Patents by Inventor Doreen J. Ball-DiFazio

Doreen J. Ball-DiFazio 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).

  • Patent number: 10900699
    Abstract: A refrigerant management system controls the supply of refrigerant from two or more variable speed and fixed speed compressors to a plurality of cryogenic refrigerators. The system employs a plurality of sensors to monitor and regulate the overall refrigerant supply to deliver an appropriate refrigerant supply to each of the cryogenic refrigerators. The amount of refrigerant to supply is based on an aggregate demand for refrigerant from the plurality of cryogenic refrigerators and a refrigerant correction metric. An appropriate supply of refrigerant is distributed to each cryogenic refrigerator by adjusting the speed of the variable speed compressors or, alternatively, selectively turning the compressors on or off. The speed of the variable speed compressors is adjusted by determining an amount of refrigerant to supply to the plurality of cryogenic refrigerators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Edwards Vacuum LLC
    Inventors: Oliver J. Dumas, Maureen C. Buonpane, Doreen J. Ball-DiFazio, Ronald N. Morris, Allen J. Bartlett, Leonard A. Loranger, Joseph Chopy, Jr., Robert P. Sullivan, John J. Varone, Paul E. Amundsen
  • Publication number: 20190063807
    Abstract: A refrigerant management system controls the supply of refrigerant from two or more variable speed and fixed speed compressors to a plurality of cryogenic refrigerators. The system employs a plurality of sensors to monitor and regulate the overall refrigerant supply to deliver an appropriate refrigerant supply to each of the cryogenic refrigerators. The amount of refrigerant to supply is based on an aggregate demand for refrigerant from the plurality of cryogenic refrigerators and a refrigerant correction metric. An appropriate supply of refrigerant is distributed to each cryogenic refrigerator by adjusting the speed of the variable speed compressors or, alternatively, selectively turning the compressors on or off. The speed of the variable speed compressors is adjusted by determining an amount of refrigerant to supply to the plurality of cryogenic refrigerators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Oliver J. Dumas, Maureen C. Buonpane, Doreen J. Ball-DiFazio, Ronald N. Morris, Allen J. Bartlett, Leonard A. Loranger, Joseph Chopy, JR., Robert P. Sullivan, John J. Varone, Paul E. Amundsen
  • Patent number: 10113781
    Abstract: A refrigerant management system controls the supply of refrigerant from two or more variable speed and fixed speed compressors to a plurality of cryogenic refrigerators. The system employs a plurality of sensors to monitor and regulate the overall refrigerant supply to deliver an appropriate refrigerant supply to each of the cryogenic refrigerators. The amount of refrigerant to supply is based on an aggregate demand for refrigerant from the plurality of cryogenic refrigerators and a refrigerant correction metric. An appropriate supply of refrigerant is distributed to each cryogenic refrigerator by adjusting the speed of the variable speed compressors or, alternatively, selectively turning the compressors on or off. The speed of the variable speed compressors is adjusted by determining an amount of refrigerant to supply to the plurality of cryogenic refrigerators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver J. Dumas, Maureen C. Buonpane, Doreen J. Ball-DiFazio, Ronald N. Morris, Allen J. Bartlett, Leonard A. Loranger, Joseph Chopy, Jr., Robert P. Sullivan, John J. Varone, Paul E. Amundsen
  • Patent number: 9567988
    Abstract: A cryogenic refrigerator includes a regenerative heat exchanger material in thermal contact with a working gas including a tin-antimony (Sn—Sb) alloy or a tin-gallium (Sn—Ga) alloy in at least one cooling stage. The regenerative heat exchanger material can include an Sn—Sb-M alloy, with M including at least one element selected from the group consisting of Bi, Ag, Ge, Cu, La, Mg, Mn, Nd, Ni, Pd, Pt, K, Rh, Sm, Se, S, Y, Fe, In, Al, Ce, Dy, Cd, Ti, Au, P, Pr, Yb and Zn. The cryogenic refrigerator can include a Gifford-McMahon refrigerator, a pulse tube refrigerator, or a Stirling refrigerator. A cryopump includes cryopanels adapted to condense or adsorb gases and a cryogenic refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Doreen J. Ball-DiFazio
  • Publication number: 20160069339
    Abstract: Cryopump components are improved using thin layer heating elements for temperature control or to serve as heaters. These heating elements may be located and prevent pooling during regeneration. The temperature control may also be achieved through the use of ceramic heating elements. The ceramic heating elements may also include a second function of structural support within the cryopump. Temperature control may further be achieved via the radiation shield, where the radiation shield includes a clad sheeting or coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Doreen J. Ball-DiFazio, William L. Johnson, Ronald N. Morris, Robert P. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20140130527
    Abstract: A refrigerant management system controls the supply of refrigerant from two or more variable speed and fixed speed compressors to a plurality of cryogenic refrigerators. The system employs a plurality of sensors to monitor and regulate the overall refrigerant supply to deliver an appropriate refrigerant supply to each of the cryogenic refrigerators. The amount of refrigerant to supply is based on an aggregate demand for refrigerant from the plurality of cryogenic refrigerators and a refrigerant correction metric. An appropriate supply of refrigerant is distributed to each cryogenic refrigerator by adjusting the speed of the variable speed compressors or, alternatively, selectively turning the compressors on or off. The speed of the variable speed compressors is adjusted by determining an amount of refrigerant to supply to the plurality of cryogenic refrigerators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: BROOKS AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Oliver J. Dumas, Maureen C. Buonpane, Doreen J. Ball-DiFazio, Ronald N. Morris, Allen J. Bartlett, Leonard A. Loranger, Joseph Chopy, JR., Robert P. Sullivan, John J. Varone, Paul E. Amundsen
  • Publication number: 20110162391
    Abstract: Cryopump components are improved using thin layer heating elements for temperature control or to serve as heaters. These heating elements may be located and prevent pooling during regeneration. The temperature control may also be achieved through the use of ceramic heating elements. The ceramic heating elements may also include a second function of structural support within the cryopump. Temperature control may further be achieved via the radiation shield, where the radiation shield includes a clad sheeting or coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Doreen J. Ball-DiFazio, William L. Johnson, Ronald N. Morris, Robert P. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20110126553
    Abstract: A cryogenic refrigerator includes a regenerative heat exchanger material in thermal contact with a working gas including a tin-antimony (Sn—Sb) alloy or a tin-gallium (Sn—Ga) alloy in at least one cooling stage. The re-generative heat exchanger material can include an Sn—Sb-M alloy, with M including at least one element selected from the group consisting of Bi, Ag, Ge, Cu, La, Mg, Mn, Nd, Ni, Pd, Pt, K, Rh, Sm, Se, S, Y, Fe, In, Al, Ce, Dy, Cd, Ti, Au, P, Pr, Yb and Zn. The cryogenic refrigerator can include a Gifford-McMahon refrigerator, a pulse tube refrigerator, or a Stirling refrigerator. A cryopump includes cryopanels adapted to condense or adsorb gases and a cryogenic refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: Doreen J. Ball-DiFazio
  • Patent number: 5799493
    Abstract: A cryopanel is formed of aluminum to avoid copper ions in a work chamber, and the aluminum is coated with a Teflon.RTM. polymer for corrosion resistance. A corrosion resistant thermally conductive link is obtained by surrounding indium with a polymer coated C-ring. The cryopanel is shaped as a trough to enable draining of liquid during regeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Helix Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald N. Morris, Doreen J. Ball-DiFazio, Stephen R. Matte, Ernest D. Quintanilha