Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090160928 | MULTIPLE-BEAM RASTER OUTPUT SCANNER WITH A COMPENSATING FILTER - A printing system includes a multiple-beam generator array configured to generate multiple beams. A collimator lens is positioned to receive the multiple beams, and an aperture stop is located where the multiple beams are spatially coincident with each other. A scanning optical system is positioned to receive the beams from the aperture stop, and a recording medium receives the beams from the scanning optical system. A filter is located where the multiple beams are spatially coincident with each other, whereby each of the multiple beams may be filtered by the supplied filter. | 06-25-2009 |
20090314344 | Solar Cell Production Using Non-Contact Patterning And Direct-Write Metallization - Photovoltaic devices (i.e., solar cells) are formed using non-contact patterning apparatus (e.g., a laser-based patterning systems) to define contact openings through a passivation layer, and direct-write metallization apparatus (e.g., an inkjet-type printing or extrusion-type deposition apparatus) to deposit metallization into the contact openings and over the passivation surface. The metallization includes two portions: a contact (e.g., silicide-producing) material is deposited into the contact openings, then a highly conductive metal is deposited on the contact material and between the contact holes. The device wafers are transported between the patterning and metallization apparatus in hard tooled registration using a conveyor mechanism. Optional sensors are utilized to align the patterning and metallization apparatus to the contact openings. An extrusion-type apparatus is used to form grid lines having a high aspect central metal line that is supported on each side by a transparent material. | 12-24-2009 |
20100206302 | Rotational Trough Reflector Array For Solar-Electricity Generation - A rotational trough reflector solar-electricity generation device includes a trough reflector that rotates around a substantially vertical axis. A strip-type photovoltaic (PV) device, or other solar-energy collection element, is fixedly mounted along the focal line of the trough reflector. A tracking system rotates the trough reflector such that the trough reflector is aligned generally parallel to the incident sunlight (e.g., in a generally east-west direction at sunrise, turning to generally north-south at noon, and turning generally west-east at sunset). A disc-shaped support structure is used to distribute the reflector's weight over a larger area and to minimize the tracking system motor size. Multiple trough reflectors are mounted on the disc-shaped support to maximize power generation. Flat mirrors are disposed at the end of the troughs to increase power in “hot” PV sections that are connected in series. | 08-19-2010 |
20100206356 | Rotational Trough Reflector Array For Solar-Electricity Generation - A rotational trough reflector solar-electricity generation device includes a trough reflector that rotates around a substantially vertical axis. A strip-type photovoltaic (PV) device is fixedly mounted along the focal line of the trough reflector. A tracking system rotates the trough reflector such that the trough reflector is aligned generally parallel to the incident sunlight (e.g., in a generally east-west direction at sunrise, turning to generally north-south at noon, and turning generally west-east at sunset). A disc-shaped support structure is used to distribute the reflector's weight over a larger area and to minimize the tracking system motor size. Multiple trough reflectors are mounted on the disc-shaped support to maximize power generation. | 08-19-2010 |
20100206357 | Two-Part Solar Energy Collection System With Replaceable Solar Collector Component - A two-part solar energy collection system for installation on a planar support surface (e.g., a rooftop) includes a permanent positioning component including a base structure and a replaceable solar collector component including solar energy collection elements fixedly mounted on a support frame. Each collection element includes an optical element arranged to focus solar radiation onto a focal line, and a linearly-arranged solar energy collector (e.g., PV cells) fixedly maintained on the focal line. The replaceable solar collector component is secured to a rotating platform of the base structure such that the focal lines of the solar energy collection elements are maintained in a plane that is substantially parallel to the support surface, and the rotating platform and replaceable solar collector component are collectively pivoted by a positioning system around a rotational axis to align the PV cells) parallel to the received sunlight beams. | 08-19-2010 |
20100206379 | Rotational Trough Reflector Array With Solid Optical Element For Solar-Electricity Generation - A rotational trough reflector solar-electricity generation device includes a trough reflector that rotates around a substantially vertical axis and includes a solid optical element having a linear parabolic convex surface that serves as a base for automatically positioning a mirror to focus sunlight onto a focal line, and a flat aperture surface that serves to support a strip-type photovoltaic (PV) receiver on the focal line. A tracking system rotates the trough reflector such that the trough reflector is aligned generally parallel to the incident sunlight (e.g., in a generally east-west direction at sunrise, turning to generally north-south at noon, and turning generally west-east at sunset). A disc-shaped support structure is used to distribute the reflector's weight over a larger area and to minimize the tracking system motor size. Multiple trough reflectors are mounted on the disc-shaped support to maximize power generation. | 08-19-2010 |
20110058241 | ULTRA-SHORT PULSE SCANNING OPTICAL SYSTEM - A scanning optical system including an optical source configured to generate an ultra-short light pulse, a dispersion compensation system disposed such that the ultra-short light pulse travels through the dispersion compensation system, an optical deflector configured to rotate about an axis such that the ultra-short light pulse is deflected through a scan angle, and an f-theta scan lens having a group delay (GD) variation versus relative pupil height and group delay dispersion (GDD) variation versus the scan angle that are substantially minimized. The f-theta scan lens is disposed such that the ultra-short pulse is incident on the f-theta scan lens. | 03-10-2011 |
20110100418 | Solid Linear Solar Concentrator Optical System With Micro-Faceted Mirror Array - A concentrating solar collector includes a solid optical structure a flat front surface, and PV cells and a micro-faceted mirror array disposed on the opposing rear surface. The micro-faceted mirrors are arranged in a sawtooth arrangement to reflect sunlight toward the front surface at angles that produces total internal reflection (TIR) and redirection of the sunlight onto the PV cells. The micro-faceted mirror array reflects sunlight onto the PV cells in an extended focus region of concentrated light that has a substantially uniform or homogeneous irradiance distribution pattern. The optical structure is a solid dielectric sheet either processed to include micro-faceted surfaces with reflective material formed thereon, or having a dielectric film including the micro-faceted mirror array adhered thereon. In one embodiment, three PV cells and four micro-faceted mirror arrays are disposed in an interleaved pattern with two side mirrors are disposed on side edges of the optical structure. | 05-05-2011 |
20110100419 | Linear Concentrating Solar Collector With Decentered Trough-Type Relectors - A linear concentrating solar collector includes two trough-type reflectors having respective curved reflective surfaces that define respective focal lines, and are connected along a common edge in a decentered arrangement such that the focal lines are parallel and spaced-apart, and such that solar radiation reflected by the curved reflective surfaces is concentrated and overlaps in a defocused state. In one embodiment a solar cell is disposed in the overlap region to receive the all of the reflected radiation from the curved reflective surfaces in a defocused state. An optional solid optical structure is used to support and position the trough-type reflectors and solar cell, and to facilitate self-forming of the curved reflective surfaces. In other embodiments, two solar cells are mounted on the rear surface of the optical element, and the curved reflective surfaces reflect sunlight at angles that produce total internal reflection of the sunlight onto the solar cells. | 05-05-2011 |
20110259397 | Rotational Trough Reflector Array For Solar-Electricity Generation - A rotational trough reflector solar-electricity generation device includes a trough reflector that rotates around a substantially vertical axis. A strip-type photovoltaic (PV) device is fixedly mounted along the focal line of the trough reflector. A tracking system rotates the trough reflector such that the trough reflector is aligned generally parallel to the incident sunlight (e.g., in a generally east-west direction at sunrise, turning to generally north-south at noon, and turning generally west-east at sunset). A disc-shaped support structure is used to distribute the reflector's weight over a larger area and to minimize the tracking system motor size. Multiple trough reflectors are mounted on the disc-shaped support to maximize power generation. | 10-27-2011 |
20120031463 | Stationary Sunlight Redirecting System For Increasing The Efficiency Of Fixed-Tilt PV Farm - A low-cost system for increasing the electricity generation of flat panel photovoltaic (PV) farms in which sunlight redirecting elements are positioned in offset spaces provided between adjacent panel assemblies and serve to redirect otherwise unused sunlight onto solar cells disposed on one of the panel assemblies. The redirecting elements are located in a prismatic volume bounded at its upper end by an inclined upper plane that extends across the offset space separating adjacent PV panel assemblies. The redirecting elements are either mounted to at least one of the PV panel assemblies, or placed on the ground between the assemblies. Each redirecting element includes multiple reflecting and/or refracting surfaces that utilize a disclosed microoptical arrangement (e.g., focus and steer or reorient and scatter) to distribute the redirected sunlight in a substantially homogenous (uniform) distribution on the solar cells. | 02-09-2012 |
20120033301 | Stationary Sunlight Redirecting Element And System - A low-cost sunlight redirecting element including multiple substantially identical redirecting structures uniformly arranged and fixedly disposed on a base, where each redirecting structure includes multiple optical surface regions that are cooperatively formed and arranged such that, when the sunlight redirecting element is operably fixedly oriented relative to a stationary target with sunlight directed along an incident direction onto the redirecting structures, at least some of the sunlight is transmitted between the corresponding optical surface regions of each redirecting structure, and redirected from the corresponding optical surface regions toward the target's surface. The optical surface regions are shaped and arranged to redirect the sunlight toward the fixed target surface even when the sunlight's incident angle direction changes during the course of a year. A stationary sunlight redirecting system (e.g., an architectural daylighting arrangement or PV farm) includes the sunlight redirecting element maintained in a fixed relationship to the stationary target surface. | 02-09-2012 |
20120132255 | Solar Energy Harvesting Device Using Stimuli-Responsive Material - A solar energy harvesting system including a sunlight concentrating member (e.g., a lens array) for focusing direct sunlight at predetermined focal points inside a waveguide containing a stimuli-responsive material (SRM) that is evenly distributed throughout the waveguide material such that the SRM assumes a relatively high transparency state away from the focused sunlight, and small light-scattering portions of the SRM change to a relatively opaque (light scattering) state only in focal zone regions adjacent to the concentrated sunlight. The outer waveguide surfaces are locally parallel (e.g., planar) and formed such that sunlight scattered by the light-scattering SRM portions is transmitted by total internal reflection through the remaining transparent waveguide material, and outcoupled to one or more solar energy receivers (e.g., PV cells) that are disposed outside the waveguide (e.g., along the peripheral edge). | 05-31-2012 |
20120325313 | Solar-Tower System With High-Focus-Accuracy Mirror Array - A solar-tower system includes a raised solar receiver disposed on a tower and a mirror array including multiple flat mirrors for reflecting sunlight onto the raised receiver. The mirror array is disposed on a carousel-type platform that is rotatable around a vertical axis, and the raised receiver is maintained at a substantially fixed position relative to the mirror array for all rotational positions of the platform. A solar azimuth tracking controller controls the platform's rotational position to track the sun's azimuth angle such that sunlight shines on the mirror array from a fixed apparent azimuth angle at all times during daylight hours. Each flat mirror pivots around a corresponding unique axis, and a solar elevation tracking controller individually controls each mirror's pivot position to track the sun's elevation angle such that sunlight is accurately reflected onto the raised solar receiver at all times during daylight hours. | 12-27-2012 |
20120325314 | Solar Power Collection Using High-Focus-Accuracy Mirror Array - A method for harvesting solar power by concentrating sunlight onto a raised solar receiver disposed on a tower. The method involves rotating a mirror array made up of multiple flat mirrors as a unit around a vertical axis such that sunlight shines on the mirror array from a fixed apparent azimuth angle at all times during daylight hours, and controlling each mirror's pivot position to track the sun's elevation angle such that sunlight is accurately reflected onto the raised solar receiver at all times during daylight hours. In one embodiment the mirror array is disposed on a roundabout-type platform whose rotational position is controlled to track the sun's azimuth angle and the raised receiver is maintained at a substantially fixed position relative to the mirror array for all rotational positions of the platform. | 12-27-2012 |
20130047977 | Carousel Heliostat Having Louvered Horizontal Mirrors For Solar Tower Systems - A low profile heliostat with elongated louvered mirror segments is provided. Its envelope of revolution has the shape of a flat disc to enable heliostat fields with very high ground coverage ratio. The heliostat's disc-shaped footprint rotates around a substantially vertical axis (akin to a carousel). The short dimension of the mirror segments is drastically shorter than the disc's diameter. Embodiments are described in which the motion relies on two concentric rings, which are individually rotated around a vertical axis. The lower ring acts as a platform providing mainly azimuth tracking, carrying the upper ring. The differential rotation between the upper ring and the lower ring is translated into a rotation of the mirror segments around a second, perpendicular, axis and used for elevation tracking. Disc-shaped heliostat with D-shaped cut-offs are described, to facilitate the required maintenance access even in highly dense heliostat fields. | 02-28-2013 |
20130050390 | Single-Pass Imaging Method With Image Data Scrolling For Improved Resolution Contrast And Exposure Extent - A method for generating an elongated concentrated scan image on an imaging surface of a scan structure (e.g., a drum cylinder) in an imaging (e.g., xerographic or lithographic) apparatus, wherein the imaging surface is caused to move in a cross-scan (process) direction. A spatial light modulator having a two-dimensional array of light modulating elements is used to modulate a two-dimensional light field in response to predetermined scan image data, and then the modulated light is anamorphically imaged and concentrated onto an elongated imaging region defined on the imaging surface. To avoid smearing, movement of the imaging surface is synchronized with the modulated states of the light modulating elements such that image features of the scan image are scrolled (moved in the cross-scan direction) at the same rate as the cross-scan movement of the imaging surface, whereby the features remain coincident with the same portion of the imaging surface. | 02-28-2013 |
20130050391 | Single-Pass Imaging System With Spatial Light Modulator and Catadioptric Anamorphic Optical System - A single-pass imaging system utilizes a light source and a spatial light modulator to generate a two-dimensional modulated light field, and uses a catadiotropic anamorphic optical system to anamorphically image and concentrate the modulated light in order to generate a high-intensity, substantially one-dimensional line image on an imaging surface (e.g., the surface of a drum cylinder). The catadiotropic anamorphic optical system utilizes one or more cylindrical/acylindrical lens elements to image the modulated light field in the cross-process direction, and one or more cylindrical/acylindrical mirror elements to image and concentrate the modulated light field in the process direction. The line image is generated with sufficient energy to evaporate fountain solution from the imaging surface. The imaging system simultaneously generates all component pixel images of the line image, thus facilitating a printing apparatus capable of 1200 dpi or greater. | 02-28-2013 |
20130050669 | Single-Pass Imaging System With Anamorphic Optical System - An single-pass imaging system utilizes a light source, a spatial light modulator and an anamorphic optical system to form a substantially one-dimensional high intensity line image on an imaging surface (e.g., the surface of a drum cylinder). The light source and the spatial light modulator are used to generate a relatively low intensity two-dimensional modulated light field in accordance with an image data line such that each pixel image of the line is elongated in the process (Y-axis) direction. The anamorphic optical system utilizes a cylindrical/acylindrical optical element to anamorphically image and concentrate the modulated light field in the process direction to form the substantially one-dimensional high intensity line image. The line image is generated with sufficient energy to evaporate fountain solution from the imaging surface. The imaging system simultaneously generates all component pixel images of the line image, thus facilitating a printing apparatus capable of 1200 dpi or greater. | 02-28-2013 |
20130050799 | Single-Pass Imaging System Using Spatial Light Modulator Anamorphic Projection Optics - A single-pass imaging system for a printing apparatus capable of 1200 dpi or greater that includes a homogenous light generator for generating homogenous light from high energy IR lasers, a spatial light modulator including light modulating elements arranged in a two-dimensional array, and an anamorphic optical system. The light modulating elements are disposed such that each modulating element receives an associated homogenous light portion, and is individually adjustable between an “on” modulated state and an “off” modulated state, whereby in the “on” modulated state each modulating element modulates its received homogenous light portion such that an associated modulated light portion is directed onto a corresponding region of the anamorphic optical system. In the second modulated state, the associated homogenous light portion is prevented (e.g., blocked) from passing to the anamorphic optical system. The anamorphic optical system then anamorphically concentrates the modulated light portions to form a scan line image. | 02-28-2013 |
20130050800 | MULTIPLE LINE SINGLE-PASS IMAGING USING SPATIAL LIGHT MODULATOR AND ANAMORPHIC PROJECTION OPTICS - Two substantially one-dimensional scan line images are simultaneously generated by modulating a two-dimensional homogenous light field using a spatial light modulator having light modulating elements arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. An upper group of modulating elements are configured using a first scan line image data group, and a lower group of modulating elements are configured using a second scan line image data group. The homogenous light source is then pulsed (toggled) to direct the two-dimensional homogenous light field onto the spatial light modulator. The resulting two-dimensional modulated light field is directed through an anamorphic optical system, which images and concentrates the modulated light on an imaging surface such that two parallel one-dimensional scan line images are simultaneously formed on the imaging surface. | 02-28-2013 |
20130050803 | Variable Length Imaging Apparatus Using Electronically Registered And Stitched Single-Pass Imaging Systems - An imaging apparatus including multiple spatial light modulators, each including light modulating elements arranged in two-dimensional array disposed in a homogenous light field, multiple anamorphic optical systems, each disposed downstream from an associated spatial light modulator, a scan structure, and an image stitching controller. The light modulating elements of each spatial light modulator are individually adjustable to either pass received homogenous light portions to the anamorphic optical systems, or to block/redirect the homogenous light portions, thereby generating a two-dimensional modulated light field. Each anamorphic optical system images and focuses received modulated light field onto an associated substantially one-dimensional scan line portion on the scan structure. The image stitching controller modifies the image data sent to each spatial light modulator such that selected light modulating elements are enabled or disabled, thereby electronically stitching the scan line portions to form a seamlessly stitched scan line image. | 02-28-2013 |