Patents by Inventor Michael Featherby

Michael Featherby 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: 8067727
    Abstract: In a surface inspection system for detecting particles on a surface, a light source mounted to illuminate the surface provides multiple wavelength ranges of electromagnetic radiation. An optical detector produces an image of the surface. An optical signal is produced indicative of returned electromagnetic radiation at each of a plurality of the multiple wavelength ranges from a field of view on the surface. A processor operating on the optical signals resolves presence of a contaminant as a function of the optical signals, and produces a contaminant signal responsive to presence of a contaminant. A heating means positioned to evolve contaminants from the surface is responsively coupled to be activated in response to a contaminant signal. The multiple wavelength ranges comprise ultraviolet, visible, and infrared wavelengths. The processor comprises means to perform false color contrast stretching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Space Micro Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Featherby, Carl S. Edwards, Huizhen Zhu
  • Patent number: 7718984
    Abstract: A composition for radiation shielding or range of compositions which compositions may be used for a variety of radiation shielding applications. With proper adhesive selection and processing, the construction forms an integral bond with the craft as compatible adhesives form strong bonds. This eliminates the potential for delaminating associated with the use of metallic layered shielding. While prior art protects electronics with a direct coating to electronic packages, this approach allows larger equipment systems, such as optics, or spectrometers, to be shielded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Space Micro Inc.
    Inventors: Carl S. Edwards, Michael Featherby, David J. Strobel
  • Publication number: 20070252084
    Abstract: Foreign materials (contaminants) will usually affect many other properties of the surface as well as affecting the adhesion. This allows the use of indirect or off-contact measurement of surface energy to evaluate the quality of the surface. Our approach is environmentally friendly, uses no consumables and is totally benign to the surfaces being bonded. In order to detect contaminants on a substrate, the optical reflectivity properties of the materials can be compared. Metals and composites have different reflectivity than organics, which have low reflectivity (i.e. high absorption). This can usually be seen in white light by using a selected part of the light spectrum to enhance visual contrast between the two materials. This is because the reflectivity of a material changes with the wavelength of light. UV light can cause fluorescence of a few materials but this limits performance for a versatile machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Featherby, Carl Edwards, Huizhen Zhu
  • Publication number: 20070194256
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise a filler to block the radiation, and an organic resin, such as epoxy or modified cyanate ester. Fillers may comprise passivated Gadolinium and Tungsten. The Gadolinium may be passivated by atomic deposition of a nano-layer of silica or alumina. The passivation layer reduces the chemical activity of the filler while retaining the maximum attenuation performance of the pure metal. Radiation performance is optimized by reaching optimum material density, as density is proportional to radiation attenuation performance. The proportion of passivated Gadolinium to Tungsten may be selected based on the radiation shielding performance and environment for such species as X-ray, thermal neutrons, gamma and cosmic rays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventors: David Srobel, Philip Layton, Carl Edwards, Michael Featherby
  • Publication number: 20070104859
    Abstract: A composition for coating a surface comprises an adhesive cementitious material such as a geopolymer, a kaolin, or mixtures thereof, and a filler material. Various filler materials are disclosed, with which the coating composition may be used for thermal mapping, oxygen protection to organic dopants, thermal protection, radiation protection, anti-tamper protection, mechanical abrasion protection, or high emission of electromagnetic radiation. With certain fillers, the coating composition remains thermally stable up to 1200° C., and/or remains thermally operable for brief periods up to about 1400° C. When the coating composition includes a wetting agent, and the filler is between 0.01 micrometer and 10 micrometers in size, the coating composition can take the form of an aqueous spray. With certain fillers, the coating composition can cure at a temperature below 100° C. The coating composition can also be a thick film which provides resistance to cracking and peeling during severe thermal exposure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Featherby, Carl Edwards
  • Publication number: 20060255299
    Abstract: A composition for radiation shielding or range of compositions is disclosed, with which the compositions may be used for a variety of radiation shielding applications. With proper adhesive selection and processing, the construction forms an integral bond with the craft as compatible adhesives form strong bonds. This eliminates the potential for delaminating associated with the use of metallic layered shielding. While prior art protects electronics with a direct coating to electronic packages, this approach allows larger equipment systems, such as optics, or spectrometers to be shielded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: Carls Edwards, Michael Featherby, David Strobel
  • Patent number: 6963125
    Abstract: A hermetically coated device includes an integrated semiconductor circuit die, a first layer comprising an inorganic material, the first layer enveloping the integrated semiconductor circuit die, a second layer, the second layer enveloping the integrated semiconductor circuit die. Formation of such device includes steps of providing an integrated semiconductor circuit die, applying a first layer comprising an inorganic material, the first layer enveloping the integrated semiconductor circuit die, and applying a second layer, the second layer enveloping the integrated semiconductor circuit die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Featherby, Jennifer L. DeHaven
  • Patent number: 6583432
    Abstract: The radiation shielding composition and method of the present invention relate to a conformal coating material composed of a matrix of densely packed radiation shielding particles, which are disbursed within a binder. The shielding composition is applied to objects to be protected such as integrated circuits, or to packages therefor, as well as for protecting animals including humans from unwanted exposure to radiation in outer space or other environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Featherby, David J. Strobel, Phillip J. Layton, Edward Li
  • Publication number: 20030025089
    Abstract: The radiation shielding composition and method of the present invention relate to a conformal coating material composed of a matrix of densely packed radiation shielding particles, which are disbursed within a binder. The shielding composition is applied to objects to be protected such as integrated circuits, or to packages therefor, as well as for protecting animals including humans from unwanted exposure to radiation in outer space or other environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Maxwell Electronic Components Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Featherby, David J. Strobel, Phillip J. Layton, Edward Li
  • Publication number: 20030013235
    Abstract: A hermetically coated device includes an integrated semiconductor circuit die, a first layer comprising an inorganic material, the first layer enveloping the integrated semiconductor circuit die, a second layer, the second layer enveloping the integrated semiconductor circuit die. Formation of such device includes steps of providing an integrated semiconductor circuit die, applying a first layer comprising an inorganic material, the first layer enveloping the integrated semiconductor circuit die, and applying a second layer, the second layer enveloping the integrated semiconductor circuit die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Featherby, Jennifer L. DeHaven
  • Publication number: 20020148979
    Abstract: The radiation shielding composition and method of the present invention relate to a conformal coating material composed of a matrix of densely packed radiation shielding particles, which are disbursed within a binder. The shielding composition is applied to objects to be protected such as integrated circuits, or to packages therefor, as well as for protecting animals including humans from unwanted exposure to radiation in outer space or other environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: MAXWELL ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Featherby, David J. Strobel, Phillip J. Layton, Edward Li
  • Patent number: 6455864
    Abstract: The radiation shielding composition and method of the present invention relate to a conformal coating material composed of a matrix of densely packed radiation shielding particles, which are disbursed within a binder. The shielding composition is applied to objects to be protected such as integrated circuits, or to packages therefor, as well as for protecting animals including humans from unwanted exposure to radiation in outer space or other environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Maxwell Electronic Components Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Featherby, David J. Strobel, Phillip J. Layton, Edward Li
  • Patent number: 6368899
    Abstract: A hermetically coated device includes an integrated semiconductor circuit die, a first layer comprising an inorganic material, the first layer enveloping the integrated semiconductor circuit die, a second layer, the second layer enveloping the integrated semiconductor circuit die. Formation of such device includes steps of providing an integrated semiconductor circuit die, applying a first layer comprising an inorganic material, the first layer enveloping the integrated semiconductor circuit die, and applying a second layer, the second layer enveloping the integrated semiconductor circuit die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Maxwell Electronic Components Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Featherby, Jennifer L. DeHaven
  • Patent number: 6261508
    Abstract: The radiation shielding composition and method of the present invention relate to a conformal coating material composed of a matrix of densely packed radiation shielding particles, which are disbursed within a binder. The shielding composition is applied to objects to be protected such as integrated circuits, or to packages therefor, as well as for protecting animals including humans from unwanted exposure to radiation in outer space or other environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Maxwell Electronic Components Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Featherby, David J. Strobel, Phillip J. Layton, Edward Li
  • Patent number: 4459166
    Abstract: A silver metallizing paste for attachment of silicon semi-conductive devices in lead-frame packages, specifically ceramic packages, which is less expensive than a gold preform but useable in hermetic packages, and provides better electrical and thermal conductivity, and higher bond strength, than silver polyimides. From 25 to 95% of silver is blended with a low-melting glass, preferably one having 95-96% PbO, and a paste or ink is formed with a suitable vehicle at 75-85% solids. Use of the paste follows conventional practice. Selection of Ag:glass ratio depends on the type of die bonding to be used. The paste is particularly useful in MOS technology, where low contact resistance is required, and also finds applications as a solder substitute and bonding chip capacitors. It is most advantageous in attachment of larger-area integrated circuits in that stress cracking associated with the gold-silicon eutectic is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond L. Dietz, Michael Featherby, Peter K. Margetts
  • Patent number: 4436785
    Abstract: A silver metallizing paste for attachment of silicon semi-conductive devices in lead-frame packages, specifically ceramic packages, which is less expensive than a gold preform but useable in hermetic packages, and provides better electrical and thermal conductivity, and higher bond strength, than silver polyimides. From 25 to 95% of silver is blended with a low-melting glass, preferably one having 95-96% PbO, and a paste or ink is formed with a suitable vehicle at 75-85% solids. Use of the paste follows conventional practice. Selection of Ag:glass ratio depends on the type of die bonding to be used. The paste is particularly useful in MOS technology, where low contact resistance is required, and also finds applications as a solder substitute and bonding chip capacitors. It is most advantageous in attachment of larger-area integrated circuits in that stress cracking associated with the gold-silicon eutectic is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond L. Dietz, Michael Featherby, Peter K. Margetts
  • Patent number: 4401767
    Abstract: A silver metallizing paste for attachment of silicon semi-conductive devices in lead-frame packages, specifically ceramic packages, which is less expensive than a gold preform but useable in hermetic packages, and provides better electrical and thermal conductivity, and higher bond strength, than silver polyimides. From 25 to 95% of silver is blended with a low-melting glass, preferably one having 95-96% PbO, and a paste or ink is formed with a suitable vehicle at 75-85% solids. Use of the paste follows conventional practice. Selection of Ag:glass ratio depends on the type of die bonding to be used. The paste is particularly useful in MOS technology, where low contact resistance is required, and also finds applications as a solder substitute and bonding chip capacitors. It is most advantageous in attachment of larger-area integrated circuits in that stress cracking associated with the gold-silicon eutectic is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond L. Dietz, Michael Featherby, Peter K. Margetts