Patents by Inventor Willard L. Hofer

Willard L. Hofer 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: 8872219
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional solid state lighting (SSL) device array system and method are disclosed. An SSL device includes a support, a pillar having several sloped facets mounted to the support, and a flexible substrate pressed against the pillar. The substrate can carry a plurality of solid state emitters (SSEs) facing in various directions corresponding to the sloped facets of the pillar. The flexible substrate can be a flat substrate prepared using planar mounting techniques, such as wirebonding techniques, before bending the substrate against the pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Mondada, Fernando Gonzalez, Willard L. Hofer
  • Publication number: 20130292712
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional solid state lighting (SSL) device array system and method are disclosed. An SSL device includes a support, a pillar having several sloped facets mounted to the support, and a flexible substrate pressed against the pillar. The substrate can carry a plurality of solid state emitters (SSEs) facing in various directions corresponding to the sloped facets of the pillar. The flexible substrate can be a flat substrate prepared using planar mounting techniques, such as wirebonding techniques, before bending the substrate against the pillar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Alan Mondada, Fernando Gonzalez, Willard L. Hofer
  • Patent number: 8501509
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional solid state lighting (SSL) device array system and method are disclosed. An SSL device includes a support, a pillar having several sloped facets mounted to the support, and a flexible substrate pressed against the pillar. The substrate can carry a plurality of solid state emitters (SSEs) facing in various directions corresponding to the sloped facets of the pillar. The flexible substrate can be a flat substrate prepared using planar mounting techniques, such as wirebonding techniques, before bending the substrate against the pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Mondada, Fernando Gonzalez, Willard L. Hofer
  • Publication number: 20120049203
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional solid state lighting (SSL) device array system and method are disclosed. An SSL device includes a support, a pillar having several sloped facets mounted to the support, and a flexible substrate pressed against the pillar. The substrate can carry a plurality of solid state emitters (SSEs) facing in various directions corresponding to the sloped facets of the pillar. The flexible substrate can be a flat substrate prepared using planar mounting techniques, such as wirebonding techniques, before bending the substrate against the pillar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Alan Mondada, Fernando Gonzalez, Willard L. Hofer
  • Patent number: 6937005
    Abstract: A method for inspecting semiconductor wafers. Specifically, an arm which is constructed to hold a wafer, is mounted on a rotational device to provide a user with the means of inspecting a wafer in any position without having to physically touch the wafer or move the wafer to another inspection station. The arm provides rotation about an axis parallel to the surface of the wafer, as well as rotation about an axis run which is perpendicular to the surface of the wafer and extends through the axial center of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Willard L. Hofer, Shawn D. Davis, Joe L. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6909276
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor wafers. Specifically, an arm which is constructed to hold a wafer, is mounted on a rotational device to provide a user with the means of inspecting a wafer in any position without having to physically touch the wafer or move the wafer to another inspection station. The arm provides rotation about an axis parallel to the surface of the wafer, as well as rotation about an axis run which is perpendicular to the surface of the wafer and extends through the axial center of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Willard L. Hofer, Shawn D. Davis, Joe L. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6838390
    Abstract: A method utilizing a plasma etching machine which comprises a process chamber defining an interior region and including a bottom wall having an aperture and a block disposed in the aperture and including a longitudinally extending bore. A shaft extends through the bore and includes a spider push rod extending longitudinally therethrough. An internally cooled chuck is coupled to the shaft and disposed in the interior region and cooperates with the shaft to define a chamber. A spider is disposed in the chamber and is coupled to the push rod. A lift mechanism is coupled to the shaft and the push rod so that the spider pushes up on a wafer in response to actuation of the lift mechanism. A wafer clamping mechanism is coupled to the push rod if a mechanical clamp is used. In the case of electrostatic clamp the bias applied to the chuck is coupled with the use of a rotational roller to allow the bias to be applied to the chuck for the duration of the etch process. A RF source is needed for ionization of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney C. Langley, David R. Johnson, Willard L. Hofer
  • Patent number: 6828772
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting semiconductor wafers. Specifically, an arm which is constructed to hold a wafer, is mounted on a rotational device to provide a user with the means of inspecting a wafer in any position without having to physically touch the wafer or move the wafer to another inspection station. The arm provides rotation about an axis parallel to the surface of the wafer, as well as rotation about an axis run which is perpendicular to the surface of the wafer and extends through the axial center of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Willard L. Hofer, Shawn D. Davis, Joe L. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6475880
    Abstract: A method of inverting a plurality of plate-like materials. One form of the method may include supporting the plurality of plate-like materials in an orientation such that the plate-like materials are substantially parallel to each other in a first orientation. The method may also include engaging portions of each plate-like material to retain the plate-like materials in the substantially parallel orientation to each other, and simultaneously inverting the plate-like material to a second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Mendiola, Willard L. Hofer
  • Patent number: 6254682
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inverting a plurality of plate-like materials to provide for the treatment of plate-like material using techniques that must be applied to the surface from a direction other than from above the material, such as for beneath the material in meniscus coating techniques. The apparatus includes a base, a back attached to the base, a top that is removably attachable to the base for retaining a cassette between the top and the base and retractable material holders attached to the base for engaging and disengaging the plate-like material. In a preferred embodiment, the retractable material holders are in the form of support blocks having notches corresponding the edges of the plate-like material that are reciprocally moved by a side actuator to enable the blocks to engage and disengage the plate-like material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Mendiola, Willard L. Hofer
  • Patent number: 6080272
    Abstract: A plasma etching machine comprises a process chamber defining an interior region and including a bottom wall having an aperture and a block disposed in the aperture and including a longitudinally extending bore. A shaft extends through the bore and includes a spider push rod extending longitudinally therethrough. An internally cooled chuck is coupled to the shaft and disposed in the interior region and cooperates with the shaft to define a chamber. A spider is disposed in the chamber and is coupled to the push rod. A lift mechanism is coupled to the shaft and the push rod so that the spider pushes up on a wafer in response to actuation of the lift mechanism. A wafer clamping mechanism is coupled to the push rod if a mechanical clamp is used. In the case of electrostatic clamp the bias applied to the chuck is coupled with the use of a rotational roller to allow the bias to be applied to the chuck for the duration of the etch process. A RF source is needed for ionization of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney C. Langley, David R. Johnson, Willard L. Hofer
  • Patent number: 5858459
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inverting a plurality of plate-like materials to provide for the treatment of plate-like material using techniques that must be applied to the surface from a direction other than from above the material, such as from beneath the material in meniscus coating techniques. The apparatus includes a base, a back attached to the base, a top that is removably attachable to the base for retaining a cassette between the top and the base and retractable material holders attached to the base for engaging and disengaging the plate-like material. In a preferred embodiment, the retractable material holders are in the form of support blocks having notches corresponding the edges of the plate-like material that are reciprocally moved by a side actuator to enable the blocks to engage and disengage the plate-like material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Mendiola, Willard L. Hofer
  • Patent number: 5312139
    Abstract: A detachable locking device is described which consists of a pair of standard box end wrenches with shortened handles having integral ears on the ends of the handles with openings therethrough. The wrenches are designed to be retrofittably placed behind the respective connecting nuts on the line termination point adapter assemblies which are to be joined. The preliminary connection and seal are made using conventional means and the connecting nuts are torqued to near their optimum value. The wrench heads of the locking device are then positioned on the nuts so that a connecting bolt can be passed through the openings in the ears on the handles, a nut attached thereto and then tightened to hold and secure the connecting nuts together and prevent the nuts from loosening or seal leaking during the operation of the fluid transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest E. Marks, Willard L. Hofer
  • Patent number: 5299842
    Abstract: A removable clamping device is described which uniformly and effectively joins two fluid transmission lines at their normal termination points, using standard adapter flanges and removable seals and generally "C" shaped clamps having narrow slots therein which are designed to just slip over the smallest diameter of the adapter or fluid line and bear against the respective connecting flanges. The two clamps are held together by threaded bolts which are spaced equally about the clamps and which may be tightened or loosened without exerting undesirable rotational torque about the long axis of the fluid line connection, thus avoiding possible breakage and leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest E. Marks, Willard L. Hofer, Nathan P. Lee
  • Patent number: 5222768
    Abstract: A detachable locking device is described which consists of a pair of standard box end wrenches with shortened handles having integral ears on the ends of the handles with openings therethrough. The wrenches are first placed behind the respective connecting nuts on the line termination point adapter assemblies which are to be joined. The preliminary connection and seal is then made using conventional methods and the connecting nuts are torqued to near their optimum value. The box end wrenches of the locking device are then positioned on the nuts so that a connecting bolt can be passed through the openings in the ears on the handles, a nut attached thereto and then tightened to hold and secure the connecting nuts together and prevent the nuts from loosening or seal leaking during the operation of the fluid transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Willard L. Hofer, Ernest E. Marks, Nathan P. Lee
  • Patent number: 5217369
    Abstract: An improved apparatus is described for the closure of the open end of a conventional tube furnace used in the treatment of semiconductor devices manufactured in the integrated circuit industry. The apparatus consists primarily of an adjustable fixed weight on one end of a lever arm and a roller bearing means on the other end, said lever arm being supported by a fulcrum structure which is adjustably attached to the movable track which transports the semiconductor devices into and out of the furnace. The roller bearing end of the lever arm rests with constant pressure against the rear face of the furnace door when the door is closed and held against the opening in the tube furnace. The design eliminates the need for springs and is insensitive to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Micron Techology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dix Brown, Nathan P. Lee, Willard L. Hofer