Patents Examined by Sean E Vincent
  • Patent number: 6993936
    Abstract: A system and method for suppressing the formation of gaseous inclusions in glass sheets and the resulting glass sheets are described herein. The system includes a melting, fining, delivery, mixing or forming vessel that has a refractory metal component (e.g., platinum component) which has an inner wall that contacts molten glass and an outer wall coated with an oxygen ion transportable material (e.g., zirconia) which is coated with a conductive electrode. The system also includes a DC power source that supplies DC power across the oxygen ion transportable material which causes oxygen ions to migrate from the refractory metal component to the conductive electrode and enables one to control the partial pressure of oxygen around an exterior of the vessel which helps one to effectively prevent hydrogen permeation from the molten glass in order to suppress the formation of undesirable gaseous inclusions and surface blisters within the glass sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul R. Grzesik, Thomas D. Ketcham, David M. Lineman, Randy D. Ziegenhagen
  • Patent number: 6990834
    Abstract: The present invention alters the flow path at the inlet of the sheet glass forming apparatus to improve quality. The bottom of the downcomer pipe is preferably shaped to alter the character of the vortex flow in the quiescent flow zone between the pipes. In another embodiment, a bead guide provides hydraulic stresses that are in opposition to the surface tension stress and thus reduces the influence of surface tension on the formation of thick beads on the edges of the sheet. The present invention also measures the temperature of the glass by immersing thermocouples in the glass, at locations where any defects caused by the immersion are in the glass that forms the unusable edges of the sheet. In another embodiment, the support structure for the trough is altered to substantially reduce the aging of the trough due to thermal creep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Bruce Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Richard B. Pitbladdo
  • Patent number: RE45719
    Abstract: This invention provides a surface-coated cutting tool which exhibits excellent fracture resistance and wear resistance in high-speed cutting, such as high-speed gear cutting, high-speed milling, and high-speed drilling. The surface-coated cutting tool includes a hard coating layer composed of an alternately laminated layer structure of at least a thin layer A and a thin layer B formed on the surface of a tool substrate, such as a cemented carbide substrate, a cermet substrate, and a high-speed tool steel substrate. The thin layer A is an (Al, Cr, Si)N layer which satisfies a compositional formula: [AlXCrYSiZ]N (0.2?X?0.45, 0.4?Y?0.75, 0.01?Z?0.2, and X+Y+Z=1 in terms of atomic ratio). The thin layer B is an (Al, Ti, Si)N layer which satisfies a compositional formula: [AlUTiVSiW]N (0.05?U?0.75, 0.15?V?0.94, 0.01?W?0.1, and U+V+W=1 in terms of atomic ratio).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichi Maeda, Masanori Morikawa, Yuki Matsuoka, Natsuki Ichimiya
  • Patent number: RE45924
    Abstract: A contact pin includes a base material composed of a material having a conductive property and an outermost surface layer made of a material into which Sn is dissolved and diffused by applying heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: ENPLAS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Oda, Kentaro Hayakawa, Takashi Morinari
  • Patent number: RE45987
    Abstract: An external terminal of an electronic component is provided with a lead base material and a metal thin film coating a surface of the lead base material, and an average value of a crystal size index is not less than 7, which is defined based on dimensions of a crystal particle in a direction perpendicular to the lead base material surface and in a direction parallel thereto, taken on a cut surface of the metal thin film defined by a given plane cutting the metal thin film in a direction perpendicular to the lead base material surface. Such constitution provides an electronic component having an external terminal coated with a metal thin film of a simple structure constituted of Sn or a Sn-based and substantially Pb-free alloy, formed by plating on a surface of a lead base material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS COPORATION
    Inventor: Kenta Ogawa
  • Patent number: RE46052
    Abstract: A process and system for briquetting particulate matter such as moisture-containing bituminous and sub-bituminous coal includes partially drying and feeding the particulate matter to a briquetting apparatus under conditions such that water vapor is released from the particulate matter during feeding. The released water vapor substantially displaces or prevents the ingress of a large proportion of other gaseous components from the atmosphere surrounding an/or intermixed with the particulate matter. The particulate matter is surrounded by and intermixed with a gaseous component containing 70% to 100% by volume of water vapor where it enters the briquetting apparatus, such that when the particulate matter is compressed, the water vapor liquefies and the pressure buildup in the thus-formed briquettes is minimized. This reduction in the pressure buildup reduces blow-back of gases as the coal fines are formed into briquettes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignees: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, K. R. Komarek Inc., The Griffin Coal Mining Company Pty Limited, Tra-Det Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Norman Clark, George William Kalb, Richard Komarek, Ross Lawrence Meakins, Arthur Clive Pearson
  • Patent number: RE46072
    Abstract: Refractory materials are provided which contain P2O5/R2O3 constituents, where R is Y, Sc, Er, Lu, Yb, Tm, Ho, Dy, Tb, Gd, or a combination thereof, and/or V2O5/R?2O3 constituents where R? is Y, Sc, one or more rare earth elements, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the refractory materials are xenotime-type materials and/or xenotime-stabilized zircon-type materials. The refractory materials can be used in the manufacture of glass and glass-ceramics. For example, the refractory materials, especially those that contain P2O5/R2O3 constituents, can be used as forming structures (“isopipes”) in the fusion process for making flat sheets of glass such as the glass sheets used as substrates in the manufacture of flat panel displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Hilary T. Godard, Cameron W. Tanner, Michelle M. Wallen, Elizabeth M. Wheeler
  • Patent number: RE46716
    Abstract: Compositions and methods that relate to a biopolymer medium for growing plants. In certain embodiments, the biopolymer growth medium comprises or consists essentially of polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) or a mixture of them. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of producing a biopolymer growth medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: GROW TECH, INC.
    Inventor: T. Scott Kennedy
  • Patent number: RE46720
    Abstract: A pervaporation membrane may be an acid-resistant polybenzidimazole (PBI) membrane. The acid-resistant PBI membrane may be a PBI membrane chemically modified by a process selected from the group consisting of sulfonation, phosphonation, cross-linking, N-substitution, and/or combinations thereof. The membrane may be thermally stabilized. A method for the dehydration of an acid material may include the steps of: contacting an acidic aqueous solution with a membrane of an acid-resistant polybenzidimazole; taking away a permeate stream rich in water; and taking away a concentrate steam rich in the acid material. The acidic aqueous solution may be acetic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: PBI Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Wang, Michael Gruender, Tai-Shung Chung
  • Patent number: RE46771
    Abstract: A composition comprising: at least one porous carbon monolith, such as a carbon aerogel, comprising internal pores, and at least one nanomaterial, such as carbon nanotubes, disposed uniformly throughout the internal pores. The nanomaterial can be disposed in the middle of the monolith. In addition, a method for making a monolithic solid with both high surface area and good bulk electrical conductivity is provided. A porous substrate having a thickness of 100 microns or more and comprising macropores throughout its thickness is prepared. At least one catalyst is deposited inside the porous substrate. Subsequently, chemical vapor deposition is used to uniformly deposit a nanomaterial in the macropores throughout the thickness of the porous substrate. Applications include electrical energy storage, such as batteries and capacitors, and hydrogen storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Marcus A. Worsley, Theodore F. Baumann, Joe H. Satcher, Jr., Michael Stadermann
  • Patent number: RE46797
    Abstract: A composition of matter and method of forming a radiation shielding member at ambient temperatures in which the composition of matter includes a ‘cold-fired’ chemically bonded oxide-phosphate ceramic cement matrix; with one or more suitably prepared and distributed radiation shielding materials dispersed in the ‘cold-fired’ chemically bonded oxide-phosphate ceramic cement matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Co-Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Judd Hamilton, Vernon D. Hamilton
  • Patent number: RE46862
    Abstract: A sacrificial anode assembly for cathodically protecting and/or passivating a metal section, comprising: (a) a cell, which has an anode and a cathode arranged so as to not be in electronic contact with each other but so as to be in ionic contact with each other such that current can flow between the anode and the cathode; (b) a connector attached to the anode of the cell for electrically connecting the anode to the metal section to be cathodically protected; and (c) a sacrificial anode electrically connected in series with the cathode of the cell; wherein the cell is otherwise isolated from the environment such that current can only flow into and out of the cell via the sacrificial anode and the connector. The invention also provides a method of cathodically protecting metal in which such a sacrificial anode assembly is cathodically attached to the metal via the connector of the assembly, and a reinforced concrete structure wherein some or all of the reinforcement is cathodically protected by such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Vector Corrosion Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Gareth K. Glass, Adrian C. Roberts, Nigel Davidson
  • Patent number: RE46896
    Abstract: A method for recycling glass mat waste, wound rovings, and other products includes providing a source of glass mat, or a plurality of rovings, for example on a roll, and routing the glass mat or rovings into a submerged combustion melter. An unwind system and a pair of powered nip rolls, powered conveyors, or other arrangement may work in combination to provide a substantially consistent rate of material into the melter. The melter may operate under less than atmospheric pressure to avoid fumes escaping the melter. A slot in the melter allows ingress of the glass mat or rovings into the melter, and a glass mat former such as a folder may be used to ensure that the mat fits through the slot. Alternatively, the glass mat may be cut by a slitter prior to entering the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: JOHNS MANVILLE
    Inventor: Johns Manville
  • Patent number: RE46950
    Abstract: There is provided an aluminum-alloy material having sufficient electric conductivity and tensile strength as a wiring material and excellent in wire-drawing property, and an electric wire or cable using the same. An electric wire or cable includes an aluminum-alloy strand formed of an aluminum-alloy including Fe: 0.1% by mass or more to less than 1.0% by mass, Zr: 0 to 0.08% by mass, Si: 0.02 to 2.8% by mass, at least one of Cu: 0.05 to 0.63% by mass and Mg: 0.04 to 0.45% by mass, and the remainder being aluminum and unavoidable impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Ishibashi, Kazumi Mochizuki, Yasunobu Kondo
  • Patent number: RE47155
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides colored wear tiles for use in optical sorting apparatuses and related methods that separate an associated material into a desired product and an undesired product. The colored wear tiles have a color and/or lightness value that permeates the entire body of the wear tile and sufficiently differs from the color and/or lightness of the associated material in order to allow the colored wear tile, or portions or pieces thereof, that may mix with the associated material, to be separated from the desired product by the sorting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: CERCO LLC
    Inventor: Gary C. Troyer
  • Patent number: RE47241
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a substrate having a surface region and a light emitting diode overlying the surface region. The light emitting diode is fabricated on a semipolar or nonpolar GaN containing substrate and emits electromagnetic radiation of a first wavelength. The diode includes a quantum well region characterized by an electron wave function and a hole wave function. The electron wave function and the hole wave function are substantially overlapped within a predetermined spatial region of the quantum well region. The device has a transparent phosphor overlying the light emitting diode. The phosphor is excited by the substantially polarized emission to emit electromagnetic radiation of a second wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Soraa, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark P. D'Evelyn, Rajat Sharma, Eric M. Hall, Daniel F. Feezell
  • Patent number: RE47321
    Abstract: Bulk amorphous alloys based on quaternary Ni—Zr—Ti—Al alloy system, and the extension of this quaternary system to higher order alloys by the addition of one or more alloying elements, methods of casting such alloys, and articles made of such alloys are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: William L. Johnson, Donghua Xu
  • Patent number: RE47494
    Abstract: An electrolysis prevention device, for preventing corrosion caused by electrolysis, includes a sacrificial anode made of an active metal and an anode holder supporting the sacrificial anode. The holder is adapted to fit around the inlet connection of an engine heat exchange component, such as a radiator or heater core, in such a way as to allow for a hose to be attached overtop the device. The device may be included in an originally-manufactured engine heat exchange component or may be installed later.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Inventor: Frank Amidio Catalano
  • Patent number: RE47505
    Abstract: A thin film transistor (TFT) structure includes a metal oxide semiconductor layer, a gate, a source, a drain, a gate insulation layer, and a passivation layer. The metal oxide semiconductor layer has a crystalline surface which is constituted by a plurality of grains separated from one another. An indium content of the grains accounts for at least 50% of all metal elements of the crystalline surface of the metal oxide semiconductor layer. The gate is disposed on one side of the metal oxide semiconductor layer. The source and the drain are disposed on the other side of the metal oxide semiconductor layer. The gate insulation layer is disposed between the gate and the metal oxide semiconductor layer. The passivation layer is disposed on the gate insulation layer, and the crystalline surface of the metal oxide semiconductor layer is in direct contact with the gate insulation layer or the passivation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: E Ink Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hang Hsu, Tzung-Wei Yu, Ted-Hong Shinn
  • Patent number: RE47506
    Abstract: A variable resistance memory device includes a plurality of column selection switches, a plurality of variable resistance memory cells configured to be stacked and selected by the plurality of column selection switches, and a bit line connected to the plurality of variable resistance memory cells. Each of the plurality of variable resistance memory cells includes an ovonic threshold switch (OTS) element selectively driven by a plurality of word lines arranged to be stacked and a variable resistor connected in parallel to the OTS element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Nam Kyun Park