Patents by Inventor Keith A. Brown

Keith A. Brown 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: 10203598
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of inking a polymer pen lithography tip array (“PPL tip array”), including applying an ink composition to a PPL tip array using at least two spray applicators to deposit the ink as a non-uniform ink layer. The disclosure further provides a method of depositing at least two ink compositions on PPL tip array, including applying a first ink to a first defined area using a first spray applicator, and applying a second ink to a second defined area using a second spray applicator. The disclosure further provides a method of scaling a linear ink composition gradient provided by at least two spray applicators to a PPL tip array having a length, L, including positioning the spray applicators at a distance of about 5.0 L to about 8.0 L relative to the surface of the PPL tip array, positioning the spray applicators at a distance of about 0.5 L to about 3.0 L relative to each other, and applying an ink composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Keith A. Brown, James L. Hedrick, III
  • Patent number: 9989057
    Abstract: A compressor may include a scroll member, a hub, a discharge valve and a bypass valve. An end plate of the scroll member includes a recess, a discharge passage in communication with the recess, and a bypass passage in communication with the recess and disposed radially outward relative to the discharge passage. The hub may be received in the recess and may include a central opening in communication with the discharge passage and the bypass passage. The discharge valve may be disposed between the hub and the end plate and may control fluid flow through the discharge passage. The bypass valve may be disposed between the hub and the end plate and may be movable between a first position restricting fluid flow through the bypass passage and a second position allowing fluid to flow through the bypass passage, around the discharge valve and through the central opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason P. Lochner, Keith A. Brown
  • Patent number: 9971239
    Abstract: Provided here are hard transparent polymer pen arrays, methods of printing indicia using the same, and methods of preparing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Keith A. Brown, James L. Hedrick, III
  • Publication number: 20180059550
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a tip array can include an elastomeric tip substrate layer comprising a first surface and an oppositely disposed second surface, the tip substrate layer being formed from an elastomeric material; a plurality of tips fixed to the first surface, the tips each comprising a tip end disposed opposite the first surface, the tips having a radius of curvature of less than about 1 micron; and an array of heaters disposed on the second surface of the tip substrate layer and configured such that when the tip substrate layer is heated by a heater, a tip disposed in a location of a heated portion of tip substrate layer is lowered relative to a tip disposed in a location of an unheated portion of the tip substrate layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Xing Liao, Keith A. Brown, Guoliang Liu, Abrin L. Schmucke, Shu He, Wooyoung Shim, Daniel J. Eichelsdoerfer, Boris Rasin
  • Patent number: 9766551
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a method of patterning can include dividing an image into a set of frame sections; determining a tip pattern for a respective portion of an image to be patterned by each tip of the tip array in each frame section of the set of frame sections; disposing the tip array in a patterning position in a first location of the substrate corresponding to a location of the substrate in which the first frame section in the set of frame sections is to be patterned; projecting a first pattern of radiation onto the tip array to selectively irradiate one or more tips of the tip array and pattern the substrate, wherein the first pattern of radiation corresponds to a tip pattern for the first frame section; disposing the tip array in a patterning position in a second location of the substrate corresponding to a location of the substrate in which the second frame section in the set of frame sections is to be patterned; projecting a second pattern of radiation onto the tip array
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Xing Liao, Keith A. Brown, Guoliang Liu, Abrin L. Schmucker, Shu He, Wooyoung Shim, Daniel J. Eichelsdoerfer, Boris Rasin
  • Publication number: 20170115558
    Abstract: Provided here are hard transparent polymer pen arrays, methods of printing indicia using the same, and methods of preparing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Keith A. Brown, James L. Hedrick, III
  • Publication number: 20170108772
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of inking a polymer pen lithography tip array (“PPL tip array”), including applying an ink composition to a PPL tip array using at least two spray applicators to deposit the ink as a non-uniform ink layer. The disclosure further provides a method of depositing at least two ink compositions on PPL tip array, including applying a first ink to a first defined area using a first spray applicator, and applying a second ink to a second defined area using a second spray applicator. The disclosure further provides a method of scaling a linear ink composition gradient provided by at least two spray applicators to a PPL tip array having a length, L, including positioning the spray applicators at a distance of about 5.0 L to about 8.0 L relative to the surface of the PPL tip array, positioning the spray applicators at a distance of about 0.5 L to about 3.0 L relative to each other, and applying an ink composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Keith A. Brown, James L. Hedrick, III
  • Publication number: 20150345493
    Abstract: A compressor may include a scroll member, a hub, a discharge valve and a bypass valve. An end plate of the scroll member includes a recess, a discharge passage in communication with the recess, and a bypass passage in communication with the recess and disposed radially outward relative to the discharge passage. The hub may be received in the recess and may include a central opening in communication with the discharge passage and the bypass passage. The discharge valve may be disposed between the hub and the end plate and may control fluid flow through the discharge passage. The bypass valve may be disposed between the hub and the end plate and may be movable between a first position restricting fluid flow through the bypass passage and a second position allowing fluid to flow through the bypass passage, around the discharge valve and through the central opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason P. LOCHNER, Keith A. BROWN
  • Publication number: 20150309073
    Abstract: A coat micro tip can include a tip having a base and an oppositely disposed tip end having a radius of curvature of less than 1 ?m and a graphene film conformally coated on the tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Wooyoung Shim, Keith A. Brown, Boris Rasin, Xing Liao, Xiaozhu Zhou
  • Publication number: 20150286148
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a method of patterning can include dividing an image into a set of frame sections; determining a tip pattern for a respective portion of an image to be patterned by each tip of the tip array in each frame section of the set of frame sections; disposing the tip array in a patterning position in a first location of the substrate corresponding to a location of the substrate in which the first frame section in the set of frame sections is to be patterned; projecting a first pattern of radiation onto the tip array to selectively irradiate one or more tips of the tip array and pattern the substrate, wherein the first pattern of radiation corresponds to a tip pattern for the first frame section; disposing the tip array in a patterning position in a second location of the substrate corresponding to a location of the substrate in which the second frame section in the set of frame sections is to be patterned; projecting a second pattern of radiation onto the tip array
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Xing Liao, Keith A. Brown, Guoliang Liu, Abrin L. Schmucker, Shu He, Wooyoung Shim, Daniel J. Eichelsdoerfer, Boris Rasin
  • Publication number: 20150210868
    Abstract: A method of forming a nanostructure on a substrate surface can include heating a substrate comprising a composition comprising a block copolymer and a nanostructure precursor to a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the block copolymer and below the decomposition temperature of the block copolymer to aggregate the nanostructure precursor to form a nanostructure precursor aggregated composition. The method can further include heating the nanostructure precursor aggregated composition to a temperature above the decomposition temperature of the nanostructure precursor to decompose the polymer and form the nanostructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Guoliang Liu, Daniel J. Eichelsdoerfer, Keith A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20150185156
    Abstract: Provided are nanosheets of SERS-active nanostructures embedded in the sheets and methods of using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Kyle D. Osberg, Matthew J. Rycenga, Gilles R. Bourret, Keith A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20030014854
    Abstract: A tool assembly for removing the torque converter from a transmission. The tool assembly is comprised of a brace member, a pair of elongated threaded bars with handles, and a cooperating pair of plate members. The brace member is constructed and arranged for mounting to the front of the torque converter and the plate members are constructed and arranged for mounting to the front of the transmission housing. The threaded bars are positioned in threaded apertures of the brace structure whereby turning of the threaded bars cause the assembly to engage and push against the press plates to pull and remove the torque converter from the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: Keith A. Brown
  • Patent number: 5901953
    Abstract: A diverter apparatus and method are provided for high-speed media processing for diverting media such as envelopes or envelope inserts including folded sheets of paper from a conveying path and in a divert direction substantially opposite to the direction of the conveying path. In the preferred embodiment, the diverter apparatus includes a rotation member such as a belt which can be moved in opposite directions and which includes a plurality of push members thereon for engaging and conveying media. A closed-loop servomotor or a step motor can be utilized to drive the belt. In an advance mode, the belt rotates so that at least one push member causes media to be conveyed in the direction of the conveying path. In a divert mode, rotation of the belt is reversed so that at least one push member diverts and conveys media in a divert direction opposite to the direction of the conveying path. Diverted media is advanced to a divert chute through which it can pass to a collecting bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Mail Processing Systems Company
    Inventors: Keith A. Brown, Sr., Gregory T. Lucas, Neal J. Middelberg, Daniel C. Park
  • Patent number: 5899453
    Abstract: A document collector, stager and diverter apparatus and method are provided for processing sheet articles through a first and second stage. The first stage is adapted for receiving sheet articles advanced thereto and collected therein and includes a first transport mechanism being operative for selectively diverting collected sheet articles in a divert direction opposite to the conveying direction of the sheet articles. Alternately, the first transport mechanism is operative for selectively advancing the collected sheet articles from the first stage to the second stage. In the second stage, sheet articles can be independently processed and held until a predetermined time when they can be advanced from the second stage by a second transport mechanism. The first and second transport mechanisms each preferably includes plastic chains each with plastic lugs thereon. The chains of the first and second transport mechanisms are simultaneously rotatably movable by a motor and gears or pulleys associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Mail Processing Systems
    Inventors: Neal J. Middelberg, Keith A. Brown, Sr., Gregory T. Lucas, Daniel C. Park
  • Patent number: 5036859
    Abstract: An apparatus which detects urination by a user includes a urine sensing pad for placement over the pubic and/or perianal areas of a user. The sensing pad includes a pair of electrodes on a backing sheet, and an absorbent cover sheet which is glued or heat sealed to the backing sheet. An indicator box is carried by the user and coupled to the sensing pad for generating a digitally encoded signal when urine moistens the pad and completes a circuit which includes the electrodes. Either a local alarm or remote signal is triggered by the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Travis International, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith A. Brown
  • Patent number: 4738260
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting unintentional urination by a user includes an elongated belt of a liquid impermeable flexible material to which a urine sensing pad is detachably mounted. An electrical circuit carried by the belt, which may include a transmitter for sending a encoded signal to a receiver at a remote location, is responsive to the detection of urine by the urine sensing pad to provide an indication of this condition. The electrical circuitry is shielded from corrosive urine by the belt assembly. In one form, the urine sensing pad is detachably mounted to the belt by a combination of hook and eye fabric and snap fittings. Also, the urine sensing pad may be enclosed by a sheath of soft liquid absorbent material. In another form, the urine sensing pad is contained within a paper envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Travis Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith A. Brown