Patents by Inventor Eric A. Hudson

Eric A. Hudson 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: 20180286707
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for etching a feature in a substrate are provided. The feature may be etched in dielectric material, which may or may not be provided in a stack of materials. The substrate may be etched using cryogenic temperatures and particular classes of reactants. In various examples, the substrate may be etched at a temperature of about ?20° C. or lower, using a mixture of reactants that includes at least one reactant that is an iodine-containing fluorocarbon, an iodine-containing fluoride, a bromine-containing fluorocarbon, a sulfur-containing reactant, or one of another select set of reactants. In various embodiments, the combination of low processing temperature with particular reactants results in very effective bow control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Eric A. Hudson, Francis Sloan Roberts
  • Publication number: 20180266262
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a seal configured to interface with at least a first component and a second component of a gas turbine engine. A method for forming the seal includes obtaining an ingot of a fine grained, or a coarse grained, or a columnar grained or a single crystal material from a precipitation hardened nickel base superalloy containing at least 40% by volume of the precipitate of the form Ni3(Al, X), where X is a metallic or refractory element, and processing the ingot to generate a sheet of the material, where the sheet has a thickness within a range of 0.010 inches and 0.050 inches inclusive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Alan D. Cetel, Dilip M. Shah, Eric A. Hudson, Raymond Surace
  • Publication number: 20180202306
    Abstract: A section of a gas turbine engine includes a rotor blade designed to rotate about an axis. The section also includes a case positioned radially outward from the rotor blade and extending circumferentially about the axis. The section also includes a control ring being annular, positioned radially inward from the case and designed to move radially relative to the case. The section also includes a segmented blade outer air seal (BOAS) including a plurality of BOAS segments each being positioned radially outward from the rotor blade, movably coupled to the control ring, and designed to move circumferentially relative to each other such that a circumferential gap between each of the plurality of BOAS segments changes in size in response to a temperature change in the section of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Eric A. Hudson, Michael G. McCaffrey, Stanley J. Funk, Scott D. Virkler
  • Patent number: 10012099
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a seal configured to interface with at least a first component and a second component of a gas turbine engine. A method for forming the seal includes obtaining an ingot of a fine grained, or a coarse grained, or a columnar grained or a single crystal material from a precipitation hardened nickel base superalloy containing at least 40% by volume of the precipitate of the form Ni3(Al, X), where X is a metallic or refractory element, and processing the ingot to generate a sheet of the material, where the sheet has a thickness within a range of 0.010 inches and 0.050 inches inclusive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alan D. Cetel, Dilip M. Shah, Eric A. Hudson, Raymond Surace
  • Publication number: 20180174858
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein relate to methods, apparatus and systems for forming a recessed feature in dielectric material on a semiconductor substrate. Separate etching and deposition operations are employed in a cyclic manner. Each etching operation partially etches the feature. Each deposition operation forms a protective coating on the sidewalls of the feature to prevent lateral etch of the dielectric material during the etching operations. The protective coating may be deposited using methods that result in formation of the protective coating along substantially the entire length of the sidewalls. The protective coating may be deposited using particular reactants and/or reaction mechanisms that result in substantially complete sidewall coating at relatively low temperatures without the use of plasma. In some cases the protective coating is deposited using molecular layer deposition techniques. In certain implementations the protective coating is fluorinated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: Eric A. Hudson
  • Publication number: 20180161851
    Abstract: A core assembly for a casting system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a core that includes a body and at least one hole formed through the body and a spacer that extends through the at least one hole. The spacer includes a stud portion and a chaplet portion configured to abut a surface of the body that circumscribes the at least one hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, James T. Auxier, Eric A. Hudson
  • Patent number: 9997372
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein relate to methods, apparatus and systems for forming a recessed feature in dielectric material on a semiconductor substrate. Separate etching and deposition operations are employed in a cyclic manner. Each etching operation partially etches the feature. Each deposition operation forms a protective coating on the sidewalls of the feature to prevent lateral etch of the dielectric material during the etching operations. The protective coating may be deposited using methods that result in formation of the protective coating along substantially the entire length of the sidewalls. The protective coating may be deposited using particular reactants having low sticking coefficients in some embodiments. The protective coating may also be deposited using particular reaction mechanisms that result in substantially complete sidewall coating. In some cases the protective coating is deposited using plasma assisted atomic layer deposition or plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Scott Briggs, Eric A. Hudson
  • Patent number: 9997373
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein relate to methods, apparatus and systems for forming a recessed feature in dielectric material on a semiconductor substrate. Separate etching and deposition operations are employed in a cyclic manner. Each etching operation partially etches the feature. Each deposition operation forms a protective coating on the sidewalls of the feature to prevent lateral etch of the dielectric material during the etching operations. The protective coating may be deposited using methods that result in formation of the protective coating along substantially the entire length of the sidewalls. The protective coating may be deposited using particular reactants having low sticking coefficients in some embodiments. The protective coating may also be deposited using particular reaction mechanisms that result in substantially complete sidewall coating. In some cases the protective coating is deposited using plasma assisted atomic layer deposition or plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: Eric A. Hudson
  • Publication number: 20180135438
    Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil section that defines an airfoil profile. The airfoil section includes a distinct panel that forms a portion of the airfoil profile. The panel has a geometrically segmented coating section. The geometrically segmented coating section includes a wall that has an outer side. The outer side includes an array of cells, and there is a coating disposed in the array of cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Eric A. Hudson, Raymond Surace
  • Publication number: 20180135441
    Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil body that has a geometrically segmented coating section. The geometrically segmented coating section includes a wall having an outer side. The outer side has an array of cells, and there is a coating disposed in the array of cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventor: Eric A. Hudson
  • Publication number: 20180135458
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine component includes a passage and a wall adjacent the passage. The wall includes a first side bordering the passage and a second side opposite the first side. The second side includes an array of cells. The wall also includes an array of channels. Each of the channels is located proximate a corresponding one of the cells. A coating is disposed over the cells. When the coating degrades the channels open to permit impingement air flow through the channel onto sidewalls of the cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Eric A. Hudson, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley
  • Publication number: 20180128115
    Abstract: An airfoil includes leading and trailing edges; first and second sides extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge, each side having an exterior surface; a core passage located between the first and second sides and the leading and trailing edges; and a wall structure located between the core passage and the exterior surface of the first side. The wall structure includes a plurality of cooling fluid inlets communicating with the core passage for receiving cooling fluid from the core passage, a plurality of cooling fluid outlets on the exterior surface of the first side for expelling cooling fluid and forming a cooling film along the exterior surface of the first side, and a plurality of cooling passages communicating with the plurality of cooling fluid inlets and the plurality of cooling fluid outlets. At least a portion of one cooling passage extends between adjacent cooling fluid outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Eric A. Hudson, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, San Quach, Matthew A. Devore
  • Publication number: 20180099362
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an airfoil. The method includes fixing the airfoil in a workpiece space, detecting a position of the airfoil in the workpiece space using a force-sensing element, and removing material from the airfoil to reduce a dimension of the airfoil. In various embodiments, detecting the position of the airfoil includes moving the force-sensing element across a surface of the airfoil. For example, the surface of the airfoil may be a first surface, wherein removing material from the airfoil to reduce the dimension of the airfoil comprises removing material from a second surface of the airfoil opposite the first surface. Removing material from the second surface of the airfoil may be performed without moving the force-sensing element across the second surface of the airfoil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric A. Hudson, Alan C. Barron, Edwin Otero
  • Patent number: 9887069
    Abstract: A plasma processing system for processing at least a substrate with plasma. The plasma processing chamber is capable of controlling ion energy distribution. The plasma processing system may include a first electrode. The plasma processing system also includes a second electrode that is different from the first electrode and is configured for bearing the substrate. The plasma processing system may also include a signal source coupled with the first electrode. The signal source may provide a non-sinusoidal signal through the first electrode to control ion energy distribution at the substrate when the substrate is processed in the plasma processing system, wherein the non-sinusoidal signal is periodic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Fischer, Eric Hudson
  • Patent number: 9887097
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein relate to methods, apparatus and systems for forming a recessed feature in dielectric material on a semiconductor substrate. Separate etching and deposition operations are employed in a cyclic manner. Each etching operation partially etches the feature. Each deposition operation forms a protective coating on the sidewalls of the feature to prevent lateral etch of the dielectric material during the etching operations. The protective coating may be deposited using methods that result in formation of the protective coating along substantially the entire length of the sidewalls. The protective coating may be deposited using particular reactants and/or reaction mechanisms that result in substantially complete sidewall coating at relatively low temperatures without the use of plasma. In some cases the protective coating is deposited using molecular layer deposition techniques. In certain implementations the protective coating is fluorinated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: Eric A. Hudson
  • Patent number: 9879546
    Abstract: An airfoil includes leading and trailing edges; first and second sides extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge, each side having an exterior surface; a core passage located between the first and second sides and the leading and trailing edges; and a wall structure located between the core passage and the exterior surface of the first side. The wall structure includes a plurality of cooling fluid inlets communicating with the core passage for receiving cooling fluid from the core passage, a plurality of cooling fluid outlets on the exterior surface of the first side for expelling cooling fluid and forming a cooling film along the exterior surface of the first side, and a plurality of cooling passages communicating with the plurality of cooling fluid inlets and the plurality of cooling fluid outlets. At least a portion of one cooling passage extends between adjacent cooling fluid outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Eric A. Hudson, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, San Quach, Matthew A. Devore
  • Publication number: 20180005852
    Abstract: The disclosed techniques relate to methods and apparatus for etching a substrate. A plate assembly divides a reaction chamber into a lower and upper sub-chamber. The plate assembly includes an upper and lower plate having apertures therethrough. When the apertures in the upper and lower plates are aligned, ions and neutral species may travel through the plate assembly into the lower sub-chamber. When the apertures are not aligned, ions are prevented from passing through the assembly while neutral species are much less affected. Thus, the ratio of ion flux:neutral flux may be tuned by controlling the amount of area over which the apertures are aligned. In certain embodiments, one plate of the plate assembly is implemented as a series of concentric, independently movable injection control rings. Further, in some embodiments, the upper sub-chamber is implemented as a series of concentric plasma zones separated by walls of insulating material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Rajinder Dhindsa, Sang Ki Nam, Alexei Marakhtanov, Eric A. Hudson
  • Patent number: 9803559
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of this disclosure relates to a system including an airfoil having a static portion, a moveable portion, and a seal between the static portion and the moveable portion. The seal is moveable separate from the static portion and the moveable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew D. Burdick, Thomas J. Praisner, Andrew S. Aggarwala, Eric A. Hudson, Michael G. McCaffrey
  • Patent number: 9793126
    Abstract: The disclosed techniques relate to methods and apparatus for etching a substrate. A plate assembly divides a reaction chamber into a lower and upper sub-chamber. The plate assembly includes an upper and lower plate having apertures therethrough. When the apertures in the upper and lower plates are aligned, ions and neutral species may travel through the plate assembly into the lower sub-chamber. When the apertures are not aligned, ions are prevented from passing through the assembly while neutral species are much less affected. Thus, the ratio of ion flux:neutral flux may be tuned by controlling the amount of area over which the apertures are aligned. In certain embodiments, one plate of the plate assembly is implemented as a series of concentric, independently movable injection control rings. Further, in some embodiments, the upper sub-chamber is implemented as a series of concentric plasma zones separated by walls of insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Rajinder Dhindsa, Sang Ki Nam, Alexei Marakhtanov, Eric A. Hudson
  • Publication number: 20170292398
    Abstract: Thermal lifting members for blade outer air seal supports of gas turbine engines include a hollow body defining a thermal cavity therein, at least one inlet fluid connector fluidly connected to the thermal cavity configured to supply hot fluid to the thermal cavity from a fluid source, at least one outlet fluid connector fluidly connected to the thermal cavity configured to allow the hot fluid to exit the thermal cavity, and at least one lifting hook configured to engage with a blade outer air seal support, wherein the thermal lifting member is configured to thermally expand outward when hot fluid is passed through the thermal cavity such that during thermal expansion the at least one lifting hook forces the blade outer air seal support to move outward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: David J. Wasserman, Scott D. Virkler, Eric A. Hudson, Ryan W. Brandt