Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Burke

Thomas M. Burke 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: 12163999
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for burn-in and/or functional testing of microelectronic circuits of unsingulated wafers. A large number of power, ground, and signal connections can be made to a large number of contacts on a wafer. The apparatus has a cartridge that allows for fanning-in of electric paths. A distribution board has a plurality of interfaces that are strategically positioned to provide a dense configuration. The interfaces are connected through flexible attachments to an array of first connector modules. Each one of the first connector modules can be independently connected to a respective one of a plurality of second connector modules, thereby reducing stresses on a frame of the apparatus. Further features include for example a piston that allows for tight control of forces exerted by terminals onto contacts of a wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: AEHR TEST SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Donald P. Richmond, II, Kenneth W. Deboe, Frank O. Uher, Jovan Jovanovic, Scott E. Lindsey, Thomas T. Maenner, Patrick M. Shepherd, Jeffrey L. Tyson, Mark C. Carbone, Paul W. Burke, Doan D. Cao, James F. Tomic, Long V. Vu
  • Publication number: 20220367070
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include nuclear fission reactor cores, nuclear fission reactors, methods of operating a nuclear fission reactor, and methods of managing excess reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Thomas M. Burke, Tyler S. Ellis, John R. Gilleland, Jonatan Hejzlar, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Robert C. Petroski, Nicholas W. Touran, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas A. Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., George B. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 11482344
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include nuclear fission reactor cores, nuclear fission reactors, methods of operating a nuclear fission reactor, and methods of managing excess reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: TERRAPOWER, LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Thomas M. Burke, Tyler S. Ellis, John Rogers Gilleland, Jonatan Hejzlar, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Robert C. Petroski, Nicholas W. Touran, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., George B. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 11257600
    Abstract: Sodium-cesium trap systems and methods for the simultaneous removal of both sodium (Na) and cesium (Cs) in gas are provided. The trap system includes a contacting vessel having an inlet and an outlet with carrier gas channeled therethrough. A heating system maintains a temperature gradient across the contacting vessel between a first temperature at the inlet and a second temperature at the outlet such that sodium and cesium contained within the carrier gas are condensed into liquid and the carrier gas exiting the vessel is substantially free of sodium and cesium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Anderson, Thomas M. Burke, Robert A. Corbin, Christopher M. Regan
  • Publication number: 20200258644
    Abstract: Sodium-cesium trap systems and methods for the simultaneous removal of both sodium (Na) and cesium (Cs) in gas are provided. The trap system includes a contacting vessel having an inlet and an outlet with carrier gas channeled therethrough. A heating system maintains a temperature gradient across the contacting vessel between a first temperature at the inlet and a second temperature at the outlet such that sodium and cesium contained within the carrier gas are condensed into liquid and the carrier gas exiting the vessel is substantially free of sodium and cesium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLc
    Inventors: Michael Anderson, Thomas M. Burke, Robert A. Corbin, Christopher M. Regan
  • Patent number: 10636532
    Abstract: Sodium-cesium trap systems and methods for the simultaneous removal of both sodium (Na) and cesium (Cs) in gas are provided. The trap system includes a contacting vessel having an inlet and an outlet with carrier gas channeled therethrough. A heating system maintains a temperature gradient across the contacting vessel between a first temperature at the inlet and a second temperature at the outlet such that sodium and cesium contained within the carrier gas are condensed into liquid and the carrier gas exiting the vessel is substantially free of sodium and cesium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Anderson, Thomas M. Burke, Robert A. Corbin, Christopher M. Regan
  • Publication number: 20170337995
    Abstract: Sodium-cesium trap systems and methods for the simultaneous removal of both sodium (Na) and cesium (Cs) in gas are provided. The trap system includes a contacting vessel having an inlet and an outlet with carrier gas channeled therethrough. A heating system maintains a temperature gradient across the contacting vessel between a first temperature at the inlet and a second temperature at the outlet such that sodium and cesium contained within the carrier gas are condensed into liquid and the carrier gas exiting the vessel is substantially free of sodium and cesium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Anderson, Thomas M. Burke, Robert A. Corbin, Christopher M. Regan
  • Publication number: 20170301412
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include nuclear fission reactor cores, nuclear fission reactors, methods of operating a nuclear fission reactor, and methods of managing excess reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Thomas M. Burke, Tyler S. Ellis, John Rogers Gilleland, Jonatan Hejzlar, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Robert C. Petroski, Nicholas W. Touran, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, George B. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 9653187
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include nuclear fission reactor cores, nuclear fission reactors, methods of operating a nuclear fission reactor, and methods of managing excess reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Thomas M. Burke, Tyler S. Ellis, John Rogers Gilleland, Jonatan Hejzlar, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Robert C. Petroski, Nicholas W. Touran, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., George B. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 9401228
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include nuclear fission reactor cores, nuclear fission reactors, methods of operating a nuclear fission reactor, and methods of managing excess reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Thomas M. Burke, Tyler S. Ellis, John Rogers Gilleland, Jonatan Hejzlar, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Robert C. Petroski, Nicholas W. Touran, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., George B. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 9236150
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include nuclear fission reactor cores, nuclear fission reactors, methods of operating a nuclear fission reactor, and methods of managing excess reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Thomas M. Burke, Tyler S. Ellis, John Rogers Gilleland, Jonatan Hejzlar, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Robert C. Petroski, Nicholas W. Touran, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., George B. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20110164713
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include nuclear fission reactor cores, nuclear fission reactors, methods of operating a nuclear fission reactor, and methods of managing excess reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Thomas M. Burke, Tyler S. Ellis, John Rogers Gilleland, Jonatan Hejzlar, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Robert C. Petroski, Nicholas W. Touran, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., George B. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20110164714
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include nuclear fission reactor cores, nuclear fission reactors, methods of operating a nuclear fission reactor, and methods of managing excess reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Thomas M. Burke, Tyler S. Ellis, John Rogers Gilleland, Jonatan Hejzlar, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Robert C. Petroski, Nicholas W. Touran, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., George B. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20110164712
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include nuclear fission reactor cores, nuclear fission reactors, methods of operating a nuclear fission reactor, and methods of managing excess reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Thomas M. Burke, Tyler S. Ellis, John Rogers Gilleland, Jonatan Hejzlar, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Robert C. Petroski, Nicholas W. Touran, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., George B. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20110110484
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include nuclear fission reactor cores, nuclear fission reactors, methods of operating a nuclear fission reactor, and methods of managing excess reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Thomas M. Burke, Tyler S. Ellis, John Rogers Gilleland, Jonatan Hejzlar, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Robert C. Petroski, Nicholas W. Touran, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., George B. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6909792
    Abstract: An image processing system and method visually documents and displays changes between historical and later mammographic images, preferably in three dimensions. A composite image is created which visually emphasizes temporal differences between the historical and later images. Preferably three-dimensional, digitized images, displayable in various projections, are stored for archival purposes on computer readable media. An image processor preferably exploits an optical correlator to register the historical and later images accurately and provide correlation values as temporal scalars of the differences. The registered images are then compared, voxel-by-voxel, to detect temporal differences. The composite image is displayed with synthetic colors or other visual clues to emphasize apparent changes (for example, tumor growth or shrinkage).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Carrott, Thomas M. Burke
  • Patent number: 6421454
    Abstract: Ultrasonographic imaging of small calcifications or similar hard bodies distributed in human breast tissue is enhanced by correlating an ultrasonographic data set with a radiographic image of the same region of interest. A “constellation” or cluster of small calcifications is distinguished from speckle noise by the cross-correlation, which is quite sensitive to the coincidence of a pattern of distributed small targets in both the ultrasonographic and radiographic images, notwithstanding the presence of random noise. An optical correlator is preferably used to perform high speed cross-correlations. The three-dimensional position of an individual calcification is preferably found by projecting from an identified point in the radiographic image, along a projection vector, to a voxel with extreme density in the ultrasonographic volumetric data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Burke, David T. Carrott
  • Patent number: 6396940
    Abstract: Ultrasonographic information about the internal structure of a subject body is combined with x-ray or other radiographic information from the same subject body by using an optical correlator to quickly find a transformation which aligns the information from both sources, even if they are acquired in different coordinate systems. Various spatial transformations are applied to the information and cross-correlations are quickly performed. The transformation which gives the best cross-correlation is used to align the two data sets, which can then be displayed visually. The resulting display can be used as an aid in medical diagnosis, for example in diagnosing suspected malignant lesions in a woman's breast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Carrott, Thomas M. Burke
  • Patent number: 6351660
    Abstract: An image processing system and method visually documents and displays the in-vivo location from which a biopsy specimen was extracted, by processing pre-biopsy and post-biopsy images. A composite image is created which visually emphasizes differences between the pre-biopsy and post-biopsy images. Preferably three-dimensional, digitized images, displayable in various projections, are stored for archival purposes on computer readable media. An image processor preferably exploits an optical correlator to register the pre-biopsy and post-biopsy images accurately. The images are then compared, voxel-by-voxel, to detect differences between pre-biopsy and post-biopsy images. The composite image is displayed with synthetic colors, synthetic icons, or other visual clues to emphasize probable in-vivo biopsy locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Burke, David T. Carrott
  • Patent number: 5609301
    Abstract: The design and practical method of providing an all ceramic externally mixing dual gas torch with a multiplicity of intimately adjacent emissions supplied from separate and isolated internal gas chambers. Four-bore ceramic tubing is used and two of the through bores access the isolated fuel gas chamber and side-slotting or notching accesses the remaining two holes to the isolated oxygen chamber. The bundling of a multiplicity of slotted tubings provides a multiplicity of intimately adjacent dual gas emissions. The slots are oriented to provide a desired flame pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventors: Thomas M. Burke, deceased, by Bernadette M. Burke, administrator, Dale L. Dickeson