The generation of patents enhances technology transfers and industrial competitiveness

The transfer of research activities into the market carried out by research centres is one of the key elements required to further enhance the industry’s competitiveness, guarantee innovation and increase productivity levels.

In this scenario, one of the most efficient devices used to better exploit research outcomes is linked to filing of new patents so any know-how developed by research organisations can be used industrially.

IK4-TEKNIKER, the Basque technology centre, is an active player with regard to generating new patents whose ultimate goal is to formalise knowledge produced by its in-house teams of expert.

“By filing patents, it becomes possible to acknowledge the level of excellence of any developments carried out and also allows third parties to exploit the results obtained and, consequently, increase competitiveness in terms of processes and new products”, says Rüdiger Schmidt, IK4-TEKNIKER’s business promotion director.

In 2016, the technology centre obtained six new patents from the Patents Office and applied for another twelve. More specifically, the Eibar-based organization has been involved in a number of highly significant actions in the field of energy. As regards renewables, the company applied for five of the twelve patents in 2016.

“We produce different kinds of patents. Depending on the circumstances, these patents can be owned by the customer, shared or even held individually. Whenever we are the sole owners of a patent, our aim is to set up a collaboration with other companies interested in exploiting it. This approach offers an excellent mechanism to transfer excellence in knowledge to other businesses and this improves their competitiveness”, adds Schmidt.

In recent years, IK4-TEKNIKER has been involved in work focused on developing a number of significant energy patents such as the one resulting from producing a calibration method for heliostats based on an innovative and advanced technical approach that ensures that sunrays are always reflected on a tower’s receptor or coating designs that boost solar reflector efficiency over time.

Listed hereunder are several developments related to patent applications, some of which have already been award subsequent to IK4-TEKNIKER’s actions in the field of renewables:

• “A mirror for a solar reflector and its assembly procedure”. To substantially improve the functionality of solar reflecting mirrors.
• “An ultrasonic cleaning method and device. An ultrasonic dry-cleaning system.
• “A fouling sensor and a procedure followed to establish the degree of fouling on a surface”. The system provides on-line monitoring to check how much fouling is present on solar reflector surfaces.
• “A verification device and method for reflective surfaces and a calibration method”. A solution based on optical systems, geared towards ensuring quality in terms of mirror production and verification procedures for heliostat modules when assembled.
• “Coated glass for solar reflectors”. An anti-fouling coating that enhances solar reflector efficiency over time.
• Anti-ice formation coatings used to retard ice formation on component surfaces.
• “Sealed mechanical connection between glass and metal for receiver tubes used in solar plants”. A system that delivers a solution to perform glass-metal sealing procedures on receiver tubes.
• “Solar thermal collector device”. A method that provides an innovative solar receptor solution for low and mid-range temperature applications.
• “Improved heat-transfer fluids”. A formulation of heat-transfer fluids reaching 350ºC max.
• “A light catchment device that regulates absortivity”. A system used to simultaneously regulate the interior luminosity of a building and the amount of energy captured by a thermal solar collector built into the facade.
• “A fluid monitoring system based on close infrared spectroscopy” and a “Fluid Monitoring System”. To establish the on-line condition of oils in use.

IK4-TEKNIKER is also addressing other developments related to this sector protected by industrial secret:

• A single facet heliostat. An improvement on other solutions that are currently available that reduces costs, automates serial production and facilitates mounting and fine-tuning procedures.
• Coatings associated with optical uses geared towards improving emissivity and absorptivity features in receiver tubes.
• Wind turbine monitoring algorithms.