Patents by Inventor Robert J. Schauer
Robert J. Schauer 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: 11845202Abstract: A microwave heating system includes: a variable-frequency microwave source having a usable bandwidth about a center frequency; a waveguide with an input side connected to the source and an output side terminating in a launch structure; and, a metallic reflector plate facing the launch structure and perpendicular thereto and spaced therefrom at a distance of no more than twice the microwave wavelength at an operative frequency of the microwave source, the reflector plate including a recessed area of a selected size and shape located facing the launch structure so that a material to be treated may be placed between the launch structure and the recessed area for exposure to microwave energy. A related method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2021Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Expert Tooling and Automation, LTDInventors: Robert J. Schauer, Keith R. Hicks, Andrew Cardin, Clayton R. DeCamillis, Yunchuan Liu, Andrew Bools
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Patent number: 11766833Abstract: A microwave heating device includes a variable frequency microwave power supply, a waveguide launcher, and a fixture to contain a material to be heated, with the fixture located directly adjacent to the end of the launcher. All heating occurs in the near-field region, i.e., no cavity modes or standing waves are established within the fixture. This condition may be insured by keeping the thickness of the fixture or workpiece under one wavelength (at all microwave frequencies being used). The launcher is preferably a horn configured to spread the microwave power laterally over a selected area while maintaining a single propagating mode. The invention may be used to enhance catalytic reactions for research and other purposes. Alternatively, the invention may be configured to perform spot curing or repair operations involving adhesives and composites.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2020Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Expert Tooling and Automation, Ltd.Inventors: Iftikhar Ahmad, Keith R. Hicks, Andrew Cardin, Clayton R. DeCamillis, Richard C. Hazelhurst, Angelo Luciano, Andrew Bools, Robert J. Schauer
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Patent number: 11633922Abstract: A microwave heating device includes a variable frequency microwave power supply, a waveguide launcher, and a fixture to contain a material to be heated, with the fixture located directly adjacent to the end of the launcher. All heating occurs in the near-field region, i.e., no cavity modes or standing waves are established within the fixture. This condition may be insured by keeping the thickness of the fixture or workpiece under one wavelength (at all microwave frequencies being used). The launcher is preferably a horn configured to spread the microwave power laterally over a selected area while maintaining a single propagating mode. The invention may be used to enhance catalytic reactions for research and other purposes. Alternatively, the invention may be configured to perform spot curing or repair operations involving adhesives and composites.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2020Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Expert Tooling and Automation, Ltd.Inventors: Iftikhar Ahmad, Keith R. Hicks, Andrew Cardin, Clayton R. DeCamillis, Richard C. Hazelhurst, Angelo Luciano, Andrew Bools, Robert J. Schauer
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Patent number: 11633921Abstract: A microwave heating device includes a variable frequency microwave power supply, a waveguide launcher, and a fixture to contain a material to be heated, with the fixture located directly adjacent to the end of the launcher. All heating occurs in the near-field region. This condition may be insured by keeping the thickness of the fixture or workpiece under one wavelength (at all microwave frequencies being used). The launcher is preferably a horn or waveguide configured to apply the microwave power to a small area to perform spot curing or repair operations involving adhesives and composites. The spot curing may secure components in place for further handling, after which a thermal or oven treatment will cure the remaining adhesive to develop adequate strength for service. A related method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2020Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Expert Tooling and Automation, Ltd.Inventors: Iftikhar Ahmad, Keith R. Hicks, Andrew Cardin, Clayton R. DeCamillis, Richard C. Hazelhurst, Angelo Luciano, Andrew Bools, Robert J. Schauer
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Publication number: 20220258384Abstract: A microwave heating system includes: a variable-frequency microwave source having a usable bandwidth about a center frequency; a waveguide with an input side connected to the source and an output side terminating in a launch structure; and, a metallic reflector plate facing the launch structure and perpendicular thereto and spaced therefrom at a distance of no more than twice the microwave wavelength at an operative frequency of the microwave source, the reflector plate including a recessed area of a selected size and shape located facing the launch structure so that a material to be treated may be placed between the launch structure and the recessed area for exposure to microwave energy. A related method is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2021Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: Robert J. Schauer, Keith R. Hicks, Andrew Cardin, Clayton R. DeCamillis, Yunchuan Liu, Andrew Bools
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Publication number: 20200368975Abstract: A microwave heating device includes a variable frequency microwave power supply, a waveguide launcher, and a fixture to contain a material to be heated, with the fixture located directly adjacent to the end of the launcher. All heating occurs in the near-field region. This condition may be insured by keeping the thickness of the fixture or workpiece under one wavelength (at all microwave frequencies being used). The launcher is preferably a horn or waveguide configured to apply the microwave power to a small area to perform spot curing or repair operations involving adhesives and composites. The spot curing may secure components in place for further handling, after which a thermal or oven treatment will cure the remaining adhesive to develop adequate strength for service. A related method is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Iftikhar Ahmad, Keith R. Hicks, Andrew Cardin, Clayton R. DeCamillis, Richard C. Hazelhurst, Angelo Luciano, Andrew Bools, Robert J. Schauer
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Publication number: 20200298503Abstract: A microwave heating device includes a variable frequency microwave power supply, a waveguide launcher, and a fixture to contain a material to be heated, with the fixture located directly adjacent to the end of the launcher. All heating occurs in the near-field region, i.e., no cavity modes or standing waves are established within the fixture. This condition may be insured by keeping the thickness of the fixture or workpiece under one wavelength (at all microwave frequencies being used). The launcher is preferably a horn configured to spread the microwave power laterally over a selected area while maintaining a single propagating mode. The invention may be used to enhance catalytic reactions for research and other purposes. Alternatively, the invention may be configured to perform spot curing or repair operations involving adhesives and composites.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Iftikhar Ahmad, Keith R. Hicks, Andrew Cardin, Clayton R. DeCamillis, Richard C. Hazelhurst, Angelo Luciano, Andrew Bools, Robert J. Schauer
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Publication number: 20200298502Abstract: A microwave heating device includes a variable frequency microwave power supply, a waveguide launcher, and a fixture to contain a material to be heated, with the fixture located directly adjacent to the end of the launcher. All heating occurs in the near-field region, i.e., no cavity modes or standing waves are established within the fixture. This condition may be insured by keeping the thickness of the fixture or workpiece under one wavelength (at all microwave frequencies being used). The launcher is preferably a horn configured to spread the microwave power laterally over a selected area while maintaining a single propagating mode. The invention may be used to enhance catalytic reactions for research and other purposes. Alternatively, the invention may be configured to perform spot curing or repair operations involving adhesives and composites.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Iftikhar Ahmad, Keith R. Hicks, Andrew Cardin, Clayton R. DeCamillis, Richard C. Hazelhurst, Angelo Luciano, Andrew Bools, Robert J. Schauer
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Patent number: 9750091Abstract: An apparatus for thermal treatment of coatings on substrates includes a microwave applicator cavity; a microwave power supply to deliver power to the cavity; a thermally insulated microwave-transparent compartment within the cavity, large enough to contain the coated substrate while occupying no more than 50% of the total volume of the cavity; a means of supporting the coated substrate within the compartment; an adjustable IR heating source in the compartment and facing the substrate so that a selected amount of IR heating may be applied to the substrate; and, a non-contacting temperature measurement device to measure the temperature of the coating. Related methods for using the apparatus to process different kinds of films are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2012Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignees: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC., HELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Iftikhar Ahmad, Clayton R. DeCamillis, Robert J Schauer, James E. Neville
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Publication number: 20140103030Abstract: An apparatus for thermal treatment of coatings on substrates includes a microwave applicator cavity; a microwave power supply to deliver power to the cavity; a thermally insulated microwave-transparent compartment within the cavity, large enough to contain the coated substrate while occupying no more than 50% of the total volume of the cavity; a means of supporting the coated substrate within the compartment; an adjustable IR heating source in the compartment and facing the substrate so that a selected amount of IR heating may be applied to the substrate; and, a non-contacting temperature measurement device to measure the temperature of the coating. Related methods for using the apparatus to process different kinds of films are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Inventors: Iftikhar Ahmad, Clayton R. DeCamillis, Robert J. Schauer, James E. Neville