The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 14, 2015
Filed:
Apr. 10, 2013
Imec, Leuven, BE;
Universiteit Gent, Ghent, BE;
Jan Doutreloigne, Deinze, BE;
Pieter Bauwens, Ghent, BE;
IMEC, Leuven, BE;
Universiteit Gent, Gent, BE;
Abstract
Described herein is a low-voltage unidirectional bypass element connected across a solar cell and operable to allow current to flow when the operation of the solar cell is suspended. The bypass element includes a single field effect transistor connected between first and second terminals as a switch, and a detection circuit for detecting suspension of the solar cell's operation and activating the switch to bypass the solar cell in the event of its operation suspension. Diodes are connected in parallel with the normally-open switch and receive current, when the solar cell's operation is suspended, to trigger operation of the detection circuit. The detection circuit includes a charge pump, a timer circuit, a control generation unit and a switch control circuit. The switch control circuit generates a control signal to close the switch and to allow current to bypass the solar cell.