Patents by Inventor James Prager

James Prager 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: 20200176221
    Abstract: Various RF plasma systems are disclosed that do not require a matching network. In some embodiments, the RF plasma system includes an energy storage capacitor; a switching circuit coupled with the energy storage capacitor, the switching circuit producing a plurality of pulses with a pulse amplitude and a pulse frequency, the pulse amplitude being greater than 100 volts; a resonant circuit coupled with the switching circuit. In some embodiments, the resonant circuit includes: a transformer having a primary side and a secondary side; and at least one of a capacitor, an inductor, and a resistor. In some embodiments, the resonant circuit having a resonant frequency substantially equal to the pulse frequency, and the resonant circuit increases the pulse amplitude to a voltage greater than 2 kV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: James Prager, Timothy Ziemba
  • Publication number: 20200168437
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a plasma system comprising: a plasma chamber, an RF plasma generator, a bias generator, and a controller. The RF plasma generator may be electrically coupled with the plasma chamber and may produce a plurality of RF bursts, each of the plurality of RF bursts including RF waveforms, each of the plurality of RF bursts having an RF burst turn on time and an RF burst turn off time. The bias generator may be electrically coupled with the plasma chamber and may produce a plurality of bias bursts, each of the plurality of bias bursts including bias pulses, each of the plurality of bias bursts having an bias burst turn on time and an bias burst turn off time. In some embodiments the controller is in communication with the RF plasma generator and the bias generator that controls the timing of various bursts or waveforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Kenneth Miller, James Prager, Kevin Muggli, Eric Hanson
  • Publication number: 20200144030
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a nanosecond pulser circuit. In some embodiments, a nanosecond pulser circuit may include: a high voltage power supply; a nanosecond pulser electrically coupled with the high voltage power supply and switches voltage from the high voltage power supply at high frequencies; a transformer having a primary side and a secondary side, the nanosecond pulser electrically coupled with the primary side of the transformer; and an energy recovery circuit electrically coupled with the secondary side of the transformer. In some embodiments, the energy recovery circuit comprises: an inductor electrically coupled with the high voltage power supply; a crowbar diode arranged in parallel with the secondary side of the transformer; and a second diode disposed in series with the inductor and arranged to conduct current from a load to the high voltage power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: James Prager, Timothy Ziemba, Kenneth Miller, Ilia Slobodov, Morgan Quinley
  • Publication number: 20200126760
    Abstract: A plasma deposition system comprising a wafer platform, a second electrode, a first electrode, a first high voltage pulser, and a second high voltage pulser. In some embodiments, the second electrode may be disposed proximate with the wafer platform. In some embodiments, the second electrode can include a disc shape with a central aperture; a central axis, an aperture diameter, and an outer diameter. In some embodiments, the first electrode may be disposed proximate with the wafer platform and within the central aperture of the second electrode. In some embodiments, the first electrode can include a disc shape, a central axis, and an outer diameter. In some embodiments, the first high voltage pulser can be electrically coupled with the first electrode. In some embodiments, the second high voltage pulser can be electrically coupled with the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Ilia Slobodov, John Carscadden, Kenneth Miller, James Prager
  • Publication number: 20200083812
    Abstract: A pulse generator is disclosed that includes at least the following stages a driver stage, a transformer stage, a rectifier stage, and an output stage. The driver stage may include at least one solid state switch such as, for example, of one or more IGBTs and/or one or more MOSFETs. The driver stage may also have a stray inductance less than 1,000 nH. The transformer stage may be coupled with the driver stage and/or with a balance stage and may include one or more transformers. The rectifier stage may be coupled with the transformer stage and may have a stray inductance less than 1,000 nH. The output stage may be coupled with the rectifier stage. The output stage may output a signal pulse with a voltage greater than 2 kilovolts and a frequency greater than 5 kHz. In some embodiments, the output stage may be galvanically isolated from a reference potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Miller, Timothy Ziemba, IIia Slobodov, John G. Carscadden, James Prager
  • Publication number: 20200051785
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a plasma sheath control system that includes an RF power supply producing an A sinusoidal waveform with a frequency greater than 20 kHz and a peak voltage greater than 1 kV and a plasma chamber electrically coupled with the RF power supply, the plasma chamber having a plurality of ions that are accelerated into a surface disposed with energies greater than about 1 kV, and the plasma chamber produces a plasma sheath within the plasma chamber from the sinusoidal waveform. The plasma sheath control system includes a blocking diode electrically connected between the RF power supply and the plasma chamber and a capacitive discharge circuit electrically coupled with the RF power supply, the plasma chamber, and the blocking diode; the capacitive discharge circuit discharges capacitive charges within the plasma chamber with a peak voltage greater than 1 kV and a discharge time that less than 250 nanoseconds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Kenneth Miller, Timothy Ziemba, James Prager, Ilia Slobodov
  • Publication number: 20200035459
    Abstract: A plasma deposition system comprising a wafer platform, a second electrode, a first electrode, a first high voltage pulser, and a second high voltage pulser. In some embodiments, the second electrode may be disposed proximate with the wafer platform. In some embodiments, the second electrode can include a disc shape with a central aperture; a central axis, an aperture diameter, and an outer diameter. In some embodiments, the first electrode may be disposed proximate with the wafer platform and within the central aperture of the second electrode. In some embodiments, the first electrode can include a disc shape, a central axis, and an outer diameter. In some embodiments, the first high voltage pulser can be electrically coupled with the first electrode. In some embodiments, the second high voltage pulser can be electrically coupled with the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Ilia Slobodov, John Carscadden, Kenneth Miller, James Prager
  • Publication number: 20200014378
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide IGBT circuit modules with increased efficiencies. These efficiencies can be realized in a number of ways. In some embodiments, the gate resistance and/or voltage can be minimized. In some embodiments, the IGBT circuit module can be switched using an isolated receiver such as a fiber optic receiver. In some embodiments, a single driver can drive a single IGBT. And in some embodiments, a current bypass circuit can be included. Various other embodiments of the invention are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Kenneth E. Miller, John G. Carscadden, James Prager
  • Publication number: 20190393791
    Abstract: A high voltage power system is disclosed. In some embodiments, the high voltage power system includes a high voltage pulsing power supply; a transformer electrically coupled with the high voltage pulsing power supply; an output electrically coupled with the transformer and configured to output high voltage pulses with an amplitude greater than 1 kV and a frequency greater than 1 kHz; and a bias compensation circuit arranged in parallel with the output. In some embodiments, the bias compensation circuit can include a blocking diode; and a DC power supply arranged in series with the blocking diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Ilia Slobodov, Alex Henson, Morgan Quinley, John Carscadden, James Prager, Kenneth Miller
  • Patent number: 10389345
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide IGBT circuit modules with increased efficiencies. These efficiencies can be realized in a number of ways. In some embodiments, the gate resistance and/or voltage can be minimized. In some embodiments, the IGBT circuit module can be switched using an isolated receiver such as a fiber optic receiver. In some embodiments, a single driver can drive a single IGBT. And in some embodiments, a current bypass circuit can be included. Various other embodiments of the invention are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: EAGLE HARBOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Kenneth E. Miller, John G. Carscadden, James Prager
  • Patent number: 10224822
    Abstract: A pulse generator is disclosed that includes at least the following stages a driver stage, a transformer stage, a rectifier stage, and an output stage. The driver stage may include at least one solid state switch such as, for example, of one or more IGBTs and/or one or more MOSFETs. The driver stage may also have a stray inductance less than 1,000 nH. The transformer stage may be coupled with the driver stage and/or with a balance stage and may include one or more transformers. The rectifier stage may be coupled with the transformer stage and may have a stray inductance less than 1,000 nH. The output stage may be coupled with the rectifier stage. The output stage may output a signal pulse with a voltage greater than 2 kilovolts and a frequency greater than 5 kHz. In some embodiments, the output stage may be galvanically isolated from a reference potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: EAGLE HARBOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Miller, Timothy Ziemba, Ilia Slobodov, John G. Carscadden, James Prager
  • Patent number: 9929004
    Abstract: Systems and methods are discussed to create radiation from one or more compact toroids. Compact toroids can be created from plasma of gases within a confinement chamber using a plurality of coils of various densities of windings. High current pulses can be generated within the coil and switched at high frequencies to repeatedly generate compact toroids within the plasma. The plasma can produce radiation at various wavelengths that is focused toward a target or an intermediate focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: EAGLE HARBOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Kenneth E. Miller, John G. Carscadden, James Prager, Angus Macnab
  • Publication number: 20170294842
    Abstract: A pulse generator is disclosed that includes at least the following stages a driver stage, a transformer stage, a rectifier stage, and an output stage. The driver stage may include at least one solid state switch such as, for example, of one or more IGBTs and/or one or more MOSFETs. The driver stage may also have a stray inductance less than 1,000 nH. The transformer stage may be coupled with the driver stage and/or with a balance stage and may include one or more transformers. The rectifier stage may be coupled with the transformer stage and may have a stray inductance less than 1,000 nH. The output stage may be coupled with the rectifier stage. The output stage may output a signal pulse with a voltage greater than 2 kilovolts and a frequency greater than 5 kHz. In some embodiments, the output stage may be galvanically isolated from a reference potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Miller, Timothy Ziemba, IIia Slobodov, John G. Carscadden, James Prager
  • Publication number: 20170243731
    Abstract: Systems and methods are discussed to create radiation from one or more compact toroids. Compact toroids can be created from plasma of gases within a confinement chamber using a plurality of coils of various densities of windings. High current pulses can be generated within the coil and switched at high frequencies to repeatedly generate compact toroids within the plasma. The plasma can produce radiation at various wavelengths that is focused toward a target or an intermediate focus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Kenneth E. Miller, John G. Carscadden, James Prager, Angus Macnab
  • Patent number: 9706630
    Abstract: A pulse generator is disclosed that includes at least the following stages a driver stage, a transformer stage, a rectifier stage, and an output stage. The driver stage may include at least one solid state switch such as, for example, of one or more IGBTs and/or one or more MOSFETs. The driver stage may also have a stray inductance less than 1,000 nH. The transformer stage may be coupled with the driver stage and/or with a balance stage and may include one or more transformers. The rectifier stage may be coupled with the transformer stage and may have a stray inductance less than 1,000 nH. The output stage may be coupled with the rectifier stage. The output stage may output a signal pulse with a voltage greater than 2 kilovolts and a frequency greater than 5 kHz. In some embodiments, the output stage may be galvanically isolated from a reference potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: EAGLE HARBOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Miller, Timothy Ziemba, Ilia Slobodov, John G. Carscadden, James Prager
  • Publication number: 20170163254
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide IGBT circuit modules with increased efficiencies. These efficiencies can be realized in a number of ways. In some embodiments, the gate resistance and/or voltage can be minimized. In some embodiments, the IGBT circuit module can be switched using an isolated receiver such as a fiber optic receiver. In some embodiments, a single driver can drive a single IGBT. And in some embodiments, a current bypass circuit can be included. Various other embodiments of the invention are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Kenneth E. Miller, John G. Carscadden, James Prager
  • Patent number: 9655221
    Abstract: Systems and methods are discussed to create radiation from one or more compact toroids. Compact toroids can be created from plasma of gases within a confinement chamber using a plurality of coils of various densities of windings. High current pulses can be generated within the coil and switched at high frequencies to repeatedly generate compact toroids within the plasma. The plasma can produce radiation at various wavelengths that is focused toward a target or an intermediate focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: EAGLE HARBOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Kenneth E. Miller, John G. Carscadden, James Prager, Angus Macnab
  • Patent number: 9601283
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide IGBT circuit modules with increased efficiencies. These efficiencies can be realized in a number of ways. In some embodiments, the gate resistance and/or voltage can be minimized. In some embodiments, the IGBT circuit module can be switched using an isolated receiver such as a fiber optic receiver. In some embodiments, a single driver can drive a single IGBT. And in some embodiments, a current bypass circuit can be included. Various other embodiments of the invention are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: EAGLE HARBOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Kenneth E. Miller, John G. Carscadden, James Prager
  • Patent number: 9495563
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to integrate signals. Some embodiments include an integrator comprising an active input; a passive input; a first integrator having a first integrator input and a first integrator output; a second integrator having a second integrator input and a second integrator output; a first plurality of switches coupled with the first integrator input, the second integrator input, the active input, and the passive input; a second plurality of switches coupled with the first integrator output and the second integrator output; and a controller. The controller may be configured to control the operation of the first plurality of switches to switch the active input between the first integrator input and the second integrator input, and control the operation of the first plurality of switches to switch the passive input between the first integrator input and the second integrator input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Eagle Harbor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Kenneth E. Miller, John G. Carscadden, James Prager, Ilia Slobodov, Daniel Edward Lotz
  • Publication number: 20150303914
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a solid-state switch tube replacement for the radar system such as, for example, the SPY-1 radar system. Some embodiments provide for a technology for the precision switching that enables IGBT power modules to operate robustly in a series configuration and/or a parallel configuration to produce precision switching at high voltage (e.g., 20 kV and above) and high frequencies (e.g., 1 MHz and above).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Kenneth E. Miller, John Carscadden, James Prager