Patents by Inventor Michael A. Kast

Michael A. Kast 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: 7498183
    Abstract: In a method of forming micro traces, stamping techniques are employed to define a target pattern of the micro traces. The stamping is applied to electrically conductive material and may be limited to pressure, but a thermal stamping approach may be utilized. Following the stamping, a portion of the conductive material is removed, leaving the target pattern of conductive micro traces. In the pressure-application step, the pressure or the combination of pressure and temperature is sufficient to at least weaken the integrity of the bulk conductive material along the area of contact. Typically, this step causes shearing of the conductive material. Following the pressure-application step, excess conductive material is removed. In some embodiments of the invention, the thickness of the micro traces is not determined in a single step. The original thickness may be formed using a “seed” material. The subsequent material buildup may occur after the target pattern is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Southwall Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Pethe, Michael A. Kast, Scott C-J. Tseng, Neil Bergstrom, Julius Kozak
  • Publication number: 20070269935
    Abstract: In a method of forming micro traces, stamping techniques are employed to define a target pattern of the micro traces. The stamping is applied to electrically conductive material and may be limited to pressure, but a thermal stamping approach may be utilized. Following the stamping, a portion of the conductive material is removed, leaving the target pattern of conductive micro traces. In the pressure-application step, the pressure or the combination of pressure and temperature is sufficient to at least weaken the integrity of the bulk conductive material along the area of contact. Typically, this step causes shearing of the conductive material. Following the pressure-application step, excess conductive material is removed. In some embodiments of the invention, the thickness of the micro traces is not determined in a single step. The original thickness may be formed using a “seed” material. The subsequent material buildup may occur after the target pattern is established.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventors: Rajiv Pethe, Michael A. Kast, Scott C-J. Tseng, Neil Bergstrom, Julius Kozak
  • Patent number: 6703586
    Abstract: Localized heating of a window, such as a vehicle windshield or sidelight, is provided by dividing an optical coating that is electrically conductive into high and low heating zones. While the conductive coating covers substantially the entirety of the window, the coating is patterned to establish a preselected heating power density pattern. In one application, bus-to-bus dimensions are kept short and opposite polarity high heating zones are placed in a side-by-side relationship, so that the major portion of the window is left unheated and the bus connections may be placed along the same window edge. In another application, the bus-to-bus dimensions are significantly larger, but power concentration is provided by a pattern of isolation lines that narrow the dimensions of current flow through a zone in which heating is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Southwall Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Kast
  • Patent number: 5035695
    Abstract: An improved electrocautery method and instrument includes interlock features which enable the instrument to be safely operated under convenient manual controls including a slide element and control buttons and interlock switch positioned on the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Jaroy Weber, Jr.
    Inventors: Jaroy Weber, Jr., Terrance L. Kloeckl, Michael A. Kast, Frank T. Watkins, III
  • Patent number: 4967061
    Abstract: Apparatus for warming a sterile liquid includes a basin with a heater assembly, a base surrounding the basin, and an electronic temperature controller. The shape of the basin bottom includes an plateau-like elevated central region and a depressed surrounding rim. The heater assembly is of a thin-film type, and provides relatively greater heating in the central region than in the outer region. Both the heater geometry and the shape of the basin bottom promote a natural and uniform convective flow of the liquid to promote mixing of the warmer and cooler portions of the liquid. The temperature controller allows the user to select the temperature that the liquid is to be warmed to, and provides visual and aural indications of liquid or basin temperatures which exceed reasonable pre-set limits. The controller also halts the flow of electrical current to the heater assembly when an overtemperature problem in the liquid or the basin is detected. A disposable cable connects the temperature controller to the basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Sonne Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaroy Weber, Jr., Terrance L. Kloeckl, Michael A. Kast, Frank T. Watkins, III, Anthony Chan
  • Patent number: 4541412
    Abstract: A freeze protection system allows the working fluid contained in the communicating tubes of the solar collector to drain from both the input and output tubes of the collector when a first predetermined temperature of the working fluid is detected and to fill the collector via both the input and output tubes when a second predetermined temperature is detected. The invention includes valve mechanism, of the spool valve variety, that communicate the working fluid to be heated to the collector and therefrom to a storage tank, a valve actuator and a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: Sunspool Corporation
    Inventors: David P. Bagshaw, Michael A. Kast, Harry T. Whitehouse
  • Patent number: 4450868
    Abstract: A freeze protection system allows the working fluid contained in the communicating tubes of the solar collector to drain from both the input and output tubes of the collector when a first predetermined temperature of the working fluid is detected and to fill the collector via both the input and output tubes when a second predetermined temperature is detected. The invention includes valve mechanisms, of the spool valve variety, that communicate the working fluid to be heated to the collector and therefrom to a storage tank, a valve actuator and a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Inventors: Eugene F. Duval, David P. Bagshaw, Michael A. Kast, Gilbert M. Masters, Harry T. Whitehouse
  • Patent number: 4395882
    Abstract: A support member is used to mount a heat motor and at least one electrical resistance heating element for actuating said heat motor. The support member is made of a thermally conductive material with cylindrical openings which receive the motor and heating element(s). Heat from the resistance element actuates the motor by heat conductance through the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1983
    Assignee: Sunspool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Kast, David P. Bagshaw, Harry T. Whitehouse
  • Patent number: 4280478
    Abstract: A freeze protection system allows the working fluid contained in the communicating tubes of the solar collector to drain from both the input and output tubes of the collector when a first predetermined temperature of the working fluid is detected and to fill the collector via both the input and output tubes when a second predetermined temperature is detected. The invention includes valve mechanisms, of the spool valve variety, that communicate the working fluid to be heated to the collector and therefrom to a storage tank, a valve actuator and a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1981
    Inventors: Eugene F. Duval, David P. Bagshaw, Michael A. Kast, Gilbert M. Masters, Harry T. Whitehouse