respectively used to connect cables. The terminal plate serving as a back plate of the box cover is fixedly connected to the box cover in detachable manner. A cavity for filling silica gel is formed between the box cover and the terminal plate. The assembly of the solar junction box is convenient, and it has relatively good heat dissipation and sealing performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: LEONI CABLE (CHINA) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wei Lu
  • Patent number: 10236689
    Abstract: A solar cell management system for increasing the efficiency and power output of a solar cell and methods for making and using the same. The management system provides an electric field across one or more solar cells. The imposed electric field exerts a force on both the electrons and holes created by light incident on the solar cell and accelerates the electron-hole pairs towards the electrodes of the solar cell. The solar cell management system considers variations in configuration of solar cells to maximize the power output of the solar cells. The accelerated electron-hole pairs have a lower likelihood of recombining within the cells' semiconductor's material. This reduction in the electron-hole recombination rate results in an overall increase in the solar cells' efficiency and greater power output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Solarlytics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. McNamara, Douglas M. Raymond
  • Patent number: 10211776
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel forms of operable windows capable of producing an electrical current utilizing a transparent or semi-transparent solar collecting substrate. A scaffold assembly is utilized to enclose the perimeter of the substrate and one or more solar cells. The scaffold may comprise a scaffold port providing passage for an exit conductor from a sash lead in electrical communication with a solar cell. The assembly may include a bridge portion of an exit conductor that carries electrical current from a sash portion to a frame portion of the window assembly. A frame port extending through the frame of the window may provide passage of the exit conductor to electronic accessories or to circuits that can store or reuse the electrical energy produced. Various forms of electronic accessories are disclosed for fixed or releasable mounting to portions of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Brian Patrick Janowski
  • Patent number: 10193345
    Abstract: A solar cell management system for increasing the efficiency and power output of a solar cell and methods for making and using the same. The management system provides an electric field across an individual solar cell, an array of solar cells configured as a panel, or a group of solar panels. The imposed electric field exerts a force on both the electrons and holes created by light incident on the solar cell and accelerates the electron-hole pairs towards the electrodes of the solar cell. Compared to conventional solar cells, these accelerated electron-hole pairs travel a shorter distance from creation (by incident optical radiation) and spend less time within the solar cell material, therefore the electron-hole pairs have a lower likelihood of recombining within the cells' semiconductor's material. This reduction in the electron-hole recombination rate results in an overall increase in the solar cells' efficiency and greater power output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Solarlytics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. McNamara, Douglas M. Raymond
  • Patent number: 10177709
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid solar collector that generates thermal and electrical energy while maintaining a comfortable indoor climate. The hybrid solar collector comprises a thermal energy collector for time-delayed transfer of thermal energy resulting from incident solar energy into building walls having a rear-vented cover arranged so that an air gap is formed between the solid collector portion and the cover, said cover comprising photovoltaic (PV) elements and being at least partially transparent and/or partially translucent so as to allow solar radiation to impinge on the solid thermal collector, wherein the air in the gap between the cover and the collector is sucked by a heat pump preferably for use in heating water or thermal storage The hybrid solar collector of the invention stores thermal energy in and releases thermal energy from the thermal collector portion, while also generating electricity using the PV elements and utilizing thermal energy from the heated air in the air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Nelson Architech GmbH
    Inventor: Giuseppe Fent
  • Patent number: 10072853
    Abstract: A water heater is provided having an insulated tank having a water inlet and a water outlet, and further defining an interior volume to contain a quantity of water. A primary heating arrangement applies heat energy to the water so as to heat the water. In addition, the primary heating arrangement is configured to maintain the water during standby periods between upper and lower set point temperatures. A supplemental heating arrangement is operative to supply additional heat energy to the water in order to lessen energy usage by the primary heating arrangement during the standby periods. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the supplemental heating arrangement includes at least one photovoltaic panel and a supplemental heating element. Control electronics are operatively interposed between the at least one photovoltaic panel and the supplemental heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Raheel A. Chaudhry, Arthur Y. Hinton, Jozef Boros
  • Patent number: 10054319
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for producing hot water, comprising a hot water reservoir, a first and a second resistance heating rod for heating the water in the hot water reservoir, a reservoir temperature sensor, and a control unit, by means of which the first resistance heating rod can be connected to a network alternating voltage source, wherein the system comprises a photovoltaic device for producing a direct voltage and the photovoltaic device can be connected to the second resistance heating rod by means of the control unit or a further control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Gerhard Rimpler
  • Patent number: 10056509
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for generating power by amplifying sunlight, including a sunlight amplifying means; and an energy storing means configured to support the sunlight amplifying means and to store an electric energy and a thermal energy generated from the sunlight amplifying means, wherein the sunlight amplifying means includes a first pipe formed of metallic material; a second pipe configured to enclose the first pipe; a solar photovoltaic module installed between the first pipe and the second pipe; and a sunlight amplifying sheet configured with concave mirrors or convex lenses having predetermined shapes and attached to the outer circumference of the second pipe so as to amplify sunlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Richard Oh
  • Patent number: 10042147
    Abstract: A glass concentrator mirror assembly and a method for making same. A glass concentrator mirror assembly is configured to reflect sunlight to a receiver in a reflector assembly. The glass concentrator mirror assembly has at least one glass mirror. The at least one glass mirror has a reflective side and a back side. The glass concentrator mirror assembly also has a parabola-forming frame structure for the at least one glass mirror. The parabola-forming frame structure includes a sternum that is fixedly fastened to a spine with the at least one glass mirror therebetween. The parabola-forming frame structure facilitates a substantially parabolic curvature of the at least one glass mirror. The parabola-forming frame structure provides a substantially uniform force along a line of contact between the sternum and the at least one glass mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Randall B. Olsen
  • Patent number: 9999870
    Abstract: A combined catalyst and catalyst support comprising: a nanostructured solar selective support to which at least one catalyst is affixed; the catalyst comprising at least one material that activates chemical reactions that produce fuels; the nanostructured solar selective support comprising material that is highly absorbing over a portion of the solar spectrum and exhibits low emissivity toward thermal radiation and/or has a surface textured to lower emissivity; the combined catalyst and catalyst support exhibiting at least one of a photochemical effect and a photothermal effect; wherein these effects cause the chemical reaction rates to increase with exposure to an increasing number of incident photons within the solar spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Inventors: Paul Gregory O'Brien, Geoffrey Alan Ozin
  • Patent number: 9995459
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a laser stimulated white light lighting system, it includes a hemispherical reflector, a light-permeable board, a wavelength conversion layer, a reflective layer and plural heat-radiating structures, wherein the laser light emitted by a laser light source passes through a first light entrance hole of the hemispherical reflector and subsequently through the wavelength conversion layer to produce white light. With the implementation of the present invention, complex production process or equipment is not required thus reduce the system cost, the lighting system is capable of accurately outputting white light and promoting photon recycling effect to raise illumination efficiency. With the addition of a second light entrance hole, wavelength-division or angular division multiplexing can be carried out to raise the intensity of the output white light without increasing the etendue of the source light, thereby widening the range of application of the lighting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: National Central University
    Inventors: Ching-Cherng Sun, Tsung-Hsun Yang
  • Patent number: 9909781
    Abstract: A panel (105) is provided for utilizing solar energy, especially in the form of panels designed as roof tiles (101), wherein the heat is transferred from panel to fluid or vice versa. On this panel one or more solar cell panels (107) can be provided so that it is cooled effectively during operation, while heat energy simultaneously may be utilized. Panels, for example designed as roof tiles, individually or assembled, are mounted on roofing battens (110) suitable for the purpose, and connected to electrical connection points and bushings for fluid transport. The roofing battens (110) are mounted on furring ring strips (112) in the usual way. Some furring strips are used for connection of electrical conductors in the flooring battens (112) and any fluid circuits in the flooring battens (110). The construction facilitates installing and maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: FLAAX HOLDING AS
    Inventor: Finn Sandmæl
  • Patent number: 9865760
    Abstract: A solar energy collection device includes a solar converting station housing having a concentrator for aiding in focusing the energy onto a photovoltaic material. The photovoltaic material is applied to a series of cylindrically shaped power cells. A series of the power cells are rotationally assembled to the solar energy collection device. The power cells rotate about the cell axles, providing a cooling process for the photovoltaic material. The rotation can be provided via any number of means. The series of the power cells can be built in a removable assembly, providing a power pack for the end user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Inventors: William A. Jacobs, Allen D. Hertz, Michael K. Tam
  • Patent number: 9823287
    Abstract: A method for providing an environmental impact rating for a solar cell includes acquiring power generation data and thermal exchange data regarding the solar cell using a data acquisition device, transmitting the power generation data and the thermal exchange data to a controller, and generating the environmental impact rating based on the power generation data and the thermal exchange data using the controller, wherein the environmental impact rating provides an indication of an environmental impact of using the solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bowers, Kenneth G. Caldeira, Peter L. Hagelstein, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9800053
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a solar cell panel that includes a front-side cover, a back-side cover, a number of solar cells situated between the front-side cover and the back-side cover, and a number of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) devices situated between the front-side cover and the back-side cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher James Beitel, Jiunn Benjamin Heng, Jianming Fu, Zheng Xu
  • Patent number: 9702348
    Abstract: A concentrated solar power (CSP) plant comprises a receiver configured to contain a chemical substance for a chemical reaction and an array of heliostats. Each heliostat is configured to direct sunlight toward the receiver. The receiver is configured to transfer thermal energy from the sunlight to the chemical substance in a reduction reaction. The CSP plant further comprises a first storage container configured to store solid state particles produced by the reduction reaction and a heat exchanger configured to combine the solid state particles and gas through an oxidation reaction. The heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat produced in the oxidation reaction to a working fluid to heat the working fluid. The CSP plant further comprises a power turbine coupled to the heat exchanger, such that the heated working fluid turns the power turbine, and a generator coupled to and driven by the power turbine to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: Zhiwen Ma
  • Patent number: 9680043
    Abstract: The invention relates to a photovoltaic concentrator module comprising at least one lens and at least one photovoltaic cell, further comprising a distance adjustment means configured to adjust the distance between the at least one lens and the at least one photovoltaic cell. Using the distance adjustment means, the cell and the lens can be kept at a desired distance, e.g., the focal distance. The distance adjustment means can be a pressure varying means. The invention further relates to a photovoltaic concentrator array comprising a plurality of photovoltaic concentrator modules and to a method for improving the energy conversion efficiency of a photovoltaic concentrator module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Saint-Augustin Canada Electric Inc.
    Inventors: Eckart Gerster, Jacob Stor, Johannes Wullner
  • Patent number: 9647442
    Abstract: A method for arc detection in a system including a photovoltaic panel and a load connectible to the photovoltaic panel with a DC power line. The method measures power delivered to the load thereby producing a first measurement result of the power delivered to the load. Power produced by the photovoltaic panel is also measured, thereby producing a second measurement result of power produced by the photovoltaic panel. The first measurement result is compared with the second measurement result thereby producing a differential power measurement result. Upon the differential power measurement result being more than a threshold value, an alarm condition may also be set. The second measurement result may be modulated and transmitted over the DC power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Ilan Yoscovich, Guy Sella, Meir Gazit, Yoav Galin, David Braginsky, Lior Handelsman, Meir Adest
  • Patent number: 9590124
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device including a transparent substrate, a first electrode, at least a photoelectric conversion layer and a second electrode is provided. The first electrode is located on the transparent substrate. The transparent substrate means that at least some parts of the substrate area are transparent. At least a photoelectric conversion layer is located on the first electrode, wherein the optical light transmittance of the photoelectric conversion layer in at least a portion of the visible spectrum is higher than 20%. The second electrode is located on the photoelectric conversion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Hung-Ta Liu
  • Patent number: 9478699
    Abstract: A nanowire comprises a polar semiconductor material that is compositionally graded along the nanowire from a first end to a second end to define a polarization doping profile along the nanowire from the first end to the second end. The polar semiconductor material may comprise a group IH-nitride semiconductor, such as an alloy of GaN and AlN, or an alloy of GaN and InN. Such nanowires may be formed by nucleating the first ends on a substrate, growing the nanowires by depositing polar semiconductor material on the nucleated first ends on a selected growth face, and compositionally grading the nanowires during growth to impart the polarization doping. The direction of the compositional grading may be reversed during the growing of the nanowires to reverse the type of the imparted polarization doping. In some embodiments, the reversing forms n/p or p/n junctions in the nanowires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Roberto C. Myers, Siddharth Rajan
  • Patent number: 9476357
    Abstract: A portable on-demand hydrogen supplemental system producing hydrogen gas and mixing the hydrogen gas with the air used for combustion of the jet fuel to increase the combustion efficiency of said jet fuel. Hydrogen increases the laminar flame speed of the jet fuel during combustion thus causing more fuel to be burned and lowering particulate matter emissions. Hydrogen is supplied to the jet engine at levels well below its lower flammability limit in air of 4%. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced by an electrolyzer from nonelectrolyte water in a nonelectrolyte water tank. The system utilizes an onboard diagnostic (OBD) interface in communication with the jet's control systems, to regulate power to the system so that hydrogen production for the jet engine only occurs when the jet engine is running. The hydrogen gas produced is immediately consumed by the jet engine. No hydrogen is stored on, in or around the jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HNO Green Fuels, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Wade Owens
  • Patent number: 9390919
    Abstract: A method of depositing a kesterite film which includes a compound of the formula: Cu2-xZn1+ySn(S1-zSez)4+q, wherein 0?x?1; 0?y?1; 0?z?1; ?1?q?1. The method includes contacting hydrazine, a source of Cu, and a source of at least one of S and Se forming solution A; contacting hydrazine, a source of Sn, a source of at least one of S and Se, and a source of Zn forming dispersion B; mixing solution A and dispersion B under conditions sufficient to form a dispersion which includes Zn-containing solid particles; applying the dispersion onto a substrate to form a thin layer of the dispersion on the substrate; and annealing at a temperature, pressure, and length of time sufficient to form the kesterite film. An annealing composition and a photovoltaic device including the kesterite film formed by the above method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David B. Mitzi, Teodor K. Todorov