Patents by Inventor Leroy H. Hackett

Leroy H. Hackett 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: 6730978
    Abstract: A method of making a micro electromechanical switch or tunneling sensor. A cantilevered beam structure and a mating structure are defined on a first substrate or wafer; and at least one contact structure and a mating structure are defined on a second substrate or wafer, the mating structure on the second substrate or wafer being of a complementary shape to the mating structure on the first substrate or wafer. A bonding layer, preferably a eutectic bonding layer, is provided on at least one of the mating structures. The mating structure of the first substrate is moved into a confronting relationship with the mating structure of the second substrate or wafer. Pressure is applied between the two substrates so as to cause a bond to occur between the two mating structures at the bonding or eutectic layer. Then the first substrate or wafer is removed to free the cantilevered beam structure for movement relative to the second substrate or wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignees: HRL Laboratories, LLC, Hughes Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Randall L. Kubena, Michael J. Little, LeRoy H. Hackett
  • Publication number: 20030207487
    Abstract: A method of making a micro electromechanical switch or tunneling sensor. A cantilevered beam structure and a mating structure are defined on a first substrate or wafer; and at least one contact structure and a mating structure are defined on a second substrate or wafer, the mating structure on the second substrate or wafer being of a complementary shape to the mating structure on the first substrate or wafer. A bonding layer, preferably a eutectic bonding layer, is provided on at least one of the mating structures. The mating structure of the first substrate is moved into a confronting relationship with the mating structure of the second substrate or wafer. Pressure is applied between the two substrates so as to cause a bond to occur between the two mating structures at the bonding or eutectic layer. Then the first substrate or wafer is removed to free the cantilevered beam structure for movement relative to the second substrate or wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicants: HRL Laboratories, LLC, Hughes Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Randall L. Kubena, Michael J. Little, LeRoy H. Hackett
  • Patent number: 6630367
    Abstract: A method of making a micro electro-mechanical switch or tunneling sensor. A cantilevered beam structure and a mating structure are defined on a first substrate or wafer; and at least one contact structure and a mating structure are defined on a second substrate or wafer, the mating structure on the second substrate or wafer being of a complementary shape to the mating structure on the first substrate or wafer. A bonding layer, preferably a eutectic bonding layer, is provided on at least one of the mating structures. The mating structure of the first substrate is moved into a confronting relationship with the mating structure of the second substrate or wafer. Pressure is applied between the two substrates so as to cause a bond to occur between the two mating structures at the bonding or eutectic layer. Then the first substrate or wafer is removed to free the cantilevered beam structure for movement relative to the second substrate or wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignees: HRL Laboratories, LLC, Hughes Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Randall L. Kubena, Michael J. Little, Leroy H. Hackett
  • Patent number: 6123985
    Abstract: A membrane-actuated charge controlled mirror (CCM) that exhibits increased deflection range, reduced beam current and improved electrostatic stability is fabricated using a combination of flat panel manufacturing along with traditional MEMS techniques. More specifically, a unique combination of five masking layers is used to fabricate a number of CCMs on a large glass panel. At the completion of the MEMS processing, the glass panel is diced into individual CCMs. Thereafter, the polymer mirror and membrane release layers are simultaneously released through vent holes in the membrane to leave the free-standing CCM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Solus Micro Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Robinson, LeRoy H. Hackett, Philip G. Reif
  • Patent number: 6087585
    Abstract: A micro-dimensional coupling conductor with a shape that is customized for a particular electronic device. A fabrication method is used in which the physical dimensions of the conductor are precisely controlled with photolithographic techniques, resulting in a conductor that is more precisely tuned to the operating frequency of the device. The conductor is fabricated on an SiO.sub.2 substrate using vacuum deposition techniques. After fabrication, the conductor is separated from the SiO.sub.2 substrate by dissolving the SiO.sub.2. Alternatively, the conductor may be fabricated on a Teflon.TM. substrate. The use of a Teflon substrate allows a user to remove the conductor from the substrate by applying a small mechanical force to the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: LeRoy H. Hackett
  • Patent number: 5663095
    Abstract: A micro-dimensional coupling conductor with a shape that is customized for a particular electronic device. A fabrication method is used in which the physical dimensions of the conductor are precisely controlled with photolithographic techniques, resulting in a conductor that is more precisely tuned to the operating frequency of the device. The conductor is fabricated on an SiO.sub.2 substrate using vacuum deposition or electroplating techniques. After fabrication, the conductor is separated from the SiO.sub.2 substrate by dissolving the SiO.sub.2. Alternatively, the conductor may be fabricated on a Teflon.TM. substrate. The use of a Teflon substrate allows a user to remove the conductor from the substrate by applying a small mechanical force to the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventor: LeRoy H. Hackett
  • Patent number: 4906552
    Abstract: Well-defined metal lines of 0.5 micrometers and less in width are produced on a substrate by photolithography, using a two layer photoresist process. The first resist layer, adjacent the substrate, is poly(methylmethacrylate) from about 0.5 to about 1 micrometer thick, having a sufficient amount of an ultraviolet absorbing dye to prevent positive interference of light reflected from the surface of the substrate during exposure. The second resist layer is a polymer of naphthoquinone diazide, in a thickness of about 0.5 to about 1.1 micrometers. To achieve 0.5 micrometer resolution of the metal line, the total thickness of the two resist layers is about 1.5 micrometers; to achieve less than 0.5 micrometer resolution, the total thickness of the two resist layers is about 1.0 micrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Catherine M. Ngo, Leroy H. Hackett