Patents Examined by Michael Wieczorek
  • Patent number: 9951418
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing structured graphene on a SiC substrate on the basis of Cl2 reaction, the procedures are as follows: firstly, performing standard cleaning to a SiC sample chip; depositing a layer of SiO2 on the surface of the SiC sample chip and engraving a figure window on the SiO2 layer; then arranging the windowed sample chip in a quartz tube, introducing a mixed gas of Ar and Cl2 into the quartz tube, reacting the bare SiC with Cl2 for 3-8 min at 700-1100° C. to generate a carbon film; arranging the generated carbon film in Ar gas, annealing for 10-30 min at 1000-1200° C. to generate the structured graphene on the window on the carbon film. The method is simple and safe; the generated structured graphene has a smooth surface and low porosity and can be used for making microelectronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: XIDIAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hui Guo, Keji Zhang, Yuming Zhang, Pengfei Deng, Tianmin Lei, Fengqi Zhang
  • Patent number: 9939579
    Abstract: Monolithic optical structures include a plurality of layer with each layer having an isolated optical pathway confined within a portion of the layer. The monolithic optical structure can be used as an optical fiber preform. Alternatively or additionally, the monolithic optical structure can include integrated optical circuits within one or more layers of the structure. Monolithic optical structures can be formed by performing multiple passes of a substrate through a flowing particle stream. The deposited particles form an optical material following consolidation. Flexible optical fibers include a plurality of independent light channels extending along the length of the optical fiber. The fibers can be pulled from an appropriate preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: NeoPhotonics Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Bryan, Xiangxin Bi
  • Patent number: 9918544
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a brush unit (3) and to an associated rotary brush tool. The brush unit (3) is equipped with a brush holder (10, 11), which can be driven in rotation, and with an annular brush (4, 5) with a bristle-covered rim (8) with outwardly protruding bristles (5). Furthermore, a stop means (14) which dips into the rotating bristle-covered rim (8) is provided. According to the invention, the stop means (14) simultaneously acts as an abrasive body (14) for the bristles (5). In this case, a distinction is made between both functions (stopper function and abrasive function) according to a direction of rotation (R) of the annular brush (4, 5) and/or a setting position of the stop means (14) as compared to the bristle-covered rim (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: MONTI-WERKZEUGE GMBH
    Inventor: Volker Jannaschk
  • Patent number: 9910272
    Abstract: An integrated camera mounting and image window cleaning device includes a mounting bracket, a housing and a seal provided between the housing and the mounting bracket. A delivery channel extends around the outer periphery of the image window of the camera allowing the delivery of cleaning fluid which flows across the entire image window for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Martin Witte
  • Patent number: 9905414
    Abstract: Metal silicates or phosphates are deposited on a heated substrate by the reaction of vapors of alkoxysilanols or alkylphosphates along with reactive metal amides, alkyls or alkoxides. For example, vapors of tris(tert-butoxy)silanol react with vapors of tetrakis(ethylmethylamido) hafnium to deposit hafnium silicate on surfaces heated to 300° C. The product film has a very uniform stoichiometry throughout the reactor. Similarly, vapors of diisopropylphosphate react with vapors of lithium bis(ethyldimethylsilyl)amide to deposit lithium phosphate films on substrates heated to 250° C. Supplying the vapors in alternating pulses produces these same compositions with a very uniform distribution of thickness and excellent step coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Roy Gerald Gordon, Jill S. Becker, Dennis Hausmann, Seigi Suh
  • Patent number: 9885105
    Abstract: A mask stack and a method of controlling the mask stack are disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes installing, in the mask stack, a first cassette comprising masks that have not been used in a deposition process and a second cassette comprising an accommodation space which is empty. The method also includes using, in the deposition process, at least one mask from the masks included in the first cassette. The method further includes inserting, into the accommodation space of the second cassette, the at least one mask used in the deposition process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yongsuk Lee, Jongpyo Shin, Sunglae Cho, Jinok Choi
  • Patent number: 9884460
    Abstract: A method for finishing a repaired surface is described. The method includes wiping a sealer on the repaired surface to seal microporosity in the repaired surface, the sealer consisting essentially of a mixture of polymer, at least one filler, solvent, and optionally microspheres; and applying a top coat to the sealed surface without sanding the sealed surface, the top coat being free of visible pinholes. Sealers and tools for applying surface sealers are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kimm Liddell, Helena Twardowska, Robert Mark Adams
  • Patent number: 9855618
    Abstract: Provided are a method of soldering a functionalized metal oxide, and an electronic device manufactured thereby, and more particularly, a method of soldering a functionalized metal oxide which is capable of growing a solder structure by a hydrothermal synthesis method using a pulsed laser, and is usable in a UV sensor, and an electronic device manufactured thereby. According to the present invention, thermal diffusion generated from a laser is limited due to the use of a pulsed laser, and thus, nanosolder having high density and a shape to be precisely adjustable may be prepared by a hydrothermal synthesis method by the pulsed laser, thereby facilitating the joining of the nanostructure, and further, the nanosolder is formed between the nanostructures, thereby being usable as a metal oxide structure having functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kyoungsik Yu, Kyungmook Kwon, Jaeho Shim, Kyunghan Choi
  • Patent number: 9848754
    Abstract: A dish rack for use in a dishwasher is provided. The dishwasher includes a tub defining a washing chamber for cleaning kitchenware and the like. The dish rack includes a wall bounding a space. A dispenser unit is mounted to the dish rack and is configured to hold an additive. A hydraulic circuit is disposed within the walls of the dish rack and is placed in fluid communication with the dispenser. Fluid pressure from the hydraulic circuit is operable to eject the additive from the dispenser unit into the washing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Baldwin, Paul E. Beshears, Jr., Scott D. Slabbekoorn, Elliott V. Stowe, Barry E. Tuller, Ameresh B. Viswanathan
  • Patent number: 9849473
    Abstract: The invention is directed at systems and methods which provide for effective cleaning and drying of vehicles of different shapes and sizes. The invention in one example includes a vehicle washing apparatus comprising a conveyor system to move a vehicle along a path, and a bridge assembly supported above a vehicle and moveable along the length thereof. At least one trolley assembly is operatively supported by the bridge assembly and is moveable in a direction generally transverse to the movement of the bridge assembly. At least one cleaning arm assembly for delivering cleaning fluid to or for brushing the surface of a vehicle is operatively supported by the at least one trolley assembly or bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: PETIT AUTO WASH, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Petit
  • Patent number: 9850623
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a stable aqueous composition comprising an aqueous component, a hydrophobic complex comprised of a multivalent metal salt complexed with nanocellulose fibers and lignin, with the composition exhibiting a viscosity sufficient to prevent coalescing and settling of the hydrophobic complex in the aqueous component. The composition may be used to coat surfaces of articles to produce a hydrophobic surface. Once applied to the surface, the aqueous coating is spread to form a wet film covering the surface and is then dewatered and dried to produce a dried hydrophobic coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventors: Sally Krigstin, Mohini Mohan Sain, Javad Sameni
  • Patent number: 9845553
    Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for removing sulfur from yarn comprising the steps of: a) contacting never-dried polymeric yarn with an aqueous base, the polymer comprising imidazole groups and said polymer comprising sulfur atoms characterized as being in the form of sulfate anions; b) contacting the yarn with an aqueous acid solution of pH 5 or lower; and c) rinsing the yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven R. Allen, Vlodek Gabara, Joseph Lenning Lowery, Christopher William Newton, David J. Rodini, Andrew J. Sitter
  • Patent number: 9834879
    Abstract: A washing machine including a detergent supply device to supply a detergent together with water to a tub. The detergent supply device includes a detergent housing installed within the main body and a detergent accommodation box movably installed within the detergent housing, and the detergent accommodation box is divided into automatic detergent accommodation parts to accommodate a detergent to be supplied automatically and manual detergent accommodation parts to accommodate a detergent to be supplied manually, and the detergent supply device supplies the detergents through an automatic detergent supply method and a manual detergent supply method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Weon Jin Song, Song Yik Lee, Hyun Woo Song
  • Patent number: 9829793
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method of fabrication of free standing open pore membranes with uniform pore size and shape and ordered pore distribution, and its use for synthesis of nanoparticle patterns. The method includes applying a photoresist layer to the top surface of a substrate, heating the photoresist layer for a period of time, and exposing the photoresist layer to a dose of ultraviolet radiation through a mask having a predetermined pattern. The dose of ultraviolet radiation is controlled in intensity and time and the photoresist layer is exposed such that a top portion of the photoresist layer through which the dose of ultraviolet radiation enters the photoresist layer undergoes greater cross linking than a bottom portion of the photoresist layer immediately adjacent to the top surface of the substrate such that a cross linking gradient develops through a thickness of the photoresist layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO
    Inventors: Jun Yang, Tingjie Li
  • Patent number: 9829152
    Abstract: Novel cylinder passivation procedures to increase the room temperature stability of gaseous tin deuteride (SnD4) are described. Incorporation of specific organic-containing materials, which when applied onto surfaces of a vessel and/or conduit extending therefrom, can increase the shelf life stability of thermodynamically unstable gases stored within such pretreated vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: PRAXXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald F. Spohn, Ashwini Sinha, Carl B. Richenberg
  • Patent number: 9820629
    Abstract: A filter assembly for filtering wash fluid to be recirculated by a circulation pump in a dishwasher appliance is provided. The filter assembly includes a first filter member and a second filter member. The first filter member defines a first filter panel and the second filter member defines a second filter panel. The first filter panel is spaced from the second filter panel along an axial direction of the filter assembly and is configured in series flow with the second filter panel. More particularly, the first and second filter panels are configured such that wash fluid is filtered by the first filter panel and by the second filter panel prior to being recirculated by the circulation pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Edward Durham, Ryan Ellis Leonard, Derek L. Watkins, Errin Whitney Gnadinger
  • Patent number: 9809459
    Abstract: A process for producing an integrated layer (10 nm to 500 ?m) of highly oriented halogenated graphene sheets, comprising: (a) preparing a graphene oxide (GO) dispersion having GO sheets dispersed in a fluid medium; (b) dispensing and depositing a layer of GO dispersion onto a surface of a supporting substrate under a shear stress condition that induces orientation of GO sheets to form a wet layer of GO on the supporting substrate; (c) introducing a halogenating agent into the wet layer of graphene oxide and effecting a chemical reaction between the halogenating agent and GO sheets to form a wet layer of halogenated graphene, C6ZxOy, wherein Z is a halogen element selected from F, Cl, Br, I, or a combination thereof, x=0.01 to 6.0, y=0 to 5.0, and x+y?6.0; and (d) removing the fluid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Nanotek Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Aruna Zhamu, Bor Z Jang
  • Patent number: 9802870
    Abstract: A method of treating silicon carbide fibers comprises phosphating heat treatment in a reactive gas so as to form a coating around each fiber for protection against oxidation. The coating comprises a surface layer of silicon pyrophosphate crystals and at least one underlying bilayer system comprising a layer of a phosphosilicate glass and a layer of microporous carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignees: HERAKLES, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Stephane Mazerat, Rene Pailler, Sylvie Loison, Eric Philippe
  • Patent number: 9796044
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product that may include a substrate that may include an aluminum-nickel alloy and at least one surface and a coating that may include a metallic material deposited over the at least one surface via laser cladding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Julien P. Mourou, James E. Osbourn, Brian J. Parent
  • Patent number: 9796877
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method of applying a coating in a liquid state to wellbore tubing, such as threaded connector parts or casing sections, before running the tubing downhole. The coating only cures while running downhole. The coating is an elastic curable coating composition, comprising a curable elastic thermosetting resin, a curing agent and a water-absorbing expansion agent. During make-up of a connector, the liquid coating composition acts as lubricant. When cured, the coating will swell when contacted with a wellbore fluid to ensure leak-tightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Erik Kerst Cornelissen, Gerbrand Jozef Maria Van Eijden, Frank Ruckert, Wouter Besijn