Patents Issued in November 9, 2004
  • Patent number: 6815103
    Abstract: At a time of starting a fuel cell when solenoids of control valves such as a check valve and a discharge valve are in a frozen state, hot air obtained by adiabatic compression at an air supply portion is divisionally supplied into a warm-up box through a warm-up valve. It is determined whether the discharge valve is opened by determining whether the discharge fuel gas pressure Pout is reduced below a predetermined pressure while the check valve is in an opened state. After confirming that the discharge valve has been opened, it is determined whether the check valve can be closed by determining whether the pressure near the fuel supply port of the fuel cell has risen above the predetermined pressure stored in the memory. The warm-up operation of the fuel cell can thereby be efficiently conducted and the fuel cell can be reliably started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Abe, Yutaka Asano, Mitsuru Kai
  • Patent number: 6815104
    Abstract: A method for controlling the flow rate of an oxidizer in a fuel cell system having a fuel cell stack being supplied with fuel and the oxidizer, a compressor for supplying the oxidizer to the fuel cell stack, a back pressure valve for controlling pressure of the oxidizer, and a control device for controlling the fuel cell stack, the compressor, and the back pressure valve. The method includes the steps of calculating an oxidizer pressure command and an oxidizer flow rate command based on a given electrical current command, comparing a first flow rate that is defined as an upper limit of oxidizer flow rate and a second flow rate that is defined as a lower limit of oxidizer flow rate with the oxidizer flow rate command, and regulating the oxidizer flow rate command so as to be limited within a range from the second flow rate to the first flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Uehara, Kenichiro Ueda, Yoshikazu Murakami, Masanori Hayashi, Yuji Matsumoto, Daishi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 6815105
    Abstract: Highly efficient carbon fuels, exemplary embodiments of a high temperature, molten electrolyte electrochemical cell are capable of directly converting ash-free carbon fuel to electrical energy. Ash-free, turbostratic carbon particles perform at high efficiencies in certain direct carbon conversion cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: John F. Cooper, Roger Krueger, Nerine Cherepy
  • Patent number: 6815106
    Abstract: A fuel cell system having a dynamically controlled pressure regulator for varying the backpressure on the system under varying ambient temperatures and pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Salvador, James W. Dandalides, William Henry Pettit
  • Patent number: 6815107
    Abstract: In order to improve detecting accuracy in a gas leak detection for a fuel cell, in a gas leak detection method for a fuel cell having a solid polymer electrolyte membrane sandwiched by an anode and a cathode, an output voltage is measured in an activated over-potential region in a state in which the pressure of fuel gas which is supplied to the anode is maintained higher than the pressure of gas which is supplied to the cathode, and a gas leak is determined to exist when the output voltage is lower than a predetermined pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Inai, Katsumi Hayashi, Yosuke Fujii, Minoru Koshinuma
  • Patent number: 6815108
    Abstract: A function maintaining method for fuel cell system, the fuel cell system including a fuel cell that is supplied fuel and an oxidant to generate electricity, a fuel tank that supplies the fuel to the fuel cell, a tank pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the fuel tank, and a control apparatus that controls the same. The function maintaining method comprises calculating, when a failure of the tank pressure sensor has been detected, the pressure of the tank before a predetermined time interval from the time of this detection and a fuel consumption amount and fuel discharge amount after the detection of the failure, and estimation the pressure of the tank by using the same. A fuel cell system is obtained which can maintain the function and reliability of the fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Ueda, Shinji Yoshikawa, Yoshinobu Hasuka
  • Patent number: 6815109
    Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell stack including stacked power-generating cells, a cooling medium-circulating passage for supplying a cooling medium to the fuel cell stack in a circulating manner to cool the power-generating cells, and a heat exchange means arranged for the cooling medium-circulating passage, for performing a heat exchange treatment for the cooling medium used to cool the power-generating cells, wherein the operation temperature of the fuel cell stack is set to be within a range of 100° C. to 210° C. Accordingly, it is possible to improve durability of the fuel cell system in the high output operation and to easily miniaturize the fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takafumi Okamoto, Koji Okazaki, Shuji Sato
  • Patent number: 6815110
    Abstract: A fuel cell is disclosed which is formed on a semiconductor wafer by etching channel in the wafer and forming a proton exchange membrane PEM barrier in the etched channel. The barrier divides the channel into two. A hydrogen fuel is admitted into one of the divided channels and an oxidant into the other reacts with a catalyst formed on an anode electrode at the hydrogen side of the channel to release hydrogen ions (protons) which are absorbed into the PEM. The protons migrate through the PEM and recombine with return hydrogen electrons on a cathode electrode on the oxygen side of the PEM and the oxygen to form water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Integrated Fuel Cell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Marsh
  • Patent number: 6815111
    Abstract: In a separator for a fuel cell and a method of producing a separator for a fuel cell according to the invention, bond-carbon is used in which composition ratios are set to 85 to 97 wt. % (preferably, 91 to 96 wt. %) of graphite powder having an average diameter in a range of 15 to 125 &mgr;m (preferably, 40 to 100 &mgr;m), and 3 to 15 wt. % (preferably, 4 to 9 wt. %) of a thermosetting resin. The compound is previously cold-molded into a shape similar to a final molded shape. The preliminary molded member is then placed in a mold, and a molding pressure in a range of 10 to 100 MPa (preferably, 20 to 50 MPa) is applied, thereby molding the member into a separator of the final shape. Therefore, a separator which is uniform and has a predetermined shape can be surely obtained while reducing the volume resistivity so as to ensure a good conductivity, whereby the performance of a fuel cell can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Nippon Pillar Packing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsunemori Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6815112
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell separator molded from a fuel cell separator composition mainly containing a conductive material and a binder, characterized in that said separator is specified such that after 3.5 g of a test piece cut from said fuel cell separator is put in 305 mL of pure water and the water is heated at 90° C. for 500 hr, an electric conductivity of the water is 50 &mgr;S/cm or less. The fuel cell separator thus obtained is effective to reduce elution of ions and exhibit a high moldability and a high dimensional stability. Further, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using the fuel cell separators is effective to exhibit a stable output without reduction in output during operation and enhance the operational efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuo Saito, Atsushi Hagiwara, Koji Banno, Ayumi Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 6815113
    Abstract: This invention provides arrays of independently acting compliant electrical contacts within a fuel cell. These contacts maintain electrical contact between a plate and the adjacent membrane electrode assembly, and provide substantially uniform internal pressure distribution and substantially uniform electrical contact. In one embodiment, the electrical contacts are springs, which can take a variety of forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Altergy Systems
    Inventors: Jerrold E. Franklin, Eric S. Mettler
  • Patent number: 6815114
    Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane electrode unit for fuel cells. The inventive membrane electrode unit comprises a reinforcing frame that is situated on the periphery and in the area of openings which are placed in the active portion of the membrane electrode unit and provided for guiding material or for installation. Said reinforcing frame is formed by a hot-melt-type adhesive layer that is applied on both sides and is formed by at least one rigid plate. The hot-melt-type adhesive layers which protrude over the outer edge of the membrane electrode unit enter into an intimate bond, due to the effect of pressure and heat, with the rigid plates and with the membrane electrode unit as well as with one another in the projecting area. The hot-melt-type adhesive comprises ionic or strong polar groups which interact with the ionic groups of the polymer electrolyte membrane and which ensure a high degree of adherence between the hot-melt-type adhesive and the membrane electrode unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Heliocentris Energiesysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Bronold, Henrik Colell, Christian Leu
  • Patent number: 6815115
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell comprising a pair of separators sandwiching outsides of a membrane electrode assembly composed of a pair of electrodes provided on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an outer seal member sandwiched by a pair of separators at a position surrounding an outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly, an inner seal member sandwiched by one of the pair of separators and an outer periphery of the electrolyte membrane, and a backing member opposing to the inner seal member interposing the electrolyte membrane, wherein steps are formed at contact surfaces of the inner seal member and the outer seal member on one of the pair of separators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Narutoshi Sugita, Yoshihiro Nakanishi, Hideaki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 6815116
    Abstract: An interconnect that facilitates electrical connection and mechanical support with minimal mechanical stress for fuel cell stacks. The interconnects are flexible and provide mechanically robust fuel cell stacks with higher stack performance at lower cost. The flexible interconnects replace the prior rigid rib interconnects with flexible “fingers” or contact pads which will accommodate the imperfect flatness of the ceramic fuel cells. Also, the mechanical stress of stacked fuel cells will be smaller due to the flexibility of the fingers. The interconnects can be one-sided or double-sided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: David J. Lenz, Brandon W. Chung, Ai Quoc Pham
  • Patent number: 6815117
    Abstract: A method for detecting a current density distribution in a fuel cell stack by detecting the magnetic field, which surrounds the fuel cell stack and which is caused by a current flow in the fuel cell stack, is provided. Sensors for an x-component, a y-component and a z-component of the magnetic flux density detect the magnetic flux density at several points outside the fuel cell stack. The position of the sensors for the magnetic flux density is detected in relation to the fuel cell stack. The thus detected values for the magnetic flux density and the allocated position are converted into current density values according to the position in the fuel cell stack by using a Maxwell equation which defines the magnetic field strength and the material equation which relates the magnetic field strength to the magnetic flux density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Hauer
  • Patent number: 6815118
    Abstract: A valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery cell (2,40) has positive and negative plates (10,11,41,42) separated by separator media (12,43) and held together under pressure. The separator is adapted to support therein an electrolyte. Each plate has a first single or plurality of tabs (12,13,46) on a first side and a second single or plurality of tabs (15,16,47) on a second side of the plate, each tab being connected to a busbar (17,18,49,50) to form positive and negative busbars on each of the first and second sides of the plate. The cell may be alternatively configured in a spirally-wound arrangement or in a prismatic arrangement of flat plates. The cell may be constructed of a plurality of such positive and negative plates. A VLRA battery (1, 40) may be constructed of one or a plurality of such VLRA cells, in which case the busbars of neighboring cells are connected by welded joints. The busbars are serviced by at least plural pairs of positive and negative terminals (24,25,33,34,52,53,54,55).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignees: Hawker Energy Products, Inc., Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
    Inventors: Frank Albert Fleming, Russell Harvey Newnham
  • Patent number: 6815119
    Abstract: The present invention relates to tetrakisfluoroalkylborate salts, methods of producing same, and their use in electrolytes, batteries, capacitors, supercapacitors, and galvanic cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Schmidt, Andreas Kuehner, Helge Willner, Eduard Bernhardt
  • Patent number: 6815120
    Abstract: A workpiece, in which a lead is laid on top of a three-dimensional porous metal body, is placed between an ultrasonic horn and an anvil with a lead portion facing the ultrasonic horn. A support is raised so that the lead portion of the workpiece is pressed between the ultrasonic horn and the anvil. While being rotated around a central shaft with a motor, the ultrasonic horn vibrates at a frequency of 20 kHz in the shaft direction. Thus, the workpiece is advanced continuously, so that the lead is bonded ultrasonically to the three-dimensional porous metal body (i.e., metal-to-metal bonding is established). It is possible to provide a battery electrode that can be produced continuously at a lower running cost, reduce the faulty welding with a current collecting plate, and prevent short-circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inoue, Kiwamu Inui, Mitsugu Takaki, Shinichi Hojioka
  • Patent number: 6815121
    Abstract: A matted particulate electrode located between the current collector and a porous separator of a rechargeable lithium battery is described, which contains electro-active particles intermixed with pliable, solid, lithium ion conducting, polymer electrolyte filaments having adhesive surfaces. The electro-active particles and the optionally added electro-conductive carbon particles adhere to the tacky surface of the adhesively interlinking polymer electrolyte filaments. The matted particulate electrode is impregnated with an organic solution containing another lithium compound. In a second embodiment the porous separator is coated on at least one of its faces, with polymer electrolyte having an adhesive surface and made of the same polymer as the electrolyte filaments. The polymer electrolyte filaments in the matted layer may adhere to the coated surface of the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Electrovaya Inc.
    Inventors: Sankar Dasgupta, James K. Jacobs, Rakesh Bhola
  • Patent number: 6815122
    Abstract: Electrode active materials comprising lithium or other alkali metals, a transition metal, and a phosphate or similar moiety, of the formula: Aa+xMbP1−xSixO4 wherein (a) A is selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, and mixtures thereof, and 0<a<1.0 and 0≦x≦1; (b) M comprises one or more metals, comprising at least one metal which is capable of undergoing oxidation to a higher valence state, where 0<b≦2; and wherein M, a, b, and x are selected so as to maintain electroneutrality of the compound. In a preferred embodiment, M comprises at least one transition metal selected from Groups 4 to 11 of the Periodic Table. In another preferred embodiment, M comprises M′cM″d, where M′ is at least one transition metal from Groups 4 to 11 of the Periodic Table; and M″ is at least one element from Groups 2, 3, 12, 13, or 14 of the Periodic Table, and c+d=b. Preferably, 0.1≦a≦0.8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Barker, M. Yazid Saidi, Jeffrey L. Swoyer
  • Patent number: 6815123
    Abstract: The present application discloses a lithium-ion battery using heat-activatable microporous membrane which comprises a hot-melt adhesive, an engineering plastics, a tackifier and a filler. It also discloses methods of preparing such microporous membrane and the lithium-ion batteries. The battery built with the use of the microporous membrane of the present invention shows high rate capability, long cycle life, and low as well as stable impedance during charge-discharge cycling. The microporous membrane of the present invention also shows thermal shutdown behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Policell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Luying Sun
  • Patent number: 6815124
    Abstract: A gel electrolyte in which nonaqueous electrolyte solution obtained by dissolving electrolyte salt containing Li in a nonaqueous solvent is gelled by a matrix polymer including a copolymer as a main component which contains vinylidene fluoride as a monomer unit. The copolymer employed as the matrix polymer is carboxylic acid modified polyvinylidene fluoride into which a structure formed by esterifying a part or all of a carboxyl group, a carboxylic acid or an acetic anhydride structure is introduced. The carboxylic acid modified polyvinylidene fluoride can dissolve and retain therein a solvent of low viscosity having a low boiling point. Therefore, the carboxylic acid modified polyvinylidene fluoride is used as a matrix polymer to improve the ionic conductivity of the gel electrolyte at low temperature. Thus, a low temperature characteristic is improved and a cyclic characteristic and a load characteristic are also improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Suzuki, Mashio Shibuya
  • Patent number: 6815125
    Abstract: There is provided a color filter without a shading part, which comprises a transparent substrate, a picture element part provided on the transparent substrate by the predetermined pattern of a plurality of colors with an ink jet system, and a wettability-variable layer, in which the wettability can be changed, provided for forming the picture element part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Okabe, Hironori Kobayashi, Manabu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6815126
    Abstract: A PWB or multilayer board with circuit traces is treated by a process that serves to reduce the incident of failure of the board. The process includes the steps of applying a thin commoning layer of copper onto a catalyzed surface of the board substrate and the circuit lines. A photoresist is then applied over the commoning layer after which the photoresist is removed only from the commoning material over the circuit lines. A thin layer of a more noble metal, such as nickel, is electrodeposited over the exposed conductive layer. This is followed by a gold layer electrodeposited over the nickel in close registry therewith. The process provides the traces with a conforming nickel/gold layer that extends down the side of the traces. This reduces the tendency of a subsequent copper etch step from undercutting the nickel/gold, thereby causing slivers that could cause short circuiting between adjacent circuit patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edmond Otto Fey, Raymond Thomas Galasco, Thomas Richard Miller, Anita Sargent
  • Patent number: 6815127
    Abstract: A method of electronic processing of an imagewise exposed dispersed particle photoconductive material imaging element employing pulsed radiation and radio frequency photoconductivity apparatus having a sample capacitor with a gap is described, comprising the steps of: a) placing the imagewise exposed photoconductive material imaging element in an electromagnetic field adjacent the sample capacitor; b) scanning the element through the gap in the sample capacitor with a pulsed, focused beam of radiation; c) directly measuring the photoelectron response of the element and recording the resulting signals from the radio frequency photoconductivity apparatus; and d) advancing the element past the capacitor and repeating steps b) and c); wherein the photoconductive material imaging element comprises photoconductive particles which contain deep electron trapping agents which in an unfilled state effectively decrease the photoconductivity of the photoconductor particles, and wherein imagewise exposure of the photocond
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Lillian M. Kellogg, Joe E. Maskasky, Dale E. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6815128
    Abstract: A lithographic pattern includes a first scribe along an edge of a die region, and a second scribe along an opposing edge of the die region. The first scribe includes at least a first translucent box and a second translucent box. The second scribe includes at least a first opaque box and a second opaque box defined respectively by a first translucent frame and a second translucent frame. When the lithographic pattern is stepped between fields on a wafer, the first translucent box is placed at least partially within the first opaque box, and the second translucent box is placed at least partially within the second opaque box. If a continuous ring is formed from a pair of a translucent box and an opaque box, the fields are aligned at least within an amount equal to the difference between the dimensions of that translucent box and that opaque box divided by 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Micrel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Rumsey, Martin E. Garnett
  • Patent number: 6815129
    Abstract: A method for compensating for flare-induced critical dimensions (CD) changes in photolithography. Changes in the flare level results in undesirable CD changes. The method when used in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography essentially eliminates the unwanted CD changes. The method is based on the recognition that the intrinsic level of flare for an EUV camera (the flare level for an isolated sub-resolution opaque dot in a bright field mask) is essentially constant over the image field. The method involves calculating the flare and its variation over the area of a patterned mask that will be imaged and then using mask biasing to largely eliminate the CD variations that the flare and its variations would otherwise cause. This method would be difficult to apply to optical or DUV lithography since the intrinsic flare for those lithographies is not constant over the image field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: EUV LLC
    Inventors: John E. Bjorkholm, Daniel G. Stearns, Eric M. Gullikson, Daniel A. Tichenor, Scott D. Hector
  • Patent number: 6815130
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the electrostatic printing of dry or wet toners using a novel tiered printing plate allows for superior and efficient transfer of toner from the plate to the printed item. The process for producing the printing plate uses photo polymer film resist with a positive photo tool which after developing yields trenches between ridges of hardened photo polymer which hold the toner in desired pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Electrox Corporation
    Inventors: Dietmar C. Eberlein, Robert H. Detig
  • Patent number: 6815131
    Abstract: A method of forming a flexible belt including: providing a flexible member; providing a work surface; forming the flexible member in a loop shape including an overlap region; positioning the overlap region of the flexible member in pressure contact with the work surface such that the photosensitive surface and the work surface is on the outside of the loop shape; positioning a welding tool on an inside surface of the loop shape of the flexible member opposite the overlap region; and ultrasonically welding the flexible member at one or more locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Darcy, III
  • Patent number: 6815132
    Abstract: A crystalline phase of titanyl oxyphthalocyanine, referred to herein as the S-phase, has an internal blend of lattice arrangements is provided by treatment of the gamma-form of titanyl oxyphthalocyanine. The S-phase is a truly new phase, and not a mixture of particles of various phases (e.g., combinations of the beta-phase and the gamma-phase), with internal lattice distributions of atoms and molecules forming a new, non-continuous, non-uniform lattice structure. The x-ray spectrum shows a blend of diffraction peaks, having peaks that have previously been distinctly present only collectively among various crystalline forms of titanyl oxyphthalocyanine, but can now be provided in a single crystalline form. The visible spectra show significant absorption differences. The novel S-form titanyl oxyphthalocyanine is also used in a photoconductor displaying major peaks of Bragg's 2 theta angle to the CuK-alpha characteristic X-ray (wavelength 1.541 Angstrom) at least at 9.5±0.2 degrees, 9.7±0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiayi Zhu, Zbigniew Tokarski, James A. Baker, Ronald J. Moudry, David T. Ask, Nusrallah Jubran, Kam W. Law
  • Patent number: 6815133
    Abstract: This invention relates to a novel organophotoreceptor that includes: (a) a charge transport composition comprising molecules having the formula where the average n is between 1 and 1000; R1 and R2 are, independently, hydrogen, a branched or linear alkyl group (e.g., a C1-C30 alkyl group), a branched or linear unsaturated hydrocarbon group, an ether group, a cycloalkyl group (e.g. a cyclohexyl group), or an aryl group (e.g., a phenyl or naphthyl group); X is a bis(fluorene-4-carboxyl)alkane group; Y is a divalent sulfonyldiphenylene group; Z is X═O where X is double-bonded to the adjacent N or two hydrogens where each hydrogen is independently single-bonded to the adjacent N; and Q is O or N—N(R1)—Y—N(R2)—NH2; (b) a charge generating compound; and (c) an electrically conductive substrate over which said charge transport composition and said charge generating compound are located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kam W. Law, Nusrallah Jubran, Zbigniew Tokarski
  • Patent number: 6815134
    Abstract: A photoconductive drum forming an image by using an electric potential characteristic of a surface thereof includes a cylindrical base body, a photosensitive layer formed on the cylindrical base body to be chargeable with electricity, and an elastic layer having a hardness of below 70 degrees by the Asker “C” scale and formed in a thickness greater than 10 &mgr;m between the cylindrical base body and the photosensitive layer. The photoconductive drum is implemented in an image forming apparatus and absorbs shocks generated when the photoconductive drum contacts a development roller, a charging roller, and a transfer roller and impacts caused by the development roller when developing devices are exchanged or replaced, to protect the cylindrical base body and the photosensitive layer thereon, thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Myung-ho Kyung
  • Patent number: 6815135
    Abstract: In an electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising a conductive support, and provided thereon a charge generation layer, a charge transport layer and a protective layer in this order, the layer thickness a0 (&mgr;m) of the charge transport layer at the middle portion of the conductive support in its generatrix direction, the layer thickness b0 (&mgr;m) of the protective layer at the middle portion of the conductive support in its generatrix direction, the layer thickness a (&mgr;m) of the charge transport layer at a portion other than the middle portion and the layer thickness b (&mgr;m) of the protective layer at the portion other than the middle portion satisfy the following expression (1) in a region satisfying 0.8 (&mgr;m)≦(a0−a)≦3.0 (&mgr;m): b0×(a/a0)3≦b(&mgr;m)≦b0×(a/a0)1/4  (1). Also disclosed are a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus which have such an electrophotographic photosensitive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yosuke Morikawa, Tatsuya Ikezue, Kouichi Nakata, Kimihiro Yoshimura, Daisuke Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6815136
    Abstract: A process including: dispersing a first liquid developer concentrate comprising a resin, a colorant, and a liquid developer reconstitution compound, in a carrier liquid, into additional carrier liquid to form a second liquid developer; depositing the second liquid developer onto a liquid receiver member to form a developer cake; developing an image with the developer cake; reclaiming undeveloped developer cake from the cake bearing liquid receiver member; and redispersing the reclaimed undeveloped developer cake in the second developer liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Weizhong Zhao, Thomas W. Smith, David H. Pan, William M. Prest, Jr., Samuel Kaplan
  • Patent number: 6815137
    Abstract: A process for producing polymer fine particles comprising: dispersing a solution obtained by dissolving a hydrophobic polymer in a solvent immiscible with water in an aqueous phase comprising fine particles of an oxide or hydroxide of at least one element selected from the group consisting of elements belonging to 2 to 15 groups in the periodic table using a surfactant; or dispersing a solution obtained by dissolving a hydrophobic polymer in a solvent immiscible with water in an aqueous phase comprising a water-soluble resin; and then removing the solvent from the oil droplets to form polymer fine particles dispersed in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Hoshi, Koichi Kawamura, Sumiaki Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 6815138
    Abstract: A heat-sensitive recording material includes a support having disposed thereon a heat-sensitive recording layer and a protective layer. The heat-sensitive recording layer contains at least two components that react to develop color by imagewise heating. At least one layer contains a compound represented by the following general formula (I). In the general formula (I), R represents a hydrophobic group or a hydrophobic polymer, and n represents an integer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Aono
  • Patent number: 6815139
    Abstract: A method of making a lithographic printing master is disclosed which comprises the steps of providing an imaging material which comprises a lithographic base having a hydrophilic surface and a non-ablative image-recording layer which is removable in a single-fluid ink or can be rendered removable in a single-fluid ink by exposure to heat or light; image-wise exposing the image-recording layer to heat or light; processing the material by supplying to the image-recording layer a single-fluid ink which is an emulsion of an ink phase and a non-aqueous polar phase. The use of single-fluid ink as processing liquid is a simple, convenient method for the on-press processing of the above defined material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventor: Jo Vander Aa
  • Patent number: 6815140
    Abstract: A positive resist composition, having a superior resolution as well as good resist performances such as sensitivity, depth of focus and profile, is described and includes a novolac resin, a radiation-sensitive quinonediazide compound and a thioxanthone compound represented by the following formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 independently represent hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, carboxyl or alkoxycarbonyl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yasunori Uetani, Hiroshi Moriuma, Yoshiyuki Takata
  • Patent number: 6815141
    Abstract: A method of producing an organic LED display panel, which includes: a step of preparing a donor film by forming a transfer film on a base film comprising at least a foundation film and a light-to-heat conversion layer and a step of combining the donor film with a substrate and irradiating the donor film with one of a light beam and a heat radiation beam to pattern-transfer the transfer film from the donor film onto the substrate, wherein surfaces of the base film and the substrate which are to be brought into contact with the transfer film are hydrophilic or hydrophobic, and have water contact angles &thgr;1 and &thgr;2, respectively, which satisfy the following expression (I): &thgr;1−&thgr;2<50 degrees  (I)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Fujita, Kimitaka Ohhata
  • Patent number: 6815142
    Abstract: A method for forming resist patterns, and an overlying layer material and a semiconductor device used in the method for forming resist patterns, which can improve the dimensional uniformity of resist patterns by inhibiting the multiple interference of light beams within a resist film; improve the environmental resistance in a clean room or the like; and obtain resist patterns having rectangular sectional shapes by preventing the acid in the overlying layer material from diffusing into the resist. By using an overlying layer material containing a water-soluble low-molecular-weight acidic substance and a water-soluble photo base generator preventing the diffusion of the acidic substance into the resist, the base formed after exposure neutralizes the acids contained in the overlying layer material in nature, and the diffusion of the acid into the resist can be inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Yoshika Kimura, Takeo Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 6815143
    Abstract: Provided are a PED-stabilizer-containing resist material having high sensitivity and high resolution, and sufficient PED stability; and a pattern forming method using the resist material. More specifically, the resist material contains at least one compound selected from thiol derivatives, disulfide derivatives and thiolsulfonate derivatives. This resist material may further contain a dissolution inhibitor and/or surfactant. The pattern forming method comprises steps of applying the resist material to a substrate; after a heat treatment, exposing the substrate to a high energy beam or electron beam through a photomask; and after an optional heat treatment, developing the resist material with a developer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6815144
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel positive-working chemical-amplification photoresist composition capable of giving an extremely finely patterned resist layer in the manufacturing process of semiconductor devices. The photoresist composition comprises: (A) 100 parts by weight of a copolymeric resin consisting of from 50 to 85% by moles of (a) hydroxyl group-containing styrene units, from 15 to 35% by moles of (b) styrene units and from 2 to 20% by moles of (c) acrylate or methacrylate ester units each having a solubility-reducing group capable of being eliminated in the presence of an acid; and (B) from 1 to 20 parts by weight of a radiation-sensitive acid-generating agent which is an iodonium salt containing a fluoroalkyl sulfonate ion having 3 to 10 carbon atoms as the anion such as bis(4-tert-butylphenyl) iodonium nonafluorobutane sulfonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Oomori, Hiroto Yukawa, Ryusuke Uchida, Kazufumi Sato
  • Patent number: 6815145
    Abstract: A radiation sensitive resin composition including a photo-acid generator and an aliphatic polymer having one or more electron withdrawing groups adjacent to or attached to a carbon atom bearing a protected hydroxyl group, wherein the protecting group is labile in the presence of in situ generated acid is described. The radiation sensitive resin composition can be used as a resist suitable for image transfer by plasma etching and enable one to obtain an etching image having high precision with high reproducibility with a high degree of resolution and selectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Theodore H. Fedynyshyn
  • Patent number: 6815146
    Abstract: A resist composition containing a fluoropolymer, an acid-generating compound and an organic solvent, a resist film, and methods for making thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Shinji Okada, Yasuhide Kawaguchi, Yoko Takebe, Isamu Kaneko, Shun-ichi Kodama
  • Patent number: 6815147
    Abstract: The laser beam ablatable film of the invention includes an ablatable metallic layer arranged below a translucent protective layer that is dyed through-out. The metallic layer is connected to a contrastive colored layer by a transparent connecting layer, and the contrastive colored layer is connected to a plastic film. The entire assemblage of laminated layers can also include a self-adhesive film applied to the plastic film and the self-adhesive layer is then covered by a removable carrier material. This laminated assembly can be stamped into individual labels that can be detached from the carrier material and placed onto objects. When the ablatable foil of the invention is subjected to a laser beam surface areas of the laminated assembly appear as a mixture of colors of letters or symbols resulting from the color filter effect of the protective film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Schreiner GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Sven Fischer
  • Patent number: 6815148
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device and a method of designing a mask pattern which prevents dimensional errors caused by the difference in the resist film thickness, which is ascribed to a level-difference portion of an underlying layer. The present invention may be applied to transfer the pattern of a mask, which has a first pattern hole and a second pattern hole being different in size from each other, to a resist film covering an underlying layer having an uneven surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6815149
    Abstract: Provision of a manufacturing method for forming lamination of a plurality of dielectric layers on a substrate of a plasma display panel. A forming process for forming a photosensitive glass material layer and a patterning process for exposing required regions of the resulting photosensitive glass material layer to light are repeated in each formation of a first photosensitive glass material layer L1 and a second photosensitive glass material layer L2. After completion of the individual forming process and the individual patterning process for each of the first and second photosensitive glass material layers L1 and L2, a developing process for removing the unexposed regions and a burning process following the developing process are each performed on both of the first and second photosensitive glass material layers L1 and L2 together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Pioneer Display Products Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Higashi, Shingo Ogane
  • Patent number: 6815150
    Abstract: The invention provides a photoresist stripping composition including (a) an alkanolamine other than those alkanolamines falling under the definition of the below-described component (b); (b) an alkanolamine having in the molecule thereof at least one moiety represented by the following formula (1): (wherein each of R1 and R2 represents hydrogen or a methyl group, and R4 represents a C1-C5 alkyl group); (c) an amide solvent or a sulfoxide solvent; (d) a phosphorus-containing compound; (e) an oxycarboxylic acid; and (f) water. The photoresist stripping composition of the present invention can easily remove photoresist film formed on an inorganic substrate, photoresist residues, and dust or similar matter generated during an etching process in the production of liquid crystal display elements or semiconductor elements, and is highly anticorrosive to various materials such as semiconductor layer materials, conductive materials, and insulating materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignees: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Hijiri Nakahara, Yukihiko Takeuchi, Ryou Hashimoto, Taketo Maruyama, Hisaki Abe
  • Patent number: 6815151
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rinsing solution for lithography with which finely processed parts of a resist pattern can be well rinsed without corroding a metallic film made of Al, Al—Si, Al—Si—Cu, etc. and which is economically advantageous and has a high safety; and a method for processing a substrate with the use of the same. The rinsing solution contains at least one selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether and ethyl lactate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Tokyo Ohika Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahito Tanabe, Kazumasa Wakiya, Masakazu Kobayashi, Toshimasa Nakayama
  • Patent number: 6815152
    Abstract: A silver halide color photographic photosensitive material comprising: a transmitting support; at least three types of photosensitive hydrophilic colloid layers disposed on the support, each type including at least one of a yellow, a magenta and a cyan color forming coupler; silver halide emulsion particles, which have a color sensitivity different from the other types, wherein at least one of the color sensitivities comprises green-sensitivity; and an Fe content of no more than 2×10−5 moles/m2; each silver halide emulsion particle including a halogen composition, which comprises at least one of silver chlorobromide, silver chloroiodide, silver chloroiodide bromide and silver chloride having a silver chloride content ratio of 95% by mole or more, an average sphere-equivalent particle diameter of the green-sensitive silver halogen emulsion particles comprising no more than 0.25 &mgr;m and at least one type of the green-sensitive silver halogen emulsion particles being doped with Ir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyohito Takada, Hidekazu Sakai, Terukazu Yanagi