Patents by Inventor Thomas Edward Miller
Thomas Edward 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).
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Patent number: 11952285Abstract: A process of forming a sintered article includes heating a green portion of a tape of polycrystalline ceramic and/or minerals in organic binder at a binder removal zone to a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the binder; horizontally conveying the portion of tape with organic binder removed from the binder removal zone to a sintering zone; and sintering polycrystalline ceramic and/or minerals of the portion of tape at the sintering zone, wherein the tape simultaneously extends through the removal and sintering zones.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2023Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Micheal Edward Badding, William Joseph Bouton, Douglas Edward Brackley, Lanrik Wayne Kester, Thomas Dale Ketcham, Eric Lee Miller, Cameron Wayne Tanner, James William Zimmermann
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Patent number: 11919196Abstract: A manufacturing system includes a tape advancing through the manufacturing system and a station of the manufacturing system. The tape includes a first portion having grains of an inorganic material bound by an organic binder. The station of the manufacturing system receives the first portion of the tape and prepares the tape for sintering by chemically changing the organic binder and/or removing the organic binder from the first portion of the tape, leaving the grains of the inorganic material, to form a second portion of the tape and, at least in part, prepare the tape for sintering.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2023Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Michael Edward Badding, William Joseph Bouton, Lanrik Wayne Kester, Thomas Dale Ketcham, Andrew Peter Kittleson, Dale Charles Marshall, Gary Edward Merz, Eric Lee Miller, Emmanuel Chima Okpara, Conor James Walsh
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Patent number: 8027492Abstract: An armature for a receiver comprising a first and a second leg portion each having a thickness and a width and connected to each other, and a connection portion in communication with the first and second leg portions. The connection portion has a width greater than the width of the first and second leg portions individually. The connection portion reduces the stiffness of the armature and minimizes magnetic reluctance of the connection between the first and second leg portions. According to one aspect of the invention, the first and second leg portions are integrally formed with the connection portion and the connection portion includes a least a portion having a thickness less than the thickness of the first and second leg portions individually to reduce the stiffness of the armature. According to another aspect of the invention, the first and second leg portions are separately formed and attached to the connection portion in a way that reduces the stiffness of the armature.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2008Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventor: Thomas Edward Miller
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Patent number: 7860264Abstract: An acoustic assembly for use in a transducer includes a multi-layer structure. A first layer member includes a first center portion, a first edge portion and a first aperture separating the first center portion and the first edge portion. A second layer member includes a second center portion, a second edge portion and a second aperture separating the second center portion and the second edge portion such that the second center portion is free to move relative to the second edge portion. The first and second layers are formed into an assembly wherein the first center portion and the second center portion are coupled, the first edge portion and the second edge portion are coupled, and the first aperture and the second aperture are substantially aligned to define a passageway. The assembly has an assembly stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of either the first or second layer members.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Mekell Jiles, David Earl Schafer, Anthony D. Minervini, Hanny Sunarto, Thomas Edward Miller, Daniel Max Warren
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Publication number: 20100128905Abstract: A receiver module for a personal listening device includes a motor assembly and a housing. The motor assembly includes a movable armature. The housing defines a chamber and the housing is at least partially constructed of a biocompatible material. The motor assembly is directly disposed and exposed to the chamber without the obstruction of any intervening structure. At least a portion of the housing of the receiver module is allowed to be in contact with at least a portion of the pinna that is external to the ear canal. The chamber is divided into a front volume and a back volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2010Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: Daniel Max Warren, Thomas Edward Miller, Charles Bender King, Janice L. LoPresti, Gwendolyn P. Massingill
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Patent number: 7680292Abstract: A receiver module for a personal listening device to be fitted in the ear, on the ear, near the ear, or behind the ear, the receiver module having a movable armature, the receiver module comprises a motor assembly and a housing defining a chamber, the housing is made from a material that is corrosion resistant and is biocompatible to human skin contact. The receiver module further comprises at least one motor assembly directly disposed in the chamber. Optionally a communication link adapted to couple or decouple with the motor assembly. At least a portion of the communication link is disposed in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Daniel Max Warren, Thomas Edward Miller, Charles Bender King, Janice L. LoPresti, Gwendolyn P. Massingill
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Patent number: 7412763Abstract: A method of making an acoustic assembly for use in a transducer includes forming a multi-layer assembly. The multi-layer assembly includes a first layer member and a second layer member. Each member includes a center portion, an edge portion and an aperture separating the center portion and the edge portion. The assembly has an assembly stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of either the first or second layer members. A hinge joins the assembled first and second center portions and the first and second edge portions such that the assembled first and second center portions is free to at least partially rotate relative to the assembled first and second edge portions about an axis. A flexible layer member is coupled to the assembly and provides airtight sealing of the passageway.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC.Inventors: Mekell Jiles, David Earl Schafer, Anthony D. Minervini, Hanny Sunarto, Thomas Edward Miller, Daniel Max Warren
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Patent number: 7366317Abstract: Various linkage assemblies are shown and described for connecting a first movable member to a second movable member of a transducer. The linkage assemblies provide for motion amplification or reduction and, when used for sound generating purposes such as hearing aids or speakers, three different schemes for compensating for amplification-induced distortion. One scheme for compensating for distortion while providing amplification is the use of a lower horizontal span segment in a closed-loop linkage assembly that is longer than a corresponding upper horizontal span segment or upper vertex. Thus, a horizontal span segment used to connect the loop to the first movable member of the armature is longer than a corresponding segment or vertex used to connect the loop to the second movable member. A second distortion compensating feature that provides amplification is found in the use of non-parallel legs used to connect the linkage loop to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2004Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Thomas Edward Miller, David E. Schafer
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Patent number: 6041131Abstract: The present invention relates to a hearing aid receiver (10) having a coil (12) with a tunnel (14) therethrough, a magnetic structure (16) having a central magnetic gap (18), an armature (20), and a fluid (30, 32) with a viscosity greater than air to provide shock protection to the receiver (10). The tunnel (14) and the magnetic gap (18) collectively form an armature aperture (28). The armature (20) extends through the armature aperture (28). The fluid (30, 32) lies within the armature aperture (28).Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1997Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Assignee: Knowles Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Dennis Ray Kirchhoefer, Thomas Edward Miller, Paris Tsangaris