Patents by Inventor Fred R. Sutherland

Fred R. Sutherland 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: 4959701
    Abstract: An improved floating gate photosensor is operable in either an enhanced voltage sensitivity mode or an enhanced transit speed mode. This photosensor has a floating gate assembly that includes two overlapping, independent and complementary-shaped gate electrodes connected to separate circuits as a means of controlling the depth of the channel in which the signal charge flows. As a result, the two key operating parameters of responsivity and signal transit time are variable. Structurally, each gate includes a plurality of prongs that overlap the recesses defined by the prongs of the other electrode. The photosensor may be operated in the WC (side channel) mode where the two gate electrodes are both used as floating gate sensors. In this instance the photosensor operates like that of a conventional floating gate sensor, with the width of the channel equal to that of the entire floating gate assembly and the depth of the channel being about 4 microns below the surface of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Leroy Colquitt, Jr., Fred R. Sutherland, Edward J. Boling