Patents by Inventor Richard A. Blanchard

Richard A. Blanchard 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: 8847307
    Abstract: Power devices using refilled trenches with permanent charge at or near their sidewalls. These trenches extend vertically into a drift region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: MaxPower Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed N. Darwish, Jun Zeng, Richard A. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 8846457
    Abstract: An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of two-terminal integrated circuits comprises: a plurality of two-terminal integrated circuits, each two-terminal integrated circuit of the plurality of two-terminal integrated circuits less than about 75 microns in any dimension; a first solvent; a second solvent different from the first solvent; and a viscosity modifier; wherein the composition has a viscosity substantially about 50 cps to about 25,000 cps at about 25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc
    Inventors: Mark D. Lowenthal, William Johnstone Ray, Neil O. Shotton, Richard A. Blanchard, Mark Allan Lewandowski, Brad Oraw, Jeffrey Baldridge, Eric Anthony Perozziello
  • Publication number: 20140252463
    Abstract: Power devices which include trench Schottky barrier diodes and also (preferably) trench-gate transistors. Isolation trenches flank both the gate regions and the diode mesas, and have an additional diffusion below the bottom of the isolation trenches. The additional diffusion helps to reduce the electric field (and leakage), when the device is in the OFF state, at both the Schottky barrier and at the body diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: MaxPower Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed N. Darwish, Jun Zeng, Richard A. Blanchard
  • Publication number: 20140240027
    Abstract: An insulated gate turn-off (IGTO) device has a layered structure including a p+ layer (e.g., a substrate), an n-type layer, a p-type layer (which may be a p-well), n+ regions formed in the surface of the p-type layer, and insulated planar gates over the p-type layer between the n+ regions. The layered structure forms vertical NPN and PNP transistors. The p-type layer forms the base of the NPN transistor. When the gates are sufficiently positively biased, the underlying p-type layer inverts to reduce the width of the base to increase the beta of the NPN transistor. This causes the product of the betas of the NPN and PNP transistors to exceed one, and the device becomes fully conductive. When the gate voltage is removed, the base width increases such that the product of the betas is less than one, and the device shuts off. No latch-up occurs in normal operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Pakal Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Blanchard, Hidenori Akiyama, Woytek Tworzydlo, Vladimir Rodov
  • Publication number: 20140240025
    Abstract: A lateral insulated gate turn-off (IGTO) device includes an n-type layer, a p-well formed in the n-type layer, a shallow n+ type region formed in the well, a shallow p+ type region formed in the well, a cathode electrode shorting the n+ type region to the p+ type region, at least one trenched gate extending through the n+ type region and into the well, a p+ type anode region laterally spaced from the well, and an anode electrode electrically contacting the p+ type anode region. The structure forms a lateral structure of NPN and PNP transistors, where the well forms the base of the NPN transistor. When a turn-on voltage is applied to the gate, the p-base has a reduced width, resulting in the beta of the NPN transistor increasing beyond a threshold to turn on the IGTO device by current feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: PAKAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Blanchard, Hidenori Akiyama, Woytek Tworzydlo
  • Patent number: 8818877
    Abstract: Presenting system and device conditions and purchasing options for components compatible with hardware devices of a computer system. In one aspect, an operating system determines the identity of a hardware device in communication with the operating system, communicates over a network to receive current purchasing information related to the hardware device, and displays components that can be selected for purchase and used with the hardware device. Another aspect provides a selectable user interface control for display in a graphical user interface that indicates a new operating condition of the computer system, different from a prior operating condition, by displaying a different appearance of the control. One embodiment has a new operating condition occurring when a component of a hardware device is within a predetermined threshold of requiring replacement, refilling, or supplementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Blanchard, Jr., Himanshu Gupta, Steven P. Jobs, Howard A. Miller, Michael B. Shebanek, Brian R. Smiley, Ralph E. Zazula
  • Patent number: 8809126
    Abstract: An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises a plurality of diodes, a first solvent and/or a viscosity modifier. In other exemplary embodiments a second solvent is also included, and the composition has a viscosity substantially between about 100 cps and about 25,000 cps at about 25° C. In an exemplary embodiment, a composition comprises: a plurality of diodes or other two-terminal integrated circuits; one or more solvents comprising about 15% to 99.9% of any of N-propanol, isopropanol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, N-octanol, ethanol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, cyclohexanol, and mixtures thereof; a viscosity modifier comprising about 0.10% to 2.5% methoxy propyl methylcellulose resin or hydroxy propyl methylcellulose resin or mixtures thereof; and about 0.01% to 2.5% of a plurality of substantially optically transparent and chemically inert particles having a range of sizes between about 10 to about 50 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc
    Inventors: Mark D. Lowenthal, William Johnstone Ray, Neil O. Shotton, Richard A. Blanchard, Mark Allan Lewandowski, Brad Oraw, Jeffrey Baldridge, Eric Anthony Perozziello
  • Patent number: 8803191
    Abstract: Methods and systems for lateral switched-emitter thyristors in a single-layer implementation. Lateral operation is advantageously achieved by using an embedded gate. Embedded gate plugs are used to controllably invert a portion of the P-base region, so that the electron population at the portion of the inversion layer which is closest to the anode will provide a virtual emitter, and will provide sufficient gain so that the combination of bipolar devices will go into latchup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Pakal Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Richard A. Blanchard
  • Publication number: 20140198532
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus comprising a plurality of diodes and an electrical interface configured to receive an electrical signal and transmit the electrical signal to the plurality of diodes is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: William Johnstone Ray, Mark D. Lowenthal, Neil O. Shotton, Richard A. Blanchard, Mark Allan Lewandowski, Brad Oraw, Mark John Steinhardt, Corey Michael Bischoff, Edward Mack Sawicki, Kenneth Stephen McGuire
  • Patent number: 8753947
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an electronic apparatus, such as a lighting device having light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a power generating device having photovoltaic diodes. The exemplary method includes depositing a first conductive medium within a plurality of channels of a base to form a plurality of first conductors; depositing within the plurality of channels a plurality of semiconductor substrate particles suspended in a carrier medium; forming an ohmic contact between each semiconductor substrate particle and a first conductor; converting the semiconductor substrate particles into a plurality of semiconductor diodes; depositing a second conductive medium to form a plurality of second conductors coupled to the plurality of semiconductor diodes; and depositing or attaching a plurality of lenses suspended in a first polymer over the plurality of diodes. In various embodiments, the depositing, forming, coupling and converting steps are performed by or through a printing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignees: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc, NASA
    Inventors: William Johnstone Ray, Mark David Lowenthal, Neil O. Shotton, Richard A. Blanchard, Mark Allan Lewandowski, Kirk A. Fuller, Donald Odell Frazier
  • Patent number: 8753946
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an electronic apparatus, such as a lighting device having light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a power generating device having photovoltaic diodes. The exemplary method includes depositing a first conductive medium within a plurality of channels of a base to form a plurality of first conductors; depositing within the plurality of channels a plurality of semiconductor substrate particles suspended in a carrier medium; forming an ohmic contact between each semiconductor substrate particle and a first conductor; converting the semiconductor substrate particles into a plurality of semiconductor diodes; depositing a second conductive medium to form a plurality of second conductors coupled to the plurality of semiconductor diodes; and depositing or attaching a plurality of lenses suspended in a first polymer over the plurality of diodes. In various embodiments, the depositing, forming, coupling and converting steps are performed by or through a printing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignees: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc, NASA, an agency of the United States
    Inventors: William Johnstone Ray, Mark David Lowenthal, Neil O. Shotton, Richard A. Blanchard, Mark Allan Lewandowski, Kirk A. Fuller, Donald Odell Frazier
  • Patent number: 8742456
    Abstract: An integrated trench-MOS-controlled-thyristor plus trench gated diode combination, in which the trenches are preferably formed at the same time. A backside polarity reversal process permits a backside p+ region in the thyristor areas, and only a backside n+ region in the diode areas (for an n-type device). This is particularly advantageous in motor control circuits and the like, where the antiparallel diode permits the thyristor to be dropped into existing power MOSFET circuit designs. In power conversion circuits, the antiparallel diode can conveniently serve as a freewheeling diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Pakal Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Hidenori Akiyama, Richard A. Blanchard, Woytek Tworzydlo
  • Publication number: 20140138666
    Abstract: An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises a plurality of diodes, a first solvent and/or a viscosity modifier. An exemplary diode comprises: a light emitting or absorbing region having a diameter between about 20 and 30 microns and a height between about 2.5 to 7 microns; a first terminal coupled to the light emitting region on a first side, the first terminal having a height between about 1 to 6 microns; and a second terminal coupled to the light emitting region on a second side opposite the first side, the second terminal having a height between about 1 to 6 microns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: NTHDEGREE TECHNOLOGIES WORLDWIDE INC.
    Inventors: Mark David Lowenthal, William Johnstone Ray, Neil O. Shotton, Richard A. Blanchard, Brad Oraw
  • Publication number: 20140138846
    Abstract: Vias (holes) are formed in a wafer or a dielectric layer. A low viscosity conductive ink, containing microscopic metal particles, is deposited over the top surface of the wafer to cover the vias. An external force is applied to urge the ink into the vias, including an electrical force, a magnetic force, a centrifugal force, a vacuum, or a suction force for outgassing the air in the vias. Any remaining ink on the surface is removed by a squeegee, spinning, an air knife, or removal of an underlying photoresist layer. The ink in the vias is heated to evaporate the liquid and sinter the remaining metal particles to form a conductive path in the vias. The resulting wafer may be bonded to one or more other wafers and singulated to form a 3-D module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Nthdegree Technologies Worldwide Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Blanchard, William J. Ray, Mark D. Lowenthal, Xiaorong Cai
  • Patent number: 8723408
    Abstract: An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises a plurality of diodes, a first solvent and/or a viscosity modifier. An exemplary diode comprises: a light emitting or absorbing region having a diameter between about 20 and 30 microns and a height between 2.5 to 7 microns; a plurality of first terminals spaced apart and coupled to the light emitting region peripherally on a first side, each first terminal of the plurality of first terminals having a height between about 0.5 to 2 microns; and one second terminal coupled centrally to a mesa region of the light emitting region on the first side, the second terminal having a height between 1 to 8 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc
    Inventors: Mark David Lowenthal, William Johnstone Ray, Neil O. Shotton, Richard A. Blanchard, Brad Oraw
  • Patent number: 8724146
    Abstract: This is directed to systems, methods, and computer-readable media for defining print settings. In some cases, particular motions of the device can be associated with print settings. In a print settings mode, when the electronic device detects a motion of the device, the device can identify a print setting associated with the detected motion. In some cases, a print setting can instead or in addition be defined in response to receiving an input from an input interface, wherein the input is independent from a displayed option. To print the content, the content and the defined print settings can be provided to a printer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Howard A. Miller, David Gelphman, Richard Blanchard, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140117367
    Abstract: Devices, structures, and related methods for IGBTs and the like which include a self-aligned series resistance at the source-body junction to avoid latchup. The series resistance is achieved by using a charged dielectric, and/or by using a dielectric which provides a source of dopant atoms of the same conductivity type as the source region, at a sidewall adjacent to the source region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Richard A. Blanchard, Mohamed N. Darwish, Jun Zeng
  • Patent number: 8704301
    Abstract: A DMOS transistor is fabricated with its source/body/deep body regions formed on the walls of a first set of trenches, and its drain regions formed on the walls of a different set of trenches. A gate region that is formed in a yet another set of trenches can be biased to allow carriers to flow from the source to the drain. Lateral current low from source/body regions on trench walls increases the active channel perimeter to a value well above the amount that would be present if the device was fabricated on just the surface of the wafer. Masking is avoided while open trenches are present. A transistor with a very low on-resistance per unit area is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 8704295
    Abstract: Power devices which include trench Schottky barrier diodes and also (preferably) trench-gate transistors. Isolation trenches flank both the gate regions and the diode mesas, and have an additional diffusion below the bottom of the isolation trenches. The additional diffusion helps to reduce the electric field (and leakage), when the device is in the OFF state, at both the Schottky barrier and at the body diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: MaxPower Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed N. Darwish, Jun Zeng, Richard A. Blanchard
  • Publication number: 20140091855
    Abstract: An insulated gate turn-off thyristor has a layered structure including a p+ layer (e.g., a substrate), an n? layer, a p-well, vertical insulated gate regions formed in the p-well, and n+ regions between the gate regions, so that vertical NPN and PNP transistors are formed. Some of the gate regions are first gate regions that only extend into the p-well, and other ones of the gate regions are second gate regions that extend through the p-well and into the n? layer to create a vertical conducting channel when biased. The second gate regions increase the beta of the PNP transistor. When the first gate regions are biased, the base of the NPN transistor is narrowed to increase its beta. When the product of the betas exceeds one, controlled latch-up of the thyristor is initiated. The distributed second gate regions lower the minimum gate voltage needed to turn on the thyristor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Pakal Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard A Blanchard, Hidenori Akiyama, Woytek Tworzydlo