Patents by Inventor John C. Driscoll

John C. Driscoll 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: 7658614
    Abstract: Fabrication processes for manufacturing and connecting a semiconductor switching device are disclosed, including an embodiment for dicing a wafer into individual circuit die by sawing the interface between adjacent die with a saw blade that has an angled configuration across its width, preferably in a generally V-shape so that the adjacent die are severed from one another while simultaneously providing a beveled surface on the sides of each separated die. Another embodiment relates to the manner in which damage to a beveled side surface of the individual die can be smoothed by a chemical etching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventors: Theodore S. Wilmot, John C. Driscoll, Eugene N. Bryan
  • Patent number: 7355300
    Abstract: A turbine engine ignition exciter circuit applies energy stored in the exciter tank capacitor to the load (igniter plug) through a thyristor type semiconductor switching device that minimizes leakage current at elevated operating temperatures. The semiconductor switching device is periodically activated by a trigger circuit to initiate discharge of energy stored in exciter tank capacitor to mating ignition lead and igniter plug. The circuit operates at a modest, for example, approximately 1.8 kV, tank circuit voltage to further reduce switching device leakage current related stresses at elevated temperatures allowing relatively long capacitor charge cycles, increased upper operating temperature capability and improved reliability. The circuit uses a low side switch circuit topology for releasing energy from said capacitor to ground whereby negative polarity energy is applied to the exciter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventors: Theodore S. Wilmot, Richard S. Brzostek, John C. Driscoll
  • Patent number: 7144792
    Abstract: Fabrication processes for manufacturing and connecting a semiconductor switching device are disclosed, including an embodiment for dicing a wafer into individual circuit die by sawing the interface between adjacent die with a saw blade that has an angled configuration across its width, preferably in a generally V-shape so that the adjacent die are severed from one another while simultaneously providing a beveled surface on the sides of each separated die. Another embodiment relates to the manner in which damage to a beveled side surface of the individual die can be smoothed by a chemical etching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventors: Theodore S. Wilmot, John C. Driscoll, Eugene N. Bryan
  • Patent number: 5804297
    Abstract: A method of insulating a substrate from repeated thermal transients and/or thermal impulses applied thereto by proximately absorbing and storing the thermal transients and/or thermal impulses for subsequent removal by radiation. According to the method, a coating is placed in energy absorbing contacting relation with the substrate. The coating includes a base material and a plurality of microcapsules dispersed within the base material. The microcapsules may be dispersed throughout the base material and may be submerged therein so that they are substantially spaced apart from one another. The microcapsules contain a thermal energy absorbing material, for example, a phase change material such a paraffinic hydrocarbons or alternatively, plastic crystals. Articles of manufacture may be produced according to the present invention which employ the above described coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventors: David P. Colvin, Yvonne G. Bryant, John C. Driscoll, James C. Mulligan
  • Patent number: 5592118
    Abstract: An improved turbine engine ignition exciter circuit. Energy stored in an exciter tank capacitor is subsequently switched to the load (igniter plug) through a novel thyristor switching device specifically designed for pulse power applications. The switching device is designed and constructed to include, for example, a highly interdigitated cathode/gate structure. The semiconductor switching device is periodically activated by a trigger circuit which may be comprised of either electromagnetic or optoelectronic triggering circuitry to initiate discharge of energy stored in exciter tank capacitor to mating ignition lead and igniter plug. Likewise, the present invention allows new flexibility in the output PFN (Pulse Forming Network) stage, eliminating need for specialized protective output devices such as saturable output inductors. Due to considerably higher di/dt performance of the device, true high voltage output pulse networks may be utilized without damage to the semiconductor switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore S. Wilmot, John C. Driscoll, Steve J. Kempinski