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  • Concentrated solar photovoltaic module with protective light shielding
    Patent number: 7855336
    Abstract: A solar photovoltaic module including a base member supporting an array of photocells as well as corresponding concentrating lenses and light guides. At least one opaque light shield defines cutouts corresponding to the light guides. The at least one opaque light shield is positioned above the base member and operates to block light incident thereon from reaching portions of the base member. The at least one light shield can be installed with a convex shape that directs condensation away from the cutouts and preferably functions as part of guide channels that guide condensation toward one or more vented hydrophilic members (e.g., sponges and the like), which are preferably disposed at one or both ends of the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Opel, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward J. Linke
  • Imaging method utilizing thyristor-based pixel elements
    Patent number: 7432539
    Abstract: An improved imaging array (and corresponding method of operation) includes a plurality of heterojunction thyristor-based pixel elements disposed within resonant cavities formed on a substrate. Each thyristor-based pixel element includes complementary n-type and p-type modulation doped quantum well interfaces that are spaced apart from one another. Incident radiation within a predetermined wavelength resonates within the cavity of a given pixel element for absorption therein that causes charge accumulation. The accumulated charge is related to the intensity of the incident radiation. The heterojunction-thyristor-based pixel element is suitable for many imaging applications, including CCD-based imaging arrays and active-pixel imaging arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignees: The University of Connecticut, Opel, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoff W. Taylor
  • Grid support system for a tracker-mounted solar panel array for rooftop applications
    Patent number: 8188414
    Abstract: A grid support system for tracker-mounted solar panel array for rooftop applications includes a base frame having a plurality of interconnected lateral members which define a generally planar area substantially parallel with the rooftop. The system also includes a set of support legs corresponding to each one of the tracker devices. The set of support legs are secured to the lateral members and extend upward and inward toward one another to a respective tracker mounting plate. The tracker mounting plate supports a tracker device and associated solar panel(s). A plurality of ballast trays are secured to the base frame and are adapted to hold a plurality of ballast weights for applying a downward force on the base frame to stabilize and resist movement of the base frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Opel, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward J. Linke
  • Concentrated solar photovoltaic module
    Patent number: 7807920
    Abstract: A solar photovoltaic module containing a housing that supports an array of photovoltaic cells and corresponding light guides. The housing includes a base member having a generally planar support surface and two side walls projecting from the support surface. Two side panels detachably connect to the side walls, and a top panel detachably connects to the side panels. The top panel includes a plurality of concentrating lenses that focus incident solar radiation into the inside of the housing towards the light guide. The light guides are disposed between the corresponding concentrating lenses and photovoltaic cells such that the concentrating lenses and light guides work together to direct light onto the photovoltaic cells. At least one retaining member interfaces to the light guides and applies a downward force that biases the respective light guides toward the corresponding photovoltaic cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Opel, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Linke, Francisco A. Middleton
  • Modulation doped thyristor and complementary transistor combination for a monolithic optoelectronic integrated circuit
    Patent number: 7385230
    Abstract: A thyristor and family of high speed transistors and optoelectronic devices are obtained on a monolithic substrate (149) with an epitaxial layer structure comprised of two modulation doped transistor structures inverted with respect to each other. The transistor structures are obtained by adding planar doping to the Pseudomorphic High Electron Mobility Transistor (PHEMT) structure. For one transistor, two sheets of planar doping of the same polarity separated by a lightly doped layer are added which are opposite to the modulation doping of the PHEMT. The combination is separated from the PHEMT modulation doping by undoped material. The charge sheets are thin and highly doped. The top charge sheet (168) achieves low gate contact resistance and the bottom charge sheet (153) defines the capacitance of the field-effect transistor (FET) with respect to the modulation doping layer of the PHEMT. For the other transistor, only one additional sheet is added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignees: The University of Connecticut, Opel, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoff W. Taylor
  • Integrated circuit for programmable optical delay
    Patent number: 7409120
    Abstract: Interference caused by the propagation of a transmit signal transmitted from a transmit antenna to a receive antenna is effectively cancelled by an improved signal cancellation system. The system includes an interference cancellation signal generator that generates a time-delayed and amplitude-reduced representation of said transmit signal. A summing stage is operably coupled to the interference cancellation signal generator and the receive antenna. The summing stage subtracts the time-delayed and amplitude-reduced representation of the transmit signal from a receive signal to substantially cancel the interference. The interference cancellation signal generator preferably includes a novel programmable optical delay line that introduces a variable amount of optical delay to an optical signal derived from said transmit signal in addition to a thyristor-based sigma delta modulator that converts samples of the transmit signal to into a digital signal in the optical domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignees: The University of Connecticut, Opel, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoff W. Taylor, Jianhong Cai, Daniel C. Upp
  • Multifunctional optoelectronic thyristor and integrated circuit and optical transceiver employing same
    Patent number: 7333731
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (and optical transceiver module) includes an optoelectronic thyristor device formed within a resonant cavity on a substrate, and circuitry integrally formed on the substrate that dynamically switches the thyristor between a transmit mode configuration and a receive mode configuration. In the transmit mode configuration, the thyristor is modulated between a non-lasing state and a lasing state in accordance with an input digital electrical signal. In the receive mode configuration, the thyristor device is modulated between a non-lasing OFF state and a non-lasing ON state in accordance with an input digital optical signal that is injected into the resonant cavity to thereby produce an output digital electrical data signal that corresponds to the input digital optical signal. The integrated circuit (and optical transceiver module) can be used in optical fiber applications as well as free-space applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignees: The University of Connecticut, Opel, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoff W. Taylor, Rohinton Dehmubed
  • Photonic digital-to-analog converter employing a plurality of heterojunction thyristor devices
    Publication number: 20040079961
    Abstract: A photonic digital-to-analog converter employing a plurality of heterojunction thyristor devices that are configured to convert a digital word encoded by a parallel digital optical signal (e.g., a plurality of synchronous optical bits) to an output analog electrical signal whose magnitude corresponds to the digital word. Each heterojunction thyristor device is configured to convert an optical bit in the digital word to a corresponding digital electrical signal. The voltage levels (e.g., magnitudes) of the ON state of the digital electrical signals produced by the heterojunction thyristor devices may be supplied by voltage divider networks coupled between the cathode terminal of the devices and ground potential or voltage reference sources coupled to the input terminals of the heterojunction thyristor devices. In this manner, electrical signals whose magnitude corresponds to contribution of each optical bit in the digital word are produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicants: The University of Connecticut, OPEL, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoff W. Taylor, Jianhong Cai
  • Integrated circuit employing low loss spot-size converter
    Patent number: 7551826
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided with a photonic device and a spot-size converter waveguide device integrated on a common substrate. The spot-size converter waveguide device provides for transformation between a larger spot-size and a smaller spot-size corresponding to the photonic device. The spot-size converter waveguide device includes at least one of a bottom mirror and top mirror, which provide highly-reflective lower and upper cladding, respectively, for vertical confinement of light propagating through the waveguide device. The top mirror overlies opposing sidewalls of the spot-converter waveguide device, which provide highly-reflective sidewall cladding for lateral confinement of light propagating through the waveguide device. Advantageously, the highly-reflective lower cladding provided by the bottom mirror limits optical loss of the waveguide device. Similarly, the highly-reflective upper cladding and sidewall cladding provided by the top mirror limits optical loss of the waveguide device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignees: The University of Connecticut, Opel, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoff W. Taylor
  • Thyristor-Based Optical XOR Circuit
    Publication number: 20160178987
    Abstract: An optical XOR circuit that includes a thyristor and control circuitry operably coupled to terminals of the thyristor. The control circuitry is configured to control switching operation of the thyristor in response to the ON/OFF states of two digital optical signal inputs such that the thyristor produces a digital signal output that is the XOR function of the two digital optical signal inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicants: THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT, OPEL SOLAR, INC.
    Inventor: Geoff W. Taylor
  • Photonic digital-to-analog converter employing a plurality of heterojunction thyristor devices
    Patent number: 6995407
    Abstract: A photonic digital-to-analog converter employing a plurality of heterojunction thyristor devices that are configured to convert a digital word encoded by a parallel digital optical signal (e.g., a plurality of synchronous optical bits) to an output analog electrical signal whose magnitude corresponds to the digital word. Each heterojunction thyristor device is configured to convert an optical bit in the digital word to a corresponding digital electrical signal. The voltage levels (e.g., magnitudes) of the ON state of the digital electrical signals produced by the heterojunction thyristor devices may be supplied by voltage divider networks coupled between the cathode terminal of the devices and ground potential or voltage reference sources coupled to the input terminals of the heterojunction thyristor devices. In this manner, electrical signals whose magnitude corresponds to contribution of each optical bit in the digital word are produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignees: The University of Connecticut, Opel, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoff W. Taylor, Jianhong Cai
  • Optical closed loop microresonator and thyristor memory device
    Patent number: 9188798
    Abstract: A monolithic semiconductor device that includes a waveguide structure optically coupled to an optical resonator. The optical resonator is adapted to process light at a predetermined wavelength. The optical resonator includes a closed loop waveguide having a plurality of straight sections that are optically coupled together by bend sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignees: Opel Solar, Inc., The University of Connecticut
    Inventor: Geoff W. Taylor
  • Optoelectronic circuit employing a heterojunction thyristor device that performs high speed sampling
    Publication number: 20040079963
    Abstract: An optoelectronic circuit employing a heterojunction thyristor device that is configured as an optically-controlled (or electrically-controlled) sampling/switching device. First and second channel regions are disposed between the anode terminal and the cathode terminal of the device, and an electrical input terminal and an electrical output terminal are coupled to opposite ends of the first channel region. At least one control signal is supplied to the device. When the control signal corresponds to a predetermined ON condition, sufficient charge is stored in the second channel region to cause the heterojunction thyristor device to operate in an ON state whereby current flows between the anode terminal and the cathode terminal and the electrical input terminal is electrically coupled to the electrical output terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicants: The University of Connecticut, OPEL, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoff W. Taylor, Jianhong Cai
  • Thyristor-based optical XOR circuit
    Patent number: 9590742
    Abstract: An optical XOR circuit that includes a thyristor and control circuitry operably coupled to terminals of the thyristor. The control circuitry is configured to control switching operation of the thyristor in response to the ON/OFF states of two digital optical signal inputs such that the thyristor produces a digital signal output that is the XOR function of the two digital optical signal inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignees: Opel Solar, Inc., THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
    Inventor: Geoff W. Taylor
  • Optoelectronic clock generator producing high frequency optoelectronic pulse trains with variable frequency and variable duty cycle and low jitter
    Patent number: 7333733
    Abstract: An optoelectronic pulse generator is provided that includes a thyristor detector/emitter device having an input port and an output port. The thyristor detector/emitter device is adapted to detect an input optical pulse supplied to the input port and to produce an output optical pulse (via laser emission) and an output electrical pulse in response to the detected input optical pulse. The output optical pulse is output via the output port. An optical feedback path is operably coupled between the output port and the input port of the thyristor detector/emitter device. The optical feedback path supplies a portion of the output optical pulse produced by the thyristor detector/emitter device to the input port, thereby causing the thyristor detector/emitter device to produce a sequence of output optical pulses and a corresponding sequence of output electrical pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignees: The University of Connecticut, Opel, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoff W. Taylor, Rohinton Dehmubed, Daniel C. Upp
  • Thyristor-Based Optical Flip-Flop
    Publication number: 20160182024
    Abstract: An optical flip-flop circuit that includes an optical thyristor configured to receive a digital optical signal input and produce a digital signal output based on the ON/OFF state of the digital optical signal input. The optical flip-flop circuit further includes control circuitry operably coupled to the terminals of the optical thyristor. The control circuitry is configured to control switching operation of the optical thyristor in response to the level of a digital electrical signal input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicants: OPEL SOLAR, INC., THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
    Inventor: Geoff W. Taylor
  • Thyristor radiation detector array and applications thereof
    Patent number: 8080821
    Abstract: An array of thyristor detector devices is provided having an epitaxial growth structure with complementary types of modulation doped quantum well interfaces located between a P+ layer and an N+ layer. The thyristor detector devices operate over successive cycles that each include a sequence of two distinct modes: a setup mode and a signal acquisition mode. During the setup mode, the n-type quantum well interface and/or the p-type quantum well interface is(are) substantially emptied of charge. During the signal acquisition mode, photocurrent is generated by the thyristor detector device in response to the absorption of incident electromagnetic radiation therein, which can induce the thyristor detector device to switch from an OFF state to an ON state. The OFF/ON state of the thyristor detector device produces an output digital electrical data that corresponds to the amount of incident radiation absorbed by the thyristor detector device during the signal acquisition mode of the current cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignees: The University of Connecticut, Opel, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoff W. Taylor
  • Photonic serial digital-to-analog converter employing a heterojunction thyristor device
    Patent number: 6873273
    Abstract: A serial photonic digital-to-analog converter employs a heterojunction thyristor device configured for optically-controlled sampling/switching to convert a digital word encoded by a serial digital optical data signal (e.g., serial optical bit stream) into a corresponding analog electrical signal. A voltage reference is operably coupled to the electrical input terminal of the heterojunction thyristor device. The voltage reference cooperates with the heterojunction thyristor device to sequentially generate at its electrical output terminal a voltage signal representing contribution of each bit of the digital word encoded in the serial digital optical data signal. A summing network is operably coupled to the electrical output terminal of the device. The summing network sequentially sums contribution of the voltage signal over the sequence of bits to produce an analog electrical signal corresponding to the digital word for output therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignees: The University of Connecticut, Opel, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoff W. Taylor, Jianhong Cai
  • HETEROJUNCTION THYRISTOR-BASED AMPLIFIER
    Publication number: 20040262593
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a heterojunction thyristor device having an anode terminal, a cathode terminal, a first injector terminal operably coupled to a first quantum well channel disposed between the anode terminal and the cathode terminal, and a second injector terminal operably coupled to a second quantum well channel disposed between the anode terminal and the cathode terminal. Bias elements operate the heterojunction thyristor device in a mode that provides substantially linear voltage gain for electrical signals supplied to at least one of the first and second injector terminals for output to at least one output node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicants: University of Connecticut, OPEL, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoff W. Taylor, Jianhong Cai
  • Optical Closed Loop Microresonator and Thyristor Memory Device
    Publication number: 20160091663
    Abstract: A semiconductor device that includes an optical resonator spaced from a waveguide structure to provide for evanescent-wave optical coupling therebetween. The optical resonator includes a closed loop waveguide defined by a vertical thyristor structure. In one embodiment, the vertical thyristor structure is formed by an epitaxial layer structure including complementary (both an n-type and a p-type) modulation doped quantum well interfaces formed between an N+ region and a P+ region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicants: The University of Connecticut, Opel Solar, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoff W. Taylor
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