Patents Examined by Eric W Golightly
  • Patent number: 12084632
    Abstract: A method of treating a drainage system includes puncturing, by a controller, a pod retained by a pod housing, wherein the pod contains a drain treatment compound, and introducing, by the controller, water from a water supply to the pod retained by the pod housing to deliver the drain treatment compound dispersed in the water to a drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Inventor: Daniel Jordan
  • Patent number: 12086403
    Abstract: Devices include first and second frame elements having mounting points connectable to opposite ends (e.g., first end, second end) of the touchscreen. First and second rollers are connected, respectively, to the first and second frame elements. A web of transparent material is supported by and between the first and second rollers. Further, an ultraviolet light device is connected to the second frame element and is positioned to expose the web of transparent material to ultraviolet radiation to disinfect the transparent material between users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas K. Herrmann, Seemit Praharaj, Jason M. LeFevre, Paul J. McConville, Chu-Heng Liu, Linn C. Hoover, David A. VanKouwenberg
  • Patent number: 12077855
    Abstract: With respect to a cleaning method of cleaning an inside of a processing chamber in a film deposition apparatus including a rotary table rotatably provided in the processing chamber, multiple mounting areas being provided on the rotary table in a circumferential direction, the cleaning method includes (a) discharging a carrier gas and a cleaning gas with rotating the rotary table, a flow rate of the carrier gas being adjusted to a first flow rate, (b) discharging the carrier gas and the cleaning gas with rotating the rotary table, the flow rate of the carrier gas being adjusted to a second flow rate less than the first flow rate, and (c) performing switching from (a) to (b) and switching from (b) to (a) a predetermined number of times while the rotary table rotates by one revolution, the predetermined number being equal to a number of the multiple mounting areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hideomi Hane, Akihiro Kuribayashi, Noriaki Fukiage
  • Patent number: 12070824
    Abstract: A system and a method include a tool having an operative portion. The tool is disposed in relation to a first side of one or more components. An anvil is disposed in relation to a second side of the one or more components. The second side is opposite from the first side. The anvil includes a first portion separated from a second portion by a gap. A fluid circuit includes a fluid stream that extends through the gap. The fluid circuit is configured to remove foreign object debris generated in relation to the second side of the one or more components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: John W. Bennett
  • Patent number: 12070779
    Abstract: A method includes performing a cleaning operation on a supporting surface of a wafer table by using a cleaning scrubber having a plurality of microstructures, the plurality of microstructures being spaced apart from each other and having a tapered width; placing a semiconductor wafer on the supporting surface of the wafer table; and performing a photolithography process on the semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Pei-Yi Su, Cheng-Chieh Chen
  • Patent number: 12064069
    Abstract: Provided are a cleaning robot and a control method thereof. The control method of the cleaning robot including a first rotation member and a second rotation member each performing a rotational motion around a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis according to the present disclosure includes: obtaining acceleration of the cleaning robot and at least one of rotational loads and rotational speeds of the respective first and second rotation members, during driving of the cleaning robot; determining whether the obtained acceleration is abnormal and whether at least one of the obtained rotational loads or at least one of the obtained rotational speeds is abnormal; and determining that an obstacle is detected when the acceleration is determined to be abnormal and at least one of the rotational loads or at least one of the rotational speeds is determined to be abnormal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: EVERYBOT INC.
    Inventors: Woo Chul Jung, Bong Yun Kim
  • Patent number: 12065939
    Abstract: Turbines and associated equipment are normally cleaned via water or chemical pressure washing via a mist, spray systems. However, these systems fail to reach deep across the gas path to remove fouling materials. Various embodiments herein pertain to apparatus and methods that utilize the water and exiting chemicals to generate a foam. The foam can be introduced at that gas-path entrance of the equipment, where it contacts the stages and internal surfaces. In one embodiment, the method can include: forming a first foam with a liquid cleaning agent and pressurized gas; flowing the first foam over a member or matrix and increasing the size of the cells of the first foam to form a second foam; and flowing the second foam through a structure such as a mesh or one or more apertured plates and decreasing the size of the cells of the second foam to form a third foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: AeroCore Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Jorge Ivan Saenz
  • Patent number: 12068152
    Abstract: A system for performing a bevel cleaning process on a substrate includes a substrate support including an electrode and a plurality of plasma needles arranged around a perimeter of the substrate support. The plasma needles are in fluid communication with a gas delivery system and are configured to supply reactive gases from the gas delivery system to a bevel region of the substrate when the substrate is arranged on the substrate support and electrically couple to the electrode of the substrate support and generate plasma around the bevel region of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: Saravanapriyan Sriraman
  • Patent number: 12064072
    Abstract: A household appliance includes a control device configured to carry out a treatment program from a plurality of treatment programs, with each of the plurality of treatment programs being determined by a plurality of program parameters, an output unit configured to output a feedback survey in accordance with a feedback cycle to a user of the household appliance, and an adjustment unit configured to adjust the feedback cycle depending on a user feedback detected by an input means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Miller, Kai Paintner, Alexander Rommel, Katharina Scheck, Helena Riehl, Manuel Meyer, Matthias Heckes, Matthias Hüdig
  • Patent number: 12064093
    Abstract: A cleaning indicator including a substrate having an image upon it that can be interrogated to assist in monitoring a process for washing articles in a washing machine system. The image can be a printed image, which in turn is covered at least partially by a test soil to be removed by the washing process. Alternatively, the test soil can be formed into an image on the substrate. The cleaning indicator can be imaged before the start of a washing process to allow the washing process to proceed only if the appropriate image is observed. The cleaning indicator can be imaged during operation of the washing process, and when a criterion for cleanliness is met, the washing process can be automatically terminated. A washing system for using the cleaning indicator in an automated washing process is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Advanced Sterilization Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd Morrison
  • Patent number: 12062569
    Abstract: A processing apparatus configured to process a substrate includes a substrate holder having a substrate holding surface configured to attract and hold the substrate thereon; and an edge cleaning device configured to clean an edge portion of the substrate holding surface. Further, a processing method of processing a rear surface of the substrate by using the processing apparatus includes processing the rear surface of the substrate while a front surface of the substrate is attracted to and held by a substrate holding surface of a substrate holder; and cleaning an edge portion of the substrate holding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Kazuya Ikeue
  • Patent number: 12049202
    Abstract: A system for cleaning a plurality of sensors of a motor vehicle includes a plurality of devices for spraying a cleaning fluid onto the sensors and a cleaning fluid storage reservoir. The cleaning system includes a distribution circuit connected to the storage reservoir and to which each of the spray devices is connected via a solenoid valve. The cleaning system further includes an electronic management unit for controlling the operation of at least the distribution circuit. In addition, the cleaning system includes an electronically controlled pump, the electronic control unit of which modifies a parameter pertaining to the flow of the cleaning fluid in the distribution circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: VALEO SYSTÈMES D'ESSUYAGE
    Inventor: Marcel Trebouet
  • Patent number: 12048080
    Abstract: An optical system includes a plurality of laser light sources and an optical component. A first set of one or more laser light sources is configured to emit optical disinfection light at the optical component. A second set of one or more laser light sources is configured to emit optical communication light at the optical component. The optical component is configured to distribute the optical disinfection light in a first light distribution pattern, and to distribute the optical communication light in a second light distribution pattern. The optical component includes a first set of one or more metamaterial structures configured to distribute, in the first light distribution pattern, the optical disinfection light that is incident on the optical component, and a second set of one or more metamaterial structures configured to distribute, in the second light distribution pattern, the optical communication light that is incident on the optical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: VIAVI Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: William D. Houck
  • Patent number: 12035863
    Abstract: A cleaning device is provided. The cleaning device includes a power source and a pump in selective electrical communication with the power source. A storage container is provided. A valve assembly is disposed in the storage container and is in fluid communication with the pump. The valve assembly selectively flows cleaning fluid from a first portion and a second portion of the storage container. A cleaning element having a spray nozzle is in fluid communication with the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph K. Patterson, Paul H. Adams, Stephen P. Huda, Christopher Joseph Carballo
  • Patent number: 12036583
    Abstract: A cleaner comes into contact with a lower-surface center region of a substrate held by a first holder, so that the lower-surface center region is cleaned. The cleaner comes into contact with a lower-surface outer region of the substrate rotated by a second holder, so that the lower-surface outer region of the substrate is cleaned. During cleaning of the lower-surface center region, the second holder is rotated about a vertical axis while not holding the substrate. Alternatively, during cleaning of the lower-surface center region, the gas injector arranged between the cleaner and the second holder injects gas toward the substrate from a first height spaced apart from the substrate by a predetermined distance. Further, during drying of the lower-surface center region, the gas injector injects gas toward the substrate from a second height closer to the substrate than the first height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: SCREEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Shinohara, Junichi Ishii, Kazuki Nakamura, Yoshifumi Okada, Takuma Takahashi, Takashi Shinohara, Nobuaki Okita
  • Patent number: 12036584
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of rapidly decontaminating hydrocarbon contaminated equipment by sequencing a cleaning mist or foam, an encapsulating mist or foam and a dry carrier gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ashley Zachariah, Richard M. Kelly, Michael St. James, Joseph E. Gulayets
  • Patent number: 12030092
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate cleaning method and a substrate cleaning apparatus for cleaning a substrate, such as a wafer. The substrate cleaning method includes: holding a periphery of a substrate (W) with holding rollers (6); rotating the substrate (W) about its central axis by rotating the holding rollers (6) about their respective central axes; delivering a two-fluid jet from a two-fluid jet nozzle (2) to a surface of the substrate (W) while moving the two-fluid jet nozzle (2) in a radial direction of the substrate (W), the two-fluid jet (2) being composed of a mixture of a first liquid and a gas; and when the two-fluid jet is being delivered to the surface of the substrate (W), delivering a fan-shaped jet of a second liquid from a spray nozzle (3) to the surface of the substrate (W) to form a flow of the second liquid on the surface of the substrate (W). The fan-shaped jet is located away from the two-fluid jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Kodera, Keisuke Uchiyama, Satoru Yamamoto, Hokuto Yamanobe
  • Patent number: 12030090
    Abstract: A wiping member to wipe a nozzle surface of a liquid discharging head includes a first layer configured to be brought into contact with the nozzle surface and one or more other layers, wherein the following relation is satisfied: t1<t2, where t1 represents the thickness of the first layer and t2 represents the thickness of the one or more other layers, wherein the porosity of the first layer is smaller than the porosity of at least one of the one or more other layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takumi Atake, Akira Izutani, Yohta Sakon, Hiroko Ohkura, Yuusuke Fujita
  • Patent number: 12030095
    Abstract: A device and method for protecting an optical sensor of a vehicle are disclosed, wherein the sensor is protected from environmental pollutants which may adhere to an optical surface of the sensor if the sensor is exposed to them, and wherein the environmental pollutants are kept away from the sensor by an ultrasonic cleaning of the sensor surface using an ultrasonic field. The ultrasonic field of the ultrasonic cleaning is emitted by a protection device into the air to provide a protection zone around the optical surface of the sensor such that a contact of the optical surface with the environmental pollutants is avoided, wherein the environmental pollutants are moved and/or destroyed in the air away from the sensor if they enter the protection zone), and wherein the protection zone provides a contactless cleaning of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Norbert Bierhals
  • Patent number: 12030120
    Abstract: A system and method of testing a part manufactured using an additive manufacturing process. The part may be excited via an input mechanism that imparts an excitation force on the part to induce a dynamic response in the part. An output mechanism may be used to sense the dynamic response in the part. A processing element may be used to compare the dynamic response with a reference to identify an indication of excess powder in the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brett Page Conner, Benjamin Ross Brown