Patents by Inventor Timothy S. Thomas

Timothy S. Thomas 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: 20220415620
    Abstract: A thermal choke rod connecting a radio frequency source to a substrate support of a plasma processing system includes a tubular member having a first connector for connecting to an RF rod coupled to the substrate support and a second connector for connecting to an RF strap that couples to the RF source. A tubular segment extends between the first and second connectors. The first connector has a conically-shaped end region that tapers away from the inner surface thereof to an outer surface in a direction toward the tubular segment, and slits that extend for a prescribed distance from a terminal end of the first connector. The outer surface of the tubular segment has a threaded region for threaded engagement with an annular cap that fits over the first connector and reduces an inner diameter of the first connector upon contact with the conically-shaped end region of the first connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy S. THOMAS, Vincent BURKHART, Joel HOLLINGSWORTH, David FRENCH, Damien SLEVIN
  • Patent number: 11469084
    Abstract: A thermal choke rod connecting a radio frequency source to a substrate support of a plasma processing system includes a tubular member having a first connector for connecting to an RF rod coupled to the substrate support and a second connector for connecting to an RF strap that couples to the RF source. A tubular segment extends between the first and second connectors. The first connector has a conically-shaped end region that tapers away from the inner surface thereof to an outer surface in a direction toward the tubular segment, and slits that extend for a prescribed distance from a terminal end of the first connector. The outer surface of the tubular segment has a threaded region for threaded engagement with an annular cap that fits over the first connector and reduces an inner diameter of the first connector upon contact with the conically-shaped end region of the first connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy S. Thomas, Vince Burkhart, Joel Hollingsworth, David French, Damien Slevin
  • Patent number: 11232966
    Abstract: An electrostatic substrate chuck with substrate backside purging to prevent incidental backside deposition and that provides thermal sinking to prevent or mitigate the failure of seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy S. Thomas, Patrick Breiling, Ramesh Chandrasekharan, Vincent Burkhart
  • Publication number: 20190237353
    Abstract: An electrostatic substrate chuck with substrate backside purging to prevent incidental backside deposition and that provides thermal sinking to prevent or mitigate the failure of seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Timothy S. THOMAS, Patrick BREILING, Ramesh CHANDRASEKHARAN, Vincent BURKHART
  • Publication number: 20190071778
    Abstract: A thermal choke rod connecting a radio frequency source to a substrate support of a plasma processing system includes a tubular member having a first connector for connecting to an RF rod coupled to the substrate support and a second connector for connecting to an RF strap that couples to the RF source. A tubular segment extends between the first and second connectors. The first connector has a conically-shaped end region that tapers away from the inner surface thereof to an outer surface in a direction toward the tubular segment, and slits that extend for a prescribed distance from a terminal end of the first connector. The outer surface of the tubular segment has a threaded region for threaded engagement with an annular cap that fits over the first connector and reduces an inner diameter of the first connector upon contact with the conically-shaped end region of the first connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Timothy S. Thomas, Vince Burkhart, Joel Hollingsworth, David French, Damien Slevin
  • Patent number: 9630449
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing and storing outer wheel assemblies from combines being transported on public roads is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pivoting dual-boom crane temporarily mounted to an attachment frame of a combine. The crane swings over either outside wheel assembly and provides a lifting support for installing or removing the wheel assembly. A dual-boom crane includes a wheel bar configured to grip and lift a wheel assembly. The wheel assemblies are then secured on the apparatus such that the combine can be transported over public roadways without exceeding a typical width limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventor: Timothy S. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4941927
    Abstract: A method of fabricating 18% Ni maraging steel laminates of varying alloy compositions by roll bonding. Laminates composed of a plurality of different grades of Cobalt-containing or Cobalt-free maraging steels are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Charles F. Hickey, Jr., Timothy S. Thomas