Patents by Inventor Wesley J. Graba

Wesley J. Graba 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).

  • Devices and methods for feedthrough leakage current detection and decontamination in ionization gauges
    Patent number: 10132707
    Abstract: Devices and corresponding methods can be provided to test an ionization gauge, such as a hot cathode ionization gauge, for leakage currents and to respond to the leakage currents to improve pressure measurement accuracy. Responding to the leakage current can include applying a correction to a pressure measurement signal generated by the gauge based on the leakage current. Responding to the leakage current can also include removing contamination causing the leakage current, where the contamination is on electrical feedthrough insulators or other gauge surfaces. Testing and correcting for leakage currents and removing contamination can be completed with the ionization pressure gauge in situ in its environment of use, and while the gauge remains under vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Blouch, Paul C. Arnold, Gerardo A. Brucker, Wesley J. Graba, Douglas C. Hansen
  • Devices And Methods For Feedthrough Leakage Current Detection And Decontamination In Ionization Gauges
    Publication number: 20170010171
    Abstract: Devices and corresponding methods can be provided to test an ionization gauge, such as a hot cathode ionization gauge, for leakage currents and to respond to the leakage currents to improve pressure measurement accuracy. Responding to the leakage current can include applying a correction to a pressure measurement signal generated by the gauge based on the leakage current. Responding to the leakage current can also include removing contamination causing the leakage current, where the contamination is on electrical feedthrough insulators or other gauge surfaces. Testing and correcting for leakage currents and removing contamination can be completed with the ionization pressure gauge in situ in its environment of use, and while the gauge remains under vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen C. Blouch, Paul C. Arnold, Gerardo A. Brucker, Wesley J. Graba, Douglas C. Hansen