Patents by Inventor Robert Joseph Therrien

Robert Joseph Therrien 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: 8893513
    Abstract: A thermoelectric heat exchanger component includes a circuit board and multiple thermoelectric devices attached to the circuit board. Heights of at least two of the thermoelectric devices are different due to, for example, tolerances in a manufacturing process for the thermoelectric devices. The thermoelectric heat exchanger component also includes a first heat spreading lid over a first surface of the thermoelectric devices and a second heat spreading lid over a second surface of the thermoelectric devices. A thermal interface material is present between each one of the thermoelectric devices and the first and second heat spreading lids. The first heat spreading lid and the second heat spreading lid are oriented such that the thickness of the thermal interface material, and thus a thermal interface resistance, is optimized for the thermoelectric devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Phononic Device, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Sean June, Robert Joseph Therrien, Abhishek Yadav, Jesse W. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20140203294
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures comprising a III-nitride (e.g., gallium nitride) material region and methods associated with such structures are provided. In some embodiments, the structures include an electrically conductive material (e.g., gold) separated from certain other region(s) of the structure (e.g., a silicon substrate) by a barrier material in order to limit, or prevent, undesirable reactions between the electrically conductive material and the other component(s) which can impair device performance. In certain embodiments, the electrically conductive material may be formed in a via. For example, the via can extend from a topside of the device to a backside so that the electrically conductive material connects a topside contact to a backside contact. The structures described herein may form the basis of a number of semiconductor devices including transistors (e.g., FET), Schottky diodes, light-emitting diodes and laser diodes, amongst others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Therrien, Jerry Wayne Johnson, Allen W. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20130291561
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to controlling multiple Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs) to maintain a set point temperature of a chamber. In one embodiment, a controller receives temperature data corresponding to a temperature of the chamber. Based on the temperature data, the controller selectively controls two or more subsets of the TECs to maintain the temperature of the chamber at a desired set point temperature. In this manner, the controller is enabled to control the TECs such that the TECs operate to efficiently maintain the temperature of the chamber at the set point temperature. In another embodiment, the controller selects one or more control schemes enabled by the controller based on temperature data and a desired performance profile. The controller then independently controls one or more subsets of the TECs according to the selected control scheme(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Phononic Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse W. Edwards, M. Sean June, Robert Joseph Therrien, Abhishek Yadav
  • Publication number: 20130291558
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to controlling multiple Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs) to maintain a set point temperature of a chamber. In one embodiment, a controller receives temperature data corresponding to a temperature of the chamber. Based on the temperature data, the controller selectively controls two or more subsets of the TECs to maintain the temperature of the chamber at a desired set point temperature. In this manner, the controller is enabled to control the TECs such that the TECs operate to efficiently maintain the temperature of the chamber at the set point temperature. In another embodiment, the controller selects one or more control schemes enabled by the controller based on temperature data and a desired performance profile. The controller then independently controls one or more subsets of the TECs according to the selected control scheme(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Phononic Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse W. Edwards, M. Sean June, Robert Joseph Therrien, Abhishek Yadav
  • Publication number: 20130291557
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to controlling multiple Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs) to maintain a set point temperature of a chamber. In one embodiment, a controller receives temperature data corresponding to a temperature of the chamber. Based on the temperature data, the controller selectively controls two or more subsets of the TECs to maintain the temperature of the chamber at a desired set point temperature. In this manner, the controller is enabled to control the TECs such that the TECs operate to efficiently maintain the temperature of the chamber at the set point temperature. In another embodiment, the controller selects one or more control schemes enabled by the controller based on temperature data and a desired performance profile. The controller then independently controls one or more subsets of the TECs according to the selected control scheme(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Jesse W. Edwards, Robert Joseph Therrien, M. Sean June
  • Publication number: 20130291563
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to controlling multiple Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs) to maintain a set point temperature of a chamber. In one embodiment, a controller receives temperature data corresponding to a temperature of the chamber. Based on the temperature data, the controller selectively controls two or more subsets of the TECs to maintain the temperature of the chamber at a desired set point temperature. In this manner, the controller is enabled to control the TECs such that the TECs operate to efficiently maintain the temperature of the chamber at the set point temperature. In another embodiment, the controller selects one or more control schemes enabled by the controller based on temperature data and a desired performance profile. The controller then independently controls one or more subsets of the TECs according to the selected control scheme(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Phononic Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse W. Edwards, M. Sean June, Robert Joseph Therrien, Abhishek Yadav
  • Publication number: 20130291555
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to controlling multiple Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs) to maintain a set point temperature of a chamber. In one embodiment, a controller receives temperature data corresponding to a temperature of the chamber. Based on the temperature data, the controller selectively controls two or more subsets of the TECs to maintain the temperature of the chamber at a desired set point temperature. In this manner, the controller is enabled to control the TECs such that the TECs operate to efficiently maintain the temperature of the chamber at the set point temperature. In another embodiment, the controller selects one or more control schemes enabled by the controller based on temperature data and a desired performance profile. The controller then independently controls one or more subsets of the TECs according to the selected control scheme(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: PHONONIC DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jesse W. Edwards, Robert Joseph Therrien, M. Sean June
  • Publication number: 20130291556
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to controlling multiple Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs) to maintain a set point temperature of a chamber. In one embodiment, a controller receives temperature data corresponding to a temperature of the chamber. Based on the temperature data, the controller selectively controls two or more subsets of the TECs to maintain the temperature of the chamber at a desired set point temperature. In this manner, the controller is enabled to control the TECs such that the TECs operate to efficiently maintain the temperature of the chamber at the set point temperature. In another embodiment, the controller selects one or more control schemes enabled by the controller based on temperature data and a desired performance profile. The controller then independently controls one or more subsets of the TECs according to the selected control scheme(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Phononic Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse W. Edwards, M. Sean June, Robert Joseph Therrien, Abhishek Yadav
  • Publication number: 20130291562
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to controlling multiple Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs) to maintain a set point temperature of a chamber. In one embodiment, a controller receives temperature data corresponding to a temperature of the chamber. Based on the temperature data, the controller selectively controls two or more subsets of the TECs to maintain the temperature of the chamber at a desired set point temperature. In this manner, the controller is enabled to control the TECs such that the TECs operate to efficiently maintain the temperature of the chamber at the set point temperature. In another embodiment, the controller selects one or more control schemes enabled by the controller based on temperature data and a desired performance profile. The controller then independently controls one or more subsets of the TECs according to the selected control scheme(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Phononic Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse W. Edwards, Robert Joseph Therrien, M. Sean June
  • Publication number: 20130291559
    Abstract: Embodiments of a thermoelectric heat exchanger component having a heat spreading lid that optimizes thermal interface resistance between the heat spreading lid and multiple thermoelectric devices and methods of fabrication thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a thermoelectric heat exchanger component includes a circuit board and multiple thermoelectric devices attached to the circuit board. Heights of at least two of the thermoelectric devices are different due to, for example, tolerances in a manufacturing process for the thermoelectric devices. The thermoelectric heat exchanger component also includes a heat spreading lid over the thermoelectric devices and a thermal interface material between the thermoelectric devices and the heat spreading lid. An orientation (i.e., a tilt) of the heat spreading lid is such that a thickness of the thermal interface material, and thus a thermal interface resistance, is optimized for the thermoelectric devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Phononic Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Sean June, Robert Joseph Therrien, Abhishek Yadav, Jesse W. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20130291560
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to controlling multiple Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs) to maintain a set point temperature of a chamber. In one embodiment, a controller receives temperature data corresponding to a temperature of the chamber. Based on the temperature data, the controller selectively controls two or more subsets of the TECs to maintain the temperature of the chamber at a desired set point temperature. In this manner, the controller is enabled to control the TECs such that the TECs operate to efficiently maintain the temperature of the chamber at the set point temperature. In another embodiment, the controller selects one or more control schemes enabled by the controller based on temperature data and a desired performance profile. The controller then independently controls one or more subsets of the TECs according to the selected control scheme(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Phononic Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Therrien, M. Sean June, Jesse W. Edwards, James Barton Summers, III, Abhishek Yadav
  • Patent number: 8563844
    Abstract: Embodiments of a thin-film heterostructure thermoelectric material and methods of fabrication thereof are disclosed. In general, the thermoelectric material is formed in a Group IIa and IV-VI materials system. The thermoelectric material includes an epitaxial heterostructure and exhibits high heat pumping and figure-of-merit performance in terms of Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity over broad temperature ranges through appropriate engineering and judicious optimization of the epitaxial heterostructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignees: Phononic Devices, Inc., Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Allen L. Gray, Robert Joseph Therrien, Patrick John McCann
  • Patent number: 8564129
    Abstract: Embodiments of a low resistivity contact to a semiconductor structure are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor layer, a semiconductor contact layer having a low bandgap on a surface of the semiconductor layer, and an electrode on a surface of the semiconductor contact layer opposite the semiconductor layer. The bandgap of the semiconductor contact layer is in a range of and including 0 to 0.2 electron-volts (eV), more preferably in a range of and including 0 to 0.1 eV, even more preferably in a range of and including 0 to 0.05 eV. Preferably, the semiconductor layer is p-type. In one particular embodiment, the semiconductor contact layer and the electrode form an ohmic contact to the p-type semiconductor layer and, as a result of the low bandgap of the semiconductor contact layer, the ohmic contact has a resistivity that is less than 1×10?6 ohms·cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Phononic Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Therrien, Jason D. Reed, Jaime A. Rumsey, Allen L. Gray
  • Publication number: 20130069110
    Abstract: Embodiments of a low resistivity contact to a semiconductor structure are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor layer, a semiconductor contact layer having a low bandgap on a surface of the semiconductor layer, and an electrode on a surface of the semiconductor contact layer opposite the semiconductor layer. The bandgap of the semiconductor contact layer is in a range of and including 0 to 0.2 electron-volts (eV), more preferably in a range of and including 0 to 0.1 eV, even more preferably in a range of and including 0 to 0.05 eV. Preferably, the semiconductor layer is p-type. In one particular embodiment, the semiconductor contact layer and the electrode form an ohmic contact to the p-type semiconductor layer and, as a result of the low bandgap of the semiconductor contact layer, the ohmic contact has a resistivity that is less than 1×10?6 ohms·cm2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: PHONONIC DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Therrien, Jason D. Reed, Jaime A. Rumsey, Allen L. Gray
  • Publication number: 20120216848
    Abstract: Embodiments of a thin-film heterostructure thermoelectric material and methods of fabrication thereof are disclosed. In general, the thermoelectric material is formed in a Group IIa and IV-VI materials system. The thermoelectric material includes an epitaxial heterostructure and exhibits high heat pumping and figure-of-merit performance in terms of Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity over broad temperature ranges through appropriate engineering and judicious optimization of the epitaxial heterostructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicants: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA, PHONONIC DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Allen L. Gray, Robert Joseph Therrien, Patrick John McCann
  • Publication number: 20120217548
    Abstract: Embodiments of a thin-film heterostructure thermoelectric material and methods of fabrication thereof are disclosed. In general, the thermoelectric material is formed in a Group IIa and IV-VI materials system. The thermoelectric material includes an epitaxial heterostructure and exhibits high heat pumping and figure-of-merit performance in terms of Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity over broad temperature ranges through appropriate engineering and judicious optimization of the epitaxial heterostructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicants: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA, PHONONIC DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Allen L. Gray, Robert Joseph Therrien, Patrick John McCann
  • Patent number: 7569871
    Abstract: Gallium nitride material transistors and methods associated with the same are provided. The transistors may be used in power applications by amplifying an input signal to produce an output signal having increased power. The transistors may be designed to transmit the majority of the output signal within a specific transmission channel (defined in terms of frequency), while minimizing transmission in adjacent channels. This ability gives the transistors excellent linearity which results in high signal quality and limits errors in transmitted data. The transistors may be designed to achieve low ACPR values (a measure of excellent linearity), while still operating at high drain efficiencies and/or high output powers. Such properties enable the transistors to be used in RF power applications including third generation (3G) power applications based on W-CDMA modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Nitronex Corporation
    Inventors: Walter H. Nagy, Jerry Wayne Johnson, Edwin Lanier Piner, Pradeep Rajagopal, John Claassen Roberts, Sameer Singhal, Robert Joseph Therrien, Andrei Vescan, Ricardo M. Borges, Jeffrey D. Brown, Apurva D. Chaudhari, James W. Cook, Allen W. Hanson, Kevin J. Linthicum
  • Patent number: 7352016
    Abstract: Gallium nitride material transistors and methods associated with the same are provided. The transistors may be used in power applications by amplifying an input signal to produce an output signal having increased power. The transistors may be designed to transmit the majority of the output signal within a specific transmission channel (defined in terms of frequency), while minimizing transmission in adjacent channels. This ability gives the transistors excellent linearity which results in high signal quality and limits errors in transmitted data. The transistors may be designed to achieve low ACPR values (a measure of excellent linearity), while still operating at high drain efficiencies and/or high output powers. Such properties enable the transistors to be used in RF power applications including third generation (3G) power applications based on W-CDMA modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Nitronex Corporation
    Inventors: Walter H. Nagy, Ricardo M. Borges, Jeffrey D. Brown, Apurva D. Chaudhari, James W. Cook, Allen W. Hanson, Jerry Wayne Johnson, Kevin J. Linthicum, Edwin Lanier Piner, Pradeep Rajagopal, John Claassen Roberts, Sameer Singhal, Robert Joseph Therrien, Andrei Vescan