Patents by Inventor Michael Geoffrey Thompson

Michael Geoffrey Thompson 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).

  • Evacuating a chamber
    Patent number: 9695814
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing undesirable noise generated by a vacuum pumping system. The vacuum system operates to reduce the pressure in a chamber to a first pressure value. The system then detects that the pressure at the vacuum pump system's inlet is about to change to a second higher pressure and, in response, the speed of a booster pump in the vacuum pump system is reduced below the rated speed for the pump. When the pressure at the vacuum pump's inlet is above the second pressure, the speed of the booster pump is increased to the rated speed. Thus, the booster pump is slowed down prior the pump system becoming exposed to a rapid increase in inlet pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventors: Philip John Stephens, Michael Geoffrey Thompson
  • Evacuating a Chamber
    Publication number: 20140127038
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing undesirable noise generated by a vacuum pumping system. The vacuum system operates to reduce the pressure in a chamber to a first pressure value. The system then detects that the pressure at the vacuum pump system's inlet is about to change to a second higher pressure and, in response, the speed of a booster pump in the vacuum pump system is reduced below the rated speed for the pump. When the pressure at the vacuum pump's inlet is above the second pressure, the speed of the booster pump is increased to the rated speed. Thus, the booster pump is slowed down prior the pump system becoming exposed to a rapid increase in inlet pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: EDWARDS LIMITED
    Inventors: Philip John Stephens, Michael Geoffrey Thompson