Patents by Inventor Michael French

Michael French 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).

  • Publication number: 20250112062
    Abstract: In some examples, a multi-station process tool comprises a plurality of process chambers, each process chamber located at a station of the multi-station process tool; and a RF power path component associated with each station of the multi-station process tool, the RF power path component geometrically positioned and oriented such that, when energized, a symmetric RF power path is created with respect to a center of the multi-station process tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Inventors: Miguel Benjamin Vasquez, David Michael French
  • Patent number: 12258225
    Abstract: A system for automatically handling components to be assembled onto a product on an assembly line includes a carriage that is movable to and between a first, retracted position spaced from the assembly line, and a second position displaced from the retracted position in a direction toward the assembly line. A manipulator on the carriage supports a component mounting tool configured to receive and support at least one component for assembly to the product. The manipulator may be arranged in a first orientation when the carriage is in the first position, and may be pivoted to a second orientation when the carriage is in the second position, such that a component on the component mounting tool is supported in a pose for processing when the carriage is in the first position, and is supported in a pose for joining to the product when the carriage is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: KUKA Systems North America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy James Marx, Thomas William French, Aaron K. Kinsella, Thomas Jon Nieman, Scott McIsaac, Craig Richard Nilson, Kenneth Michael Boulan, Jason Edmunn Messner
  • Patent number: 12230440
    Abstract: An actuator assembly including a first actuator having a first magnetically actuated plunger and a first latching plate, where the first plunger is operable to be magnetically latched to the first latching plate. The actuator assembly further includes a second actuator coupled to and axially aligned with the first actuator. The second actuator includes a second magnetically actuated plunger, a second latching plate, a sleeve positioned within and extending from the second plunger and being rigidly secured to the first plunger, and a tolerance spring wrapped around the sleeve. The second plunger is operable to be magnetically latched to the second latching plate, where latching of the second plunger causes the tolerance spring to compress and provide additional latching force of the first plunger to the first latching plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Seng, Alejandro Montenegro, John French, Thomas S. Kelley, Keith W. Benson, Robert E. Sroka, Michael Quinlan, Gabrielle Madden
  • Publication number: 20250020515
    Abstract: In some examples, an array sensor temperature control system is provided. The system may include an array sensor for generating a two-dimensional image, the two-dimensional image including a plurality of pixels or cells indicative of a temperature of a monitored component; a controller for controlling a heating or cooling device to adjust the temperature of the monitored component; and an array sensor controller activated by a power source and being in communication with the array sensor and controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventors: David Michael French, Christopher-James Parker, Keith Joseph Batryn, Dirk Rudolph
  • Publication number: 20240394681
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for self-checkout at a retail establishment includes receiving, by a sensor gate and from a payment processing device, purchase transaction information related to a purchase by a customer. The sensor gate scans customized label attached to each article possessed by the customer located in a surveillance zone of the retail establishment. The sensor gate compares information contained in the customized label with the received purchase transaction information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Cor SAARLOOS, Michael FRENCH, Steve E. TRIVELPIECE
  • Patent number: 12146795
    Abstract: In some examples, an array sensor temperature control system is provided. The system may include an array sensor for generating a two-dimensional image, the two-dimensional image including a plurality of pixels or cells indicative of a temperature of a monitored component; a controller for controlling a heating or cooling device to adjust the temperature of the monitored component; and an array sensor controller activated by a power source and being in communication with the array sensor and controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: David Michael French, Christopher-James Parker, Keith Joseph Batryn, Dirk Rudolph
  • Patent number: 12020225
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for self-checkout at a retail establishment includes receiving, by a sensor gate and from a payment processing device, purchase transaction information related to a purchase by a customer. The sensor gate scans customized label attached to each article possessed by the customer located in a surveillance zone of the retail establishment. The sensor gate compares information contained in the customized label with the received purchase transaction information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Cor Saarloos, Michael French, Steve E. Trivelpiece
  • Publication number: 20230106047
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for self-checkout at a retail establishment includes receiving, by a sensor gate and from a payment processing device, purchase transaction information related to a purchase by a customer. The sensor gate scans customized label attached to each article possessed by the customer located in a surveillance zone of the retail establishment. The sensor gate compares information contained in the customized label with the received purchase transaction information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Cor SAARLOOS, Michael FRENCH, Steve E. TRIVELPIECE
  • Publication number: 20220404208
    Abstract: In some examples, an array sensor temperature control system is provided. The system may include an array sensor for generating a two-dimensional image, the two-dimensional image including a plurality of pixels or cells indicative of a temperature of a monitored component; a controller for controlling a heating or cooling device to adjust the temperature of the monitored component; and an array sensor controller activated by a power source and being in communication with the array sensor and controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: David Michael French, Christopher-James Parker, Keith Joseph Batryn, Dirk Rudolph
  • Publication number: 20220361298
    Abstract: An electrode is embedded in a piece of ceramic material having a population of conduction band electrons. Applying a voltage bias to the electrode causes electrons to flow towards or away from the electrode to form a positively charged sheath either a distance apart from or adjacent the electrode, depending the polarity of the bias. The electron flow also forms a negatively charged sheath lying opposite the positively charged sheath, and an electrically neutral region lying between the two sheaths. Electromagnetic radiation impinging the ceramic material heats the ceramic where the radiation is absorbed by the electron population. As the incident radiation is absorbed in proportion to the electron density, heating is increased in the negatively charged sheath, relative to the other parts of the ceramic material. The location of heating is controlled by controlling the magnitude and polarity of the voltage bias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Brad Winston Hoff, David Michael French
  • Patent number: 11470693
    Abstract: An electrode is embedded in a piece of ceramic material having a population of conduction band electrons. Applying a voltage bias to the electrode causes electrons to flow towards or away from the electrode to form a positively charged sheath either a distance apart from or adjacent the electrode, depending the polarity of the bias. The electron flow also forms a negatively charged sheath lying opposite the positively charged sheath, and an electrically neutral region lying between the two sheaths. Electromagnetic radiation impinging the ceramic material heats the ceramic where the radiation is absorbed by the electron population. As the incident radiation is absorbed in proportion to the electron density, heating is increased in the negatively charged sheath, relative to the other parts of the ceramic material. The location of heating is controlled by controlling the magnitude and polarity of the voltage bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Government of the United States as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Brad Winston Hoff, David Michael French
  • Publication number: 20220238312
    Abstract: In some examples, a shaped insert above a showerhead in a wafer processing chamber is used to alter the electric fields near the wafer processing area and in some examples to correct or improve asymmetry in a QSM processing module. In some embodiments, the insert may comprise an annular body, the annular body having at least one surface thereon that comprises a material for supporting electromagnetic coupling when energized by an RF power source, and an annulus in the annular body sized to accommodate a stem of the showerhead. In some examples, a configuration of the insert is selected to affect or correct an asymmetry of an electromagnetic field or plasma generated within the processing chamber in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventor: David Michael French
  • Publication number: 20220230802
    Abstract: In some examples, a variable inductor device includes a first planar loop comprising a first planar face and a material that supports electromagnetic coupling and a second planar loop comprising a second planar face and a material that supports electromagnetic coupling. The first planar loop is separable from the second planar loop to vary the inductance of the variable inductance device. In some examples, the first and second planar faces overlapping each other in a closed configuration of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventor: David Michael French
  • Patent number: 11134690
    Abstract: A pizza oven including a baking chamber is disclosed. The baking chamber includes a top panel, bottom panel, two side panels, and entry and exit openings. A conveyor belt is disposed to convey food products through the chamber where the food products are heated by a heating arrangement including a burner, blower motor, and a fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventors: Michael French, Mark A. Bielstein
  • Patent number: 10674734
    Abstract: A pizza oven and a method of using a pizza oven. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not a be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: MF&B RESTAURANT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael French, Mark A. Bielstein
  • Publication number: 20170272544
    Abstract: A client device downloads a sandboxed application contained within a sandbox. A relay server external to the client device is arranged to pass messages between the sandboxed application and a privileged application of the client device. A content server provides a content application which is downloaded and installed on the client device by the privileged application in response to a request from the sandboxed application received via the relay server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Paul Edmund Fleetwood Sheppard, Edward Michael French, Michael Athanasopoulos, Michael Roper
  • Patent number: 9685296
    Abstract: An apparatus for modulating the density of an electron beam as it is emitted from a cathode, comprised of connecting a source of pulsed input power to the input end of a nonlinear transmission line and connecting the output end directly to the cathode of an electron beam diode by a direct electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
    Inventors: Brad Winston Hoff, David Michael French, Donald A. Shiffler, Susan L. Heidger, Wilkin W. Tang
  • Publication number: 20170092002
    Abstract: A head-mounted device (HMD) includes sensors, a transparent display, a processor comprising an augmented reality (AR) application and an AR user interface module. The AR application generates virtual content based on sensing data from the sensors, and displays the virtual content in the transparent display. The AR user interface module generates an AR user interface that is positioned outside a field of view of a user based on the HMD being oriented at a reference pitch angle, causes a display of the AR user interface in the transparent display within the field of view of the user based on the HMD being oriented at a second pitch angle greater than the reference pitch angle, and causes a navigation of the AR user interface in response to a motion of the HMD and an eye gaze of the user matching a user interface trigger pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: DAQRI, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Mullins, Matthew Kammerait, Michael French, Ian Crombie
  • Patent number: 9552464
    Abstract: A computer system includes a server device which provides one or more content packages each comprising a plurality of asset files. A client device stores the content packages, and generates a virtual environment based on the asset files to be displayed on a display unit. A tracker is arranged to record an asset list directly or indirectly representing a sequence of the asset files according to progress through the virtual environment at the client device, and to distinguish between legitimate and non-legitimate behavior of the client device according to the recorded asset list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Tangentix Limited
    Inventors: Paul Edmund Fleetwood Sheppard, Edward Michael French
  • Patent number: D820318
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: DAQRI, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Mullins, Lucas Kazansky, Christopher Michaels Garcia, Eduardo Salazar, Daniel Smitasin, Ryan Ries, Arash Kalantari, Frank Chester Irving, Jr., Michael French, Chin-Lin Huang