Patents by Inventor William A. Meredith, Jr.
William A. Meredith, Jr. 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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Publication number: 20160225591Abstract: A magnetron assembly for a rotary target cathode comprises an elongated support structure, a magnet bar structure movably positioned below the support structure, and a plurality of drive modules coupled to the support structure. The drive modules each include a motorized actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the magnet bar structure. A controller and battery module is coupled to the support structure and is in operative communication with the drive modules. The controller and battery module includes an electronic controller and at least one rechargeable battery. The battery is configured to energize each motorized actuation mechanism and the electronic controller. One or more power generation modules is coupled to the support structure and in electrical communication with the battery, such that electrical energy output from the power generation modules recharges the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2016Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Daniel Theodore Crowley, Patrick Lawrence Morse, John Robert German, William A. Meredith, JR.
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Patent number: 9406487Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a plasma source comprising a body in which a cavity is formed and at least two self-contained magnetron assemblies disposed within the cavity. The magnetron assemblies are mutually electrically isolated from each other and from the body. In one implementation of such an embodiment, the self-contained magnetron assemblies comprise closed-drift magnetron assemblies. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Sputtering Components, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Theodore Crowley, Patrick Lawrence Morse, William A. Meredith, Jr., John Robert German, Michelle Lynn Neal
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Patent number: 9362093Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a plasma source comprising a body in which a cavity is formed and at least two self-contained magnetron assemblies disposed within the cavity. The magnetron assemblies are mutually electrically isolated from each other and from the body. In one implementation of such an embodiment, the self-contained magnetron assemblies comprise closed-drift magnetron assemblies. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Sputtering Components, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Theodore Crowley, Patrick Lawrence Morse, William A. Meredith, Jr., John Robert German, Michelle Lynn Neal
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Patent number: 9312108Abstract: A magnetron assembly for a rotary target cathode comprises an elongated support structure, a magnet bar structure movably positioned below the support structure, and a plurality of drive modules coupled to the support structure. The drive modules each include a motorized actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the magnet bar structure. A controller and battery module is coupled to the support structure and is in operative communication with the drive modules. The controller and battery module includes an electronic controller and at least one rechargeable battery. The battery is configured to energize each motorized actuation mechanism and the electronic controller. One or more power generation modules is coupled to the support structure and in electrical communication with the battery, such that electrical energy output from the power generation modules recharges the battery.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2014Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Sputtering Components, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Theodore Crowley, Patrick Lawrence Morse, John Robert German, William A. Meredith, Jr.
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Publication number: 20150120001Abstract: A decentralized process controller comprises at least two programmable interface modules in operative communication with each other. Each of the interface modules includes a processor and is configurable for connection to separate field devices comprising at least one sensor device and at least one actuator device. The at least two programmable interface modules are configurable as a stand-alone process control loop when one of the interface modules is connected to the sensor device, and the other of the interface modules is connected to the actuator device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: Sputtering Components, Inc.Inventors: John Robert German, William A. Meredith, JR., Patrick Lawrence Morse, Brian Rooney
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Patent number: 8900428Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetron assembly comprises a plurality of magnets and a yoke configured to hold the plurality of magnets in at least four independent linear arrays. The plurality of magnets is arranged in the yoke so as to form a pattern comprising an outer portion and an inner portion. The outer portion substantially surrounds the perimeter of the inner portion. The magnets used to form the outer portion have a first polarity and the magnets used to form the inner portion having a second polarity. The outer portion of the pattern comprises a pair of elongated sections that are substantially parallel to one another. The outer portion of the pattern comprises a pair of turnaround sections, wherein each turnaround section substantially spans respective ends of the pair of elongated sections and wherein each turnaround section comprises a plurality of magnets having the first polarity. Other embodiments are described.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Sputtering Components, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Theodore Crowley, William A. Meredith, Jr.
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Publication number: 20140246312Abstract: A magnetron assembly for a rotary target cathode comprises an elongated support structure, a magnet bar structure movably positioned below the support structure, and a plurality of drive modules coupled to the support structure. The drive modules each include a motorized actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the magnet bar structure. A controller and battery module is coupled to the support structure and is in operative communication with the drive modules. The controller and battery module includes an electronic controller and at least one rechargeable battery. The battery is configured to energize each motorized actuation mechanism and the electronic controller. One or more power generation modules is coupled to the support structure and in electrical communication with the battery, such that electrical energy output from the power generation modules recharges the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: Sputtering Components, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Theodore Crowley, Patrick Lawrence Morse, John Robert German, William A. Meredith, JR.
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Publication number: 20140184073Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a plasma source comprising a body in which a cavity is formed and at least two self-contained magnetron assemblies disposed within the cavity. The magnetron assemblies are mutually electrically isolated from each other and from the body. In one implementation of such an embodiment, the self-contained magnetron assemblies comprise closed-drift magnetron assemblies. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: Sputtering Components, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Theodore Crowley, Patrick Lawrence Morse, William A. Meredith, JR., John Robert German, Michelle Lynn Neal
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Patent number: 6128087Abstract: A system for evaluating the reflectance of an object (e.g., a CRT) that is coated with an anti-reflective coating material is disclosed. The quality and/or uniformity of the coating is evaluated by a reflectometer. The reflectometer is positioned relative to the object by non-contact sensors. Reflectance data gathered by the reflectometer is analyzed to determine to what extent the actual coating differs from the optimal (i.e., ideal) coating. A feedback system modifies the coating process for subsequent objects in an attempt to fine-tune the coating process and achieve optimal anti-reflective coatings.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1998Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Inventors: William A. Meredith, Jr., Charles C. Gammans, Kelly R. Clayton, Erik J. Bjornard, Kim D. Powers
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Patent number: 5990984Abstract: An article comprising a transparent or translucent polymer substrate and a transparent or translucent coating applied thereto in which the refractive index of the coating material substantially matches the refractive index of the polymer substrate. The invention also relates to a method for making an article comprising a polymer substrate and a coating in which the refractive index of the coating substantially matches the refractive index of the polymer substrate.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1997Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Viratec Thin Films, Inc.Inventors: William A. Meredith, Jr., Bradway F. Phillips, Jeffrey L. Kokoschke
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Patent number: 5812405Abstract: A method and system for designing and manufacturing a high-performance, optimized optical interference coatings that have a minimal number of layers. Index of refraction, absorption coefficient, and thickness values are selected for each of the layers in the design so as to cause the reflectance of a coated object to be zero for a given wavelength. Materials that with the selected properties are manufactured by mixing two or more preexisting available materials.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1995Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Viratec Thin Films, Inc.Inventor: William A. Meredith, Jr.
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Patent number: 5772861Abstract: A system for evaluating the reflectance of an object (e.g., a CRT) that is coated with an anti-reflective coating material is disclosed. The quality and/or uniformity of the coating is evaluated by a reflectometer. The reflectometer is positioned relative to the object by non-contact sensors. Reflectance data gathered by the reflectometer is analyzed to determine to what extent the actual coating differs from the optimal (i.e., ideal) coating. A feedback system modifies the coating process for subsequent objects in an attempt to fine-tune the coating process and achieve optimal anti-reflective coatings for later objects passing through the system.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1995Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Assignee: Viratec Thin Films, Inc.Inventors: William A. Meredith, Jr., Charles C. Gammans, Kelly R. Clayton, Erik J. Bjornard, Kim D. Powers
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Patent number: 5768471Abstract: An optical analyzer measuring the reflectivity of a moving article in an in-line sputtering deposition system. The optical analyzer includes a light source which provides a light beam. Light is reflected from an optical coating of a moving article into a concentrator, which captures and directs the reflected light to a detector. The analyzer may be mounted in an evacuable chamber in which the end walls have openings to allow passage of the article.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1995Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Viratec Thin Films, Inc.Inventor: William A. Meredith, Jr.
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Patent number: 5579162Abstract: A multilayer antireflection coating for a temperature sensitive substrate such as plastic. One layer is a DC reactively sputtered metal oxide which may be deposited quickly and without imparting a large amount of heat to the substrate. Another layer has a refractive index lower than the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1994Date of Patent: November 26, 1996Assignee: Viratec Thin Films, Inc.Inventors: Erik J. Bjornard, William A. Meredith, Jr.
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Patent number: 5200855Abstract: High purity (95-99.5 percent) red, orange and yellow filters are disclosed which comprise a periodic stack of relatively low index of refraction dielectric material (L) such as SiO.sub.2 or MgF.sub.2 and absorbing relatively high index material such as silicon or Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3. Together, the low and high index materials provide a high index ratio (typically 1.7 to 2.5). The filters are fabricated according to designs such as (H/2 L H/2).sup.n, typically using only 5 to 7 layers. Despite the very small layer count, these filters provide overall optical performance which is at least the equivalent of all-dielectric filters of 30 or more layers, with color purity that is unachievable by all-dielectric filters and simple low cost design. In addition, our filters have inherently low stress levels and absorb and reflect unwanted light such as blue light.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1991Date of Patent: April 6, 1993Assignee: Optical Coating Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: William A. Meredith, Jr., Paul M. LeFebvre
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Patent number: RE39215Abstract: A multilayer antireflection coating for a temperature sensitive substrate such as plastic. One layer is a DC reactively sputtered metal oxide which may be deposited quickly and without imparting a large amount of heat to the substrate. Another layer has a refractive index lower than the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1997Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Tru Vue, Inc.Inventors: Erik J. Bjornard, William A. Meredith, Jr.
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Patent number: RE46599Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetron assembly comprises a plurality of magnets and a yoke configured to hold the plurality of magnets in at least four independent linear arrays. The plurality of magnets is arranged in the yoke so as to form a pattern comprising an outer portion and an inner portion. The outer portion substantially surrounds the perimeter of the inner portion. The magnets used to form the outer portion have a first polarity and the magnets used to form the inner portion having a second polarity. The outer portion of the pattern comprises a pair of elongated sections that are substantially parallel to one another. The outer portion of the pattern comprises a pair of turnaround sections, wherein each turnaround section substantially spans respective ends of the pair of elongated sections and wherein each turnaround section comprises a plurality of magnets having the first polarity. Other embodiments are described.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: SPUTTERING COMPONENTS INC.Inventors: Daniel Theodore Crowley, William A. Meredith, Jr.