Patents by Inventor James E. Shepherd

James E. Shepherd 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: 20240103068
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for burn-in and/or functional testing of microelectronic circuits of unsingulated wafers. A large number of power, ground, and signal connections can be made to a large number of contacts on a wafer. The apparatus has a cartridge that allows for fanning-in of electric paths. A distribution board has a plurality of interfaces that are strategically positioned to provide a dense configuration. The interfaces are connected through flexible attachments to an array of first connector modules. Each one of the first connector modules can be independently connected to a respective one of a plurality of second connector modules, thereby reducing stresses on a frame of the apparatus. Further features include for example a piston that allows for tight control of forces exerted by terminals onto contacts of a wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: AEHR TEST SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Donald P. Richmond, II, Kenneth W. Deboe, Frank O. Uher, Jovan Jovanovic, Scott E. Lindsey, Thomas T. Maenner, Patrick M. Shepherd, Jeffrey L. Tyson, Mark C. Carbone, Paul W. Burke, Doan D. Cao, James F. Tomic, Long V. Vu
  • Patent number: 8080498
    Abstract: The concept involves placing within the annulus, hollow particles that possess material and geometric properties such that the hollow particles buckle at or near a defined pressure. Buckling of the particles increases the available volume within the annulus, thereby decreasing the annular pressure. The elastic hollow particles are designed such that they buckle in a sufficiently elastic manner to allow them to rebound towards their original shape as the pressure decreases. The rebounded particles then remain available to mitigate subsequent instances of APB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Shepherd, Joseph F. Rakow, Phillip David Pattillo, II
  • Publication number: 20100113310
    Abstract: The concept involves placing within the annulus, hollow particles that possess material and geometric properties such that the hollow particles buckle at or near a defined pressure. Buckling of the particles increases the available volume within the annulus, thereby decreasing the annular pressure. The elastic hollow particles are designed such that they buckle in a sufficiently elastic manner to allow them to rebound towards their original shape as the pressure decreases. The rebounded particles then remain available to mitigate subsequent instances of APB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: James E. Shepherd, Joseph F. Rakow, Phillip David Pattillo, II
  • Patent number: 5033333
    Abstract: A disc-shaped grinding wheel has a peripheral grinding edge, and according to one feature of the invention a centered grinding point is used on the grinding wheel for precise and symmetrical sharpening of right and left cutter elements of a saw chain. The chain is supported by a chain holding bar which in turn is supported on a pivot support on the base of the machine. The pivot support provides adjustment of the bar for oblique engagement of the grinding wheel with the cutter elements. The pivot support also provides a tilting adjustment of the chain holding bar for engagement of the grinding wheel with the cutter elements at a secondary angle whereby to sharpen chisel bit chains. The pivot support also allows the machine to sharpen chipper tooth chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Inventor: James E. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 5031482
    Abstract: An adjustable holder for a chisel-bit type saw chain is arranged to hold cutter elements of the chain adjacent the grinding edge of a grinding wheel for sharpening the cutter elements wherein the angle of grind can be adjusted. For this purpose, the chain holder has pivotal support on a base with a radius directed to the grinding point of the grinding wheel. Also, the holder supports the cutter elements such that their pivot support is at the grinding point. No other adjustments of the motor and grinding wheel assembly or the chain holder is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Inventor: James E. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 5003843
    Abstract: A base is arranged to be mounted on a saw chain grinding machine adjacent to a saw chain holding bar. A shaft has first and second projections engageable with the cutter elements for holding the cutter elements down and laterally against an opposite side wall of the edge slot of the saw chain holding bar. The second projection engages the cutter elements prior to the first projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Inventor: James E. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 5000061
    Abstract: A base is arranged to be secured in a fixed position adjacent a grinding wheel of the type having a pair of grinding surfaces extending in different planes. A slide arm is mounted in the base and carries a single grinding wheel dressing tool with two positions. One such position is for grinding one of the wheel surfaces and the other position is for grinding the other wheel position. The structure and mounting of the dressing tool on the support is such that it is precisely positioned in each of its two positions for dressing the grinding surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Inventor: James E. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 4977516
    Abstract: A device analyzes vibration-related problems in large rotating machinery which has the capability to receive input simultaneously from a plurality of vibration sensors. A microprocessor stores and processes the data collected, which is output as a value for the amplitude and phase of vibration at each location where a sensor is placed. The device includes communications capabilities which permit the collected data to be transmitted to a remote location for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Inventor: James E. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 4903553
    Abstract: A pair of grinding wheel dressing tools are mounted on a common support slidably mounted in a base secured in a fixed position adjacent a grinding wheel. The support has adjustment for repositioning it as the grinding wheel wears and requires dressing. The adjustment for the support maintains the pair of wheel dressers in their selected dressing planes as adjusted positioning between the wheel dressers and the grinding wheel occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Inventor: James E. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 4836058
    Abstract: A disc-shaped rotatable grinding wheel has association with a saw chain holder such that in the support of a chain thereon oppositely facing cutter elements can be ground at the same point on the grinding wheel. The saw chain holder has a pivotal mounting for positioning the saw chain at the same point on the wheel for the oppositely facing cutter elements. Various adjustments are included in the structure for positioning the chain in place and for limiting the position of grinding structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Inventor: James E. Shepherd