Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Albrecht

Thomas R. Albrecht 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: 11846653
    Abstract: A scanning probe microscope and method for resonance-enhanced detection using the scanning probe microscope uses a light source that is modulated in a range of frequencies to irradiate an interface between a probe tip of the microscope and a sample with modulated electromagnetic radiation from the light source. The vibrational response of the driven cantilever in response to the modulated electromagnetic radiation at the interface between the probe tip and the sample is then detected. The amplitude of the vibrational response of the cantilever over the entire range of modulation frequencies is measured to derive a photo-induced force microscope (PiFM) value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: MOLECULAR VISTA, INC.
    Inventors: William Morrison, Derek Nowak, Josh Gioja, Sung I. Park, Thomas R. Albrecht
  • Publication number: 20230018874
    Abstract: A scanning probe microscope and method for resonance-enhanced detection using the scanning probe microscope uses a light source that is modulated in a range of frequencies to irradiate an interface between a probe tip of the microscope and a sample with modulated electromagnetic radiation from the light source. The vibrational response of the driven cantilever in response to the modulated electromagnetic radiation at the interface between the probe tip and the sample is then detected. The amplitude of the vibrational response of the cantilever over the entire range of modulation frequencies is measured to derive a photo-induced force microscope (PiFM) value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: William Morrison, Derek Nowak, Josh Gioja, Sung I. Park, Thomas R. Albrecht
  • Patent number: 11150267
    Abstract: A scanning probe microscope and method of operating the microscope uses a resonant material between a metallic probe tip and a surface of a sample with at least one material having a dielectric constant ?. When electromagnetic radiation from a light source is transmitted to an interface between the metallic probe tip and the sample, absorption of the electromagnetic radiation by the resonant sensor material that is dependent on the dielectric constant of the at least one material of the sample is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: MOLECULAR VISTA, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Albrecht, Derek Nowak, Junghoon Jahng, Sung I. Park, Eun Seong Lee
  • Publication number: 20210208181
    Abstract: A scanning probe microscope and method of operating the microscope uses a resonant material between a metallic probe tip and a surface of a sample with at least one material having a dielectric constant ?. When electromagnetic radiation from a light source is transmitted to an interface between the metallic probe tip and the sample, absorption of the electromagnetic radiation by the resonant sensor material that is dependent on the dielectric constant of the at least one material of the sample is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas R. ALBRECHT, Derek NOWAK, Junghoon JAHNG, Sung I. PARK, Eun Seong LEE
  • Patent number: 10955437
    Abstract: An atomic force microscope and method for detecting photo-induced force using the atomic force microscope utilizes light from a photonic source at a tip-sample interface that results in photo-induced force gradient, which is detected by measuring a resonant frequency of a vibrational mode of a cantilever of the atomic force microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: MOLECULAR VISTA, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Albrecht
  • Patent number: 10942199
    Abstract: A scanning force microscope and method for operating the scanning force microscope uses an enclosed chamber to create a reduced damping environment with a damping-reducing gas at a pressure below one atmospheric pressure to engage a sample of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: MOLECULAR VISTA, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Albrecht
  • Publication number: 20200379005
    Abstract: A scanning force microscope and method for operating the scanning force microscope uses an enclosed chamber to create a reduced damping environment with a damping-reducing gas at a pressure below one atmospheric pressure to engage a sample of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas R. ALBRECHT
  • Publication number: 20200355724
    Abstract: System and method for optical drift correction uses light from a light source that is reflected from a curved surface of a mirror and detected at photosensitive detectors to detect movements of the mirror with respect to the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: Molecular Vista, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle C. JUEDES, Thomas R. ALBRECHT, Derek NOWAK, Sung PARK
  • Patent number: 10636454
    Abstract: A data storage device involves inner surfaces of sidewalls of a second cover overlapping with and adhesively bonded with the outer surfaces of sidewalls of an enclosure base having an uppermost top surface, where the second cover or an underlying first cover are removably adhered to the uppermost top surface of the base. The removable adhesive bond may comprise a pressure-sensitive adhesive, which can provide for reworkability during the manufacturing and testing process. The second cover-to-base sidewall bond may form a hermetic seal between the second cover and the base. Hence, a thinner base sidewall adjacent to the recording disks is enabled, leaving more space available for larger-diameter recording disks within a standard form factor, hermetically-sealed storage device, which may be filled with a lighter-than-air gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Albrecht, Darya Amin-Shahidi
  • Publication number: 20200049735
    Abstract: An atomic force microscope and method for detecting photo-induced force using the atomic force microscope utilizes light from a photonic source at a tip-sample interface that results in photo-induced force gradient, which is detected by measuring a resonant frequency of a vibrational mode of a cantilever of the atomic force microscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas R. ALBRECHT
  • Patent number: 10403328
    Abstract: To provide enhanced operation of data storage devices and systems, various systems and apparatuses are provided herein. In a first example, a data storage assembly includes an enclosure configured to house at least one data storage device and a fan assembly configured to provide airflow within the enclosure to ventilate the at least one data storage device. A plurality of acoustic waves emanate into the data storage device from one or more fans of the fan assembly during operation. An acoustic attenuation device is positioned within the enclosure and configured to deflect at least a first portion of the plurality of acoustic waves away from the at least one data storage device and absorb a portion of acoustic wave energy of at least a second portion of the plurality of acoustic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Albrecht, Darya Amin-Shahidi, Toshiki Hirano, Hussam Zebian
  • Patent number: 10290326
    Abstract: A data storage device involves a plurality of sidewalls of a bent sheet metal cover, either pre-formed or shaped-in-place, overlapping with and hermetically sealed with a corresponding plurality of sidewalls of an enclosure base, using an applied epoxy adhesive. Base protrusions and/or cover dimples may be used to set a suitable gap between the parts. A robust hermetic seal provides for filling the data storage device with a lighter-than-air gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Albrecht, Darya Amin-Shahidi, Toshiki Hirano, Kirk B. Price
  • Publication number: 20190080725
    Abstract: A data storage device involves inner surfaces of sidewalls of a second cover overlapping with and adhesively bonded with the outer surfaces of sidewalls of an enclosure base having an uppermost top surface, where the second cover or an underlying first cover are removably adhered to the uppermost top surface of the base. The removable adhesive bond may comprise a pressure-sensitive adhesive, which can provide for reworkability during the manufacturing and testing process. The second cover-to-base sidewall bond may form a hermetic seal between the second cover and the base. Hence, a thinner base sidewall adjacent to the recording disks is enabled, leaving more space available for larger-diameter recording disks within a standard form factor, hermetically-sealed storage device, which may be filled with a lighter-than-air gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: THOMAS R. ALBRECHT, DARYA AMIN-SHAHIDI
  • Patent number: 10170159
    Abstract: A data storage device involves a plurality of continuous sidewalls and corner portions of a tub cover overlapping with and hermetically sealed with a corresponding plurality of sidewalls and corners of an enclosure base using an epoxy adhesive. Base protrusions and/or cover dimples may be used to set a suitable gap between the parts. A robust hermetic seal provides for filling the HDD with a lighter-than-air gas. A tub cover may include pleated corners, and a base may include corners having a constant-radius outer surface and sidewalls having a sloped upper surface, whereby an assembly interference fit between the base and the tub cover is formed by forcing outward each sidewall of the tub cover while forcing inward at least a portion of each corner of the tub cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Albrecht, Darya Amin-Shahidi, Toshiki Hirano, Kirk B. Price
  • Patent number: 10134448
    Abstract: A data storage device involves inner surfaces of sidewalls of a second cover overlapping with and adhesively bonded with the outer surfaces of sidewalls of an enclosure base having an uppermost top surface, where the second cover or an underlying first cover are removably adhered to the uppermost top surface of the base. The removable adhesive bond may comprise a pressure-sensitive adhesive, which can provide for reworkability during the manufacturing and testing process. The second cover-to-base sidewall bond may form a hermetic seal between the second cover and the base. Hence, a thinner base sidewall adjacent to the recording disks is enabled, leaving more space available for larger-diameter recording disks within a standard form factor, hermetically-sealed storage device, which may be filled with a lighter-than-air gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Albrecht, Darya Amin-Shahidi
  • Patent number: 10127947
    Abstract: A data storage system assembly includes a rigid central plate with multiple data storage devices (DSDs) mounted on the central plate, where a first row of DSDs is coupled with a first side of the central plate, and a second row of DSDs is coupled with a second side of the central plate, both in a side-by-side arrangement. A plurality of flexible mounting grommets may be fastened to each DSD and coupled to the central plate, such as in an arrangement in which an even number of grommets are fastened to one side and an odd number of grommets are fastened to an opposing side of the DSD. Each respective DSD may be fastened to a corresponding adaptor plate, where each adaptor plate is coupled with the central plate. Flexible mounting grommets may be fastened to each adaptor plate and coupled to the central plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Albrecht, Darya Amin-Shahidi, Toshiki Hirano, Lidu Huang, Jeffrey D. Wilke
  • Publication number: 20180182438
    Abstract: A data storage system assembly includes a rigid central plate with multiple data storage devices (DSDs) mounted on the central plate, where a first row of DSDs is coupled with a first side of the central plate, and a second row of DSDs is coupled with a second side of the central plate, both in a side-by-side arrangement. A plurality of flexible mounting grommets may be fastened to each DSD and coupled to the central plate, such as in an arrangement in which an even number of grommets are fastened to one side and an odd number of grommets are fastened to an opposing side of the DSD. Each respective DSD may be fastened to a corresponding adaptor plate, where each adaptor plate is coupled with the central plate. Flexible mounting grommets may be fastened to each adaptor plate and coupled to the central plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas R. Albrecht, Darya Amin-Shahidi, Toshiki Hirano, Lidu Huang, Jeffrey D. Wilke
  • Publication number: 20180114547
    Abstract: A data storage device involves a plurality of continuous sidewalls and corner portions of a tub cover overlapping with and hermetically sealed with a corresponding plurality of sidewalls and corners of an enclosure base using an epoxy adhesive. Base protrusions and/or cover dimples may be used to set a suitable gap between the parts. A robust hermetic seal provides for filling the HDD with a lighter-than-air gas. A tub cover may include pleated corners, and a base may include corners having a constant-radius outer surface and sidewalls having a sloped upper surface, whereby an assembly interference fit between the base and the tub cover is formed by forcing outward each sidewall of the tub cover while forcing inward at least a portion of each corner of the tub cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: THOMAS R. ALBRECHT, DARYA AMIN-SHAHIDI, TOSHIKI HIRANO, KIRK B. PRICE
  • Patent number: 9953684
    Abstract: A method of assembling a data storage device comprises forming an enclosure by overlapping each of a plurality of sidewalls of a cover with a corresponding sidewall of a base part, dispensing a liquid adhesive between the respective sidewalls of the cover and base part in such a quantity at each of a plurality of locations to promote capillary flow of the liquid adhesive to form a continuous film of liquid adhesive between the sidewalls, and curing the continuous film of liquid adhesive to form a hermetic seal between the cover and the base part. Embodiments may include surface treating the sidewall surface(s), which can help promote the capillary flow of the liquid adhesive. The hermetic seal provides for a lighter-than-air gas to be held therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Albrecht, Darya Amin-Shahidi, Toshiki Hirano, Kirk B. Price
  • Publication number: 20180108382
    Abstract: A data storage device involves a plurality of sidewalls of a bent sheet metal cover, either pre-formed or shaped-in-place, overlapping with and hermetically sealed with a corresponding plurality of sidewalls of an enclosure base, using an applied epoxy adhesive. Base protrusions and/or cover dimples may be used to set a suitable gap between the parts. A robust hermetic seal provides for filling the data storage device with a lighter-than-air gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: THOMAS R. ALBRECHT, DARYA AMIN-SHAHIDI, TOSHIKI HIRANO, KIRK B. PRICE