Patents by Inventor John Robert German
John Robert German 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).
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Patent number: 9418823Abstract: A magnetron assembly for a rotary target cathode comprises a rigid support structure, a magnet bar structure movably attached to the rigid support structure, and at least one actuation mechanism coupled to the rigid support structure and configured to change a distance of the magnet bar structure from a surface of a rotatable target cylinder. The magnetron assembly also includes a position indicating mechanism operative to measure a position of the magnet bar structure relative to the surface of the rotatable target cylinder. A communications device is configured to receive command signals from outside of the magnetron assembly and transmit information signals to outside of the magnetron assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2013Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Sputtering Components, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Theodore Crowley, Patrick Lawrence Morse, John Robert German
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Publication number: 20160225591Abstract: A magnetron assembly for a rotary target cathode comprises an elongated support structure, a magnet bar structure movably positioned below the support structure, and a plurality of drive modules coupled to the support structure. The drive modules each include a motorized actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the magnet bar structure. A controller and battery module is coupled to the support structure and is in operative communication with the drive modules. The controller and battery module includes an electronic controller and at least one rechargeable battery. The battery is configured to energize each motorized actuation mechanism and the electronic controller. One or more power generation modules is coupled to the support structure and in electrical communication with the battery, such that electrical energy output from the power generation modules recharges the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2016Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Daniel Theodore Crowley, Patrick Lawrence Morse, John Robert German, William A. Meredith, JR.
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Patent number: 9406487Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a plasma source comprising a body in which a cavity is formed and at least two self-contained magnetron assemblies disposed within the cavity. The magnetron assemblies are mutually electrically isolated from each other and from the body. In one implementation of such an embodiment, the self-contained magnetron assemblies comprise closed-drift magnetron assemblies. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Sputtering Components, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Theodore Crowley, Patrick Lawrence Morse, William A. Meredith, Jr., John Robert German, Michelle Lynn Neal
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Patent number: 9362093Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a plasma source comprising a body in which a cavity is formed and at least two self-contained magnetron assemblies disposed within the cavity. The magnetron assemblies are mutually electrically isolated from each other and from the body. In one implementation of such an embodiment, the self-contained magnetron assemblies comprise closed-drift magnetron assemblies. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Sputtering Components, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Theodore Crowley, Patrick Lawrence Morse, William A. Meredith, Jr., John Robert German, Michelle Lynn Neal
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Patent number: 9312108Abstract: A magnetron assembly for a rotary target cathode comprises an elongated support structure, a magnet bar structure movably positioned below the support structure, and a plurality of drive modules coupled to the support structure. The drive modules each include a motorized actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the magnet bar structure. A controller and battery module is coupled to the support structure and is in operative communication with the drive modules. The controller and battery module includes an electronic controller and at least one rechargeable battery. The battery is configured to energize each motorized actuation mechanism and the electronic controller. One or more power generation modules is coupled to the support structure and in electrical communication with the battery, such that electrical energy output from the power generation modules recharges the battery.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2014Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Sputtering Components, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Theodore Crowley, Patrick Lawrence Morse, John Robert German, William A. Meredith, Jr.
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Publication number: 20150120001Abstract: A decentralized process controller comprises at least two programmable interface modules in operative communication with each other. Each of the interface modules includes a processor and is configurable for connection to separate field devices comprising at least one sensor device and at least one actuator device. The at least two programmable interface modules are configurable as a stand-alone process control loop when one of the interface modules is connected to the sensor device, and the other of the interface modules is connected to the actuator device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: Sputtering Components, Inc.Inventors: John Robert German, William A. Meredith, JR., Patrick Lawrence Morse, Brian Rooney
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Publication number: 20140246310Abstract: A magnetron assembly for a rotary target cathode comprises a rigid support structure, a magnet bar structure movably attached to the rigid support structure, and at least one actuation mechanism coupled to the rigid support structure and configured to change a distance of the magnet bar structure from a surface of a rotatable target cylinder. The magnetron assembly also includes a position indicating mechanism operative to measure a position of the magnet bar structure relative to the surface of the rotatable target cylinder. A communications device is configured to receive command signals from outside of the magnetron assembly and transmit information signals to outside of the magnetron assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2013Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: Sputtering Components, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Theodore Crowley, Patrick Lawrence Morse, John Robert German
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Publication number: 20140246312Abstract: A magnetron assembly for a rotary target cathode comprises an elongated support structure, a magnet bar structure movably positioned below the support structure, and a plurality of drive modules coupled to the support structure. The drive modules each include a motorized actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the magnet bar structure. A controller and battery module is coupled to the support structure and is in operative communication with the drive modules. The controller and battery module includes an electronic controller and at least one rechargeable battery. The battery is configured to energize each motorized actuation mechanism and the electronic controller. One or more power generation modules is coupled to the support structure and in electrical communication with the battery, such that electrical energy output from the power generation modules recharges the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: Sputtering Components, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Theodore Crowley, Patrick Lawrence Morse, John Robert German, William A. Meredith, JR.
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Publication number: 20140184073Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a plasma source comprising a body in which a cavity is formed and at least two self-contained magnetron assemblies disposed within the cavity. The magnetron assemblies are mutually electrically isolated from each other and from the body. In one implementation of such an embodiment, the self-contained magnetron assemblies comprise closed-drift magnetron assemblies. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: Sputtering Components, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Theodore Crowley, Patrick Lawrence Morse, William A. Meredith, JR., John Robert German, Michelle Lynn Neal