Patents by Inventor Karl G. Schwappach

Karl G. Schwappach 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: 8951265
    Abstract: A fixation system configured to releasably secure an orthopedic implant to a bone. The fixation system including at least one expandable member that is inserted through the lumen and positioned in cancellous bone near the distal portion of the orthopedic implant. A delivery tube delivers a flowable biomaterial to the expandable member. The expand fixation structure includes at least one dimension greater than a corresponding dimension on the orthopedic implant to secure the orthopedic implant in the bone. An insert is secured in the lumen to releasably attach the fixation system to the orthopedic implant. The expandable member is detachable from the orthopedic implant to facilitate subsequent removal of the orthopedic implant from the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: RDC Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Karl G. Schwappach
  • Patent number: 8944886
    Abstract: An abrasive polishing slurry including abrasive particles in a carrier fluid and micro-nano members. A system and method for making an abrasive article using the polishing slurry is also disclosed. The system includes a gimballed dressing bar adapted to provide a compressive force sufficient to embed the abrasive particles into the substrate, wherein the members set a height the embedded abrasive particles protrude above the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: RDC Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Karl G. Schwappach, Zine-Eddine Boutaghou
  • Patent number: 8926411
    Abstract: An abrasive article for polishing a substrate surface. The abrasive article includes a holder pad assembly and an abrasive member held in place with respect to a holder pad. The abrasive member further includes a first surface engaged with the holder pad assembly, and a second surface including an abrasive. A preload mechanism is positioned to bias the second surfaces of the abrasive member toward the substrate surface. One or more fluid bearing features on the second surface of the abrasive member is configured to generate lift forces during relative motion between the abrasive article and the substrate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: RDC Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Karl G. Schwappach, Zine-Eddine Boutaghou
  • Patent number: 8808064
    Abstract: A polishing article with a plurality of polishing pads adapted to polish a substrate. Gimbal structures are attached to the polishing pads that permit the polishing pads to move independently along at least a pitch axis and a roll axis. Stems supported by preload flexures apply preloads through dimple structures to the polishing pads. A plurality of stand-offs provide fixed boundary conditions between the preload and the gimbal structures. Recesses allow for the preload flexures to move vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Roc Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Karl G. Schwappach, Zine-Eddine Boutaghou
  • Patent number: 8801497
    Abstract: An abrasive article having an array of abrasive members with an elastomeric support that permits each abrasive member to move independently in at least pitch and roll. Each abrasive member maintains a fluid bearing (air is the typical fluid) with the substrate. The abrasive members are capable of selectively engaging with nanometer-scale and/or micrometer-scale height variations and micrometer-scale and/or millimeter-scale wavelengths of waviness, on the surfaces of substrates. The spacing and pitch of the abrasive members can be adjusted to follow the topography of the substrate to remove a generally uniform layer of material; to engage with the peaks on the substrate to remove target wavelengths of waviness; and/or to remove debris and contamination from the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: RDC Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Karl G. Schwappach, Zine-Eddine Boutaghou
  • Publication number: 20120149283
    Abstract: An abrasive polishing slurry including abrasive particles in a carrier fluid and micro-nano members. A system and method for making an abrasive article using the polishing slurry is also disclosed. The system includes a gimballed dressing bar adapted to provide a compressive force sufficient to embed the abrasive particles into the substrate, wherein the members set a height the embedded abrasive particles protrude above the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Karl G. Schwappach, Zine-Eddine Boutaghou
  • Publication number: 20120149279
    Abstract: An abrasive article for polishing a substrate surface. The abrasive article includes a holder pad assembly and an abrasive member held in place with respect to a holder pad. The abrasive member further includes a first surface engaged with the holder pad assembly, and a second surface including an abrasive. A preload mechanism is positioned to bias the second surfaces of the abrasive member toward the substrate surface. One or more fluid bearing features on the second surface of the abrasive member is configured to generate lift forces during relative motion between the abrasive article and the substrate surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Karl G. Schwappach, Zine-Eddine Boutaghou
  • Publication number: 20120122380
    Abstract: A polishing article with a plurality of polishing pads adapted to polish a substrate. Gimbal structures are attached to the polishing pads that permit the polishing pads to move independently along at least a pitch axis and a roll axis. Stems supported by preload flexures apply preloads through dimple structures to the polishing pads. A plurality of stand-offs provide fixed boundary conditions between the preload and the gimbal structures. Recesses allow for the preload flexures to move vertically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Karl G. Schwappach, Zine-Eddine Boutaghou
  • Publication number: 20110159784
    Abstract: An abrasive article with an array of independently gimballed abrasive members that are capable of selectively engaging with nanometer-scale and/or micrometer-scale height variations and micrometer-scale and/or millimeter-scale wavelengths of waviness, on the surfaces of substrates. Each abrasive member maintains a fluid bearing (air is the typical fluid) with the substrate. The spacing and pitch of the abrasive members can be adjusted to follow the topography of the substrate to remove a generally uniform layer of material; to engage with the peaks on the substrate to remove target wavelengths of waviness; and/or to remove debris and contamination from the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Zine-Eddine Boutaghou, Karl G. Schwappach
  • Publication number: 20110104989
    Abstract: One or more individually gimballed dressing bars for embedding abrasive particles into a substrate at a substantially uniform height. A hydrostatic and/or hydrodynamic fluid bearing (air is the typical fluid) is maintained between the dressing bar and the substrate. The fluid bearing permits the dressing bar to follow micrometer-scale and/or millimeter-scale wavelengths of waviness on the substrate, while maintaining a constant clearance, to uniformly embed the abrasive particle into the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Zine-Eddine Boutaghou, Karl G. Schwappach
  • Publication number: 20110080675
    Abstract: A low hysteresis pivot bearing suitable for a variety of applications. The relationship between torque and angular displacement is substantially linear, with negligible residual hysteresis. The pivot bearing includes a stationary shaft and at least one intermediate member pivotally connected to the stationary shaft by an intermediate member bearing. At least one outer sleeve is pivotally connected to the intermediate member by an outer sleeve bearing. At least one rotary actuator angularly displaces the intermediate member relative to the stationary shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Zine-Eddine Boutaghou, Karl G. Schwappach
  • Publication number: 20100279586
    Abstract: An abrasive article having an array of abrasive members with an elastomeric support that permits each abrasive member to move independently in at least pitch and roll. Each abrasive member maintains a fluid bearing (air is the typical fluid) with the substrate. The abrasive members are capable of selectively engaging with nanometer-scale and/or micrometer-scale height variations and micrometer-scale and/or millimeter-scale wavelengths of waviness, on the surfaces of substrates. The spacing and pitch of the abrasive members can be adjusted to follow the topography of the substrate to remove a generally uniform layer of material; to engage with the peaks on the substrate to remove target wavelengths of waviness; and/or to remove debris and contamination from the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: Karl G. Schwappach