Patents by Inventor Peter Christiaans

Peter Christiaans 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: 8692196
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for correcting distortions introduced by the projection system (106) of a TEM. As known to the person skilled in the art distortions may limit the resolution of a TEM, especially when making a 3D reconstruction of a feature using tomography. Also when using strain analysis in a TEM the distortions may limit the detection of strain. To this end the invention discloses a detector equipped with multipoles (152), the multipoles warping the image of the TEM in such a way that distortions introduced by the projection system are counteracted. The detector may further include a CCD or a fluorescent screen (151) for detecting the electrons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Peter Christiaan Tiemeijer, Uwe Luecken, Alan Frank de Jong, Hendrik Nicolaas Slingerland
  • Publication number: 20140061464
    Abstract: A system of investigating aberrations in a charged-particle lens system, which lens system has an object space comprising an object plane and an image space comprising an image plane, includes: Selecting a fixed pivot point on said object plane; Directing a charged-particle beam through said pivot point, entrance pupil and lens system and onto said image plane, said beam having a relatively small cross-sectional area relative to the area of the entrance pupil; Changing the orientation of said beam through said pivot point, so as to trace out an entrance figure on said entrance pupil and a corresponding image figure on said image plane; Registering said image figure; Repeating this procedure at a series of different focus settings of the lens system, thus acquiring a set of registered image figures at different focus settings; Analyzing said set so as to derive lens aberrations therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: FEI Company
    Inventors: Ivan Lazic, Gijs van Duinen, Peter Christiaan Tiemeijer
  • Patent number: 8637821
    Abstract: The invention relates to a blocking member to be placed in the diffraction plane of a TEM. It resembles the knife edge used for single sideband imaging, but blocks only electrons deflected over a small angle. As a result the Contrast Transfer Function of the TEM according to this invention will equal that of a single sideband microscope at low frequencies and that of a normal microscope for high frequencies. Preferable the highest frequency blocked by the blocking member is such that a microscope without the blocking member would show a CTF of 0.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Bart Buijsse, Peter Christiaan Tiemeijer
  • Patent number: 8633456
    Abstract: A method for adjusting or aligning one or more optical elements in a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) is disclosed. The TEM is equipped with an objective lens for guiding a beam of electrons to a sample, a diffraction plane in which at least a beam of unscattered electrons is focused and a structure to enhance the Contrast Transfer Function (CTF) which is situated in the diffraction plane or an image thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Bart Buijsse, Peter Christiaan Tiemeijer, Martinus Petrus Maria Bierhoff
  • Publication number: 20140007307
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing and imaging a sample using a particle-optical apparatus, equipped with an electron column and an ion beam column, a camera system, a manipulator. The method comprising comprises the steps of deriving a first ptychographic image of the sample from a first electron image, thinning the sample, and forming a second ptychographic image of the sample. In an embodiment of the invention the seed image used for the second image is the first ptychografic image. In another embodiment the second ptychographic image is the image of the layer removed during the thinning. In another embodiment the inner potential of the sample is determined and dopant concentrations are determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Brian Roberts Routh, JR., Peter Christiaan Tiemeijer, Bart Jozef Janssen, Thomas G. Miller, David Foord, Ivan Lazic
  • Publication number: 20130328355
    Abstract: An open roof system for a vehicle comprises at least first and second movable elements, each movable between a retracted and a deployed position. At least two drive cable assemblies transfer the motor torque to said movable elements. The drive cable assemblies comprise a flexible first part having first and second ends, the first part being driven by a motor. The first end of the flexible first part connects to a first movable element, in a first direction, and a first guiding channel in a lateral guide guides the second end. The drive cable assembly further comprises an elongated second part, guided in a second guiding channel in a second direction towards a second movable element and connected thereto. During at least part of the operation, the elongated second part moves substantially in the same direction as the second end of the first part of the cable assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders
  • Publication number: 20130298457
    Abstract: A treatment of biomass comprises supplying biomass which contains an amount of moisture to a torrefaction system. The biomass containing moisture is heated to a torrefaction temperature in the torrefaction system. The biomass containing moisture is substantially completely dried by evaporating the moisture and the dried biomass torrefies at least partially to form torrefied biomass. The torrefaction system comprises a first treatment device and a second treatment device. The biomass is heated to the torrefaction temperature in the first treatment device within a first time period. The at least partially torrefied biomass is removed from the first treatment device after the first time period and the biomass which has been removed from the first treatment device is transferred to the second treatment device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: TOPELL ENERGY B.V., 2511 CJ
    Inventor: Peter Christiaan Albert Bergman
  • Patent number: 8569693
    Abstract: A charged particle apparatus is equipped with a third stigmator positioned between the objective lens and a detector system, as a result of which a third degree of freedom is created for reducing the linear distortion. Further, a method of using said three stigmators, comprises exciting the first stigmator to reduce astigmatism when imaging the sample, exciting the second stigmator to reduce astigmatism when imaging the diffraction plane, and exciting the third stigmator to reduce the linear distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Maarten Bischoff, Alexander Henstra, Uwe Luecken, Peter Christiaan Tiemeijer
  • Patent number: 8493097
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a circuit is provided. The circuit includes a low-ohmic circuit and a a power supply node configured and arranged for providing a supply voltage across the low-ohmic circuit to a load from which current can be drawn. The circuit also includes a current reference circuit, configured and arranged for setting a current reference level that is based on a portion of the current from the power supply node, and a current-sensing circuit. The current-sensing circuit senses and is responsive to current passing through the low-ohmic circuit. The current-sensing circuit operates in a normal mode, in which the current-sensing circuit senses an amount of current passing through the low ohmic circuit that is less than the current threshold level, and in an over-current mode, in which the current-sensing circuit senses an amount of current passing through the low ohmic circuit that is greater than the current threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Xiaoru Dong, Thierry Jans, Peter Christiaans
  • Patent number: 8474510
    Abstract: A sunshade assembly includes a sunscreen having opposed longitudinal edges which are provided with guide strips which are substantially rigid in transverse direction. Opposed longitudinal guiderails each include a guide channel section defining a guide channel in which the respective guide strip is accommodated when the sunscreen is moved between open and closed positions. The guide channel of each guide rail is bound on the side facing the opposite guiderail by a guide flange supporting the lower side of the sunscreen. A part of the guide channel supports the guide strip on its side remote from the sunscreen. A biasing member acts between at least one of the guide strips and the corresponding guide channel section to bias the guide strip at least on its edge adjacent the sunscreen in a direction away from the guide flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Stephan Christiaan Vervoort, Ruud Geurts, Peter Christiaan Leonardus Manders
  • Patent number: 8474905
    Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle having a roof opening in its fixed roof comprising a movable closure element for closing and opening the roof opening. A stationary part comprises guide rails extending transversely of the roof opening in vehicle longitudinal direction. A closure moving mechanism comprises an electric motor fixed to the stationary part, flexible drive cables guided in a guide through a defined path at least partly within said guide rails and being engaged by the electric motor in order to be moved through the guide and along the guide rails. The guide is constructed such that, when an excessive force is exerted on the cable by the closure element in the event of a crash, it allows the respective guide cable to deviate from the defined path dictated by the guide during normal use, to allow limited longitudinal movement of the closure element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Eduardus Christianus Henricus Van Boxtel, Frank Henricus Gerardus Van Der Logt, Robert Rikkert
  • Patent number: 8444217
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle comprises a stationary roof part, a roof opening provided therein, and a roof assembly mounted to the stationary roof part, having a panel which is movable between closed and open positions for closing and opening, respectively, said roof opening. A moving mechanism is provided for connecting the movable panel to the stationary roof and moving it with respect thereto, wherein the moving mechanism at least comprises two longitudinal curved parts attached to the movable panel, two stationary guides extending along opposite longitudinal edges of the roof opening and two linking mechanisms for movably linking the stationary guides with the respective curved parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders, Joseph Petrus Johannus Sanders, Robert Rikkert, Ronny Doornink
  • Publication number: 20130106143
    Abstract: A shading assembly for shading an opening with at least two opposite opening sides in a structure comprises a flexible shading member which is movable between a position completely covering said opening and a position at least partially freeing said opening. Said flexible shading member is defined by two shading member parts which each have a first edge connected to one of said opposite opening sides and an opposite second edge, wherein said second edges of both shading member parts together define an elongate releasable connection device of the type further comprising a movable operating member which upon movement along said second edges connects or disconnects said second edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders, Stephan Christiaan Vervoort
  • Patent number: 8405027
    Abstract: A scanning confocal transmission electron microscope includes a descan deflector and a corrector below the sample. The microscope uses a detector that is preferably significantly larger than the resolution of the microscope and is positioned in the real image plane, which provides improved contrast, particularly for light elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Fei Company
    Inventors: Sorin Lazar, Bert Henning Freitag, Peter Christiaan Tiemeijer
  • Publication number: 20130062520
    Abstract: A charged particle apparatus is equipped with a third stigmator positioned between the objective lens and a detector system, as a result of which a third degree of freedom is created for reducing the linear distortion. Further, a method of using said three stigmators, comprises exciting the first stigmator to reduce astigmatism when imaging the sample, exciting the second stigmator to reduce astigmatism when imaging the diffraction plane, and exciting the third stigmator to reduce the linear distortion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: FEI Company
    Inventors: Alexander Henstra, Maarten Bischoff, Uwe Luecken, Peter Christiaan Tiemeijer
  • Publication number: 20130043941
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a circuit is provided. The circuit includes a low-ohmic circuit and a a power supply node configured and arranged for providing a supply voltage across the low-ohmic circuit to a load from which current can be drawn. The circuit also includes a current reference circuit, configured and arranged for setting a current reference level that is based on a portion of the current from the power supply node, and a current-sensing circuit. The current-sensing circuit senses and is responsive to current passing through the low-ohmic circuit. The current-sensing circuit operates in a normal mode, in which the current-sensing circuit senses an amount of current passing through the low ohmic circuit that is less than the current threshold level, and in an over-current mode, in which the current-sensing circuit senses an amount of current passing through the low ohmic circuit that is greater than the current threshold level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Xiaoru Dong, Thierry Jans, Peter Christiaans
  • Patent number: 8322783
    Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle having an opening in the fixed roof comprises a stationary guide rail on at least one side of the roof opening and a slidable slide with an operating mechanism. At least one closure element is supported by the operating mechanism and is adjustable between a closed position, in which it closes the roof opening at least partially, and an open position, in which it releases the roof opening at least partially. Each operating mechanism comprises a laterally extending curve rib and a guide member engaging around the curve rib and being attached to a carrier. The curve rib and carrier of the guide member are each attached to either one of the closure element and the slide and are adapted to slide with respect to each other. The guide member is rotatably attached to the carrier so as to compensate for a variation in inclination between the carrier and curve rib at the position of the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders
  • Publication number: 20120199756
    Abstract: A method for adjusting or aligning one or more optical elements in a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) is disclosed. The TEM is equipped with an objective lens for guiding a beam of electrons to a sample, a diffraction plane in which at least a beam of unscattered electrons is focused and a structure to enhance the Contrast Transfer Function (CTF) which is situated in the diffraction plane or an image thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: FEI COMPANY
    Inventors: Bart Buijsse, Peter Christiaan Tiemeijer, Martinus Petrus Maria Bierhoff
  • Patent number: 8182029
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle is disclosed. The open roof construction includes a panel movable between a closed position and a raised or tilted position via operation of a tilting lever and an auxiliary lever. In illustrated embodiments, the tilting lever includes a follower movable along a guide curve to lift a rear end of the panel from the closed position to a raised position. The auxiliary lever provides auxiliary lift to the tilting lever when the follower reaches an opened end of the guide curve. As disclosed, the auxiliary lift lever rotates from a lowered position to an upright position which in illustrated embodiments is generally perpendicular to a stationary roof part to provide additional lift to the tilting lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Eduardus Christianus Henricus Van Boxtel, Peter Christiaan Leonarus Johannes Manders, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Sander De Bie
  • Publication number: 20120049584
    Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle having a roof opening in its fixed roof comprising a movable closure element for closing and opening the roof opening. A stationary part comprises guide rails extending transversely of the roof opening in vehicle longitudinal direction. A closure moving mechanism comprises an electric motor fixed to the stationary part, flexible drive cables guided in a guide through a defined path at least partly within said guide rails and being engaged by the electric motor in order to be moved through the guide and along the guide rails. The guide is constructed such that, when an excessive force is exerted on the cable by the closure element in the event of a crash, it allows the respective guide cable to deviate from the defined path dictated by the guide during normal use, to allow limited longitudinal movement of the closure element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Eduardus Christianus Henricus Van Boxtel, Frank Henricus Gerardus Van Der Logt, Robert Rikkert