Patents by Inventor Randy D. Curry
Randy D. Curry 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: 11844881Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composite material with a high dielectric constant. In certain embodiments, the composite material of the invention is biocompatible and is used in an implantable medical device, such as an implantable antenna, probe, sensor or electrode. In certain embodiments, the present invention comprises a biocompatible conductive or semi-conductive filler comprising filler particles dispersed within a biocompatible electrically insulating material. The filler particles may comprise an electrically insulating coating.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2019Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: The Curators of the University of MissouriInventors: Kevin O'Connor, Randy D. Curry
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Publication number: 20210213179Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composite material with a high dielectric constant. In certain embodiments, the composite material of the invention is biocompatible and is used in an implantable medical device, such as an implantable antenna, probe, sensor or electrode. In certain embodiments, the present invention comprises a biocompatible conductive or semi-conductive filler comprising filler particles dispersed within a biocompatible electrically insulating material. The filler particles may comprise an electrically insulating coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2019Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: KEVIN O'CONNOR, RANDY D. CURRY
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Patent number: 10790405Abstract: An electro-optically triggered power switch is disclosed utilizing a wide bandgap, high purity III-nitride semiconductor material such as BN, AlN, GaN, InN and their compounds. The device is electro-optically triggered using a laser diode operating at a wavelength of 10 to 50 nanometers off the material's bandgap, and at a power level of 10 to 100 times less than that required in a conventionally triggered device. The disclosed device may be configured as a high power RF MOSFET, IGBT, FET, or HEMT that can be electro-optically controlled using photons rather than an electrical signal. Electro-optic control lowers the power losses in the semiconductor device, decreases the turn-on time, and simplifies the drive signal requirements. It also allows the power devices to be operated from the millisecond to the sub-picosecond timeframe, thus allowing the power device to be operated at RF frequencies (i.e., kilohertz to terahertz range) and at high temperatures where the bandgap changes with temperature.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2019Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: The Curators of the University of MissouriInventors: Heikki I. Helava, Randy D. Curry
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Patent number: 10456198Abstract: Systems and methods for the controlled delivery of laser light to target tissue using an improved waveguide. A waveguide controls transmission of wave energy to a target based on direct contact with the target. The waveguide comprises a propagation medium, a cladding causing the electromagnetic wave to be internally reflected in the medium, and an interface formed in the cladding and configured for direct contact with the target. A portion of the laser light penetrates through the cladding at the interface and propagates into the target while a portion internally reflects within the propagation medium.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2015Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: The Curators of the University of MissouriInventors: Paul James Douglas Whiteside, Benjamin Samuel Goldschmidt, John A. Viator, Randy D. Curry, Nicholas J. Golda
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Publication number: 20190214520Abstract: An electro-optically triggered power switch is disclosed utilizing a wide bandgap, high purity III-nitride semiconductor material such as BN, AlN, GaN, InN and their compounds. The device is electro-optically triggered using a laser diode operating at a wavelength of 10 to 50 nanometers off the material's bandgap, and at a power level of 10 to 100 times less than that required in a conventionally triggered device. The disclosed device may be configured as a high power RF MOSFET, IGBT, FET, or HEMT that can be electro-optically controlled using photons rather than an electrical signal. Electro-optic control lowers the power losses in the semiconductor device, decreases the turn-on time, and simplifies the drive signal requirements. It also allows the power devices to be operated from the millisecond to the sub-picosecond timeframe, thus allowing the power device to be operated at RF frequencies (i.e., kilohertz to terahertz range) and at high temperatures where the bandgap changes with temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Heikki I. Helava, Randy D. Curry
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Patent number: 9924586Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and devices for generating electron dense air plasmas at atmospheric pressures. In particular, this disclosure relate to self-contained toroidal air plasmas. Methods and apparatuses have been developed for generating atmospheric toroidal air plasmas. The air plasmas are self-confining, can be projected, and do not require additional support equipment once formed.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: The Curators of the University of MissouriInventor: Randy D. Curry
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Patent number: 9728660Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid state switch that may be used as in optically-triggered switch in a variety of applications. In particular, the switch may allow for the reduction of gigawatt systems to approximately shoebox-size dimension. The optically-triggered switches may be included in laser triggered systems or antenna systems.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2013Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: The Curators of the University of MissouriInventors: Randy D. Curry, Heikki Helava
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Patent number: 9716202Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid-state optically activated switch that may be used as limiting switch in a variety of applications or as a high voltage switch. In particular, the switch may incorporate the photoconductive properties of a semiconductor to provide the limiting function in a linear mode. In one embodiment, a configuration of the switch allows for greater than 99.9999% off-state transmission and an on-state limiting of less than 0.0001% of the incident signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2013Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: The Curators of the University of MissouriInventors: Randy D. Curry, Robert Druce, Nathaniel Kinsey, Heikki Helava
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Publication number: 20170064803Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and devices for generating electron dense air plasmas at atmospheric pressures. In particular, this disclosure relate to self-contained toroidal air plasmas. Methods and apparatuses have been developed for generating atmospheric toroidal air plasmas. The air plasmas are self-confining, can be projected, and do not require additional support equipment once formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: The Curators of the University of MissouriInventor: Randy D. Curry
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Patent number: 9556321Abstract: The present invention relates to composite materials with a high dielectric constant and high dielectric strength and to methods of producing the composite materials. The composite materials have high dielectric constants at a range of high frequencies and possess robust mechanical properties and strengths, such that they may be machined to a variety of configurations. The composite materials also have high dielectric strengths for operation in high power and high energy density systems. In one embodiment, the composite material is composed of a trimodal distribution of ceramic particles, including barium titanate, barium strontium titanate (BST), or combinations thereof and a polymer binder.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURIInventors: Randy D. Curry, Kevin O'Connor
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Publication number: 20160254108Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and systems to reduce high voltage breakdown jitters in liquid dielectric switches. In particular, dielectric liquids have been produced that contain a suspension of nanoparticles and a surfactant to reduce the breakdown jitter. In one embodiment, the suspended nanoparticles are Barium Strontium Titanate (BST) nanoparticles.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2014Publication date: September 1, 2016Inventors: Randy D. Curry, Christopher Yeckel, Daniel Crosby
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Patent number: 9338874Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and devices for generating electron dense air plasmas at atmospheric pressures. In particular, this disclosure relate to self-contained toroidal air plasmas. Methods and apparatuses have been developed for generating atmospheric toroidal air plasmas. The air plasmas are self-confining, can be projected, and do not require additional support equipment once formed.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2012Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: The Curators of the University of MissouriInventor: Randy D. Curry
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Publication number: 20150351841Abstract: Systems and methods for the controlled delivery of laser light to target tissue using an improved waveguide. A waveguide controls transmission of wave energy to a target based on direct contact with the target. The waveguide comprises a propagation medium, a cladding causing the electromagnetic wave to be internally reflected in the medium, and an interface formed in the cladding and configured for direct contact with the target. A portion of the laser light penetrates through the cladding at the interface and propagates into the target while a portion internally reflects within the propagation medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Applicant: THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURIInventors: Paul James Douglas Whiteside, Benjamin Samuel Goldschmidt, John A. Viator, Randy D. Curry, Nicholas J. Golda
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Publication number: 20150221804Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid-state optically activated switch that may be used as limiting switch in a variety of applications or as a high voltage switch. In particular, the switch may incorporate the photoconductive properties of a semiconductor to provide the limiting function in a linear mode. In one embodiment, a configuration of the switch allows for greater than 99.9999% off-state transmission and an on-state limiting of less than 0.0001% of the incident signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2013Publication date: August 6, 2015Inventors: Randy D. Curry, Robert Druce, Nathaniel Kinsey, Heikki Helava
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Publication number: 20150187970Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid state switch that may be used as in optically-triggered switch in a variety of applications. In particular, the switch may allow for the reduction of gigawatt systems to approximately shoebox-size dimension. The optically-triggered switches may be included in laser triggered systems or antenna systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2013Publication date: July 2, 2015Inventors: Randy D. Curry, Heikki Helava
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Publication number: 20150047190Abstract: The present invention relates to composite materials with a high dielectric constant and high dielectric strength and to methods of producing the composite materials. The composite materials have high dielectric constants at a range of high frequencies and possess robust mechanical properties and strengths, such that they may be machined to a variety of configurations. The composite materials also have high dielectric strengths for operation in high power and high energy density systems. In one embodiment, the composite material is composed of a trimodal distribution of ceramic particles, including barium titanate, barium strontium titanate (BST), or combinations thereof and a polymer binder.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2014Publication date: February 19, 2015Inventors: Randy D. Curry, Kevin O'Connor
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Patent number: 8912460Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and systems to reduce high voltage breakdown jitters in liquid dielectric switches. In particular, dielectric liquids have been produced that contain a suspension of nanoparticles and a surfactant to reduce the breakdown jitter. In one embodiment, the suspended nanoparticles are Barium Strontium Titanate (BST) nanoparticles.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2012Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: The Curators of the University of MissouriInventors: Randy D. Curry, Christopher Yeckel, Daniel Crosby
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Patent number: 8889776Abstract: The present invention relates to composite materials with a high dielectric constant and high dielectric strength and to methods of producing the composite materials. The composite materials have high dielectric constants at a range of high frequencies and possess robust mechanical properties and strengths, such that they may be machined to a variety of configurations. The composite materials also have high dielectric strengths for operation in high power and high energy density systems. In one embodiment, the composite material is composed of a trimodal distribution of ceramic particles, including barium titanate, barium strontium titanate (BST), or combinations thereof and a polymer binder.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: The Curators of the University of MissouriInventors: Randy D. Curry, Kevin O'Connor
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Publication number: 20130334537Abstract: An electro-optically triggered power switch is disclosed utilizing a wide bandgap, high purity III-nitride semiconductor material such as BN, AN, GaN, InN and their compounds. The device is electro-optically triggered using a laser diode operating at a wavelength of 10 to 50 nanometers off the material's bandgap, and at a power level of 10 to 100 times less than that required in a conventionally triggered device. The disclosed device may be configured as a high power RF MOSFET, IGBT, FET, or HEMT that can be electro-optically controlled using photons rather than an electrical signal. Electro-optic control lowers the power losses in the semiconductor device, decreases the turn-on time, and simplifies the drive signal requirements. It also allows the power devices to be operated from the millisecond to the sub-picosecond timeframe, thus allowing the power device to be operated at RF frequencies (i.e., kilohertz to terahertz range) and at high temperatures where the bandgap changes with temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicants: The Curators of the University of Missouri, Helava Systems, Inc.Inventors: Heikki I. Helava, Randy D. Curry
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Publication number: 20130062314Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and systems to reduce high voltage breakdown jitters in liquid dielectric switches. In particular, dielectric liquids have been produced that contain a suspension of nanoparticles and a surfactant to reduce the breakdown jitter. In one embodiment, the suspended nanoparticles are Barium Strontium Titanate (BST) nanoparticles.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2012Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURIInventors: Randy D. Curry, Christopher Yeckel, Daniel Crosby