Patents by Inventor Dennis Smith
Dennis Smith 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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Patent number: 12646688Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for manufacturing a showerhead for a semiconductor manufacturing system are presented herein. One method includes an operation for drilling first holes on a faceplate made of a first material, where the first holes have a first diameter. Further, the method includes an operation for cladding the first holes and the faceplate with a second material to cover the first holes and the faceplate with the second material. Further yet, the method includes drilling second holes concentric with the first holes resulting in a part with holes coated with the second material. The second holes have a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. Additionally, the method includes an operation for creating the showerhead utilizing the part, where gas is deliverable through the second holes of the faceplate in the showerhead.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2020Date of Patent: June 2, 2026Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Seyedalireza Torbatisarraf, Kurt Alan Kern, Dennis Smith
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Patent number: 11860016Abstract: A mass flow controller assembly includes a housing defining a cavity, a plurality of internal passages, a first inlet, a first outlet, a second inlet, and a second outlet. A valve is connected to the housing, has an inlet fluidly coupled to the second outlet of the housing and an outlet fluidly coupled to the second inlet of the housing. The valve is configured to control fluid flow from the second outlet of the housing to the second inlet of the housing. A microelectromechanical (MEMS) Coriolis flow sensor is arranged in the cavity, includes an inlet fluidly coupled by at least one of the plurality of internal passages to the first inlet of the housing and is configured to measure at least one of a mass flow rate and density of fluid flowing through the MEMS Coriolis flow sensor. An outlet of the MEMS Coriolis flow sensor is fluidly coupled by at least one of the plurality of internal passages to the second outlet of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2019Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATIONInventors: Dennis Smith, Peter Reimer, Sudhakar Gopalakrishnan
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Patent number: 11827544Abstract: A method of degrading 1,4-dioxane in the wastewater produced during the manufacture of alkyl ether sulfates is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) mixing from 100 to 10,000 ppm, preferably 1,000 to 4,000 ppm of ozone with the wastewater; (b) introducing H2O2 into the wastewater in an amount of 0.01 to 10, preferably 0.1 to 0.5 molar equivalents of H2O2 to ozone, and (c) mixing the ozone, H2O2, and wastewater to generate hydroxyl radicals reactive with the 1,4-dioxane, without the addition of a metal catalyst. The hydroxyl radicals react with the 1,4-dioxane and degrade it into carbon dioxide, water and/or carbonate. The method is effective to reduce a concentration of 1,4-dioxane in the wastewater from a range of about 10 ppm to about 1000 ppm of dioxane down to less than 5 ppb of 1,4-dioxane after treatment. The method is also effective for removing hydrocarbon species that may be present in the wastewater.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Stepan CompanyInventors: Matthew V. Vollmer, Donald E. Oulman, Aaron Brown, Dennis Smith, Doug Gustafson, Terry Applebury
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Patent number: 11662237Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes N first valves. Inlets of the N first valves are fluidly connected to N gas sources, respectively, where N is an integer greater than zero. N mass flow controllers include a microelectromechanical (MEMS) Coriolis flow sensor having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of a corresponding one of the N first valves. A second valve has an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the MEMS Coriolis flow sensor and an outlet supplying fluid to treat a substrate arranged in a processing chamber. A controller in communication with the MEMS Coriolis flow sensor is configured to determine at least one of a mass flow rate and a density of fluid flowing through the MEMS Coriolis flow sensor.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2019Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATIONInventors: Iqbal A. Shareef, Dennis Smith, John E. Daugherty
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Publication number: 20230116436Abstract: A method of degrading 1,4-dioxane in the wastewater produced during the manufacture of alkyl ether sulfates is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) mixing from 100 to 10,000 ppm, preferably 1,000 to 4,000 ppm of ozone with the wastewater; (b) introducing H2O2 into the wastewater in an amount of 0.01 to 10, preferably 0.1 to 0.5 molar equivalents of H2O2 to ozone, and (c) mixing the ozone, H2O2, and wastewater to generate hydroxyl radicals reactive with the 1,4-dioxane, without the addition of a metal catalyst. The hydroxyl radicals react with the 1,4-dioxane and degrade it into carbon dioxide, water and/or carbonate. The method is effective to reduce a concentration of 1,4-dioxane in the wastewater from a range of about 10 ppm to about 1000 ppm of dioxane down to less than 5 ppb of 1,4-dioxane after treatment. The method is also effective for removing hydrocarbon species that may be present in the wastewater.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Inventors: Matthew V. Vollmer, Donald E. Oulman, Aaron Brown, Dennis Smith, Doug Gustafson, Terry Applebury
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Publication number: 20230081544Abstract: A component for use inside a semiconductor chamber with a laser textured surface facing a vacuum region inside the semiconductor chamber is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2021Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Pylin SAROBOL, Eric SAMULON, Pankaj HAZARIKA, Dennis SMITH, Kurt KERN, Debanjan DAS, Darrell EHRLICH, Eric A. PAPE, Matthew Brian SCHICK
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Publication number: 20220384145Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for manufacturing a showerhead for a semiconductor manufacturing system. One method includes an operation for drilling first holes on a faceplate made of a first material, where the first holes have a first diameter. Further, the method includes an operation for cladding the first holes and the faceplate with a second material to cover the first holes and the faceplate with the second material. Further yet, the method includes drilling second holes concentric with the first holes resulting in a part with holes coated with the second material. The second holes have a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. Additionally, the method includes an operation for creating the showerhead utilizing the part, where gas is deliverable through the second holes of the faceplate in the showerhead.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2020Publication date: December 1, 2022Inventors: Seyedalireza Torbatisarraf, Kurt Alan Kern, Dennis Smith
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Patent number: 11457831Abstract: A medical imaging system including a microwave antenna array having a transmitting antenna and a plurality of receiving antennae, wherein the transmitting antenna is configured to transmit microwave signals so as to illuminate a body part of a patient and the receiving antennae are configured to receive the microwave signals following scattering within the body part; a processor configured to process the scattered microwave signals and generate an output indicative of the internal structure of the body part to identify a region of interest within the body part; and a biopsy device comprising a biopsy needle movable relative to the microwave antenna array; wherein the receiving antennae are further configured to receive microwave signals scattered or emitted by the biopsy needle and the processor is further configured to monitor a position of the biopsy needle and to guide the biopsy needle to the identified region of interest within the body part.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Micrima LimitedInventors: Peter Romilly Bannister, Dennis Smith, Kevin Leslie Thomas
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Publication number: 20210140807Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes N first valves. Inlets of the N first valves are fluidly connected to N gas sources, respectively, where N is an integer greater than zero. N mass flow controllers include a microelectromechanical (MEMS) Coriolis flow sensor having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of a corresponding one of the N first valves. A second valve has an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of the MEMS Coriolis flow sensor and an outlet supplying fluid to treat a substrate arranged in a processing chamber. A controller in communication with the MEMS Coriolis flow sensor is configured to determine at least one of a mass flow rate and a density of fluid flowing through the MEMS Coriolis flow sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2019Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Iqbal A. SHAREEF, Dennis SMITH, John E. DAUGHERTY
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Publication number: 20210096011Abstract: A mass flow controller assembly includes a housing defining a cavity, a plurality of internal passages, a first inlet, a first outlet, a second inlet, and a second outlet. A valve is connected to the housing, has an inlet fluidly coupled to the second outlet of the housing and an outlet fluidly coupled to the second inlet of the housing. The valve is configured to control fluid flow from the second outlet of the housing to the second inlet of the housing. A microelectromechanical (MEMS) Coriolis flow sensor is arranged in the cavity, includes an inlet fluidly coupled by at least one of the plurality of internal passages to the first inlet of the housing and is configured to measure at least one of a mass flow rate and density of fluid flowing through the MEMS Coriolis flow sensor. An outlet of the MEMS Coriolis flow sensor is fluidly coupled by at least one of the plurality of internal passages to the second outlet of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2019Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Dennis SMITH, Peter REIMER, Sudhaka GOPALAKRISHNAN
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Patent number: 10737359Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing a hole having an accurately controlled area in an orifice plate for a mass flow controller are provided. Methods involve forming an initial hole in the orifice plate. The initial hole has an opening having an initial area. The orifice plate comprises a material that can react to form a coating on the orifice plate. The coating occupies a greater volume than the material consumed to form the coating. The material of the orifice plate is reacted with a reactant to produce the coating and thereby produce a reduced area hole having an opening with a reduced area that is smaller than the initial area. The reduced area hole is measured. A determined amount of the coating is removed from at least the reduced area hole to produce a final hole in the orifice plate, wherein the reduced area is smaller than an opening area of the final hole.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventor: Dennis Smith
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Patent number: 10655638Abstract: A gas pump and processes for preparing the gas pump are presented. The gas pump includes a bottom Holweck stage with internal heaters for cleaning deposits resulting from exhausting gases from a semiconductor manufacturing chamber. One example gas pump includes a turbomolecular stage on a top section of the gas pump and a Holweck stage below the turbomolecular stage. The Holweck stage comprises a rotor element, a stator element with an opening in the center, and one or more heaters. The opening has a substantially cylindrical shape and an inside surface with a plurality of grooves separated by threads. Each heater is situated on a surface of one of the plurality of grooves. The heaters may be turned on to clean the deposits accumulated on the gas pump during the processing of a substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2018Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Dennis Smith, Peter Reimer
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Patent number: 10591934Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for delivering a process gas to a processing chamber are provided. A mass flow controller includes a first flow line for introducing a process fluid and an inlet valve disposed along the first flow line for controlling a flow rate of the process fluid. The mass flow controller includes a second flow line for introducing a carrier fluid into the mass flow controller and a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) Coriolis sensor for providing a density signal and a mass flow rate signal for a mixture of the process fluid and the carrier fluid. The mass flow controller provided includes an outlet valve for controlling a mass flow rate of the mixture that is output by the mass flow controller as well as a controller for operating the inlet valve based on the density signal and for operating the outlet valve based on the mass flow rate signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2018Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Sudhakar Gopalakrishnan, Peter Reimer, John Haruff, Dennis Smith
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Publication number: 20190308286Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing a hole having an accurately controlled area in an orifice plate for a mass flow controller are provided. Methods involve forming an initial hole in the orifice plate. The initial hole has an opening having an initial area. The orifice plate comprises a material that can react to form a coating on the orifice plate. The coating occupies a greater volume than the material consumed to form the coating. The material of the orifice plate is reacted with a reactant to produce the coating and thereby produce a reduced area hole having an opening with a reduced area that is smaller than the initial area. The reduced area hole is measured. A determined amount of the coating is removed from at least the reduced area hole to produce a final hole in the orifice plate, wherein the reduced area is smaller than an opening area of the final hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2018Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventor: Dennis Smith
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Publication number: 20190285090Abstract: A gas pump and processes for preparing the gas pump are presented. The gas pump includes a bottom Holweck stage with internal heaters for cleaning deposits resulting from exhausting gases from a semiconductor manufacturing chamber. One example gas pump includes a turbomolecular stage on a top section of the gas pump and a Holweck stage below the turbomolecular stage. The Holweck stage comprises a rotor element, a stator element with an opening in the center, and one or more heaters. The opening has a substantially cylindrical shape and an inside surface with a plurality of grooves separated by threads. Each heater is situated on a surface of one of the plurality of grooves. The heaters may be turned on to clean the deposits accumulated on the gas pump during the processing of a substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2018Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Dennis Smith, Peter Reimer
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Publication number: 20190279888Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for delivering a process gas to a processing chamber are provided. A mass flow controller includes a first flow line for introducing a process fluid and an inlet valve disposed along the first flow line for controlling a flow rate of the process fluid. The mass flow controller includes a second flow line for introducing a carrier fluid into the mass flow controller and a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) Coriolis sensor for providing a density signal and a mass flow rate signal for a mixture of the process fluid and the carrier fluid. The mass flow controller provided includes an outlet valve for controlling a mass flow rate of the mixture that is output by the mass flow controller as well as a controller for operating the inlet valve based on the density signal and for operating the outlet valve based on the mass flow rate signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2018Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Sudhakar Gopalakrishnan, Peter Reimer, John Haruff, Dennis Smith
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Publication number: 20190167145Abstract: A medical imaging system including a microwave antenna array having a transmitting antenna and a plurality of receiving antennae, wherein the transmitting antenna is configured to transmit microwave signals so as to illuminate a body part of a patient and the receiving antennae are configured to receive the microwave signals following scattering within the body part; a processor configured to process the scattered microwave signals and generate an output indicative of the internal structure of the body part to identify a region of interest within the body part; and a biopsy device comprising a biopsy needle movable relative to the microwave antenna array; wherein the receiving antennae are further configured to receive microwave signals scattered or emitted by the biopsy needle and the processor is further configured to monitor a position of the biopsy needle and to guide the biopsy needle to the identified region of interest within the body part.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2017Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Peter Romilly Bannister, Dennis Smith, Kevin Leslie Thomas
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Publication number: 20160136860Abstract: A multilayer structure includes a clear polyolefin layer, a colored polyolefin layer, and a random polyolefin backing layer. The colored and backing layers are coextruded and are permanently bonded at a layer interface, which is exclusive of an adhesive. The structure has a DOI of 70 or greater and passes a gravelometer impact test per the GM9508P standard, with a 10 pint load, at a ?30° C. temperature, and at an impact angle of 30 degrees. Among other uses, the structures are appropriate for use as body panels in the motor vehicle industry. The structures display a “class A” finish and meet a variety of requirements for durability and weatherability. An ABA structured backing layer and a method of making it are also described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2016Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventor: Dennis Smith
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Patent number: 8975438Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I): which is useful as an intermediate in the preparation of pharmaceutically active compounds.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.Inventors: Beat Birrer, Leo Clarke, Walter Deichtmann, John Hayes, Julius Jeisy, Christian Lautz, Rainer E. Martin, Michael Meade, Joaquim Pintao, Michelangelo Scalone, Juergen Schaefer, Dennis Smith, Andreas Staempfli, Joachim Veits, Christian Walch, Andrew Walsh, Andreas Zogg
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Patent number: D821791Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Dennis Smith, Mark McKenna, Thomas Siffer, Ryan D. Vaughan, Santiago Carral O Gorman