Patents by Inventor Iain Fraser

Iain Fraser 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).

  • Publication number: 20110309250
    Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: Mikro Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Appleby, Iain Fraser, James E. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 8062023
    Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Mikro Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Appleby, Iain Fraser, James E. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20110189440
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a composition, system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, and/or user interface adapted for, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise, after removing a cast device from a stack-lamination-derived mold, said cast device formed from a molding composition, applying a desired shape to said cast device to form a shaped cast device, said molding composition comprising: a ceramic composition comprising silica; an cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition, said cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition present in said molding composition in an amount up to 30% by weight of said molding composition; a silicone composition comprising a siloxane resin, said silicone composition present in said molding composition in an amount up to 30% by weight of said molding composition; and a solvent composition adapted to dissolve said cycloaliphatic epoxy binder composition and said silicone composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: MIKRO SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Appleby, Iain Fraser, John Paulus
  • Publication number: 20110132563
    Abstract: An investment casting process for a hollow component such as a gas turbine blade utilizing a ceramic core (10) that is cast in a flexible mold (24) using a low pressure, vibration assisted casting process. The flexible mold is cast from a master tool (14) machined from soft metal using a relatively low precision machining process, with relatively higher precision surfaces being defined by a precision formed insert (22) incorporated into the master tool. A plurality of identical flexible molds may be formed from a single master tool in order to permit the production of ceramic cores at a desired rate with a desired degree of part-to-part precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Gary B. Merrill, Andrew J. Burns, Michael P. Appleby, Iain A. Fraser, John R. Paulus
  • Publication number: 20110132562
    Abstract: Alloy products are produced with a waxless casting process. A model of a ceramic casting vessel (34) defining a desired product shape is digitally divided into sections (10, 40, 42). Each section is translated into a soft alloy mater tool (14) including precision inserts (20) where needed for fine detail. A flexible mold (24) is cast from each master tool, and a section of the ceramic casting vessel is cast from the respective flexible mold. The vessel sections are assembled by aligning cooperating precision features (58, 60) cast directly into each section and the alloy part is cast therein. No wax or wax pattern tooling is needed to produce the cast alloy product. Engineered surface features (54) may be included on both the interior and exterior surfaces of the shell sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Gary B. Merrill, Michael P. Appleby, Iain A. Fraser, Jill Klinger, John R. Paulus
  • Publication number: 20110132564
    Abstract: An investment casting process wherein the wax pattern tool (44) is flexible to facilitate removal of the tool from the cast wax pattern (52) even when the cast shape would otherwise require multiple pull planes. The flexible tool may include a flexible insert (42) precisely indexed to a surrounding coffin mold (40), and thereby to an enclosed ceramic core (10). Positioning pins (106) may extend from the flexible tool to make compliant contact against the core prior to a wax injection step. The surface of the resulting wax pattern may contain an engineered topography (36) replicated through the flexible surface from a master tool (12). The flexible tool may encase thermally conductive or magnetic particles (92), or other active device (96) such as a sensor or vibrator which is operable during wax injection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Gary B. Merrill, Allister W. James, Andrew J. Burns, Kevin C. Sheehan, Benjamin E. Heneveld, Iain A. Fraser
  • Publication number: 20110130564
    Abstract: Intermediates and synthetic processes for the preparation of substituted phenylalanine-based compounds (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
  • Patent number: 7897763
    Abstract: Intermediates and synthetic processes for the preparation of substituted phenylalanine-based compounds (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
  • Patent number: 7893413
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a first isogrid defining a first plurality of zones, each zone from said first plurality of zones comprising a plurality of ligaments, each zone from said first plurality of zones defining a plurality of spaces, each space bounded by a first sub-plurality of ligaments from said plurality of ligaments, each of said ligaments comprising a plurality of ligament surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Mikro Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Appleby, Iain Fraser, James E. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20110016717
    Abstract: A method of making a combustion turbine component includes forming a metallic body by direct metal fabrication (DMF) to have at least one surface portion defining a first plurality of surface cooling features each having a first dimension and at least one second surface cooling feature on at least one of the first plurality of surface cooling features and having a second dimension less than said first dimension and less than 200 ?m. Forming the metallic body by DMF may include forming a plurality of metallic combustion turbine subcomponent greenbodies by DMF and assembling the plurality of metallic combustion turbine subcomponent greenbodies together to form a metallic greenbody assembly. The metallic greenbody assembly may be sintered to thereby form the metallic body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Jay A. Morrison, Jay E. Lane, Allister W. James, Gary B. Merrill, John R. Paulus, Mike P. Appleby, Iain A. Fraser
  • Publication number: 20110014474
    Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: MIKRO SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael P. Appleby, Iain Fraser, James E. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 7855291
    Abstract: Intermediates and synthetic processes for the preparation of substituted phenylalanine-based compounds (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
  • Publication number: 20100096778
    Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Michael P. Appleby, Iain Fraser, James E. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20100096777
    Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Michael P. Appleby, Iain Fraser, James E. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20090272874
    Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Michael P. Appleby, Iain Fraser, James E. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20090131637
    Abstract: The isolated nucleic acid encoding human vanilloid receptor, said receptor, it's preparation, cells expressing said receptor and an assay for testing compounds for their potential to decrease pain in humans. The receptor is involved in detection of noxious stimuli in mammalian organisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Peter McIntyre, Iain Fraser James
  • Publication number: 20090118505
    Abstract: Intermediates and synthetic processes for the preparation of substituted phenylalanine-based compounds (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
  • Patent number: 7518136
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a device comprising a cast computed-tomography collimator descended from a lithographically-derived micro-machined metallic foil stack lamination mold. Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise a method comprising filling a mold having a stacked plurality of micro-machined metallic foil layers with a first casting material to form a first cast product; demolding the first cast product from the mold; filling the first cast product with a second casting material to form a cast computed-tomography collimator; and demolding the cast computed-tomography collimator from the first cast product. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Tecomet, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Appleby, Iain Fraser, James E. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20090084933
    Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Michael P. Appleby, Iain Fraser, James E. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20090048280
    Abstract: Intermediates and synthetic processes for the preparation of substituted phenylalanine-based compounds (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 19, 2009