Patents by Inventor Yongchun Xin
Yongchun Xin 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: 11187349Abstract: A micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS) valve is provided. The MEMS valve includes first and second bodies, a medium and a thermal element. The first body defines a first channel and a second channel intersecting the first channel. The second body defines a third channel and is movable within the first channel between first and second positions. When the second body is at the first positions, the second and third channels align and permit flow through the second and third channels. When the second body is at the second positions, the second and third channels misalign and inhibit flow through the second channel. The medium is charged into the first channel at opposite sides of the second body. The thermal element is proximate to the first channel and is operable to cause the medium to drive movements of the second body to the first or the second positions.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2019Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Yongchun Xin, Daniel Piper, Jonathan Fry, Jang Sim
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Patent number: 11161110Abstract: Microfluidic chips incorporating liquid level sensors for precise sensing of liquid levels in microfluidic system structures, e.g., channels, cavities or reservoirs without moving parts. The microfluidic system uses liquid level photosensors and use optical properties to measure liquid volumes. A light coupling emitter or waveguide transmits the light toward the fluid channel at a critical angle. Multiple light coupling emitters and photosensor array can detect light for a variety of scenarios (based on fluid refraction index) and exploit the phenomenon of critical angles to measure exact angles of reflection/refraction. The waveguide coupler(s) and photosensors are manufactured at the microscale, and use both reflected light and refracted light as monitor signals. A feedback control system (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2018Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Jonathan Fry, Daniel Piper, Yongchun Xin, Jang Sim
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Patent number: 10898871Abstract: A MEMS multiplexing system including: first and second fluid inputs; and a mixing network. The mixing network including: a first channel to receive the first fluid input; a second channel to receive the second fluid input; a multiplexing valve communicating with the first channel and the second channel, the multiplexing valve to cause the transport of the first fluid into the second channel so as to form a first interleaved fluid downstream from the multiplexing valve in the second channel and to cause the transport of the second fluid into the first channel so as to form a second interleaved fluid downstream from the multiplexing valve in the first channel; and the first channel and the second channel intersecting downstream from the valve so as to force mixing of the first interleaved fluid and the second interleaved fluid.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Jonathan Fry, Daniel Piper, Jang Sim, Yongchun Xin
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Patent number: 10612691Abstract: A micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS) valve is provided. The MEMS valve includes first and second bodies, a medium and a thermal element. The first body defines a first channel and a second channel intersecting the first channel. The second body defines a third channel and is movable within the first channel between first and second positions. When the second body is at the first positions, the second and third channels align and permit flow through the second and third channels. When the second body is at the second positions, the second and third channels misalign and inhibit flow through the second channel. The medium is charged into the first channel at opposite sides of the second body. The thermal element is proximate to the first channel and is operable to cause the medium to drive movements of the second body to the first or the second positions.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2018Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Yongchun Xin, Jonathan Fry, Daniel Piper, Jang Sim
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Publication number: 20200061611Abstract: Microfluidic chips incorporating liquid level sensors for precise sensing of liquid levels in microfluidic system structures, e.g., channels, cavities or reservoirs without moving parts. The microfluidic system uses liquid level photosensors and use optical properties to measure liquid volumes. A light coupling emitter or waveguide transmits the light toward the fluid channel at a critical angle. Multiple light coupling emitters and photosensor array can detect light for a variety of scenarios (based on fluid refraction index) and exploit the phenomenon of critical angles to measure exact angles of reflection/refraction. The waveguide coupler(s) and photosensors are manufactured at the microscale, and use both reflected light and refracted light as monitor signals. A feedback control system (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2018Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Jonathan Fry, Daniel Piper, Yongchun Xin, Jang Sim
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Patent number: 10551240Abstract: A self-cleaning sensor to determine a level of a liquid includes a tube with an interior coating and a plurality of horizontally aligned, electrically isolated, electrical contacts. The self-cleaning sensor includes the plurality of horizontally aligned, electrically isolated, electrical contacts that each terminate in an outer surface of an interior wall of the tube and are electrically connected to one or more electrical devices in a cap residing on the tube. Additionally, the self-cleaning sensor includes a float that is composed of a low density, low dielectric constant material buoyant in one or more liquids to be measured where each horizontal dimension of the float corresponds to each horizontal dimension of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2017Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Jonathan Fry, Daniel Piper, Jang Sim, Yongchun Xin
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Publication number: 20200001257Abstract: A MEMS multiplexing system including: first and second fluid inputs; and a mixing network. The mixing network including: a first channel to receive the first fluid input; a second channel to receive the second fluid input; a multiplexing valve communicating with the first channel and the second channel, the multiplexing valve to cause the transport of the first fluid into the second channel so as to form a first interleaved fluid downstream from the multiplexing valve in the second channel and to cause the transport of the second fluid into the first channel so as to form a second interleaved fluid downstream from the multiplexing valve in the first channel; and the first channel and the second channel intersecting downstream from the valve so as to force mixing of the first interleaved fluid and the second interleaved fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2018Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Jonathan Fry, Daniel Piper, Jang Sim, Yongchun Xin
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Patent number: 10458909Abstract: A micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS) optical sensor including a fluid channel having an input portion, an output portion and a curved portion positioned between the input portion and the output portion; a light source impinging on a first boundary of the curved portion and exiting from a second boundary of the curved channel; a photodetector to record a light path of refraction of the light source exiting from the second boundary of the curved portion; a processor to compute the refractive index of a fluid in the curved portion using the light path of refraction of the light source and compare the computed refractive index to a known refractive index for the fluid to determine a difference between the computed refractive index and the known refractive index.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Jonathan Fry, Daniel Piper, Jang Sim, Yongchun Xin
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Publication number: 20190323627Abstract: A micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS) valve is provided. The MEMS valve includes first and second bodies, a medium and a thermal element. The first body defines a first channel and a second channel intersecting the first channel. The second body defines a third channel and is movable within the first channel between first and second positions. When the second body is at the first positions, the second and third channels align and permit flow through the second and third channels. When the second body is at the second positions, the second and third channels misalign and inhibit flow through the second channel. The medium is charged into the first channel at opposite sides of the second body. The thermal element is proximate to the first channel and is operable to cause the medium to drive movements of the second body to the first or the second positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: YONGCHUN XIN, DANIEL PIPER, JONATHAN FRY, JANG SIM
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Patent number: 10415721Abstract: A micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS) valve is provided. The MEMS valve includes first and second bodies, a medium and a thermal element. The first body defines a first channel and a second channel intersecting the first channel. The second body defines a third channel and is movable within the first channel between first and second positions. When the second body is at the first positions, the second and third channels align and permit flow through the second and third channels. When the second body is at the second positions, the second and third channels misalign and inhibit flow through the second channel. The medium is charged into the first channel at opposite sides of the second body. The thermal element is proximate to the first channel and is operable to cause the medium to drive movements of the second body to the first or the second positions.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2018Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Yongchun Xin, Daniel Piper, Jonathan Fry, Jang Sim
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Publication number: 20190219193Abstract: A micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS) valve is provided. The MEMS valve includes first and second bodies, a medium and a thermal element. The first body defines a first channel and a second channel intersecting the first channel. The second body defines a third channel and is movable within the first channel between first and second positions. When the second body is at the first positions, the second and third channels align and permit flow through the second and third channels. When the second body is at the second positions, the second and third channels misalign and inhibit flow through the second channel. The medium is charged into the first channel at opposite sides of the second body. The thermal element is proximate to the first channel and is operable to cause the medium to drive movements of the second body to the first or the second positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2018Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Yongchun XIN, Jonathan FRY, Daniel PIPER, Jang SIM
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Publication number: 20190219192Abstract: A micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS) valve is provided. The MEMS valve includes first and second bodies, a medium and a thermal element. The first body defines a first channel and a second channel intersecting the first channel. The second body defines a third channel and is movable within the first channel between first and second positions. When the second body is at the first positions, the second and third channels align and permit flow through the second and third channels. When the second body is at the second positions, the second and third channels misalign and inhibit flow through the second channel. The medium is charged into the first channel at opposite sides of the second body. The thermal element is proximate to the first channel and is operable to cause the medium to drive movements of the second body to the first or the second positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2018Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Yongchun XIN, Daniel PIPER, Jonathan FRY, Jang SIM
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Publication number: 20190162578Abstract: A self-cleaning sensor to determine a level of a liquid includes a tube with an interior coating and a plurality of horizontally aligned, electrically isolated, electrical contacts. The self-cleaning sensor includes the plurality of horizontally aligned, electrically isolated, electrical contacts that each terminate in an outer surface of an interior wall of the tube and are electrically connected to one or more electrical devices in a cap residing on the tube. Additionally, the self-cleaning sensor includes a float that is composed of a low density, low dielectric constant material buoyant in one or more liquids to be measured where each horizontal dimension of the float corresponds to each horizontal dimension of the tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2017Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Jonathan Fry, Daniel Piper, Jang Sim, Yongchun Xin
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Patent number: 9780007Abstract: A test structure for an integrated circuit device includes a series inductor, capacitor, resistor (LCR) circuit having one or more inductor elements, with each inductor element having at least one unit comprising a first segment formed in a first metal layer, a second segment connecting the first metal layer to a semiconductor substrate beneath the first metal layer, and a third segment formed in the semiconductor substrate; and a capacitor element connected in series with each inductor element, the capacitor element defined by a transistor gate structure including a gate electrode as a first electrode, a gate dielectric layer, and the semiconductor substrate as a second electrode.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2012Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.Inventors: Xu Ouyang, Yunsheng Song, Tso-Hui Ting, Yongchun Xin
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Patent number: 9702930Abstract: A wafer probing system includes a probe card assembly having a plurality of individual probe structures configured make contact with a semiconductor wafer mounted on a motor driven wafer chuck, with each probe structure configured with a pressure sensing unit integrated therewith; and a controller configured to drive the probe card assembly with one or more piezoelectric driver units response to feedback from the pressure sensing units of the individual probe structures.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2016Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Robert D. Edwards, Oleg Gluschenkov, Louis V. Medina, Tso-Hui Ting, Ping-Chuan Wang, Yongchun Xin
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Patent number: 9559051Abstract: A method for depositing a conductor in the via opening electronic structure removes the via bottom liner so that the conductor deposited in the via opening directly contacts the underlying conductive layer. The method includes depositing amorphous silicon over the dielectric layer and the liner layer on the via opening sidewalls and bottom. The amorphous silicon extends substantially over the entire via opening while leaving below a void within the via opening. The amorphous silicon over the via opening and on the via opening bottom and the liner layer on the via opening bottom are anisotropically etched to leave a layer of amorphous silicon over the dielectric layer and the via opening side walls. The amorphous silicon is then removed to form a via opening having a substantially open-bottom liner. The conductor is then deposited in the via opening and contacts the underlying conductive layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: GlobalFoundries Inc.Inventors: Yongchun Xin, Jang H. Sim, Junjing Bao, Zhigang Song, Yunsheng Song
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Patent number: 9519210Abstract: A method for designing, a structure, method of inspecting and a computer system for designing voltage contrast integrated circuit characterization. The design method includes selecting a design level of a mask design shapes file; selecting a region of the design level having an open region having no design shapes and an adjacent circuit region having circuit design shapes; selecting a sub-region of the circuit region adjacent to the open region; copying design shapes of the sub-region to generate a characterization cell identical to the sub-region; modifying the characterization cell to generate a passive voltage contrast characterization cell; and placing the passive voltage contrast characterization cell into the open region adjacent to the sub-region to generate a modified design level.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Oliver D. Patterson, Yunsheng Song, Zhigang Song, Yongchun Xin
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Publication number: 20160216321Abstract: A wafer probing system includes a probe card assembly having a plurality of individual probe structures configured make contact with a semiconductor wafer mounted on a motor driven wafer chuck, with each probe structure configured with a pressure sensing unit integrated therewith; and a controller configured to drive the probe card assembly with one or more piezoelectric driver units response to feedback from the pressure sensing units of the individual probe structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Robert D. Edwards, Oleg Gluschenkov, Louis V. Medina, Tso-Hui Ting, Ping-Chuan Wang, Yongchun Xin
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Patent number: 9354252Abstract: A wafer probing system includes a probe card assembly having a plurality of individual probe structures configured make contact with a semiconductor wafer mounted on a motor driven wafer chuck, with each probe structure configured with a pressure sensing unit integrated therewith; and a controller configured to drive the probe card assembly with one or more piezoelectric driver units response to feedback from the pressure sensing units of the individual probe structures.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Robert D. Edwards, Oleg Gluschenkov, Louis V. Medina, Tso-Hui Ting, Ping-Chuan Wang, Yongchun Xin
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Publication number: 20160148849Abstract: A method for designing, a structure, method of inspecting and a computer system for designing voltage contrast integrated circuit characterization. The design method includes selecting a design level of a mask design shapes file; selecting a region of the design level having an open region having no design shapes and an adjacent circuit region having circuit design shapes; selecting a sub-region of the circuit region adjacent to the open region; copying design shapes of the sub-region to generate a characterization cell identical to the sub-region; modifying the characterization cell to generate a passive voltage contrast characterization cell; and placing the passive voltage contrast characterization cell into the open region adjacent to the sub-region to generate a modified design level.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2014Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Oliver D. Patterson, Yunsheng Song, Zhigang Song, Yongchun Xin