Patents by Inventor Chad Michael Conroy

Chad Michael Conroy 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: 12172444
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for depositing an aerosol that has an ultrafast pneumatic, shutter. The flow of aerosol through the entire deposition flow path is surrounded by at least one sheath gas, thereby greatly increasing reliability. The distance between the aerosol switching chamber and a reverse gas flow chamber input is minimized to reduce switching time. The distance from the switching chamber to the nozzle exit is also minimized to reduce switching time. The gas flows in the system are configured to maintain a substantially constant pressure in the system, and consequently substantially constant flow rates through the deposition nozzle and exhaust nozzle, to minimize on/off switching times. This enables the system to have a switching time of less than 10 ms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Optomec, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Wright, Chad Michael Conroy, Kurt K. Christenson, John David Hamre
  • Publication number: 20240227399
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for depositing an aerosol that has an ultrafast pneumatic, shutter. The flow of aerosol through the entire deposition flow path is surrounded by at least one sheath gas, thereby greatly increasing reliability. The distance between the aerosol switching chamber and a reverse gas flow chamber input is minimized to reduce switching time. The distance from the switching chamber to the nozzle exit is also minimized to reduce switching time. The gas flows in the system are configured to maintain a substantially constant pressure in the system, and consequently substantially constant flow rates through the deposition nozzle and exhaust nozzle, to minimize on/off switching times. This enables the system to have a switching time of less than 10 ms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: Optomec, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Wright, Chad Michael Conroy, Michael J. Renn, Kurt K. Christenson, John David Hamre
  • Patent number: 9062369
    Abstract: The present invention provides deposition sources, systems, and related methods that can efficiently and controllably provide vaporized material for deposition of thin-film materials. The deposition sources, systems and related methods described herein can be used to deposit any desired material and are particularly useful for depositing high vapor pressure materials such as selenium in the manufacture of copper indium gallium diselenide based photovoltaic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Veeco Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Wayne Priddy, Chad Michael Conroy
  • Publication number: 20100248416
    Abstract: The present invention provides deposition sources, systems, and related methods that can efficiently and controllably provide vaporized material for deposition of thin-film materials. The deposition sources, systems and related methods described herein can be used to deposit any desired material and are particularly useful for depositing high vapor pressure materials such as selenium in the manufacture of copper indium gallium diselenide based photovoltaic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Scott Wayne Priddy, Chad Michael Conroy
  • Publication number: 20100154710
    Abstract: Vapor depositions sources, systems, and related deposition methods. Vapor deposition sources for use with materials that evaporate or sublime in a difficult to control or otherwise unstable manner are provided. The present invention is particularly applicable to deposition of organic material such as those for forming one or more layer in organic light emitting devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Scott Wayne Priddy, Chad Michael Conroy
  • Publication number: 20080173241
    Abstract: Vapor depositions sources, systems, and related deposition methods. Vapor deposition sources for use with materials that evaporate or sublime in a difficult to control or otherwise unstable manner are provided. The present invention is particularly applicable to deposition of organic material such as those for forming one or more layer in organic light emitting devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Scott Wayne Priddy, Richard Charles Bresnahan, Chad Michael Conroy