on Powdered fuel conversion systems and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The burner preferably exclusively burns substantially explosible solid fuels and preferably has instant ON-OFF thermostat control, wastes no energy preheating the enclosure or external air supply, achieves stable combustion the moment the powder-air mix is ignited in our burner, is used in the upward vertical mode except for oil burner retrofits, burns a solid fuel in a single-phase regime as if it were a vaporized liquid or gas, is designed to complete combustion within the burner housing itself rather than in a large, high temperature furnace enclosure which it feeds, has an ultra-short residence time requirement, is a recycle consuming burner with self-contained management of initially unburned particles, is much smaller, simpler and lower cost, has a wider dynamic range/turndown ratio, is more efficient in combustion completeness and thermal efficiency, and operates with air-fuel mix approximately at the flame speed. Full Article
on Method and apparatus for gasification of organic waste in batches By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 22 Sep 2015 08:00:00 EDT A gasification reactor for processing organic waste in batches comprises a primary gasification reactor (62) that includes a primary gasification chamber (18) and a surrounding combustion chamber (19), a secondary gasification chamber (21), a synthesis gas decontamination unit (42) and a combustible gas selector (41). The waste is loaded into the primary gasification chamber through a latched opening and heated from the combustion of a fuel in the combustion chamber (19) to convert the waste to a synthesis gas. The gasification chamber (18) has an intake (20) for introducing pre-heated process air (1) therein. The combustion chamber operates either with a conventional fuel (9) or with the produced synthesis gas (6). The secondary gasification chamber (21) thermally treats the synthesis gas (2) to eliminate tars. The decontamination unit (42) scrubs the synthesis gas of contaminants including particulates and acid gases. The clean synthesis gas (6) is directed to the combustible gas selector (41) which selectively feeds either the combustible fluid (9) or the synthesis gas (6) to the burner (40). Full Article
on 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
on Photovoltaic device with back side contacts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and apparatus for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells are provided. A photovoltaic (PV) device generally includes a window layer; an absorber layer disposed below the window layer such that electrons are generated when photons travel through the window layer and are absorbed by the absorber layer; and a plurality of contacts for external connection coupled to the absorber layer, such that all of the contacts for external connection are disposed below the absorber layer and do not block any of the photons from reaching the absorber layer through the window layer. Locating all the contacts on the back side of the PV device avoids solar shadows caused by front side contacts, typically found in conventional solar cells. Therefore, PV devices described herein with back side contacts may allow for increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. Full Article
on Method for connecting solar cells By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of connecting two solar cells is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises gripping an interconnect with a head of positioning device, heating the interconnect with the head of the positioning device to between two predetermined temperatures, where one is higher than the other, positioning the interconnect so as to overlay two adjacent solar cells, coupling the interconnect to each of the two adjacent solar cells, and releasing the interconnect from the head. Full Article
on Semiconductor device, in particular solar cell By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor device, in particular a solar cell, comprises a semiconductor substrate having a semiconductor substrate surface and a passivation composed of at least one passivation layer which surface-passivates the semiconductor substrate surface, wherein the passivation layer comprises a compound composed of aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride or aluminum oxynitride and at least one further element. Full Article
on Solar-cell-integrated gas production device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a solar-cell-integrated gas production device that can generate a first gas and a second gas by utilizing an electromotive force of a solar cell, and that can supply power to an external circuit by utilizing the same solar cell. The solar-cell-integrated gas production device according to the present invention comprises: a photoelectric conversion part having a light acceptance surface and its back surface; a first electrolysis electrode provided on the back surface of the photoelectric conversion part so as to be capable of being immersed into an electrolytic solution; a second electrolysis electrode provided on the back surface of the photoelectric conversion part so as to be capable of being immersed into the electrolytic solution; and a changeover part, wherein the first electrolysis electrode and the second electrolysis electrode are provided to be capable of electrolyzing the electrolytic solution to generate a first gas and a second gas by utilizing an electromotive force generated by irradiating the photoelectric conversion part with light, and the changeover part makes a changeover between a circuit that outputs the electromotive force, generated by irradiating the photoelectric conversion part outputs the electromotive force, generated by irradiating the photoelectric conversion part with light, to the first electrolysis electrode and the second electrolysis electrode. Full Article
on Tellurium inorganic reaction systems for conductive thick film paste for solar cell contacts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This disclosure relates to electroconductive paste formulations useful in solar panel technology. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to an inorganic reaction system for use in electroconductive paste compositions, wherein the inorganic reaction system comprises a lead containing matrix composition and a tellurium containing matrix composition. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to an electroconductive paste composition comprising a conductive metal component, an inorganic reaction system and an organic vehicle. Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a solar cell produced by applying an electroconductive paste composition of the invention to a silicon wafer. Yet another aspect relates to a solar cell module assembled using solar cells produced by applying an electroconductive paste composition to a silicon wafer, wherein the electroconductive paste composition comprises an conductive metal component, an inorganic reaction system and an organic vehicle. Full Article
on 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
on Heteroaromatic semiconducting polymers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present teachings relate to new semiconducting polymers. The polymers disclosed herein can exhibit high carrier mobility and/or efficient light absorption/emission characteristics, and can possess certain processing advantages such as solution-processability and/or good stability at ambient conditions. Full Article
on Methods of forming a metal telluride material, related methods of forming a semiconductor device structure, and related semiconductor device structures By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Accordingly, a method of forming a metal chalcogenide material may comprise introducing at least one metal precursor and at least one chalcogen precursor into a chamber comprising a substrate, the at least one metal precursor comprising an amine or imine compound of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, a post-transition metal, or a metalloid, and the at least one chalcogen precursor comprising a hydride, alkyl, or aryl compound of sulfur, selenium, or tellurium. The at least one metal precursor and the at least one chalcogen precursor may be reacted to form a metal chalcogenide material over the substrate. A method of forming a metal telluride material, a method of forming a semiconductor device structure, and a semiconductor device structure are also described. Full Article
on 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
on Resin composition, multi-layered film and photovoltaic module including the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A resin composition, a multi-layered film, a backsheet for photovoltaic modules, a method thereof, and a photovoltaic module are provided. The multi-layered film including a coating layer including a fluorine-based polymer has an excellent durability and weather resistance, and also exhibits high interfacial adhesive strength to a substrate since the multi-layered film is formed by coating a cured product of the resin composition including the fluorine-based polymer, an acrylic polymer including a thermosetting functional group, and a heat-curing agent on the substrate. In addition, drying can be performed at a low temperature during the manufacture of the multi-layered film so that the manufacturing costs can be decreased, productivity can be increased, and the deterioration of the product due to heat modification, heat shock, and the like, can be prevented. The multi-layered film can be effectively used as a backsheet for various photovoltaic modules. Full Article
on Semiconducting compounds and devices incorporating same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are molecular and polymeric compounds having desirable properties as semiconducting materials. Such compounds can exhibit desirable electronic properties and possess processing advantages including solution-processability and/or good stability. Full Article
on Photovoltaic cell containing novel photoactive polymer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Novel photoactive polymers, as well as related photovoltaic cells, articles, systems, and methods, are disclosed. Full Article
on 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
on 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
on 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
on 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
on 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
on Back electrode type solar cell, back electrode type solar cell with interconnection sheet, solar cell module, method of manufacturing back electrode type solar cell with interconnection sheet, and method of manufacturing solar cell module By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A back electrode type solar cell in which a no-electrode-formed region where no electrode is placed is provided in a part of a peripheral portion of a back surface of the back electrode type solar cell such that a line connecting end portions of a plurality of electrodes to one another includes a partially inwardly recessed region and the no-electrode-formed region is located adjacent to each of an electrode for n-type and an electrode for p-type adjacent to each other, a solar cell module, a method of manufacturing a back electrode type solar cell with interconnection sheet, and a method of manufacturing a solar cell module are provided. Full Article
on 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
on Light collecting and emitting apparatus, method, and applications By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A light guide apparatus includes a light guide layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a transversely oriented side-end surface that forms an output aperture of the light guide, characterized by an index of refraction, n1, and further characterized by a length dimension in an intended light propagation direction towards the output aperture, where the intended light propagation direction is a z-axis direction of a Cartesian coordinate system; and a plurality of light injection elements disposed in the form of at least one linear strip in at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the light guide layer, wherein some of the plurality of light injection elements are disposed on one lateral side of the strip and some other of the plurality of light injection elements are disposed on an opposing lateral side of the strip at a rotation angle Δz about the y-axis. Full Article
on 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
on Conductive paste and electronic device, and solar cell including an electrode formed using the conductive paste By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A conductive paste may include a conductive component and an organic vehicle. The conductive component may include an amorphous metal. The amorphous metal may have a lower resistivity after a crystallization process than before the crystallization process, and at least one of a weight gain of about 4 mg/cm2 or less and a thickness increase of about 30 μm or less after being heated in a process furnace at a firing temperature. Full Article
on Conductive paste and electronic device and solar cell including an electrode formed using the conductive paste By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to example embodiments, a conductive paste includes a conductive component that contains a conductive powder and a titanium (Ti)-based metallic glass. The titanium-based metallic glass has a supercooled liquid region of about 5K or more, a resistivity after crystallization that is less than a resistivity before crystallization by about 50% or more, and a weight increase by about 0.5 mg/cm2 or less after being heated in a process furnace at a firing temperature. According to example embodiments, an electronic device and a solar cell may include at least one electrode formed using the conductive paste according to example embodiments. Full Article
on Formation of metal nanospheres and microspheres By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Hemispheres and spheres are formed and employed for a plurality of applications. Hemispheres are employed to form a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface includes peaks of pillars which have a base attached to the lower surface. The peaks have a density defined at the upper surface by an array of hemispherical metal structures that act as a mask during an etch to remove substrate material down to the lower surface during formation of the pillars. The pillars are dense and uniform and include a microscale average diameter. The spheres are formed as independent metal spheres or nanoparticles for other applications. Full Article
on Light-guide solar panel and method of fabrication thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention is that of a solar energy system that uses a light-guide solar panel (LGSP) to trap light inside a dielectric or other transparent panel and propagates the light to one of the panel edges for harvesting by a solar energy collector such as a photovoltaic cell. This allows for very thin modules whose thickness is comparable to the height of the solar energy collector. This eliminates eliminating the depth requirements inherent in traditional concentrated photovoltaic solar energy systems. A light guide solar panel has a deflecting layer, a light guide layer and a solar cell in optical communication with the light guide layer. The deflecting layer receives light at a first surface and inputs the light into the light guide layer. The light guide layer propagates the light to the solar cell, which is aligned generally parallel to the input surface. Full Article
on Controlling drive settings in a press By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT In one embodiment, a method for controlling drive settings in a press for printing on a web of media. A drive is provided to receive the web from an upstream location and to transport the received web downstream of the drive at a controllable speed. The speed of the drive is sampled plural times while operating the drive in a tension control mode that varies the speed to maintain a desired tension in the web adjacent the drive. An optimal speed of the drive is calculated from the sampled speeds. The drive is operated in a constant velocity mode at the optimal speed during printing. Full Article
on Conveying device and printer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A conveying device includes a first feeder that rotatably supports a roll sheet and feeds the roll sheet to a conveying path, a second feeder that feeds a cut sheet to the conveying path, and a controller that determines whether a sheet fed to the conveying path is the roll sheet or the cut sheet based on the relationship between movement of the sheet fed to the conveying path and rotation of the roll sheet. Full Article
on Decurling method and apparatus, and film production method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT A continuous multi-layer film includes a support layer having a first film surface, and a hard coat layer, formed on the support layer, having a second film surface, and having a curling tendency in an inward direction. In the decurling method, the multi-layer film is transported. A first transition of the support layer in the multi-layer film being transported into a rubber phase is induced by supplying fluid vapor on the support layer. After supplying the fluid vapor, a second transition of the support layer from the rubber phase into a glass phase is induced. The multi-layer film is transported while a portion of the support layer in the rubber phase is prevented from contacting a solid object. The hard coat layer is formed from a polymer produced from an ultraviolet curable compound, and the support layer is formed from cellulose acylate. Full Article
on Method for controlling at least one machining device which is coupled to a machine tool by means of an encoder signal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A method is disclosed for controlling at least one machining device which is coupled to a machine tool by means of an encoder signal, the machine tool having at least one motion control device. In order to improve the accuracy of the encoder connection, at least one additional variable which characterizes the transport is digitally transmitted from the motion control device to the at least one machining device and is used to correct the encoder signal. Full Article
on Apparatus for correcting belt-meandering for secondary battery By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST An apparatus of correcting belt-meandering for a secondary battery is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes i) upper and lower rollers configured to receive a base material therebetween, wherein the base material comprises positive and negative electrode materials and an insulating material interposed between the electrode materials and ii) a driver portion configured to rotate the upper and lower rollers such that the base material is transferred in a first direction during the rotation. The apparatus may also include i) a support portion configured to support shafts of the driver portion and the upper and lower rollers and ii) a transverse moving mechanism configured to move the support portion in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Full Article
on Method for regulating a web tension in a processing machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A method for regulating a web tension in a processing machine for processing a product web, in particular a shaftless printing press, includes separating a first product-web section from a second product-web section by a delay section. The web tensions in the first and second product-web sections are influenced by first and second actuators, respectively. To regulate the web tension in the first product-web section, the method further includes defining a regulation output value from which an actuating command for the first actuator is derived. An actuating command for the second actuator is defined from the regulation output value and a delay element to decouple the web tension in the second product-web section from the regulation of the web tension in the first product-web section. The delay element delays the effect of the regulation output value on the actuating command for the second actuator by a delay time. Full Article
on ***WITHDRAWN PATENT AS PER THE LATEST USPTO WITHDRAWN LIST***Tape feeder and method of mounting tape onto tape feeder By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A tape feeder includes a guide part that guides a carrier tape and is detachably attached to a main body. The guide part includes: a lower member guiding the carrier tape and attached to and detached from the main body; an upper member pressing down the carrier tape from above; a tape introduction part guiding the carrier tape into the upper member at an upstream side thereof in a tape feed direction; a confirmation opening part disposed in the upper member for visually confirming that the carrier tape arrives at a pin engagement range; an open/close mechanism opening and closing the upper member with respect to the lower member; and a positioning mechanism fitting a positioning pin into a feed hole of the carrier tape in the guide part, thereby positioning the carrier tape relative to the guide part in the tape feed direction. Full Article
on Web handling system and vacuum roller for use in conjunction therewith By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A vacuum roller for a web handling system comprises a hollow, cylindrical, rotably driven drum and an end cap threadingly mounted onto the rear end of the drum. Together, the drum and the end cap define a plurality of individual, externally communicable vacuum paths. A spherical, metal movable element is internally disposed within each vacuum path and regulates the passage of air therethrough. A plurality of magnetic elements is fixedly mounted on a stationary annular holder. In use, each magnetic element selectively displaces each movable element when disposed in close proximity thereto to the extent necessary so as to permit the passage of air through its corresponding vacuum path. As such, the vacuum roller is provided with a predefined range of suction, or vacuum zone, about the outer surface of its rotating drum that directly corresponds to the angular arrangement of the plurality of stationary magnetic elements. Full Article
on Automatically-adjusting web media tensioning mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST An automatically-adjusting tensioning mechanism for use in a roll-fed web media transport system, the tensioning mechanism adding tension to the web media, comprising a bracket assembly being adapted to freely pivot around a pivot axis, and first and second tensioning shoe having curved surfaces attached to the bracket assembly. The web media feeds through the tensioning mechanism in an S-shaped media path where the web media is wrapped around the first and second tensioning shoes. The pivot angle of the bracket assembly automatically adjusts in response to differences in a coefficient of friction between the web media and the tensioning shoes such that the tension in the web media has a reduced level of variability relative to configurations where the bracket assembly is held in a fixed position. Full Article
on Web conveying apparatus and web conveying control method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A web conveying apparatus that conveys a web, includes: a transverse position displacement detection unit that detects a transverse position displacement of the web; a transverse position correction unit that corrects a transverse position of the web by a guide roller; width detection units that detect a width size in a left-right direction of the web; and a control unit that controls the transverse position correction unit in accordance with the transverse position displacement detected by the transverse position displacement detection unit and performs feedback control to position the web in a target position. The control unit changes a correction amount in the feedback control in accordance with the width size of the web detected by the width detection units. Full Article
on Tape feeder and method of mounting tape onto tape feeder By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A tape feeder includes a guide part that guides a carrier tape and is detachably attached to a main body. The guide part includes: a lower member guiding the carrier tape and attached to and detached from the main body; an upper member pressing down the carrier tape from above; a tape introduction part guiding the carrier tape into the upper member at an upstream side thereof in a tape feed direction; a confirmation opening part disposed in the upper member for visually confirming that the carrier tape arrives at a pin engagement range; an open/close mechanism opening and closing the upper member with respect to the lower member; and a positioning mechanism fitting a positioning pin into a feed hole of the carrier tape in the guide part, thereby positioning the carrier tape relative to the guide part in the tape feed direction. Full Article
on Multiple endless belt type band sheet coiling tension applying apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST In a multiple endless belt type band sheet coiling tension applying apparatus in which a coiling tension is applied to slit band sheets a by a frictional force generated by slippage between belt pressing surfaces 4a, 5a and internal belt surfaces 1a of endless belts 1, a friction plate 8 made of a thin metallic sheet having heat conductivity equal to or better than that of the belt pressing units 4a, 5a is detachably installed on a front surface of each of the belt pressing units 4a, 5a. Full Article
on Film transport apparatus and film transport control method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A film transport apparatus includes: an edge sensor that detects a lateral position deviation of a film; a lateral position correction device that corrects a lateral position of the film with a guide roll; a tension sensor that detects tensions applied respectively near left and right ends of the film; and a control unit that executes feedback control such that the lateral position correction device is controlled on the basis of the lateral position deviation detected by the edge sensor so that the film is located at a target position. The control unit changes the feedback control based on a left and right tension difference, which is a difference between the tension applied near the left end of the film and the tension applied near the right end of the film, the tensions being detected by the tension sensor. Full Article
on Method of setting web tensioning By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of setting web tensioning in a processing machine for processing a material web, in particular in a shaftless printing machine, wherein, for the purpose of setting the web tensioning in a first web-tensioning portion, which is bounded upstream by a first clamping location and downstream by a second clamping location, the first clamping location is given a control command, and at least one clamping location which is located upstream of the first clamping location, as seen over the course of the web tensioning, and at least one clamping location which is located downstream of the second clamping location, as seen over the course of the web tensioning, are precontrolled in dependence on the first control command, where the second clamping location is not adjusted. Full Article
on Packaging machine with dynamic chain tension By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a packaging machine, in particular a thermoformer, traysealer, comprising at least two transport chains for transporting a web of material, such as a film or the like. The packaging machine is characterized in that sensor means are provided for detecting the chain length and/or the chain pitch and/or the chain tension of the transport chains, means being provided for stretching and/or relaxing at least one individual transport chain, and control means being provided for adapting different lengths or chain pitches of two transport chains by stretching and/or relaxing at least one transport chain in a controlled manner. Full Article
on Tape feeder and method of mounting tape on tape feeder By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT In the separation of a cover tape 15e from a carrier tape 15 performed by a cover tape separating mechanism 50, a cover tape 15e, which is separated from a base tape 15a by a separating blade edge 51f, comes into contact with a concave conical surface 52c, so that one side portion of a cover tape 15e is bent toward the other side portion; and the bent cover tape 15e is pressed against a guide surface 32s from below while the carrier tape 15 is guided to a pick-up position. Accordingly, the cover tape 15e is folded on the base tape 15a in a flat shape. Full Article
on Sheet conveyance apparatus and recording apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a conveyance roller pair that has a roller with a uniform diameter in a sheet width direction and that is configured to pinch and convey a sheet, and a guide unit that is provided on an upstream side of the conveyance roller pair and that is configured to regulate a position of an edge of the sheet, wherein the conveyance roller pair conveys the sheet in a state in which the sheet is bended by the guide unit so that on a roller side with a uniform diameter in a sheet width direction, the sheet convexly bends. Full Article
on Method for web tension setting By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method is disclosed for web tension setting in a processing machine for processing a material web, in particular a shaftless printing press. In order to set the web tension in a first web tension section with a length L which is delimited upstream by a first clamping point and downstream by a second clamping point, the first clamping point is loaded with a first manipulated variable which is produced using a first element with a first transfer function G1(s) (G3), and the second clamping point is loaded with a second manipulated variable which is produced using a second element with a second transfer function G2(s) (G4), wherein c1G1(s)=−c2G2(s). Thus, it is possible to keep the speed constant even during the regulation at a fixed or variable point x within the web tension section, wherein x=|c1/(c1+c2)|L lies behind the first clamping point. Full Article
on Device and method for supplying continuous strips to a transversal cutting station of the strips By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The device (100) is destined to receive flanked continuous strips (1, 2) from an arrival line (L), and feed them towards a transversal cutting station (SR). The device (100) comprises: a basin (3), associated to a terminal part of the arrival line (L), destined to enable formation, in each of the strips (1, 2) of a free loop (A1, A2) in a downwards direction; deviator organs (4), at a 45° angle, provided downstream of the basin (3), destined to guide the strips (1, 2) such as to orientate them perpendicularly to the arrival direction, horizontally centered and correctly staggered in height such as to enter the transversal cutting station (SR). Full Article
on Method and device for controlling tension applied to a media web By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a web printer, tension on the moving web is controlled by monitoring the tension on the web between two rollers and selectively operating an actuator driving the second roller to restore the tension to an acceptable range. The operation of the actuator includes modulating the speed at which the second roller is driven. Full Article
on Variable frequency ratiometric multiphase pulse width modulation generation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST Groups of phase shifted Pulse Width Modulation signals are generated that maintain their duty-cycle and phase relationships as a function of the period of the PWM signal frequency. The multiphase PWM signals are generated in a ratio-metric fashion so as to greatly simplify and reduce the computational workload for a processor used in a PWM system. The groups of phase shifted PWM signals may also be synchronized with and automatically scaled to match external synchronization signals. Full Article
on Double-point modulator with accurate and fast gain calibration By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A phase-locked loop double-point modulator may include a frequency divider having a ratio which can be changed by a first modulation signal, and an oscillator, a frequency of which can be changed by a second modulation signal correlated to the first modulation signal. A calibration circuit may be configured, in a calibration mode, to match the gains of the first and second modulation signals based on frequency measurements of the oscillator for two different calibration values of the second modulation signal. The phase-locked double-point modulator may also include an attenuator having a constant ratio greater than 1 and placed in the path of the second modulation signal, and a selector switch configured to be controlled by the calibration circuit to reduce the ratio of the attenuator in the calibration mode. Full Article