Richmond, Calif. - Heliodyne Corporation has entered into an agreement whereby Alanod-Solar Inc. (Ennepetal, Germany) will become the sublicensee of Heliodyne’s rights to use a patent owned by Sandia Corporation for the laser welding of metal fins to metal tubes. The financial terms of the agreement are confidential. Heliodyne uses the technology in the manufacturing of collectors for solar hot water systems. Alanod-Solar Inc. manufactures components for solar collectors, and is also a parts supplier to other solar collector manufacturers.
Heliodyne is currently the sole and exclusive licensee of Sandia’s laser welding patent, U.S. Patent No. 6,300,591. Under the terms of its license with Sandia, Heliodyne may enter into sublicenses with other companies in the industry. However, because the laser welding technology is patented, competitors may not use the technology without a valid sublicense from Heliodyne.
Ole Pilgaard, Heliodyne’s president, is “excited that Alanod-Solar Inc. is participating in our sublicensing program, as this arrangement will certainly benefit both companies.” Pilgaard described the arrangement with Alanod-Solar Inc. as an “umbrella” sublicense agreement, meaning that other manufacturers may partner with Alanod-Solar Inc. and be protected under the Alanod-Solar Inc. sublicense agreement. Alternatively, Heliodyne could offer sublicenses directly to a manufacturer. According to Pilgaard, Heliodyne is currently in negotiations with several other companies seeking the same or similar rights to those in the Alanod-Solar Inc. agreement.
About Heliodyne
Heliodyne (www.heliodyne.com), established in 1976 has acquired a solid reputation for engineering and manufacturing quality solar water heating equipment for both residential and commercial applications. With offices and manufacturing facilities in Richmond, California, the company manufactures and assembles a variety of solar water heating products including the Gobi line of solar flat plate collectors and the Helio-Pak heat transfer appliances.
Heliodyne is the North American branch of SolarCAP, the active parent company of the VKR Group’s thermal solar energy business area, a holding based in Europe. VKR Holding is owned by the Kann Rasmussen family and the foundation Villum Kann Rasmussan Fonden.
About Alanod-Solar Inc.
Alanod-Solar, Inc (www.alanod.de) is a division of Alanod Aluminum Veredlung, a thirty-year leader in surface solutions based in Ennepetal, Germany. Alanod-Solar leverages the world’s most advanced development labs and production lines to create superior reflective and absorptive surface solutions. The company’s long history of excellence and reliability set it apart in the industry, with the performance of its products leading to higher efficiency, better durability, and an overall lower cost of systems for solar technologies.