Patents by Inventor Haesung Kwon

Haesung Kwon 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: 12274174
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are ultrasonic transducer systems with hybrid contacts comprising: an ultrasonic transducer element comprising a substrate and a membrane; an electrical circuitry; and one or more contacts connected to the ultrasonic transducer element and the electrical circuitry, wherein the one or more contacts are: designed geometrically using a set of rules; arranged with respect to the membrane based on the set of rules or a second set of rules, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Exo Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Haesung Kwon, Brian Bircumshaw, Sandeep Akkaraju
  • Publication number: 20250001455
    Abstract: Methods for improving the electromechanical coupling coefficient and bandwidth of micromachined ultrasonic transducers, or MUTs, are presented as well as methods of manufacture of the MUTs improved by the presented methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: Brian BIRCUMSHAW, Sandeep AKKARAJU, Haesung KWON
  • Publication number: 20240310209
    Abstract: An array of micromachined ultrasonic transducers (MUTs). The array has first and second rows, the MUTs in the first row being equally spaced by a horizontal pitch in a horizontal direction, the MUTs in the second row being equally spaced by the horizontal pitch in the horizontal direction. The MUTs in the second row are shifted along the horizontal direction by a first horizontal distance relative to the MUTs in the first row and shifted along a vertical direction by a first vertical distance relative to the MUTs in the first row. The first horizontal distance is greater than zero and less than the horizontal pitch. The first vertical distance ranges from one tenth of a horizontal width of a MUT to a half of a vertical height of a MUT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Sandeep AKKARAJU, Haesung KWON, Brian BIRCUMSHAW
  • Publication number: 20240307035
    Abstract: An imaging system includes: a transceiver cell for generating a pressure wave and converting an external pressure wave into an electrical signal; and a control unit for controlling an operation of the transceiver cell. The transceiver cell includes: a substrate; at least one membrane suspending from the substrate; and a plurality of transducer elements mounted on the at least one membrane. Each of the plurality of transducer elements has a bottom electrode, a piezoelectric layer on bottom electrode, and at least one top electrode on the piezoelectric layer. Each of the plurality of transducer element generates a bending moment in response to applying an electrical potential across the bottom electrode and the at least one top electrode and develops an electrical charge in response to a bending moment due to the external pressure wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Sandeep AKKARAJU, Haesung KWON, Yusuf HAQUE, Janusz BRYZEK
  • Publication number: 20240286173
    Abstract: Described are micromachined ultrasonic transducers (MUTs) with convex or concave electrodes, which have enhanced pressure amplitude and frequency response behavior when driven at fundamental and harmonic frequencies, as well as methods of making the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Haesung KWON, Brian BIRCUMSHAW, Sandeep AKKARAJU
  • Patent number: 12059708
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are ultrasonic transducer systems comprising: an ultrasonic transducer comprising a substrate, a diaphragm, and a piezoelectric element; a first electrical circuitry coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, the first electrical circuitry configured for driving the ultrasonic transducer or detecting motion of the diaphragm; a plurality of electrical ports coupled to the ultrasonic transducer; and a second electrical circuitry connected to two or more of the plurality of electrical ports, the electrical circuitry comprising one or more of: a resistor, a capacitor, a switch, and an amplifier, wherein the second electrical circuitry is independent from the first electrical circuitry, and wherein the second electrical circuitry is configured to dampen the motion of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Exo Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Bircumshaw, Sandeep Akkaraju, Haesung Kwon
  • Patent number: 11998950
    Abstract: Methods for improving the electromechanical coupling coefficient and bandwidth of micromachined ultrasonic transducers, or MUTs, are presented as well as methods of manufacture of the MUTs improved by the presented methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Exo Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Bircumshaw, Sandeep Akkaraju, Haesung Kwon
  • Patent number: 12000728
    Abstract: An array of micromachined ultrasonic transducers (MUTs). The array has first and second rows, the MUTs in the first row being equally spaced by a horizontal pitch in a horizontal direction, the MUTs in the second row being equally spaced by the horizontal pitch in the horizontal direction. The MUTs in the second row are shifted along the horizontal direction by a first horizontal distance relative to the MUTs in the first row and shifted along a vertical direction by a first vertical distance relative to the MUTs in the first row. The first horizontal distance is greater than zero and less than the horizontal pitch. The first vertical distance ranges from one tenth of a horizontal width of a MUT to a half of a vertical height of a MUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Exo Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandeep Akkaraju, Haesung Kwon, Brian Bircumshaw
  • Patent number: 11986350
    Abstract: An imaging system includes: a transceiver cell for generating a pressure wave and converting an external pressure wave into an electrical signal; and a control unit for controlling an operation of the transceiver cell. The transceiver cell includes: a substrate; at least one membrane suspending from the substrate; and a plurality of transducer elements mounted on the at least one membrane. Each of the plurality of transducer elements has a bottom electrode, a piezoelectric layer on bottom electrode, and at least one top electrode on the piezoelectric layer. Each of the plurality of transducer element generates a bending moment in response to applying an electrical potential across the bottom electrode and the at least one top electrode and develops an electrical charge in response to a bending moment due to the external pressure wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Exo Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandeep Akkaraju, Haesung Kwon, Yusuf Haque, Janusz Bryzek
  • Patent number: 11975360
    Abstract: Described are micromachined ultrasonic transducers (MUTs) with convex or concave electrodes, which have enhanced pressure amplitude and frequency response behavior when driven at fundamental and harmonic frequencies, as well as methods of making the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: EXO IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Haesung Kwon, Brian Bircumshaw, Sandeep Akkaraju
  • Patent number: 11951512
    Abstract: Described are micromachined ultrasonic transducers (MUTs) with convex or concave electrodes, which have enhanced pressure amplitude and frequency response behavior when driven at fundamental and harmonic frequencies, as well as methods of making the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Exo Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Haesung Kwon, Brian Bircumshaw, Sandeep Akkaraju
  • Publication number: 20240082876
    Abstract: A micromachined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) which comprises a first piezoelectric layer and a second piezoelectric layer. The first piezoelectric layer is disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode. The second piezoelectric layer is disposed between the second electrode and a third electrode. At least the first electrode has first and second ends along a first axis, one or more of which is defined by a radius of curvature R. A second axis normal to the first passes through a midpoint of the first axis. A half-width of the first electrode is defined by a length L measured from the midpoint, in the direction of the second axis, to an outer perimeter of the first electrode. A total width of the first electrode at its narrowest point along the first axis is at most 2L such that the first electrode has a concave shape. R/L is greater than 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Haesung KWON, Brian BIRCUMSHAW, Sandeep AKKARAJU
  • Publication number: 20240075500
    Abstract: Provided herein are micromachined ultrasonic transducers as well as imaging devices and assemblies comprising micromachined ultrasonic transducers (MUTs). The MUTs described herein have a plurality of membranes so as to improve acoustic power at higher frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Haesung KWON, Brian BIRCUMSHAW, Sandeep AKKARAJU
  • Patent number: 11819881
    Abstract: A micromachined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) which comprises a first piezoelectric layer and a second piezoelectric layer. The first piezoelectric layer is disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode. The second piezoelectric layer is disposed between the second electrode and a third electrode. At least the first electrode has first and second ends along a first axis, one or more of which is defined by a radius of curvature R. A second axis normal to the first passes through a midpoint of the first axis. A half-width of the first electrode is defined by a length L measured from the midpoint, in the direction of the second axis, to an outer perimeter of the first electrode. A total width of the first electrode at its narrowest point along the first axis is at most 2L such that the first electrode has a concave shape. R/L, is greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Exo Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Haesung Kwon, Brian Bircumshaw, Sandeep Akkaraju
  • Patent number: 11794209
    Abstract: Methods for improving the electromechanical coupling coefficient and bandwidth of micromachined ultrasonic transducers, or MUTs, are presented as well as methods of manufacture of the MUTs improved by the presented methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: EXO IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Lee Bircumshaw, Sandeep Akkaraju, Haesung Kwon
  • Patent number: 11774280
    Abstract: A micromachined ultrasonic transducer (MUT). The MUT includes: a substrate; a membrane suspending from the substrate; a bottom electrode disposed on the membrane; a piezoelectric layer disposed on the bottom electrode and an asymmetric top electrode is disposed on the piezoelectric layer. The areal density distribution of the asymmetric electrode along an axis has a plurality of local maxima, wherein locations of the plurality of local maxima coincide with locations where a plurality of anti-nodal points at a vibrational resonance frequency is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: EXO IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Sandeep Akkaraju, Haesung Kwon, Brian Bircumshaw
  • Publication number: 20230015764
    Abstract: Described are micromachined ultrasonic transducers (MUTs) with convex or concave electrodes, which have enhanced pressure amplitude and frequency response behavior when driven at fundamental and harmonic frequencies, as well as methods of making the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Haesung Kwon, Brian Bircumshaw, Sandeep Akkaraju
  • Publication number: 20230002213
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-silicon on insulator (SOI) micromachined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) device. The device comprises a multi-SOI substrate and a MUT. The MUT is affixed to a surface of the multi-SOI substrate. The multi-SOI substrate has a first SOI layer and at least a second SOI layer disposed above the first SOI layer. The first SOI layer and the second SOI layer each comprise an insulating layer and a semiconducting layer. The first SOI layer further defines a cavity located under a membrane of a MUT and one or more trenches at least partially around a perimeter of the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Naresh MANTRAVADI, Haesung KWON, Brian BIRCUMSHAW
  • Publication number: 20220314278
    Abstract: A micromachined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) which comprises a first piezoelectric layer and a second piezoelectric layer. The first piezoelectric layer is disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode. The second piezoelectric layer is disposed between the second electrode and a third electrode. At least the first electrode has first and second ends along a first axis, one or more of which is defined by a radius of curvature R. A second axis normal to the first passes through a midpoint of the first axis. A half-width of the first electrode is defined by a length L measured from the midpoint, in the direction of the second axis, to an outer perimeter of the first electrode. A total width of the first electrode at its narrowest point along the first axis is at most 2L such that the first electrode has a concave shape. R/L, is greater than 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Haesung Kwon, Brian Bircumshaw, Sandeep Akkaraju
  • Publication number: 20220314275
    Abstract: Described are micromachined ultrasonic transducers (MUTs) with convex or concave electrodes, which have enhanced pressure amplitude and frequency response behavior when driven at fundamental and harmonic frequencies, as well as methods of making the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Haesung Kwon, Brian Bircumshaw, Sandeep Akkaraju