Patents Examined by Timothy H. Meeks
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Patent number: 7935381Abstract: One embodiment disclosed includes a product comprising: a fuel cell component comprising a substrate and a first coating overlying the substrate, the coating comprising a compound comprising at least one Si—O group, at least one polar group and at least one group including a saturated or unsaturated carbon chain.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2006Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Gerhard Winter, Gayatri Vyas, Thomas A. Trabold, Reena L. Datta
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Patent number: 7935185Abstract: A clean gas circulates to pass through a loading area provided below a vertical heat treatment furnace. The clean gas unidirectionally flows through the loading area. After completion of wafer processing, a wafer boat lowers from the heat treatment furnace to the loading area, where the wafers are removed from the wafer boat. Subsequently, a clean gas jetting nozzle arranged in the loading area jets a clean gas toward the emptied wafer boat. Fragment of thin film which may readily peel off are blown away from the wafer boat, and are discharged out of the loading area together with the unidirectional flow. Thus, it is possible to avoid wafer contamination due to the unexpected peel-off of thin film fragments from the wafer boat.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2005Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Shinji Miyazaki, Hiroki Fukushima
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Patent number: 7935380Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing an electrode for an electric double layer capacitor, which yields the electrode with an electrode layer having a higher density by calendering treatment. A method of producing an electrode for a capacitor, which comprises at least a current collector and an electrode layer on the current collector, the method comprising the steps of: applying an electrode layer coating material which comprises at least a carbon material, a binder and a solvent, onto the current collector to form an electrode coating layer; drying the electrode coating layer on the current collector to set the amount of the solvent remaining in the electrode coating layer within a range of 5 to 35% by weight of the layer; and subjecting the electrode coating layer after the drying to calendering treatment to yield an electrode layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Kiyonori Hinoki, Kazuo Katai, Yousuke Miyaki, Hideki Tanaka
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Patent number: 7935379Abstract: The present invention relates generally to coated medical devices, preferably a stent, that has a drug-eluting surface completely or partially coated with a coating that is imprinted with an impression. In particular, the invention is directed to a coated medical device having a coating that comprises biologically active materials, polymers, or a combination thereof. The coating is imprinted with an impression by printing, molding, lithography, or embossing techniques. Preferably, the patterning imprinted on the coating is capable of releasing biologically active materials in different amounts, at different rates, and/or at different time periods. The invention also relates to methods of making and methods of using the coated medical device.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Rajesh Radhakrishnan, Chandru Chandrasekaran
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Patent number: 7931945Abstract: The present invention provides a particle measuring system which is provided in a processing system 40 which generates an atmosphere obtained by exhausting air or a gas in a processing chamber 48 by a vacuum pump 98 and applies a process concerning semiconductor manufacture to a wafer W in the atmosphere, attached to an exhaust pipe 90 which connects an exhaust opening 86 of the processing chamber 48 with the vacuum pump 98, and measures the number of the particles in the exhaust gas, and a measuring method thereof, the system and method providing a processing system and a cleaning method which terminate etching process by determining an end point based on the number of the particles in the exhaust gas and perform cleaning of unnecessary films.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2007Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Hayashi Otsuki, Tsukasa Matsuda, Kyoko Ikeda
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Patent number: 7931937Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a film on a substrate includes introducing a material and a carrier gas into a heated chamber. The material may be a semiconductor material, such as a cadmium chalcogenide. A resulting mixture of vapor and carrier gas containing no unvaporized material is provided. The mixture of vapor and carrier gas are remixed to achieve a uniform vapor/carrier gas composition, which is directed toward a surface of a substrate, such as a glass substrate, where the vapor is deposited as a uniform film.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2006Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: First Solar, Inc.Inventors: Ricky Charles Powell, Andrew Kelly Gray, Todd Alden Coleman
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Patent number: 7931933Abstract: Solder paste application, inspection and correction. Following or during application of solder paste on a substrate, the result thereof is inspected and any detected errors are registered. Following an evaluation as to whether correction of these errors is required and if it would be worthwhile, the errors are corrected. The correction involves removing solder paste from locations where so required, and jetting of additional solder paste to locations where so required.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2006Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Mydata Automation ABInventors: William Holm, Nils Jacobsson
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Patent number: 7931932Abstract: A medical device with a therapeutic agent-releasing polymer coating. The medical device is provided by a method that comprises: (a) attaching at least one reactive species to a medical device surface, which reactive species leads to chain growth polymerization in the presence of monomer; (b) contacting the reactive species with at least one monomer species, thereby forming a polymer coating on the surface of the medical device; and (c) providing at least one therapeutic agent within the polymer coating. The therapeutic agent may be incorporated during formation of the polymer coating or after formation of the polymer coating. The at least one reactive species can comprise, for example, a free radical species, a carbanion species, a carbocation species, a Ziegler-Natta polymerization complex, a metallocene complex, and/or an atom transfer radical polymerization initiator.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2008Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Herrmann, Frederick H. Strickler, Wendy Naimark, Peter L. Dayton
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Patent number: 7931936Abstract: It is an object to provide an optical transparent member capable of maintaining a high-performance antireflection effect for a base over a long period of time, and an optical system using the same, specifically an optical transparent member including on a base a layer containing SiO2 as a main component, a layer containing Al2O3 as a main component, and a plate crystal layer formed from plate crystals containing Al2O3 as a main component, wherein the surface of the plate crystal layer has a shape of irregularities, and an optical system using the same.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2008Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka Prefecture UniversityInventors: Masayuki Yamada, Yoshinori Kotani, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Takeharu Okuno, Tsutomu Minami, Masahiro Tatsumisago, Kiyoharu Tadanaga
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Patent number: 7931931Abstract: A porous prosthesis for delivering a medication to the site of implantation, and a method of making the same, is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2007Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.Inventor: John Y. Yan
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Patent number: 7931935Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing a membrane electrode assembly which has high and stable catalytic activity, and suppressed deterioration in catalytic activity during operation, and can prevent a deterioration in performance attributable to a structural factor of the membrane electrode assembly. The process comprises the step of, after the washing/removing step, drying the catalyst electrode in an atmosphere having a lower oxygen partial pressure than the air. The anode/cathode is a covered catalyst electrode having a structure formed by supporting/depositing a catalytically active material composed mainly of platinum/ruthenium subjected to the potential holding step, the washing/removing step, and the drying step, on a porous electroconductive carrier to cover at least a part of the porous electroconductive carrier with the ion conductive material.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2008Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Masaaki Yamamoto, Wu Mei, Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Taishi Fukazawa, Itsuko Mizutani, Yoshihiko Nakano
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Patent number: 7931941Abstract: A process is described for the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles by chemical reduction of metal salts in the presence of organic ligands capable of binding to the metal particle surfaces and stabilizing them against agglomeration. The resultant nanoparticles or dispersions of the particles can be sintered into highly conductive films or traces at temperatures as low as 80° C. in 10 minutes or less.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2005Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: PCHEM Associates, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Mastropietro, Gregory A. Jablonski
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Patent number: 7927667Abstract: This invention generally relates to a spray apparatus and a method useful in the repair of coating adhered to can ends used in the food and beverage packaging industries. The spray apparatus has one or more elongated shafts rotatably coupled to a frame. One or more bearing members are rotatably coupled to the shafts. One or more plates are rotatably coupled to the bearing members. One or more spray guns are coupled to the plates. The spray guns of the spray apparatus are structured to apply fluid to the can end with a solid stream emitted from the spray guns in a circular pattern. A method for the repair of coating adhered on a can end is provided as well.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2009Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLCInventors: Craig Allan McEldowney, Dennis Cornelius Stammen
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Patent number: 7927660Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nano-crystalline silicon dot layer is provided. A silicon layer is formed over a substrate. The silicon layer includes crystalline silicon region and amorphous silicon region. An oxidation process is performed to oxidize the amorphous silicon region and the surfaces of the crystalline silicon region to form a silicon oxide layer containing nano-crystalline silicon dots.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2006Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chi-Pin Lu
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Patent number: 7927659Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a film on a substrate includes introducing a material and a carrier gas into a heated chamber. The material may be a semiconductor material, such as a cadmium chalcogenide. A resulting mixture of vapor and carrier gas containing no unvaporized material is provided. The mixture of vapor and carrier gas are remixed to achieve a uniform vapor/carrier gas composition, which is directed toward a surface of a substrate, such as a glass substrate, where the vapor is deposited as a uniform film.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2006Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: First Solar, Inc.Inventors: Ricky Charles Powell, Andrew Kelly Gray, Todd Alden Coleman
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Patent number: 7927654Abstract: The invention relates to methods of manufacturing display devices which include the steps of depositing a layer of a dielectric material directly on a substantially transparent substrate, depositing a layer of metal directly on top of the dielectric material, forming a plurality of apertures in the layer of metal, forming a control matrix on top of the metal layer, and forming a plurality of light-modulating shutter assemblies on top of and in electrical communication with the control matrix such that the control matrix controls the light modulation functionality of the plurality of shutter assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2007Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.Inventors: Nesbitt W. Hagood, Jasper Lodewyk Steyn, Roger W. Barton, John J. Fijol, Jignesh Gandhi
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Patent number: 7927666Abstract: The invention is directed to carbon nanostructure composite systems which may be useful for various applications, including as dry adhesives, electronics and display technologies, or in a wide variety of other areas where organized nanostructures may be formed and integrated into a flexible substrate. The present invention provides systems and methods wherein organized nanotube structures or other nanostructures are embedded within polymers or other flexible materials to provide a flexible skin-like material, with the properties and characteristics of the nanotubes or other nanostructures exploited for use in various applications. In one aspect, the invention is directed to a carbon nanotube/polymer composite material having a plurality of carbon nanotubes formed into a predetermined architecture, with each of the plurality of nanotubes having a desired width and length.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2006Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignees: The University of Akron, Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteInventors: Pulickel M. Ajayan, Ali Dhinojwala
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Patent number: 7927656Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the thickness of a coating deposited on internal passages of a component. The coating is a diffusion coating, preferably a diffusion aluminide coating, deposited by a vapor phase process that entails placing a component within a coating chamber so that first and second conduits fluidically communicate with first and second openings in the component. The component is heated within the coating chamber, at least one reactive vapor is generated within the coating chamber, and a carrier gas is delivered through the first conduit to force the reactive vapor to enter the internal passages through the first opening in the component and exit through the second opening. Flow of the carrier gas is then reversed so that the carrier gas is then delivered through the second conduit to force the reactive vapor to enter the internal passages through the second opening and exit through the first opening.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Thomas Edward Mantkowski
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Patent number: 7927652Abstract: A method for manufacturing a field emission electron source, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a substrate, a carbon nanotubes slurry, and a conductive slurry; applying a conductive slurry layer onto the substrate; applying a layer of carbon nanotubes slurry onto the conductive slurry layer; and solidifying the substrate under a temperature of 300 to 600 degrees centigrade so as to form the field emission electron source.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2007Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yang Wei, Lin Xiao, Feng Zhu, Jie Tang, Liang Liu, Shou-Shan Fan
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Patent number: RE42349Abstract: A wafer treating method for making adhesive dies is provided. A liquid adhesive with two-stage property is coated on a surface of a wafer. Then, the wafer is pre-cured to make the liquid adhesive transform a thermo-bonding adhesive film having B-stage property which has a glass transition temperature not less than 40° C. for handling without adhesive under room temperature. After positioning the wafer, the wafer is singulated to form a plurality of dies with adhesive for die-to-die stacking, die-to-substrate or die-to-leadframe attaching.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2006Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignees: ChipMOS Technologies (Bermuda), ChipMOS Technologies Inc.Inventors: Chun-Hung Lin, Jesse Huang, Kuang-Hui Chen, Shih-Wen Chou