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).
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Patent number: 8893513Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 7, 2013Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Phononic Device, Inc.Inventors: M. Sean June, Robert Joseph Therrien, Abhishek Yadav, Jesse W. Edwards
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Publication number: 20140203294Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: International Rectifier CorporationInventors: Robert Joseph Therrien, Jerry Wayne Johnson, Allen W. Hanson
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Publication number: 20130291561Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: Phononic Devices, Inc.Inventors: Jesse W. Edwards, M. Sean June, Robert Joseph Therrien, Abhishek Yadav
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Publication number: 20130291558Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: Phononic Devices, Inc.Inventors: Jesse W. Edwards, M. Sean June, Robert Joseph Therrien, Abhishek Yadav
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Publication number: 20130291557Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Jesse W. Edwards, Robert Joseph Therrien, M. Sean June
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Publication number: 20130291563Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: Phononic Devices, Inc.Inventors: Jesse W. Edwards, M. Sean June, Robert Joseph Therrien, Abhishek Yadav
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Publication number: 20130291555Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: PHONONIC DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Jesse W. Edwards, Robert Joseph Therrien, M. Sean June
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Publication number: 20130291556Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: Phononic Devices, Inc.Inventors: Jesse W. Edwards, M. Sean June, Robert Joseph Therrien, Abhishek Yadav
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Publication number: 20130291562Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: Phononic Devices, Inc.Inventors: Jesse W. Edwards, Robert Joseph Therrien, M. Sean June
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Publication number: 20130291559Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: Phononic Devices, Inc.Inventors: M. Sean June, Robert Joseph Therrien, Abhishek Yadav, Jesse W. Edwards
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Publication number: 20130291560Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: Phononic Devices, Inc.Inventors: Robert Joseph Therrien, M. Sean June, Jesse W. Edwards, James Barton Summers, III, Abhishek Yadav
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Patent number: 8563844Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 9, 2012Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignees: Phononic Devices, Inc., Board of Regents of the University of OklahomaInventors: Allen L. Gray, Robert Joseph Therrien, Patrick John McCann
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Patent number: 8564129Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 3, 2012Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Phononic Devices, Inc.Inventors: Robert Joseph Therrien, Jason D. Reed, Jaime A. Rumsey, Allen L. Gray
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Publication number: 20130069110Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: PHONONIC DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Robert Joseph Therrien, Jason D. Reed, Jaime A. Rumsey, Allen L. Gray
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Publication number: 20120216848Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicants: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA, PHONONIC DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Allen L. Gray, Robert Joseph Therrien, Patrick John McCann
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Publication number: 20120217548Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicants: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA, PHONONIC DEVICES, INC.Inventors: Allen L. Gray, Robert Joseph Therrien, Patrick John McCann
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Patent number: 7569871Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Nitronex CorporationInventors: 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
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Patent number: 7352016Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 13, 2006Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Nitronex CorporationInventors: 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