Patents by Inventor John L. Dunec

John L. Dunec 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).

  • Electrode design and positioning for controlled movement of a moveable electrode and associated support structure
    Patent number: 7354787
    Abstract: A MEMS system including a fixed electrode and a suspended moveable electrode that is controllable over a wide range of motion. In traditional systems where an fixed electrode is positioned under the moveable electrode, the range of motion is limited because the support structure supporting the moveable electrode becomes unstable when the moveable electrode moves too close to the fixed electrode. By repositioning the fixed electrode from being directly underneath the moving electrode, a much wider range of controllable motion is achievable. Wide ranges of controllable motion are particularly important in optical switching applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Dunec, Eric Peeters, Armin R. Volkel, Michel A. Rosa, Dirk DeBruyker, Thomas Hantschel
  • Apparatus and method for using electrostatic force to cause fluid movement
    Patent number: 7147763
    Abstract: A device for effecting motion of liquid droplets on a surface through the use of electrostatic field force includes a single substrate on which are disposed a plurality of spaced-apart electrodes. A dielectric material surrounds the electrodes on the substrate. The surface on which the liquid droplets are deposited is fabricated from a material that facilitates motion of the liquid droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott A. Elrod, Eric Peeters, Francisco E. Torres, David K. Biegelsen, John L. Dunec, Alan G. Bell
  • Optical switching system
    Patent number: 7006720
    Abstract: A MEMS system including a fixed electrode and a suspended moveable electrode that is controllable over a wide range of motion. In traditional systems where an fixed electrode is positioned under the moveable electrode, the range of motion is limited because the support structure supporting the moveable electrode becomes unstable when the moveable electrode moves too close to the fixed electrode. By repositioning the fixed electrode from being directly underneath the moving electrode, a much wider range of controllable motion is achievable. Wide ranges of controllable motion are particularly important in optical switching applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Dunec, Eric Peeters, Armin R. Volkel, Michel A. Rosa, Dirk DeBruyker, Thomas Hantschel
  • Electrode design and positioning for controlled movement of a moveable electrode and associated support structure
    Patent number: 6891240
    Abstract: A MEMS system including a fixed electrode and a suspended moveable electrode that is controllable over a wide range of motion. In traditional systems where an fixed electrode is positioned under the moveable electrode, the range of motion is limited because the support structure supporting the moveable electrode becomes unstable when the moveable electrode moves too close to the fixed electrode. By repositioning the fixed electrode from being directly underneath the moving electrode, a much wider range of controllable motion is achievable. Wide ranges of controllable motion are particularly important in optical switching applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Dunec, Eric Peeters, Armin R. Volkel, Michel A. Rosa, Dirk DeBruyker, Thomas Hantschel
  • Electrode design and positioning for controlled movement of a moveable electrode and associated support structure
    Publication number: 20030202735
    Abstract: A MEMS system including a fixed electrode and a suspended moveable electrode that is controllable over a wide range of motion. In traditional systems where an fixed electrode is positioned under the moveable electrode, the range of motion is limited because the support structure supporting the moveable electrode becomes unstable when the moveable electrode moves too close to the fixed electrode. By repositioning the fixed electrode from being directly underneath the moving electrode, a much wider range of controllable motion is achievable. Wide ranges of controllable motion are particularly important in optical switching applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Dunec, Eric Peeters, Armin R. Volkel, Michel A. Rosa, Dirk DeBruyker, Thomas Hantschel
  • Optical switching system
    Publication number: 20030202738
    Abstract: A MEMS system including a fixed electrode and a suspended moveable electrode that is controllable over a wide range of motion. In traditional systems where an fixed electrode is positioned under the moveable electrode, the range of motion is limited because the support structure supporting the moveable electrode becomes unstable when the moveable electrode moves too close to the fixed electrode. By repositioning the fixed electrode from being directly underneath the moving electrode, a much wider range of controllable motion is achievable. Wide ranges of controllable motion are particularly important in optical switching applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Dunec, Eric Peeters, Armin R. Volkel, Michel A. Rosa, Dirk DeBruyker, Thomas Hantschel
  • Apparatus and method for using electrostatic force to cause fluid movement
    Publication number: 20030183525
    Abstract: A device for effecting motion of liquid droplets on a surface through the use of electrostatic field force includes a single substrate on which are disposed a plurality of spaced-apart electrodes. A dielectric material surrounds the electrodes on the substrate. The surface on which the liquid droplets are deposited is fabricated from a material that facilitates motion of the liquid droplets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Scott A. Elrod, Eric Peeters, Francisco E. Torres, David K. Biegelsen, John L. Dunec, Alan G. Bell