Patents by Inventor E. Wayne Osborne

E. Wayne Osborne 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: 9587993
    Abstract: Embodiments of a probe assembly for a fluid bed reactor are disclosed. The probe assembly includes a fluid bed reactor (FBR) member, and a pressure tap comprising a wall defining a passageway within which the FBR member is located. Exemplary FBR members include, but are not limited to, a thermocouple, a seed pipe, a particle sampling line, a gas sampling line, a gas feed line, a heater, a second pressure tap, or a combination thereof. Disclosed embodiments of the probe assembly reduce or eliminate the need for support rods and rings within the fluid bed reactor, reduce component fouling within the reactor, and/or reduce product contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: REC Silicon Inc
    Inventors: Matthew Miller, Michael V. Spangler, Barry Wemp, E. Wayne Osborne
  • Patent number: 9238211
    Abstract: Segmented silicon carbide liners for use in a fluidized bed reactor for production of polysilicon-coated granulate material are disclosed, as well as methods of making and using the segmented silicon carbide liners. Non-contaminating bonding materials for joining silicon carbide segments also are disclosed. One or more of the silicon carbide segments may be constructed of reaction-bonded silicon carbide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: REC Silicon Inc
    Inventors: E. Wayne Osborne, Matthew J. Miller, Michael V. Spangler, Gerald A. Zeininger, William J. Onstot, Walter J. Stupin
  • Patent number: 9023425
    Abstract: Fluidized bed reactor systems for producing high purity silicon-coated particles are disclosed. A vessel has an outer wall, an insulation layer inwardly of the outer wall, at least one heater positioned inwardly of the insulation layer, a removable concentric liner inwardly of the heater, a central inlet nozzle, a plurality of fluidization nozzles, at least one cooling gas nozzle, and at least one product outlet. The system may include a removable concentric sleeve inwardly of the liner. In particular systems the central inlet nozzle is configured to produce a primary gas vertical plume centrally in the reactor chamber to minimize silicon deposition on reactor surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: REC Silicon Inc
    Inventors: E. Wayne Osborne, Michael V. Spangler, Levi C. Allen, Robert J. Geertsen, Paul E. Ege, Walter J. Stupin, Gerald Zeininger
  • Publication number: 20140252024
    Abstract: Embodiments of an outlet tube assembly for use with a dispensing vessel are disclosed. The dispensing vessel has a side wall defining a chamber; the side wall has an upper portion and has a lower portion that tapers downwardly to an outlet. The outlet tube assembly facilitates accurate measurement of a particulate material level within the dispensing vessel and/or reduces contamination of the particulate material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: E. Wayne Osborne, Matthew J. Miller, Michael V. Spangler
  • Publication number: 20140123896
    Abstract: Embodiments of a probe assembly for a fluid bed reactor are disclosed. The probe assembly includes a fluid bed reactor (FBR) member, and a pressure tap comprising a wall defining a passageway within which the FBR member is located. Exemplary FBR members include, but are not limited to, a thermocouple, a seed pipe, a particle sampling line, a gas sampling line, a gas feed line, a heater, a second pressure tap, or a combination thereof. Disclosed embodiments of the probe assembly reduce or eliminate the need for support rods and rings within the fluid bed reactor, reduce component fouling within the reactor, and/or reduce product contamination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: REC SILICON INC
    Inventors: Matthew Miller, Michael V. Spangler, Barry Wemp, E. Wayne Osborne
  • Publication number: 20120263874
    Abstract: Fluidized bed reactor systems for producing high purity silicon-coated particles are disclosed. A vessel has an outer wall, an insulation layer inwardly of the outer wall, at least one heater positioned inwardly of the insulation layer, a removable concentric liner inwardly of the heater, a central inlet nozzle, a plurality of fluidization nozzles, at least one cooling gas nozzle, and at least one product outlet. The system may include a removable concentric sleeve inwardly of the liner. In particular systems the central inlet nozzle is configured to produce a primary gas vertical plume centrally in the reactor chamber to minimize silicon deposition on reactor surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: E. Wayne Osborne, Michael V. Spangler, Levic C. Allen, Robert J. Geertsen, Paul E. Ege, Walter J. Stupin, Gerald Zeininger
  • Patent number: 8075692
    Abstract: Fluidized bed reactor systems for producing high purity silicon-coated particles are disclosed. A vessel has an outer wall, an insulation layer inwardly of the outer wall, at least one heater positioned inwardly of the insulation layer, a removable concentric liner inwardly of the heater, a central inlet nozzle, a plurality of fluidization nozzles, at least one cooling gas nozzle, and at least one product outlet. The system may include a removable concentric sleeve inwardly of the liner. In particular systems the central inlet nozzle is configured to produce a primary gas vertical plume centrally in the reactor chamber to minimize silicon deposition on reactor surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Rec Silicon Inc
    Inventors: E. Wayne Osborne, Michael V. Spangler, Levi C. Allen, Robert J. Geertsen, Paul E. Ege, Walter J. Stupin, Gerald Zeininger
  • Publication number: 20110117729
    Abstract: Fluidized bed reactor systems for producing high purity silicon-coated particles are disclosed. A vessel has an outer wall, an insulation layer inwardly of the outer wall, at least one heater positioned inwardly of the insulation layer, a removable concentric liner inwardly of the heater, a central inlet nozzle, a plurality of fluidization nozzles, at least one cooling gas nozzle, and at least one product outlet. The system may include a removable concentric sleeve inwardly of the liner. In particular systems the central inlet nozzle is configured to produce a primary gas vertical plume centrally in the reactor chamber to minimize silicon deposition on reactor surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: E. Wayne Osborne, Michael V. Spangler, Levi C. Allen, Robert J. Geertsen, Paul E. Ege, Walter J. Stupin, Gerald Zeininger