Patents by Inventor Henry F. Erk

Henry F. Erk 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: 9487406
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing silane that use electrolysis to regenerate reactive components therein are disclosed. The methods and systems may be substantially closed-loop with respect to halogen, an alkali or alkaline earth metal and/or hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: SunEdison, Inc.
    Inventors: Puneet Gupta, Henry F. Erk, Alexis Grabbe
  • Publication number: 20150151977
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing silane that use electrolysis to regenerate reactive components therein are disclosed. The methods and systems may be substantially closed-loop with respect to halogen, an alkali or alkaline earth metal and/or hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: SUNEDISON, INC.
    Inventors: Puneet Gupta, Henry F. Erk, Alexis Grabbe
  • Patent number: 9011803
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing silane that use electrolysis to regenerate reactive components therein are disclosed. The methods and systems may be substantially closed-loop with respect to halogen, an alkali or alkaline earth metal and/or hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: SunEdison, Inc.
    Inventors: Puneet Gupta, Henry F. Erk, Alexis Grabbe
  • Patent number: 8974761
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing silane that use electrolysis to regenerate reactive components therein are disclosed. The methods and systems may be substantially closed-loop with respect to halogen, an alkali or alkaline earth metal and/or hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: SunEdison, Inc.
    Inventors: Puneet Gupta, Henry F. Erk, Alexis Grabbe
  • Publication number: 20140328740
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing silane that use electrolysis to regenerate reactive components therein are disclosed. The methods and systems may be substantially closed-loop with respect to halogen, an alkali or alkaline earth metal and/or hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: SUNEDISON LLC
    Inventors: Puneet Gupta, Henry F. Erk, Alexis Grabbe
  • Patent number: 8828324
    Abstract: Fluidized bed reactor systems and distributors are disclosed as well as processes for producing polycrystalline silicon from a thermally decomposable silicon compound such as trichlorosilane. The processes generally involve reduction of silicon deposits on reactor walls during polycrystalline silicon production by use of a silicon tetrahalide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: SunEdison, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry F. Erk
  • Patent number: 8821825
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing silane that use electrolysis to regenerate reactive components therein are disclosed. The methods and systems may be substantially closed-loop with respect to halogen, an alkali or alkaline earth metal and/or hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: SunEdison, Inc.
    Inventors: Puneet Gupta, Henry F. Erk, Alexis Grabbe
  • Patent number: 8309464
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the manufacture of silicon wafers, and more particularly to edge etching apparatus and methods for etching the edge of a silicon wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry F. Erk, Peter D. Albrecht, Eugene R. Hollander, Thomas E. Doane, Judith A. Schmidt, Roland R. Vandamme, Guoqiang (David) Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120160702
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing silane that use electrolysis to regenerate reactive components therein are disclosed. The methods and systems may be substantially closed-loop with respect to halogen, an alkali or alkaline earth metal and/or hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Puneet Gupta, Henry F. Erk, Alexis Grabbe
  • Publication number: 20120164033
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing silane that use electrolysis to regenerate reactive components therein are disclosed. The methods and systems may be substantially closed-loop with respect to halogen, an alkali or alkaline earth metal and/or hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Puneet Gupta, Henry F. Erk, Alexis Grabbe
  • Patent number: 8192822
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the manufacture of silicon wafers, and more particularly to edge etching apparatus and methods for etching the edge of a silicon wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry F. Erk, Peter D. Albrecht, Eugene R. Hollander, Thomas E. Doane, Judith A. Schmidt, Roland R. Vandamme, Guoqiang (David) Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110158888
    Abstract: Fluidized bed reactor systems and distributors are disclosed as well as processes for producing polycrystalline silicon from a thermally decomposable silicon compound such as trichlorosilane. The processes generally involve reduction of silicon deposits on reactor walls during polycrystalline silicon production by use of a silicon tetrahalide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: Henry F. Erk
  • Publication number: 20110158857
    Abstract: Fluidized bed reactor systems and distributors are disclosed as well as processes for producing polycrystalline silicon from a thermally decomposable silicon compound such as trichlorosilane. The processes generally involve reduction of silicon deposits on reactor walls during polycrystalline silicon production by use of a silicon tetrahalide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: Henry F. Erk
  • Patent number: 7938982
    Abstract: A process for etching silicon wafers using a caustic etchant in the form of an aqueous solution comprising water, a hydroxide ion source, and a chelating agent. The process produces silicon wafers substantially free from diffused metal ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark G. Stinson, Henry F. Erk, Guoqiang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110017230
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing abrasive slurry used in cutting operations. The slurry is mixed with a first solvent in a tank. The slurry is vibrated and/or ultrasonically agitated such that abrasive grain contained in the slurry separates from the other components of the slurry and the first solvent. After the abrasive grain has settled to a bottom portion of the container, the other components of the slurry and the first solvent are removed from the tank. The abrasive grain may then be washed with a second solvent. The abrasive grain is then heated and is suitable for reuse in an abrasive slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Henry F. Erk, Vandan Tanna
  • Publication number: 20090247055
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the manufacture of silicon wafers, and more particularly to edge etching apparatus and methods for etching the edge of a silicon wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Henry F. Erk, Peter D. Albrecht, Eugene R. Hollander, Thomas E. Doane, Judith A. Schmidt, Roland R. Vandamme, Guoqiang (David) Zhang
  • Publication number: 20090242126
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the manufacture of silicon wafers, and more particularly to edge etching apparatus and methods for etching the edge of a silicon wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Henry F. Erk, Peter D. Albrecht, Eugene R. Hollander, Thomas E. Doane, Judith A. Schmidt, Roland Vandamme, Guoqiang (David) Zhang
  • Publication number: 20090246444
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the manufacture of silicon wafers, and more particularly to edge etching apparatus and methods for etching the edge of a silicon wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Henry F. Erk, Peter D. Albrecht, Eugene R. Hollander, Thomas E. Doane, Judith A. Schmidt, Roland R. Vandamme, Guoqiang (David) Zhang
  • Patent number: 7323421
    Abstract: A process for etching silicon wafers using a caustic etchant in the form of an aqueous solution comprising water, a hydroxide ion source, and a chelating agent. The process produces silicon wafers substantially free from diffused metal ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark G. Stinson, Henry F. Erk, Guoqiang (David) Zhang, Mick Bjelopavlic, Alexis Grabbe, Jozef G. Vermeire, Judith A. Schmidt, Thomas E. Doane, James R. Capstick
  • Publication number: 20040108297
    Abstract: A process for etching silicon wafers using a caustic etchant in the form of an aqueous solution comprising water and a source of hydroxide ions and generally characterized by a lower concentration of water and/or higher concentration of source of hydroxide ions. In accordance with another embodiment, the caustic etchant includes a salt additive. The process produces silicon wafers with improved surface characteristics such as flatness and nanotopography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry F. Erk, James R. Capstick, Thomas E. Doane, Alexis Grabbe, Judith A. Schmidt, Annlie Sing, Mark G. Stinson, Guoqiang (David) Zhang