Jason J Ellsworth

US Patent:

20090056790, Mar 5, 2009

Filed:

Nov 1, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/263462

Inventors:

Jing Tian - Mountain View CA, US
Peter Young - San Francisco CA, US
Jason Ellsworth - Mesa AZ, US
Stephen J. Horne - El Granada CA, US
Stuart M. Firestone - Danville CA, US

Assignee:

SOLFOCUS, INC. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

H01L 31/042
G02B 27/10

US Classification:

136246, 359619

Abstract:

The present invention is an improved solar concentrator array utilizing a monolithic array of primary mirrors fabricated from a single sheet of formable material. The material may include glass, plastic, and metal of a high thermal stability to be able to withstand a broad range of temperature conditions. The monolithic array of this invention may include integral alignment or attachment features for attachment to a supporting structure.

US Patent:

20090114265, May 7, 2009

Filed:

Jul 18, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/175456

Inventors:

Michael Milbourne - Los Altos CA, US
Hing Wah Chan - San Jose CA, US
Jason Ellsworth - Mesa AZ, US
Darrel Bailey - Gilbert AZ, US
Gill Shook - Santa Cruz CA, US
Eric Prather - Santa Clara CA, US

Assignee:

SOLFOCUS, INC. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

H01L 31/052
H01L 31/18

US Classification:

136246, 427123, 29825

Abstract:

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.