Patents by Inventor Michael J. Estes

Michael J. Estes 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: 7388276
    Abstract: A varactor is configured with first and second conducting layers, spaced apart from one another such that a given voltage can be applied across the first and second conducting layers. Further, an insulator arrangement includes at least one insulator layer disposed between the first and second conducting layers, configured to cooperate with the first and second conducting layers to produce a charge pool which changes responsive to changes in the given voltage such that a device capacitance value between the first and second conducting layers changes responsive to the given voltage. The insulator arrangement can include one layer, two distinct layers or more than two distinct layers. One or more of the layers can be an amorphous material. A zero-bias voltage version of the varactor is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventor: Michael J. Estes
  • Patent number: 7177515
    Abstract: A device including an input port configured to receive an input signal is described. The device also includes an output port and a structure, which structure includes a tunneling junction connected with the input port and the output port. The tunneling junction is configured in a way (i) which provides electrons in a particular energy state within the structure, (ii) which produces surface plasmons in response to the input signal, (iii) which causes the structure to act as a waveguide for directing at least a portion of the surface plasmons along a predetermined path toward the output port such that the surface plasmons so directed interact with the electrons in a particular way, and (iv) which produces at the output port an output signal resulting from the particular interaction between the electrons and the surface plasmons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventors: Michael J. Estes, Garret Moddel
  • Patent number: 7173275
    Abstract: A hot electron transistor includes an emitter electrode, a base electrode, a collector electrode, and a first tunneling structure disposed and serving as a transport of electrons between the emitter and base electrodes. The first tunneling structure includes at least a first amorphous insulating layer and a different, second insulating layer such that the transport of electrons includes transport by means of tunneling. The transistor further includes a second tunneling structure disposed between the base and collector electrodes. The second tunneling structure serves as a transport of at least a portion of the previously mentioned electrons between the base and collector electrodes by means of ballistic transport such that the portion of the electrons is collected at the collector electrode. An associated method for reducing electron reflection at interfaces in a thin-film transistor is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventors: Michael J. Estes, Blake J. Eliasson
  • Patent number: 7126151
    Abstract: An integrated circuit chip includes a formation of integrated layers configured to define at least one integrated electronic component. The integrated layers further define an integrated electron tunneling device, which includes first and second non-insulating layers spaced apart from one another such that a given voltage can be provided thereacross. The integrated electron tunneling device further includes an arrangement disposed between the first and second non-insulating layers and serving as a transport of electrons between and to the first and second non-insulating layers. The arrangement includes at least a first layer configured such that the transport of electrons includes, at least in part, transport by means of tunneling. The integrated electron tunneling device further includes an antenna structure connected with the first and second non-insulating layers, and the integrated electron tunneling device is electrically connected with the integrated electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a Body Corporate
    Inventors: Michael J. Estes, Garret Moddel
  • Patent number: 7010183
    Abstract: A device including an input port configured to receive an input signal is described. The device also includes an output port and a structure, which structure includes a tunneling junction connected with the input port and the output port. The tunneling junction is configured in a way (i) which provides electrons in a particular energy state within the structure, (ii) which produces surface plasmons in response to the input signal, (iii) which causes the structure to act as a waveguide for directing at least a portion of the surface plasmons along a predetermined path toward the output port such that the surface plasmons so directed interact with the electrons in a particular way, and (iv) which produces at the output port an output signal resulting from the particular interaction between the electrons and the surface plasmons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventors: Michael J. Estes, Garrett Moddel
  • Patent number: 6967347
    Abstract: An assembly includes a first electrical circuitry for providing a first electrical signal containing data and a transmitting arrangement, connected with the first electrical circuitry, for receiving the first electrical signal and for converting the first electrical signal into an electromagnetic signal containing at least a portion of the data. The electromagnetic signal has a carrier frequency greater than 300 GHz. The assembly also includes a receiving arrangement for receiving the electromagnetic signal and for converting the electromagnetic signal into a second electrical signal containing at least some of the portion of the data, and a second electrical circuitry connected with the receiving arrangement and configured for receiving the second electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventors: Michael J. Estes, Garret Moddel
  • Publication number: 20040069984
    Abstract: An assembly includes a first electrical circuitry for providing a first electrical signal containing data and a transmitting arrangement, connected with the first electrical circuitry, for receiving the first electrical signal and for converting the first electrical signal into an electromagnetic signal containing at least a portion of the data. The electromagnetic signal has a carrier frequency greater than 300 GHz. The assembly also includes a receiving arrangement for receiving the electromagnetic signal and for converting the electromagnetic signal into a second electrical signal containing at least some of the portion of the data, and a second electrical circuitry connected with the receiving arrangement and configured for receiving the second electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Michael J. Estes, Garret Moddel
  • Publication number: 20030206708
    Abstract: A device including an input port configured to receive an input signal is described. The device also includes an output port and a structure, which structure includes a tunneling junction connected with the input port and the output port. The tunneling junction is configured in a way (i) which provides electrons in a particular energy state within the structure, (ii) which produces surface plasmons in response to the input signal, (iii) which causes the structure to act as a waveguide for directing at least a portion of the surface plasmons along a predetermined path toward the output port such that the surface plasmons so directed interact with the electrons in a particular way, and (iv) which produces at the output port an output signal resulting from the particular interaction between the electrons and the surface plasmons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Michael J. Estes, Garret Moddel
  • Publication number: 20030179974
    Abstract: A device including an input port configured to receive an input signal is described. The device also includes an output port and a structure, which structure includes a tunneling junction connected with the input port and the output port. The tunneling junction is configured in a way (i) which provides electrons in a particular energy state within the structure, (ii) which produces surface plasmons in response to the input signal, (iii) which causes the structure to act as a waveguide for directing at least a portion of the surface plasmons along a predetermined path toward the output port such that the surface plasmons so directed interact with the electrons in a particular way, and (iv) which produces at the output port an output signal resulting from the particular interaction between the electrons and the surface plasmons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Michael J. Estes, Garret Moddel
  • Publication number: 20030133339
    Abstract: An integrated circuit chip includes a formation of integrated layers configured to define at least one integrated electronic component. The integrated layers further define an integrated electron tunneling device, which includes first and second non-insulating layers spaced apart from one another such that a given voltage can be provided thereacross. The integrated electron tunneling device further includes an arrangement disposed between the first and second non-insulating layers and serving as a transport of electrons between and to the first and second non-insulating layers. The arrangement includes at least a first layer configured such that the transport of electrons includes, at least in part, transport by means of tunneling. The integrated electron tunneling device further includes an antenna structure connected with the first and second non-insulating layers, and the integrated electron tunneling device is electrically connected with the integrated electronic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Michael J. Estes, Garret Moddel
  • Patent number: 4219859
    Abstract: A relay for tripping a circuit breaker in a high voltage power line, the relay including a current transformer having first and second turns ratios, a heat radiation circuit including a plurality of lamps connected to the current transformer and a sensing circuit including a phototransistor which responds to heat radiation from one of said lamps, the turns ratios and lamps being selectively connectable to provide different minimum trip current levels of the relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1980
    Assignee: RTE Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Estes
  • Patent number: 4053938
    Abstract: A temperature sensing transformer primary switch for a distribution transformer, the switch being mounted within the distribution transformer below the level of the dielectric fluid and being manually operable externally of the transformer for opening the primary circuit and deenergizing the transformer, the switch including a temperature sensing device mounted on the internal end of the transformer below the level of the dielectric fluid to open the primary switch in response to overload temperatures produced on the transformer's secondary circuit. The temperature sensing device includes a compression spring and a wax motor for releasing the energy stored in the compression spring as the temperature of the dielectric fluid reaches a predetermined maximum temperature. The spring is preloaded sufficiently by a manual operation to actuate the switch at the maximum temperature. A pressure responsive switch assembly is provided for opening the primary switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1977
    Assignee: RTE Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Estes