Patents by Inventor Gerald J. Fortier
Gerald J. Fortier 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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Publication number: 20080267790Abstract: A vacuum system comprises, as an integral assembly, a vacuum pump with drive motor, a purge valve, a roughing valve and an electronic control module. A cryogenic vacuum pump and a turbomolecular vacuum pump are disclosed. The control module has a programmed processor for controlling the motor and valves and is user programmable for establishing specific control sequences. The integral electronic control module is removable from the assembly and is connected to the other devices through a common connector assembly. In the turbomolecular pump system proper introduction of a purge gas through the purge valve is detected by detecting the current load on the pump drive or by detecting foreline pressure. To test the purge gas status, the purge valve may be closed and then opened as drive current or pressure is monitored. After power failure, the controller will continue normal drive of the turbomolecular pump so long as the speed of the pump has remained above a threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: Peter W. Gaudet, Robert J. Lepofsky, Alan L. Weeks, Gerald J. Fortier, Stephen R. Matte, Martin Stein, Steven C. Rosner
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Patent number: 7413411Abstract: A vacuum system comprises, as an integral assembly, a vacuum pump with drive motor, a purge valve, a roughing valve and an electronic control module. A cryogenic vacuum pump and a turbomolecular vacuum pump are disclosed. The control module has a programmed processor for controlling the motor and valves and is user programmable for establishing specific control sequences. The integral electronic control module is removable from the assembly and is connected to the other devices through a common connector assembly. In the turbomolecular pump system proper introduction of a purge gas through the purge valve is detected by detecting the current load on the pump drive or by detecting foreline pressure. To test the purge gas status, the purge valve may be closed and then opened as drive current or pressure is monitored. After power failure, the controller will continue normal drive of the turbomolecular pump so long as the speed of the pump has remained above a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2005Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventors: Peter W. Gaudet, Robert J. Lepofsky, Alan L. Weeks, Gerald J. Fortier, Stephen R. Matté, Martin Stein, Steven C. Rosner
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Patent number: 6902378Abstract: A vacuum system comprises, as an integral assembly, a vacuum pump with drive motor, a purge valve, a roughing valve and an electronic control module. A cryogenic vacuum pump and a turbomolecular vacuum pump are disclosed. The control module has a programmed processor for controlling the motor and valves and is user programmable for establishing specific control sequences. The integral electronic control module is removable from the assembly and is connected to the other devices through a common connector assembly. In the turbomolecular pump system proper introduction of a purge gas through the purge valve is detected by detecting the current load on the pump drive or by detecting foreline pressure. To test the purge gas status, the purge valve may be closed and then opened as drive current or pressure is monitored. After power failure, the controller will continue normal drive of the turbomolecular pump so long as the speed of the pump has remained above a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2002Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Helix Technology CorporationInventors: Peter W. Gaudet, Robert J. Lepofsky, Alan L. Weeks, Gerald J. Fortier, Stephen R. Matté, Martin Stein, Steven C. Rosner
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Patent number: 6461113Abstract: A vacuum system comprises, as an integral assembly, a vacuum pump with drive motor, a purge valve, a roughing valve and an electronic control module. A cryogenic vacuum pump and a turbomolecular vacuum pump are disclosed. The control module has a programmed processor for controlling the motor and valves and is user programmable for establishing specific control sequences. The integral electronic control module is removable from the assembly and is connected to the other devices through a common connector assembly. In the turbomolecular pump system proper introduction of a purge gas through the purge valve is detected by detecting the current load on the pump drive or by detecting foreline pressure. To test the purge gas status, the purge valve may be closed and then opened as drive current or pressure is monitored. After power failure, the controller will continue normal drive of the turbomolecular pump so long as the speed of the pump has remained above a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1999Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: Helix Technology CorporationInventors: Peter W. Gaudet, Robert J. Lepofsky, Alan L. Weeks, Gerald J. Fortier, Stephen R. Matté, Martin Stein, Steven C. Rosner
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Publication number: 20020094277Abstract: A vacuum system comprises, as an integral assembly, a vacuum pump with drive motor, a purge valve, a roughing valve and an electronic control module. A cryogenic vacuum pump and a turbomolecular vacuum pump are disclosed. The control module has a programmed processor for controlling the motor and valves and is user programmable for establishing specific control sequences. The integral electronic control module is removable from the assembly and is connected to the other devices through a common connector assembly. In the turbomolecular pump system proper introduction of a purge gas through the purge valve is detected by detecting the current load on the pump drive or by detecting foreline pressure. To test the purge gas status, the purge valve may be closed and then opened as drive current or pressure is monitored. After power failure, the controller will continue normal drive of the turbomolecular pump so long as the speed of the pump has remained above a threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2002Publication date: July 18, 2002Applicant: Helix Technology CorporationInventors: Peter W. Gaudet, Michael J. Eacobacci, Robert J. Lepofsky, David E. Roche, Alan L. Weeks, Gerald J. Fortier, Stephen R. Matte, Martin Stein, Steven C. Rosner
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Patent number: 6022195Abstract: A vacuum system comprises, as an integral assembly, a vacuum pump with drive motor, a purge valve, a roughing valve and an electronic control module. A cryogenic vacuum pump and a turbomolecular vacuum pump are disclosed. The control module has a programmed processor for controlling the motor and valves and is user programmable for establishing specific control sequences. The integral electronic control module is removable from the assembly and is connected to the other devices through a common connector assembly. In the turbomolecular pump system proper introduction of a purge gas through the purge valve is detected by detecting the current load on the pump drive or by detecting foreline pressure. To test the purge gas status, the purge valve may be closed and then opened as drive current or pressure is monitored. After power failure, the controller will continue normal drive of the turbomolecular pump so long as the speed of the pump has remained above a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1995Date of Patent: February 8, 2000Assignee: Helix Technology CorporationInventors: Peter W. Gaudet, Michael J. Eacobacci, Robert J. Lepofsky, David E. Roche, Alan L. Weeks, Gerald J. Fortier, Stephen R. Matte, Martin Stein, Steven C. Rosner
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Patent number: 5517823Abstract: In a subatmospheric regeneration process, a relief valve and a roughing valve are coupled in parallel to a common roughing pump. During regeneration, the cryopump is warmed to release gases from cryopump stages. The relief valve opens at a first cryopump pressure level less than a predetermined maximum pressure. The maximum pressure is subatmospheric. The relief valve closes when the cryopump pressure drops below a second cryopump pressure level. Pressure in a line between the relief valve and the roughing pump is monitored to control the opening of the roughing valve to the roughing pump.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1995Date of Patent: May 21, 1996Assignee: Helix Technology CorporationInventors: Bruce R. Andeen, Gerald J. Fortier, Allen J. Bartlett, Michael J. Eacobacci, Philip C. Lessard
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Patent number: 5443368Abstract: A vacuum system comprises, as an integral assembly, a turbomolecular pump with drive motor, a vent valve, a purge valve, a roughing valve, a heater and an electronic control module. The control module has a programmed processor for controlling the motor and valves and is user programmable for establishing specific control sequences. The integral electronic control module is removable from the assembly and is connected to the other devices through a common connector assembly. Proper introduction of a purge gas through the purge valve is detected by detecting the current load on the pump drive or by detecting foreline pressure. To test the purge gas status, the purge valve may be closed and then opened as drive current or pressure is monitored. After power failure, the controller will continue normal drive of the turbomolecular pump so long as the speed of the pump has remained above a threshold value. Otherwise the vent valve will have been opened, and a start-up sequence must be initiated.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1993Date of Patent: August 22, 1995Assignee: Helix Technology CorporationInventors: Alan L. Weeks, Gerald J. Fortier, Stephen R. Matte', Peter W. Gaudet, Martin Stein, Steven C. Rosner, Robert J. Lepofsky