Patents by Inventor Karl Urquhart

Karl Urquhart 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: 11839860
    Abstract: This in-line active and reverse calculating mass balance blending system can maintain a chemical at desired control points, such as with respect to concentration, temperature, and/or pressure, while the output flow rate is changing dynamically to a point of use. A blending unit is configured to receive and blend at least two species and deliver a mixture at selected concentrations to points of use. A controller can be configured to determine a mass balance to maintain the concentrations in the mixture using information from metrology systems and a flow in an output to the at least one point of use. The controller also can be configured to maintain a concentration in the mixture within a concentration range by controlling flow rates to the blending unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: DIVERSIFIED FLUID SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Darren Willey, Karl Urquhart, Joseph Watters, Christopher Donelson
  • Publication number: 20220339591
    Abstract: This in-line active and reverse calculating mass balance blending system can maintain a chemical at desired control points, such as with respect to concentration, temperature, and/or pressure, while the output flow rate is changing dynamically to a point of use. A blending unit is configured to receive and blend at least two species and deliver a mixture at selected concentrations to points of use. A controller can be configured to determine a mass balance to maintain the concentrations in the mixture using information from metrology systems and a flow in an output to the at least one point of use. The controller also can be configured to maintain a concentration in the mixture within a concentration range by controlling flow rates to the blending unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Darren WILLEY, Karl URQUHART, Joseph WATTERS, Christopher DONELSON
  • Patent number: 11318431
    Abstract: This in-line active and reverse calculating mass balance blending system can maintain a chemical at desired control points, such as with respect to concentration, temperature, and/or pressure, while the output flow rate is changing dynamically to a point of use. A blending unit is configured to receive and blend at least two species and deliver a mixture at selected concentrations to points of use. A controller can be configured to determine a mass balance to maintain the concentrations in the mixture using information from metrology systems and a flow in an output to the at least one point of use. The controller also can be configured to maintain a concentrations in the mixture within a concentration range by controlling flow rates to the blending unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: DIVERSIFIED FLUID SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Darren Willey, Karl Urquhart, Joseph Watters, Christopher Donelson
  • Publication number: 20220040653
    Abstract: This in-line active and reverse calculating mass balance blending system can maintain a chemical at desired control points, such as with respect to concentration, temperature, and/or pressure, while the output flow rate is changing dynamically to a point of use. A blending unit is configured to receive and blend at least two species and deliver a mixture at selected concentrations to points of use. A controller can be configured to determine a mass balance to maintain the concentrations in the mixture using information from metrology systems and a flow in an output to the at least one point of use. The controller also can be configured to maintain a concentrations in the mixture within a concentration range by controlling flow rates to the blending unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2020
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Darren WILLEY, Karl URQUHART, Joseph WATTERS, Christopher DONELSON
  • Publication number: 20070119816
    Abstract: Methods and systems for chemical management. In one embodiment, a blender is coupled to a processing system and configured to supply an appropriate solution or solutions to the system. Solutions provided by the blender are then reclaimed from the system and subsequently reintroduced for reuse. The blender may be operated to control the concentrations of various constituents in the solution prior to the solution being reintroduced to the system for reuse. Some chemicals introduced to the system may be temperature controlled. A back end vacuum pump subsystem separates gases from liquids as part of a waste management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: Karl Urquhart, Georges Guarneri, Jean-Louis Marc, Norbert Fanjat, Laurent Langellier, Christophe Colin
  • Publication number: 20070110591
    Abstract: Methods and systems for chemical management. In one embodiment, a blender is coupled to a processing system and configured to supply an appropriate solution or solutions to the system. Solutions provided by the blender are then reclaimed from the system and subsequently reintroduced for reuse. The blender may be operated to control the concentrations of various constituents in the solution prior to the solution being reintroduced to the system for reuse. Some chemicals introduced to the system may be temperature controlled. A back end vacuum pump subsystem separates gases from liquids as part of a waste management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Karl Urquhart, Georges Guarneri, Jean-Louis Marc, Norbert Fanjat, Laurent Langellier, Christophe Colin
  • Publication number: 20070108113
    Abstract: Methods and systems for chemical management. In one embodiment, a blender is coupled to a processing system and configured to supply an appropriate solution or solutions to the system. Solutions provided by the blender are then reclaimed from the system and subsequently reintroduced for reuse. The blender may be operated to control the concentrations of various constituents in the solution prior to the solution being reintroduced to the system for reuse. Some chemicals introduced to the system may be temperature controlled. A back end vacuum pump subsystem separates gases from liquids as part of a waste management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Karl Urquhart, Georges Guarneri, Jean-Louis Marc, Norbert Fanjat, Laurent Langellier, Christophe Colin
  • Publication number: 20070109912
    Abstract: Methods and systems for chemical management. In one embodiment, a blender is coupled to a processing system and configured to supply an appropriate solution or solutions to the system. Solutions provided by the blender are then reclaimed from the system and subsequently reintroduced for reuse. The blender may be operated to control the concentrations of various constituents in the solution prior to the solution being reintroduced to the system for reuse. Some chemicals introduced to the system may be temperature controlled. A back end vacuum pump subsystem separates gases from liquids as part of a waste management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Karl Urquhart, Georges Guarneri, Jean-Louis Marc, Norbert Fanjat, Laurent Langellier, Christophe Colin
  • Publication number: 20070070803
    Abstract: A blender system is provided that maintains a chemical solution bath at desired concentrations. The blender system includes a blender unit configured to receive and blend at least two chemical compounds and deliver a solution including a mixture of compounds at selected concentrations to a tank that retains a selected volume of a chemical solution bath. The blender system further includes a controller configured to maintain at least one compound within a selected concentration range in the chemical solution bath. The controller controls at least one of operation of the blender unit to maintain the concentration of the compound within a selected concentration range within the solution delivered to the tank, and a change in flow rate of solution into and out of the tank when a concentration of the compound within the chemical solution bath falls outside of a target range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventor: Karl Urquhart
  • Publication number: 20070047381
    Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for continuously blending a chemical solution for use in semiconductor processing. The method involves the step of mixing a first chemical stream with a second chemical stream in a controlled manner to form a stream of a solution having a predetermined formulation. The apparatus allows one to practice the above method. The method and apparatus can accurately provide chemical solutions of desired concentration in a continuous manner. The invention has particular applicability in semiconductor device fabrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: Air Liquide America Corporation
    Inventors: Karl URQUHART, John Thompson, Joe Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20050286340
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for blending and supply of chemical solutions. The method of the present invention includes a continuous blending system. This continuous blending system monitors the output and continuously adjusts the blending system to achieve a predetermined formulation of at least a first solution. A centralized monitoring system continuously evaluates the solutions and adjusts the output of the blender as needed to maintain the predetermined formulation of the solution. The system includes at least a first tank system. Any solutions that are delivered from this tank system are also continuously monitored, evaluated, and adjusted as needed by the centralized monitoring system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventor: Karl Urquhart
  • Publication number: 20050029170
    Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for continuously blending a chemical solution for use in semiconductor processing. The method involves the step of: mixing a first chemical stream with a second chemical stream in a controlled manner, to form a stream of a solution having a predetermined formulation. The apparatus allows one to practice the above method. The method and apparatus can accurately provide chemical solutions of desired concentration in a continuous manner. The invention has particular applicability in semiconductor device fabrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Karl Urquhart, John Thompson, Joe Hoffman