Patents by Inventor Marc Schaepkens

Marc Schaepkens 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: 20060132032
    Abstract: A composite article comprises a substrate having at least a substrate surface and a graded-composition coating disposed on a substrate surface. The composition of the coating material varies substantially continuously across its thickness. The coating reduces the transmission rates of oxygen, water vapor, and other chemical species through the substrate such that the composite article can be used effectively as a diffusion barrier to protect chemically sensitive devices or materials. An organic light-emitting device incorporates such a composite article to provide an extended life thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY ONE RESEARCH CIRCLE
    Inventors: Marc Schaepkens, Kevin Flanagan
  • Publication number: 20060096946
    Abstract: A wafer processing device for use in semiconductor wafer processing applications as an Electro-Static Chuck (ESC) comprising a graphite substrate and at least one electrode pattern, wherein the grooves in the electrode pattern are filled with insulating or semiconducting material selected from a group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ga, refractory hard metals, transition metals, and rare earth metals, or complexes and/or combinations thereof, forming a substantially planar surface. The substantially planar surface is then coated with at least a semiconducting layer comprising at least one of a nitride, carbide, carbonitride or oxynitride of elements selected from a group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ga, refractory hard metals, transition metals, and rare earth metals, or complexes and/or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventors: Marc Schaepkens, Takayuki Togawa
  • Patent number: 7015640
    Abstract: A composite article comprises a substrate having at least a substrate surface and a graded-composition coating disposed on a substrate surface. The composition of the coating material varies substantially continuously across its thickness. The coating reduces the transmission rates of oxygen, water vapor, and other chemical species through the substrate such that the composite article can be used effectively as a diffusion barrier to protect chemically sensitive devices or materials. An organic light-emitting device incorporates such a composite article to provide an extended life thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Marc Schaepkens, Kevin Warner Flanagan
  • Publication number: 20060003189
    Abstract: A barrier coating of organic-inorganic composition, the barrier coating having optical properties that are substantially uniform along an axis of light transmission, said axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface of the coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Tae Kim, Christian Heller, Marc Schaepkens, Ahmet Erlat, Min Yan
  • Publication number: 20060001040
    Abstract: A composite article with at least one high integrity protective coating, the high integrity protective coating having at least one planarizing layer and at least one organic-inorganic composition barrier coating layer. A method for depositing a high integrity protective coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Tae Kim, Min Yan, Christian Heller, Marc Schaepkens, Thomas Gorczyca, Paul Mc Connelee, Ahmet Erlat
  • Patent number: 6969953
    Abstract: A method is provided for generating plasma using a plasma generator system. The method includes the steps of introducing energy and a reactant to a plasma generation apparatus of the plasma generator system for generating plasma, and expanding and inductively coupling the generated plasma. In another embodiment a plasma generation system is provided including a plasma generation apparatus for generating thermal plasma. The thermal plasma is received by a plasma treatment chamber external to the plasma generation apparatus. A pressure control system maintains a lower pressure in the plasma treatment chamber than in the plasma generation apparatus during plasma generation for causing the thermal plasma to expand within the plasma treatment chamber. An inductor system inductively couples the thermal plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Marc Schaepkens
  • Publication number: 20050260395
    Abstract: A composite article comprises a substrate having at least a substrate surface and a graded-composition coating disposed on a substrate surface. The composition of the coating material varies substantially continuously across its thickness. The coating reduces the transmission rates of oxygen, water vapor, and other chemical species through the substrate such that the composite article can be used effectively as a diffusion barrier to protect chemically sensitive devices or materials. An organic light-emitting device incorporates such a composite article to provide an extended life thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventors: Marc Schaepkens, Kevin Flanagan
  • Publication number: 20050253509
    Abstract: A composite article comprises a substrate having at least a substrate surface and a graded-composition coating disposed on a substrate surface. The composition of the coating material varies substantially continuously across its thickness. The coating reduces the transmission rates of oxygen, water vapor, and other chemical species through the substrate such that the composite article can be used effectively as a diffusion barrier to protect chemically sensitive devices or materials. An organic light-emitting device incorporates such a composite article to provide an extended life thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Inventors: Marc Schaepkens, Kevin Flanagan
  • Publication number: 20050224935
    Abstract: Organic electronic packages having sealed edges. More specifically, packages having organic electronic devices are provided. A number of sealing mechanisms are provided to hermetically seal the edges of the package to completely protect the organic electronic device from external elements. A sealant may be implemented to completely surround the organic electronic device. Alternatively, edge wraps may be provided to completely surround the organic electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Marc Schaepkens, Anil Duggal, Christian Heller
  • Patent number: 6951400
    Abstract: There is provided an optical structure. The optical structure includes a light source. The optical structure also includes an organic light management film having an index of refraction of less than 1.7 disposed above the light source, and a transparent inorganic film having an index of refraction of greater than 1.7 disposed adjacent the organic light management film. A optical device is also provided including the organic light management film and the transparent inorganic film. A method of forming the optical structure is also provided. The method includes depositing the transparent inorganic film under vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bret Chisholm, Eugene Olczak, Marc Schaepkens, Dennis Coyle
  • Patent number: 6952079
    Abstract: A shaped light extraction luminaire to gather light from an organic light emitting diode (OLED). Specifically, an inverted and truncated pyramid structure having a recessed area configured to receive an OLED is provided. The luminaire is structured to increase the light emission of the OLED by capturing light emissions that would typically be lost by absorption within the OLED. The luminaire includes angled sides having a reflective material disposed thereon. The luminaire increases the light output of the OLED such that it may be implemented in area lighting applications. Further, an array comprising a plurality of recessed areas and a plurality of angled sides for each of the recessed areas may be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph John Shiang, Marc Schaepkens, Larry Gene Turner
  • Patent number: 6948448
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a uniform coating on a large area, planar surface using an array of multiple plasma sources and a common reactant gas injector. The apparatus includes at least one array of a plurality of plasma sources, wherein each of the plurality of plasma sources includes a cathode, an anode, and an inlet for a non-reactive plasma source gas disposed in a plasma chamber, and a common reactant gas injector disposed in a deposition chamber that contains the substrate. The common reactant gas injector provides a uniform flow of at least one reactant gas to each of the multiple plasmas generated the multiple plasma sources through a single delivery system. The at least one reactant gas reacts with the plurality of plasmas to form a uniform coating on a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Marc Schaepkens
  • Publication number: 20050202250
    Abstract: There is provided a structure. The structure comprises a substrate, and a titanium oxide layer disposed over the substrate. There is also provided a method of forming a titanium oxide coating on a substrate. The method includes generating a plasma; providing a first reactant, comprising titanium, and a second reactant, comprising oxygen, into the plasma stream extending to the substrate; and forming the titanium oxide coating on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Inventors: Charles Iacovangelo, Gregory Gillette, Marc Schaepkens
  • Publication number: 20050181212
    Abstract: A composite article comprises two polymeric substrate layers, each of which has at least a diffusion-inhibiting barrier on one of the surfaces. The diffusion-inhibiting barriers are disposed such that they face each other within the composite articles. Electronic devices are disposed on such composite articles to reduce the rate of diffusion of chemical species in the environment into the devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventors: Marc Schaepkens, Hua Wang, Christian Heller, Kevin Flanagan, Paul McConnelee
  • Publication number: 20050139255
    Abstract: A solar cell assembly for use in an outer space environment or a non-Earth environment is provided. The solar cell assembly includes a photovoltaic conversion layer configured to produce an electrical current when receiving photons. The photovoltaic conversion layer has a top surface and a bottom surface. The solar cell assembly further includes a first electrical contact layer electrically coupled to the top surface and a second electrical contact layer electrically coupled to the bottom surface. Finally, the solar cell assembly includes a transparent electrically conductive layer disposed proximate said first electrical contact layer configured to receive electrons from an outer space environment and to conduct said electrons away from said photovoltaic conversion layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Charles Korman, Marc Schaepkens, Bastiaan Korevaar
  • Publication number: 20050139256
    Abstract: A solar cell assembly for use in an outer space environment or a non-Earth environment and a method for controlling a temperature of the solar cell assembly are provided. The solar cell assembly includes a photovoltaic conversion layer configured to produce an electrical current when receiving photons on a first side of the photovoltaic conversion layer. The solar cell assembly further includes a thermally conductive layer thermally coupled to a second side of the photovoltaic conversion layer. Finally, the solar cell assembly includes a heat radiating layer coupled to the thermally conductive layer to radiate heat energy from the photovoltaic conversion layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Charles Korman, Marc Schaepkens, Bastiaan Korevaar
  • Publication number: 20050139253
    Abstract: A flexible solar cell assembly for use in an outer space environment or a non-Earth environment is provided. The flexible solar cell assembly includes a solar cell having a first side and a second side. The solar cell is configured to produce an electrical current when receiving photons on at least the first side. The flexible solar cell assembly further includes a flexible substrate operably coupled to the second side of the solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Charles Korman, Marc Schaepkens, Bastiaan Korevaar
  • Publication number: 20050133781
    Abstract: The invention relates to composite articles comprising a substrate and additional layers on the substrate. According to one example, the layers are selected so that the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between the substrate and a first layer on one side of the substrate is substantially equal to the CTE difference between the substrate and a second layer on the other side of the substrate. The stress caused by the CTE difference and/or shrinkage on one side of the substrate during heating or cooling is balanced by the stress caused by the CTE difference on the other side of the substrate during heating or cooling. Such stress balancing can reduce or minimize curling of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Min Yan, Anil Duggal, Marc Schaepkens, Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 6891330
    Abstract: A mechanically flexible and environmentally stable organic electroluminescent (“EL”) device with directional light emission comprises an organic EL member disposed on a flexible substrate, a surface of which is coated with a multilayer barrier coating which includes at least one sublayer of a substantially transparent organic polymer and at least one sublayer of a substantially transparent inorganic material. The device includes a reflective metal layer disposed on the organic EL member opposite to the substrate. The reflective metal layer provides an increased external quantum efficiency of the device. The reflective metal layer and the multilayer barrier coating form a seal around the organic EL member to reduce the degradation of the device due to environmental elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anil Raj Duggal, Joseph John Shiang, Marc Schaepkens
  • Patent number: 6890656
    Abstract: There is provided a structure. The structure comprises a substrate, and a titanium oxide layer disposed over the substrate. There is also provided a method of forming a titanium oxide coating on a substrate. The method includes generating a plasma; providing a first reactant, comprising titanium, and a second reactant, comprising oxygen, into the plasma stream extending to the substrate; and forming the titanium oxide coating on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Iacovangelo, Gregory Ronald Gillette, Marc Schaepkens