Benjamin Colby Richards

US Patent:

20210143296, May 13, 2021

Filed:

Dec 14, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/121462

Inventors:

- Albuquerque NM, US
Benjamin Richards - Hudson NH, US
Cory Tourino - Edgewood NM, US
Lei Yang - Albuquerque NM, US
Daniel Aiken - Cedar Crest NM, US
Daniel Derkacs - Albuquerque NM, US
Philip Blumenfeld - Trabuco Canyon CA, US

Assignee:

SolAero Technologies Corp. - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

H01L 31/18
H01L 31/0224
H01L 31/05
H01L 31/0687
H01L 31/0443
H01L 31/047
H01L 31/049
H01L 21/66
H01L 31/0203
H01L 31/0735

Abstract:

A method of fabricating a multijunction solar cell panel by providing a plurality of multijunction solar cells;dispensing out uncured silicone coating on the solar cells using an automated process with visual recognition, and curing the silicone coating on the solar cell to complete the Cell-Interconnect-Cover Glass (CIC) assembly.

US Patent:

20210091247, Mar 25, 2021

Filed:

Sep 2, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/010134

Inventors:

- Albuquerque NM, US
Lei Yang - Albuquerque NM, US
Daniel Derkacs - Albuquerque NM, US
Greg Flynn - Albuquerque NM, US
Benjamin Richards - Albuquerque NM, US
Marvin B Clevenger - Albuquerque NM, US

Assignee:

SolAero Technologies Corp. - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

H01L 31/041
H01L 31/05
H01L 31/0735
H01L 31/0443
H01L 31/049
H01L 31/078
H01L 31/0693
H01L 31/0224

Abstract:

A space-qualified solar cell assembly comprising a plurality of space-qualified solar cells mounted on a support, the support comprising a plurality of conductive vias extending from the top surface to the rear surface of the support. Each one of the pluralities of space-qualified solar cells is placed on the top surface with the first contact of a first polarity of the space-qualified solar cell electrically connected to the first conductive via. A second contact of a second polarity of each space-qualified solar cell can be connected to a second conductive via so that the first and second conductive portions form terminals of opposite conductivity type. The space-qualified solar cells on the module can be interconnected to form a string or an electrical series and/or parallel connection by suitably interconnecting the terminal pads of the vias on the back side of the module.

US Patent:

20200194611, Jun 18, 2020

Filed:

Feb 26, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/802269

Inventors:

- Albuquerque NM, US
Benjamin Richards - Hudson NH, US
Cory Tourino - Edgewood NM, US

Assignee:

SolAero Technologies Corp. - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

H01L 31/18
H01L 31/049
H01L 31/048
H01L 31/042

Abstract:

A manufacturing apparatus for mounting an array of solar cells on a flexible support or panel comprising: a first roller having an axis and supporting a release carrier on which a sequence of solar cell assemblies are mounted on a spool and wound around the axis; a second roller having an axis parallel to the axis of the first roller and supporting a polyimide sheet having a sequence of pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) patches on which the solar cell assemblies are to be mounted; wherein the first and second rollers are aligned and rotate in the opposite directions (i.e., one clockwise and the other counter-clockwise) so that the release carrier and polyimide sheet are transported between the rollers in the same direction, and wherein as the release carrier and the polyimide sheet respectively are unwound from the first and second rollers, the sequence of PSA patches on the polyimide sheet each successively come in contact with the sequence of solar cell assemblies disposed on release carrier, and the respective rollers exert sufficient pressure on the polyimide sheet and the release liner to cause each solar assembly to make contact and be automatically transferred from the first side of release liner to the first side of the polyimide sheet and sequentially positioned on the PSA patches thereon.

US Patent:

20190088815, Mar 21, 2019

Filed:

Nov 20, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/196765

Inventors:

- Albuquerque NM, US
Cory Tourino - Edgewood NM, US
Benjamin Richards - Hudson NH, US

Assignee:

SolAero Technologies Corp. - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

H01L 31/18
H01L 31/042
H01L 31/048

Abstract:

Solar cell array assemblies or modules mounted on a space vehicle having discrete predefined pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) regions thereon. In certain embodiments, the solar cell array modules may be conveniently mounted on the surface of a panel of a space vehicle or satellite with the discrete predefined PSA regions sized and shaped to match portions of the panel.

US Patent:

20180108794, Apr 19, 2018

Filed:

Dec 14, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/841779

Inventors:

- Albuquerque NM, US
Lei Yang - Albuquerque NM, US
Daniel Derkacs - Albuquerque NM, US
Greg Flynn - Albuquerque NM, US
Benjamin Richards - Hudson NH, US
Marvin B. Clevenger - Albuquerque NM, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/041
H01L 31/05
H01L 31/049
H01L 31/0443
H01L 31/0735

Abstract:

A space-qualified solar cell assembly comprising a plurality of space-qualified solar cells mounted on a support, the support comprising a plurality of conductive vias extending from the top surface to the rear surface of the support. Each one of the plurality of space-qualified solar cells is placed on the top surface with the first contact of a first polarity of the space-qualified solar cell electrically connected to the first conductive via. A second contact of a second polarity of each space-qualified solar cell can be connected to a second conductive via so that the first and second conductive portions form terminals of opposite conductivity type. The space-qualified solar cells on the module can be interconnected to form a string or an electrical series and/or parallel connection by suitably interconnecting the terminal pads of the vias on the back side of the module.

US Patent:

20170323996, Nov 9, 2017

Filed:

Jul 25, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/658756

Inventors:

- Albuquerque NM, US
Benjamin C. Richards - Albuquerque NM, US
Cory Tourino - Edgewood NM, US
Lei Yang - Albuquerque NM, US
Daniel Aiken - Cedar Crest NM, US
Daniel Derkacs - Albuquerque NM, US
Philip E. Blumenfeld - Albuquerque NM, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/18
H01L 31/047
H01L 31/0443
H01L 31/0735
H01L 31/0687
H01L 31/049
H01L 31/05
H01L 31/05
H01L 31/05
H01L 31/0224
H01L 31/0203
H01L 21/66
H01L 31/18
H01L 31/0687

Abstract:

The present disclosure provides methods of fabricating a multijunction solar cell panel in which one or more of the steps are performed using an automated process. In some embodiments, the automated process uses machine vision.

US Patent:

20170301811, Oct 19, 2017

Filed:

Jul 6, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/642443

Inventors:

- Albuquerque NM, US
Benjamin Richards - Hudson NH, US

Assignee:

SolAero Technologies Corp. - Albuquerque NM

International Classification:

H01L 31/042
H01L 51/56
F24J 2/00
H01L 31/0216
F24J 2/46
H01L 31/054
H01L 51/52

Abstract:

A solar cell assembly in which a solar cell component is bonded to a flexible support is disclosed. The solar cell assembly comprises a flexible support with a predetermined size, a solar cell component, bonding adhesive between the support and the solar cell component, wherein the support with the predetermined size has a uniform borders of 0.003 inch to 0.2 inch in width extending beyond the edges of the solar cell component.

US Patent:

20170012160, Jan 12, 2017

Filed:

Jul 9, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/795461

Inventors:

- Albuquerque NM, US
Benjamin C. RICHARDS - Albuquerque NM, US
Cory Tourino - Edgewood NM, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/0725
H01L 31/0735
H01L 31/18
H01L 31/0304
H01L 31/074
H01L 31/041
H01L 31/048

Abstract:

The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a solar cell panel in an automated process by applying an adhesive pattern to a support, positioning a solar cell assembly over the pattern, and applying pressure to adhere the assembly to the support.