Patents by Inventor Donald J Milligan

Donald J Milligan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20130019678
    Abstract: A micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) device includes a proof mass and a frame. The proof mass is to movably travel within the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Dennis M. Lazaroff, Rodney L. Alley, Brian D. Horneijer, John L. Williams, Donald J. Milligan
  • Patent number: 8084285
    Abstract: A method of forming a micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS), includes (1) removing material from a first wafer to define a first movable portion corresponding to an x-y accelerometer and a second movable portion corresponding to a z accelerometer, where each movable portion comprises at least one flexure member and at least one proof mass, each proof mass and flexure member being formed by the selective removal of material from a top side and a bottom side of first wafer; (2) bonding the first wafer to a second wafer comprising an electronic circuit, such that a gap is defined between the first wafer and the second wafer. The thickness of the at least one flexure member of the first movable portion is independent of a thickness of the at least one flexure member of the second movable portion and a thickness of the proof mass of the first movable portion is independent of a thickness of the at least one proof mass of the second movable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Sriram Ramamoorthi, Donald J. Milligan
  • Publication number: 20110059566
    Abstract: A method of forming a micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS), includes (1) removing material from a first wafer to define a first movable portion corresponding to an x-y accelerometer and a second movable portion corresponding to a z accelerometer, where each movable portion comprises at least one flexure member and at least one proof mass, each proof mass and flexure member being formed by the selective removal of material from a top side and a bottom side of first wafer; (2) bonding the first wafer to a second wafer comprising an electronic circuit, such that a gap is defined between the first wafer and the second wafer. The thickness of the at least one flexure member of the first movable portion is independent of a thickness of the at least one flexure member of the second movable portion and a thickness of the proof mass of the first movable portion is independent of a thickness of the at least one proof mass of the second movable portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Sriram Ramamoorthi, Donald J. Milligan
  • Patent number: 7851876
    Abstract: Embodiments of a micro electro mechanical system are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Sriram Ramamoorthi, Donald J. Milligan
  • Patent number: 7541219
    Abstract: A mass storage device includes a probe that has a cantilever having a first end region operatively connected to a substrate and a second end region rotated in a direction such that the second end region is opposed to the first end region. A tip is disposed on the second end region, with the tip pointing in a direction opposed to the first end region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Milligan, Kenneth J. Abbott, John Paul Harmon
  • Publication number: 20080096301
    Abstract: Embodiments of a micro electro mechanical system are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Sriram Ramamoorthi, Donald J. Milligan
  • Patent number: 7151883
    Abstract: A photonic crystal device is fabricated by a method comprising steps of providing a substrate, providing a photonic crystal on the substrate, and etching a cavity under at least the photonic crystal, the cavity having an inner wall adapted to reflect light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Chien-Hua Chen, Sriram Ramamoorthi, Donald J. Milligan
  • Patent number: 6897083
    Abstract: A micro-electromechanical actuator and related methods of use that use a pair of electrodes separated by a linkage. The linkage is biased to a neutral position wherein the electrodes are spaced apart from each other, but also allows at least one electrode to move toward the other electrode when an appropriate force, such as voltage from the power source, is applied to the electrodes. The linkage is sized and shaped to allow the electrodes to move together when a defined threshold voltage is applied by the power source, thereby allowing the micro-elecromechanical actuator to function as a manufacturing quality testing device or a micromechanical actuator in other applications. The actuator may be fabricated simultaneously with other micromechanical and micro-electromechanical components on the same substrate using conventional semi-conductor and micro-machining manufacturing equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Donald J. Milligan
  • Patent number: 6882019
    Abstract: A movable system, such as a computer storage device, having a frame, a mover configured to move relative to the frame, and a mechanical suspension operatively coupled between the frame and mover. The mechanical suspension is configured to permit planar movement of the mover while substantially preventing out-of-plane movement, and includes a first flexure configured to flex in response to movement of the mover in a first direction relative to the frame, and a second flexure configured to flex in response to relative movement occurring in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert G Walmsley, Donald J Milligan
  • Patent number: 6866790
    Abstract: A method of forming a fluid ejecting device such as an ink jet printing device that includes forming a plurality of fluid drop generators on a first surface of a silicon substrate, forming a partial fluid feed slot in the silicon substrate by deep reactive ion etching, and forming a fluid feed slot by wet etching the partial fluid feed slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Donald J Milligan, Timothy L. Weber
  • Patent number: 6805432
    Abstract: A method of forming a fluid ejecting device such as an ink jet printing device that includes forming a plurality of fluid drop generators on a first surface of a silicon substrate, forming a partial fluid feed slot in the silicon substrate by deep reactive ion etching, and forming a fluid feed slot by wet etching the partial fluid feed slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Donald J Milligan, Timothy L. Weber
  • Patent number: 6764605
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a fluid ejection device comprises a substrate having a fluid slot defined from a first surface through to a second opposite surface; an ejection element formed over the first surface and that ejects fluid therefrom; and a filter having feed holes positioned over the fluid slot near the first surface. Fluid moves from the second surface through the feed holes to the ejection element. In a particular embodiment, the filter is formed of a first material that is surrounded by a second material. In another particular embodiment, the filter is formed from the back side and is formed of the same material as the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeremy Donaldson, Naoto A. Kawamura, Daniel A. Kearl, Donald J. Milligan, J. Daniel Smith, Martha A. Truninger, Diane Lai, Norman L. Johnson, William Edwards, Sadiq Bengali, Timothy R. Emery
  • Publication number: 20030222430
    Abstract: A movable system, such as a computer storage device, having a frame, a mover configured to move relative to the frame, and a mechanical suspension operatively coupled between the frame and mover. The mechanical suspension is configured to permit planar movement of the mover while substantially preventing out-of-plane movement, and includes a first flexure configured to flex in response to movement of the mover in a first direction relative to the frame, and a second flexure configured to flex in response to relative movement occurring in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Robert G. Walmsley, Donald J. Milligan
  • Patent number: 6648710
    Abstract: A low temperature process for silicon-based field emitter tip sharpening. A rough silicon-based field emitter tip is exposed to xenon difluoride gas in a process chamber to carry out low-temperature, isotropic etching of the rough silicon-based field emitter tip to produce a final, sharpened field emitter tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Donald J. Milligan, John Stephen Dunfield
  • Publication number: 20030209768
    Abstract: A micro-electromechanical actuator and related methods of use that use a pair of electrodes separated by a linkage. The linkage is biased to a neutral position wherein the electrodes are spaced apart from each other, but also allows at least one electrode to move toward the other electrode when an appropriate force, such as voltage from the power source, is applied to the electrodes. The linkage is sized and shaped to allow the electrodes to move together when a defined threshold voltage is applied by the power source, thereby allowing the micro-elecromechanical actuator to function as a manufacturing quality testing device or a micromechanical actuator in other applications. The actuator may be fabricated simultaneously with other micromechanical and micro-electromechanical components on the same substrate using conventional semi-conductor and micro-machining manufacturing equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Donald J. Milligan
  • Patent number: 6635940
    Abstract: A micro-electromechanical actuator and related methods of use that use a pair of electrodes separated by a linkage. The linkage is biased to a neutral position wherein the electrodes are spaced apart from each other, but also allows at least one electrode to move toward the other electrode when an appropriate force, such as voltage from the power source, is applied to the electrodes. The linkage is sized and shaped to allow the electrodes to move together when a defined threshold voltage is applied by the power source, thereby allowing the micro-electromechanical actuator to function as a manufacturing quality testing device or a micromechanical actuator in other applications. The actuator may be fabricated simultaneously with other micromechanical and micro-electromechanical components on the same substrate using conventional semi-conductor and micro-machining manufacturing equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Donald J. Milligan
  • Patent number: 6607415
    Abstract: A method for fabricating tiny field emitter tips across the surface of a substrate. A substrate is first exposed to reactive molecular, ionic, or free radical species to produce nanoclusters within a thin surface layer of the substrate. The substrate may then be thermally annealed to produce regularly sized and interspaced nanoclusters. Finally, the substrate is etched to produce the field emitter tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: John Stephen Dunfield, Donald J. Milligan, Paul H. McClelland
  • Publication number: 20030142185
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a fluid ejection device comprises a substrate having a fluid slot defined from a first surface through to a second opposite surface; an ejection element formed over the first surface and that ejects fluid therefrom; and a filter having feed holes positioned over the fluid slot near the first surface. Fluid moves from the second surface through the feed holes to the ejection element. In a particular embodiment, the filter is formed of a first material that is surrounded by a second material. In another particular embodiment, the filter is formed from the back side and is formed of the same material as the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Jeremy Donaldson, Naoto A. Kawamura, Daniel A. Kearl, Donald J. Milligan, J. Daniel Smith, Martha A. Truninger, Diane Lai, Norman L. Johnson, William Edwards, Sadiq Bengali, Timothy R. Emery
  • Patent number: 6555480
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluidic channel through a substrate includes etching an exposed section on a first surface of the substrate, and coating the etched section of the substrate. The etching and the coating are alternatingly repeated until the fluidic channel is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Donald J Milligan, Tim R Koch, Martha A Truninger, Diane W Lai, Timothy R Emery, J. Daniel Smith
  • Patent number: 6534247
    Abstract: An inkjet print cartridge comprising a printhead that is formed using a sequence of etch process steps is described. The first etch of the two etch step process is comprised of a wet chemical etch. A dry etch process follows. Both etch steps are consecutively initiated from the back of the wafer. The fabrication process described offers several advantages including precise dimensional control of the ink feed channel, greater packing density of ink ejectors disposed in the printhead and greater printing speed. Additionally, the time required to manufacture the printhead, in contrast to a conventional printhead, is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Donald J. Milligan, Chien-Hua Chen