Patents by Inventor Bert T. Runnels

Bert T. Runnels has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5578826
    Abstract: A hybrid thermal detector (10, 110) includes a focal plane array (20, 120), a thermal isolation structure (40, 140), and an integrated circuit substrate (60, 160). The focal plane array (20, 120) includes thermal sensors (30, 130). The thermal isolation structure (40, 140) includes untrimmed mesa-type formations (44, 146, 148) and mesa strip conductors (42, 142, 144) that provide thermal isolation, signal transport, and structural support of the focal plane array (20, 120) when mounted on the integrated circuit substrate (60, 160). Hybrid thermal detector (10) includes a common electrode (28) which provides a bias voltage to all thermal sensors (30). Hybrid thermal detector (110) has electrically isolated thermal sensors (130), each thermal sensor (130) is supported by mesa strip conductors (142, 144), which provide a bias voltage to and receive a signal voltage from the thermal sensor (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: William K. Walker, John P. Long, Robert A. Owen, Bert T. Runnels, Gail D. Shelton
  • Patent number: 5574282
    Abstract: A hybrid thermal detector (10, 110) includes a focal plane array (20, 120), a thermal isolation structure (40, 140), and an integrated circuit substrate (60, 160). The focal plane array (20, 120) includes thermal sensors (30, 130). The thermal isolation structure (40, 140) includes untrimmed mesa-type formations (44, 146, 148) and mesa strip conductors (42, 142, 144) that provide thermal isolation, signal transport, and structural support of the focal plane array (20, 120) when mounted on the integrated circuit substrate (60, 160). Hybrid thermal detector (10) includes a common electrode (28) which provides a bias voltage to all thermal sensors (30). Hybrid thermal detector (110) has electrically isolated thermal sensors (130), each thermal sensor (130) is supported by mesa strip conductors (142, 144), which provide a bias voltage to and receive a signal voltage from the thermal sensor (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: William K. Walker, John P. Long, Robert A. Owen, Bert T. Runnels, Gail D. Shelton
  • Patent number: 5572029
    Abstract: A hybrid thermal detector (10, 110) includes a focal plane array (20, 120), a thermal isolation structure (40, 140), and an integrated circuit substrate (60, 160). The focal plane array (20, 120) includes thermal sensors (30, 130). The thermal isolation structure (40, 140) includes untrimmed mesa-type formations (44, 146, 148) and mesa strip conductors (42, 142, 144) that provide thermal isolation, signal transport, and structural support of the focal plane array (20, 120) when mounted on the integrated circuit substrate (60, 160). Hybrid thermal detector (10) includes a common electrode (28) which provides a bias voltage to all thermal sensors (30). Hybrid thermal detector (110) has electrically isolated thermal sensors (130), each thermal sensor (130) is supported by mesa strip conductors (142, 144), which provide a bias voltage to and receive a signal voltage from the thermal sensor (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Inventors: William K. Walker, John P. Long, Robert A. Owen, Bert T. Runnels, Gail D. Shelton
  • Patent number: 5426303
    Abstract: A thermal detection system (10, 110, 210) includes a focal plane array (20, 120, 220), a thermal isolation structure (40, 140, 240), and an integrated circuit substrate (60, 160, 260). The focal plane array (20, 120, 220) includes a plurality of thermal sensors (30, 130, 230). The thermal isolation structure (40, 140, 240) includes mesa-type formations (44, 146, 148, 244) and bridge structures (42, 142, 144, 242) that provide thermal isolation, signal transport, and structural support of the focal plane array (20, 120, 220) when mounted on the integrated circuit substrate (60, 160, 260). Thermal detection system (10) includes an infrared absorber and common electrode assembly (22) which provides a bias voltage to all thermal sensors (30). Thermal detection system (110) has a plurality of electrically isolated thermal sensors (130), each thermal sensor (130) is supported by bridge structures (142, 144), which provide a bias voltage to and receive a signal voltage from the thermal sensor (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert A. Owen, John P. Long, Bert T. Runnels, Gail D. Shelton, William K. Walker