Patents by Inventor Michael Maeder

Michael Maeder 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: 20240053776
    Abstract: Systems for processing articles are essential for semiconductor fabrication. In one method of controlling gas flow, a processing system is provided, the processing system having first and second fluid supplies. The first fluid supply is coupled to a first apparatus for controlling flow and the second fluid supply is coupled to the second apparatus for controlling flow. The first process fluid is then delivered to a process chamber via outlet of the first apparatus for controlling flow. The first process fluid is also bled via a bleed port of the first apparatus for controlling flow. The flow rate of the first process fluid through the bleed port is controlled at a first flow rate which is less than a first threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Sean Joseph PENLEY, Michael MAEDER, Marcos E. PEREZ-BLANCO, Tyler James WRIGHT
  • Publication number: 20240028055
    Abstract: A gas flow control system for delivering a plurality of gas flows. The gas flow control system has a gas flow path extending from a gas inlet to first and second gas outlets. First and second flow restrictors are operably coupled to the gas flow path. First and second valves are operably coupled to the gas flow path such that when both first and second valves are in a fully open state, flows of gas from the first and second gas outlets are split according to the impedances of the first and second flow restrictors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel T. Mudd, Marshall B. Grill, Norman L. Batchelor, II, Sean Joseph Penley, Michael Maeder, Patti J. Mudd, Zachariah Ezekiel McIntyre, Tyler James Wright, Matthew Eric Kovacic, Christopher Bryant Davis
  • Patent number: 11815920
    Abstract: A gas flow control system for delivering a plurality of gas flows. The gas flow control system has a gas flow path extending from a gas inlet to first and second gas outlets. First and second flow restrictors are operably coupled to the gas flow path. First and second valves are operably coupled to the gas flow path such that when both first and second valves are in a fully open state, flows of gas from the first and second gas outlets are split according to the impedances of the first and second flow restrictors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel T. Mudd, Sean Joseph Penley, Michael Maeder, Patti J. Mudd
  • Patent number: 11424148
    Abstract: Apparatuses for controlling gas flow are important components for delivering process gases for semiconductor fabrication. In one embodiment, a gas flow control system for achieving improved transient response in apparatuses for controlling gas flow is disclosed. Specifically, by providing a command to an apparatus to deliver a predetermined mass flow rate at a future turn on time, the apparatus is able to pre-pressurize a P1 volume so that the response time of the apparatus is no longer dependent on the speed of the apparatus's control valves and the limitations of the control loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventors: Sean Penley, Michael Maeder, Daniel T. Mudd, Patti J. Mudd
  • Publication number: 20220004209
    Abstract: A gas flow control system for delivering a plurality of gas flows. The gas flow control system has a gas flow path extending from a gas inlet to first and second gas outlets. First and second flow restrictors are operably coupled to the gas flow path. First and second valves are operably coupled to the gas flow path such that when both first and second valves are in a fully open state, flows of gas from the first and second gas outlets are split according to the impedances of the first and second flow restrictors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel T. Mudd, Marshall B. Grill, Norman L. Batchelor, II, Sean Joseph Penley, Michael Maeder, Patti J. Mudd, Zachariah Ezekiel McIntyre, Tyler James Wright, Matthew Eric Kovacic, Christopher Bryant Davis
  • Patent number: 11144075
    Abstract: A mass flow control apparatus having a monolithic base. The monolithic base has a gas inlet, a gas outlet, a first flow component mounting region, a second flow component mounting region, and a third flow component mounting region. The first flow component mounting region has a first inlet port and a first outlet port, the first inlet port being fluidly coupled to the gas inlet of the monolithic base. The third flow component mounting region has a first sensing port fluidly coupled to the gas outlet of the monolithic base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel T. Mudd, Marshall B. Grill, Norman L. Batchelor, II, Sean Penley, Michael Maeder, Patti J. Mudd
  • Publication number: 20210004027
    Abstract: A mass flow control apparatus having a monolithic base. The monolithic base has a gas inlet, a gas outlet, a first flow component mounting region, a second flow component mounting region, and a third flow component mounting region. The first flow component mounting region has a first inlet port and a first outlet port, the first inlet port being fluidly coupled to the gas inlet of the monolithic base. The third flow component mounting region has a first sensing port fluidly coupled to the gas outlet of the monolithic base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel T. Mudd, Marshall B. Grill, Norman L. Batchelor, II, Sean Penley, Michael Maeder, Patti J. Mudd, Zachariah Ezekiel McIntyre, Tyler James Wright, Matthew Eric Kovacic, Christopher Bryant Davis
  • Publication number: 20200258764
    Abstract: Apparatuses for controlling gas flow are important components for delivering process gases for semiconductor fabrication. In one embodiment, a gas flow control system for achieving improved transient response in apparatuses for controlling gas flow is disclosed. Specifically, by providing a command to an apparatus to deliver a predetermined mass flow rate at a future turn on time, the apparatus is able to pre-pressurize a P1 volume so that the response time of the apparatus is no longer dependent on the speed of the apparatus's control valves and the limitations of the control loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: ICHOR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Sean Penley, Michael Maeder, Daniel T. Mudd, Patti J. Mudd
  • Patent number: 10679880
    Abstract: Apparatuses for controlling gas flow are important components for delivering process gases for semiconductor fabrication. In one embodiment, a method of achieving improved transient response in apparatuses for controlling gas flow is disclosed. Specifically, by providing a command to the apparatus to deliver a predetermined mass flow rate at a future turn on time, the apparatus is able to pre-pressurize a P1 volume so that the response time of the apparatus is no longer dependent on the speed of the apparatus's control valves and the limitations of the control loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: ICHOR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Sean Penley, Michael Maeder, Daniel T. Mudd, Patti J. Mudd
  • Patent number: 10663337
    Abstract: Apparatuses for controlling gas flow are important components for delivering process gases for semiconductor fabrication. In one embodiment, a method of calibrating an apparatus for controlling gas flow is disclosed. Specifically, the apparatus may be calibrated on installation using a two-step process of measuring the volume of gas box downstream from the apparatus by flowing nitrogen gas into the gas box and measuring the resulting temperature and rate of pressure rise. Using the computed volume of the gas box, a sweep of several mass flow rates may be performed using the process gas and the gas map for the process gas. The apparatus is calibrated based on the measured temperature and pressure values, which allow calculation of the actual mass flow rate for the process gas as compared with the commanded mass flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: ICHOR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Sean Penley, Michael Maeder
  • Publication number: 20180188700
    Abstract: Apparatuses for controlling gas flow are important components for delivering process gases for semiconductor fabrication. In one embodiment, a method of calibrating an apparatus for controlling gas flow is disclosed. Specifically, the apparatus may be calibrated on installation using a two-step process of measuring the volume of gas box downstream from the apparatus by flowing nitrogen gas into the gas box and measuring the resulting temperature and rate of pressure rise. Using the computed volume of the gas box, a sweep of several mass flow rates may be performed using the process gas and the gas map for the process gas. The apparatus is calibrated based on the measured temperature and pressure values, which allow calculation of the actual mass flow rate for the process gas as compared with the commanded mass flow rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Sean Penley, Michael Maeder
  • Publication number: 20180090353
    Abstract: Apparatuses for controlling gas flow are important components for delivering process gases for semiconductor fabrication. In one embodiment, a method of achieving improved transient response in apparatuses for controlling gas flow is disclosed. Specifically, by providing a command to the apparatus to deliver a predetermined mass flow rate at a future turn on time, the apparatus is able to pre-pressurize a P1 volume so that the response time of the apparatus is no longer dependent on the speed of the apparatus's control valves and the limitations of the control loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Sean Penley, Michael Maeder, Daniel T. Mudd, Patti J. Mudd
  • Patent number: 9905056
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for transferring data from a delivery item to a label for application of the label onto the delivery item are disclosed. In some aspects, the system can include a camera configured to capture an image of the data on the delivery item, a control computer including at least one hardware processor and memory, the control computer being configured to process the image of the data, integrate the image of the data into a label template, and to generate a print file from the label template, and at least one label applicator disposed after the camera relative to a direction of travel of the delivery item on a conveyor, the at least one label applicator being configured to print the label including the data contained in the print file and apply the printed label onto a top surface of the delivery item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Fluence Automation LLC
    Inventors: Brian Bowers, Steven Seburn, Helmut Joerg, Michael Maeder
  • Publication number: 20160063770
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for transferring data from a delivery item to a label for application of the label onto the delivery item are disclosed. In some aspects, the system can include a camera configured to capture an image of the data on the delivery item, a control computer including at least one hardware processor and memory, the control computer being configured to process the image of the data, integrate the image of the data into a label template, and to generate a print file from the label template, and at least one label applicator disposed after the camera relative to a direction of travel of the delivery item on a conveyor, the at least one label applicator being configured to print the label including the data contained in the print file and apply the printed label onto a top surface of the delivery item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Brian Bowers, Steven Seburn, Helmut Joerg, Michael Maeder