Patents by Inventor Daniel Gruner

Daniel Gruner 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: 20250391592
    Abstract: Resistor assembly, in particular for a power combiner, including a resistor chip and a clamping element to clamp the resistor chip to a cooling element, wherein the clamping element has a clamping arm to apply a pressure to the resistor chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Publication date: December 25, 2025
    Inventors: Philippe Dennler, Adam Galos, Daniel Gruner, Janez Klanjsek, Anton Labanc, Roland Sistemich, Thomas Staub, Andreas Scherler
  • Publication number: 20250364214
    Abstract: A Radio Frequency, RF, generator in particular for a plasma application, including a cooling element; at least a first RF power stage having a first output and a second RF power stage having a second output, both being mounted onto the cooling element. An RF combining network mounted onto the cooling element comprising at least a first input and a second input; an RF distribution element, wherein the RF distribution element comprises a printed circuit board, PCB, having a plurality of conductors, wherein the conductors of the RF distribution element are arranged such that the first output of the first RF power stage is connected to the first input of the RF combining network and the second output of the second RF power stage with the second input of the RF combining network, respectively. The PCB of the RF distribution element is arranged perpendicularly to the cooling element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 27, 2025
    Inventors: Adam Galos, André Grede, Daniel Gruner, Andreas Hartmann, Anton Labanc, Kai Pankratz, René Rüttgers, Roland Sistemich
  • Patent number: 12476083
    Abstract: A method for generating an RF signal preferably for a plasma chamber including the steps of: generating an input RF signal on the basis of a first set of control parameters; detecting at least one distorted RF signal; synchronizing the at least one distorted RF signal with the input RF signal; determining a difference between a target RF signal and the at least one distorted RF signal being synchronized; if the difference is larger than a predetermined threshold, determining a second set of control parameters based on the comparison of the target RF signal and the at least one distorted RF signal being synchronized; and generating an adapted input RF signal on the basis of the second set of control parameters such that the difference between the target RF signal and the distorted RF signal is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2025
    Assignee: COMET AG
    Inventors: André Grede, Daniel Gruner, Anton Labanc, Roland Schlierf, Nikolai Schwerg, Manuel vor dem Brocke
  • Patent number: 12424425
    Abstract: Provided is a generator including a power amplifier, at least one sampler, an RF output, a signal generator, a controller including a digital control portion and an analogue control portion, an analogue feedback path between the at least one sampler and the controller enabling an analogue signal representation of a signal to be provided to the controller, and a digital feedback path between the at least one sampler and the controller enabling a digital signal representation of the signal to be provided to the controller. The controller is configured to adjust the RF signal at the RF output from a first state into a second state based on the analogue signal representation and/or the digital signal representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2025
    Assignee: COMET AG
    Inventors: Anton Labanc, Daniel Gruner, André Grede
  • Publication number: 20250280492
    Abstract: Printed-Circuit-Board structure, in particular for an RF generator, including a heat spreader; a basic printed-circuit-board, PCB, having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the basic PCB includes a metallic layer at the lower surface having at least one conductor line and/or at least one contact pad; a contact layer. The contact layer is includes an upper surface directly connected to the metallic layer of the basic PCB and a lower surface; wherein the lower surface of the contact layer is bonded to the heat spreader by a bonding layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Publication date: September 4, 2025
    Inventors: André Grede, Daniel Gruner, Anton Labanc
  • Patent number: 12206372
    Abstract: A radio-frequency generator, including a power amplifier module including a power amplifier, a pickup module connected to an output of the power amplifier to generate a pickup signal, and an output configured to be connected to the respective output of the amplifier and configured to output a radio-frequency output signal. The radio-frequency generator includes a measurement module configured to receive the pickup signal and to generate a measurement signal based on the one pickup signal; and a radio-frequency signal generation module configured to generate two or more carrier signals of different frequency, and to provide a drive signal as input to the power amplifier module, and a regulation module configured to receive the measurement signal, and to regulate the power of the radio-frequency output signal based on the measurement signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: COMET AG
    Inventors: Daniel Gruner, André Grede, Nikolai Schwerg, Anton Labanc, Manuel vor dem Brocke, Roland Schlierf
  • Patent number: 12132454
    Abstract: A radiofrequency, RF, power amplifier, including at least one field-effect transistor, FET, wherein a source terminal of the at least one FET is connected to ground. At least one diode is included, wherein a cathode of the at least one diode is connected to a drain terminal of the at least one FET and an anode of the at least one diode is connected to ground. An output network is connected to the drain terminal of the at least one FET. An input network is connected to a gate terminal of the at least one FET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: COMET AG
    Inventors: Daniel Gruner, Andreas Hartmann, Philippe Dennler, Markus Reiff, André Grede, Anton Labanc
  • Publication number: 20240355598
    Abstract: A method for machine learning a detection of at least one irregularity in a plasma system, particularly an RF powered plasma processing system, including providing at least one input signal each related to an analog signal of a power delivery system for the plasma system and/or to another characteristic of the power delivery system and/or of the plasma system. The at least one input signal having at least one irregularity feature indicative of the irregularity in the plasma system, performing a machine learning procedure wherein the at least one input signal having the at least one irregularity feature is processed by a programmable circuit to train the detection of the irregularity in the plasma system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2022
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas Fink, André Grede, Daniel Gruner, Anton Labanc, Roland Schlierf, Nikolai Schwerg, Manuel vor dem Brocke
  • Patent number: 12126347
    Abstract: A control unit for generating a plurality of synchronized radio frequency (RF) output signals (RFout,i) each having a respective output frequency (fi), phase (?i), and amplitude (Ai), including a signal comparator configured to compare a reference signal having a reference frequency (fref) and a reference phase (?ref) with a feedback signal having a feedback frequency (fPLL) and a feedback phase (?PLL), and configured to generate an error signal representative of a difference between the reference signal and the feedback signal; and a data processing unit receiving as an input signal the error signal generated by the signal comparator, and outputting a plurality of waveform tuning signals (FTWPLL, FTWi) as a function of the error signal; wherein a plurality of waveform generators (DDSPLL, DDSi) each receiving at least one of the plurality of waveform tuning signals (FTWPLL, FTWi) output by the data processing unit, wherein each waveform generator (DDSPLL, DDSi) generates a time-dependent amplitude signal (
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: COMET AG
    Inventors: Manuel vor dem Brocke, Roland Schlierf, André Grede, Daniel Gruner, Anton Labanc
  • Publication number: 20240321553
    Abstract: A method for generating an RF signal preferably for a plasma chamber including the steps of: generating an input RF signal on the basis of a first set of control parameters; detecting at least one distorted RF signal; synchronizing the at least one distorted RF signal with the input RF signal; determining a difference between a target RF signal and the at least one distorted RF signal being synchronized; if the difference is larger than a predetermined threshold, determining a second set of control parameters based on the comparison of the target RF signal and the at least one distorted RF signal being synchronized; and generating an adapted input RF signal on the basis of the second set of control parameters such that the difference between the target RF signal and the distorted RF signal is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: André Grede, Daniel Gruner, Anton Labanc, Roland Schlierf, Nikolai Schwerg, Manuel vor dem Brocke
  • Publication number: 20240296270
    Abstract: A method for improving digital signal processing in a radio-frequency system, in particular a radio-frequency power delivery system, including providing at least one input signal, preferably related to a radio-frequency signal of the radio-frequency system, performing a processing procedure wherein the at least one input signal is repeatedly processed by a programmable circuit using at least one configurable parameter of the processing, wherein a configuration of the at least one parameter is varied for each processing of the at least one input signal to obtain respective processing results, determining at least one parameter result for an optimization of the configuration based on the processing results, and providing the at least one determined parameter result for the improved digital signal processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Nikolai Schwerg, Roland Schlierf, André Grede, Daniel Gruner, Anton Labanc, Thomas Fink, Manuel vor dem Brocke
  • Patent number: 11777508
    Abstract: A device for synchronizing a periodic high frequency power signal (18) and an external reference signal (10). The device comprises a phase control circuit (100) and a digital oscillator circuit (130). The digital oscillator circuit (130) is connected to the phase control circuit (100). The digital oscillator circuit (130) comprises means for generating the periodic high frequency power signal (18) dependent on the control signal from the phase control circuit. The phase control circuit (100) is configured to determine a phase difference of the periodic high frequency power signal (18) and the external reference signal (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: COMET AG
    Inventors: Manuel vor dem Brocke, Roland Schlierf, André Grede, Daniel Gruner
  • Patent number: 11770892
    Abstract: The high-frequency amplifier assembly for a high-frequency generator, in particular for a high-frequency generator for operating a plasma generator, is provided with a signal generator for generating a high-frequency signal; a first amplifier transistor for amplifying the signal generated by the signal generator; an output terminal for outputting the amplified signal to an external load; an input network arranged between the signal generator and the first amplifier transistor for providing the high-frequency signal at the input of the amplifier transistor; an output network arranged between the amplifier transistor and the external load for providing a desired load impedance for the amplifier transistor; and an electronic voltage-limiting assembly arranged at the output terminal for limiting the output voltage at the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: COMET AG
    Inventors: Anton Labanc, Daniel Gruner
  • Publication number: 20230298871
    Abstract: Provided is a generator including a power amplifier, at least one sampler, an RF output, a signal generator, a controller including a digital control portion and an analogue control portion, an analogue feedback path between the at least one sampler and the controller enabling an analogue signal representation of a signal to be provided to the controller, and a digital feedback path between the at least one sampler and the controller enabling a digital signal representation of the signal to be provided to the controller. The controller is configured to adjust the RF signal at the RF output from a first state into a second state based on the analogue signal representation and/or the digital signal representation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Anton Labanc, Daniel Gruner, André Grede
  • Publication number: 20230283282
    Abstract: A control unit for generating a plurality of synchronized radio frequency (RF) output signals (RFout,i) each having a respective output frequency (fi), phase (?i), and amplitude (Ai), including a signal comparator configured to compare a reference signal having a reference frequency (fref) and a reference phase (?ref) with a feedback signal having a feedback frequency (fPLL) and a feedback phase (?PLL), and configured to generate an error signal representative of a difference between the reference signal and the feedback signal; and a data processing unit receiving as an input signal the error signal generated by the signal comparator, and outputting a plurality of waveform tuning signals (FTWPLL, FTWi) as a function of the error signal; wherein a plurality of waveform generators (DDSPLL, DDSi) each receiving at least one of the plurality of waveform tuning signals (FTWPLL, FTWi) output by the data processing unit, wherein each waveform generator (DDSPLL, DDSi) generates a time-dependent amplitude signal (
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Manuel vor dem Brocke, Roland Schlierf, André Grede, Daniel Gruner, Anton Labanc
  • Patent number: 11705314
    Abstract: Provided is a generator including a power amplifier, at least one sampler, an RF output, a signal generator, a controller including a digital control portion and an analogue control portion, an analogue feedback path between the at least one sampler and the controller enabling an analogue signal representation of a signal to be provided to the controller, and a digital feedback path between the at least one sampler and the controller enabling a digital signal representation of the signal to be provided to the controller. The controller is configured to adjust the RF signal at the RF output from a first state into a second state based on the analogue signal representation and/or the digital signal representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: COMET AG
    Inventors: Anton Labanc, Daniel Gruner, André Grede
  • Patent number: 11489531
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for synchronizing a periodic high frequency power signal (18) and an external reference signal (10). The device comprises a phase control circuit (100) and a digital oscillator circuit (130). The digital oscillator circuit (130) is connected to the phase control circuit (100). The digital oscillator circuit (130) comprises means for generating the periodic high frequency power signal (18) dependent on the control signal from the phase control circuit. The phase control circuit (100) is configured to determine a phase difference of the periodic high frequency power signal (18) and the external reference signal (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: COMET AG
    Inventors: Manuel vor dem Brocke, Roland Schlierf, André Grede, Daniel Gruner
  • Publication number: 20220216838
    Abstract: A radio-frequency generator, including a power amplifier module including a power amplifier, a pickup module connected to an output of the power amplifier to generate a pickup signal, and an output configured to be connected to the respective output of the amplifier and configured to output a radio-frequency output signal. The radio-frequency generator includes a measurement module configured to receive the pickup signal and to generate a measurement signal based on the one pickup signal; and a radio-frequency signal generation module configured to generate two or more carrier signals of different frequency, and to provide a drive signal as input to the power amplifier module, and a regulation module configured to receive the measurement signal, and to regulate the power of the radio-frequency output signal based on the measurement signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel Gruner, André Grede, Nikolai Schwerg, Anton Labanc, Manuel vor dem Brocke, Roland Schlierf
  • Patent number: 11382206
    Abstract: An apparatus which includes: a circuit board having a radiofrequency (RF) structure at a first location thereof, the RF structure formed from a conductive trace of the circuit board; a heat carrier; and a multi-stack cooling structure coupling the circuit board and the heat carrier to each other. The multi-stack cooling structure including a first stack adjacent the RF structure at the first location and a second stack at a second location. The first stack including a dielectric layer adjacent the heat carrier, and a thermal interface material (TIM) that couples the dielectric layer and the circuit board to each other, the dielectric layer having higher thermal conductivity and higher rigidity than the TIM. The second stack including a metal layer adjacent the heat carrier, and the TIM that couples the metal layer and the circuit board to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: COMET AG
    Inventors: André Grede, Daniel Gruner, Anton Labanc
  • Publication number: 20220190835
    Abstract: A device for synchronizing a periodic high frequency power signal (18) and an external reference signal (10). The device comprises a phase control circuit (100) and a digital oscillator circuit (130). The digital oscillator circuit (130) is connected to the phase control circuit (100). The digital oscillator circuit (130) comprises means for generating the periodic high frequency power signal (18) dependent on the control signal from the phase control circuit. The phase control circuit (100) is configured to determine a phase difference of the periodic high frequency power signal (18) and the external reference signal (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Manuel vor dem Brocke, Roland Schlierf, André Grede, Daniel Gruner