Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Thorp Reed & Armstrong
  • Patent number: 6508931
    Abstract: A process for the production of white oil includes adding a supercritical fluid (propane, butane or carbon dioxide) to the base oil and hydrogen injected into a reactor for hydrogenation. The base oil and supercritical fluid use high-pressure injector pumps as the feed system. The feed system for hydrogen uses a high-pressure compressor to compress hydrogen from a hydrogen tank to a storage tank, then a mass flow controller is used to steadily feed the hydrogen. A static mixer mounted in line, upstream from the inlet of the reactor mixes the reactant well. Several thermocouples are connected to the reactor, inlet and outlet of said reactor to measure the temperatures of the reaction. The detected data from the thermocouples are transferred to a six-point thermograph. The pressure of the reaction is maintained by a back pressure regulator that is mounted downstream from the outlet of said reactor. After the hydrogenation reaction is complete, the pressure of the fluid in the outlet of the reactor is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Chinese Petroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Wen-Fa Lin, Jen-Min Chen, Jun-Yi Chen, Kuang-Hua Tsai
  • Patent number: 6337813
    Abstract: The present invention is a current-mirror-based bias generator for a load less four transistor SRAM as well as associated methods of controlling or modifying the current conducted by the access transistors of such an SRAM. The present invention may be thought of as an adjustable temperature coefficient, bias generator that references, via a current mirror, a reference bank of SRAM cells. The bank of reference cells provides an indication of the necessary conduction characteristics (e.g., gate to source voltage) of the access transistors under various conditions. By applying a bias voltage to the word line the desired current is sourced from the digit line. The bank of reference SRAM cells inherently compensates for process variations. The adjustable temperature coefficient bias generator allows the current sourced by the digit lines to vary greatly as a result of temperature variations. Thus, the present invention compensates for both process variations and temperature variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ken W. Marr
  • Patent number: 6330174
    Abstract: There is disclosed a high efficiency uninterruptible power supply. A voltage boost unit is provided to transform and boost the voltage of an input power for being supplied to a load. A backup power supply unit is connected to the output ends of the voltage boost unit. An average current mode controller detects a current value of the input power when the input power is normally supplied, and detects a current value of the backup power supply unit when the input power is interrupted. A voltage mode controller controls the backup power supply unit to output power based on the current value of the backup power supply unit detected by the average current mode controller. A detection/control unit detects the input and output voltages of the voltage boost unit, so as to determine whether to drive the average current mode controller and the voltage mode controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Hong-Ching Yeah
  • Patent number: 6302109
    Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical drape support useful in head, neck or ophthalmic surgery, which supports the drape above and off the patient's face while actively removing exhaled air thus reducing carbon dioxide, heat and moisture levels from the space surrounding the patient's head and face. This device provides greater comfort to the patient during surgery by actively reducing the likelihood of claustrophobia from face-drape contact, reducing heat and moisture, and decreasing the risk of hypercarbia by removing exhaled air. The drape support additionally may reduce the risk of intra-operative fire under the surgical drapes resulting from a build up of supplemental oxygen under the drapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: Robert E. Parnes
  • Patent number: 6304446
    Abstract: A heat dissipater is composed of a base adapted to engage with a heat source, a fan assembly and a cover. The cover has two perpendicular walls, a central through hole and a path from the central through hole in the cover to the open wall at the edge of the base. With such an arrangement, the air can be directly drawn in from the central through hole and blown out of the cover through the path to dissipate the heat of nearby electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: Hsin-Mao Hsieh
  • Patent number: 6269866
    Abstract: The invention provides a cooling device provided with a heat pipe, which is capable of effectively radiating heat from electronic equipment such as a small-sized computer. The cooling device with the heat pipe comprises a plate-like container made of heat transferring metal for containing a working fluid, and having a heat absorbing surface larger than that of the body to be cooled, a the heat transferring metal column, and a hollow portion in which the working fluid exists. An alternating embodiment of the cooling device with the heat pipe comprises a plate-like container made of heat transferring metal, a heat absorbing wall having a large heat absorbing surface, and a plurality of protrusion portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Yamamoto, Jun Niekawa, Tatuhiko Ueki, Masami Ikeda, Ken Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6256838
    Abstract: A pivoting assembly for a notebook computer is disclosed. The pivoting assembly has a sleeve with a hole defined on one end, a pivoting axle extending into the hole, a positioning rod co-axially protruding from one end of the pivoting axle and received in the hole, multiple disk springs each having a central hole through which the positioning rod extends, at least one oil recess defined on the inner periphery of the central hole for lubricating oil in each oil recess, a limiting means to keep the pivoting axle from pulling away from the hole and a fixed means for keeping the disk springs from pivoting with the pivoting axle such that a pivoting assembly with a lubricating effect is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Sheng-Nan Lu
  • Patent number: 6246046
    Abstract: The present invention provides an excitation source which may be used, for example, in conjunction with the scanning of multi-channel electrophoresis chips or capillary arrays. The excitation source is comprised of a source of light, such as a laser beam. A beam expander, an acousto-optic deflector, and a filter are optically aligned with the source of light. A driver is connected to the acousto-optic deflector for controlling the angle of deflection. A system is disclosed which includes the excitation source, a detector for detecting fluorescence from a target chip, and a beam splitter or other device for optically connecting the excitation source to the chip and for optically connecting the chip to the detector. The excitation source may be based on an acousto-optic deflector, an electrooptic deflector, a piezoelectric deflector, or any other electronically controlled device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh
    Inventors: James P. Landers, Zhili Huang, Andreas Huhmer
  • Patent number: 6233659
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multi-port memory device responsive to two systems. The device includes an array of memory cells each represented by a unique row and column address. The memory device has first and second input/output ports and an input/output control circuit, responsive to the first and second input/output ports, for writing data into and reading data of the array. The device further includes a first signal decoder responsive to the first system for producing first signals for accessing a cell within said array. The device also includes a second signal decoder responsive to the second system for producing second signals for accessing a cell within the array. A control circuit is responsive to the first and second systems for identifying which of the systems is entitled to access to the array in the event both systems seek access to the same address at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Cohen, Jeff Ladwig
  • Patent number: 6230365
    Abstract: A hinge for a notebook computer is disclosed. The hinge is composed of a base and a hinge member pivotally mounted on the base by a pintle. The base has a pulley bracket pivotally mounted thereon and a pulley rotatably mounted on the bracket. A tongue is mounted on the pintle and can be pivoted with the hinge member. A distal end of the tongue is engaged with the pulley and located below the pulley when the computer is closed. When the computer is to be opened, the tongue is pivoted upwards to push the pulley bracket pivoted upwards, and disengaged from the pulley. When the computer is to be closed, the tongue is pivoted downwards to push the pulley bracket pivoted downwards, and located below the pulley again. Because the tongue is limited by the pulley, the pintle is unable to be freely rotated and the display is securely closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Sheng-Nan Lu
  • Patent number: 6223373
    Abstract: A pair of pliers with multiple functions is disclosed. The pliers have a pair of shanks pivotally engaged with each other each having a jaw formed at one end thereof, a polygon hole defined in the other end to hold a tool head, a hammer formed on the outside of one of the jaws and a chisel formed on the other. In addition, teeth and a cutting edge are formed on the face of the corresponding jaws or shanks. Consequently, the pair of pliers can be used as a hammer, a chisel or a screwdriver. This can improve the flexibility of the pair of pliers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Shih-Yuan Yeh
  • Patent number: 6210882
    Abstract: Methods for performing rapid and accurate thermocycling on a sample are disclosed. Use of non-contact heating and cooling sources allows precise temperature control with sharp transitions from one temperature to another to be achieved. A wide range of temperatures can be accomplished according to these methods. In addition, thermocycling can be performed without substantial temperature gradients occurring in the sample. Apparatus for achieving these methods are also disclosed. A method for pumping a sample through microchannels on a microchip using a non-contact heat source is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignees: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Reseach, University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: James P Landers, Andreas Hühmer, Robert P. Oda, James R. Craighead
  • Patent number: 6211545
    Abstract: A solid state fabrication technique for controlling the amount of outdiffusion from a three-dimensional film is comprised of the step of providing a first layer of insitu doped film in a manner to define an upper portion and a lower portion. A second layer of undoped film is provided on top of the first layer to similarly define an upper portion and a lower portion. The first and second layers are etched according to a predetermined pattern. The second layer is doped to obtain a desired dopant density which decreases from the upper portion to the lower portion. Outdiffusion of the dopant from the upper portion of the second layer results in the dopant migrating to the lower portion of the second layer. Thus, outdiffusion into the substrate, and the problems caused thereby, are eliminated or greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, D. Mark Durcan, Luan C. Tran, Robert B. Kerr, David F. Cheffings, Howard E. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 6198670
    Abstract: The present invention is a current-mirror-based bias generator for a load less four transistor SRAM as well as associated methods of controlling or modifying the current conducted by the access transistors of such an SRAM. The present invention may be thought of as an adjustable temperature coefficient, bias generator that references, via a current mirror, a reference bank of SRAM cells. The bank of reference cells provides an indication of the necessary conduction characteristics (e.g., gate to source voltage) of the access transistors under various conditions. By applying a bias voltage to the word line the desired current is sourced from the digit line. The bank of reference SRAM cells inherently compensates for process variations. The adjustable temperature coefficient bias generator allows the current sourced by the digit lines to vary greatly as a result of temperature variations. Thus, the present invention compensates for both process variations and temperature variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ken W. Marr
  • Patent number: 6189213
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling unit for electronic devices wherein the manufacturing method comprises the steps of: (a) preparing a plate-type metal block for removing heat generated from an electronic component, the metal block having holes in the thickness part of the metal block and having convex portions formed on one main surface or both main surfaces of the metal block; (b) inserting heat pipes into the holes; and (c) applying a local and two-dimensional force from the surface of the metal block to the convex portions to make the surface flat bringing the outer surface of each heat pipe into close contact with the inner wall of each hole in the metal block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Kimura, Masaaki Yamamoto, Suemi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6189073
    Abstract: A circuit for internally caching a memory device having a main memory is comprised of a cache memory of smaller size than the main memory for storing certain of the same data stored in the main memory. A tag memory is provided for mapping the information stored in the cache memory. A logic circuit is in communication with the main memory, the cache memory, and the tag memory for controlling the input of data thereto and output of data therefrom. The cache memory, tag memory, and logic circuit are carried internally in the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Thomas Pawlowski
  • Patent number: 6180500
    Abstract: A method of creating ultra-small nibble structures using a modification of an already existing mask is comprised of the steps of depositing a layer of nitride on a circuit being fabricated according to standard MOSFET process steps. A layer of photoresist is patterned using a modification of an existing mask, such as a contact mask modified to include a nibble pattern. The nitride layer and an underlying oxide layer are removed according to the patterned photoresist to create a contact opening and an opening over the field oxide. Spacers may be created in the opening over the field oxide. A conductive layer and a polysilicon layer exposed in the opening over the field oxide are removed extending the opening down to the field oxide to create a nibble structure in the polysilicon layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Violette, Fernando Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 6159790
    Abstract: A solid state fabrication technique for controlling the amount of outdiffusion from a three-dimensional film is comprised of the step of providing a first layer of insitu doped film in a manner to define an upper portion and a lower portion. A second layer of undoped film is provided on top of the first layer to similarly define an upper portion and a lower portion. The first and second layers are etched according to a predetermined pattern. The second layer is doped to obtain a desired dopant density which decreases from the upper portion to the lower portion. Outdiffusion of the dopant from the upper portion of the second layer results in the dopant migrating to the lower portion of the second layer. Thus, outdiffusion into the substrate, and the problems caused thereby, are eliminated or greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, D. Mark Durcan, Luan C. Tran, Robert B. Kerr, David F. Cheffings, Howard E. Rhodes
  • Patent number: D436675
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Inventor: Kang-Tien Lin
  • Patent number: D452720
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Inventor: Robert L. Blankenship