en Drill bit assembly having electrically isolated gap joint for measurement of reservoir properties By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A drill bit assembly for measuring reservoir formation properties comprises a bit head and a pin body, and an electrically insulated gap joint between two conductive parts of the drill bit assembly. The bit head has a cutting end and an opposite connecting end with an engagement section. The pin body comprises a connecting end with an engagement section. The pin connecting end is connected to the bit head connecting end such that the engagement sections overlap. The electrically insulating gap joint can fill a gap between the bit head and pin body engagement sections such that the bit head and pin body are mechanically connected together at the connecting ends but electrically separated. Alternatively or additionally, the pin body can have two pieces which are separated by an electrically insulating gap joint. An electrical conductor is electrically connected at a first end to the bit head and is communicable at a second end with an alternating current signal to transmit an alternating current into the bit head, thereby inducing an electric current into a reservoir formation adjacent the bit head. Electronic equipment includes measurement circuitry configured to determine the alternating current at the bit head, the alternating current being inversely proportional to a bit resistivity of the formation. Full Article
en Vibration detection in a drill string based on multi-positioned sensors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In some example embodiments, a system includes a drill string having a drill bit. The drill string extends through at least part of a well bore. The system also includes a first vibrational sensor, positioned on the drill bit to measure, at a first location on the drill string, an amplitude of one or more of an axial vibration and a lateral vibration. The system also includes a second vibrational sensor, positioned above the drill bit and on the drill string. The second vibration sensor is to measure, at a second location on the drill string, one or more of an axial vibration and a lateral vibration. The system includes a processor unit to determine a type of vibration based on a comparison of the amplitude at the first location to the amplitude at the second location, wherein the type of vibration is at least one of bit whirl of the drill bit and a while of a bottom hole assembly that is part of the drill string. Full Article
en Drilling fluid that when mixed with a cement composition enhances physical properties of the cement composition By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to an embodiment, a drilling fluid comprises: water and a set accelerator, wherein the drilling fluid has a 10 minute gel strength of less than 20 lb*ft/100 sq ft, wherein the drilling fluid has a density in the range of about 9 to about 14 pounds per gallon, wherein the drilling fluid remains pourable for at least 5 days, and wherein when at least one part of the drilling fluid mixes with three parts of a cement composition consisting of water and cement, the drilling fluid cement composition mixture develops a compressive strength of at least 1,200 psi. According to another embodiment, a method of using the drilling fluid comprises the steps of: introducing the drilling fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation, wherein at least a portion of the drilling fluid is capable of mixing with a cement composition. Full Article
en Shaped cutting elements for earth-boring tools, earth-boring tools including such cutting elements, and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cutting element for an earth-boring tool. The cutting element comprises a substrate base, and a volume of polycrystalline diamond material on an end of the substrate base. The volume of polycrystalline diamond material comprises a generally conical surface, an apex centered about a longitudinal axis extending through a center of the substrate base, a flat cutting surface extending from a first point at least substantially proximate the apex to a second point on the cutting element more proximate a lateral side surface of the substrate base. Another cutting element is disclosed, as are a method of manufacturing and a method of using such cutting elements. Full Article
en Dust collecting attachment By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT It is an object of the invention to provide a technique that contributes to rationalization of dust collection, in a dust collecting attachment for use on a power tool. Dust collecting attachments 250, 350 are used on a power tool 201 having a tool body 203, a tool bit 209 which can be coupled to a front end region of the tool body 203, and an auxiliary handle 208 attached to the tool body 203. The dust collecting attachments 250, 350 include dust collecting members 251, 351, respectively, which can be attached to the auxiliary handle 208 in such a manner as to surround the front end region of the tool body 203 around a longitudinal axis of the front end region in order to collect dust generated during operation by the power tool 201, and a connecting hose 273 for connecting the dust collecting members 251, 351 to a dust collector. Full Article
en Active compensation for mud telemetry modulator and turbine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An arrangement having a piston configured to move along an axial pathway a rotating seal configured to seal an inside environment from an outside environment, the rotating seal configured to be acted upon by a pressure exerted from the piston, a differential pressure sensor measuring a pressure difference between a first fluid from the outside environment and a second fluid on the inside environment, a motor connected to the piston, the motor configured to actuate the piston to a position along an axial pathway and an electronic feedback control system connected to the motor, the electronic feedback system configured to interface with the differential pressure sensor and maintain a pressure generated by the piston onto the rotating seal to a desired pressure. Full Article
en Vibrational tool with rotating engagement surfaces and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A vibrational tool and method is disclosed, which may be utilized to assist in lowering a drill string into a wellbore. In one embodiment, a reciprocating member and a symmetrical rotating member are mounted within a vibrational tool housing. The reciprocating member is urged in one embodiment by a spring assembly toward the rotating member whereby engagement surfaces on the reciprocating member and rotating member encounter each other. As the rotating member rotates, variable surfaces on the engagement surface cause the reciprocating member to reciprocate as the variable surfaces follow or cam with respect to each other during rotation. The resistance to rotation by engagement surfaces and spring assembly, and mass of the rotating member, result in vibrational forces, when drilling fluid flows through the vibration tool housing. Full Article
en Adjustable bent drilling tool having in situ drilling direction change capability By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An adjustable bent drilling tool capable of changing in situ drilling direction to facilitate horizontal drilling. The drilling tool may be controlled from the surface and eliminates the need to bring the tool to the surface for reconfiguration. In one embodiment, the drilling tool utilizes a communications module to communicate with upstream sections of the tool. The communications module is connected to a programmable electronic control module which controls an electric motor. A hydraulic valve assembly follows the control module, which receives input signals and controls a pilot piston between two fixed points of a mid-assembly typically located adjacent to and downstream of the hydraulic valve assembly on the drill tool. A lower assembly is attached to the drill tool immediately following the mid-assembly, and provides both a safety release sub-assembly as well as a bendable sub-assembly which directs the adjustable drill tool to change drilling angle and direction. Full Article
en THz frequency range antenna By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A THz frequency range antenna is provided which comprises: a semiconductor film (3) having a surface adapted to exhibit surface plasmons in the THz frequency range. The surface of the semiconductor film (3) is structured with an antenna structure (4) arranged to support localized surface plasmon resonances in the THz frequency range. Full Article
en Charge sensors using inverted lateral bipolar junction transistors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sensor includes a collector, an emitter and a base-region barrier formed as an inverted bipolar junction transistor having a base substrate forming a base electrode to activate the inverted bipolar junction transistor. A level surface is formed by the collector, the emitter and the base-region barrier opposite the base substrate such that when the level surface is exposed to charge, the charge is measured during operation of the bipolar junction transistor. Full Article
en Beam sensing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A particle beam sensor comprising: scattering means providing a surface for intercepting obliquely a path of a particle beam thereby to permit a scattering of particles from the particle beam by the scattering means; sensor means responsive to receipt of one or more said scattered particles to generate a sensor signal; aperture mask means arranged between the scattering means and the sensor means to present to the scattering means a screen opaque to said scattered particles and having at least one aperture through which an unobstructed view of the scattering means is provided to the sensor means, the aperture (s) thereby permitting selection of all of those particles scattered by the scattering means which may be used to form at the sensor means an image representative of at least a part of a foot print cast by the particle beam upon the scattering means. By scattering particles from a sectional area of a particle beam, scattered beam particles can be used more efficiently compared to existing techniques. Full Article
en Method and apparatus for identifying CVD diamond By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Method for identifying CVD diamond comprises (1) placing a clean diamond on a fixed platform; (2) illuminating the diamond with light having various wavelengths; (3) receiving reflected light from the diamond; (4) calculating a reflectance value at each wavelength based on a light intensity at each wavelength of the reflected light, generating a spectral reflectance curve; (5) determining whether the spectral reflectance curve has a sharp trough, then storing the diamond if the spectral reflectance curve thereof does not have the sharp trough, while selecting the diamond for a further identification if the spectral reflectance curve thereof has the sharp trough; and (6) determining whether the sharp trough of the diamond selected from the step (5) is at a wavelength between 227 nm and 233 nm, and identifying the diamond to be the CVD diamond if the sharp trough is at the wavelength between 227 nm and 233 nm. Full Article
en Controlling electromagnetic radiation in a data center By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Controlling electromagnetic (‘EM’) radiation in a data center having a number EM sections, including: receiving, by an EM controller, a specification of preferred EM radiation characteristics for the data center; and setting, by the EM controller, a state of each EM section in accordance with the specification, where the state of each EM section may be one of: an absorption state in which the EM section absorbs EM radiation or a reflection state in which the EM section reflects EM radiation. Full Article
en Two-dimensional detection system for neutron radiation in the field of neutron scattering spectrometry By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This invention relates to a two-dimensional detection system for neutron radiation comprising a means (1) for emitting a neutron beam (10), a support means (2) adapted for receiving a sample (3), a photoemission means (5) adapted for being activated by a neutron radiation, a cooled low light level charge-coupled detection device (7). The emission means (1) emits a monochromatic neutron beam (10). The system further comprises a filter means (4), the filter means (4) being located between the support means (2) and the photoemission means (5) and being adapted for trapping at least a substantial part of the monochromatic neutron beam transmitted (12) by the sample (3), and an amplification means (6) located upstream the charge-coupled detection device (7) and coupled with the charge-coupled detection device (7). Full Article
en Bunch length compression method for free electron lasers to avoid parasitic compressions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of bunch length compression method for a free electron laser (FEL) that avoids parasitic compressions by 1) applying acceleration on the falling portion of the RF waveform, 2) compressing using a positive momentum compaction (R56>0), and 3) compensating for aberration by using nonlinear magnets in the compressor beam line. Full Article
en Membrane supports with reinforcement features By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sample support structure with integrated support features and methods of making and using the reinforced membrane. The sample support structures are useful for supporting samples for analysis using microscopic techniques, such as electron microscopy, optical microscopy, x-ray microscopy, UV-VIS spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. Full Article
en Cassette for containing accumulative fluorescent sheet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a cassette having: a flexible accommodating body that accommodates an accumulative fluorescent sheet in a light shielded state; an entrance/exit portion that is provided at one end portion of the flexible accommodating body, and through which the accumulative fluorescent sheet can be inserted and removed into and from the flexible accommodating body due to mounting to a radiographic image reading device; and opening/closing means for opening the flexible accommodating body such that a push-out member, that pushes the accumulative fluorescent sheet out toward the entrance/exit portion, can be inserted, or closing the flexible accommodating body in a light shielded state. Full Article
en Chamber and extreme ultraviolet light generation apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A chamber used in an extreme ultraviolet light generation apparatus that generates extreme ultraviolet light by irradiating a target material with a laser beam may include a chamber receptacle, a heat shield that is disposed within the chamber receptacle between a predetermined region where the target material turns into plasma and the chamber receptacle and that is configured to absorb heat produced at the predetermined region when the target material turns into plasma, and a support portion configured to attach the heat shield to the chamber receptacle, and further, the support portion may include an absorbing portion configured to absorb stress produced in the heat shield deforming due to the heat, by expanding/contracting in response to the thermal deformation of the heat shield. Full Article
en Method of mechanically controlling the amount of energy to reach a patient undergoing intraoperative electron radiation therapy By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatus for performing electron radiation therapy on a breast cancer patient preferably includes an intraoperative electron radiation therapy machine, an intraoperative electron radiation therapy collimator tube connected to the intraoperative electron radiation therapy machine, and a plurality of filters made of a material having substantially the same density as human breast tissue for placement between the machine and the patient to change the energy of a monoenergetic beam after the beam has left the machine, allowing a filter to be chosen to reduce the energy traveling through the tube to a desired amount of energy to treat the patient. A method of controlling the amount of energy to reach a breast cancer patient undergoing electron radiation therapy includes selecting a filter made of a material having substantially the same density as human tissue and placing the filter between an intraoperative electron radiation therapy machine and a breast cancer patient to change the energy of a monoenergetic beam after it has left the machine, the filter being chosen to reduce the energy traveling from the machine to a desired amount of energy to treat the patient. Full Article
en Thermal-conduction element for improving the manufacture of a package for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a thermal conduction element (20) for a package for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials, comprising: an internal part (30) intended to be in contact with a lateral body (14) of the package;an external part (34) intended to form a portion of an external envelope (24) of said package, holding radiological protection means (22);an intermediate part (32) arranged between the internal and external parts,the internal, external and intermediate parts being produced from copper and one of the alloys thereof. According to the invention, the external part (34) is equipped, at each of its two opposite ends, with an area (36) for connection by welding to another thermal conduction element (20), each connection area (36) being produced from steel. Full Article
en Identifying the presence of an individual near medical radiation emitting equipment By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods are disclosed herein to a radiation safety system comprising radiation emitting medical equipment; a radiation safety system controller connected to the radiation emitting medical equipment through a first communication means configured to determine a number of people within a radiation room housing the radiation emitting medical equipment and prevent the radiation emitting medical equipment from performing radiation emitting functions if the radiation safety system controller determines that more people than a maximum allowed number of people are presently in the radiation room; and a scanner connected to the radiation safety controller through a second communication means configured to detect people in the radiation room and communicate to the radiation safety system controller that a person has been detected. Full Article
en Photoelectric conversion device comprising photoelectric conversion element By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT It is an object to provide a photoelectric conversion device whose power consumption and a mounting area are reduced and yield is improved and further to provide a photoelectric conversion device whose number of manufacturing processes and manufacturing cost are reduced. A photoelectric conversion device includes a photoelectric conversion element for outputting photocurrent corresponding to illuminance, and a resistor changing resistance corresponding to illuminance. In the photoelectric conversion device, one terminal of the photoelectric conversion element and one terminal of the resistor are electrically connected in series; the other terminal of the photoelectric conversion element is connected to a high power supply potential; the other terminal of the resistor is connected to a low power supply potential; and a light intensity adjusting unit is provided on a light reception surface side of the photoelectric conversion element or the resistor to adjust illuminance. Full Article
en Image sensors having variable voltage-current characteristics and methods of operating the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT Image sensors and methods of operating the same. An image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a photo sensor, the voltage-current characteristics of which vary according to energy of incident light, and that generates a sense current determined by the energy of the incident light; a reset unit that is activated to generate a reference current, according to a reset signal for resetting at least one of the plurality of pixels; and a conversion unit that converts the sense current and the reference current into a sense voltage and a reference voltage, respectively. Full Article
en Method of investigating and correcting aberrations in a charged-particle lens system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Sep 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system of investigating aberrations in a charged particle lens system, wherein a charged particle beam is directed from a multitude of directions through a pivot point on a sample stage. An image figure is recorded for each of multiple focus settings at each beam direction setting, creating a set of registered images. This set of images is compared to reference images to derive aberrations present in the lens system without the use of an amorphous sample present. Full Article
en Steam generation system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A steam generation system delivers heats water and carbon dioxide at high temperatures in the presence of one or more plasma arc torches and converts the materials into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The converted gas is delivered to a heat recovery steam generator (“HRSG”) to produce steam, which may be used to power a steam turbine. Depending on the amount of steam and/or power desired, the system may use a control system to vary the flow, temperature and pressure of the gas delivered to the HRSG. The control system may do this by bringing additional torches on-line or off-line in the processing chamber, by adding unheated gas directly from a supply source, shunting the gas from the HRSG, and varying the flow of water delivered to the HRSG. Full Article
en Apparatus and methods for large particle ash separation from flue gas using screens having semi-elliptical cylinder surfaces By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST Apparatus for separating ash particles from a flue gas. The apparatus includes a screen that has a plurality of semi-elliptical cylinder surfaces. The semi-elliptical cylinder surfaces having holes through which said flue gas flows and through which the ash particles will not pass. The screen has a single layer for performing the separation in a manner such that the ash particles fall away from the screen and collect outside of the screen. A method of reducing velocity of a flue gas passing through screening apparatus for separating flue gas from ash particles. The method includes replacing a first screen of the screening apparatus with a second screen that has a plurality of semi-elliptical cylinder surfaces. Full Article
en Wall lining of industrial ovens By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A wall lining of industrial ovens for protecting from corrosion, in particular, a heat-resistant wall made of concrete, steel, sheet metal, or the like. The lining of the wall is made of at least two layers, wherein a layer is pressurized as a blocking layer. Full Article
en Methods and apparatus for the improved treatment of carbonaceous fuel and/or feedstocks By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The inventive technology includes methods and apparatus for the generation and application of segregated catalytic additives for the pre-combustion treatment of carbonaceous fuel and/or feedstocks. The application of such segregated additives results in the reduction of environmentally harmful emissions during combustion as well as gasification processes. Specifically, pre-combustion treatment of carbonaceous materials with the inventive additives results in the reduction of NOx and/or mercury emissions by least 20% and 40% respectively. Full Article
en Apparatus for turbulent combustion of fly ash By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST An apparatus for processing fly ash comprising a heated refractory-lined vessel having a series of spaced angled rows of swirl-inducing nozzles which cause cyclonic and/or turbulent air flow of the fly ash when introduced in the vessel, thus increasing the residence time of airborne particles. Also disclosed is a method of fly ash beneficiation using the apparatus. Full Article
en System and method for cogeneration from mixed oil and inert solids, furnace and fuel nozzle for the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST This invention provides a system and method for efficiently and completely combusting oil in mixture with particulate solids. A furnace (kiln) having a feed nozzle with a lead screw drives the mixture from a feed hopper. This nozzle includes forced-air jets/ports at its tip providing makeup air and allowing atomization of the mixture. The nozzle thereby directs the mixture into a rotating combustion chamber that is tilted downwardly from the front toward a solid waste outlet port at the rear. Uncombusted fuel and air backflow to an upper, secondary chamber near the primary chamber front, and are completely combusted at a high temperature. Gasses exit a flue that can include a heat exchanger. This heat exchanger can be operatively connected to a heating device or other mechanism that converts the heat into usable energy. The nozzle can include a cone with axially tilted air ports about its perimeter. Full Article
en Dust coal boiler, dust coal combustion method, dust coal fuel thermal power generation system, and waste gas purification system for dust coal boiler By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A pulverized coal thermal power generation system that significantly reduces the amount of NOx emissions from a boiler and does not require a denitration unit is provided. When a denitration unit is not used, performance to remove mercury from a boiler waste gas is reduced. A waste gas purification system for a pulverized coal boiler, that compensates for this is provided. A pulverized coal boiler having a furnace for burning pulverized coal, burners for supplying pulverized coal and air used for combustion into the furnace so as to burn the pulverized coal in an insufficient air state and after-air ports provided on the downstream side of the burners for supplying air used for perfect combustion characterized in that, an air ratio in the furnace is 1.05 to 1.14, and the residence time of a combustion gas from the burner disposed on the uppermost stage to a main after-air port is 1.1 to 3.3 seconds. Preferably, water is mixed in advance with the air supplied from the after-air port so as to increase the specific heat. Furthermore, pulverized coal carrying air in the burner and a part of air used for combustion are mixed together in advance before they are jetted into the furnace.A waste gas purification system having a pulverized coal boiler, an air heater disposed downstream of the pulverized coal boiler for exchanging heat with a boiler waste gas to heat air used for combustion in the pulverized coal boiler, a dust removing unit, and a desulfurizing unit characterized in that, at least one of a halogen gas supply unit, a catalyst unit for oxidizing a mercury gas, and a mercury adsorbent blowing device is provided so as to oxidize mercury included in the waste gas. Full Article
en Adapting of an oxy-combustion plant to energy availability and to the amount of CO2 to be trapped By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A carbon fuel combustion process, employing an air gas separation unit, a combustion unit operating either with air or with an oxidizer leaner in nitrogen than air, coming from the air gas separation unit, and a unit for compressing and/or purifying the CO2 coming from the combustion flue gas, wherein the power consumed by the air gas separation unit and/or the flow of oxygen produced by the air gas separation unit and/or the capture of the CO2 coming from the combustion flue gas are variable over time is presented. Full Article
en Method and multi-component nozzle for reducing unwanted substances in a flue gas By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method is illustrated and described for reducing unwanted substances by injecting a reactant into a flue gas of a steam generator. In order that the reactant can also be used in larger steam generators and/or combustion chambers, a method is proposed, in which the reactant is injected into the combustion chamber of the steam generator via a reactant opening of a multi-component nozzle, in which an enveloping medium is injected into the combustion chamber through at least one enveloping medium opening arranged outside the reactant opening, and in which the enveloping medium at least partly envelops the reactant in the combustion chamber and in this way at least partly shields the reactant from the flue gas. Full Article
en Apparatus for treating a substance with wave energy from plasma and an electrical Arc By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for synergistically combining a plasma with a comminution means such as a fluid kinetic energy mill (jet mill), preferably in a single reactor and/or in a single process step is provided by the present invention. Within the apparatus of the invention potential energy is converted into kinetic energy and subsequently into angular momentum by means of wave energy, for comminuting, reacting and separation of feed materials. Apparatuss of use of the apparatus in the practice of various processes are also provided by the present invention. Full Article
en Oxygen enrichment of premix air-gas burners By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A premix burner arrangement for safely oxygen-enriching a premix air-fuel combustion system is disclosed. In the disclosed burner arrangement, a first conduit is arranged and disposed to provide a first gas stream. The first gas stream is a self-reactive or self-flammable premixture comprising air and a combustible gas. At least one second conduit is arranged and disposed to provide a second gas stream circumferentially around the first gas stream. The second gas stream includes oxygen. The premix burner arrangement is configured to combust or react the first stream at a temperature at least 1000° F. greater than the temperature of the second stream. A method and combustion system including the premix burner arrangement are also disclosed. Full Article
en Strain-enhanced silicon photon-to-electron conversion devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Improved silicon solar cells, silicon image sensors and like photosensitive devices are made to include strained silicon at or sufficiently near the junctions or other active regions of the devices to provide increased sensitivity to longer wavelength light. Strained silicon has a lower band gap than conventional silicon. One method of making a solar cell that contains tensile strained silicon etches a set of parallel trenches into a silicon wafer and induces tensile strain in the silicon fins between the trenches. The method may induce tensile strain in the silicon fins by filling the trenches with compressively strained silicon nitride or silicon oxide. A deposited layer of compressively strained silicon nitride adheres to the walls of the trenches and generates biaxial tensile strain in the plane of adjacent silicon fins. Full Article
en Photoelectric conversion element and solar cell By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A photoelectric conversion element comprising a substrate, a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer comprising a semiconductor and a sensitizing dye, a hole transport layer and a second electrode, wherein the hole transport layer comprises a polymer having a repeat unit represented by Formula (1) or (2), Full Article
en Optoelectronic semiconductor component By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optoelectronic semiconductor component includes a radiation emitting semiconductor chip having a radiation coupling out area. Electromagnetic radiation generated in the semiconductor chip leaves the semiconductor chip via the radiation coupling out area. A converter element is disposed downstream of the semiconductor chip at its radiation coupling out area. The converter element is configured to convert electromagnetic radiation emitted by the semiconductor chip. The converter element has a first surface facing away from the radiation coupling out area. A reflective encapsulation encapsulates the semiconductor chip and portions of the converter element at side areas in a form-fitting manner. The first surface of the converter element is free of the reflective encapsulation. Full Article
en Photoelectric conversion material, film containing the material, photoelectric conversion device, production method thereof, photosensor, imaging device and their use methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An organic compound and a photoelectric conversion device containing the organic compound are disclosed. The organic compound and device realize high photoelectric conversion efficiency, low dark current and high-speed responsivity. It has been found that when this organic compound and an n-type semiconductor are used in combination, high-speed responsivity can be realized while maintaining high heat resistance, an aspect of which has not been seen when the connection part between a donor part and an acceptor part is a phenylene group. Full Article
en Method and apparatus for thermal energy-to-electrical energy conversion By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An improved method and apparatus for thermal-to-electric conversion involving relatively hot and cold juxtaposed surfaces separated by a small vacuum gap wherein the cold surface provides an array of single charge carrier converter elements along the surface and the hot surface transfers excitation energy to the opposing cold surface across the gap through Coulomb electrostatic coupling interaction. Full Article
en Preventing harmful polarization of solar cells By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In one embodiment, harmful solar cell polarization is prevented or minimized by providing a conductive path that bleeds charge from a front side of a solar cell to the bulk of a wafer. The conductive path may include patterned holes in a dielectric passivation layer, a conductive anti-reflective coating, or layers of conductive material formed on the top or bottom surface of an anti-reflective coating, for example. Harmful solar cell polarization may also be prevented by biasing a region of a solar cell module on the front side of the solar cell. Full Article
en Support for solar energy collectors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A solar energy collection system can include support devices made with bearings formed from sheet material. These bearings can be optionally formed so as to provide tool-less connections to their associated bearing housings. The bearings can be formed with an open configuration allowing a shaft to be inserted into an open bite of the bearing. Optionally, the bearing can be made from an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene plastic material. Additionally, two open-type bearing assemblies can be mounted axially offset and opposed to one another. Full Article
en Layered compound-metal particle composite and production method therefor, and suspension, film and flexible solar cell using same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A layered compound-metal particle composite 3 is obtained by the addition, to an organically modified layered compound 1 formed by the intercalation of organic ions between layers of a layered compound, of both an aqueous colloidal metal solution 2 in which metal particles are dispersed as a metal colloid in water, and a nonaqueous solvent which is a poor solvent for the metal colloid and has an excellent ability to swell the organically modified layered compound 1. Full Article
en Light power generation device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT [Problem] To provide a photovoltaic device capable of generating power whether day or night, without affecting the appearance of a structure or reducing lighting or other functions, and able to inhibit rises in room temperature by converting thermal radiation into electrical energy. [Means to Solve Problems] Provide a photoelectric conversion element 3 with a photovoltaic device 1 on structural members 2a-2d facing the outside of a house or other structure. Power generated by the photoelectric conversion element 3 is extracted via a power extraction unit 4. The power conversion element 3 includes a semiconductor layer 11, conductive layer 20, a metal nanostructure 30 having multiple periodic structures 33, a first electrode 41 and a second electrode 42. The first and second electrodes 41, 42 are separated in the direction of the surface of the photoelectric conversion element 1 with the terminals 71, 81 of the power extraction unit 4 respectively connected. Full Article
en Dye-sensitized solar cell By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a dye-sensitized solar cell which enhances an area of a photo electrode by arranging metal wires on a surface of a transparent substrate or a transparent conductive layer without degrading a transparency of the solar cell, allowing the metal wires to act as a collector electrode exclusively or together with a metal electrode. Full Article
en Forming graded index lens in an all atmospheric pressure printing process to form photovoltaic panels By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A PV panel uses an array of small silicon sphere diodes (10-300 microns in diameter) connected in parallel. The spheres are embedded in an uncured aluminum-containing layer, and the aluminum-containing layer is heated to anneal the aluminum-containing layer as well as p-dope the bottom surface of the spheres. A phosphorus-containing layer is deposited over the spheres to dope the top surface n-type, forming a pn junction. The phosphorus layer is then removed. A conductor is deposited to contact the top surface. Alternatively, the spheres are deposited with a p-type core and an n-type outer shell. After deposition, the top surface is etched to expose the core. A first conductor layer contacts the bottom surface, and a second conductor layer contacts the exposed core. A liquid lens material is deposited over the rounded top surface of the spheres and cured to provide conformal lenses designed to increase the PV panel efficiency. Full Article
en Separate connection device for grounding electrical equipment comprising a plurality of separate electrical components By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A separate connection device (40) intended to be inserted between a metal frame (3), of an electrical component (1), and a metal supporting structure (20) in order to connect, electrically and separately, the frame to the supporting structure. The connection device (40) comprises a metal blade manufactured from spring steel which comprises two self-connecting end areas (45, 46) arranged in separate planes and comprising a set of sharp teeth (47) arranged in order to be embedded within the metal material and formed on a folded section of the metal blade so that the sets of teeth (37, 47) extend in opposite directions and in planes intended to intersect the planes of the frame (3) and of the supporting structure (20) when the connection device is mounted. Full Article
en Gel-type polymer electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cell and dye-sensitized solar cell comprising the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure relates to gel-type polymer electrolyte for a dye-sensitized solar cell, a dye-sensitized solar cell comprising the gel-type polymer electrolyte, and a method for manufacturing the dye-sensitized solar cell. Full Article
en Photoelectric conversion material containing fullerene derivative By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a photoelectric conversion material comprising a fullerene derivative represented by the formula C60(R1)5(R2), wherein each R1 independently represents an organic group having a substituent; and R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30 hydrocarbon group. Further, the present invention also provides a photoelectric conversion device having a self-assembled monomolecular film of the photoelectric conversion material, and a solar cell having the photoelectric conversion device. Full Article
en Temperature grading for band gap engineering of photovoltaic devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for fabricating a photovoltaic device includes depositing a p-type layer at a first temperature and depositing an intrinsic layer while gradually increasing a deposition temperature to a final temperature. The intrinsic layer deposition is completed at the final temperature. An n-type layer is formed on the intrinsic layer. Full Article