Patents by Inventor Steven E. Hauer

Steven E. Hauer 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).

  • Patent number: 5195045
    Abstract: An automatic impedance matching apparatus for matching an RF-signal generator to a load, such as a plasma etching chamber, is disclosed. The matching apparatus comprises a matching network having two variable impedance devices, a tune detector for detecting the condition of the impedance match between the RF-signal and the load, and a controller for modifying the values of the variable impedance components in response to the measured tune condition. The present invention disclosed improve reset and convergence unit and eliminates the need for the "dead-band" provided around the matching point found in prior art impedance matching controllers. Also disclosed is an improved adjustment unit for adjusting the variable impedance components which is faster and more stable than found in prior art controllers. Also disclosed is a normalization unit for normalizing the input detection siganls such that variations in turning performance due to variations in input power level from the source are substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: ASTEC America, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony R. A. Keane, Steven E. Hauer