Gary Devin Conley

US Patent:

7545011, Jun 9, 2009

Filed:

Aug 24, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/509944

Inventors:

Stephen Horne - El Granada CA, US
Gary D. Conley - Saratoga CA, US

Assignee:

SolFocus, Inc. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

H01L 27/14
H01L 21/00

US Classification:

257414, 257431, 257432, 257E31127, 257E27123, 438 22, 438 29

Abstract:

A mount for a semiconductor device has a first surface with at least one contact region and a second surface. The mount has a substrate to receive the second surface of the semiconductor device and a planar element. The planar element has an aperture sized to surround the semiconductor. A first surface of the planar element is mounted to the substrate and is located to surround the semiconductor device such that the semiconductor device is aligned by the aperture. The mount further has means for mounting the semiconductor device to the substrate in an aligned position. Some embodiments include a method of making and/or using such a mount.

US Patent:

7855423, Dec 21, 2010

Filed:

Feb 3, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/365131

Inventors:

Stephen Horne - El Granada CA, US
Gary D. Conley - Saratoga CA, US

Assignee:

SolFocus, Inc. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

H01L 27/14
H01L 21/00

US Classification:

257414, 257431, 257432, 257E31127, 257E27123, 438 22, 438 29

Abstract:

A mount for a semiconductor device has a first surface with at least one contact region and a second surface. The mount has a substrate to receive the second surface of the semiconductor device and a planar element. The planar element has an aperture sized to surround the semiconductor. A first surface of the planar element is mounted to the substrate and is located to surround the semiconductor device such that the semiconductor device is aligned by the aperture. The mount further has means for mounting the semiconductor device to the substrate in an aligned position. Some embodiments include a method of making and/or using such a mount.

US Patent:

7928316, Apr 19, 2011

Filed:

Jun 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/134172

Inventors:

Peter Young - San Francisco CA, US
Stephen J. Horne - El Granada CA, US
Gary D. Conley - Saratoga CA, US
Martin Vasquez - Campbell CA, US

Assignee:

SolFocus, Inc. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

H02N 6/00
H01L 31/042

US Classification:

136251, 136246, 136244

Abstract:

The present invention is a contoured backpan for a solar concentrator array. The backpan has depressions integrally formed in its bottom surface for seating solar concentrator modules. The depressions, in combination connecting toughs, provide a structure which is able to support an array of solar concentrators. Optional stiffening members may be attached to fee backpan to provide additional structural rigidity, as well as to support a front panel for the array.

US Patent:

8063300, Nov 22, 2011

Filed:

May 26, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/138666

Inventors:

Stephen John Horne - El Granada CA, US
Gary D. Conley - Saratoga CA, US

Assignee:

SolFocus, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

H02N 6/00
H01L 31/042
F24J 2/00
G02B 5/10

US Classification:

136246, 126569, 359853

Abstract:

Solar panels and assembled arrays thereof include a collection of relatively compact, high-capacity power units. Optical components of each power unit include a front window or surface glazing, a primary mirror, secondary mirror and receiver assembly. Primary and secondary mirrors are defined by respective perimeters, at least a portion of which may be substantially coplanar and in contact with the front window. Some primary mirrors are configured with a perimeter of alternating full and truncated sections, and are curved to a base portion forming a pilot hole therein. Receiver assembly mechanical components include an alignment tube for mating with the primary mirror's pilot hole and for housing a photovoltaic solar cell. A base plate provided adjacent to the alignment tube serves to radiate heat emitted by the solar cell, and in some embodiments an additional heat sink provides further passive cooling. A tapered optical rod also provided within the receiver assembly directs received sunlight to the solar cell where electrical current is generated.

US Patent:

20060274439, Dec 7, 2006

Filed:

Feb 9, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/351314

Inventors:

Jeffrey Gordon - Midreshet Ben-Gurion, IL
Daniel Feuermann - Midreshet Ben-Gurion, IL
Stephen Horne - El Granada CA, US
Gary Conley - Saratoga CA, US

International Classification:

G02B 5/10

US Classification:

359859000

Abstract:

Ultra-compact concentrators and illuminators that approach the thermodynamic limit to optical performance can be realized with purely imaging strategies. Two-stage reflector systems where each optical surface is tailored to eliminate one order of aberration—so-called aplantic designs are described. The contours are monotonic functions that can be expressed analytically—important in facilitating optimization studies and practical fabrication. The radiative performance of the devices presented herein is competitive with, and even superior to, that of high-flux nonimaging systems. Sample results of practical value in solar concentration and light collimation are presented for systems that cover a wide range of numerical aperture.

US Patent:

20070089778, Apr 26, 2007

Filed:

Dec 14, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/638793

Inventors:

Stephen Horne - El Granada CA, US
Gary Conley - Saratoga CA, US

International Classification:

H02N 6/00

US Classification:

136246000

Abstract:

Solar panels and assembled arrays thereof include a collection of relatively compact, high-capacity power units. Optical components of each power unit include a front window or surface glazing, a primary mirror, secondary mirror and receiver assembly. Primary and secondary mirrors are defined by respective perimeters, at least a portion of which may be substantially coplanar and in contact with the front window. Some primary mirrors are configured with a perimeter of alternating full and truncated sections, and are curved to a base portion forming a pilot hole therein. Receiver assembly mechanical components include an alignment tube for mating with the primary mirror's pilot hole and for housing a photovoltaic solar cell. A base plate provided adjacent to the alignment tube serves to radiate heat emitted by the solar cell, and in some embodiments an additional heat sink provides further passive cooling. A tapered optical rod also provided within the receiver assembly directs received sunlight to the solar cell where electrical current is generated.

US Patent:

20080185040, Aug 7, 2008

Filed:

Feb 1, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/701601

Inventors:

Lawrence Tom - Sunnyvale CA, US
Gary D. Conley - Saratoga CA, US

Assignee:

Sol Focus, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01L 31/00

US Classification:

136259, 136246

Abstract:

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a housing. The housing includes one or more units where each unit includes one or more optical elements. The optical elements are configured to concentrate electromagnetic radiation, such as light, from a larger area to a smaller focused area. The optical elements may be sealed in the housing. A removable device is included that is configured to be inserted into a unit. The removable device includes a photovoltaic cell that is configured to receive at least a portion of the concentrated electromagnetic radiation. The removable device is configured to be removable from the housing from a second side of the housing without breaking the seal on the first side of the housing. Accordingly, when the removable device needs to be removed, it can be removed without breaking the seal on the first side of the housing.

US Patent:

20120312295, Dec 13, 2012

Filed:

Jun 8, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/155602

Inventors:

Gary D. Conley - Saratoga CA, US

International Classification:

F24J 2/05
B21D 53/06
F24J 2/24
F24J 2/12
F24J 2/48

US Classification:

126652, 126694, 126676, 126663, 29890033

Abstract:

A solar thermal collector includes a receptacle and a fluid conduit. The receptacle is evacuated to a subatmospheric pressure. The receptacle includes a window and a reflector facing the window. The window and the reflector are exposed to the subatmospheric pressure in the receptacle. The fluid conduit extends through the receptacle between the window and the reflector. The reflector concentrates solar radiation passing through the window onto the fluid conduit.