Patents Examined by Louis Rufo
  • Patent number: 9851327
    Abstract: A micro electrochemical cell, a micro electrochemical gas sensor, and a method for fabrication of the micro electrochemical cell are described that include a photopatternable glass substrate, two or more embedded electrodes integrated with through-glass vias, and a gas-permeable membrane lid. In an implementation, a micro electrochemical cell includes a photopatternable glass substrate; at least one recess formed in the photopatternable glass substrate; a plurality of through-glass vias formed in the photopatternable glass substrate, at least one electrolyte disposed in the at least one recess; a wicking layer disposed over the at least one electrolyte; and a lid assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan G. Allen, Anand Chamakura, Christopher F. Edwards
  • Patent number: 9834677
    Abstract: A composition comprising a source of metal ions and at least one additive comprising a polyalkyleneimine backbone, said polyalkyleneimine backbone having a molecular weight Mw of from 300 g/mol to 1000000 g/mol, wherein the N hydrogen atoms in the backbone are substituted by a polyoxyalkylene radical and wherein the average number of oxyalkylene units in said polyoxyalkylene radical is from 1.5 to 10 per N—H unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Cornelia Roeger-Goepfert, Roman Benedikt Raether, Marco Arnold, Charlotte Emnet, Dieter Mayer
  • Patent number: 9828688
    Abstract: Disclosed are pre-wetting apparatus designs and methods. In some embodiments, a pre-wetting apparatus includes a degasser, a process chamber, and a controller. The process chamber includes a wafer holder configured to hold a wafer substrate, a vacuum port configured to allow formation of a subatmospheric pressure in the process chamber, and a fluid inlet coupled to the degasser and configured to deliver a degassed pre-wetting fluid onto the wafer substrate at a velocity of at least about 7 meters per second whereby particles on the wafer substrate are dislodged and at a flow rate whereby dislodged particles are removed from the wafer substrate. The controller includes program instructions for forming a wetting layer on the wafer substrate in the process chamber by contacting the wafer substrate with the degassed pre-wetting fluid admitted through the fluid inlet at a flow rate of at least about 0.4 liters per minute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan L. Buckalew, Steven T. Mayer, Thomas A. Ponnuswamy, Robert Rash, Brian Paul Blackman, Doug Higley
  • Patent number: 9828863
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for electroplating a surface area of an internal wall defining a cooling cavity present in a gas turbine engine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Howmet Corporation
    Inventors: Willard N. Kirkendall, Scott A. Meade, Donald R. Clemens
  • Patent number: 9831103
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of an interposed substrate is provided. A metal-stacked layer comprising a first metal layer, an etching stop layer and a second metal layer is formed. A patterned conductor layer is formed on the first metal layer, wherein the patterned conductor layer exposes a portion of the first metal layer. A plurality of conductive pillars is formed on the patterned conductor layer, wherein the conductive pillars are separated from each other and stacked on a portion of the patterned conductor layer. An insulating material layer is formed on the metal-stacked layer, wherein the insulating material layer covers the portion of the first metal layer and encapsulates the conductive pillars and the other portion of the patterned conductor layer. The metal-stacked layer is removed to expose a lower surface opposite to an upper surface of the insulating material layer and a bottom surface of the patterned conductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Unimicron Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Dyi-Chung Hu, Ming-Chih Chen, Tzyy-Jang Tseng
  • Patent number: 9816188
    Abstract: A process for the corrosion protection of metals such as magnesium, aluminium or titanium, where at least two steps are used, including both plasma electrolytic oxidation and chemical passivation. The combination of these two processing steps enhances the corrosion resistance performance of the surface beyond the capability of either of the steps in isolation, providing a more robust protection system. This process may be used as a corrosion protective coating in its own right, or as a protection-enhancing pre-treatment for top-coats such as powder coat or e-coat. When used without an additional top-coat, the treated parts can still retain electrical continuity with and adjoining metal parts. Advantages include reduced cost and higher productivity than traditional plasma-electrolytic oxidation systems, improved corrosion protection, greater coating robustness and electrical continuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Keronite International Limited
    Inventors: James Curran, Stephen Hutchins, Suman Shrestha
  • Patent number: 9816978
    Abstract: In one general aspect, a system can include a probe configured to be coupled to a concrete surface of a portion of concrete. The system can include a waveform generator configured to trigger flow of a current to the portion of concrete via the probe and configured to reference a potential of a reinforcing bar embedded within the concrete. The system can also include a current detector configured to detect a magnitude of the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Paul David Bartholomew, William Spencer Guthrie, Brian Anthony Mazzeo
  • Patent number: 9804123
    Abstract: An electrochemical sensor utilizes a chemical compound which is not a macromolecule but rather is a single chemical compound of determinate structure, incorporating two redox systems which differ in their response to a species to be detected. In one form, one redox system displays a voltammetric wave which is pH dependent while another displays a voltammetric wave which is pH independent and acts as an internal reference. The sensor comprises a solid substrate, which may be carbonaceous, on which the compound is immobilized. The sensor may be incorporated into a tool to be suspended in a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Valerie Lafitte, Nathan Lawrence
  • Patent number: 9790598
    Abstract: A system and a method for selectively coating a substrate includes a removable mask including a magnetic member having a first surface contour shaped to conform to the outside surface of the substrate and a magnetizable member having a second surface contour shaped to conform to the inside surface of the substrate. The method for coating the substrate includes magnetically coupling a removable mask to at least one surface of the substrate; forming a coating of a coating material on the at least one surface of the substrate with the magnetically coupled removable mask using a bath containing the coating material; and selectively decoupling the removable mask from the at least one coated surface to reveal a portion of the coated surface without the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Guillemette, John Bartalotta, Linda Fabian, Gregory C. Papachristos
  • Patent number: 9784707
    Abstract: Methods for calculating an analyte concentration of a sample are provided. In one exemplary embodiment the method includes steps that are directed toward accounting for inaccuracies that occur as a result of temperature variations in a sample, a meter, or the surrounding environment. In another exemplary embodiment the method includes steps that are directed toward determining whether an adequate sample is provided in a meter because insufficient samples can result in inaccuracies. The methods that are provided can be incorporated into a variety of mechanisms, but they are primarily directed toward glucose meters for blood samples and toward meters for controls solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: LifeScan, Inc.
    Inventors: Alastair M. Hodges, Ronald C. Chatelier
  • Patent number: 9783905
    Abstract: Reaction products of one or more amino acids and one or more epoxies are included in copper and copper alloy electroplating baths to provide good throwing power. Such reaction products may plate copper and copper alloys with good surface properties and good physical reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Electronic Mateirals LLC
    Inventors: Zuhra I Niazimbetova, Maria Anna Rzeznik
  • Patent number: 9777387
    Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head includes a coil, a magnetic path forming section, and an insulating film. The magnetic path forming section includes first and second magnetic material portions. The coil includes first and second coil elements located between the first and second magnetic material portions. The insulating film includes an underlying portion located under the first and second coil elements. In a method of manufacturing the thin-film magnetic head, the insulating film is formed to cover the first and second magnetic material portions, and then a seed layer is formed selectively on the underlying portion of the insulating film. The coil is formed by plating using the seed layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: HEADWAY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Yukinori Ikegawa, Yoshitaka Sasaki, Hiroyuki Ito, Hironori Araki, Seiichiro Tomita, Hideo Mamiya
  • Patent number: 9767966
    Abstract: On seed metal layer of first metal, pedestal and counter electrode are formed of second metal by plating, adjacent to free space region. The free space region is filled with first sacrificial layer. By using resist pattern, second sacrificial metal layer is formed, extending from the first sacrificial layer to a portion of the pedestal, and lower structure of third metal is formed on the second sacrificial layer, by contiguous plating, exposing a portion of the pedestal not formed with the second sacrificial layer, the third metal having composition and thermal expansion coefficient equivalent to the second metal. Upper structure of fourth metal having composition and thermal expansion coefficient equivalent to the second and third metals is formed on the pedestal and the lower structure by plating. The first and second sacrificial layers are removed, leaving an electric equipment with a movable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroaki Inoue, Xiaoyu Mi
  • Patent number: 9739134
    Abstract: The present application provides a method for characterizing reservoir micro pore structures, in particular structures smaller than 50 nm and a system therefore. The method can include fabricating a reservoir sheet; fabricating a reservoir sheet electrode using the reservoir sheet; depositing crystal substance in inner pores of the reservoir sheet of the reservoir sheet electrode using chemical deposition; obtaining the crystal substance by removing rock portions of the reservoir sheet in which the crystal substance is deposited; and scanning the shapes of the obtained crystal substance, the result of the scanning being the reservoir micro pore structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Jianming Li, Xu Jin, Xiaoqi Wang
  • Patent number: 9739745
    Abstract: Methods for calculating an analyte concentration of a sample are provided. In one exemplary embodiment the method includes steps that are directed toward accounting for inaccuracies that occur as a result of temperature variations in a sample, a meter, or the surrounding environment. In another exemplary embodiment the method includes steps that are directed toward determining whether an adequate sample is provided in a meter because insufficient samples can result in inaccuracies. The methods that are provided can be incorporated into a variety of mechanisms, but they are primarily directed toward glucose meters for blood samples and toward meters for controls solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: LifeScan, Inc.
    Inventors: Alastair M. Hodges, Ronald C. Chatelier
  • Patent number: 9732433
    Abstract: Described herein are methods of preparing nanolaminated brass coatings and components having desirable and useful properties. Also described are nanolaminated brass components and plastic and polymeric substrates coated with nanolaminated brass coatings having desirable and useful properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Modumetal, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Caldwell, Jesse Unger
  • Patent number: 9725820
    Abstract: A partial surface treatment apparatus includes a first electrode member electrically connected to a treatment object including an outer circumferential surface and a circumferential groove, a second electrode member including an inner circumferential surface, a pair of annular-shaped elastic sealing members configured to seal a clearance between the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface, an accommodation portion accommodating each of the annular-shaped elastic sealing members, the annular-shaped elastic sealing members are movable in a diameter reduction direction, a pressure applying mechanism supplying a pressurized fluid to the annular-shaped elastic sealing members, the annular-shaped elastic sealing members are in pressure contact with the outer circumferential surface in a case where the annular-shaped elastic sealing members are moved in the diameter reduction direction, and a cutout formed at each of the annular-shaped elastic sealing members to be extended from an outer
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daishi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9719182
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing an electroformed timepiece component: the same first alloy including a first precious metal is selected to make both functional inserts and an electroformed shell; these inserts are made; an electroforming substrate having a complementary profile to the inner profile of this component is formed in a second sacrificial material; these inserts are inserted into housings made on this substrate, to form an equipped sacrificial substrate, which is provided with the resists necessary to obtain, by means of an electroforming process, a bare electroformed component, with deposition of material on this substrate, acting as a core to form this electroformed shell, and on each accessible surface of each insert to secure the insert to this electroformed shell; then this sacrificial substrate is destroyed and all of these resists are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Enzo Agustoni
  • Patent number: 9721800
    Abstract: Disclosed are pre-wetting apparatus designs and methods. These apparatus designs and methods are used to pre-wet a wafer prior to plating a metal on the surface of the wafer. Disclosed compositions of the pre-wetting fluid prevent corrosion of a seed layer on the wafer and also improve the filling rates of features on the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven T. Mayer, David W. Porter, Mark J. Willey, Robert Rash
  • Patent number: 9683301
    Abstract: A golf club head is provided having a club body and a contact plate secured to the club body. The contact plate defines at least a portion of a striking surface having a plurality of striking surface grooves. The contact plate is formed using an electroforming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Bret H. Wahl, Xinhui Deng