Patents by Inventor Hans Signer

Hans Signer 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: 6878248
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an object in a vacuum treatment apparatus having a vacuum recipient for containing an atmosphere, includes the steps of supporting a substrate on a work piece carrier arrangement in the recipient and treating the substrate to manufacture the object in the vacuum recipient. The treating process includes generating electrical charge carriers in the atmosphere and in the recipient which are of the type that form electrically insulating material and providing at least two electroconductive surfaces in the recipient. Power, such as a DC signal, is supplied to at least one of the electroconductive surfaces so that at least one of the electroconductive surfaces receives the electrically insulating material for covering at least part of that electroconductive surface. This causes electrical isolation of that electroconductive surface which leads to arcing and damage to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventors: Hans Signer, Eduard Kügler, Klaus Wellerdieck, Helmut Rudigier, Walter Haag
  • Publication number: 20030178300
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an object in a vacuum treatment apparatus having a vacuum recipient for containing an atmosphere, includes the steps of supporting a substrate on a work piece carrier arrangement in the recipient and treating the substrate to manufacture the object in the vacuum recipient. The treating process includes generating electrical charge carriers in the atmosphere and in the recipient which are of the type that form electrically insulating material and providing at least two electroconductive surfaces in the recipient. Power, such as a DC signal, is supplied to at least one of the electroconductive surfaces so that at least one of the electroconductive surfaces receives the electrically insulating material for covering at least part of that electroconductive surface. This causes electrical isolation of that electroconductive surface which leads to arcing and damage to the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Hans Signer, Eduard Kugler, Klaus Wellerdieck, Helmut Rudigier, Walter Haag
  • Publication number: 20020153242
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an object in a vacuum treatment apparatus having a vacuum recipient for containing an atmosphere, includes the steps of supporting a substrate on a work piece carrier arrangement in the recipient and treating the substrate to manufacture the object in the vacuum recipient. The treating process includes generating electrical charge carriers in the atmosphere and in the recipient which are of the type that form electrically insulating material and providing at least two electroconductive surfaces in the recipient. Power, such as a DC signal, is supplied to at least one of the electroconductive surfaces so that at least one of the electroconductive surfaces receives the electrically insulating material for covering at least part of that electroconductive surface. This causes electrical isolation of that electroconductive surface which leads to arcing and damage to the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: Unaxis Balzers Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans Signer, Eduard Kugler, Klaus Wellerdieck, Helmut Rudigier, Walter Haag
  • Patent number: 6176979
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an object in a vacuum treatment apparatus having a vacuum recipient for containing an atmosphere, includes the steps of supporting a substrate on a work piece carrier arrangement in the recipient and treating the substrate to manufacture the object in the vacuum recipient. The treating process includes generating electrical charge carriers in the atmosphere and in the recipient which are of the type that form electrically insulating material and providing at least two electroconductive surfaces in the recipient. Power, such as a DC signal, is supplied to at least one of the electroconductive surfaces so that at least one of the electroconductive surfaces receives the electrically insulating material for covering at least part of that electroconductive surface. This causes electrical isolation of that electroconductive surface which leads to arcing and damage to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Balzers Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans Signer, Eduard K{umlaut over (u)}gler, Klaus Wellerdieck, Helmut Rudigier, Walter Haag
  • Patent number: 6149783
    Abstract: A vacuum treatment apparatus (FIG. 13) includes a vacuum recipient or chamber (3) for containing an atmosphere. A mechanism (50,52) for generating electrical charge carriers in the atmosphere is provided in the recipient, the electrical charge carriers being of the type that form electrically isolating material. The recipient also contains a work piece carrier arrangement (1) and at least two electroconductive surfaces (2a, 2b) which are mutually electrically isolated from each other. A DC power supply (8) is operationally connected to the electroconductive surfaces by respective electrical conductors with an inductor (L.sub.66) in one of the conductors. A parallel switching arrangement is connected between the electrical conductors to control a current path between the conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Balzers Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans Signer, Eduard Kugler, Klaus Wellerdieck, Helmut Rudigier, Walter Haag
  • Patent number: 5948224
    Abstract: A vacuum treatment apparatus eliminate arcing in a vacuum recipient for containing an atmosphere and having a mechanism for generating electrical charge carriers in the atmosphere. A workpiece carrier arrangement and at least two electro-conductive surfaces are in the recipient and a generator unit having an output is connected to the electro-conductive surfaces. The generator includes a DC generator with an output, and a controlled adjusting unit with an input connected to the output of the DC generator. The controlled adjusting unit generates a first output signal in dependency on an output signal of the DC generator during first timespans, and a second output signal during second timespans. The unit may also have a time-controlled discharge or charge current loop connected from one of the electro-conductive surfaces to the other, with a higher ohmic resistance during the first timespans and a lower ohmic resistance during the second timespans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Balzers Aktiengsellschaft
    Inventors: Hans Signer, Eduard Kugler, Klaus Wellerdieck, Helmut Rudigier, Walter Haag
  • Patent number: 5852275
    Abstract: A resistance heating system prevents the generation of magnetic fields by constructing the heating section as a looped current circuit. The heating current circuit as a whole is connected to the potential in order to, at the same time, use the heating section in a process chamber as a process electrode. In an AC-connection of the heating current circuit, a capacitive shielding prevents a reaction of the electrode operating potential with respect to the primary side of a transforming heating current actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Balzers Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans Signer
  • Patent number: 4279216
    Abstract: A vacuum evaporator includes a housing defining a vacuum chamber which has mounting for an evaporative material and an electrode spaced from the evaporative material which is arranged adjacent the support for a substrate to be coated. A screening element is located between the electrode and the substrate support in the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber has a gas inlet port through which gases may be passed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Assignee: Balzers Aktiengesellschaft fur Hochvakuumtechnik und Dunne Schichten
    Inventors: Rainer Buhl, Hans Signer