Patents by Inventor Max Sorenson

Max Sorenson 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: 20220045504
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for sensing moisture within an electronic device are disclosed. A device may include a housing and a display defining and exterior of an electronic device and an interior of the electronic device. Further, the device may include an integrated circuit (IC) within the electronic device and comprising a control element. The device may also include a moisture sensor such as an inductive sensor, a capacitance sensor, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Marcellus Harper, Jason Maynard, Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson
  • Patent number: 11060183
    Abstract: A coating apparatus may be configured to concurrently receive and waterproof a large number of electronic device assemblies. The coating apparatus may include a track for transporting the electronic device assemblies into an application station. The application station may have a cubic shape, and include an entry door and an opposite exit door. The entry and exit doors may enable the introduction of substrates into the application station, as well as their removal from the application station. In addition, the entry and exit doors may enable isolation of the application station from an exterior environment and, thus, provide control over the conditions under which a moisture resistant material is applied to the substrates. Methods for making electronic devices and other substrates resistant to moisture are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Inventors: Dana Cox, Max Sorenson, James Kent Naylor
  • Publication number: 20200208258
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying a protective coating to a high volume of separate electronic device assemblies includes a treatment element that is configured to prepare the high volume of electronic devices before protective coatings are applied to the electronic devices. The apparatus also includes a coating element configured to apply protective coatings to the high volume of separate electronic device assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Max Sorenson, Blake Stevens, Alan Rae, Marc Kenneth Chason, Dana Cox, James Kent Naylor
  • Patent number: 10669627
    Abstract: A modular multilayer deposition system includes a plurality of modular deposition chambers, including at least one parylene deposition chamber and at least one ALD deposition chamber. The parylene deposition chamber is connected in series with the ALD deposition chamber. Substrates are automatically moved from within the parylene deposition chamber to within the ALD deposition chamber or from within the ALD deposition chamber to the parylene deposition chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: HzO, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Yun, Max Sorenson, Chien-Lan Hsueh, Tining Su, Jim Dempster, Alex Anderson, Layton Baker
  • Publication number: 20200153234
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for sensing moisture within an electronic device are disclosed. A device may include a housing and a display defining and exterior of an electronic device and an interior of the electronic device. Further, the device may include an integrated circuit (IC) within the electronic device and comprising a control element. The device may also include a moisture sensor such as an inductive sensor, a capacitance sensor, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Marcellus Harper, Jason Maynard, Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson
  • Patent number: 10541529
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for sensing moisture within an electronic device are disclosed. A device may include a housing and a display defining and exterior of an electronic device and an interior of the electronic device. Further, the device may include an integrated circuit (IC) within the electronic device and comprising a control element. The device may also include a moisture sensor such as an inductive sensor, a capacitance sensor, or both. The moisture sensor, which may be part of the IC, together with the control element may sense moisture within the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: HZO, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcellus Harper, Jason Maynard, Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson
  • Patent number: 9949377
    Abstract: A moisture-resistant electronic device includes at least one electronic component at least partially covered by a moisture-resistant coating. The moisture-resistant coating may be located within an interior of the electronic device. The moisture-resistant coating may cover only portions of a boundary of an internal space within the electronic device. A moisture-resistant coating may include one or more discernible boundaries, or seams, which may be located at or adjacent to locations where two or more components of the electronic device interface with each other. Assembly methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: HZO, INC.
    Inventors: Max Sorenson, Blake Stevens, Alan Rae, Marc Chason
  • Patent number: 9894776
    Abstract: An approach to refurbishing or remanufacturing an electronic device may involve exposing electrical components that are situated within an interior of the electronic device. The approach may also involve replacing one or more defective electronic components of the electronic device with one or more replacement components and applying a protective coating to at least a portion of the interior of the electronic device. The protective coating may cover the circuit board and the electronic components it carries. The protective coating may also cover at least some of the electrical connections of the electronic device. The protective coating may also be applied to the replacement component prior to reassembly. The resulting refurbished or remanufactured electronic device may thus be provided with moisture resistance to help protect the electronic device from damage caused by exposure to moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: HZO, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson, Scott B. Gordon
  • Patent number: 9705160
    Abstract: The disclosure extends to moisture resistant energy storage devices, such as rechargeable batteries, and associated methods of forming the same. An energy storage device, such as a rechargeable battery, may comprise a cell including at least one electrical terminal and a circuit board electrically coupled to the at least one electrical terminal. The rechargeable battery may also include a moisture resistant coating on at least a portion of at least one of a surface of the cell and a surface of the circuit board. A moisture resistant coating may reside between the circuit board and the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: HZO, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick C. Peterson, Max Sorenson
  • Patent number: 9627194
    Abstract: One or more masks may be used to control the application of protective (e.g., moisture-resistant, etc.) coatings to one or more portions of various components of an electronic device during assembly of the electronic device. A method for applying a protective coating to an electronic device includes assembling two or more components of the electronic device with one another. A mask may then be applied to the resulting electronic assembly. The mask may shield selected portions of the electronic assembly, while other portions of the electronic assembly, i.e., those to which a protective coating is to be applied, may remain exposed through the mask. With the mask in place, application of a protective coating to portions of the electronic assembly exposed through the mask may commence. After application of the protective coating, the mask may be removed from the electronic assembly. Embodiments of masked electronic assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: HZO, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson, Sidney Edward Martin, III
  • Patent number: 9596794
    Abstract: Methods for applying protective coatings to electronic devices that have already been assembled, and are in a consumer-ready or aftermarket form, are disclosed. In such a method, an electronic device may be at least partially disassembled to expose at least a portion of an interior of the electronic device. A protective coating is applied to some or all of the exposed surfaces of the electronic devices, including one or more internal surfaces, features or components of the electronic device. Thereafter, the electronic device may be reassembled. During and after reassembly, the protective coating resides internally within the electronic device. Systems for applying protective coatings to interior components of previously assembled electronic devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: HZO, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson, Paul S. Clayson, Scott B. Gordon
  • Patent number: 9559514
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the moisture to which an electronic device is exposed may alter or vary operation of the electronic device. Operation of the electronic device may be altered or varied to provide a notification that the electronic device has been exposed to moisture. When an electronic device is exposed to moisture, an operational mode of the electronic device may be changed. A change in the operational mode of the electronic device may include termination of the supply of power to one or more components, which may protect those components. Programs or apps that provide a user of the electronic device with information regarding exposure of the electronic device to an amount of moisture that meets or exceeds a moisture response threshold are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: HZO, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson
  • Patent number: 9551064
    Abstract: The disclosure extends to protectively coated energy storage devices, such as rechargeable batteries, and associated methods of forming the same. An energy storage device, such as a rechargeable battery, may comprise a cell including at least one electrical terminal and a circuit board electrically coupled to the at least one electrical terminal. The rechargeable battery may also include a protective coating on at least a portion of at least one of a surface of the cell and/or at least one surface of the circuit board. The protective coating may reside between the circuit board and the cell. The protective coating may comprise a moisture resistant coating that will withstand exposure to corrosive agents, including electrolytes, corrosive gases and dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: HZO, Inc.
    Inventors: Layton Baker, Jianhua Su, Rick Peterson, Max Sorenson
  • Patent number: 9426936
    Abstract: A system for assembling electronic devices includes at least one coating element for applying a moisture-resistant coating to surfaces of a device under assembly, or an electronic device under assembly. As components and one or more moisture-resistant coatings are added to the electronic device under assembly to form a finished electronic device, at least one surface on which the coating resides and, thus, at least a portion of the coating itself, is located internally within the finished electronic device. Methods for assembling electronic devices that include internally confined moisture-resistant coatings are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: HZO, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson, Marc Chason
  • Publication number: 20160187873
    Abstract: In various aspects and embodiments, the present disclosure relates to the manner in which precursor materials are provided to processing equipment and, more specifically, to the manner in which precursor materials of organic polymers are delivered to systems for forming and, in some embodiments, depositing the organic polymers. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to precursor supplies, which comprise vehicles, such as binders, supports and cartridges, for delivering a precursor material to a material processing system, such as a deposition system or other processing equipment. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to material processing systems with which the precursor supplies are configured to be used. Methods for preparing precursor supplies, using precursor supplies, providing process control, and recycling precursor supplies are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson, Liulei Cao
  • Publication number: 20160019773
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a port for connecting the electronic device to other electronic devices and a moisture detector configured to detect an electrically conductive liquid in the first port. The moisture detector is configured to maintain a voltage on a first electrical contact of the port and to detect a short circuit between the first electrical contact and a second electrical contact of the port. The moisture detector determines that the electronic device has been exposed to an electrically conductive liquid if the monitor module detects the short circuit. The moisture detector may also put the electronic device into safe mode if it is exposed to an electrically conductive liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson
  • Publication number: 20160020599
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for sensing moisture within an electronic device are disclosed. A device may include a housing and a display defining and exterior of an electronic device and an interior of the electronic device. Further, the device may include an integrated circuit (IC) within the electronic device and comprising a control element. The device may also include a moisture sensor such as an inductive sensor, a capacitance sensor, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Marcellus Harper, Jason Maynard, Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson
  • Publication number: 20150321214
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying a protective coating to electronic device assemblies or other substrates may include a tray capable of holding multiple substrates. The tray can be selectively closed over the substrates. Lower and/or upper tray elements may include pre-formed masks thereon, which masks correspond to locations where protective coating materials should not adhere to the substrate. The masks may include a structural portion and a sealing portion. The structural portion may keep a substrate elevated to maintain an opening or channel through which protective coating materials may be applied to unmasked portions of the substrate. A sealing portion of the mask may engage the substrate to restrict flow of the protective coating material to the masked portion. Each tray may contain multiple substrates. A carrier may support multiple trays. Dozens and potentially hundreds of substrates may be carried by the carrier for simultaneous application of the protective coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Dana Cox, Max Sorenson
  • Publication number: 20150311494
    Abstract: The disclosure extends to protectively coated energy storage devices, such as rechargeable batteries, and associated methods of forming the same. An energy storage device, such as a rechargeable battery, may comprise a cell including at least one electrical terminal and a circuit board electrically coupled to the at least one electrical terminal. The rechargeable battery may also include a protective coating on at least a portion of at least one of a surface of the cell and/or at least one surface of the circuit board. The protective coating may reside between the circuit board and the cell. The protective coating may comprise a moisture resistant coating that will withstand exposure to corrosive agents, including electrolytes, corrosive gases and dust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Layton Baker, Jianhua Su, Rick Peterson, Max Sorenson
  • Publication number: 20150303680
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the moisture to which an electronic device is exposed may alter or vary operation of the electronic device. Operation of the electronic device may be altered or varied to provide a notification that the electronic device has been exposed to moisture. When an electronic device is exposed to moisture, an operational mode of the electronic device may be changed. A change in the operational mode of the electronic device may include termination of the supply of power to one or more components, which may protect those components. Programs or apps that provide a user of the electronic device with information regarding exposure of the electronic device to an amount of moisture that meets or exceeds a moisture response threshold are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson