William Lee Sanders

US Patent:

8062384, Nov 22, 2011

Filed:

Jun 12, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/483499

Inventors:

Bruce Krein - Campbell CA, US
Darin Birtwhistle - San Francisco CA, US
Jeff Thompson - San Jose CA, US
William Sanders - Palo Alto CA, US
Paul Alexander - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Miasole - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

H01L 21/68
H01L 21/683
H01L 21/58

US Classification:

29 2501, 438 3, 414936, 414941

Abstract:

Provided herein are methods, apparatuses and systems for fabricating photovoltaic cells and modules. In certain embodiments, the methods, apparatuses and systems involve coating ferromagnetic substrates with thin film solar cell materials and using magnetic force to constrain, move or otherwise manipulate partially fabricated cells or modules. According to various embodiments, the methods, apparatuses and systems provide magnetically actuated handling throughout a photovoltaic cell or module fabrication process, from forming photovoltaic cell layers on a substrate to packaging the module for transport and installation. The magnetically manipulated processing provides advantages over conventional photovoltaic module processing operations, including fewer mechanical components, greater control over placement and tolerances, and ease of handling. As a result, the methods, apparatuses and systems provide highly efficient, low maintenance photovoltaic module fabrication processes.

US Patent:

20080142071, Jun 19, 2008

Filed:

Dec 15, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/639428

Inventors:

Randy Dorn - Santa Clara CA, US
Bruce Hachtmann - San Martin CA, US
David Harris - Carpinteria CA, US
Ilan Gur - San Francisco CA, US
David Pearce - Saratoga CA, US
William Sanders - Mountain View CA, US
Ben Tarbell - Palo Alto CA, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/045
H01L 31/042

US Classification:

136245, 136244

Abstract:

A photovoltaic (PV) module includes a plurality of PV cells and a plurality of reconfigurable interconnects which electrically interconnect the plurality of PV cells.

US Patent:

20080314432, Dec 25, 2008

Filed:

Jun 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/812515

Inventors:

Puthur Paulson - Cupertino CA, US
William Sanders - Mountain View CA, US
Ben Tarbell - Palo Alto CA, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/05

US Classification:

136244

Abstract:

One photovoltaic module has a plurality of photovoltaic cells including a first photovoltaic cell and a second photovoltaic cell, a collector-connector configured to collect a current from the first photovoltaic cell and electrically connect the first photovoltaic cell to the second photovoltaic cell and at least one diode configured to bypass at least one of the photovoltaic cells. Another photovoltaic module has a plurality of cells including a first photovoltaic cell and a second photovoltaic cell, such that the first photovoltaic cell contains an active portion and a shaded portion, that is configured as a diode bypassing the second photovoltaic cell. Methods of making photovoltaic modules that incorporate bypass diodes are also provided.

US Patent:

20090014057, Jan 15, 2009

Filed:

Jul 13, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/777391

Inventors:

Steven Croft - Menlo Park CA, US
Randy Dorn - Santa Clara CA, US
Ilan Gur - San Francisco CA, US
Bruce Hachtmann - San Martin CA, US
Dennis Hollars - San Jose CA, US
Shefali Jaiswal - Dublin CA, US
Puthur Paulson - Cupertino CA, US
David Pearce - Saratoga CA, US
Kannan Ramanathan - San Jose CA, US
William Sanders - Mountain View CA, US
Ben Tarbell - Palo Alto CA, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/052
H01L 31/042
H01L 31/058

US Classification:

136248, 136244, 136246

Abstract:

One photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and at least one device selected from a sensor, a data storage device and an indicator. Another photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a flexible circuit configured to act as an antenna for electromagnetic radiation. Methods of using such photovoltaic modules are also disclosed.

US Patent:

20090014058, Jan 15, 2009

Filed:

Jul 13, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/777397

Inventors:

Steven CROFT - Menlo Park CA, US
William Sanders - Mountain View CA, US
Ben Tarbell - Palo Alto CA, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/058

US Classification:

136248, 136244

Abstract:

Provided are easy-to-install rooftop photovoltaic systems. One rooftop photovoltaic system includes a roofing material piece, a photovoltaic module disposed on the roofing material piece and an inverter configured to convert DC from the photovoltaic module into AC. Another rooftop photovoltaic system includes at least one active unit including one or more photovoltaic modules each including photovoltaic cells shaped as shingles to provide a roofing material appearance; and one or more inactive units having the roofing material appearance.

US Patent:

20100294352, Nov 25, 2010

Filed:

May 20, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/469101

Inventors:

Uma Srinivasan - Mountain View CA, US
Neeraj Pakala - Cupertino CA, US
William A. Sanders - Palo Alto CA, US
Henry Hieslmair - San Francisco CA, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/00
C22F 1/00
C21D 1/34
B32B 3/00
H01L 21/306

US Classification:

136256, 148527, 148525, 428601, 438745, 257E21219

Abstract:

Layered metal structures are patterned to form a surface with some locations having an alloy along the top surface at some locations and the original top metal layer at other locations along the surface. The alloy and original top metal layer can be selected to have differential etching properties such that the pattern of the alloy or original metal can be selectively etched to form a patterned metal interconnect. In general, the patterning is performed by localized heating that drives formation of the alloy at the heated locations. The metal patterning can be useful for solar cell applications as well as for electronics applications, such as display applications.

US Patent:

20110108087, May 12, 2011

Filed:

Jan 14, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/006943

Inventors:

Steven Croft - Menlo Park CA, US
Randy Dorn - Santa Clara CA, US
Ilan Gur - San Francisco CA, US
Bruce Hachtmann - San Martin CA, US
Dennis Hollars - San Jose CA, US
Shefali Jaiswal - Dublin CA, US
Puthur Paulson - Cupertino CA, US
David Pearce - Saratoga CA, US
Kannan Ramanathan - San Jose CA, US
William Sanders - Mountain View CA, US
Ben Tarbell - Palo Alto CA, US

Assignee:

MiaSole - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

H01L 31/042

US Classification:

136244

Abstract:

One photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and at least one device selected from a sensor, a data storage device and an indicator. Another photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a flexible circuit configured to act as an antenna for electromagnetic radiation. Methods of using such photovoltaic modules are also disclosed.

US Patent:

20120003777, Jan 5, 2012

Filed:

Sep 15, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/233912

Inventors:

Bruce Krein - Campbell CA, US
Darin Birtwhistle - San Francisco CA, US
Jeff Thompson - San Jose CA, US
William Sanders - Palo Alto CA, US
Paul Alexander - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

MIASOLE - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

H01L 31/18
H05K 13/00

US Classification:

438 68, 29742, 29744, 257E31054

Abstract:

Provided herein are methods, apparatuses and systems for fabricating photovoltaic cells and modules. In certain embodiments, the methods, apparatuses and systems involve coating ferromagnetic substrates with thin film solar cell materials and using magnetic force to constrain, move or otherwise manipulate partially fabricated cells or modules. According to various embodiments, the methods, apparatuses and systems provide magnetically actuated handling throughout a photovoltaic cell or module fabrication process, from forming photovoltaic cell layers on a substrate to packaging the module for transport and installation. The magnetically manipulated processing provides advantages over conventional photovoltaic module processing operations, including fewer mechanical components, greater control over placement and tolerances, and ease of handling. As a result, the methods, apparatuses and systems provide highly efficient, low maintenance photovoltaic module fabrication processes.