Mark A Matthews

US Patent:

20060185715, Aug 24, 2006

Filed:

Jul 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/626868

Inventors:

Milfred Hammerbacher - Waterloo, CA
Mark Matthews - Richardson TX, US

International Classification:

H01L 31/042

US Classification:

136250000

Abstract:

A photovoltaic apparatus includes a plurality of approximately spherical photoelectric conversion elements including a second semiconductor layer located outside a first semiconductor layer, for generating photoelectromotive force therebetween. The second semiconductor layer has an opening through which part of the first semiconductor layer is exposed. The apparatus also includes a support having first and second conductors and an insulator disposed between the conductors for electrically insulating the conductors from each other. The support has recesses adjacent to each other, the inside surfaces of which are constituted by the first conductor. The photoelectric conversion elements are disposed in respective recesses so that the elements are illuminated with light reflected by part of the first conductor that constitutes the recess. The first conductor is electrically connected to the second semiconductor layers of the photoelectric conversion elements, and the second conductor is electrically connected to the exposed portions of the first semiconductor layers.

US Patent:

20080289688, Nov 27, 2008

Filed:

Jan 25, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/020225

Inventors:

Milfred Dale Hammerbacher - Waterloo, CA
Mark Douglass Matthews - Richardson TX, US

Assignee:

SPHERAL SOLAR POWER, INC. - Cambridge

International Classification:

H01L 31/00

US Classification:

136256

Abstract:

A photovoltaic apparatus includes a plurality of approximately spherical photoelectric conversion elements including a second semiconductor layer located outside a first semiconductor layer, for generating photoelectromotive force therebetween. The second semiconductor layer has an opening through which part of the first semiconductor layer is exposed. The apparatus also includes a support having first and second conductors and an insulator disposed between the conductors for electrically insulating the conductors from each other. The support has recesses adjacent to each other, the inside surfaces of which are constituted by the first conductor. The photoelectric conversion elements are disposed in respective recesses so that the elements are illuminated with light reflected by part of the first conductor that constitutes the recess. The first conductor is electrically connected to the second semiconductor layers of the photoelectric conversion elements, and the second conductor is electrically connected to the exposed portions of the first semiconductor layers.

US Patent:

54034396, Apr 4, 1995

Filed:

Dec 1, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/160020

Inventors:

Mark Matthews - Richardson TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

B05D 100

US Classification:

156662

Abstract:

Particles (10) having a selected size are produced by placing oversized articles onto a support (12) having apertures (16) of the selected size. The supported particles (10) are subjected to an etchant (22) until they decrease in size sufficiently to pass through the apertures (16), following which the action of the etchant (22) is terminated and the particles are collected. If commingled particles (10) of the selected and/or larger sizes are placed on the support (12), those of the selected size immediately fall through the apertures.

US Patent:

54132851, May 9, 1995

Filed:

Jan 12, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/180583

Inventors:

Mark D. Matthews - Richardson TX
Johnny Langley - Dallas TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

B02C 1906

US Classification:

241 5

Abstract:

Adherent silicon spheres (10) are broken apart into separate spheres by entraining them in a high velocity gas stream (12) which is directed at a surface (20). When the adherent spheres (10) impact on the surface (20) they break apart. The gas (12) and the separated spheres (10) are directed away from the surface (20) along divergent paths and the spheres (10) are collected for use.

US Patent:

54132266, May 9, 1995

Filed:

Nov 30, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/159637

Inventors:

Mark Matthews - Richardson TX
Michael R. Weidman - Plano TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

B07B 1305

US Classification:

209668

Abstract:

A roll (110) sorter includes a pair (111) of counter-rotating rollers (112,114) separated by a gap (124). A sorting region (128) is defined by the gap and the facing roller surfaces (130,132). Particles (46) fed into the sorting region float on the rollers and are sorted into two groups, those that pass through the gap and those that cannot pass through the gap. The accuracy of the sorter is increased by associating a metering facility (220) such as a gate (222) with the sorting region. The metering facility limits the number of particles which can simultaneously enter the sorting region. Typically, the particles enter and move along the sorting region one-at-a-time and in single file.

US Patent:

54111528, May 2, 1995

Filed:

Nov 30, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/159645

Inventors:

Mark Matthews - Richardson TX
Michael R. Weidman - Plano TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

B07B 1305

US Classification:

209668

Abstract:

A roll sorter (110) includes two counter-rotating, circular cross-section, spaced rollers (112,114) defining a gap (124) therebetween. Particles 46 float on the rollers (112,114) within a sorting region (128) and are sorted by passing through the gap (124) or not so passing and being retained in the sorting region (128). The particles (46) are prevented from hopping or jumping out of the sorting region (128) by a circular cross-section rod 160 floating above the sorting region (128) on the rollers (112,114), so that sorting accuracy and throughput are not degraded.

US Patent:

54626390, Oct 31, 1995

Filed:

Jan 12, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/181070

Inventors:

Mark D. Matthews - Richardson TX
Louanne K. Brown - Garland TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

B01D 4300

US Classification:

1566621

Abstract:

Particles (10) contained in a mass of liquid etchant (12) and being wetted and etched thereby are moved into a mass of an inert, etching-terminating liquid (14) which abuts the etchant mass by overcoming surface tension forces exerted on the particles by the etchant at the interface (16,70) of the liquid masses. A vortex (24) of the inert liquid (14) is forced and in turn forces a conformal vortex (60) of the etchant (12) with the particles (10) therein. Turbulence at the interface (70) of the vortices (24,60) and vortex-generated centrifugal force on the particles (10) overcome the surface tension forces, and the particles move into the inert liquid (14).