Patents by Inventor Christopher Needham
Christopher Needham 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).
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Publication number: 20240253979Abstract: A stress-isolated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device and a method of manufacture of the stress-isolated MEMS device are provided. MEMS devices may be sensitive to stress and may provide lower performance when subjected to stress. A stress-isolated MEMS device may be manufactured by etching a trench and/or a cavity in a first side of a substrate and subsequently forming a MEMS device on a surface of a platform opposite the first side of the substrate. Such a stress-isolated MEMS device may exhibit better performance than a MEMS device that is not stress-isolated. Moreover, manufacturing the MEMS device by first forming a trench and cavity on a backside of a wafer, before forming the MEMS device on a suspended platform, provides increased yield and allows for fabrication of smaller parts, in at least some embodiments.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2024Publication date: August 1, 2024Applicant: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: Xin Zhang, Christopher Needham, Andrew Proudman, Nikolay Pokrovskiy, George M. Molnar, II, Laura Cornelia Popa
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Patent number: 11981560Abstract: A stress-isolated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device and a method of manufacture of the stress-isolated MEMS device are provided. MEMS devices may be sensitive to stress and may provide lower performance when subjected to stress. A stress-isolated MEMS device may be manufactured by etching a trench and/or a cavity in a first side of a substrate and subsequently forming a MEMS device on a surface of a platform opposite the first side of the substrate. Such a stress-isolated MEMS device may exhibit better performance than a MEMS device that is not stress-isolated. Moreover, manufacturing the MEMS device by first forming a trench and cavity on a backside of a wafer, before forming the MEMS device on a suspended platform, provides increased yield and allows for fabrication of smaller parts, in at least some embodiments.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2021Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: Xin Zhang, Christopher Needham, Andrew Proudman, Nikolay Pokrovskiy, George M. Molnar, II, Laura Cornelia Popa, Michael Judy
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Publication number: 20210380403Abstract: A stress-isolated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device and a method of manufacture of the stress-isolated MEMS device are provided. MEMS devices may be sensitive to stress and may provide lower performance when subjected to stress. A stress-isolated MEMS device may be manufactured by etching a trench and/or a cavity in a first side of a substrate and subsequently forming a MEMS device on a surface of a platform opposite the first side of the substrate. Such a stress-isolated MEMS device may exhibit better performance than a MEMS device that is not stress-isolated. Moreover, manufacturing the MEMS device by first forming a trench and cavity on a backside of a wafer, before forming the MEMS device on a suspended platform, provides increased yield and allows for fabrication of smaller parts, in at least some embodiments.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Applicant: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: Xin Zhang, Christopher Needham, Andrew Proudman, Nikolay Pokrovskiy, George M. Molnar, II, Laura Cornelia Popa, Michael Judy
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Patent number: 11033945Abstract: A skate blade bending apparatus (35) may feature a unitary body (1) with a securement structure (10, 15) which holds a skate blade on its side, parallel to the ground, and a means for exerting downward force (8) on the side of the skate blade. The securement structure may feature movable anvils 15 which will change the imparted radius of curvature imparted upon the blade. Indicia (29) may be utilized to position said anvils (15) to ensure the process is repeatable on different blades. A handle (14) used with the means for exerting downward force (8) may be adjustable. The means for exerting downward force (8) and anvils (15) may be interchangeable with other shapes of similar structures for greater versatility.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Inventors: Thomas Di Nardo, Christopher Needham, Michael Gomm, Chris Lauridsen
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Patent number: 10759659Abstract: A MEMS product includes a stress-isolated MEMS platform surrounded by a stress-relief gap and suspended from a substrate. The stress-relief gap provides a barrier against the transmission of mechanical stress from the substrate to the platform.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: Xin Zhang, Michael Judy, George M. Molnar, Christopher Needham, Kemiao Jia
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Patent number: 10533834Abstract: A blade measuring apparatus (21) to measure the radius and bend of skate blades along the longitudinal plane of the skate blade runner features a one-piece frame (1), thermally non-conductive handles (5), and adjustable, replaceable, and interchangeable magnetic force application components (9, 10) and assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Inventors: Thomas Di Nardo, Christopher Needham, Michael Gomm, Chris Lauridsen
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Publication number: 20190314880Abstract: A skate blade bending apparatus (35) may feature a unitary body (1) with a securement structure (10, 15) which holds a skate blade on its side, parallel to the ground, and a means for exerting downward force (8) on the side of the skate blade. The securement structure may feature movable anvils 15 which will change the imparted radius of curvature imparted upon the blade. Indicia (29) may be utilized to position said anvils (15) to ensure the process is repeatable on different blades. A handle (14) used with the means for exerting downward force (8) may be adjustable. The means for exerting downward force (8) and anvils (15) may be interchangeable with other shapes of similar structures for greater versatility.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2017Publication date: October 17, 2019Inventors: Thomas Di Nardo, Christopher Needham, Michael Gomm, Chris Lauridsen
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Publication number: 20190265013Abstract: A blade measuring apparatus (21) to measure the radius and bend of skate blades along the longitudinal plane of the skate blade runner features a one-piece frame (1), thermally non-conductive handles (5), and adjustable, replaceable, and interchangeable magnetic force application components (9, 10) and assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2017Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Thomas Di Nardo, Christopher Needham, Michael Gomm, Chris Lauridsen
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Publication number: 20190047846Abstract: A MEMS product includes a stress-isolated MEMS platform surrounded by a stress-relief gap and suspended from a substrate. The stress-relief gap provides a barrier against the transmission of mechanical stress from the substrate to the platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Applicant: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: Xin Zhang, Michael Judy, George M. Molnar, Christopher Needham, Kemiao Jia
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Patent number: 10167189Abstract: A MEMS product includes a stress-isolated MEMS platform surrounded by a stress-relief gap and suspended from a substrate. The stress-relief gap provides a barrier against the transmission of mechanical stress from the substrate to the platform.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: Xin Zhang, Michael W. Judy, George M. Molnar, Christopher Needham, Kemiao Jia
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Publication number: 20150295533Abstract: A fixed tilt racking system for mounting solar modules to a structure is disclosed. The fixed tilt racking system has a support rack, a ballast, and a solar module. The support rack includes a pair of trusses, a crossbeam connecting the forward portions of each truss, and a frame assembly connecting the rearward portions of each truss. The ballast is attached to and extends across a back section of the frame assembly. The solar module is connected to both the crossbeam and the frame assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2013Publication date: October 15, 2015Inventors: Christopher Needham, Bharat Malapareddy
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Patent number: 8274028Abstract: An active tracking solar assembly includes a main actuator cable and a secondary cable having a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the main actuator cable and the second end is connected to a roof weight. An actuator bar has a counter weight attached to a first end and a first pulley attached to a second end, and the secondary cable engages the first pulley.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: SunEdison, LLCInventor: Christopher Needham
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Publication number: 20090223315Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to methods and systems for an active tracking solar panel racks.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2009Publication date: September 10, 2009Inventor: Christopher Needham
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Patent number: 6678914Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer monofilament oriented from 3.0-6.0 times its original length having a diameter of 125-600 microns and containing 0.2-5.0% by weight, based on the weight of the monofilament, of glitter particles or film particles having a particle size of 50-400 microns in its longest diameter, a thickness of 2-50 microns and having a diameter to thickness ratio of at least 2 to 1 and wherein the longest diameter of the particle is not greater than 80% of the diameter of the monofilament and that provide the monofilament with an attractive appearance. A core sheath monofilament is also part of this invention wherein the core is a thermoplastic polymer monofilament having a sheath of the same or different thermoplastic polymer containing the above described particles. These monofilaments are particularly useful in toothbrushes and cosmetic brushes.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Michael Christopher Needham, Charles Fletcher Nelson, David James Ruffin
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Publication number: 20020148060Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer monofilament oriented from 3.0-6.0 times its original length having a diameter of 125-600 microns and containing 0.2-5.0% by weight, based on the weight of the monofilament, of glitter particles or film particles having a particle size of 50-400 microns in its longest diameter, a thickness of 2-50 microns and having a diameter to thickness ratio of at least 2 to 1 and wherein the longest diameter of the particle is not greater than 80% of the diameter of the monofilament and that provide the monofilament with an attractive appearance. A core sheath monofilament is also part of this invention wherein the core is a thermoplastic polymer monofilament having a sheath of the same or different thermoplastic polymer containing the above described particles. These monofilaments are particularly useful in toothbrushes and cosmetic brushes.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2002Publication date: October 17, 2002Inventors: Michael Christopher Needham, Charles Fletcher Nelson, David James Ruffin
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Patent number: 6399196Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer monofilament oriented from 3.0-6.0 times its original length having a diameter of 125-600 microns and containing 0.2-5.0% by weight, based on the weight of the monofilament, of glitter particles or film particles having a particle size of 50-400 microns in its longest diameter, a thickness of 2-50 microns and having a diameter to thickness ratio of at least 2 to 1 and wherein the longest diameter of the particle is not greater than 80% of the diameter of the monofilament and that provide the monofilament with an attractive appearance. A core sheath monofilament is also part of this invention wherein the core is a thermoplastic polymer monofilament having a sheath of the same or different thermoplastic polymer containing the above described particles. These monofilaments are particularly useful in toothbrushes and cosmetic brushes.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2001Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours & CompanyInventors: Michael Christopher Needham, Charles Fletcher Nelson, David James Ruffin
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Publication number: 20010034918Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer monofilament oriented from 3.0-6.0 times its original length having a diameter of 125-600 microns and containing 0.2-5.0% by weight, based on the weight of the monofilament, of glitter particles or film particles having a particle size of 50-400 microns in its longest diameter, a thickness of 2-50 microns and having a diameter to thickness ratio of at least 2 to 1 and wherein the longest diameter of the particle is not greater than 80% of the diameter of the monofilament and that provide the monofilament with an attractive appearance. A core sheath monofilament is also part of this invention wherein the core is a thermoplastic polymer monofilament having a sheath of the same or different thermoplastic polymer containing the above described particles. These monofilaments are particularly useful in toothbrushes and cosmetic brushes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2001Publication date: November 1, 2001Inventors: Michael Christopher Needham, Charles Fletcher Nelson, David James Ruffin
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Patent number: 6296934Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer monofilament oriented from 3.0-6.0 times its original length having a diameter of 125-600 microns and containing 0.2-5.0% by weight, based on the weight of the monofilament, of glitter particles or film particles having a particle size of 50-400 microns in its longest diameter, a thickness of 2-50 microns and having a diameter to thickness ratio of at least 2 to 1 and wherein the longest diameter of the particle is not greater than 80% of the diameter of the monofilament and that provide the monofilament with an attractive appearance. A core sheath monofilament is also part of this invention wherein the core is a thermoplastic polymer monofilament having a sheath of the same or different thermoplastic polymer containing the above described particles. These monofilaments are particularly useful in toothbrushes and cosmetic brushes.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1999Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Michael Christopher Needham, Charles Fletcher Nelson, David James Ruffin
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Patent number: D845793Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Inventors: Thomas Di Nardo, Christopher Needham, Michael Gomm, Chris Lauridsen
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Patent number: D872779Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Inventors: Thomas Di Nardo, Christopher Needham, Michael Gomm, Chris Lauridsen