Patents by Inventor Michael Bufano

Michael Bufano 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: 11916272
    Abstract: Provided are flow batteries that include a fluidic train within a dynamic fluidic network system which fluidic train is convertible between a first state and a second state, the first state the first state placing a main electrolyte source and a dynamic fluidic network, outside the fluidic train and an electrode region, into fluid communication with the electrode region and the second state placing the main electrolyte source and the dynamic fluidic network, outside the fluidic train and the electrode region, into fluid isolation from the electrode region and placing the electrode region into fluid communication with a sampling segment. Also provided are methods of operating flow batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Bufano, Jeremy S. Loretz, Jonathan Hamel, Kean L Duffey, Adam Morris-Cohen
  • Publication number: 20240014428
    Abstract: Provided are flow batteries that include a fluidic train within a dynamic fluidic network system which fluidic train is convertible between a first state and a second state, the first state the first state placing a main electrolyte source and a dynamic fluidic network, outside the fluidic train and an electrode region, into fluid communication with the electrode region and the second state placing the main electrolyte source and the dynamic fluidic network, outside the fluidic train and the electrode region, into fluid isolation from the electrode region and placing the electrode region into fluid communication with a sampling segment. Also provided are methods of operating flow batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: Lockheed Martin Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Michael BUFANO, Jeremy S. LORETZ, Jonathan HAMEL, Kean L. DUFFEY, Adam MORRIS-COHEN
  • Patent number: 11777128
    Abstract: Provided are flow batteries that include a fluidic train within a dynamic fluidic network system which fluidic train is convertible between a first state and a second state, the first state the first state placing a main electrolyte source and a dynamic fluidic network, outside the fluidic train and an electrode region, into fluid communication with the electrode region and the second state placing the main electrolyte source and the dynamic fluidic network, outside the fluidic train and the electrode region, into fluid isolation from the electrode region and placing the electrode region into fluid communication with a sampling segment. Also provided are methods of operating flow batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Bufano, Jeremy S. Loretz, Jonathan Hamel, Kean L. Duffey, Adam Morris-Cohen
  • Publication number: 20080080963
    Abstract: A semiconductor workpiece processing system having at least one processing apparatus for processing workpieces, a primary transport system, a secondary transport system and one or more interfaces between first transport system and second transport system. The primary and secondary transport systems each have one or more sections of substantially constant velocity and in queue sections communicating with the constant velocity sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Bufano, Ulysses Gilchrist, William Fosnight, Christopher Hofmeister, Daniel Babbs, Robert May
  • Publication number: 20080063496
    Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment a semiconductor workpiece processing system having at least one processing tool for processing semiconductor workpieces, a container for holding at least one semiconductor workpiece therein for transport to and from the at least one processing tool and a first transport section elongated and defining a travel direction. The first transport section has parts, that interface the container, supporting and transporting the container along the travel direction to and from the at least one processing tool. The container is in substantially continuous transport at a substantially constant rate in the travel direction, when supported by the first transport section. A second transport section is connected to the at least one process tool for transporting the container to and from the at least one processing tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Bufano, Ulysses Gilchrist, William Fosnight, Christopher Hofmeister, Daniel Babbs, Robert May
  • Publication number: 20070201967
    Abstract: A semiconductor workpiece processing system having at least one processing apparatus for processing workpieces, a primary transport system, a secondary transport system and one or more interfaces between first transport system and second transport system. The primary and secondary transport systems each have one or more sections of substantially constant velocity and in queue sections communicating with the constant velocity sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Bufano, Ulysses Gilchrist, William Fosnight, Christopher Hofmeister, Daniel Babbs, Robert May
  • Publication number: 20070189880
    Abstract: A semiconductor workpiece processing system having at least one processing apparatus for processing workpieces, a primary transport system, a secondary transport system and one or more interfaces between first transport system and second transport system. The primary and secondary transport systems each have one or more sections of substantially constant velocity and in queue sections communicating with the constant velocity sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Bufano, Ulysses Gilchrist, William Fosnight, Christopher Hofmeister, Daniel Babbs, Robert May
  • Patent number: 7101138
    Abstract: An automated material handling system that includes an extractor/buffer apparatus capable of simultaneously accessing multiple Work-In-Process (WIP) parts, thereby providing a highly efficient interface between WIP storage locations and transport equipment. The extractor/buffer apparatus includes multiple extractor/buffer modules, each module being configured to interface with a location for holding WIP parts that is a number of WIP parts deep. Each module includes a platform for holding multiple WIP parts. Further, multiple modules may be disposed side-by-side to form an extractor/buffer apparatus capable of handling multiple rows of WIP parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: William John Fosnight, Michael Bufano, Gerald Friedman, Robert Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20060104712
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment a substrate transport system is provided. The system has a guideway and at least one transport vehicle. The transport vehicle is adapted for holding at least one substrate and capable of being supported from and moving along the guideway. The guideway comprises at least one travel lane for the vehicle and at least one access lane offset from the travel lane allowing the vehicle selectable access on and off the travel lane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Bufano, Gerald Friedman, Christopher Hofmeister, Ulysses Gilchrist, William Fosnight
  • Publication number: 20060099054
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a casing, a low port interface and a carrier holding station. The casing has processing devices within for processing substrates. The load port interface is connected to the casing for loading substrates into the processing device. The carrier holding station is connected to the casing. The carrier holding station is adapted for holding at least one substrate transport carrier at the load port interface. The carrier holding station is arranged to provide a fast swap section for replacement of the substrate transport carrier from the carrier holding station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventors: Gerald Friedman, Michael Bufano, Christopher Hofmeister, Ulysses Gilchrist, William Fosnight
  • Publication number: 20060088272
    Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a casing and a door. The casing is adapted to form a controlled environment therein. The casing has supports therein for holding at least one substrate in the casing. The casing defines a substrate transfer opening through which a substrate transport system accesses the substrate in the casing. The door is connected to the casing for closing the substrate transfer opening in the casing. The casing has structure forming a fast swap element allowing replacement of the substrate from the apparatus with another substrate without retraction of the substrate transport system and independent of substrate loading in the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: Ulysses Gilchrist, William Fosnight, Christopher Hofmeister, Gerald Friedman, Michael Bufano
  • Publication number: 20050135906
    Abstract: An automated material handling system that includes an extractor/buffer apparatus capable of simultaneously accessing multiple Work-In-Process (WIP) parts, thereby providing a highly efficient interface between WIP storage locations and transport equipment. The extractor/buffer apparatus includes multiple extractor/buffer modules, each module being configured to interface with a location for holding WIP parts that is a number of WIP parts deep. Each module includes a platform for holding multiple WIP parts. Further, multiple modules may be disposed side-by-side to form an extractor/buffer apparatus capable of handling multiple rows of WIP parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: William Fosnight, Michael Bufano, Gerald Friedman, Robert Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20050095087
    Abstract: A semiconductor workpiece processing system comprising at least one processing tool, a container, a first transport section, and a second transport section. The processing tool is used for processing semiconductor workpieces. The container is used for holding at least one semiconductor workpiece therein for transporting two and from the processing tool. The first transport section is connected to the processing tool for transporting the container to and from the processing tool. The second transport section is connected to the first transport section for transporting the container to and from the processing tool. The first transport section is vehicle based having a transport vehicle capable of holding the container and moving along a first track of the first transport section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Sullivan, Clint Haris, Michael Bufano, Gerald Friedman, Christopher Hofmeister