Patents by Inventor Mark A. Simmons

Mark A. Simmons 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).

  • Scrubber control system
    Patent number: 5975736
    Abstract: A control system. An apparatus having a motor; a host processor for generating a message containing motor control information; a control board for receiving the message and for transmitting a command, corresponding to the message, to the motor; and a communications medium coupling the host processor and the control board. The communications medium supports a first communications path and a second communications path. The first communications path is for transmitting messages from the host processor to the control board. The second communications path is for transmitting messages from the control board to the host processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: OnTrak Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Simmons, Martin J. McGrath, David L. Thrasher
  • Process for brush cleaning
    Patent number: 5693148
    Abstract: A process for brush cleaning used in semiconductor wafer scrubbing systems. A process for brush cleaning that eliminates and/or reduces the load-up of brushes with contaminants. This brush cleaning process changes the pH level of a brush to repel contaminants that are on the brush. This process extends the useful life of the brush without significantly decreasing the throughput of the scrubbing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Ontrak Systems, Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark A. Simmons, Wilbur C. Krusell
  • Method and apparatus for resetting individual processes in a control system
    Patent number: 5555177
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for resetting a process in a control system. The steps in this method involve identifying a process for a portion of a double-sided wafer scrubber. Then, the process is reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Ontrak Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Simmons
  • Scrubber control system
    Patent number: 5548505
    Abstract: A control system. An apparatus having a motor; a host processor for generating a message containing motor control information; a control board for receiving the message and for transmitting a command, corresponding to the message, to the motor; and a communications medium coupling the host processor and the control board. The communications medium supports a first communications path and a second communications path. The first communications path is for transmitting messages from the host processor to the control board. The second communications path is for transmitting messages from the control board to the host processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: OkTrak Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Simmons, Martin J. McGrath, David L. Thrasher
  • Apparatus and method for the dispersion of minute bubbles in liquid materials for the production of polymer foams
    Patent number: 5403088
    Abstract: Apparatus (20) for the dispersion of minute bubbles in a liquid resin material comprises high pressure tank means (21) containing a liquid resin material (M) under pressure; means for delivering (45) at least one agent selected from the group consisting of blowing agents and nucleating agents into the liquid resin material; means for agitating (63) the mixture of liquid resin material and the selected agent within the tank; means for shearing (60) the mixture; and control means (50) for determining the population of bubbles of the agent within the mixture and provides an output signal for controlling operation of the means for shearing, thereby altering the fineness of dispersion of the agent in the liquid resin material as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Donald H. Killmer, Mark A. Simmons