Patents by Inventor Quoc Tran Pham
Quoc Tran Pham 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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Patent number: 10433463Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a heat sink having nano- and/or micro-replication directly embossed in a bulk solidifying amorphous alloy comprising a metal alloy, wherein the heat sink is configured to transfer heat out of the heat sink by natural convection by air or forced convection by air, or by fluid phase change of a fluid and/or liquid cooling by a liquid. Other embodiments relate apparatus having the heat sink. Yet other embodiments relate to methods of manufacturing the heat sink and apparatus having the heat sink.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignees: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC, Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Joseph Poole, Joseph W. Stevick, Quoc Tran Pham, Theodore Andrew Waniuk
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Patent number: 10233525Abstract: Described herein is a feedstock comprising BMG. The feedstock has a surface with an average roughness of at least 200 microns. Also described herein is a feedstock comprising BMG. The feedstock, when supported on a support during a melting process of the feedstock, has a contact area between the feedstock and the support up to 50% of a total area of the support. These feedstocks can be made by molding ingots of BMG into a mole with surface patterns, enclosing one or more cores into a sheath with a roughened surface, chemical etching, laser ablating, machining, grinding, sandblasting, or shot peening. The feedstocks can be used as starting materials in an injection molding process.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Joseph C. Poole, Joseph Stevick, Quoc Tran Pham, Theodore Andrew Waniuk
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Patent number: 10154707Abstract: Embodiments relates to a hook side fastener having hooks and a loop side fastener having loops. The hooks and/or loops are made of bulk solidifying amorphous metal alloy. Other embodiments relate to methods of making and using the hook side and loop side fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Joseph C. Poole, Theodore A. Waniuk, Quoc Tran Pham, Joseph Stevick
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Patent number: 10066276Abstract: Disclosed is an improved bulk metallic glass alloy and methods of making the alloy in which the alloy has the structure ZraNbbCucNidAle, wherein a-e represent the atomic percentage of each respective element, and wherein b/a is less than about 0.040, and c/d is less than 1.15. The bulk metallic glass alloy has improved thermal stability and an increased super cooled liquid region rendering it capable of being thermoplastically formed into a variety of shapes and sizes.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2012Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLCInventors: Quoc Tran Pham, Theodore A. Waniuk
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Patent number: 9994932Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a method of making roll formed objects of a bulk solidifying amorphous alloy comprising a metal alloy, and articles thereof. The roll forming includes forming a portion of the bulk solidifying amorphous alloy at a temperature greater than a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the metal alloy. The roll forming is done such that a time-temperature profile of the portion during the roll forming does not traverse through a region bounding a crystalline region of the metal alloy in a time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagram of the metal alloy.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Joseph C. Poole, Joseph Stevick, Theodore A. Waniuk, Quoc Tran Pham
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Patent number: 9987685Abstract: Described herein is a method of producing an alloy. The method includes pouring a stream of molten mixture of component elements of the alloy, separating the stream into discrete pieces, solidifying the discrete pieces by cooling before the discrete pieces contact any liquid or solid. Also described herein is another method of producing an alloy. This method includes pouring and solidifying a stream of molten mixture of component elements of the alloy into a rod or pulling a rod from a molten mixture of component elements of the alloy, before the rod contacts any liquid or solid, separating the rod into discrete pieces. An apparatus suitable for carrying out the methods above can include a container from which the molten stream is poured or the solid rod extends, one or more coil, conductive plates, a laser source, or an electron beam source arranged around the molten stream or the solid rod and configured to separate the molten stream or the solid rod into discrete pieces.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Joseph C. Poole, Joseph Stevick, Theodore A. Waniuk, Quoc Tran Pham
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Patent number: 9975171Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for mechanically reducing an amount of the skull material in a finished, molded part formed from amorphous alloy using an injection molding system. Skull material of molten amorphous alloy can be captured in a trap before molding such material. A cavity can be provided in the injection molding system to trap the skull material. For example, the cavity can be provided in the mold, the tip of the plunger rod, or in the transfer sleeve. Alternatively, mixing of molten amorphous alloy can be induced so that skull material is reduced before molding. A plunger and/or its tip can be used to induce mixing (e.g., systematic movement of plunger rod, or a shape of its tip). By minimizing the amount of skull material in the finished, molded part, the quality of the part is increased.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Theodore A. Waniuk, Quoc Tran Pham, Joseph Stevick, Sean Timothy O'Keeffe, Christopher D. Prest, Joseph C. Poole
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Patent number: 9955533Abstract: An induction shield is configured to substantially reduce emissions emitted from an induction heat source (e.g., coil) during use. The shield is positioned adjacent to a vessel (e.g., in an injection system) having a melting portion configured to receive meltable material to be melted therein and an induction heat source positioned adjacent the vessel configured to melt the meltable material received in the melting portion of the vessel. The shield may include a tube configuration configured to flow liquid therein to absorb heat emitted from the heat source. The tube configuration can comprise a single tube or multiple tubes. The shield can be positioned adjacent the induction source in a helical manner, for example, or at ends of the vessel. The shield can be used during melting of amorphous alloy and for forming a part.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2011Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: CRUCIBLE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, LLC.Inventors: Quoc Tran Pham, Sean Timothy O'Keeffe, Joseph Stevick, Theodore A. Waniuk
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Patent number: 9869010Abstract: One embodiment provides a composition, the composition comprising: an alloy that is at least partially amorphous and is represented by a chemical formula: (Zr, Ti)aMbNcSnd, wherein: M is at least one transition metal element; N is Al, Be, or both; a, b, c, and d each independently represents an atomic percentage; and a is from about 30 to 70, b is from about 25 to 60, c is from about 5 to 30, and d is from about 0.1 to 5.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2011Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLCInventors: Choongnyun Paul Kim, Theodore A. Waniuk, Quoc Tran Pham
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Patent number: 9782242Abstract: Metallic dental prostheses made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys wherein the dental prosthesis has an elastic strain limit of around 1.2% or more and methods of making such metallic dental prostheses are provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Crucible Intellectual Propery, LLCInventors: Atakan Peker, Choongnyun Paul Kim, Quoc Tran Pham
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Patent number: 9758852Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is an article, comprising a first part having a first surface and a hermetic seal disposed over a portion of the first surface, wherein the hermetic seal comprises a composition that is at least partially amorphous.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2011Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLCInventors: Quoc Tran Pham, Theodore Andy Waniuk
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Patent number: 9716050Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of forming an interfacial layer or a seal, the method comprising: providing a composition that is at least partially amorphous, the composition having a glass transition temperature Tg and a crystallization temperature Tx; heating the composition to a first temperature that is below Tx; disposing the heated composition to form the interfacial layer or the seal; and cooling the interfacial layer or the seal to a second temperature that is below Tg.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2011Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLCInventors: Quoc Tran Pham, Theodore Andy Waniuk
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Patent number: 9630246Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus comprising at least one gate and a vessel, the gate being configured to move between a first position to restrict entry into an ejection path of the vessel and contain a material in a meltable form within the vessel during melting of the material, and a second position to allow movement of the material in a molten form through the ejection path. The gate can move linearly or rotate between its first and second positions, for example. The apparatus is configured to melt the material and the at least one gate is configured to allow the apparatus to be maintained under vacuum during the melting of the material. Melting can be performed using an induction source. The apparatus may also include a mold configured to receive molten material and for molding a molded part, such as a bulk amorphous alloy part.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLCInventors: Quoc Tran Pham, Michael Deming, Theodore A. Waniuk, Sean O'Keeffe
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Patent number: 9604279Abstract: Disclosed is a vessel for melting meltable material having a body with a melting portion configured to receive meltable material to be melted therein and an injection path for injecting the meltable material in molten form after melting (e.g., into a mold). The body has a recess configured to contain the meltable material within the vessel during melting of the material. The vessel is configured for movement between in a first position to restrict entry of molten material into an injection path of the vessel and to contain the material in the recess during melting, and a second position to allow movement of the material in a molten form through the injection path and into the mold (e.g., using a plunger). The vessel can be used in an injection molding system for molding bulk amorphous alloys.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2012Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sean Timothy O'Keeffe, Quoc Tran Pham, Theodore Andrew Waniuk, Michael Blaine Deming
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Patent number: 9544949Abstract: Vessels used for melting material to be injection molded to form a part are described. One vessel has a body formed from a plurality of elongate segments configured to be electrically isolated from each other and with a melting portion for melting meltable material therein. Material can be provided between adjacent segments. An induction coil can be used to melt the material in the body. Other vessels have a body with an embedded induction coil therein. The embedded coil can be configured to surround the melting portion, or can be positioned below and/or adjacent the melting portion, so that meltable material is melted. The vessels can be used to melt amorphous alloys, for example.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2012Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Quoc Tran Pham, Michael Deming, Theodore A. Waniuk, Sean Timothy O'Keeffe, Joseph Stevick
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Patent number: 9456590Abstract: Mechanical hooks made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys, wherein the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys provide ruggedness, durability, higher service loads, excellent resistance to chemical and environmental effects, and low-cost manufacturing are provided. In addition, methods of making such mechanical hooks from bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2012Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: CRUCIBLE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, LLCInventors: Dennis Ogawa, Quoc Tran Pham, Atakan Peker
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Publication number: 20160237537Abstract: Various embodiments of an article of manufacture include a first material arranged in contact with a desired object or objects in a selected configuration; and a shape memory component arranged in or adjacent to the first material. The shape memory component includes a bulk amorphous alloy (BAA) in a memorized shape, and which is designed and adapted to return to the memorized shape and maintain the selected configuration of the first material after experiencing a deformation. Embodiments of a shape memory structure of this disclosure are valuable in the manufacture of clothing, e.g., in brassieres, as a shape retaining wire or loop. In addition, embodiments of a shape memory structure of this disclosure can also be valuable in the manufacture of other consumer items, e.g., retainer rings, eye glass frame, live hinges, dome switches, and keyboard springs that utilize a shape retaining wire described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2012Publication date: August 18, 2016Applicant: Crucible Intellectual Property, LLCInventors: Quoc Tran PHAM, Sean O'KEEFE, Theodore Andrew WANIUK, John KANG
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Patent number: 9375788Abstract: Described herein is a method of combining discrete pieces of BMG in to a BMG feedstock that has at least one dimension greater than a critical dimension of the BMG, by methods such as thermoplastic forming, pressing, extruding, folding or forging. Other embodiments relate to a bulk metallic glass (BMG) component or feedstock having discrete pieces of a BMG, wherein the BMG component or feedstock has at least one dimension greater than a critical dimension of the BMG.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2012Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Joseph C. Poole, Joseph Stevick, Quoc Tran Pham, Theodore Andrew Waniuk
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Publication number: 20160102391Abstract: Described herein is a feedstock comprising BMG. The feedstock has a surface with an average roughness of at least 200 microns. Also described herein is a feedstock comprising BMG. The feedstock, when supported on a support during a melting process of the feedstock, has a contact area between the feedstock and the support up to 50% of a total area of the support. These feedstocks can be made by molding ingots of BMG into a mole with surface patterns, enclosing one or more cores into a sheath with a roughened surface, chemical etching, laser ablating, machining, grinding, sandblasting, or shot peening. The feedstocks can be used as starting materials in an injection molding process.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Joseph C. Poole, Joseph Stevick, Quoc Tran Pham, Theodore Andrew Waniuk
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Patent number: 9302319Abstract: Described herein is a feedstock including a core comprising BMG and a sheath attached the core. The sheath has a different physical property, a different chemical property or both from the core. Alternatively, the feedstock can include a sheath that encloses one or more core comprising BMG. The feedstock can be manufactured by attaching the sheath to the core, shot peening the core, etching the core, ion implanting the core, or applying a coating to the core, etc. The feedstock can be used to make a part by injection molding. The sheath can be used to adjust the composition of the core to reach the composition of the part.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2012Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Joseph C. Poole, Joseph Stevick, Theodore Andrew Waniuk, Quoc Tran Pham