Patents by Inventor Thuc M. Dinh

Thuc M. Dinh 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: 10287679
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a vapor with a compact vaporizer design and exposing the gas and liquid mixture for vaporization to a reduced maximum temperature. A gas and liquid droplet flow through a metal housing configured to heat the gas and liquid droplet mixture flow for vaporization includes directing the gas and liquid droplet mixture through an inlet of the metal housing and flowing the gas through a tortious flow path defined by a plurality of tubular flow passageways arranged around a central axis for vaporization. The flow path is directed through a heat exchanger including one more changes in direction of flow path before flowing into the further tortious flow path described above. Residual liquid droplets may be further vaporized by flowing through a second metal housing configured to heat the gas and liquid droplet mixture for vaporization and having a similar construction to the first metal housing and providing a second tortious flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: MSP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thuc M. Dinh, Yamin Ma, Benjamin Y. H. Liu
  • Publication number: 20180044789
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a vapor with a compact vaporizer design and exposing the gas and liquid mixture for vaporization to a reduced maximum temperature. A gas and liquid droplet flow through a metal housing configured to heat the gas and liquid droplet mixture flow for vaporization includes directing the gas and liquid droplet mixture through an inlet of the metal housing and flowing the gas through a tortious flow path defined by a plurality of tubular flow passageways arranged around a central axis for vaporization. The flow path is directed through a heat exchanger including one more changes in direction of flow path before flowing into the further tortious flow path described above. Residual liquid droplets may be further vaporized by flowing through a second metal housing configured to heat the gas and liquid droplet mixture for vaporization and having a similar construction to the first metal housing and providing a second tortious flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Thuc M. Dinh, Yamin Ma, Benjamin Y.H. Liu
  • Patent number: 9797593
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a vapor with a compact vaporizer design and exposing the gas and liquid mixture for vaporization to a reduced maximum temperature. A gas and liquid droplet flow through a metal housing configured to heat the gas and liquid droplet mixture flow for vaporization includes directing the gas and liquid droplet mixture through an inlet of the metal housing and flowing the gas through a tortious flow path defined by a plurality of tubular flow passageways arranged around a central axis for vaporization. Residual liquid droplets may be further vaporized by flowing through a second metal housing configured to heat the gas and liquid droplet mixture for vaporization and having a similar construction to the first metal housing and providing a second tortious flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: MSP Corporation
    Inventors: Thuc M. Dinh, Yamin Ma, Benjamin Y. H. Liu
  • Publication number: 20160334099
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a vapor with a compact vaporizer design and exposing the gas and liquid mixture for vaporization to a reduced maximum temperature. A gas and liquid droplet flow through a metal housing configured to heat the gas and liquid droplet mixture flow for vaporization includes directing the gas and liquid droplet mixture through an inlet of the metal housing and flowing the gas through a tortious flow path defined by a plurality of tubular flow passageways arranged around a central axis for vaporization. Residual liquid droplets may be further vaporized by flowing through a second metal housing configured to heat the gas and liquid droplet mixture for vaporization and having a similar construction to the first metal housing and providing a second tortious flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Thuc M. Dinh, Yamin Ma, Benjamin Y.H. Liu
  • Publication number: 20160091228
    Abstract: An air conditioning system that includes an evaporator stage, first and second sorption stages that transition between active states and regeneration states, a compressor stage that receives a portion of a refrigerant vapor from the first or second sorption stage in the active state, a condenser stage that receives the refrigerant vapors from the compressor and from the first or second sorption stage in the regeneration state in a manner that bypasses the compressor stage, and where condenser stage also condenses the received refrigerant vapors and directs the refrigerant condensate to the evaporator stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Amir A. Naqwi, Benjamin Y.H. Liu, Thuc M. Dinh
  • Patent number: 9089800
    Abstract: A gas filtration apparatus and method comprises a housing with an inlet for gas to enter and an outlet for the gas to exit. The housing contains a filter comprised of sintered metal fibers having an active filtration area through which the gas flows to remove suspended particles from the gas. The filter is substantially uniform in thickness and porosity through the active filtration area. The filter media being sealed to a metal structure in the housing with the metal structure having an opening to permit gas to flow through. A method of making a vapor/gas mixture includes the steps of producing a vapor in a gas to form the vapor/gas mixture passing the vapor/gas mixture through an opening in a housing containing a filter comprised of sintered metal fibers through which the vapor/gas mixture flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: MSP Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Y.H. Liu, Yamin Ma, Thuc M. Dinh
  • Patent number: 8986784
    Abstract: A method for forming a droplet aerosol for vaporization and subsequent thin film deposition on a substrate. The method includes drawing a gas from a compressed gas source and drawing a liquid from a liquid source. The liquid and gas are conjoined in either a coaxial flow relationship or a radial flow relationship or an angular relationship between radial and coaxial flow wherein the gas engages the liquid to form droplets suitable for vaporization and subsequent thin film deposition on a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: MSP Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Y. H. Liu, Thuc M. Dinh, Yamin Ma
  • Patent number: 8945281
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an apparatus and a method for generating IPA vapor for condensation on a substrate in order to provide a vapor that is substantially free of particulate and molecular contaminants. The apparatus includes an inlet for liquid to enter, and a plurality of heated sloped surfaces to create thin sheets of flowing liquid on the surfaces from which the liquid can vaporize to form vapor. The liquid flows from one surface to another, vaporizing the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: MSP Corporation
    Inventors: Thuc M. Dinh, Yamin Ma, Benjamin Y. H. Liu
  • Patent number: 8783652
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling liquid flow wherein the apparatus comprises an orifice and an adjacent flexible diaphragm separated from each other by a gap through which a liquid flows. The diaphragm is sufficiently flexible to vary the gap thereby controlling the rate of liquid flowing through the orifice or to provide a positive liquid shutoff of liquid flowing through the orifice. A method for controlling liquid flow through the apparatus comprises flexing said diaphragm to vary a size of the gap to control the rate of liquid flowing through the orifice or to provide a positive liquid shutoff of liquid from flowing through the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: MPS Corporation
    Inventors: Thuc M. Dinh, Benjamin Y. H. Liu, Yamin Ma
  • Patent number: 8728240
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recovery of precursor vapor from a gas and precursor vapor mixture used in a deposition process. The gas and precursor vapor mixture is passed through a multitude of heat transfer surfaces in a heat conducting housing causing the precursor vapor to condense. The precursor vapor in liquid form is then collected after condensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: MSP Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Y. H. Liu, Thuc M. Dinh, Yamin Ma
  • Patent number: 8711338
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method and apparatus for detecting particles in a gas by saturating the gas with vapor and causing the gas to flow through a chamber with walls that are at a temperature different than the temperature of the entering gas creating a gas turbulence within the chamber resulting in the gas becoming super-saturated with vapor and causing said super-saturated vapor to condense on said particles and form droplets, which are then detected and counted by an optical light-scattering detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: MSP Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Y. H. Liu, Thuc M. Dinh, William D. Dick, Aaron M. Collins, Francisco J. Romay
  • Patent number: 8603247
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an apparatus for detecting particles in a gas by saturating the gas with vapor and causing the gas to flow through a chamber with walls that are at a temperature different than the temperature of the entering gas creating a gas turbulence within the chamber resulting in the gas becoming super-saturated with vapor and causing said super-saturated vapor to condense on said particles and form droplets, which are then detected and counted by an optical light-scattering detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: MSP Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Y. H. Liu, Thuc M. Dinh, William D. Dick, Aaron M. Collins, Francisco J. Romay
  • Publication number: 20130295776
    Abstract: Methods for recovery of precursor vapor from a gas and precursor vapor mixture used in a deposition process. The gas and precursor vapor mixture is passed through a multitude of heat transfer surfaces in a heat conducting housing causing the precursor vapor to condense. The precursor vapor in liquid form is then collected after condensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: MSP Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Y.H. Liu, Thuc M. Dinh, Yamin Ma
  • Publication number: 20130295749
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recovery of precursor vapor from a gas and precursor vapor mixture used in a deposition process. The gas and precursor vapor mixture is passed through a multitude of heat transfer surfaces in a heat conducting housing causing the precursor vapor to condense. The precursor vapor in liquid form is then collected after condensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Benjamin Y.H. Liu, Thuc M. Dinh, Yamin Ma
  • Publication number: 20130292485
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for forming a droplet aerosol for vaporization and subsequent thin film deposition on a substrate. The apparatus includes a mechanism to control the rate of liquid flow through the apparatus, the mechanism including a piezoelectric actuator to adjust the rate of liquid flow and an atomizing mechanism drawing gas from a compressed gas source such that when the gas source conjoins with the liquid, the liquid is atomized to form droplets suspended in the gas thereby forming a droplet aerosol suitable for subsequent thin film deposition on a substrate. The method includes drawing a gas from a compressed gas source and drawing a liquid from a liquid source. The liquid and gas are conjoined in either a coaxial flow relationship or a radial flow relationship or an angular relationship between radial and coaxial flow wherein the gas engages the liquid to form droplets suitable for vaporization and subsequent thin film deposition on a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Benjamin Y.H. Liu, Thuc M. Dinh, Yamin Ma
  • Publication number: 20130239888
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an apparatus for detecting particles in a gas by saturating the gas with vapor and causing the gas to flow through a chamber with walls that are at a temperature different than the temperature of the entering gas creating a gas turbulence within the chamber resulting in the gas becoming super-saturated with vapor and causing said super-saturated vapor to condense on said particles and form droplets, which are then detected and counted by an optical light-scattering detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: MSP Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Y.H. Liu, Thuc M. Dinh, William D. Dick, Aaron M. Collins, Francisco J. Romay
  • Publication number: 20130233395
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling liquid flow wherein the apparatus comprises an orifice and an adjacent flexible diaphragm separated from each other by a gap through which a liquid flows. The diaphragm is sufficiently flexible to vary the gap thereby controlling the rate of liquid flowing through the orifice or to provide a positive liquid shutoff of liquid flowing through the orifice. A method for controlling liquid flow through the apparatus comprises flexing said diaphragm to vary a size of the gap to control the rate of liquid flowing through the orifice or to provide a positive liquid shutoff of liquid from flowing through the orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Thuc M. Dinh, Benjamin Y.H. Liu, Yamin Ma
  • Patent number: 8511583
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for forming a droplet aerosol for vaporization and subsequent thin film deposition on a substrate. The apparatus includes a mechanism to control the rate of liquid flow through the apparatus, the mechanism including a piezoelectric actuator to adjust the rate of liquid flow and an atomizing mechanism drawing gas from a compressed gas source such that when the gas source conjoins with the liquid, the liquid is atomized to form droplets suspended in the gas thereby forming a droplet aerosol suitable for subsequent thin film deposition on a substrate. The method includes drawing a gas from a compressed gas source and drawing a liquid from a liquid source. The liquid and gas are conjoined in either a coaxial flow relationship or a radial flow relationship or an angular relationship between radial and coaxial flow wherein the gas engages the liquid to form droplets suitable for vaporization and subsequent thin film deposition on a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: MSP Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Y. H. Liu, Thuc M. Dinh, Yamin Ma
  • Publication number: 20130203264
    Abstract: A gas filtration apparatus and method comprises a housing with an inlet for gas to enter and an outlet for the gas to exit. The housing contains a filter comprised of sintered metal fibers having an active filtration area through which the gas flows to remove suspended particles from the gas. The filter is substantially uniform in thickness and porosity through the active filtration area. The filter media being sealed to a metal structure in the housing with the metal structure having an opening to permit gas to flow through. A method of making a vapor/gas mixture includes the steps of producing a vapor in a gas to form the vapor/gas mixture passing the vapor/gas mixture through an opening in a housing containing a filter comprised of sintered metal fibers through which the vapor/gas mixture flows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: MSP Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Y.H. Liu, Yamin Ma, Thuc M. Dinh
  • Patent number: 8465791
    Abstract: A method for detecting particles in a gas by saturating the gas with vapor and causing the gas to flow through a chamber with walls that are at a temperature different than the temperature of the entering gas creating a gas turbulence within the chamber resulting in the gas becoming super-saturated with vapor and causing said super-saturated vapor to condense on said particles and form droplets, which are then detected and counted by an optical light-scattering detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: MSP Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Y. H. Liu, Thuc M. Dinh, William D. Dick, Aaron M. Collins, Francisco J. Romay