Patents by Inventor Christopher Vaughn Luers

Christopher Vaughn Luers 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).

  • Crystal pulling system and method including crucible and barrier
    Patent number: 10407797
    Abstract: A system for forming an ingot from a melt includes a first crucible defining a cavity for receiving the melt and a second crucible in the cavity. The second crucible separates an outer zone from an inner zone. The second crucible includes a passageway therethrough to allow the melt located within the outer zone to move into the inner zone. The inner zone defines a growth area for the ingot. The system also includes a barrier located within the outer zone to limit movement of the melt through the outer zone. The barrier includes members that are arranged to define a labyrinth for melt flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Corner Start Limited
    Inventors: Salvador Zepeda, Richard J. Phillips, Christopher Vaughn Luers
  • CRYSTAL PULLING METHOD INCLUDING CRUCIBLE AND CONDITIONING MEMBERS
    Publication number: 20190153615
    Abstract: Systems and methods for forming an ingot from a melt are disclosed. A method includes placing conditioning members within a cavity defined by a crucible and placing feedstock material into the cavity. The method also includes melting the feedstock material to form the melt. A melt line is defined by a surface of the melt. The conditioning members including quartz bodies arranged at the melt line to contact the melt and reduce the number of micro-voids in the melt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Salvador Zepeda, Richard J. Phillips, Christopher Vaughn Luers, Steven Lawrence Kimbel, Harold W. Korb, John D. Holder, Carissima Marie Hudson, Hariprasad Sreedharamurthy, Stephan Haringer, Marco Zardoni
  • System for forming an ingot including crucible and conditioning members
    Patent number: 10221500
    Abstract: Systems and methods for forming an ingot from a melt are disclosed. A system includes a crucible defining a cavity for receiving the melt, and a first and second barrier to inhibit movement of the melt. A first passageway and a second passageway are arranged to allow the melt located within an outer zone to move into and through a transition zone and into an inner zone. Conditioning members are placed in at least one of the zones and arranged to contact the melt to reduce the number of micro-voids in the melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Corner Star Limited
    Inventors: Salvador Zepeda, Richard J. Phillips, Christopher Vaughn Luers, Steven Lawrence Kimbel, Harold W. Korb, John D. Holder, Carissima Marie Hudson, Hariprasad Sreedharamurthy, Stephan Haringer, Marco Zardoni
  • CRYSTAL PULLING SYSTEM AND METHOD INCLUDING CRUCIBLE AND BARRIER
    Publication number: 20180320287
    Abstract: A system for forming an ingot from a melt includes a first crucible defining a cavity for receiving the melt and a second crucible in the cavity. The second crucible separates an outer zone from an inner zone. The second crucible includes a passageway therethrough to allow the melt located within the outer zone to move into the inner zone. The inner zone defines a growth area for the ingot. The system also includes a barrier located within the outer zone to limit movement of the melt through the outer zone. The barrier includes members that are arranged to define a labyrinth for melt flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Salvador Zepeda, Richard J. Phillips, Christopher Vaughn Luers
  • CRYSTAL PULLING SYSTEM AND METHOD INCLUDING CRUCIBLE AND CONDITIONING MEMBERS
    Publication number: 20180187329
    Abstract: Systems and methods for forming an ingot from a melt are disclosed. A system includes a crucible defining a cavity for receiving the melt, and a first and second barrier to inhibit movement of the melt. A first passageway and a second passageway are arranged to allow the melt located within an outer zone to move into and through a transition zone and into an inner zone. Conditioning members are placed in at least one of the zones and arranged to contact the melt to reduce the number of micro-voids in the melt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Salvador Zepeda, Richard J. Phillips, Christopher Vaughn Luers, Steven Lawrence Kimbel, Harold W. Korb, John D. Holder, Carissima Marie Hudson, Hariprasad Sreedharamurthy, Stephan Haringer, Marco Zardoni