Patents by Inventor Craig L.. Brodeur

Craig L.. Brodeur 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: 8155896
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide restrictive-flow flow measurement devices, valve improvements and signal control devices and processes that control the flow of liquids, including control processes for single-liquid calibration. In some embodiments, a fluid flow device can be calibrated using a single standard calibration fluid. The fluid flow of a first fluid through a flow meter is measured by calculating a first pressure difference between pressures sensed by two pressure sensors of the flow meter. The fluid flow of a second fluid through the flow meter is measured by calculating a second pressure difference between pressures sensed by the same two pressure sensors. A calibration coefficient is determined based upon the relationship between the flow rate, the fluid density and the calculated pressure difference for the first and second fluids. A relationship between the calibration coefficient and the kinematic viscosity of each fluid is then determined and stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Wargo, J. Karl Niermeyer, Jieh-Hwa Shyu, Craig L. Brodeur, William Basser
  • Publication number: 20110248043
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide restrictive-flow flow measurement devices, valve improvements and signal control devices and processes that control the flow of liquids, including control processes for single-liquid calibration. In some embodiments, a fluid flow device can be calibrated using a single standard calibration fluid. The fluid flow of a first fluid through a flow meter is measured by calculating a first pressure difference between pressures sensed by two pressure sensors of the flow meter. The fluid flow of a second fluid through the flow meter is measured by calculating a second pressure difference between pressures sensed by the same two pressure sensors. A calibration coefficient is determined based upon the relationship between the flow rate, the fluid density and the calculated pressure difference for the first and second fluids. A relationship between the calibration coefficient and the kinematic viscosity of each fluid is then determined and stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher Wargo, J. Karl Niermeyer, Jieh-Hwa Shyu, Craig L. Brodeur, William Basser
  • Patent number: 8015995
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention can include a flow control device that comprises an inlet, an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet, a pressure sensor, which may or may not be the only pressure sensor of the fluid control device, and a controller coupled to the pressure sensor. The controller can be configured to generate a valve control signal based on a measured pressure at a single pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig L. Brodeur, Marc Laverdiere, Robert F. McLoughlin, J. Karl Niermeyer, Jieh-Hwa Shyu
  • Patent number: 7885773
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide restrictive-flow flow measurement devices, valve improvements and signal control devices and processes that control the flow of liquids, including control processes for single-liquid calibration. In some embodiments, a fluid flow device can be calibrated using a single standard calibration fluid. The fluid flow of a first fluid through a flow meter is measured by calculating a first pressure difference between pressures sensed by two pressure sensors of the flow meter. The fluid flow of a second fluid through the flow meter is measured by calculating a second pressure difference between pressures sensed by the same two pressure sensors. A calibration coefficient is determined based upon the relationship between the flow rate, the fluid density and the calculated pressure difference for the first and second fluids. A relationship between the calibration coefficient and the kinematic viscosity of each fluid is then determined and stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Wargo, J. Karl Niermeyer, Jieh-Hwa Shyu, Craig L. Brodeur, William Basser
  • Publication number: 20100236643
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention can include a flow control device that comprises an inlet, an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet, a pressure sensor, which may or may not be the only pressure sensor of the fluid control device, and a controller coupled to the pressure sensor. The controller can be configured to generate a valve control signal based on a measured pressure at a single pressure sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Craig L. Brodeur, Marc Laverdiere, Robert F. McLoughlin, J. Karl Niermeyer, Jieh-Hwa Shyu
  • Patent number: 7740024
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention can include a flow control device a flow control device that comprises an inlet, an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet, a pressure sensor, which may or may not be the only pressure sensor of the fluid control device, and a controller coupled to the pressure sensor. The controller can be configured to generate a valve control signal based on a measured pressure at a single pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig L. Brodeur, Marc Laverdiere, Robert F. McLoughlin, J. Karl Niermeyer, Jieh-Hwa Shyu
  • Patent number: 7610117
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention can include a flow control device comprising an inlet, an outlet, a pressure loss element between the inlet and outlet, a pressure sensor located upstream from the constriction configured to measure a first pressure of a fluid flowing through the flow control device, a pressure sensor located downstream from the constriction, configured to measure a second pressure of the fluid flowing through the flow control device; and a controller coupled to the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor to generate a valve drive signal. The controller can generate a valve control signal based on a differential between the first pressure and the second pressure during a first mode of operation. The controller can also generate a valve control signal based on a measured pressure at a particular pressure sensor during a second mode of operation. The mode of operation can automatically switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig L. Brodeur, Marc Laverdiere, Robert F. McLoughlin, J. Karl Niermeyer, Jieh-Hwa Shyu
  • Publication number: 20090113985
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide restrictive-flow flow measurement devices, valve improvements and signal control devices and processes that control the flow of liquids, including control processes for single-liquid calibration. In some embodiments, a fluid flow device can be calibrated using a single standard calibration fluid. The fluid flow of a first fluid through a flow meter is measured by calculating a first pressure difference between pressures sensed by two pressure sensors of the flow meter. The fluid flow of a second fluid through the flow meter is measured by calculating a second pressure difference between pressures sensed by the same two pressure sensors. A calibration coefficient is determined based upon the relationship between the flow rate, the fluid density and the calculated pressure difference for the first and second fluids. A relationship between the calibration coefficient and the kinematic viscosity of each fluid is then determined and stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: ENTEGRIS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Wargo, J. Karl Niermeyer, Jieh-Hwa Shyu, Craig L. Brodeur, William Basser
  • Patent number: 7447600
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide restrictive-flow flow measurement devices, valve improvements and signal control devices and processes that control the flow of liquids, including control processes for single-liquid calibration. In some embodiments, a valve can be adjusted by application of fuzzy logic which involves quantizing input variables into the degree to which a small set of logical values is true. In one embodiment, variables related to flow rate and change in flow rate over time can be compared to membership functions to generate fuzzy inputs, based upon which fuzzy outputs can be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Wargo, J. Karl Niermeyer, Jieh-Hwa Shyu, Craig L. Brodeur, William Basser
  • Patent number: 7387661
    Abstract: A contactor for effecting passage through a membrane from a first fluid a second fluid is provided. A cylindrical pleated membrane cartridge is positioned within a housing having a first inlet and a first outlet from a first fluid and at lest a second outlet for a second fluid. At least one baffle is positioned within a first flow path for the first fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Qunwei Wu, Craig L. Brodeur, Jieh-Hwa Shyu, Eric McNamara
  • Patent number: 7311808
    Abstract: A device and method for increasing the mass transport rate of a chemical or electrochemical process at the solid and fluid interface in a fluid cell. The device includes a membrane in close contact with surface of the work piece, to separate the process cell into two chambers, so that fluid velocity at the work piece is controlled separately from the main cell flow. Thus the diffusion boundary layer is controlled and minimized by the rate that fluid is withdrawn from the work piece chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Qunwei Wu, Craig L. Brodeur, John E. Pillion, Jieh Hwa Shyu
  • Publication number: 20070290382
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing temperature variations induced by fluid handling equipment in process fluids by separating heat-producing portions of the control equipment from portions of the equipment which handle or are in close proximity to a fluid flow path. In one embodiment, the fluid handling components are contained in a first enclosure, while the heat-generating components are contained in a second enclosure. An air gap is maintained between the two enclosures to provide thermal isolation of the fluid handling components from the heat-generating components. In one embodiment, the air gap is maintained by connecting the two enclosures using insulating spacers. Interconnects between components in the two enclosures may be routed through an insulating tube that is sealed at each end to prevent heat transfer through the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Marc Laverdiere, Iraj Gashgaee, Craig L. Brodeur, Robert F. McLoughlin
  • Patent number: 7292945
    Abstract: The present invention provides restrictive-flow flow measurement devices, valve improvements and signal control devices and processes that control the flow of liquids, including control processes for single-liquid calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Wargo, J. Karl Niermeyer, Jieh-Hwa Shyu, Craig L. Brodeur, William Basser
  • Patent number: 6973375
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention can include a flow control device comprising an inlet, an outlet, a pressure loss element between the inlet and outlet, a pressure sensor located upstream from the constriction configured to measure a first pressure of a fluid flowing through the flow control device, a pressure sensor located downstream from the constriction, configured to measure a second pressure of the fluid flowing through the flow control device; and a controller coupled to the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor to generate a valve drive signal. The controller can generate a valve control signal based on a differential between the first pressure and the second pressure during a first mode of operation. The controller can also generate a valve control signal based on a measured pressure at a particular pressure sensor during a second mode of operation. The mode of operation can automatically switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Mykrolis Corporation
    Inventors: Craig L.. Brodeur, Marc Laverdiere, Robert F. McLoughlin, J. Karl Niermeyer, Jieh-Hwa Shyu