Patents by Inventor Edward Duffy

Edward Duffy 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: 11954718
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure a system and method for extracting items of information, such as wine from a wine list of a commercial establishment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: MWG, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Kirst, John R. Kirst, John Edward Duffy, Xiaowei Li, Kenneth E Waln
  • Publication number: 20230361237
    Abstract: The embodiments relate to a method for producing a solar cell having a rear-side contact with a tunnel barrier. A monocrystalline wafer having a front side and a rear side may be provided with silicon and a dopant. A tunnel barrier is produced on the wafer, and a polycrystalline or amorphous layer is deposited on the tunnel barrier. The polycrystalline or amorphous layer includes silicon and a dopant. The polycrystalline or amorphous layer is removed on the front side by gas-phase etching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicants: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Nines Photovoltaics
    Inventors: Marc Hofmann, Sebastian Mack, Bishal Kafle, Jochen Rentsch, Nabeel Wahab Khan, Laurent Clochard, Edward Duffy
  • Publication number: 20220381158
    Abstract: A fast HRSG starting method and apparatus for combined cycles requiring frequent cycling, baseload and backup power; preventing grid failure from variables of wind and solar power. A once-through HRSG, eliminating all except two hot thick wall components: the high pressure superheater and reheater headers. The method fills the high pressure superheater with boilerwater; whereby steam is generated in starting as thick header's and tube's ramp-up together at saturation temperatures as the gas turbine attains synchronous speed No-Load; reducing conventional thermal stress failures loss of availability and costly repairs. At gas turbine full power dry steam is generated by the high pressure superheater at low allowable temperature start and load the steam turbine and protect the reheater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Duffy
  • Patent number: 11423459
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure a system and method for extracting items of information, such as wine from a wine list of a commercial establishment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: MWG, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Kirst, John R. Kirst, John Edward Duffy, Xiaowei Li, Kenneth E Waln
  • Publication number: 20190072006
    Abstract: Apparatus and method to wet start the HRSG and combined cycle in the fastest time with minimum thermal stress. This wet start provides the earliest possible cooling steam during acceleration, reducing stress in the superheater, reheater and steam turbine. The gas turbine is started and loaded to full power in the fastest possible time without holds. A once-through HRSG filled with saturated boilerwater including the superheater generates dry steam during acceleration. Start apparatus positions the dryout zone in each superheater tube, controls surge swell, ensures uniform pressure rise, and controls the steam temperature. The superheater generates temperature controlled steam to cool the tubes while heating headers. Superheater and reheater tubes and headers start at saturation and increase to operating with minimum differential temperatures. The superheater evaporating boilerwater supplies constant low temperature dry steam to start the steam turbine without the use of attemporators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Duffy
  • Patent number: 9548224
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to modify the surface structure of a silicon substrate or deposited silicon layer in a controllable manner using gas only in an atmospheric environment, suitable for making photovoltaic (PV) wafer based devices. The method and apparatus comprising the steps of disposing the substrate or deposited layer on a moveable carrier; pre-heating the substrate or deposited layer; and moving the substrate or deposited layer for etching through an atmospheric reactor; under an etchant delivering module inside the reactor and applying at least one etchant in gas form at a controlled flow rate and angle to the substrate or deposited layer in the reactor, wherein the at least one etchant gas is selected from the group comprising fluoride-containing gases and chlorine-based compounds. The technical problem that has been solved is the provision of a high throughput dry etching method at atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: ULTRA HIGH VACUUM SOLUTIONS LTD.
    Inventors: Edward Duffy, Laurent Clochard
  • Patent number: 8820078
    Abstract: A once-through high pressure steam generator and reheater configured to eliminate the majority of components limiting cyclical life of fast start conventional HRSGs. Two remaining problematic components in conventional designs the final superheater and reheater tubes overheat while their headers remain colder in fast starts. In this inventive HRSG the critical components are arranged and started by a method that limits these damaging temperature differentials. At ignition when exhaust gas surges into a wet superheater steam flow starts minutes before conventional systems. This early steam flow cools the tubes while heating the headers, thereby reducing life damaging stresses. Steam temperature is controlled through the start and warms the rest of the plant earlier without attemperators with their problematic thermal stress history. Faster starts than conventional result without damaging fatigue life depletion with this low cost innovation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Duffy
  • Publication number: 20130069204
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to modify the surface structure of a silicon substrate or deposited silicon layer in a controllable manner using gas only in an atmospheric environment, suitable for making photovoltaic (PV) wafer based devices. The method and apparatus comprising the steps of disposing the substrate or deposited layer on a moveable carrier; pre-heating the substrate or deposited layer; and moving the substrate or deposited layer for etching through an atmospheric reactor; under an etchant delivering module inside the reactor and applying at least one etchant in gas form at a controlled flow rate and angle to the substrate or deposited layer in the reactor, wherein the at least one etchant gas is selected from the group comprising fluoride-containing gases and chlorine-based compounds. The technical problem that has been solved is the provision of a high throughput dry etching method at atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Edward Duffy, Laurent Clochard
  • Patent number: 8198570
    Abstract: A heat exchange system and processes for a magnetic annealing tool is provided. The system includes a process chamber housing workpieces to be processed; an element chamber partly surrounding the periphery of the process chamber, at least one means for drawing a vacuum in fluid communication with the process chamber and separately with the element chamber in order to apply a vacuum to either or both of the process and element chamber so as to promote radiation heating of the workpieces; at least one supply of fluid in communication with the process chamber and separately with the element chamber to supply a cooling gas so as to promote conductive cooling of the workpieces; a cooling chamber disposed to surround the element chamber; and means for generating a magnetic field disposed on the outer periphery of the cooling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard John Jibb, John Fredric Billingham, Edward Duffy, Noel O'Shaughnessy, Kevin McMahon, Peter Ferris
  • Publication number: 20090095737
    Abstract: A heat exchange system and processes for a magnetic annealing tool is provided. The system includes a process chamber housing workpieces to be processed; an element chamber partly surrounding the periphery of the process chamber, at least one means for drawing a vacuum in fluid communication with the process chamber and separately with the element chamber in order to apply a vacuum to either or both of the process and element chamber so as to promote radiation heating of the workpieces; at least one supply of fluid in communication with the process chamber and separately with the element chamber to supply a cooling gas so as to promote conductive cooling of the workpieces; a cooling chamber disposed to surround the element chamber; and means for generating a magnetic field disposed on the outer periphery of the cooling chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Richard John Jibb, John Fredric Billingham, Edward Duffy, Noel O'Shaughnessy, Kevin McMahon, Peter Ferris
  • Patent number: 7479621
    Abstract: A heat exchange system and processes for a magnetic annealing tool is provided. The system includes a process chamber housing workpieces to be processed; an element chamber partly surrounding the periphery of the process chamber, at least one vacuum for drawing a vacuum in fluid communication with the process chamber and separately with the element chamber in order to apply a vacuum to either or both of the process and element chamber so as to promote radiation heating of the workpieces; at least one supply of fluid in communication with the process chamber and separately with the element chamber to supply a cooling gas so as to promote conductive cooling of the workpieces; a cooling chamber disposed to surround the element chamber; and magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field disposed on the outer periphery of the cooling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard John Jibb, John Fredric Billingham, Edward Duffy, Noel O'Shaughnessy, Kevin McMahon, Peter Ferris
  • Publication number: 20080121634
    Abstract: A heat exchange system and processes for a magnetic annealing tool is provided. The system includes a process chamber housing workpieces to be processed; an element chamber partly surrounding the periphery of the process chamber, at least one means for drawing a vacuum in fluid communication with the process chamber and separately with the element chamber in order to apply a vacuum to either or both of the process and element chamber so as to promote radiation heating of the workpieces; at least one supply of fluid in communication with the process chamber and separately with the element chamber to supply a cooling gas so as to promote conductive cooling of the workpieces; a cooling chamber disposed to surround the element chamber; and means for generating a magnetic field disposed on the outer periphery of the cooling chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Jibb, John Billingham, Edward Duffy, Noel O'Shaughnessy, Kevin McMahon, Peter Ferris
  • Patent number: 7305581
    Abstract: A platform for and method of computer processing to support processor failover are disclosed. A plurality of computer processors are connected to an internal communication network. A virtual local area communication network over the internal network is defined and established. Each computer processor in the virtual local area communication network has a corresponding virtual MAC address and the virtual local area network provides communication among a set of computer processors but excludes the processors from the plurality not in the defined set. A virtual storage space is defined and established with a defined correspondence to the address space of the storage network. In response to a failure by a computer processor, a computer processor from the plurality is allocated to replace the failed processor. The MAC address of the failed processor is assigned to the processor that replaces the failed processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Egenera, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Geng, Pete Manca, Paul Curtis, Ewan Milne, Max Smith, Alan Greenspan, Edward Duffy, Peter Schulter
  • Publication number: 20070233809
    Abstract: A platform and method of deploying virtual processing areas networks are described. A plurality of computer processors are connected to an internal communication network. At least one control node is in communication with an external communication network and an external storage network has an external storage address space. The at least one control node is connected to the internal network and thereby is in communication with the plurality of computer processors. Configuration logic defines and establishes a virtual processing area network having a corresponding set of computer processors from the plurality of processors, a virtual local area communication network providing communication among the set of computer processors, and a virtual storage space with a defined correspondence to the address space of the storage network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Vern BROWNELL, Peter MANCA, Ben SPRACHMAN, Paul CURTIS, Ewan MILNE, Max SMITH, Alan GREENSPAN, Scott GENG, Dan BUSBY, Edward DUFFY, Peter SCHULTER
  • Publication number: 20070233810
    Abstract: A platform and method of deploying virtual processing areas networks are described. A plurality of computer processors are connected to an internal communication network. At least one control node is in communication with an external communication network and an external storage network has an external storage address space. The at least one control node is connected to the internal network and thereby is in communication with the plurality of computer processors. Configuration logic defines and establishes a virtual processing area network having a corresponding set of computer processors from the plurality of processors, a virtual local area communication network providing communication among the set of computer processors, and a virtual storage space with a defined correspondence to the address space of the storage network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Vern BROWNELL, Pete MANCA, Ben SPRACHMAN, Paul CURTIS, Ewan MILNE, Max SMITH, Alan GREENSPAN, Scott GENG, Dan BUSBY, Edward DUFFY, Peter SCHULTER
  • Publication number: 20070233825
    Abstract: A platform and method of deploying virtual processing areas networks are described. A plurality of computer processors are connected to an internal communication network. At least one control node is in communication with an external communication network and an external storage network has an external storage address space. The at least one control node is connected to the internal network and thereby is in communication with the plurality of computer processors. Configuration logic defines and establishes a virtual processing area network having a corresponding set of computer processors from the plurality of processors, a virtual local area communication network providing communication among the set of computer processors, and a virtual storage space with a defined correspondence to the address space of the storage network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Vern BROWNELL, Pete MANCA, Ben SPRACHMAN, Paul CURTIS, Ewan MILNE, Max SMITH, Alan GREENSPAN, Scott GENG, Dan BUSBY, Edward DUFFY, Peter SCHULTER
  • Patent number: 7231430
    Abstract: A platform and method of deploying virtual processing areas networks are described. A plurality of computer processors are connected to an internal communication network. At least one control node is in communication with an external communication network and an external storage network has an external storage address space. The at least one control node is connected to the internal network and thereby is in communication with the plurality of computer processors. Configuration logic defines and establishes a virtual processing area network having a corresponding set of computer processors from the plurality of processors, a virtual local area communication network providing communication among the set of computer processors, and a virtual storage space with a defined correspondence to the address space of the storage network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Egenera, Inc.
    Inventors: Vern Brownell, Pete Manca, Ben Sprachman, Paul Curtis, Ewan Milne, Max Smith, Alan Greenspan, Scott Geng, Dan Busby, Edward Duffy, Peter Schulter
  • Patent number: 7174390
    Abstract: A virtual networking system and method are disclosed. Switched Ethernet local area network semantics are provided over an underlying point to point mesh. Computer processor nodes may directly communicate via virtual interfaces over a switch fabric or they may communicate via an ethernet switch emulation. Address resolution protocol logic helps associate IP addresses with virtual interfaces while allowing computer processors to reply to ARP requests with virtual MAC addresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Egenera, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Schulter, Scott Geng, Pete Manca, Paul Curtis, Ewan Milne, Max Smith, Alan Greenspan, Edward Duffy
  • Publication number: 20060138177
    Abstract: A home beer dispensing apparatus has a keg having a self-contained bag filled with a beer and a pressure system. The pressure system creates a pressurized air space between the keg inner walls and the bag to assist in the dispensing of the beer. The pressure system has a keg one-way air valve mounted to a top wall of the keg to permit entry of pressurized air into the keg. The pressure system has a pressure reservoir mounted in the dispensing apparatus outside the keg and in fluid flow communication with the keg one-way valve. The reservoir stores a charge of pressurized air and supplies at least a portion of this charge to the keg through the keg air valve when the dispensing apparatus is operated to dispense the beer. The reservoir provides a reserved charge of pressurized gas that is on hand to reduce dampening pressure fluctuations during beer dispensing which can result in beer frothing, especially during the early stages of beer dispensing when the air head space in the keg is small.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Albert Wauters, Ian Anderson, Edward Duffy
  • Publication number: 20060131325
    Abstract: A beer or like alcohol beverage dispensing apparatus has a keg for containing the beverage. A keg dispensing device is connected through a top portion of the keg and extends to a bottom portion of the keg to draw the beverage from the keg adjacent the bottom portion. The apparatus has a cooling plate in heat transfer contacting relation with the bottom of the keg and also has a Peltier thermoelectric device connected to the cooling plate so as to extract heat from the cooling plate and thereby extract heat from the keg. The cooling apparatus has a first temperature sensor, mounted in heat sensing relation with a bottom portion of the keg and a second temperature sensor mounted in heat sensing relation with an upper portion of the keg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Albert Wauters, Hans Donker, Ian Anderson, Edward Duffy, Andrew Halket