Patents by Inventor Kenneth A. Miller

Kenneth A. Miller 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: 11430635
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a plasma system comprising: a plasma chamber, an RF plasma generator, a bias generator, and a controller. The RF plasma generator may be electrically coupled with the plasma chamber and may produce a plurality of RF bursts, each of the plurality of RF bursts including RF waveforms, each of the plurality of RF bursts having an RF burst turn on time and an RF burst turn off time. The bias generator may be electrically coupled with the plasma chamber and may produce a plurality of bias bursts, each of the plurality of bias bursts including bias pulses, each of the plurality of bias bursts having an bias burst turn on time and an bias burst turn off time. In some embodiments the controller is in communication with the RF plasma generator and the bias generator that controls the timing of various bursts or waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Eagle Harbor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Kenneth Miller, James Prager, Kevin Muggli, Eric Hanson
  • Patent number: 11421522
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system includes a surface processor and a tool drill string having a downhole device including a downhole processor. The surface processor may include a memory storing instructions, and the surface processor may be communicatively coupled to the downhole processor. The surface processor may be configured to execute the instructions to receive one or more first measurements from the downhole device, and determine whether the one or more first measurements satisfy a threshold measurement. Responsive to determining the one or more first measurements satisfy the threshold measurement, the surface processor may electronically modify a weight on bit by a first amount and electronically modify a revolutions per minute of a motor by a second amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignees: ERDOS MILLER, INC., BLACK DIAMOND OILFIELD RENTALS, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Miller, David Erdos, Abraham Erdos, Amador Baggerly
  • Patent number: 11420729
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a vehicle elevation height for launching an unmanned aerial vehicle may include performing a quantitative balancing analysis using baseline factors, establishing optimal values for operational goals of a vehicle based on the quantitative balancing analysis, determining a vehicle elevation height that achieves the established optimal values for the operational goals of the vehicle by evaluating vehicle delivery parameters using normalized values, and initiating on a winch system elevation of the unmanned aerial vehicle to the determined vehicle elevation height for launching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Leone, Kenneth Miller, Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 11418439
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system may include a tool drill string having a downhole device. The system may include a contact module including a first component. The first component may include a first data path capable of communicating data using a first communication protocol, a second data path capable of communicating the data using a second communication protocol, and a processor electrically connected to the first data path and the second data path. The processor may be capable of selectively routing the data between the first data path and the second data path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignees: ERDOS MILLER, INC., BLACK DIAMOND OILFIELD RENTALS, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Miller, David Erdos, Abraham Erdos
  • Patent number: 11404246
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a high voltage pulsing circuit comprising: a high voltage pulsing power supply; a transformer electrically coupled with the high voltage pulsing power supply; an output electrically coupled with the transformer and configured to output high voltage pulses with an amplitude greater than 1 kV and a pulse repetition frequency greater than 1 kHz; a bias compensation circuit arranged in parallel with the output the bias compensation circuit comprising; first inductance comprising the inductive elements and any stray inductance between the bias compensation circuit and the high voltage pulsing power supply; and second inductance comprising the inductive elements and any stray inductance between the bias compensation circuit and the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Eagle Harbor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Morgan Quinley, Ilia Slobodov, Alex Henson, John Carscadden, James Prager, Kenneth Miller
  • Patent number: 11404247
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a high voltage power supply is disclosed that provides a plurality of high voltage pulses without any voltage droop between two subsequent pulses. In some embodiments, a high voltage power supply is disclosed that provides a waveform of voltage versus time having a plurality of high voltage pulses having a voltage greater than 1 kV and with a substantially flat portion between pulse. In some embodiments, a high voltage power supply is disclosed that includes a snubber with a snubber resistor having a resistance of about 7.5 m?-1.25?; and a snubber capacitor having a capacitance of about 2 ?F-35 ?F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Eagle Harbor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Bowman, Connor Liston, Kenneth Miller, Timothy Ziemba
  • Publication number: 20220165542
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a nanosecond pulser circuit. In some embodiments, a nanosecond pulser circuit may include: a high voltage power supply; a nanosecond pulser electrically coupled with the high voltage power supply and switches voltage from the high voltage power supply at high frequencies; a transformer having a primary side and a secondary side, the nanosecond pulser electrically coupled with the primary side of the transformer; and an energy recovery circuit electrically coupled with the secondary side of the transformer. In some embodiments, the energy recovery circuit comprises: an inductor electrically coupled with the high voltage power supply; a crowbar diode arranged in parallel with the secondary side of the transformer; and a second diode disposed in series with the inductor and arranged to conduct current from a load to the high voltage power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: James Prager, Timothy Ziemba, Kenneth Miller, Ilia Slobodov, Morgan Quinley
  • Patent number: 11302518
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a nanosecond pulser circuit. In some embodiments, a nanosecond pulser circuit may include: a high voltage power supply; a nanosecond pulser electrically coupled with the high voltage power supply and switches voltage from the high voltage power supply at high frequencies; a transformer having a primary side and a secondary side, the nanosecond pulser electrically coupled with the primary side of the transformer; and an energy recovery circuit electrically coupled with the secondary side of the transformer. In some embodiments, the energy recovery circuit comprises: an inductor electrically coupled with the high voltage power supply; a crowbar diode arranged in parallel with the secondary side of the transformer; and a second diode disposed in series with the inductor and arranged to conduct current from a load to the high voltage power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Eagle Harbor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Prager, Timothy Ziemba, Kenneth Miller, Ilia Slobodov, Morgan Quinley
  • Publication number: 20220037122
    Abstract: A pulse generator is disclosed. The pulse generator includes a DC source; a plurality of switches, a transformer; and a pulsing output. The pulse generator can be coupled with a plasma chamber. The pulsing output outputs high voltage pulses having a peak-to-peak voltage greater than 1 kV and a voltage portion between consecutive high voltage bipolar pulses that has a negative slope that substantially offsets the voltage reduction on a wafer within a plasma chamber due to an ion current. The resulting voltage at the wafer may be substantially flat between consecutive pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Bowman, Connor Liston, Kenneth Miller, Timothy Ziemba
  • Publication number: 20220038369
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system may include a tool drill string having a downhole device. The system may include a contact module including a first component. The first component may include a first data path capable of communicating data using a first communication protocol, a second data path capable of communicating the data using a second communication protocol, and a processor electrically connected to the first data path and the second data path. The processor may be capable of selectively routing the data between the first data path and the second data path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicants: ERDOS MILLER, INC., BLACK DIAMOND OILFIELD RENTALS, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Miller, David Erdos, Abraham Erdos
  • Publication number: 20220020566
    Abstract: A nanosecond pulser system is disclosed. In some embodiments, the nanosecond pulser system may include a nanosecond pulser having a nanosecond pulser input; a plurality of switches coupled with the nanosecond pulser input; one or more transformers coupled with the plurality of switches; and an output coupled with the one or more transformers and providing a high voltage waveform with a amplitude greater than 2 kV and a frequency greater than 1 kHz based on the nanosecond pulser input. The nanosecond pulser system may also include a control module coupled with the nanosecond pulser input; and an control system coupled with the nanosecond pulser at a point between the transformer and the output, the control system providing waveform data regarding an high voltage waveform produced at the point between the transformer and the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Ilia Slobodov, John Carscadden, Kenneth Miller, Timothy Ziemba, Huatsern Yeager, Eric Hanson, TaiSheng Yeager, Kevin Muggli, Morgan Quinley, James Prager, Connor Liston
  • Patent number: 11227745
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a plasma sheath control system that includes an RF power supply producing an A sinusoidal waveform with a frequency greater than 20 kHz and a peak voltage greater than 1 kV and a plasma chamber electrically coupled with the RF power supply, the plasma chamber having a plurality of ions that are accelerated into a surface disposed with energies greater than about 1 kV, and the plasma chamber produces a plasma sheath within the plasma chamber from the sinusoidal waveform. The plasma sheath control system includes a blocking diode electrically connected between the RF power supply and the plasma chamber and a capacitive discharge circuit electrically coupled with the RF power supply, the plasma chamber, and the blocking diode; the capacitive discharge circuit discharges capacitive charges within the plasma chamber with a peak voltage greater than 1 kV and a discharge time that less than 250 nanoseconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Eagle Harbor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Miller, Timothy Ziemba, James Prager, Ilia Slobodov
  • Publication number: 20220013329
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a high voltage power supply is disclosed that provides a plurality of high voltage pulses without any voltage droop between two subsequent pulses. In some embodiments, a high voltage power supply is disclosed that provides a waveform of voltage versus time having a plurality of high voltage pulses having a voltage greater than 1 kV and with a substantially flat portion between pulse. In some embodiments, a high voltage power supply is disclosed that includes a snubber with a snubber resistor having a resistance of about 7.5 m?-1.25?; and a snubber capacitor having a capacitance of about 2 ?F-35 ?F.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Bowman, Connor Liston, Kenneth Miller, Timothy Ziemba
  • Patent number: 11222767
    Abstract: A high voltage power system is disclosed. In some embodiments, the high voltage power system includes a high voltage pulsing power supply; a transformer electrically coupled with the high voltage pulsing power supply; an output electrically coupled with the transformer and configured to output high voltage pulses with an amplitude greater than 1 kV and a frequency greater than 1 kHz; and a bias compensation circuit arranged in parallel with the output. In some embodiments, the bias compensation circuit can include a blocking diode; and a DC power supply arranged in series with the blocking diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Eagle Harbor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Ilia Slobodov, John Carscadden, Kenneth Miller, Morgan Quinley
  • Publication number: 20210408917
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods and systems for wafer biasing in a plasma chamber. A method, for example, may include: generating a first high voltage by a first pulsed voltage source using DC voltages and coupling the first high voltage to a wafer in the plasma chamber via at least one direct connection, the at least one direct connection enabling ion energy control in the plasma chamber; generating one or more of low and medium voltages by a second pulsed voltage source; coupling, capacitively, the one or more of low and medium voltages to the wafer; and pulsing the first high voltage and the one or more of low and medium voltages to achieve a configurable ion energy distribution in the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Kenneth Miller, Timothy Ziemba, John Carscadden, Ilia Slobodov, James Prager
  • Publication number: 20210372261
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system includes a surface processor and a tool drill string having a downhole device including a downhole processor. The surface processor may include a memory storing instructions, and the surface processor may be communicatively coupled to the downhole processor. The surface processor may be configured to execute the instructions to receive one or more first measurements from the downhole device, and determine whether the one or more first measurements satisfy a threshold measurement. Responsive to determining the one or more first measurements satisfy the threshold measurement, the surface processor may electronically modify a weight on bit by a first amount and electronically modify a revolutions per minute of a motor by a second amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicants: ERDOS MILLER, INC., BLACK DIAMOND OILFIELD RENTALS LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Miller, David Erdos, Abraham Erdos, Amador Baggerly
  • Publication number: 20210351009
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a thermal management system for a nanosecond pulser. In some embodiments, the thermal management system may include a switch cold plates coupled with switches, a core cold plate coupled with one or more transformers, resistor cold plates coupled with resistors, or tubing coupled with the switch cold plates, the core cold plates, and the resistor cold plates. The thermal management system may include a heat exchanger coupled with the resistor cold plates, the core cold plate, the switch cold plate, and the tubing. The heat exchanger may also be coupled with a facility fluid supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Ilia Slobodov, John Carscadden, Kenneth Miller, Connor Liston
  • Publication number: 20210351008
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a plasma system. The plasma system includes a plasma chamber; an RF driver configured to drive bursts into the plasma chamber with an RF frequency; a nanosecond pulser configured to drive pulses into the plasma chamber with a pulse repetition frequency, the pulse repetition frequency being less than the RF frequency; a high pass filter disposed between the RF driver and the plasma chamber; and a low pass filter disposed between the nanosecond pulser and the plasma chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Kenneth Miller
  • Publication number: 20210327682
    Abstract: A plasma deposition system comprising a wafer platform, a second electrode, a first electrode, a first high voltage pulser, and a second high voltage pulser. In some embodiments, the second electrode may be disposed proximate with the wafer platform. In some embodiments, the second electrode can include a disc shape with a central aperture; a central axis, an aperture diameter, and an outer diameter. In some embodiments, the first electrode may be disposed proximate with the wafer platform and within the central aperture of the second electrode. In some embodiments, the first electrode can include a disc shape, a central axis, and an outer diameter. In some embodiments, the first high voltage pulser can be electrically coupled with the first electrode. In some embodiments, the second high voltage pulser can be electrically coupled with the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Ilia Slobodov, John Carscadden, Kenneth Miller, James Prager
  • Patent number: 11153206
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system may include a tool drill string having a downhole device. The system may include a contact module including a first component. The first component may include a first data path capable of communicating data using a first communication protocol, a second data path capable of communicating the data using a second communication protocol, and a processor electrically connected to the first data path and the second data path. The processor may be capable of selectively routing the data between the first data path and the second data path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignees: Black Diamond Oilfield Rentals, LLC, Erdos Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Miller, David Erdos, Abraham Erdos