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).

  • Publication number: 20240253979
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Applicant: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Zhang, Christopher Needham, Andrew Proudman, Nikolay Pokrovskiy, George M. Molnar, II, Laura Cornelia Popa
  • Patent number: 11981560
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Zhang, Christopher Needham, Andrew Proudman, Nikolay Pokrovskiy, George M. Molnar, II, Laura Cornelia Popa, Michael Judy
  • Publication number: 20210380403
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Zhang, Christopher Needham, Andrew Proudman, Nikolay Pokrovskiy, George M. Molnar, II, Laura Cornelia Popa, Michael Judy
  • Patent number: 11033945
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Di Nardo, Christopher Needham, Michael Gomm, Chris Lauridsen
  • Patent number: 10759659
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Zhang, Michael Judy, George M. Molnar, Christopher Needham, Kemiao Jia
  • Patent number: 10533834
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Di Nardo, Christopher Needham, Michael Gomm, Chris Lauridsen
  • Publication number: 20190314880
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Di Nardo, Christopher Needham, Michael Gomm, Chris Lauridsen
  • Publication number: 20190265013
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Di Nardo, Christopher Needham, Michael Gomm, Chris Lauridsen
  • Publication number: 20190047846
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Zhang, Michael Judy, George M. Molnar, Christopher Needham, Kemiao Jia
  • Patent number: 10167189
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Zhang, Michael W. Judy, George M. Molnar, Christopher Needham, Kemiao Jia
  • Publication number: 20150295533
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher Needham, Bharat Malapareddy
  • Patent number: 8274028
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: SunEdison, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Needham
  • Publication number: 20090223315
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to methods and systems for an active tracking solar panel racks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher Needham
  • Patent number: 6678914
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Michael Christopher Needham, Charles Fletcher Nelson, David James Ruffin
  • Publication number: 20020148060
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Christopher Needham, Charles Fletcher Nelson, David James Ruffin
  • Patent number: 6399196
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company
    Inventors: Michael Christopher Needham, Charles Fletcher Nelson, David James Ruffin
  • Publication number: 20010034918
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Michael Christopher Needham, Charles Fletcher Nelson, David James Ruffin
  • Patent number: 6296934
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Michael Christopher Needham, Charles Fletcher Nelson, David James Ruffin
  • Patent number: D845793
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Di Nardo, Christopher Needham, Michael Gomm, Chris Lauridsen
  • Patent number: D872779
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Di Nardo, Christopher Needham, Michael Gomm, Chris Lauridsen