Patents Examined by Gentle E. Winter
  • Patent number: 6805988
    Abstract: A more compact humidifying apparatus for a fuel cell can be implemented. In the present invention, hydrogen humidifying modules 30A and 30B are disposed so as to be separated vertically on the front surface side of the humidifying unit 20, the air humidifying modules 30C and 30D are disposed separated vertically on the back side surface thereof, and the air humidifying modules 30E is disposed at the center, surrounded by the humidifying modules 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D. The axis direction of all of the humidifying modules 30A to 30E are disposed so as to be parallel to each other, only the hydrogen humidifying module 30A is disposed so that its position is shifted to the left (the longitudinal direction) of the axial direction of the other humidifying modules 30A to 30E, and the air off gas discharge pipes 43 of the air humidifying modules 30C to 30E are disposed in the space formed by this shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shimanuki, Kouji Katano, Yoshio Kusano, Toshikatsu Katagiri
  • Patent number: 6800214
    Abstract: A method for correcting characteristics of an attenuated phase-shift mask having an attenuated layer including (a) storing a data in a memory, which shows a correlation between characteristics and process conditions, (b) measuring the characteristics of the attenuated phase-shift mask, (c) calculating a appropriate process condition from the result of the step (b) and the data stored in the memory; and (d) soaking the attenuated phase-shift mask into a liquid solution for a certain time-that is calculated in the step (c) to change thickness and composition of the attenuated layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Takushima
  • Patent number: 6797072
    Abstract: A process for restoring magnetic recording tape damaged by “Sticky Shed” syndrome cleans magnetic tapes of the Backcoating which is causing their eventual degradation and destruction. The Backcoating is first removed in a multi-step process. A liquid cleaner, such as isopropyl alcohol, is applied to the Backcoating to dissolve it from and clean it off the Mylar Base. Before the liquid cleaner is applied, steps are taken to prevent the cleaner fluid from getting onto the Oxide side of the tape. The chemical cleaning is done as quickly as possible. The second step is to dry clean the Base surface of the tape to remove the remaining solvent and the debris of any remaining Backcoating. Then, the Oxide side of the tape is given a dry, non-chemical cleaning to remove the residue of contamination of the Backcoating which was deposited on the Oxide side of the tape as the result of physical contact with the Backcoating from the storage on the reel of tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Charles A. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6797857
    Abstract: A solidifier for a liquid, the solidifier comprising a mixture of absorbents having different apparent densities whereby at least one absorbent is negatively buoyant and at least one absorbent is positively buoyant relative to the liquid sought to be solidified. Packaging for the solidifier is disclosed for effecting selective dispersal of the solidifier within the liquid sought to be solidified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: DeRoyal Industries
    Inventor: Benito L. Tanhehco
  • Patent number: 6793736
    Abstract: A method for providing a high flux of point of use activated reactive species for semiconductor processing wherein a workpiece is exposed to a gaseous atmosphere containing a transmission gas that is substantially nonattenuating to preselected wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. A laminar flow of a gaseous constituent is also provided over a substantially planar surface of the workpiece wherein a beam of the electromagnetic radiation is directed into the gaseous atmosphere such that it converges in the laminar flow to provide maximum beam energy in close proximity to the surface of the workpiece, but spaced a finite distance therefrom. The gaseous constituent is dissociated by the beam producing an activated reactive species that reacts with the surface of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Trung T. Doan
  • Patent number: 6792956
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for cleaning a liquid-containing vessel. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device (1), suitable for cleaning liquid-containing vessels (such as bathtubs or swimming pools), equipped with an energy storage means and a self-tracking means and/or a filter, wherein said device (1) is capable of floating and actively moving in said vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Katia Bredo, Alejandro Cedeno, Nicolas Rémy Denis Pochart, Michela Ratti, Joris Jozef Gustaaf Tack
  • Patent number: 6794077
    Abstract: A proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell includes fuel and oxidant flow field plates (26, 40) having fuel and oxidant channels (27, 28; 41, 44), and water channels, the ends (29, 48) of which that are adjacent to the corresponding reactant gas inlet manifold (34, 42) are dead ended, the other ends (31, 50) draining excess water into the corresponding reactant gas exhaust manifold (36, 45). Flow restrictors (39, 47) maintain reactant gas pressure above exit manifold pressure, and may comprise interdigitated channels (65, 66; 76, 78). Solid reactant gas flow field plates have small holes (85, 88) between reactant gas channels (27, 28; 41) and water drain channels (29, 30; 49, 50). In one embodiment, the fuel cells of a stack may be separated by either coolant plates (51) or solid plates (55) or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: UTC Fuel Cells, LLC
    Inventors: Jung S. Yi, Deliang Yang, Richard D. Breault, Albert P. Grasso, Glenn W. Scheffler
  • Patent number: 6793739
    Abstract: A cleaning method for removing solid deposits of the oxides of nitrogen, especially dinitrogen pentoxide, from ozone generator tubes and dielectrics is described. The method circulates warm dry gas in the tube section of the generator, warm water in the shell section or both to clean the ozone generator. The oxides are evaporated and evacuated from the system. The method substantially reduces or eliminates the formation of nitric acid on the tubes and dielectrics when the generator is exposed to humidity upon being opened to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Air Liquide Canada
    Inventors: François Roche, J. W. G. Michel Epiney, Robert J. Price, Christopher T. Sutton, Gregory E Casey
  • Patent number: 6789554
    Abstract: Toner xerographically adhered to a material, such as a sheet of paper, may be removed using a solvent-based or solventless approach. The application of ultrasonic tamping, scraping and brushing may aid in removing toner particles. In a solvent-based approach, a solvent may be applied generally or the solvent may be targeted specifically to the toner covered portions of the material to loosen the adhesive securement of the toner to the material. Thereafter, the toner is subjected to a mechanical abrasion using ultrasonic and physical agitation to cause flaking of the toner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: David H. Koizumi
  • Patent number: 6790375
    Abstract: A glass workpiece being processed in a vacuum plasma processing chamber is dechucked from a monopolar electrostatic chuck by gradually reducing the chucking voltage during processing while maintaining the voltage high enough to clamp the workpiece. A reverse polarity voltage applied to the chuck at the end of processing assists in dechucking. The workpiece temperature is maintained at a high value at the end of processing to assisting in dechucking. Peak current flowing through the chuck during lifting of the workpiece from the chuck controls the amplitude and/or duration of the reverse polarity voltage during the next dechucking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur M. Howald, John P. Holland
  • Patent number: 6783599
    Abstract: Contaminants are removed from a surface of a substrate by applying a fluid to the surface; lowering the temperature of the fluid to form a solid layer of the fluid and entrap contaminants therein; and applying energy to the layer and/or substrate to cause the layer containing the contaminants to separate from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn W. Gale, Frederick W. Kern, Jr., William Alfred Syverson
  • Patent number: 6779535
    Abstract: A cleaning device for a paint brush comprises a hollow nozzle attached to a source of pressurized cleaning solution such as water, solvent, liquefied hot soap or alike. The distal tip of the nozzle is equipped with a poppet valve such that the body of the valve protrudes from the distal tip. The proximal section of the nozzle is adapted to be attached to a source of cleaning solution, that in the most basic configuration being a common tap water valve. When the water valve is opened, the brush is moved towards the nozzle. Upon engaging with the heel or bristles of the brush, the poppet valve moves inwards and opens the flow of water towards the center of the brush allowing washing out any remaining wet and dissolved paint. In another embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device includes a hollow handle attached to a source of pressurized cleaning solution and equipped with one or more nozzles each having a poppet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: Henry Drukarov
  • Patent number: 6776171
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for removing contaminate particulate matter from substrate surfaces such as semiconductor wafers. The method and apparatus use a material, preferably a liquid curable polymer, which is applied as a sacrificial coating to the surface of a substrate containing contaminate particulate matter thereon. An energy source is used to dislodge the contaminate particulate matter from the surface of the wafer into the sacrificial coating so that the particles are partially or fully encapsulated and suspended in the sacrificial coating. The sacrificial coating is then removed. The coating is preferably formed into a film to facilitate removal of the coating by pulling (stripping) the film providing a cleaner substrate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nicole S. Carpenter, Joseph R. Drennan, Alison K. Easton, Casey J. Grant, Andrew S. Hoadley, Kenneth F. McAvey, Jr., Joel M. Sharrow, William A. Syverson, Kenneth H. Yao
  • Patent number: 6773838
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte battery is provided, which exhibits good high-rate discharge characteristics and low-temperature characteristics and ensures high safety when the negative electrode contains 0.6 to 1.7 parts by weight of a particulate modified styrene-butadiene rubber as a binder and 0.7 to 1.2 parts by weight of a thickening agent so that the total amount of the binder and thickening agent is 1.3 to 2.4 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of a carbon material as an active material, and the concentration of LiPF6 in the non-aqueous electrolyte is 0.6 to 1.05 mole/liter. The surface area of the active material effectively contributable to charging and discharging reaction is sufficient when the surface area of the carbon material per 1 g of the binder contained in the negative electrode is 300 to 600 m2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Suzuki, Kazunori Kubota, Motoi Kawamura, Akira Kuroda, Masao Fukunaga, Tsumoru Ohata
  • Patent number: 6761775
    Abstract: The present invention relates to anaerobic curing impregnation sealant compositions which are readily separable from water upon mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Henkel Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick F. Newberth, III, Charles M. Muisener, Stephen W. Ernst
  • Patent number: 6761997
    Abstract: A positive electrode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes at least a lithium-containing manganese layered composite oxide represented by the formula Li1-xAxMnO2, or the formula Li1-xAxMn1-yMyO2. The lithium-containing manganese composite oxide includes a lithium substitute metal A, such as Na, K, Ag, substituting for part of Li. The lithium substitution quantity x may be in the range of 0.03<x≦0.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Seimi Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Munakata, Tatsuhiro Fukuzawa, Yasuhiko Ohsawa, Yuuji Tanjo, Takuya Mihara, Takashi Kimura, Kazuo Sunahara, Manabu Suhara
  • Patent number: 6758913
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cleaning a container having an amount of anhydrous ammonia contained therein. The container is first inspected thoroughly for leaks. Heated nitrogen gas is then fed into the container. The heated nitrogen gas may be transported from a nitrogen storage tank to the container via at least one pipe. Liquid nitrogen may be fed into a vaporizer for vaporizing the nitrogen. The liquid nitrogen gas may then be heated via a heater, such as a steamer, to expand the nitrogen gas and ensure that no liquid nitrogen enters the container. The heated nitrogen gas may vaporize any liquid anhydrous ammonia contained therein. Further, the heated nitrogen gas may transport the anhydrous ammonia to a flare for incineration. The heated nitrogen gas may be added any number of times to reduce the concentration of the anhydrous ammonia therein to a desired level. The container may then be steam cleaned and opened to enter and thoroughly clean the inside of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph P. Tunney, Paul Buchan
  • Patent number: 6756152
    Abstract: An electrode for the alkaline storage battery includes a binding agent containing thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin. Since the thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin is non-aqueous, it is not dissolved into moisture in the air or the alkaline electrolyte within the battery. The electrode is prepared by immersing an active-material-applied or -filled electrode substrate in a solution in which the thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin is dissolved; immersing it in an emulsion of the thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin with an emulsifier; or applying or filling a slurry of the active material with an emulsion of the thermoplastic xylene-formaldehyde resin to or in the electrode substrate. The electrode retains the active material using a binding agent which has excellent adhesion to the active material and imparts high binding capacity of the active materials with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuyuki Murata, Tadashi Ise, Teruhiko Imoto, Yasuhiko Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6740436
    Abstract: A mixed hydrogen-oxygen fuel generator system uses an electrolytic solution to generate gaseous hydrogen-oxygen fuel through the electrolysis of water. This generator system includes: at least one electrolytic cell with multiple metallic plates used as an internal isolation system in which two of the plates separately connect to both the positive and negative terminal of a DC circuit. These plates are used for the electrolysis of the electrolytic solution in the cell(s) to produce, under pressure, mixed hydrogen-oxygen fuel. The apparatus also includes a cooling system containing a water cooling tank in which there are two zones: one is the electrolytic solution circulation coil and the another is a water circulation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Natural Energy Resources
    Inventors: Nai Sung Chou, Choi Shiu Sum, Chou Te-Hung, Hui Lin
  • Patent number: 6736147
    Abstract: A plasma CVD device includes a reaction chamber, a remote plasma discharge chamber that is provided remotely from the reaction chamber, and piping that links the reaction chamber and the remote plasma discharge chamber. The remote plasma discharge chamber activates cleaning gas by plasma discharge energy, and the activated cleaning gas is introduced into the inside of the reaction chamber through the piping and changes solid substances that adhere to the inside of the reaction chamber in consequence of film formation, to gaseous substances, thereby cleaning the inside of the reaction chamber. The device is characterized by at least one of the following: (a) the remote plasma discharge chamber generates active species using radio frequency oscillating output energy of a preselected frequency; (b) the piping is made of materials that are not corroded by the active species; or (c) the piping is provided with a through-flow type valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: ASM Japan K.K.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Satoh, Kazuo Sato, Hideaki Fududa