Suncore Photovoltaics Incorporated

Universal Display Corporation

Emcore Solar Power, Inc.

Igor Kozin

James Sherman

William E Quinn

Gregory McGraw

Gregg Kottas

Matthew King

Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide a device having a print head that includes a micronozzle array of depositors to deposit a material on a substrate. A reflective optical device may reflect a signal output by at least one optical sensor, and to reflect the signal from a surface of the substrate to the optical sensor. A processor may determine a distance between the optical sensor and the target surface of the substrate. The device may include one or more actuators coupled to the at least one print head to move the print head relative to an internal reference frame and adjust a position of the print head to the substrate. The sensor may be fixedly coupled with a mount to the internal reference frame. The print head may be configured to move independently of the optical sensor in at least one axis of linear or rotational motion.

Height measurement and control in confined spaces for vapor deposition system

An automated method to monitor performance of a terrestrial solar cell array tracking the sun. The solar cell system includes drive means that adjust a position of the array along different respective axes with respect to the sun using the drive means. The techniques include predicting the position of the sun during a time period, and sampling an output parameter of the array indicative of performance. The sampled data may be used to identify a fault in the solar cell array, for example a misalignment or a failure of one or more solar cells, in which case a notification of that fault may be generated for the operator or a control signal may be output for correcting the fault. Alternatively, an output signal may be sent to an external system associated with the solar cell system. Various alignment testing routines for checking the solar tracking are described. These routines may involve moving a solar cell array to a reference position at the start of, or during, an alignment routine in order to improve accuracy of position measurement during the routine.

Solar cell system

An alignment device for aligning solar cell modules of a solar tracking photovoltaic array relative to the sun. The alignment device may be mounted on at least one planar solar cell module so that an axis of the device is substantially perpendicular to the planar surface of the module. The device may include a convex lens at one end for focusing incoming rays of the sun into a focused beam, and a planar photodetector at a second end positioned so that the focused beam aligns on a predetermined point of the photodetector when the modules are correctly aligned. The instrument may also include a plurality of leads attached to the photodetector to provide a signal indicative of an angular misalignment of the at least one module.

Alignment device for use with a solar tracking photovoltaic array

Techniques for monitoring solar array performance and applications thereof

An automated method causes a terrestrial solar cell array to track the sun. The solar cell system may include motors that adjust a position of the array along different respective axes with respect to the sun. An alignment analysis procedure, e.g., a find sun routine, is performed to ensure that the solar cell system is properly aligned with the sun during solar tracking. This procedure may sweep the solar cell system along determined paths (e.g., azimuth and elevation paths) while measuring an output parameter indicative of system performance. The measured data is analyzed to determine if the solar cell system is in misalignment in which case the solar cell system is moved into proper alignment. The alignment procedure may be implemented on a periodic basis or using triggers, and may be automatically executed or manually executed.

Growing community of inventors

Princeton, NJ, United States of America

Igor Kozin