Patents by Inventor Steven Buhler

Steven Buhler 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: 20070139481
    Abstract: A micromachined fluid ejector includes an ejector body having a fluid cavity for holding fluid to be ejected and a piezoelectric actuator for ejecting the fluid. A nozzle plate is placed in operable association with the ejector body. The configuration of the nozzle plate is selected to adjust a volume of the fluid cavity to obtain a desired mechanical impedance matching between the fluid and the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Baomin Xu, Steven Buhler, Stephen White, Scott Limb
  • Publication number: 20060211217
    Abstract: A method for producing a detection/test tape includes depositing a material onto a surface of at least one first substrate to form a plurality of element structures. Electrodes are deposited on a surface of each of the plurality of element structures, and the element structures are bonded to a second substrate, where the second substrate is conductive or has a conductive layer, and the second substrate is carried on a carrier plate. The at least one first substrate is removed from the element structures and second side electrodes are deposited on a second surface of each of the plurality of element structures. An insulative material is inserted around the element structures to electrically isolate the two substrates used to bond the element structures. A second side of the element structures is then bonded to another substrate, where the other substrate is conductive or has a conductive layer. Thereafter, the carrier plate carrying the second substrate is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventors: Baomin Xu, Steven Buhler, William Wong, Michael Weisberg, Scott Solberg, Karl Littau, Scott Elrod
  • Publication number: 20060130476
    Abstract: A selectively configurable beam and systems utilizing such are disclosed. The distribution of mass of the beam can be selectively adjusted or altered by adjusting one or more characteristics of the beam. Specific strategies utilizing continuous electro-wetting, and selective formation or movement of gases in liquid are disclosed. The selectively configurable beams are used in systems for harvesting vibrational energy from vibrating bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: John Fitch, Steven Buhler, Eric Shrader
  • Publication number: 20060130302
    Abstract: A method is provided that includes providing a mold on a temporary substrate, e.g., a sapphire substrate. Next, a material such as PZT paste is deposited into the mold. Then, the mold is removed to obtain elements formed by the mold. The formed elements will then be sintered. After sintering, electrode deposition is optionally performed. The sintered elements are then bonded to a final target substrate and released from the temporary substrate through laser liftoff. Further, electrodes may also be optionally deposited at this point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Baomin Xu, Stephen White, Steven Buhler
  • Publication number: 20060132531
    Abstract: Various fluidic techniques can employ ducting structures, such as microstructures, that extend between other components, such as plate-like structures. A ducting structure can, for example, include an inlet opening toward or near one plate-like structure, an outlet opening toward or near another plate-like structure, and a duct in which fluid flows after being received through the inlet opening and before being provided through the outlet opening. In some implementations, a ducting structure is photo-defined, such as by exposing a photoimageable structure and then removing either exposed or unexposed regions. In some implementations, a ducting structure is a freestanding polymer microstructure. In some implementations, ducting structures are microstructures that extend approximately the same length between first and second plate-like structures, and have a ratio of length to maximum cavity diameter of approximately two or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: John Fitch, Scott Elrod, Jurgen Daniel, James Stasiak, Steven Buhler, Babur Hadimioglu, Joy Roy, Michael Weisberg, James Zesch
  • Publication number: 20060103695
    Abstract: A liquid drop ejector comprising a jet stack, thin film or thick film heaters formed on the surface of the jet stack, and at least one thin film or thick film temperature sensor operative to provide feedback temperature control for the thin film or thick film heater elements is provided. In one form, the liquid drop ejector also has the thin film or thick film heater elements grouped in segments that are operative to be individually controlled. In addition, in another form, the signal lines provided to the liquid drop ejector are patterned to allow for more uniform resistance over the span of the liquid drop ejector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Young, Steven Buhler, Scott Limb, Karl Littau, Beverly Russo, Scott Solberg, Michael Weisberg, Cathie Burke, Richard Schmachtenberg, Peter Nystrom, Sharon Berger, Timothy Trang, Thomas Long
  • Publication number: 20050200236
    Abstract: A circuit provides energy to a plurality of piezoelectric diaphragm structures formed in a two-dimensional array. Each piezoelectric diaphragm structure includes a piezoelectric element in operational contact with at least a first side electrode and a second side electrode. A switching system includes a first connection for a first power source, for application of power to the first side electrode and a second connection for a second power source, for application of power to the second side electrode. In a first state, power appropriate for performing a poling operation of the piezoelectric material is available for application to the first electrode, and the second electrode, and in a second state, power appropriate to activate the piezoelectric material to cause operational movement of the poled piezoelectric diaphragm structure is available for application to the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Inventors: Steven Buhler, John Fitch, Meng Lean, Karl Littau
  • Publication number: 20050162045
    Abstract: A material for a thick film element is deposited onto a surface of a first substrate to form a thick film element structure having a thickness of between greater than 10 ?m to 100 ?m. The at least one thick film element structure is bonded to a second substrate. Thereafter, the first substrate is removed from the at least one thick film element structure using a liftoff process which includes emitting, from a radiation source (such as a laser or other appropriate device), a beam through the first substrate to an attachment interface formed between the first substrate and the at least one thick film element structure at the surface of the first substrate. The first substrate is substantially transparent at the wavelength of the beam, and the beam generates sufficient energy at the interface to break the attachment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventors: Baomin Xu, Steven Buhler, Michael Welsberg, William Wong, Scott Solberg, Karl Littau, John Fitch, Scott Elrod
  • Publication number: 20050134152
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present application, a piezoelectric diaphragm structure includes a diaphragm, with a piezoelectric material located on the diaphragm. The piezoelectric material is being poled in a radial direction to the piezoelectric material, wherein the poling direction is in-plane with the piezoelectric material. An inter-digitated electrode grid is positioned on a first surface of the piezoelectric material, the inter-digitated electrode grid including a plurality of electrodes configured to selectively receive positive and negative voltage. The application of the positive and negative voltages generate electric fields in the piezoelectric material, at least a portion of which are in-plane with the piezoelectric material, resulting in an actuation of the piezoelectric material, causing a length change of the piezoelectric material in the Radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Meng Lean, Steven Buhler, John Fitch, Karl Littau
  • Publication number: 20050134148
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, an energy generation device is provided. A base is fixedly secured to a source of mechanical energy of an oscillatory nature. At least one mass is movably suspended relative to the base. First and second members movably suspend the at least one mass relative to the base. The first and second flexible members convert mechanical energy from oscillations emitted by the source of mechanical energy into electrical signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Steven Buhler, John Fitch, Eric Shrader
  • Publication number: 20050134144
    Abstract: A circuit provides energy to a plurality of piezoelectric diaphragm structures formed in a two-dimensional array. Each piezoelectric diaphragm structure includes a piezoelectric element in operational contact with at least a first side electrode and a second side electrode. A switching system includes a first connection for a first power source, for application of power to the first side electrode and a second connection for a second power source, for application of power to the second side electrode. In a first state, power appropriate for performing a poling operation of the piezoelectric material is available for application to the first electrode, and the second electrode, and in a second state, power appropriate to activate the piezoelectric material to cause operational movement of the poled piezoelectric diaphragm structure is available for application to the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Steven Buhler, John Fitch, Meng Lean, Karl Littau
  • Publication number: 20050134153
    Abstract: A multi-electrode piezoelectric diaphragm structure includes a diaphragm, piezoelectric material located on the diaphragm, which is defined as having a first area, and a second area. The first area of the piezoelectric is poled in a first direction, and the second area of the piezoelectric is poled in a second direction. The poled first direction is in a Z-axis of the piezoelectric and the poled second direction is in a Radial axis of the piezoelectric. A first electrode is positioned in the first area, on the first surface, of the piezoelectric. A second electrode is positioned in the second area, on the first surface, of the piezoelectric. A third electrode is located on a second surface of the piezoelectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: John Bachellerie, Steven Buhler, John Fitch, Meng Lean, Karl Littau
  • Publication number: 20050104479
    Abstract: A piezoelectric thick film element array includes at least one piezoelectric element structure having a thickness between 10 ?m to 100 ?m formed by a deposition process. The at least one piezoelectric element is patterned during the deposition process, and includes a first electrode deposited on a first surface of the piezoelectric elements structure, and a second electrode deposited on a second surface of the piezoelectric element structure. In a further embodiment, several devices are provided using a piezoelectric element or an array having a piezoelectric element structure with a thickness of between 10 ?m to 100 ?m formed by a deposition process. These devices include microfluidic ejectors, transducer arrays and catheters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Inventors: Baomin Xu, Steven Buhler, Michael Welsberg, William Wong, Scott Solberg, Karl Littau, John Fitch, Scott Elrod