Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric inventions 11/07

20070272290 - Regulating vehicle cabin environment and generating supplemental electrical current from waste heat: A method and system for environmental control and supplementary power generation in conventional and hybrid vehicle applications is presented. A thermoelectric heat pump function regulates vehicular interior temperature environments and uses the waste heat from a vehicles engine to power thermocouples and generate supplemental electrical current to power electrical devices.... Agent: Dinsmore & Shohl LLP

20070272291 - Thermoelectric module device: A thermoelectric module device includes a first substrate having inner and outer surfaces, a second substrate having inner and outer surfaces, a Peltier-junction module sandwiched between the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates, the Peltier-junction module being made up of a series of Peltier junctions including a pair... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070272292 - Thermal-recycling system for a motor vehicle: A thermal-recycling system is adapted for use with a motor vehicle that has a heat generator generating heat when the motor vehicle is running. The terminal-recycling system includes a thermoelectric cooling module adapted to be in thermal communication with the heat generator for transforming the heat generated by the heat... Agent: Courtney Staniford & Gregory LLP

20070272293 - Thermogenerator: A thermogenerator with a first electrical voltage source (20) having a first voltage output (30) and a second electric voltage source (40) having a second voltage output (50). The first electrical voltage source (20) is formed of a first thermoelectric element (25), and a third voltage output (60) is provided,... Agent: Cohen, Pontani, Lieberman & Pavane

20070272294 - Photocurrent generator: The invention provides systems having an electron transfer moiety tethered to an electrode by a conductive spacer moiety. A biasing potential applied to the electrode reduces the electron transfer moiety to form a reduced electron transfer species capable of absorbing a photon, to form an excited electron transfer species. An... Agent: Bozicevic, Field & Francis LLP

20070272295 - Heat sink for photovoltaic cells: An apparatus and method are for holding heat generating elements such as solar cells. The apparatus includes a body and a component mounting surface for mounting a heat generating component, such as a solar cell, thereon. The apparatus can further include a plurality of spaced apart heat transfer element holders... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070272296 - Tandem solar cell with a shared organic electrode: The invention relates to a solar cell comprising at least two photoactive layers. Solar cells or photovoltaic elements of this type are also called tandem solar cells or photovoltaic multicells. Tandem solar cells are comprised, in essence, of an optical and electrical series connection of two photoactive layers. The invention... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20070272297 - Disordered silicon nanocomposites for photovoltaics, solar cells and light emitting devices: The present invention describes nanocomposite material structures including layers forming p-n and p-i-n homo- and heterojunctions for application in photovoltaics, solar cells, photodetectors, and light emitting devices, comprising semiconductor nanoparticles, such as colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals, nanorods, nanowires, nanotubes, etc., wherein at least one of the layers is made of hydrogenated... Agent: Dr. Sergei Krivoshlykov

20070267055 - Tandem photovoltaic cells: Tandem photovoltaic cells, as well as related components, systems, and methods, are disclosed.... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20070267056 - Simulated solar light irradiation apparatus: A simulated solar light irradiation apparatus is provided which irradiates light onto a test piece 6, in which a plurality of filters 4 for improvement in the uniformity of light on a surface of the test piece 6 are arranged, between a light emission portion 2 and the test piece... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20070267057 - Optical device and method of forming the same: An optical device includes a first substrate and a sub-wavelength form-birefringent metal oxide retarder plate formed on at least a portion of the substrate. A silicon oxide or silicon oxynitride layer contacts at least a surface of the retarder plate, and a second substrate, having at least one micro-electro-mechanical system... Agent: Hewlett Packard Company

20070267058 - Solar cell and a spectrum converter: The present invention discloses a solar cell and a spectrum converter. By moving the emission spectrum between the peak wavelength of the solar radiation (λ=470 nm) and the highest photosensitivity of monocrystalline silicon (λ=860˜880 nm), the efficiency of a solar cell can usually reach 14-16%. The present invention provides a... Agent: John G. Chupa Law Offices Of John Chupa & Associates, P.C.

20070267059 - Encapsulating material for solar cell: Encapsulating material for solar cells which facilitates fabricating solar cell modules and has excellent transparency, heat resistance, flexibility, etc., and a solar cell modules. More specifically, the present invention provides encapsulating material for solar cells comprising a non-crystalline or low-crystalline a-olefin-based copolymer or its composition (I). In a preferred embodiment,... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20070261729 - Thermoelectric power generator with built-in temperature adjustment: In one embodiment, an operating condition of a thermoelectric module is monitored. It is determined when the monitored operating condition exceeds a desired range. Upon determining the monitored operating condition exceeds the desired range, a thermal adjustment is applied to the thermal condition to direct the operating condition to within... Agent: Lee & Hayes, PLLC

20070261730 - Low dimensional thermoelectrics fabricated by semiconductor wafer etching: In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to thermoelectric devices comprising nanostructured thermoelectric elements, such nanostructured thermoelements being formed by an etching of doped semiconductor wafers. The present invention is also directed to methods of making and using such thermoelectric devices, as well as to systems which employ such... Agent: Paul Diconza, Ge Global Research, General Electric Company

20070261731 - Photovoltaic power generation module and photovoltaic power generation system employing same: The photovoltaic power generation module comprises arcuate cells divided from a disk-shaped single crystal silicon photovoltaic power generation cell, the arcuate cells having a circular arc with a central angle of 90°, the arcuate cells having a grid-perpendicular to the chord and at least one busbar perpendicular to the grid,... Agent: Kratz, Quintos & Hanson, LLP

20070261732 - Cable structure with a solar-powered layer: A cable structure with a solar-powered layer includes a cable and at least one solar-powered photoelectric layer. The solar-powered photoelectric layer is disposed on a periphery of the cable. The solar-powered photoelectric layer is electrically connected to a conductor, so that the cable structure can absorb solar energy and convert... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20070261733 - Chalcopyrite semiconductor based photovoltaic solar cell comprising a metal substrate, coated metal substrate for a photovoltaic solar cell and manufacturing method thereof: A chalcopyrite semiconductor based photovoltaic solar cell. This cell comprises a metal substrate. A conductive layer is present between the metal substrate and a chalcopyrite semiconductor. The conductive layer has a crystal structure fitting to the crystal structure of the chalcopyrite semiconductor. Also disclosed is a coated metal substrate, in... Agent: Stevens Davis Miller & Mosher, LLP

20070256722 - Integrated parallel peltier/seebeck element chip and production method therefor, connection method: First and second conductive members having different Seebeck coefficients are formed on an insulating substrate. The first and second conductive members are connected by ohmic contact, and the surfaces connected by ohmic contact are covered with a material sheet having a superior heat conductivity and an electric insulating property in... Agent: Foley And Lardner LLP Suite 500

20070256723 - Super structure for roof patio solar plant (ii): Supporting frame structure for installing plain solar cell module plates and incidental facilities on a house roof is provided. The supporting structure is in the shape of pluralities of slope structured solar cell plate mount accompanied by cleaning accesses mounted on a rectangular cube frame. Side view of the solar... Agent: Eugene Oak, Phd., J.d., M.div.

20070256726 - Laminated solar concentrating photovoltaic device: A solar concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) device in which concentrator elements (optics, PV cells and wiring) are laminated to form a composite, substantially planar structure. The concentrator optics are implemented by a solid (e.g. glass) optical element that defines a focal point at which solar light received by the optical element... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20070256724 - Passively cooled solar concentrating photovoltaic device: A Cassegrain-type concentrating solar collector cell includes primary and secondary mirrors disposed on opposing convex and concave surfaces of a light-transparent (e.g., glass) optical element. Light enters an aperture surface surrounding the secondary mirror, and is reflected by the primary mirror toward the secondary mirror, which re-reflects the light onto... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20070256725 - Solar concentrating photovoltaic device with resilient cell package assembly: A Cassegrain-type concentrating solar collector cell includes primary and secondary mirrors disposed on opposing convex and concave surfaces of a light-transparent (e.g., glass) optical element. Light enters an aperture surface surrounding the secondary mirror, and is reflected by the primary mirror and the secondary mirror onto a photovoltaic cell, which... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20070256727 - Elastomeric waterproofing and weatherproofing photovoltaic finishing method and system: The present invention is for a system and method of creating a continuous, seamless, waterproof, weatherproof, electrically generating surface that can be applied over a great variety of structural components. The method comprises coating the selected surface with a base elastomeric coating thus sealing holes, cracks and other surface imperfections.... Agent: Patwrite LLC

20070256731 - Gel electrolyte precursor for use in a dye-sensitized solar cell and dye-sensitized solar cell: The present invention is intended to provide a gel electrolyte precursor for use in a dye-sensitized solar cell which is easy to handle when used to fabricate solar cells and provides a solar cell excellent in photoelectric conversion efficiency and to provide dye-sensitized solar cells. Dye-sensitized solar cell 10 is... Agent: Kratz, Quintos & Hanson, LLP

20070256729 - Light-assisted electrochemical shunt passivation for photovoltaic devices: A method of passivating current-shunting defects in a photovoltaic device and such passivated photovoltaic devices are described. The photovoltaic device includes a thin film body with a superposed electrode comprised of a layer of transparent electrically conductive electrode material. The method includes converting the transparent, electrically conductive electrode material to... Agent: Macmillan Sobanski & Todd, LLC

20070256728 - Solar cell having doped semiconductor heterojunction contacts: A silicon solar cell has doped amorphous silicon contacts formed on a tunnel silicon oxide layer on a surface of a silicon substrate. High temperature processing is unnecessary in fabricating the solar cell.... Agent: Okamoto & Benedicto, LLP

20070256730 - Solar cell with integrated protective diode: The invention relates to a solar cell which comprises photoactive semiconductor layers extending between the front and the back contact, and an integrated protective diode (bypass diode), said protective diode having a polarity opposite to that of the solar cell and is provided at its front with a p-conducting semiconductor... Agent: Dennison, Schultz & Macdonald

20070256732 - Photovoltaic module: A photovoltaic module includes at least one photovoltaic cell and a transparent layer. The transparent layer is positioned above the photovoltaic cell, wherein the transparent layer has a plurality of protruding parts arranged on at least one surface of the transparent layer, which faces the outside, inside or both of... Agent: Thomas, Kayden, Horstemeyer & Risley, LLP

20070256733 - Solar cell and manufacturing method thereof: A solar cell includes a photoelectric conversion substrate, a first electrode on one surface of the substrate, a second electrode on the other surface of the substrate, and a third electrode on the other surface of the substrate. The third electrode extracts electric power from the second electrode, and overlaps... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20070256734 - Stabilized photovoltaic device and methods for its manufacture: A semiconductor device of p-i-n type configuration includes a p layer which is comprised of a p-doped semiconductor material, an n layer comprised of an n-doped semiconductor material and an i layer comprised of a substantially intrinsic, nanocrystalline semiconductor material interposed therebetween. The crystalline volume in the i layer decreases... Agent: Gifford, Krass, Sprinkle,anderson & Citkowski, P.c

20070256735 - Porous body and manufacturing method therefor: It is an object of the present invention to provide a porous body containing an oxide semiconductor in which more efficient photocatalytic reactions and photoelectrode reactions occur. The present invention relates to a porous body having a network structure skeleton wherein 1) the aforementioned skeleton is composed of an inner... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP

20070251565 - Method and apparatus for shunt for in vivo thermoelectric power system: One embodiment of the present subject matter includes an apparatus with a first housing portion which is thermally conductive and which has a first case opening; a second housing portion which is thermally conductive and which has a second case opening, the second case opening being hermetically sealed to the... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20070251567 - Interconnected solar module design and system: A frame assembly is provided for a solar module. The frame assembly includes a plurality of frame members that are structured to collectively support and hold a first solar panel. At least one of the plurality of frame members is structured to adjoin a frame member of a second solar... Agent: Shemwell Mahamedi LLP

20070251566 - Light source integrated photovoltaic module and power-generating light-emitting unit using same: The present invention provides a light source integrated photovoltaic module. The light source integrated photovoltaic module comprises: a light-transmitting photovoltaic cell having a front surface and a back surface; and a light source provided on the back surface side of the photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell generates electric power by... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20070251568 - Beam integration for concentrating solar collector: A concentrating solar collector that utilizes a solar collector optical system to concentrate solar light onto a PV cell (image plane), wherein the solar collector optical system includes an array of first optical elements that divide the solar light into separate beams, and a secondary optical system that integrates (superimposes)... Agent: Bever, Hoffman & Harms, LLP

20070251569 - Solar modules with tracking and concentrating features: Disclosed are fixed solar-electric modules having arrays of solar concentrator assemblies capable of separately tracking movements through one or two degrees of rotational freedom to follow the movement of the sun daily and/or seasonally. The concentrators can include optical elements to direct and concentrate light onto photovoltaic and/or thermoelectric receivers... Agent: Quine Intellectual Property Law Group, P.C.

20070251570 - Photovoltaic cells utilizing mesh electrodes: In one aspect, the invention provides photovoltaic cells that utilize a mesh electrode on at least one exposure side of the photovoltaic cell. Preferably, the mesh electrode is a metallic mesh. In one embodiment, the invention provides dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) having a wire mesh exposure side electrode and a... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20070251572 - Propylene resin composition and use thereof:

20070251571 - Shingle with photovoltaic element(s) and array of same laid up on a roof: A shingle having butt and tab portions is provided, wherein the tab portions are exposed when applied to a roof, and wherein active photovoltaic element(s) appear on portions only of the tab portions of the shingles, wherein adjacent zones of the tab portions of the shingles to which the photovoltaic... Agent: John F. Mcnulty Paul & Paul

20070251573 - Photoelectric converter: It is intended to provide a highly reliable photoelectric converter having a reflective layer, deterioration in output characteristics thereof being suppressed under a constant temperature and humidity environment. The photoelectric converter according to the present invention has at least one thin film silicon-based photoelectric conversion unit mainly composed of a... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20070251574 - Dye-sensitized solar cell: In a dye-sensitized solar cell comprising a first electrode having a photoelectric conversion layer, a second electrode disposed so as to oppose the first electrode, and electrolyte filled at least in between the first electrode and second electrode, the first electrode is constructed with a plurality of first electrode layers... Agent: Rabin & Berdo, PC