Patents by Inventor Michael P. Appleby
Michael P. Appleby 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).
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Publication number: 20110132562Abstract: Alloy products are produced with a waxless casting process. A model of a ceramic casting vessel (34) defining a desired product shape is digitally divided into sections (10, 40, 42). Each section is translated into a soft alloy mater tool (14) including precision inserts (20) where needed for fine detail. A flexible mold (24) is cast from each master tool, and a section of the ceramic casting vessel is cast from the respective flexible mold. The vessel sections are assembled by aligning cooperating precision features (58, 60) cast directly into each section and the alloy part is cast therein. No wax or wax pattern tooling is needed to produce the cast alloy product. Engineered surface features (54) may be included on both the interior and exterior surfaces of the shell sections.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2010Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Gary B. Merrill, Michael P. Appleby, Iain A. Fraser, Jill Klinger, John R. Paulus
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Patent number: 7893413Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a first isogrid defining a first plurality of zones, each zone from said first plurality of zones comprising a plurality of ligaments, each zone from said first plurality of zones defining a plurality of spaces, each space bounded by a first sub-plurality of ligaments from said plurality of ligaments, each of said ligaments comprising a plurality of ligament surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2009Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Mikro Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Appleby, Iain Fraser, James E. Atkinson
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Publication number: 20110014474Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: MIKRO SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Michael P. Appleby, Iain Fraser, James E. Atkinson
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Patent number: 7785098Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a first isogrid defining a first plurality of zones, each zone from said first plurality of zones comprising a plurality of ligaments, each zone from said first plurality of zones defining a plurality of spaces, each space bounded by a first sub-plurality of ligaments from said plurality of ligaments, each of said ligaments comprising a plurality of ligament surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Mikro Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Appleby, William T. Randolph, Jill E. Klinger
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Publication number: 20100096778Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Inventors: Michael P. Appleby, Iain Fraser, James E. Atkinson
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Publication number: 20100096777Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Inventors: Michael P. Appleby, Iain Fraser, James E. Atkinson
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Publication number: 20090272874Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2009Publication date: November 5, 2009Inventors: Michael P. Appleby, Iain Fraser, James E. Atkinson
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Publication number: 20090084933Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2008Publication date: April 2, 2009Inventors: Michael P. Appleby, Iain Fraser, James E. Atkinson
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Publication number: 20080246180Abstract: In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, three-dimensional micro-mechanical devices and/or micro-structures can be made using a production casting process. As part of this process, an intermediate mold can be made from or derived from a precision stack lamination and used to fabricate the devices and/or structures. Further, the micro-devices and/or micro-structures can be fabricated on planar or nonplanar surfaces through use of a series of production casting processes and intermediate molds. The use of precision stack lamination can allow the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures. Moreover, via certain molding and/or casting materials, molds having cavities with protruding undercuts also can be fabricated. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2008Publication date: October 9, 2008Inventors: Michael P. Appleby, Iain Fraser, James E. Atkinson
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Patent number: 7410606Abstract: A process of making a casting includes the steps of designing a mold (1010), fabricating the layers (or laminations) of the mold (1020), stacking and assembling the laminations into a mold (1030), producing a casting (1060) and demolding the casting (1070). If necessary, a derived mold can be made (1040, 1050) prior to producing the casing (1060).Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2002Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Inventors: Michael P. Appleby, Iain Fraser, James E. Atkinson
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Publication number: 20040156478Abstract: A process of making a casting includes the steps of designing a mold (1010), fabricating the layers (or laminations) of the mold (1020), stacking and assembling the laminations into a mold (1030), producing a casting (1060) and demolding the casting (1070). If necessary, a derived mold can be made (1040, 1050) prior to producing the casing (1060).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2003Publication date: August 12, 2004Inventors: Michael P Appleby, Iain Fraser, James E Atkinson
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Patent number: 6185278Abstract: A focused radiation collimator for collimating radiation emitted from a radiation point source located at a substantially known focal distance from the collimator is disclosed. In one embodiment of the disclosed collimator, the collimator is formed by at least two collimator layer groups, aligned, stacked and bonded together immediately adjacent to one another. Each of the collimator layer groups have a plurality of layer group passages arranged there through in a predetermined pattern which is unique to the layer group but which, with the passages of the other collimator layer group in the aligned stack, additively form a plurality of collimator through channels which are substantially aimed at the radiation point source. Each collimating layer group is formed by at least two substantially identical radiation absorbing layers, aligned, stacked and bonded together immediately adjacent to one another.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Thermo Electron Corp.Inventors: Michael P. Appleby, Joseph A. Buturlia, Iain Fraser, Robert F. Lynch
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Patent number: 6075840Abstract: Air cross grids, for absorbing scattered secondary radiation and improving radiation imaging in general radiography and in mammography, are provided with a large plurality of open air passages extending through each grid panel. These passages are defined by two large pluralities of substantially parallel partition walls, respectively extending transverse to each other. Each grid panel is made by laminating a plurality of thin metal foil sheets photo-etched to create through openings defined by partition segments. The etched sheets are aligned and bonded to form the laminated grid panel, which is moved edgewise during the radiation exposure to pass primary radiation through the air passages while absorbing scattered secondary radiation arriving along slanted paths.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Trex Medical CorporationInventors: Anthony J. Pellegrino, Daniel N Lyke, David P. Lieb, Joseph A. Buturlia, Michael P. Appleby
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Patent number: 5814235Abstract: Air cross grids, for absorbing scattered secondary radiation and improving X-ray imaging in general radiography and in mammography, are provided with a large plurality of open air passages extending through each grid panel. These passages are defined by two large pluralities of substantially parallel partition walls, respectively extending transverse to each other. Each grid panel is made by laminating a plurality of thin metal foil sheets photo-etched to create through openings defined by partition segments. The etched sheets are aligned and bonded to form the laminated grid panel, which is moved edgewise during the X-ray exposure to pass primary radiation through the air passages while absorbing scattered secondary radiation arriving along slanted paths.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1996Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Assignee: Thermo Trex CorporationInventors: Anthony J. Pellegrino, Daniel N. Lyke, David P. Lieb, Joseph A. Buturlia, Michael P. Appleby
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Patent number: 5729585Abstract: Air cross grids, for absorbing scattered secondary radiation and improving X-ray imaging in general radiography and in mammography, are provided with a large plurality of open air passages extending through each grid panel. These passages are defined by two large pluralities of substantially parallel partition walls, respectively extending transverse to each other. Each grid panel is made by laminating a plurality of thin metal foil sheets photo-etched to create through openings defined by partition segments. The etched sheets are aligned and bonded to form the laminated grid panel, which is moved edgewise during the X-ray exposure to pass primary radiation through the air passages while absorbing scattered secondary radiation arriving along slanted paths.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1996Date of Patent: March 17, 1998Assignee: ThermoTrex CorporationInventors: Anthony J. Pellegrino, Daniel N. Lyke, David P. Lieb, Joseph A. Buturlia, Michael P. Appleby
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Patent number: 5606589Abstract: Air cross grids, for absorbing scattered secondary radiation and improving X-ray imaging in general radiography and in mammography, are provided with a large plurality of open air passages extending through each grid panel. These passages are defined by two large pluralities of substantially parallel partition walls, respectively extending transverse to each other. Each grid panel is made by laminating a plurality of thin metal foil sheets photo-etched to create through openings defined by partition segments. The etched sheets are aligned and bonded to form the laminated grid panel, which is moved edgewise during the X-ray exposure to pass primary radiation through the air passages while absorbing scattered secondary radiation arriving along slanted paths.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1995Date of Patent: February 25, 1997Assignee: Thermo Trex CorporationInventors: Anthony J. Pellegrino, Daniel N. Lyke, David P. Lieb, Joseph A. Buturlia, Michael P. Appleby