Patents by Inventor John German

John German 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: 8198529
    Abstract: A photovoltaic cell can include a transparent conductive layer including cadmium stannate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale Roberts, John German, Keith J. Burrows, Benyamin Buller, Boil Pashmakov
  • Patent number: 8092660
    Abstract: The invention provides certain embodiments that involve sputtering techniques for applying a mixed oxide film comprising silica and titania. In these embodiments, the techniques involve sputtering at least two targets in a common chamber (e.g., in a shared gaseous atmosphere). A first of these targets includes silicon, while a second of the targets includes titanium. Further, the invention provides embodiments involving a substrate bearing a hydrophilic coating, which can be deposited by sputtering or any other suitable thin film deposition technique. The invention also provides techniques and apparatuses useful for depositing a wide variety of coating types. For example, the invention provides thin film deposition technologies in which sputtering apparatuses or other thin film deposition apparatuses are employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Cardinal CG Company
    Inventors: Kari Myli, Gary Pfaff, James Brownlee, John German, Annette Krisko, Klaus Hartig
  • Publication number: 20110183599
    Abstract: An enclosure, which includes a box portion having a top wall, the top wall having at least one fan and at least one baffle; and a lid portion, which fits over the top wall of the box portion and creates at least one passage extending along a front wall and/or a back wall of the enclosure to allow airflow from within the box portion of the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: CHANNELL COMMERCIAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert John GERMAN
  • Patent number: 7923114
    Abstract: The invention provides certain embodiments that involve sputtering techniques for applying a mixed oxide film comprising silica and titania. In these embodiments, the techniques involve sputtering at least two targets in a common chamber (e.g., in a shared gaseous atmosphere). A first of these targets includes silicon, while a second of the targets includes titanium. Further, the invention provides embodiments involving a substrate bearing a hydrophilic coating, which can be deposited by sputtering or any other suitable thin film deposition technique. The invention also provides techniques and apparatuses useful for depositing a wide variety of coating types. For example, the invention provides thin film deposition technologies in which sputtering apparatuses or other thin film deposition apparatuses are employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Cardinal CG Company
    Inventors: Kari Myli, Gary Pfaff, James Brownlee, John German, Annette Krisko, Klaus Hartig
  • Publication number: 20100326816
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and equipment for depositing a low-maintenance coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: CARDINAL CG COMPANY
    Inventors: Kari B. Myli, Annette J. Krisko, John German, Klaus Hartig
  • Patent number: 7850828
    Abstract: The apparatus and method involve using a gas manifold for introducing gas into a deposition chamber. Certain embodiments involve using a binary manifold for uniform distribution of the gas with good response time. During sputtering operations, provision of an anode using the gas manifold enables such anode to be entirely protected from sputtered dielectric material during the deposition process. As such, conduction paths are initially established and maintained between electrons within the chamber and the anode. This results in improved maintenance of stable plasma and consistent coating in the deposition chamber. The conduction paths are enhanced in comparison to conventional systems due to increased collisions between the electrons and gas flowing out of the manifold outlets. Also, ionization of the gas flowing from the manifold outlets is enhanced, resulting in enhanced deposition output from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Cardinal CG Company
    Inventor: John German
  • Patent number: 7832694
    Abstract: A device for mounting a whiteboard and a projector is provided. The device comprises a base and a pole mounted to the base such that the pole is substantially perpendicular to a surface. The base comprises a transport mechanism which allows the device to be moved from a first location on the surface to a second location on the surface. The pole comprises a first mounting bracket and a second mounting bracket. The first mounting bracket is for mounting a whiteboard such that an interactive surface of the whiteboard is capable of being positioned in a plane of a plurality of planes, including a receiving plane. The second mounting bracket is for mounting a projector such that the projector is capable of projecting onto the whiteboard while the interactive surface of the whiteboard is positioned in the receiving plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Speranza, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul John German, Allen Frater, John Clayton Mehnert, Greg Falendysz, James Frater
  • Patent number: 7820296
    Abstract: The invention provides a substrate bearing a low-maintenance coating. In some embodiments, the coating includes a low-maintenance film that includes a thickness of film comprising titania, wherein only part of that thickness includes tungsten. The thickness includes an inner portion and an outer portion, the outer portion being the part that includes tungsten. The invention also provides methods and equipment for depositing such coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Cardinal CG Company
    Inventors: Kari B. Myli, Annette J. Krisko, John German, Klaus Hartig
  • Publication number: 20090272437
    Abstract: A photovoltaic cell can include a transparent conductive layer including cadmium stannate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale Roberts, John German, Keith J. Burrows, Benyamin Buller, Boil Pashmakov
  • Patent number: 7526684
    Abstract: A data storage subsystem in a distributed storage system having a plurality of predictive failure analyzing data storage devices. The subsystem furthermore has a circuit that is responsive to a predicted failure indication by a data storage device in relation to predetermined rules stored in memory for deterministically initiating a preventive recovery either by a data recovery procedure in the data storage device or by a fault tolerance storage arrangement in the subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Allen Bicknell, Mark Allen Gaertner, Paul William Burnett, Robert John German, Robert George Bean
  • Publication number: 20090075067
    Abstract: The invention provides a substrate bearing a low-maintenance coating. In some embodiments, the coating includes a low-maintenance film that includes a thickness of film comprising titania, wherein only part of that thickness includes tungsten. The thickness includes an inner portion and an outer portion, the outer portion being the part that includes tungsten. The invention also provides methods and equipment for depositing such coatings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: CARDINAL CG COMPANY
    Inventors: Kari B. MYLI, Annette J. KRISKO, John GERMAN, Klaus HARTIG
  • Publication number: 20080142667
    Abstract: A device for mounting a whiteboard and a projector is provided. The device comprises a base and a pole mounted to the base such that the pole is substantially perpendicular to a surface. The base comprises a transport mechanism which allows the device to be moved from a first location on the surface to a second location on the surface. The pole comprises a first mounting bracket and a second mounting bracket. The first mounting bracket is for mounting a whiteboard such that an interactive surface of the whiteboard is capable of being positioned in a plane of a plurality of planes, including a receiving plane. The second mounting bracket is for mounting a projector such that the projector is capable of projecting onto the whiteboard while the interactive surface of the whiteboard is positioned in the receiving plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Paul John German, Allen Frater, John Clayton Mehnert, Greg Falendysz, James Frater
  • Publication number: 20080073557
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for directing an ion beam toward a surface of a substrate is disclosed. Certain embodiments of the invention relate generally to ion beam sources adapted to direct ion beams toward a surface of a substrate at an oblique angle of incidence relative to the surface. Certain embodiments of the invention are adapted to direct two ion beam portions toward a substrate surface, the ion beam portions having substantially equal throw distances. Preferred embodiments of the invention may be useful in etching applications, where the angle of incidence and throw distance of two ion beam portions are well suited for etching the surface of a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: John German, Klaus Hartig, John E. Madocks
  • Publication number: 20080067057
    Abstract: The apparatus and method involve using a gas manifold for introducing gas into a deposition chamber. Certain embodiments involve using a binary manifold for uniform distribution of the gas with good response time. During sputtering operations, provision of an anode using the gas manifold enables such anode to be entirely protected from sputtered dielectric material during the deposition process. As such, conduction paths are initially established and maintained between electrons within the chamber and the anode. This results in improved maintenance of stable plasma and consistent coating in the deposition chamber. The conduction paths are enhanced in comparison to conventional systems due to increased collisions between the electrons and gas flowing out of the manifold outlets. Also, ionization of the gas flowing from the manifold outlets is enhanced, resulting in enhanced deposition output from the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventor: John German
  • Publication number: 20080028984
    Abstract: An anti-reflective coating for a substrate which includes an outer metal oxide layer with a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the substrate. The invention also relates to a method for making the anti-reflection coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: William Meredith, Joel Anderson, John German, Daniel Woodruff
  • Publication number: 20070080056
    Abstract: A cylindrical cathode target assembly for use in sputtering target material onto a substrate comprises a generally cylindrical target, means for rotating the target about its axis during a sputtering operation, a magnetic array carried within the target for generation of a plasma-containing field including a plurality of electron drift paths adjacent an outer surface of the target, and a device for supporting the magnetic array independently of rotation of the target. In certain embodiments of the invention, the magnetic array may include a plurality of magnetic elements arranged to form a plurality of electron drift paths spaced along a substantial length of the target to promote generally uniform film deposition and uniform target utilization along its length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: John German, Klaus Hartig
  • Publication number: 20060118408
    Abstract: The invention provides certain embodiments that involve sputtering techniques for applying a mixed oxide film comprising silica and titania. In these embodiments, the techniques involve sputtering at least two targets in a common chamber (e.g., in a shared gaseous atmosphere). A first of these targets includes silicon, while a second of the targets includes titanium. Further, the invention provides embodiments involving a substrate bearing a hydrophilic coating, which can be deposited by sputtering or any other suitable thin film deposition technique. The invention also provides techniques and apparatuses useful for depositing a wide variety of coating types. For example, the invention provides thin film deposition technologies in which sputtering apparatuses or other thin film deposition apparatuses are employed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Kari Myli, Gary Pfaff, James Brownlee, John German, Annette Krisko, Klaus Hartig
  • Publication number: 20060121315
    Abstract: The invention provides certain embodiments that involve sputtering techniques for applying a mixed oxide film comprising silica and titania. In these embodiments, the techniques involve sputtering at least two targets in a common chamber (e.g., in a shared gaseous atmosphere). A first of these targets includes silicon, while a second of the targets includes titanium. Further, the invention provides embodiments involving a substrate bearing a hydrophilic coating, which can be deposited by sputtering or any other suitable thin film deposition technique. The invention also provides techniques and apparatuses useful for depositing a wide variety of coating types. For example, the invention provides thin film deposition technologies in which sputtering apparatuses or other thin film deposition apparatuses are employed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Kari Myli, Gary Pfaff, James Brownlee, John German, Annette Krisko, Klaus Hartig
  • Publication number: 20060068076
    Abstract: A stable oil containing LC-PUFAs in the form of triacylglycerols, in particular arachidonic acid (ARA), dihomogammalinolenic acid (DHGLA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), may be prepared by direct pressing of one or more biomasses obtained from the culture of a microorganism, especially of a fungus or of a microalga containing the acids ARA, DHGLA, DHA or EPA leading to a first press oil and by bringing a carrier oil entering into the composition of a foodstuff, a cosmetic or pharmaceutical product, into contact with the biomass cake, followed by pressing leading to a second press oil, and then by combining the pressed oils and refining the mixture under controlled conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Applicant: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Raymond Bertholet, Junkuan Wang, Heribert Watzke, John German
  • Publication number: 20060049043
    Abstract: A rotating magnetron assembly having a structure to reduce bearing degradation by substantially preventing the flow of current through the bearing using non-conductive materials or providing a low resistance current flow path or by allowing current to flow through the bearing in a way which prevents arcing between the various bearing components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventors: Neal Matuska, Joel Anderson, Clifford Taylor, John German