Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Wallner

Thomas A. Wallner 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: 8787074
    Abstract: A static random access memory (SRAM) test structure includes a p-type source/drain implant region comprising contacts (CAs), wherein the CAs in the p-type source/drain implant region comprise a first plurality of bit line, ground, and node CAs, and wherein the CAs in the p-type source/drain implant region are grounded during an inspection of the SRAM test structure; and an ungrounded region, the ungrounded region being distinct from the p-type source/drain implant region and being ungrounded during the inspection of the SRAM test structure, the ungrounded region comprising contacts (CAs) and rectangular contacts (CArecs) comprising a second plurality of bit line, ground, and node CAs, and further comprising a first plurality of Vdd CAs and rectangular contacts (CArecs), and wherein a CA or CArec in the ungrounded region is grounded during the inspection in the event of a short to a CA in the p-type source/drain implant region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Oliver D. Patterson, Jin Zheng Wallner, Thomas A. Wallner, Shenzhi Yang
  • Publication number: 20130333697
    Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and apparatus for indicating battery cell status on a battery pack assembly used during mechanical ventilation. Embodiments described herein seek to provide methods for indicating battery cell status on the exposed exterior of a battery assembly pack both when the battery is in use and when the battery is not in use during mechanical ventilation. Embodiments utilize power from the ventilator as well as power from the battery pack itself to light the indicators during periods of battery use and non-use, respectively. Embodiments described herein further seek to provide an apparatus indicating battery cell status on the exposed exterior of the battery pack assembly during mechanical ventilation. Embodiments described herein further seek to provide an apparatus for a battery pack assembly used during mechanical ventilation. Embodiments described herein seek to provide a system for a ventilation system with an inserted battery pack assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Danis Carter, Terry Landis, Thomas Wallner, John Leek
  • Patent number: 8569840
    Abstract: A high-k gate dielectric layer and a metal gate layer are formed and patterned to expose semiconductor surfaces in a bipolar junction transistor region, while covering a CMOS region. A disposable material portion is formed on a portion of the exposed semiconductor surfaces in the bipolar junction transistor area. A semiconductor layer and a dielectric layer are deposited and patterned to form gate stacks including a semiconductor portion and a dielectric gate cap in the CMOS region and a cavity containing mesa over the disposable material portion in the bipolar junction transistor region. The disposable material portion is selectively removed and a base layer including an epitaxial portion and a polycrystalline portion fills the cavity formed by removal of the disposable material portion. The emitter formed by selective epitaxy fills the cavity in the mesa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Wallner, Ebenezer E. Eshun, Daniel J. Jaeger, Phung T. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20130256748
    Abstract: Device structures, design structures, and fabrication methods for passive devices that may be used as electrostatic discharge protection devices in fin-type field-effect transistor integrated circuit technologies. A device region is formed in a trench and is coupled with a handle wafer of a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The device region extends through a buried insulator layer of the semiconductor-on-insulator substrate toward a top surface of a device layer of the semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The device region is comprised of lightly-doped semiconductor material. The device structure further includes a doped region formed in the device region and that defines a junction. A portion of the device region is laterally positioned between the doped region and the buried insulator layer of the semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. Another region of the device layer may be patterned to form fins for fin-type field-effect transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William F. Clark, JR., Robert J. Gauthier, JR., Terence B. Hook, Junjun Li, Theodorus E. Standaert, Thomas A. Wallner
  • Patent number: 8547062
    Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and apparatus for indicating battery cell status on a battery pack assembly used during mechanical ventilation. Embodiments described herein seek to provide methods for indicating battery cell status on the exposed exterior of a battery assembly pack both when the battery is in use and when the battery is not in use during mechanical ventilation. Embodiments utilize power from the ventilator as well as power from the battery pack itself to light the indicators during periods of battery use and non-use, respectively. Embodiments described herein further seek to provide an apparatus indicating battery cell status on the exposed exterior of the battery pack assembly during mechanical ventilation. Embodiments described herein further seek to provide an apparatus for a battery pack assembly used during mechanical ventilation. Embodiments described herein seek to provide a system for a ventilation system with an inserted battery pack assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Danis Carter, Terry Landis, Thomas Wallner, John Leek
  • Patent number: 8424523
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for ventilating a patient with a system that includes an accumulator for storing a gas mixture. This disclosure describes systems and methods for ventilating a patient with a system that includes an accumulator located away from the flow path that reduces/eliminates pockets of an undesirable gas mixture from entering the gas flow path and reaching the patient after a gas mixture change by utilizing a purge valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Mark Ogilvie, Steve Vuong, Nirav Patel, Richard Nakai, Thomas Wallner
  • Publication number: 20130094315
    Abstract: A static random access memory (SRAM) test structure includes a p-type source/drain implant region comprising contacts (CAs), wherein the CAs in the p-type source/drain implant region comprise a first plurality of bit line, ground, and node CAs, and wherein the CAs in the p-type source/drain implant region are grounded during an inspection of the SRAM test structure; and an ungrounded region, the ungrounded region being distinct from the p-type source/drain implant region and being ungrounded during the inspection of the SRAM test structure, the ungrounded region comprising contacts (CAs) and rectangular contacts (CArecs) comprising a second plurality of bit line, ground, and node CAs, and further comprising a first plurality of Vdd CAs and rectangular contacts (CArecs), and wherein a CA or CArec in the ungrounded region is grounded during the inspection in the event of a short to a CA in the p-type source/drain implant region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Oliver D. Patterson, Jin Zheng Wallner, Thomas A. Wallner, Shenzhi Yang
  • Publication number: 20120326168
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device that includes providing a substrate including a semiconductor layer on a germanium-containing silicon layer and forming a gate structure on a surface of a channel portion of the semiconductor layer. Well trenches are etched into the semiconductor layer on opposing sides of the gate structure. The etch process for forming the well trenches forms an undercut region extending under the gate structure and is selective to the germanium-containing silicon layer. Stress inducing semiconductor material is epitaxially grown to fill at least a portion of the well trench to provide at least one of a stress inducing source region and a stress inducing drain region having a planar base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Judson R. Holt, Alexander Reznicek, Thomas A. Wallner
  • Publication number: 20120319166
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device that includes providing a substrate including a semiconductor layer on a germanium-containing silicon layer and forming a gate structure on a surface of a channel portion of the semiconductor layer. Well trenches are etched into the semiconductor layer on opposing sides of the gate structure. The etch process for forming the well trenches forms an undercut region extending under the gate structure and is selective to the germanium-containing silicon layer. Stress inducing semiconductor material is epitaxially grown to fill at least a portion of the well trench to provide at least one of a stress inducing source region and a stress inducing drain region having a planar base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Judson R. Holt, Alexander Reznicek, Thomas A. Wallner
  • Patent number: 8232172
    Abstract: Stress enhanced transistor devices and methods of fabricating the same are provided. In one embodiment, a transistor device comprises: a gate conductor disposed above a semiconductor substrate between a pair of dielectric spacers, wherein the semiconductor substrate comprises a channel region underneath the gate conductor and recessed regions on opposite sides of the channel region, wherein the recessed regions undercut the dielectric spacers to form undercut areas of the channel region; and epitaxial source and drain regions disposed in the recessed regions of the semiconductor substrate and extending laterally underneath the dielectric spacers into the undercut areas of the channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Judson R. Holt, Thomas A. Wallner
  • Publication number: 20120139056
    Abstract: A high-k gate dielectric layer and a metal gate layer are formed and patterned to expose semiconductor surfaces in a bipolar junction transistor region, while covering a CMOS region. A disposable material portion is formed on a portion of the exposed semiconductor surfaces in the bipolar junction transistor area. A semiconductor layer and a dielectric layer are deposited and patterned to form gate stacks including a semiconductor portion and a dielectric gate cap in the CMOS region and a cavity containing mesa over the disposable material portion in the bipolar junction transistor region. The disposable material portion is selectively removed and a base layer including an epitaxial portion and a polycrystalline portion fills the cavity formed by removal of the disposable material portion. The emitter formed by selective epitaxy fills the cavity in the mesa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas A. Wallner, Ebenezer E. Eshun, Daniel J. Jaeger, Phung T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8129234
    Abstract: A high-k gate dielectric layer and a metal gate layer are formed and patterned to expose semiconductor surfaces in a bipolar junction transistor region, while covering a CMOS region. A disposable material portion is formed on a portion of the exposed semiconductor surfaces in the bipolar junction transistor area. A semiconductor layer and a dielectric layer are deposited and patterned to form gate stacks including a semiconductor portion and a dielectric gate cap in the CMOS region and a cavity containing mesa over the disposable material portion in the bipolar junction transistor region. The disposable material portion is selectively removed and a base layer including an epitaxial portion and a polycrystalline portion fills the cavity formed by removal of the disposable material portion. The emitter formed by selective epitaxy fills the cavity in the mesa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Wallner, Ebenezer E. Eshun, Daniel J. Jaeger, Phung T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8124534
    Abstract: A process including forming a silicon layer over a semiconductor wafer having features thereon and then selectively ion implanting in the silicon layer to form ion implanted regions. The step of selectively ion implanting is repeated as many times as necessary to obtain a predetermined number and density of features. Thereafter, the silicon layer is etched to form openings in the silicon layer that were formerly occupied by the ion implanted regions. The opened areas in the silicon layer form a mask for further processing of the semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Wallner, Thomas A. Wallner, Ying Zhang
  • Patent number: 8062951
    Abstract: An epitaxial layer of silicon (Si) or silicon-germanium (SiGe) extends over the edge of silicon trench isolation (STI), thereby increasing the effective width of an active silicon region (RX) bordered by the STI. The RX region may have a <100> crystal orientation. An effective width of an FET device formed in the RX region may be increased, therefore performance may be improved with same density. Isolation may not be degraded since RX-to-RX distance is same at bottom. Junction capacitance may be reduced since part of the RX is on STI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Xiangdong Chen, Kenneth J. Stein, Thomas A. Wallner
  • Publication number: 20110159655
    Abstract: Stress enhanced transistor devices and methods of fabricating the same are provided. In one embodiment, a transistor device comprises: a gate conductor disposed above a semiconductor substrate between a pair of dielectric spacers, wherein the semiconductor substrate comprises a channel region underneath the gate conductor and recessed regions on opposite sides of the channel region, wherein the recessed regions undercut the dielectric spacers to form undercut areas of the channel region; and epitaxial source and drain regions disposed in the recessed regions of the semiconductor substrate and extending laterally underneath the dielectric spacers into the undercut areas of the channel region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Judson R. Holt, Thomas A. Wallner
  • Publication number: 20110132366
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for ventilating a patient with a system that includes an accumulator for storing a gas mixture. This disclosure describes systems and methods for ventilating a patient with a system that includes an accumulator located away from the flow path that reduces/eliminates pockets of an undesirable gas mixture from entering the gas flow path and reaching the patient after a gas mixture change by utilizing a purge valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Mark Ogilvie, Steve Vuong, Nirav Patel, Richard Nakai, Thomas Wallner
  • Publication number: 20110126829
    Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and apparatus for indicating battery cell status on a battery pack assembly used during mechanical ventilation. Embodiments described herein seek to provide methods for indicating battery cell status on the exposed exterior of a battery assembly pack both when the battery is in use and when the battery is not in use during mechanical ventilation. Embodiments utilize power from the ventilator as well as power from the battery pack itself to light the indicators during periods of battery use and non-use, respectively. Embodiments described herein further seek to provide an apparatus indicating battery cell status on the exposed exterior of the battery pack assembly during mechanical ventilation. Embodiments described herein further seek to provide an apparatus for a battery pack assembly used during mechanical ventilation. Embodiments described herein seek to provide a system for a ventilation system with an inserted battery pack assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Danis Carter, Terry Landis, Thomas Wallner, John Leek
  • Publication number: 20110057266
    Abstract: A high-k gate dielectric layer and a metal gate layer are formed and patterned to expose semiconductor surfaces in a bipolar junction transistor region, while covering a CMOS region. A disposable material portion is formed on a portion of the exposed semiconductor surfaces in the bipolar junction transistor area. A semiconductor layer and a dielectric layer are deposited and patterned to form gate stacks including a semiconductor portion and a dielectric gate cap in the CMOS region and a cavity containing mesa over the disposable material portion in the bipolar junction transistor region. The disposable material portion is selectively removed and a base layer including an epitaxial portion and a polycrystalline portion fills the cavity formed by removal of the disposable material portion. The emitter formed by selective epitaxy fills the cavity in the mesa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas A. Wallner, Ebenezer E. Eshun, Daniel J. Jaeger, Phung T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7858485
    Abstract: A deep trench (DT) capacitor comprises a trench in a silicon layer, a buried plate surrounding the trench, a dielectric layer lining the trench, and a node conductor in the trench. The top surface of the poly node is higher than the surface of the silicon layer, so that it is high enough to ensure that a nitride liner used as a CMP etch stop for STI oxide surrounding a top portion of the poly node will be higher than the STI oxide, so that the nitride liner can be removed prior to forming a silicide contact on top of the poly node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Huilong Zhu, Babar A. Khan, Xi Li, Joyce C. Liu, Thomas A. Wallner
  • Publication number: 20100200896
    Abstract: A method for growing an epitaxial layer on a substrate wherein the substrate includes a surface having a Miller index of (110) for the beneficial properties. The method comprises using a direct silicon bonded wafer with a substrate having a first Miller index and a surface having a second Miller index. An element such as a gate for a PFET may be deposited onto the surface. The area not under the gate may then be etched away to expose the substrate. An epitaxial layer may then be grown on the surface providing optimal growth patterns. The Miller index of the substrate may be (100). In an alternative embodiment the surface may have a Miller index of (100) and the surface is etched where an element such as a gate for a PFET may be placed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Jinghong Li, Thomas A. Wallner, Haizhou Yin