Patents Represented by Attorney The Mueller Law Office, P.C.
  • Patent number: 8347458
    Abstract: A bypass-type motor protecting device includes: a casing fitted into a bypass opening in a body housing of a vacuum cleaner and having an inner abutment wall; a seat body having a bypass entry port; a valve body unit movable within the casing relative to the bypass entry port and including a valve disc to be engaged with and disengaged from the seat body, a plunger body having an externally accessible operated head and an axially extending threaded shank, and an abutment member threadedly engaged with the shank such that rotation of the operated head results in a change of an axial distance between the abutment member and the inner abutment wall; and a biasing member disposed to bias the abutment member and the inner abutment wall such that a biasing force thereof is varied in strength by the change of the axial distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Zeng Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shui-Chun Tseng, Chin-Chao Chung, Ming-Da Li
  • Patent number: 8349626
    Abstract: A novel method is described to create low-relief texture at a light-facing surface or a back surface of a photovoltaic cell. The peak-to-valley height and average peak-to-peak distance of the textured surface is less than about 1 microns, for example less than about 0.8 micron, for example about 0.5 microns or less. In a completed photovoltaic device, average reflectance for light having wavelength between 375 and 1010 nm at a light-facing surface with this texture is 6 percent or less, for example about 5 percent or less, in some instances about 3.5 percent. This texture is produced by forming an optional oxide layer at the surface, lightly buffing the surface, and etching with a crystallographically selective etch. Excellent texture may be produced by etching for as little as twelve minutes or less. Very little silicon, for example about 0.3 mg/cm2 or less, is lost at the textured surface during this etch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: GTAT Corporation
    Inventors: Zhiyong Li, David Tanner, Gopalakrishna Prabhu, Mohamed H. Hilali
  • Patent number: 8259440
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a display module and a computing device. The display module includes a display casing, a connecting unit disposed on the display casing, and a display panel. The connecting unit includes a first electrical connecting member. The display panel includes a panel unit and a second electrical connecting member disposed on the panel unit. The first and second electrical connecting members are configured such that one is a slot with terminals and the other is a circuit board provided with copper foil circuits. The panel unit is connectible electrically to the computing device by coupling insertably the second electrical connecting member to the first electrical connecting member, thereby permitting the display panel to be easily assembled to or disassembled from the display casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Li-Sheng Lin
  • Patent number: 8247243
    Abstract: Methods and devices for solar cell interconnection are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes physically alloying the ink metal to the underlying foil (hence excellent adhesion and conductivity with no pre-treatment), and by fusing the solid particles in the ink on the surface (eliminating any organic components) so that the surface is ideally suited for good conductivity and adhesion to an overlayer of finger ink, which is expected to be another adhesive. In some embodiments, contact resistance of conductive adhesives are known to be much lower on gold or silver than on any other metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Nanosolar, Inc.
    Inventors: Jayna Sheats, Phil Stob
  • Patent number: 8232597
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for the removal of excess carriers from the body of active devices in semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) structures. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating an integrated circuit is disclosed. In one step, an active device is formed in an active layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator wafer. In another step, substrate material is removed from a substrate layer disposed on a back side of the SOI wafer. In another step, an insulator material is removed from a back side of the SOI wafer to form an excavated insulator region. In another step, a conductive layer is deposited on the excavated insulator region. Depositing the conductive layer puts it in physical contact with a body of an active device in a first portion of the excavated insulator region. The conductive layer then couples the body to a contact in a second detached portion of the excavated insulator region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: IO Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Stuber, Stuart B. Molin, Paul A. Nygaard
  • Patent number: 8221940
    Abstract: In the field of semiconductor production using charged particle beam lithography, a method and system for fracturing or mask data preparation or proximity effect correction is disclosed, wherein a plurality of exposure passes are used, and where the sum of the base dosage levels for all of the exposure passes does not equal a normal dosage. Methods for manufacturing a reticle and manufacturing an integrated circuit are also disclosed, wherein a plurality of charged particle beam exposure passes are used, and where the sum of the base dosage levels for all of the exposure passes is different than a normal dosage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: D2S, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Robert Zable, Akira Fujimura
  • Patent number: 8221939
    Abstract: In the field of semiconductor production using charged particle beam lithography, a method and system for fracturing or mask data preparation or proximity effect correction is disclosed, wherein base dosages for a plurality of exposure passes are different from each other. Methods for manufacturing a reticle and manufacturing an integrated circuit are also disclosed, wherein a plurality of charged particle beam exposure passes are used, with base dosage levels being different for different exposure passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: D2S, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Robert Zable, Akira Fujimura
  • Patent number: 8202672
    Abstract: A method for fracturing or mask data preparation or proximity effect correction of a desired pattern to be formed on a reticle is disclosed in which a plurality of variable shaped beam (VSB) shots are determined which can form the desired pattern. Shots within the plurality of VSB shots are allowed to overlap each other. Dosages of the shots may also be allowed to vary with respect to each other. The union of the plurality of shots may deviate from the desired pattern. The plurality of shots may be determined such that a pattern on the surface calculated from the plurality of shots is within a predetermined tolerance of the desired pattern. In some embodiments, an optimization technique may be used to minimize shot count. In other embodiments, the plurality of shots may be optionally selected from one or more pre-computed VSB shots or groups of VSB shots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: D2S, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Fujimura, Lance Glasser
  • Patent number: 8202673
    Abstract: A method is disclosed in which a plurality of variable shaped beam (VSB) shots is used to form a desired pattern on a surface. In this method some shots within the plurality of shots overlap each other. Additionally, the union of any subset of the plurality of shots differ from the desired pattern. In some embodiments, dosages of the shots vary with respect to each other. In other embodiments, an optimization technique may be used to minimize shot count. In yet other embodiments, the plurality of shots may be optionally selected from one or more pre-computed VSB shots or groups of VSB shots. The method of the present disclosure may be used, for example, in the process of manufacturing an integrated circuit by optical lithography using a reticle, or in the process of manufacturing an integrated circuit using direct write.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: D2S, Inc
    Inventors: Akira Fujimura, Lance Glasser
  • Patent number: 8198765
    Abstract: A motor assembly includes a housing, a revolving shaft revolvably mounted in the housing, a magnet mounting portion surrounding and rotatable with the revolving shaft, a magnet disposed on the magnet mounting portion, a magnetically inducible core having a plurality of stator poles spaced apart from rotor magnetic poles of the magnet, and a plurality of stator windings wound on the stator poles, respectively. The stator windings are spaced apart from end walls of the housing by axial intervals. A thermally conductive bridging member is disposed to span the axial intervals to conduct heat emanating from the stator windings to the end walls so as to dissipate heat out of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignees: Joy Ride Tech. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rong-Jong Owng, Chia-Wen Ruan, Yi-Tang Wei, Ming-Chen Liao
  • Patent number: 8178419
    Abstract: It is advantageous to create texture at the surface of a photovoltaic cell to reduce reflection and increase travel length of light within the cell. A method is disclosed to create texture at the surface of a silicon body by reacting a silicide-forming metal at the surface, where the silicide-silicon interface is non-planar, then stripping the silicide, leaving behind a textured surface. Depending on the metal and the conditions of silicide formation, the resulting surface may be faceted. The peak-to-valley height of this texturing will generally be between about 300 and about 5000 angstroms, which is well-suited for use in photovoltaic cells comprising a thin silicon lamina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Twin Creeks Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: S. Brad Herner
  • Patent number: 8173452
    Abstract: A semiconductor assembly is described in which a support element is constructed on a surface of a semiconductor lamina. Following formation of the thin lamina, which may have a thickness about 50 microns or less, the support element is formed, for example by plating, or by application of a precursor and curing in situ, resulting in a support element which may be, for example, metal, ceramic, polymer, etc. This is in contrast to a rigid or semi-rigid pre-formed support element which is affixed to the lamina following its formation, or to a donor wafer from which the lamina is subsequently cleaved. Fabricating the support element in situ may avoid the use of adhesives to attach the lamina to a permanent support element; such adhesives may be unable to tolerate processing temperatures and conditions required to complete the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Twin Creeks Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Petti, Mohamed M. Hilali, Theodore Smick, Venkatesan Murali, Kathy J. Jackson, Zhiyong Li, Gopalakrishna Prabhu
  • Patent number: 8148189
    Abstract: A method is described to create a thin semiconductor lamina adhered to a ceramic body. The method includes defining a cleave plane in a semiconductor donor body, applying a ceramic mixture to a first face of the semiconductor body, the ceramic mixture including ceramic powder and a binder, curing the ceramic mixture to form a ceramic body, and cleaving a lamina from the semiconductor donor body at the cleave plane, the lamina remaining adhered to the ceramic body. Forming the ceramic body this way allows outgassing of volatiles during the curing step. Devices can be formed in the lamina, including photovoltaic devices. The ceramic body and lamina can withstand high processing temperatures. In some embodiments, the ceramic body may be conductive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Twin Creeks Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Aditya Agarwal, Kathy J Jackson
  • Patent number: 8143811
    Abstract: Lighting devices are configured to communicate with one another and with external systems. Sensors located at such lighting devices communicate with the external systems and with others of the lighting devices. Lighting is controlled to maintain safety, to drive customer traffic within a retail facility, or to conserve energy. An application programming interface provides a common mechanism for control of various lighting device types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Lumetric, Inc.
    Inventors: Moshe Shloush, Gregory Davis
  • Patent number: 8137871
    Abstract: In the field of semiconductor production using charged particle beam lithography, a method and system for fracturing or mask data preparation or proximity effect correction is disclosed, in which the union of shots from one of a plurality of exposure passes is different than the union of shots from a different exposure pass. Methods for manufacturing a reticle and for manufacturing an integrated circuit are also disclosed, in which the union of shots from one of a plurality of charged particle beam exposure passes is different than the union of shots from a different exposure pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: D2S, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Robert Zable, Akira Fujimura
  • Patent number: 8132869
    Abstract: A fastening device is provided on a side wall of a positioning frame for fastening of an electronic device disposed in the positioning frame. The fastening device includes a limiting component and a positioning component. The limiting component includes a connecting part connected to an outer face of the side wall, and a limiting part extending from the connecting part and spaced apart from the side wall. The positioning component includes a rod body, and two positioning parts extending respectively from two ends of the rod body. Each of the positioning parts extends into a respective one of two holes in the side wall and a respective one of two blind holes in the electronic device. The rod body is limited from movement in a direction away from the side wall by the limiting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Aopen Inc.
    Inventors: Hsin-Hsiung Wang, Chun Chang
  • Patent number: 8129613
    Abstract: Fabrication of a photovoltaic cell comprising a thin semiconductor lamina may require additional processing after the semiconductor lamina is bonded to a receiver. To minimize high-temperature steps after bonding, the p-n junction is formed at the back of the cell, at the bonded surface. In some embodiments, the front surface of the semiconductor lamina is not doped or is locally doped using low-temperature methods. The base resistivity of the photovoltaic cell may be reduced, allowing a front surface field to be reduced or omitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Twin Creeks Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed M. Hilali, Christopher J. Petti
  • Patent number: 8119905
    Abstract: The present invention is a combination non-imaging concentrator in which at least one surface or volume is incorporated as an optical element to increase obliquity of reflection at walls of a light guide. The combination non-imaging concentrator may be used in a solar energy system to receive solar radiation from optical components and then output the solar radiation to a photovoltaic cell for conversion to electricity. One or more lenses may be formed integrally with the light guide, or may be used in conjunction with the light guide as separate components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: SolFocus, Inc.
    Inventors: John Steffen Jensen, Mark McDonald
  • Patent number: 8121078
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and techniques associated with battery powered wireless camera systems. One aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a system that includes a battery powered wireless camera including an internal battery to provide energy and a burst transmission unit to transmit information during burst periods. The system includes a base station, separated from the battery powered wireless camera, in wireless communication with the battery powered wireless camera to receive information from the battery powered wireless camera. The base station is configured to process the received information and includes a web server to transmit the processed information to a client. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Micropower Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Siann, Dennis James Espey
  • Patent number: 8101451
    Abstract: A semiconductor assembly is described in which a support element is constructed on a surface of a semiconductor lamina. Following formation of the thin lamina, which may have a thickness about 50 microns or less, the support element is formed, for example by plating, or by application of a precursor and curing in situ, resulting in a support element which may be, for example, metal, ceramic, polymer, etc. This is in contrast to a rigid or semi-rigid pre-formed support element which is affixed to the lamina following its formation, or to a donor wafer from which the lamina is subsequently cleaved. Fabricating the support element in situ may avoid the use of adhesives to attach the lamina to a permanent support element; such adhesives may be unable to tolerate processing temperatures and conditions required to complete the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Twin Creeks Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatesan Murali, Christopher J Petti, Theodore Smick, Mohamed M Hilali, Kathy J Jackson, Zhiyong Li, Gopalakrishna Prabhu