Patents by Inventor Steven A. Miller

Steven A. Miller 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).

  • Dynamic dehydriding of refractory metal powders
    Patent number: 8246903
    Abstract: Refractory metal powders are dehydrided in a device which includes a preheat chamber for retaining the metal powder fully heated in a hot zone to allow diffusion of hydrogen out of the powder. The powder is cooled in a cooling chamber for a residence time sufficiently short to prevent re-absorption of the hydrogen by the powder. The powder is consolidated by impact on a substrate at the exit of the cooling chamber to build a deposit in solid dense form on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: H.C. Starck Inc.
    Inventors: Steven A. Miller, Mark Gaydos, Leonid N. Shekhter, Gokce Gulsoy
  • Methods of forming molybdenum sputtering targets
    Publication number: 20120189483
    Abstract: In various embodiments, tubular sputtering targets are produced by forming a tubular billet at least by pressing molybdenum powder in a mold and sintering the pressed molybdenum powder, working the tubular billet to form a worked billet, and heat treating the worked billet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Brad Lemon, Joseph Hirt, Timothy Welling, James G. Daily, III, David Meendering, Gary Rozak, Jerome O'Grady, Peter R. Jepson, Prabhat Kumar, Steven A. Miller, Richard Wu, David G. Schwarz
  • Process for preparing metal powders having low oxygen content, powders so-produced and uses thereof
    Patent number: 8226741
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the preparation of a metal powder having a purity at least as high as the starting powder and having an oxygen content of 10 ppm or less comprising heating said metal powder containing oxygen in the form of an oxide, with the total oxygen content being from 50 to 3000 ppmf in an inert atmosphere at a pressure of from 1 bar to 10?7 to a temperature at which the oxide of the metal powder becomes thermodynamically unstable and removing the resulting oxygen via volatilization. The metal powder is preferably selected from the group consisting of tantalum, niobium, molybdenum, hafnium, zirconium, titanium, vanadium, rhenium and tungsten. The invention also relates to the powders produced by the process and the use of such powders in a cold spray process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: H.C. Starck, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonid N. Shekhter, Steven A. Miller, Leah F. Haywiser, Rong-Chein Richard Wu
  • METHODS OF JOINING METALLIC PROTECTIVE LAYERS
    Publication number: 20120145316
    Abstract: In various embodiments, protective layers are bonded to a steel layer and connected by a layer of unmelted metal powder produced by cold spray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Steven A. Miller, Leonid N. Shekhter, Stefan Zimmerman
  • Methods of forming sputtering targets
    Patent number: 8197894
    Abstract: In various embodiments, sputter-target formation includes application of a layer having an intermediate coefficient of thermal expansion between the backing plate and the target material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignees: H.C. Starck GmbH, H.C. Starck Inc.
    Inventors: Steven A. Miller, Olaf Schmidt-Park, Prabhat Kumar, Richard Wu, Shuwei Sun, Stefan Zimmermann
  • Identification of specialty drugs
    Patent number: 8160898
    Abstract: Methods for determining whether a drug is a specialty drug, methods for creating tools to be used in making the determination, and the tools themselves are disclosed. The overall value of a drug depends on the drug's attribute values with respect to each of a set of drug attributes (concerning, e.g., the drug's route of administration, targeted disease, possible adverse reactions, risk of toxicity, cost, need for patient compliance with the treatment regime, and handling, preparation, and/or storage requirements. If the overall value or its partial overall values meet certain criteria, the drug is deemed to be a specialty drug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmond Weisbart, Andrew Behm, Aimee Tharaldson, Steven Miller
  • IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIALTY DRUGS
    Publication number: 20120084097
    Abstract: Methods for determining whether a drug is a specialty drug, methods for creating tools to be used in making the determination, and the tools themselves are disclosed. The overall value of a drug depends on the drug's attribute values with respect to each of a set of drug attributes (concerning, e.g., the drug's route of administration, targeted disease, possible adverse reactions, risk of toxicity, cost, need for patient compliance with the treatment regime, and handling, preparation, and/or storage requirements. If the overall value or its partial overall values meet certain criteria, the drug is deemed to be a specialty drug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: EXPRESS SCRIPTS, INC.
    Inventors: Edmond WEISBART, Andrew BEHM, Aimee THARALDSON, Steven MILLER
  • Precision, temperature stable clock using a frequency-control circuit and a single oscillator
    Patent number: 8138846
    Abstract: A frequency-control circuit, which is configured to receive a first signal having a first untuned frequency from a first oscillator, and to alter one or more pulses of the first signal to tune an output frequency of an output clock signal to have an average frequency at the desired target frequency. In some embodiments, the frequency-control circuit receives a signal from a single oscillator to generate a calibrated, precise, and temperature-stable clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Manu Seth, David Brubaker, Andrew McCraith, Richard Steven Miller, Mir Bahram Ghaderi
  • Method of orienting a printer chip
    Patent number: 8121512
    Abstract: Provided is a method of orienting a printer chip to enable interoperation between the printer chip and more than one type of printer. The printer chip has a plurality of sets of contacts, each set of contacts capable of interoperation with a different type of printer, cartridge, or photoconductor unit. The chip is installed on the cartridge with the chosen set of contacts oriented to mate with the electrical contacts in the printer cartridge receiving cavity of the printer. The result is a printer chip that can be installed on a printer cartridge or photoconductor unit in a plurality of orientations in order to allow the printer cartridge or photoconductor unit to interoperate with a plurality of types of printers, or allow a plurality of types of printer cartridges or photoconductor units to interoperate with a printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Steven Miller
  • Imaging Cartridge Having a Displaceable Body
    Publication number: 20120039628
    Abstract: Provided is a printer cartridge having a resilient pliable body. The resilient pliable body of the printer cartridge conforms to obstructions located in different positions inside the printer cartridge receiving cavity of different models and brands of printers. When the resilient pliable front of the printer cartridge contacts an obstruction in the cartridge receiving cavity of a printer, it is displaced in that area so that it is not an obstruction any longer, allowing the printer cartridge to fit and operate in multiple brands and families of printers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Steven Miller
  • Protective metal-clad structures
    Patent number: 8113413
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a metallic structure includes first and second clad structures each comprising a protective layer disposed over a steel layer, a joint joining the steel layers of first and second clad structures, and, directly connecting the protective layers of the first and second clad structures, a layer of metal powder disposed in contact with (i) the joint, (ii) the protective layers of the first and second clad structures, and (iii) a portion of at least one of the steel layers proximate the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: H.C. Starck, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven A. Miller, Leonid N. Shekhter, Stefan Zimmerman
  • Photoconductive Drum Supports
    Publication number: 20120014712
    Abstract: An imaging cartridge for use with an imaging machine comprises a waste bin and photoconductive drum rotatably mounted in the waste bin. The photoconductive drum is supported at its ends by support members that are connected to the waste bin. At least a portion of at least one support member is made of an electrically conductive material, such that the support member electrically connects the photoconductive drum to the imaging machine when the imaging cartridge is positioned in the imaging cartridge receiving cavity of the imaging machine. At least one of the support members extends from a side of the waste bin to locate the imaging cartridge in correct position in the imaging cartridge receiving cavity of the imaging machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventor: Steven Miller
  • Molybdenum tubular sputtering targets with uniform grain size and texture
    Patent number: 8088232
    Abstract: Molybdenum, sputtering targets and sintering characterized as having no or minimal texture banding or through thickness gradient. The molybdenum sputtering targets having a fine, uniform grain size as well as uniform texture, are high purity and can be micro-alloyed to improved performance. The sputtering targets can be round discs, square, rectangular or tubular and can be sputtered to form thin films on substrates. By using a segment-forming method, the size of the sputtering target can be up to 6 m×5.5 m. The thin films can be used in electronic components such as Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Displays, Plasma Display Panels, Organic Light Emitting Diodes, Inorganic Light Emitting Diode Displays, Field Emitting Displays, solar cells, sensors, semiconductor devices, and gate device for CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) with tunable work functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: H.C. Starck Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Lemon, Joseph Hirt, Timothy Welling, James G. Daily, III, David Meendering, Gary Rozak, Jerome O'Grady, Peter R. Jepson, Prabhat Kumar, Steven A. Miller, Richard Wu, Davd G. Schwarz
  • Method of Orienting a Printer Chip
    Publication number: 20110314670
    Abstract: Provided is a method of orienting a printer chip to enable interoperation between the printer chip and more than one type of printer. The printer chip has a plurality of sets of contacts, each set of contacts capable of interoperation with a different type of printer, cartridge, or photoconductor unit. The chip is installed on the cartridge with the chosen set of contacts oriented to mate with the electrical contacts in the printer cartridge receiving cavity of the printer. The result is a printer chip that can be installed on a printer cartridge or photoconductor unit in a plurality of orientations in order to allow the printer cartridge or photoconductor unit to interoperate with a plurality of types of printers, or allow a plurality of types of printer cartridges or photoconductor units to interoperate with a printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: Steven Miller
  • IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIALTY DRUGS
    Publication number: 20110307271
    Abstract: Methods for determining whether a drug is a specialty drug, methods for creating tools to be used in making the determination, and the tools themselves are disclosed. The overall value of a drug depends on the drug's attribute values with respect to each of a set of drug attributes (concerning, e.g., the drug's route of administration, targeted disease, possible adverse reactions, risk of toxicity, cost, need for patient compliance with the treatment regime, and handling, preparation, and/or storage requirements. If the overall value or its partial overall values meet certain criteria, the drug is deemed to be a specialty drug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmond Weisbart, Andrew Behm, Aimee Tharaldson, Steven Miller
  • SPUTTERING TARGETS AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20110303535
    Abstract: In various embodiments, sputtering targets incorporate an intermediate plate having a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between a CTE of the backing plate and a CTE of the target material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Steven A. Miller, Prabhat Kumar, Mark Confroy, Richard McCorry, Gary Rozak, Peter Jepson
  • PROTECTIVE METAL-CLAD STRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20110300396
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a metallic structure includes first and second clad structures each comprising a protective layer disposed over a steel layer, a joint joining the steel layers of first and second clad structures, and, directly connecting the protective layers of the first and second clad structures, a layer of metal powder disposed in contact with (i) the joint, (ii) the protective layers of the first and second clad structures, and (iii) a portion of at least one of the steel layers proximate the joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Steven A. Miller, Leonid N. Shekhter, Stefan Zimmerman
  • Identification of specialty drugs
    Patent number: 8050940
    Abstract: Methods for determining whether a drug is a specialty drug, methods for creating tools to be used in making the determination, and the tools themselves are disclosed. The overall value of a drug depends on the drug's attribute values with respect to each of a set of drug attributes (concerning, e.g., the drug's route of administration, targeted disease, possible adverse reactions, risk of toxicity, cost, need for patient compliance with the treatment regime, and handling, preparation, and/or storage requirements. If the overall value or its partial overall values meet certain criteria, the drug is deemed to be a specialty drug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmond Weisbart, Andrew Behm, Aimee Tharaldson, Steven Miller
  • Self-sealing process roller
    Patent number: 8045882
    Abstract: A process roller for use with an imagining cartridge, the process roller including sealing surfaces located at its distal ends. As the process roller rotates, the sealing surfaces of the process roller are sufficiently flexible to conform to the inner side walls of the imaging cartridge, thereby sealing the printing agent inside the imaging cartridge at the distal ends of the process roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventors: Jesse Delcamp, Steven Miller
  • Low-energy method of manufacturing bulk metallic structures with submicron grain sizes
    Patent number: 8043655
    Abstract: Three dimensionally large metallic structures comprised of submicron grain sizes are produced by a process which includes directing a supersonic powder jet against a substrate such that the powder adheres to the substrate and to itself to form a dense cohesive deposit. The powder jet may be comprised of refractory metal powders. The powder may be deposited by a supersonic jet and may be extruded by Equi channel angular extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: H.C. Starck, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven A. Miller, Prabhat Kumar