Patents by Inventor Robert K. Lowry

Robert K. Lowry 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).

  • Publication number: 20100004583
    Abstract: The present invention encompasses an improved electrotransport drug delivery device utilizing a hydrophobic modifier to prevent moisture condensation. Use of a hydrophobic modifier increases the hydrophobicity of coated parts of the device, reducing the amount of moisture uptake of the device during storage in a high humidity environment. In a further embodiment, a package of the improved electrotransport drug delivery device is provided. In addition, a method of reducing moisture condensation to an electrical device and a method of preserving an electrical device for an electrotransport drug delivery device are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: ALZA Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney M. Panos, Steven Rabin, Robert K. Lowry, Aimee Raymond, Arthur Jonath
  • Patent number: 7316936
    Abstract: A decapsulation apparatus 100 has a laser 8 that removes plastic encapsulant from a device 24. Chamber 20 is sealed. Exhaust port 9 removes debris and fumes. The device 24 is positioned and scanned using an X, Y table 2. A hinged end 4 rotates the device to an acute angle of incidence with respect to a laser 8. Endpoint detector 10 senses the exposed integrated circuit and moves or shuts down the laser 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Intersil Americans Inc.
    Inventor: Robert K. Lowry
  • Patent number: 7166186
    Abstract: A decapsulation apparatus 100 has a laser 8 that removes plastic encapsulant from a device 24. Chamber 20 is sealed. Exhaust port 9 removes debris and fumes. The device 24 is positioned and scanned using an X,Y table 2. A hinged end 4 rotates the device to an acute angle of incidence with respect to a laser 8. Endpoint detector 10 senses the exposed integrated circuit and moves or shuts down the laser 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventor: Robert K. Lowry
  • Patent number: 6909146
    Abstract: A silicon-on-insulator integrated circuit comprises a handle die, a substantially continuous and unbroken silicide layer over the handle die, and a substantially continuous and unbroken first dielectric layer overlying one side of the silicide layer. A device silicon layer having an upper surface overlies the first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer on the handle die underlies the opposite side of the silicide layer. Interconnected transistors are disposed in and at the upper surface of the device silicon layer. A silicon-on insulator integrated circuit includes a handle die and a first dielectric layer formed on the handle die. A substantially continuous and unbroken silicide layer is formed on the first dielectric layer; the silicide layer has a controlled resistance and provides a diffusion barrier to impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Intersil Corporation
    Inventors: Jack H. Linn, Robert K. Lowry, George V. Rouse, James F. Buller
  • Patent number: 6457506
    Abstract: The decapsulating method is for an integrated circuit package and includes the steps of subjecting the encapsulant to electromagnetic radiation, and, more preferably microwave radiation, to break the polymer bonds of the polymer resin and convert the encapsulant to loosened particles. The loosened particles can then be removed to thereby decapsulate the integrated circuit package. The method may further include the step of maintaining the integrated circuit package below a predetermined temperature during the subjecting step. The step of maintaining the temperature below the predetermined temperature may be performed by controlling a power of the electromagnetic radiation, such as based upon sensing a temperature of the integrated circuit package. The method may further comprise the step of varying a frequency of the microwave radiation during the subjecting step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventor: Robert K. Lowry
  • Publication number: 20020025600
    Abstract: A decapsulation apparatus 100 has a laser 8 that removes plastic encapsulant from a device 24. Chamber 20 is sealed. Exhaust port 9 removes debris and fumes. The device 24 is positioned and scanned using an X,Y table 2. A hinged end 4 rotates the device to an acute angle of incidence with respect to a laser 8. Endpoint detector 10 senses the exposed integrated circuit and moves or shuts down the laser 8. Docket: 87552.090401/SE-1463TD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert K. Lowry
  • Patent number: 6335208
    Abstract: A decapsulation apparatus 100 has a laser 8 that removes plastic encapsulant from a device 24. Chamber 20 is sealed. Exhaust port 9 removes debris and fumes. The device 24 is positioned and scanned using an X,Y table 2. A hinged end 4 rotates the device to an acute angle of incidence with respect to a laser 8. Endpoint detector 10 senses the exposed integrated circuit and moves or shuts down the laser 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventor: Robert K. Lowry
  • Patent number: 6130172
    Abstract: A EEPROM 140 has a storage transistor 160 with a gate insulating layer 104 of BPSG and a polysilicon gate 112.2 of the same layer as the polysilicon gate 112.1 of the FET transistor 150. The BPSG layer 104 has POHC traps that capture holes injected into N well 103.2. A positive voltage applied to N well 103.2 programs the storage transistor 160 off. Applying a positive voltage to the gate 112.2 neutralizes the holes stored in layer 104 and erases the memory of transistor 160.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Intersil Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Fuller, Howard L. Evans, Michael J. Morrison, David A. DeCrosta, Robert K. Lowry
  • Patent number: 6054012
    Abstract: The decapsulating method is for an integrated circuit package and includes the steps of subjecting the encapsulant to electromagnetic radiation, and, more preferably microwave radiation, to break the polymer bonds of the polymer resin and convert the encapsulant to loosened particles. The loosened particles can then be removed to thereby decapsulate the integrated circuit package. The method may further include the step of maintaining the integrated circuit package below a predetermined temperature during the subjecting step. The step of maintaining the temperature below the predetermined temperature may be performed by controlling a power of the electromagnetic radiation, such as based upon sensing a temperature of the integrated circuit package. The method may further comprise the step of varying a frequency of the microwave radiation during the subjecting step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Intersil Corporation
    Inventor: Robert K. Lowry
  • Patent number: 5849627
    Abstract: Low temperature wafer bonding using a chemically reacting material between wafers to form a bonded zone to bond two wafers together. Examples include silicon wafers with a silicon-oxidizing bonding liquid which also permits introduction of radiation hardening dopants and electrically active dopants as constituents of the bonding liquid. Silicon wafers also may use solid reactants which include deposited layers of metal and polysilicon to form silicide bonded zones. Oxidizers such as nitric acid may be used in the bonding liquid, and a bonding liquid may be used in conjunction with a solid bonding reactant. Dielectric layers on silicon wafers may be used when additional silicon is provided for the bonding reactions. Integrated circuits fabricated from such bonded wafers may have buried layers and radiation hardening and buried resistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Jack H. Linn, Robert K. Lowry, George V. Rouse, James F. Buller
  • Patent number: 5808353
    Abstract: A EEPROM 140 has a storage transistor 160 with a gate insulating layer 104 of BPSG and a polysilicon gate 112.2 of the same layer as the polysilicon gate 112.1 of the FET transistor 150. The BPSG layer 104 has POHC traps that capture holes injected into N well 103.2. A positive voltage applied to N well 103.2 programs the storage transistor 160 off. Applying a positive voltage to the gate 112.2 neutralizes the holes stored in layer 104 and erases the memory of transistor 160.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Fuller, Howard L. Evans, Michael J. Morrison, David A. DeCrosta, Robert K. Lowry
  • Patent number: 5728624
    Abstract: Low temperature wafer bonding using a silicon-oxidizing bonding liquid permits introduction of radiation hardening dopants and electrically active dopants as constituents of the bonding liquid. Oxidizers such as nitric acid may be used in the bonding liquid. Dielectric layers on the device wafer and the handle wafer may be used when additional silicon is provided for the oxidative bonding. Integrated circuits fabricated from such bonded wafers may have buried layers and radiation hardening with device silicon too thick for implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Jack H. Linn, Robert K. Lowry, Geroge V. Rouse, James F. Buller, William Herman Speece
  • Patent number: 5569620
    Abstract: Low temperature silicon-on-insulator wafer bonding using a silicide bond formation reaction. Dielectric isolation with silicon dioxide, diamond, silicon-nitride, and so forth yields buried resistors under trench isolated silicon islands. Buried dielectrics can be thermally susceptible films like diamond due to the low temperature of the bonding silicidation reaction. Bonding silicides also provide thermal dissipating layer between a buried diamond layer and a handle wafer for good overall thermal conductivity. Bonding silicides also act as diffusion barriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Jack H. Linn, Robert K. Lowry, George V. Rouse, James F. Buller
  • Patent number: 5517047
    Abstract: Low temperature wafer bonding using a silicon-oxidizing bonding liquid permits introduction of radiation hardening dopants and electrically active dopants as constituents of the bonding liquid. Oxidizers such as nitric acid may be used in the bonding liquid. Dielectric layers on the device wafer and the handle wafer may be used when additional silicon is provided for the oxidative bonding. Integrated circuits fabricated from such bonded wafers may have buried layers and radiation hardening with device silicon too thick for implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Jack H. Linn, Robert K. Lowry, George V. Rouse, James F. Buller, William H. Speece
  • Patent number: 5387555
    Abstract: Low temperature silicon-on-insulator wafer bonding using a silicide bond formation reaction. Dielectric isolation with silicon dioxide, diamond, silicon nitride, and so forth yields buried resistors under trench isolated silicon islands. Buried dielectrics can be thermally susceptible films like diamond due to the low temperature of the bonding silicidation reaction. Bonding silicides also provide thermal dissipating layer between a buried diamond layer and a handle wafer for good overall thermal conductivity. Bonding silicides also act as diffusion barriers. The silicide bonding takes place in the presense of a liquid oxidizer such as aqueous solution of HNO.sub.3 and H.sub.2 O.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Jack H. Linn, Robert K. Lowry, George V. Rouse, James F. Buller
  • Patent number: 5362667
    Abstract: Low temperature wafer bonding using a silicon-oxidizing bonding liquid permits introduction of radiation hardening dopants and electrically active dopants as constituents of the bonding liquid. Oxidizers such as nitric acid may be used in the bonding liquid. Dielectric layers on the device wafer and the handle wafer may be used when additional silicon is provided for the oxidative bonding. Integrated circuits fabricated from such bonded wafers may have buried layers and radiation hardening with device silicon too thick for implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Jack H. Linn, Robert K. Lowry, George V. Rouse, James F. Buller, William H. Speece
  • Patent number: 4859280
    Abstract: The ability of alkali hydroxide to etch silicon is enhanced by the controlled addition of metallic salts which readily dissociate in a strong base (pH.gtoreq.10) solution. When introduced into the alkali hydroxide (e.g. potassium hydroxide) solution, the controlled concentrations of additive metallic ions increase the electronegativity of the solution and thereby enhance its ability to attract electrons away from the silicon atoms within the crystal lattice being etched. By adding controlled levels of properly chosen electropositive ions, the rate at which the electrons are removed from the silicon atoms in the surface planes of the crystal lattice that are exposed to the etching solution can be controllably increased. As a result of removal of the electrons from the silicon atoms, the silicon atoms dissolve out of the crystal planes at rates modified by the degree of impurity addition, resulting in improved etching characteristics and geometries over that of conventionally employed alkali hydroxide solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Robert K. Lowry, Edward U. Adams
  • Patent number: 4781853
    Abstract: The ability of alkali hydroxide to etch silicon is enhanced by the controlled addition of metallic salts which readily dissociate in a strong base (pH.gtoreq.10) solution. When introduced into the alkali hydroxide (e.g. potassium hydroxide) solution, the controlled concentrations of additive metallic ions increase the electronegativity of the solution and thereby enhance its ability to attract electrons away from the silicon atoms within the crystal lattice being etched. By adding controlled levels of properly chosen electropositive ions, the rate at which the electrons are removed from the silicon atoms in the surface planes of the crystal lattice that are exposed to the etching solution can be controllably increased. As a result of removal of the electrons from the silicon atoms, the silicon atoms dissolve out of the crystal planes at rates modified by the degree of impurity addition, resulting in improved etching charcteristics and geometries over that of conventionally employed alkali hydroxide solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Assignee: Harris Corp.
    Inventors: Robert K. Lowry, Edward U. Adams
  • Patent number: RE42193
    Abstract: A decapsulation apparatus 100 has a laser 8 that removes plastic encapsulant from a device 24. Chamber 20 is sealed. Exhaust port 9 removes debris and fumes. The device 24 is positioned and scanned using an X, Y table 2. A hinged end 4 rotates the device to an acute angle of incidence with respect to a laser 8. Endpoint detector 10 senses the exposed integrated circuit and moves or shuts down the laser 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Intersil Corporation
    Inventor: Robert K. Lowry
  • Patent number: RE43980
    Abstract: A decapsulation apparatus 100 has a laser 8 that removes plastic encapsulant from a device 24. Chamber 20 is sealed. Exhaust port 9 removes debris and fumes. The device 24 is positioned and scanned using an X, Y table 2. A hinged end 4 rotates the device to an acute angle of incidence with respect to a laser 8. Endpoint detector 10 senses the exposed integrated circuit and moves or shuts down the laser 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Intersil Corporation
    Inventor: Robert K. Lowry