| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080203411 | Direct attachment of optically-active device to optical element - A system may include biasing of a substantially planar surface of an optically-active semiconductor device against a substantially planar surface of an optical element, and bonding of the substantially planar surface of the optically-active semiconductor device to the substantially planar surface of the optical element. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20090025784 | THERMAL SPRAY FOR SOLAR CONCENTRATOR FABRICATION - A system may include an optical element, a thermal-sprayed material disposed on the optical element, and a solar cell coupled to the optical element. Some aspects provide thermal spraying of a first material onto an optical element, and coupling of a solar cell to the optical element. Thermal spraying the first material may include spraying a molten metal powder onto the optical element. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090025789 | ALIGNMENT OF OPTICAL ELEMENT AND SOLAR CELL - A system may include a solar cell comprising a first electrical contact, an optical element comprising a second electrical contact, and a solder bump in contact with the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact. The solar cell is to generate charge carriers in response to received photons. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090114265 | Solar Concentrator - The present invention is an improved solar concentrator array utilizing a monolithic array of primary mirrors with a metal layer deposited on its backside for electrical purposes and for dissipating heat. The array of primary mirrors may be formed by glass slumping. The size of the primary mirrors is chosen to accommodate design aspects related to performance, manufacturing processes, cost, and thermal management. An electrical package, which in one embodiment is a molded leadframe, provides the electrical circuitry between a solar cell and the metal layer. The electrical package may be configured with features such as an aperture or side edges to enhance manufacturability of the solar concentrator array. An array of secondary mirrors may be integrally formed with a front panel of the solar concentrator. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090120499 | SYSTEMS TO RETAIN AN OPTICAL ELEMENT ON A SOLAR CELL - A system may include a solar cell, a support defining an opening over the solar cell and comprising a retention feature, and an optical element disposed within the opening. The optical element may include a location feature engaged with the retention feature of the support. In some aspects, the optical element includes an upper surface to receive concentrated light and a lower surface through which light passes to the solar cell, and the location feature is disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface. The retention feature may be a lip defining the opening over the solar cell, and/or the location feature may consist of a notch defined by an edge of the optical element. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090120500 | SOLAR CELL PACKAGE FOR SOLAR CONCENTRATOR - A system may include a substrate, and a solar cell including a top side and a bottom side, the top side having an active area and the bottom side coupled to the substrate. A frame may be coupled to the substrate, the frame defining an upper opening above the active area and a lower opening above the active area and between the active area and the upper opening. The lower opening may be smaller than the upper opening in at least one dimension, and an optical element may be disposed within the upper opening. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090159122 | Leadframe Receiver Package - The invention is a leadframe receiver package comprising a first conductive element, a solar cell electrically coupled to the first conductive element and comprising an active area, and a mold compound disposed on the leadframe and the solar cell. The mold compound defines a first aperture wall over at least a portion of the active area and a second aperture wall over at least a portion of the first conductive element. The mold compound includes a reflective surface to improve heat resistance around an aperture wall receiving solar radiation. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090159125 | SOLAR CELL PACKAGE FOR SOLAR CONCENTRATOR - An apparatus may include an integrated circuit package substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface, a solar cell coupled to the first surface of the integrated circuit package substrate, and a light-transmissive element coupled to the second surface of the integrated circuit package substrate. The integrated circuit package substrate and the light-transmissive element form a hermetic seal or a semi-hermetic seal around the solar cell. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090159126 | INTEGRATED OPTICS FOR CONCENTRATOR SOLAR RECEIVERS - A solar concentrator system, including at least two reflecting devices and a refracting lens, is provided. The reflecting devices focus light onto the lens which further concentrates the light on a solar cell. The lens increases the system's acceptance angle. In one embodiment the lens may be attached to the solar cell. In other embodiments, the lens is supported by a support structure, connecting element, and reflecting device. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090235976 | SOLAR CELL - A photovoltaic cell may include a semiconductor base, a semiconductor mesa extending from the semiconductor base, a dielectric and a conductive material. The semiconductor mesa includes a top surface and a side wall, and a first portion of the dielectric is disposed on the top surface, a second portion of the dielectric is disposed on the side wall, and a third portion of the dielectric is disposed on the base. The conductive material is disposed on the top surface of the mesa and on the dielectric, and the conductive material covers the first portion of the dielectric, the second portion of the dielectric, and a portion of the third portion. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090320917 | SOLAR CELL PASSIVATION AND LEVELING - A device and a system to fabricate a device including a semiconductor mesa extending from a semiconductor base, the semiconductor mesa comprising an optically-active semiconductor area and a top surface, conductive material disposed on the top surface of the mesa, and substantially optically-transparent material disposed on the conductive material and on the top surface, wherein a surface of the substantially optically-transparent material above the conductive material and the top surface is substantially planar. In some aspects, the semiconductor mesa includes a side wall with one or more exposed p-n junctions, and material is disposed on the side wall to cover the one or more exposed p-n junctions. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100294364 | Thermal Spray For Solar Concentrator Fabrication - A solar concentrator including a substantially-transparent optical element, a reflective material disposed on a convex surface of the optical element, an insulator layer on the reflective material, a conductive material that is thermal sprayed onto the insulator layer, and a solar cell mounted in a central region of the convex surface and electrically coupled to the conductive material. The optical element includes a flat surface disposed opposite to the convex surface and a concave surface defined in the flat surface. The convex surface and concave surface are arranged and the reflective material is deposited such that light passing through the flat surface is reflected by the reflective material toward the concave surface, and is re-reflected by the reflective material disposed on the concave surface onto an active surface of the solar cell. Thermal spraying the conductive material may include spraying a molten metal powder onto the insulator layer. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20110031211 | Metal Trace Fabrication For Optical Element - A system may include an optical element including a surface defining a recess, conductive material disposed within the recess, and a solder mask disposed over a portion of the conductive material. The solder mask may define an aperture through which light from the optical element may pass. Some aspects provide creation of an optical element including a surface defining a recess, deposition of conductive material on the surface such that a portion of the deposited conductive material is disposed within the recess, and substantial planarization of the surface to expose the portion of the conductive material disposed within the recess. | 02-10-2011 |
