Patents by Inventor Robert J. Lepofsky
Robert J. Lepofsky 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: 20080267790Abstract: A vacuum system comprises, as an integral assembly, a vacuum pump with drive motor, a purge valve, a roughing valve and an electronic control module. A cryogenic vacuum pump and a turbomolecular vacuum pump are disclosed. The control module has a programmed processor for controlling the motor and valves and is user programmable for establishing specific control sequences. The integral electronic control module is removable from the assembly and is connected to the other devices through a common connector assembly. In the turbomolecular pump system proper introduction of a purge gas through the purge valve is detected by detecting the current load on the pump drive or by detecting foreline pressure. To test the purge gas status, the purge valve may be closed and then opened as drive current or pressure is monitored. After power failure, the controller will continue normal drive of the turbomolecular pump so long as the speed of the pump has remained above a threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: Peter W. Gaudet, Robert J. Lepofsky, Alan L. Weeks, Gerald J. Fortier, Stephen R. Matte, Martin Stein, Steven C. Rosner
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Patent number: 7413411Abstract: A vacuum system comprises, as an integral assembly, a vacuum pump with drive motor, a purge valve, a roughing valve and an electronic control module. A cryogenic vacuum pump and a turbomolecular vacuum pump are disclosed. The control module has a programmed processor for controlling the motor and valves and is user programmable for establishing specific control sequences. The integral electronic control module is removable from the assembly and is connected to the other devices through a common connector assembly. In the turbomolecular pump system proper introduction of a purge gas through the purge valve is detected by detecting the current load on the pump drive or by detecting foreline pressure. To test the purge gas status, the purge valve may be closed and then opened as drive current or pressure is monitored. After power failure, the controller will continue normal drive of the turbomolecular pump so long as the speed of the pump has remained above a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2005Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventors: Peter W. Gaudet, Robert J. Lepofsky, Alan L. Weeks, Gerald J. Fortier, Stephen R. Matté, Martin Stein, Steven C. Rosner
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Patent number: 6902378Abstract: A vacuum system comprises, as an integral assembly, a vacuum pump with drive motor, a purge valve, a roughing valve and an electronic control module. A cryogenic vacuum pump and a turbomolecular vacuum pump are disclosed. The control module has a programmed processor for controlling the motor and valves and is user programmable for establishing specific control sequences. The integral electronic control module is removable from the assembly and is connected to the other devices through a common connector assembly. In the turbomolecular pump system proper introduction of a purge gas through the purge valve is detected by detecting the current load on the pump drive or by detecting foreline pressure. To test the purge gas status, the purge valve may be closed and then opened as drive current or pressure is monitored. After power failure, the controller will continue normal drive of the turbomolecular pump so long as the speed of the pump has remained above a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2002Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Helix Technology CorporationInventors: Peter W. Gaudet, Robert J. Lepofsky, Alan L. Weeks, Gerald J. Fortier, Stephen R. Matté, Martin Stein, Steven C. Rosner
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Patent number: 6474080Abstract: A cryopump system includes an integral assembly having a refrigerator, cryopumping surfaces cooled by the refrigerator, a first electronic module for controlling the cryopump, and a second electronic module which is removably coupled to the first module. The second electronic module has a first surface abutting a complementary first surface of a housing of the first electronic module. Preferably, the first controller module has three orthogonal surfaces of approximately the same dimensions. Electronic modules can be removably coupled to each of the three surfaces. The cryopump system includes a module cap which is coupled to an end of an electronic module to shield electrical connections between two coupled electronic modules. The electronic modules comprise a channel of rectangular cross section having slots for mounting printed circuit boards.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2001Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Helix Technology CorporationInventors: John J. Varone, Daniel R. Jankins, Robert J. Lepofsky
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Patent number: 6461113Abstract: A vacuum system comprises, as an integral assembly, a vacuum pump with drive motor, a purge valve, a roughing valve and an electronic control module. A cryogenic vacuum pump and a turbomolecular vacuum pump are disclosed. The control module has a programmed processor for controlling the motor and valves and is user programmable for establishing specific control sequences. The integral electronic control module is removable from the assembly and is connected to the other devices through a common connector assembly. In the turbomolecular pump system proper introduction of a purge gas through the purge valve is detected by detecting the current load on the pump drive or by detecting foreline pressure. To test the purge gas status, the purge valve may be closed and then opened as drive current or pressure is monitored. After power failure, the controller will continue normal drive of the turbomolecular pump so long as the speed of the pump has remained above a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1999Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: Helix Technology CorporationInventors: Peter W. Gaudet, Robert J. Lepofsky, Alan L. Weeks, Gerald J. Fortier, Stephen R. Matté, Martin Stein, Steven C. Rosner
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Publication number: 20020094277Abstract: A vacuum system comprises, as an integral assembly, a vacuum pump with drive motor, a purge valve, a roughing valve and an electronic control module. A cryogenic vacuum pump and a turbomolecular vacuum pump are disclosed. The control module has a programmed processor for controlling the motor and valves and is user programmable for establishing specific control sequences. The integral electronic control module is removable from the assembly and is connected to the other devices through a common connector assembly. In the turbomolecular pump system proper introduction of a purge gas through the purge valve is detected by detecting the current load on the pump drive or by detecting foreline pressure. To test the purge gas status, the purge valve may be closed and then opened as drive current or pressure is monitored. After power failure, the controller will continue normal drive of the turbomolecular pump so long as the speed of the pump has remained above a threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2002Publication date: July 18, 2002Applicant: Helix Technology CorporationInventors: Peter W. Gaudet, Michael J. Eacobacci, Robert J. Lepofsky, David E. Roche, Alan L. Weeks, Gerald J. Fortier, Stephen R. Matte, Martin Stein, Steven C. Rosner
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Publication number: 20020023440Abstract: A cryopump system includes an integral assembly having a refrigerator, cryopumping surfaces cooled by the refrigerator, a first electronic module for controlling the cryopump, and a second electronic module which is removably coupled to the first module. The second electronic module has a first surface abutting a complementary first surface of a housing of the first electronic module. Preferably, the first controller module has three orthogonal surfaces of approximately the same dimensions. Electronic modules can be removably coupled to each of the three surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2001Publication date: February 28, 2002Applicant: Helix Technology Corporation Mansfield, MassachusettsInventors: John J. Varone, Daniel R. Jankins, Robert J. Lepofsky
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Patent number: 6318091Abstract: A cryopump system includes an integral assembly having a refrigerator, cryopumping surfaces cooled by the refrigerator, a first electronic module for controlling the cryopump, and a second electronic module which is removably coupled to the first module. The second electronic module has a first surface abutting a complementary first surface of a housing of the first electronic module. Preferably, the first controller module has three orthogonal surfaces of approximately the same dimensions. Electronic modules can be removably coupled to each of the three surfaces. The cryopump system includes a module cap which is coupled to an end of an electronic module to shield electrical connections between two coupled electronic modules. The electronic modules comprise a channel of rectangular cross section having slots for mounting printed circuit boards.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 1999Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Helix Technology CorporationInventors: John J. Varone, Daniel R. Jankins, Robert J. Lepofsky
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Patent number: 6022195Abstract: A vacuum system comprises, as an integral assembly, a vacuum pump with drive motor, a purge valve, a roughing valve and an electronic control module. A cryogenic vacuum pump and a turbomolecular vacuum pump are disclosed. The control module has a programmed processor for controlling the motor and valves and is user programmable for establishing specific control sequences. The integral electronic control module is removable from the assembly and is connected to the other devices through a common connector assembly. In the turbomolecular pump system proper introduction of a purge gas through the purge valve is detected by detecting the current load on the pump drive or by detecting foreline pressure. To test the purge gas status, the purge valve may be closed and then opened as drive current or pressure is monitored. After power failure, the controller will continue normal drive of the turbomolecular pump so long as the speed of the pump has remained above a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1995Date of Patent: February 8, 2000Assignee: Helix Technology CorporationInventors: Peter W. Gaudet, Michael J. Eacobacci, Robert J. Lepofsky, David E. Roche, Alan L. Weeks, Gerald J. Fortier, Stephen R. Matte, Martin Stein, Steven C. Rosner
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Patent number: 5443368Abstract: A vacuum system comprises, as an integral assembly, a turbomolecular pump with drive motor, a vent valve, a purge valve, a roughing valve, a heater and an electronic control module. The control module has a programmed processor for controlling the motor and valves and is user programmable for establishing specific control sequences. The integral electronic control module is removable from the assembly and is connected to the other devices through a common connector assembly. Proper introduction of a purge gas through the purge valve is detected by detecting the current load on the pump drive or by detecting foreline pressure. To test the purge gas status, the purge valve may be closed and then opened as drive current or pressure is monitored. After power failure, the controller will continue normal drive of the turbomolecular pump so long as the speed of the pump has remained above a threshold value. Otherwise the vent valve will have been opened, and a start-up sequence must be initiated.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1993Date of Patent: August 22, 1995Assignee: Helix Technology CorporationInventors: Alan L. Weeks, Gerald J. Fortier, Stephen R. Matte', Peter W. Gaudet, Martin Stein, Steven C. Rosner, Robert J. Lepofsky
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Patent number: 5157928Abstract: A cryogenic vacuum pump includes, in an integral assembly, temperature sensors and heaters associated with the first and second stages of the cryopumping array, a roughing valve and a purge valve. An electronic module removably coupled in the assembly responds to all sensors and controls all operations of the cryopump including regeneration thereof. System parameters are stored in a nonvolatile memory in the module. Included in the regeneration procedures are an auto-zero of the pressure gauge, heating of the array throughout rough pumping, and a change in pressure rate test to determine stall in rough pumping. The electronic module also restarts the system after power failure, limits use of a pressure gauge to safe conditions, provides warnings before allowing opening of the valves while the cryopump is operating and stores sensor calibration information. Control through a control pad on the pump may be limited by a password requirement. Password override is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1991Date of Patent: October 27, 1992Assignee: Helix Technology CorporationInventors: Peter W. Gaudet, Donald A. Olsen, Michael J. Eacobacci, John T. Harvell, Robert J. Lepofsky, David E. Roche, Steven A. Bender
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Patent number: 4918930Abstract: A cryogenic vacuum pump includes, in an integral assembly, temperature sensors and heaters associated with the first and second stages of the cryopumping array, a roughing valve and a purge valve. An electronic module removably coupled in the assembly responds to all sensors and controls all operations of the cryopump including regeneration thereof. System parameters are stored in a nonvolatile memory in the module. Included in the regeneration procedures are an auto-zero of the pressure gauge, heating of the array throughout rough pumping, and a change in pressure rate test to determine stall in rough pumping. The electronic module also restarts the system after power failure, limits use of a pressure gauge to safe conditions, provides warnings before allowing opening of the valves while the cryopump is operating and stores sensor calibration information. Control through a control pad on the pump may be limited by a password requirement. Password override is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1988Date of Patent: April 24, 1990Assignee: Helix Technology CorporationInventors: Peter W. Gaudet, Donald A. Olsen, Michael J. Eacobacci, John T. Harvell, Robert J. Lepofsky, David E. Roche, Steven A. Bender
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Patent number: 4910965Abstract: The invention discloses a cryopump comprising a primary cryopanel 67 associated with a low temperature heat sink 60 having means for adsorbing a first low boiling point gas and a secondary cryopanel 80 associated with heat sink 60 and a higher temperature heat sink 48 having means for condensing a higher boiling point gas. There are means 90 for selectively irradiating the primary cryopanel from a location external to the vacuum chamber. The radiation raises the temperature of the cryopanel above that which is necessary to cause said first gas to become desorbed from said cryopanel while having minimal effect on the capacity of the higher temperature heat sink.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1984Date of Patent: March 27, 1990Assignee: Helix Technology CorporationInventors: Robert J. Lepofsky, Bruce R. Andeen, Gerald R. Pruitt