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).

  • Patent number: 12646688
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Seyedalireza Torbatisarraf, Kurt Alan Kern, Dennis Smith
  • Patent number: 11860016
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dennis Smith, Peter Reimer, Sudhakar Gopalakrishnan
  • Patent number: 11827544
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Matthew V. Vollmer, Donald E. Oulman, Aaron Brown, Dennis Smith, Doug Gustafson, Terry Applebury
  • Patent number: 11662237
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Iqbal A. Shareef, Dennis Smith, John E. Daugherty
  • Publication number: 20230116436
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew V. Vollmer, Donald E. Oulman, Aaron Brown, Dennis Smith, Doug Gustafson, Terry Applebury
  • Publication number: 20230081544
    Abstract: A component for use inside a semiconductor chamber with a laser textured surface facing a vacuum region inside the semiconductor chamber is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Pylin SAROBOL, Eric SAMULON, Pankaj HAZARIKA, Dennis SMITH, Kurt KERN, Debanjan DAS, Darrell EHRLICH, Eric A. PAPE, Matthew Brian SCHICK
  • Publication number: 20220384145
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Seyedalireza Torbatisarraf, Kurt Alan Kern, Dennis Smith
  • Patent number: 11457831
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Micrima Limited
    Inventors: Peter Romilly Bannister, Dennis Smith, Kevin Leslie Thomas
  • Publication number: 20210140807
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Iqbal A. SHAREEF, Dennis SMITH, John E. DAUGHERTY
  • Publication number: 20210096011
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Dennis SMITH, Peter REIMER, Sudhaka GOPALAKRISHNAN
  • Patent number: 10737359
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis Smith
  • Patent number: 10655638
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis Smith, Peter Reimer
  • Patent number: 10591934
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Sudhakar Gopalakrishnan, Peter Reimer, John Haruff, Dennis Smith
  • Publication number: 20190308286
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventor: Dennis Smith
  • Publication number: 20190285090
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Dennis Smith, Peter Reimer
  • Publication number: 20190279888
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Sudhakar Gopalakrishnan, Peter Reimer, John Haruff, Dennis Smith
  • Publication number: 20190167145
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Peter Romilly Bannister, Dennis Smith, Kevin Leslie Thomas
  • Publication number: 20160136860
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventor: Dennis Smith
  • Patent number: 8975438
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: D821791
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Smith, Mark McKenna, Thomas Siffer, Ryan D. Vaughan, Santiago Carral O Gorman