Patents by Inventor Kenneth Skrobis
Kenneth Skrobis 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).
-
Publication number: 20130001054Abstract: An improved micro-machined relay is disclosed. The relay includes a micro-machined beam capable of carrying an electric signal and having a contact point on a closure side of the beam. The beam is electrically coupled to a first electrical transmission path and suspended above a second electrical transmission path. An insulation layer resides on a portion of the closure side of the beam and an electrical conductor is coupled to a least a portion of the insulation layer. A potential creator creates a potential between the electrical conductor and the potential creator that is capable of deflecting the beam, so that the contact point comes into contact with the second electrical transmission path. In such an embodiment, the potential creator need not account for the possible signal in the transmission path because the potential creator, which may be a voltage source, is decoupled from the transmission path.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Sumit Majumder, Kenneth Skrobis, Richard H. Morrison, Geoffrey Haigh
-
Patent number: 8279026Abstract: An improved micro-machined relay is disclosed. The relay includes a micro-machined beam capable of carrying an electric signal and having a contact point on a closure side of the beam. The beam is electrically coupled to a first electrical transmission path and suspended above a second electrical transmission path. An insulation layer resides on a portion of the closure side of the beam and an electrical conductor is coupled to a least a portion of the insulation layer. A potential creator creates a potential between the electrical conductor and the potential creator that is capable of deflecting the beam, so that the contact point comes into contact with the second electrical transmission path. In such an embodiment, the potential creator need not account for the possible signal in the transmission path because the potential creator, which may be a voltage source, is decoupled from the transmission path.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: Sumit Majumder, Kenneth Skrobis, Richard H. Morrison, Geoffrey Haigh
-
Publication number: 20100012471Abstract: An improved micro-machined relay is disclosed. The relay includes a micro-machined beam capable of carrying an electric signal and having a contact point on a closure side of the beam. The beam is electrically coupled to a first electrical transmission path and suspended above a second electrical transmission path. An insulation layer resides on a portion of the closure side of the beam and an electrical conductor is coupled to a least a portion of the insulation layer. A potential creator creates a potential between the electrical conductor and the potential creator that is capable of deflecting the beam, so that the contact point comes into contact with the second electrical transmission path. In such an embodiment, the potential creator need not account for the possible signal in the transmission path because the potential creator, which may be a voltage source, is decoupled from the transmission path.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2009Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Sumit Majumder, Kenneth Skrobis, Richard H. Morrison, Geoffrey Haigh
-
Publication number: 20070131060Abstract: Methods of and systems for automated color control are provided. These methods and systems are suitable for use in various oxidation processes for the coloration of heat treated steel, for example razor blade steel. A feedback loop (closed loop control) is established, including the steps of measuring color, comparing the measured color to a target color and quantifying the difference there-between, and, if the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, adjusting a color adjustment parameter, e.g., the airflow to the oxidation zone, so that the measured and target colors are equivalent or within a predetermined variance.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2006Publication date: June 14, 2007Inventors: Adam Kelsey, Kenneth Skrobis, Alfred Porcaro, Joseph DePuydt
-
Publication number: 20060242844Abstract: Colored razor blades are provided. Methods for manufacturing such blades are also provided, including methods involving depositing an oxide coating prior to heat treatment of the blade material and heat treating under conditions selected to enhance the color of the coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2006Publication date: November 2, 2006Inventors: Kenneth Skrobis, Alfred Porcaro, Ronald Swanson, Eric Liu
-
Publication number: 20060232365Abstract: An improved micro-machined relay is disclosed. The relay includes a micro-machined beam capable of carrying an electric signal and having a contact point on a closure side of the beam. The beam is electrically coupled to a first electrical transmission path and suspended above a second electrical transmission path. An insulation layer resides on a portion of the closure side of the beam and an electrical conductor is coupled to a least a portion of the insulation layer. A potential creator creates a potential between the electrical conductor and the potential creator that is capable of deflecting the beam, so that the contact point comes into contact with the second electrical transmission path. In such an embodiment, the potential creator need not account for the possible signal in the transmission path because the potential creator, which may be a voltage source, is decoupled from the transmission path.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2006Publication date: October 19, 2006Inventors: Sumit Majumder, Kenneth Skrobis, Richard Morrison, Geoffrey Haigh
-
Patent number: 7075393Abstract: A micromechanical relay is made by surface micromachining techniques. It includes a metallic cantilever beam deflectable by an electrostatic field and a beam contact connected to the beam and electrically insulated from the beam by an insulating segment. During operation, the beam deflects, and the beam contact establishes an electrical contact between two drain electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2003Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: Sumit Majumder, Kenneth Skrobis, Richard H. Morrison
-
Publication number: 20060130612Abstract: Colored razor blades are provided. Methods for manufacturing such blades are also provided, including methods involving subjecting a blade material to a hardening process; and, during the hardening process, oxidizing the blade material to form an oxide layer on the blade material. The method also includes quenching the blade material, after the oxidizing step, to initiate martensitic transformation of the blade material, and forming the hardened blade material into a razor blade, the oxide layer providing the razor blade with a colored surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2004Publication date: June 22, 2006Inventors: Kenneth Skrobis, Alfred Porcaro, Ronald Swanson, Eric Liu
-
Publication number: 20050268470Abstract: Colored razor blades are provided. Methods for manufacturing such blades are also provided, including methods involving depositing an oxide coating prior to heat treatment of the blade material and heat treating under conditions selected to enhance the color of the coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2004Publication date: December 8, 2005Inventors: Kenneth Skrobis, Alfred Porcaro, Ronald Swanson, Eric Liu
-
Publication number: 20040196124Abstract: A micromechanical relay is made by surface micromachining techniques. It includes a metallic cantilever beam deflectable by an electrostatic field and a beam contact connected to the beam and electrically insulated from the beam by an insulating segment. During operation, the beam deflects, and the beam contact establishes an electrical contact between two drain electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2003Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventors: Sumit Majumder, Kenneth Skrobis, Richard H. Morrison
-
Patent number: 5576147Abstract: In the formation of microstructures, a preformed sheet of photoresist, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), which is strain free, may be milled down before or after adherence to a substrate to a desired thickness. The photoresist is patterned by exposure through a mask to radiation, such as X-rays, and developed using a developer to remove the photoresist material which has been rendered susceptible to the developer. Micrometal structures may be formed by electroplating metal into the areas from which the photoresist has been removed. The photoresist itself may form useful microstructures, and can be removed from the substrate by utilizing a release layer between the substrate and the preformed sheet which can be removed by a remover which does not affect the photoresist. Multiple layers of patterned photoresist can be built up to allow complex three dimensional microstructures to be formed.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: November 19, 1996Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: Henry Guckel, Todd R. Christenson, Kenneth Skrobis
-
Patent number: 5496668Abstract: In the formation of microstructures, a preformed sheet of photoresist, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), which is strain free, may be milled down before or after adherence to a substrate to a desired thickness. The photoresist is patterned by exposure through a mask to radiation, such as X-rays, and developed using a developer to remove the photoresist material which has been rendered susceptible to the developer. Micrometal structures may be formed by electroplating metal into the areas from which the photoresist has been removed. The photoresist itself may form useful microstructures, and can be removed from the substrate by utilizing a release layer between the substrate and the preformed sheet which can be removed by a remover which does not affect the photoresist. Multiple layers of patterned photoresist can be built up to allow complex three dimensional microstructures to be formed.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1994Date of Patent: March 5, 1996Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: Henry Guckel, Todd R. Christenson, Kenneth Skrobis
-
Patent number: 5378583Abstract: In the formation of microstructures, a preformed sheet of photoresist, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), which is strain free, may be milled down before or after adherence to a substrate to a desired thickness. The photoresist is patterned by exposure through a mask to radiation, such as X-rays, and developed using a developer to remove the photoresist material which has been rendered susceptible to the developer. Micrometal structures may be formed by electroplating metal into the areas from which the photoresist has been removed. The photoresist itself may form useful microstructures, and can be removed from the substrate by utilizing a release layer between the substrate and the preformed sheet which can be removed by a remover which does not affect the photoresist. Multiple layers of patterned photoresist can be built up to allow complex three dimensional microstructures to be formed.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1993Date of Patent: January 3, 1995Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: Henry Guckel, Todd R. Christenson, Kenneth Skrobis