Patents Issued in January 31, 2017
  • Patent number: 9556501
    Abstract: A magnesium-based composite member is provided with a through hole through which a fastening member for attachment to a fixing target is to be inserted. A substrate is provided with a substrate hole through which the fastening member is to be inserted, and made of a composite material which is a composite of SiC and a matrix metal which is any of magnesium and a magnesium alloy. A receiving portion is attached to the substrate and made of a metal material different from the matrix metal. The receiving portion is provided with a receiving portion hole through which the fastening member is to be inserted, and at least a part of an inner circumferential surface of the through hole is formed from an inner circumferential surface of the receiving portion hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., A.L.M.T. Corp
    Inventors: Isao Iwayama, Taichiro Nishikawa, Yoshiyuki Takaki, Toshiya Ikeda, Shigeki Koyama
  • Patent number: 9556502
    Abstract: New 6xxx aluminum alloys are disclosed. The new 6xxx aluminum alloys may include 1.05-1.50 wt. Mg, 0.60-0.95 wt. % Si, where the (wt. % Mg)/(wt. % Si) is from 1.30 to 1.90, 0.275-0.50 wt. % Cu, and from 0.05 to 1.0 wt. % of at least one secondary element, wherein the secondary element is selected from the group consisting of V, Fe, Cr, Mn, Zr, Ti, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Arconic Inc.
    Inventors: Jen C. Lin, Anton J. Rovito, Timothy P. Doyle, Shawn P. Sullivan, Gabriele F. Ciccola, Christopher J. Tan
  • Patent number: 9556503
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a creep resistant alloy having an overall composition comprised of iron, chromium, molybdenum, carbon, manganese, silicon, nickel, vanadium, niobium, nitrogen, tungsten, cobalt, tantalum, boron, copper, and potentially additional elements. In an embodiment, the creep resistant alloy has a molybdenum equivalent Mo(eq) from 1.475 to 1.700 wt. % and a quantity (C+N) from 0.145 to 0.205. The overall composition ameliorates sources of microstructural instability such as coarsening of M23C6carbides and MX precipitates, and mitigates or eliminates Laves and Z-phase formation. A creep resistant martensitic steel may be fabricated by preparing a melt comprised of the overall composition followed by at least austenizing and tempering. The creep resistant alloy exhibits improved high-temperature creep strength in the temperature environment of around 650° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Hawk, Paul D. Jablonski, Christopher J. Cowen
  • Patent number: 9556504
    Abstract: A bulk-glass forming Ni—Cr—Nb—P—B alloy is provided. The alloy includes Ni(100?a?b?c?d)CraTabPcBd, where the atomic percent a is between 3 and 11, the atomic percent b is between 1.75 and 4, the atomic percent c is between 14 and 17.5, and the atomic percent d is between 2.5 and 5. The alloy is capable of forming a metallic glass having a lateral dimension of at least 3 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Glassimetal Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Hyun Na, Michael Floyd, Marios D. Demetriou, William L. Johnson, Glenn Garrett
  • Patent number: 9556505
    Abstract: A coating comprising a first surface and a second surface is provided. The coating includes a plurality of growth domains. An orientation of at least one growth domain of the plurality of growth domains is non-vertical with respect to the first surface of the coating. One or more growth domains of the plurality of growth domains comprise a plurality of at least partially melted and solidified particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Larry Steven Rosenzweig, James Anthony Ruud, Shankar Sivaramakrishnan
  • Patent number: 9556506
    Abstract: A multilayer, wear- and corrosion-resistant coating on a metal substrate comprising a first metal coating layer comprising a composite carbide material; a second metal coating layer over the first metal coating layer comprising at least about 50 wt % of a metal selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, and Fe; and a surface metal coating layer comprising a cemented carbide material having a third-layer carbide material and a third-layer Co-based or Ni-based binder material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: KENNAMETAL INC.
    Inventors: David A. Lee, Heidi Lynette de Villiers-Lovelock, Danie Jacobus Dewet, James B. C. Wu
  • Patent number: 9556507
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to heated substrate supports having a protective coating thereon. The protective coating is formed from yttrium oxide at a molar concentration ranging from about 50 mole percent to about 75 mole percent; zirconium oxide at a molar concentration ranging from about 10 mole percent to about 30 mole percent; and at least one other component, selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, hafnium oxide, scandium oxide, neodymium oxide, niobium oxide, samarium oxide, ytterbium oxide, erbium oxide, cerium oxide, and combinations thereof, at a molar concentration ranging from about 10 mole percent to about 30 mole percent. The alloying of yttrium oxide with a compatible oxide improves wear resistance, flexural strength, and fracture toughness of the protective coating, relative to pure yttrium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Ren-Guan Duan, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez, Jianhua Zhou
  • Patent number: 9556508
    Abstract: A method for the photocatalytically active coating of surfaces is presented and described, as well as an article (1) photocatalytically actively coated according to this method. The object of providing a method for the photocatalytically active coating of, in particular, metallic surfaces, whereby a permanently stable coating is produced without negatively affecting the photocatalytic activity of the layer, is achieved by a method, in which a substrate article is prepared which has a surface, a metallic adhesion-promoting layer is applied to the surface of the substrate article, a photocatalytically active layer consisting of one or more metal oxides is applied to the adhesion-promoting layer, wherein the metallic adhesion-promoting layer and the surface of the substrate article consist of a different material and the adhesion-promoting layer is selected such that it is not oxidized or reduced by the photocatalytically active layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jan-Oliver Kliemann, Henning Gutzmann, Thomas Klassen, Frank Gaertner
  • Patent number: 9556509
    Abstract: A method, comprising: generating a vapor of a material from a source of said material comprising a plurality of separate solid pieces of said material supported on a surface of a base in a configuration in which said plurality of solid pieces of said target material are arranged at two or more levels to cover the whole of said surface of said base while providing a gap between adjacent pieces at the same level; and depositing said material from said vapor onto a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: FLEXENABLE LIMITED
    Inventors: Ricardo Mikalo, Jens Dienelt
  • Patent number: 9556510
    Abstract: A method of achieving precision registration in a roll to roll process by simultaneously depositing multiple inks onto a printing roll. One of these inks prints a pattern of fiducial marks onto a substrate while another ink prints a predetermined pattern on the same substrate such that the predetermined pattern bears a predictable spatial relationship to the pattern of fiducial marks. Consequently, even if the ink forming the predetermined pattern is invisible, or has such low contrast with the substrate that it is effectively invisible, or even has been dissolved away in a subsequent processing step, it is still possible to know where the predetermined pattern is by referring to the pattern of fiducial marks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Ann M. Gilman, Daniel J. Theis
  • Patent number: 9556511
    Abstract: A rotary sputtering target assembly and method of making the same including a target and a backing tube having a plated bonding surface. The backing tube and the target are bonded together along the plated bonding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: MATERION CORPORATION
    Inventor: William Guenley
  • Patent number: 9556512
    Abstract: A system for substrate deposition is disclosed. The system includes a wafer pallet and an anode. The wafer pallet has a bottom and a top. The top of the wafer pallet is configured to hold a substrate wafer. The anode has a substantially fixed position relative to the wafer pallet and is configured to move with the wafer pallet through the deposition chamber. The anode is electrically isolated from the substrate wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Peter John Cousins, Hsin-Chiao Luan, Thomas Pass, John Ferrer, Rex Gallardo, Stephen F. Meyer
  • Patent number: 9556513
    Abstract: The invention is a formed article including a gas barrier layer, the gas barrier layer including a surface layer part that is formed of a material that includes at least a carbon atom, an oxygen atom, and a silicon atom, the surface layer part having a carbon atom content rate of more than 0 and not more than 70%, an oxygen atom content rate of 10 to 70%, a nitrogen atom content rate of 0 to 35%, and a silicon atom content rate of 20 to 55%, based on a total content rate of carbon atoms, oxygen atoms, nitrogen atoms, and silicon atoms; a method for producing the formed article; an electronic device member including the formed article; and an electronic device comprising the electronic device member. The formed article of the invention exhibits an excellent gas barrier capability, excellent transparency, and excellent bending resistance. The method for producing a formed article of the invention can efficiently, safely, and conveniently produce the formed article of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: LINTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wataru Iwaya, Takeshi Kondo
  • Patent number: 9556514
    Abstract: Deposition of material is performed on a substrate by causing short-distance reciprocating motions of the substrate that improve uniformity of material on the substrate. A series of reactors for injecting material onto the substrate is arranged along the length of the substrate in a repeating manner. During each reciprocating motion, the susceptor moves a distance shorter than an entire length of the substrate. Portions of the substrate are injected with materials by a subset of reactors. Since the movement of the substrate is smaller, a linear deposition device including the susceptor may be made smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Veeco ALD Inc.
    Inventors: Jeong Ah Yoon, Suk Yal Cha, Seung Yeop Baek, Daniel H. Lee, Samuel S. Pak, Daniel Yang, Sang In Lee
  • Patent number: 9556515
    Abstract: Methods and systems involving a potting process for selectively coating a target surface of a component. An example method may include: (1) dispensing a masking agent into a cavity, wherein the cavity is within a holder; (2) immersing a portion of a component that has a plurality of surfaces into the masking agent, such that at least one portion of a target surface from the plurality of surfaces is not immersed; (3) curing the masking agent such that the masking agent hardens on the portion of the plurality of surfaces of the component immersed in the masking agent; (4) coating the target surface with a coating agent; and (5) separating the masking agent from the portion of the plurality of surfaces of the component immersed in the masking agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-Jean Wang, Matthieu Daniel Jean Liger, Joseph John Hebenstreit
  • Patent number: 9556516
    Abstract: A method for forming a Ti-containing film on a substrate by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) using tetrakis(dimethylamino)titanium (TDMAT) or tetrakis(diethylamino)titanium (TDEAT), includes: introducing TDMAT and/or TDEAT in a pulse to a reaction space where a substrate is placed; continuously introducing a NH3-free reactant gas to the reaction space; applying RF power in a pulse to the reaction space wherein the pulse of TDMAT and/or TDEAT and the pulse of RF power do not overlap; and repeating the above steps to deposit a Ti-containing film on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V
    Inventors: Noboru Takamure, Tatsuhiro Okabe
  • Patent number: 9556517
    Abstract: A device for gas movement in vacuum-coating systems is disclosed that extracts gaseous coating material in the coating chamber that has not been deposited on the substrates to be coated. At least one pump for extracting the coating material is connected to it in an axial extension of the suction device; the suction device has one or more suction openings and is divided up into at least two axial areas whose suction characteristics can be adjusted separately from one another to a great extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Meyer Burger (Germany) AG
    Inventors: Joachim Mai, Daniel Decker, Stefan Helbig, Oliver Loewel
  • Patent number: 9556518
    Abstract: A raw material gas supply apparatus includes a liquid raw material gas supply source, a source tank storing liquid raw material, a gas distribution passage through which raw material gas comprising steam of the liquid raw material is supplied to a process chamber from the source tank, an automatic pressure regulator installed on an upstream side of the gas passage, wherein the automatic pressure regulator keeps supply pressure of the raw material gas at a set value, a supply gas switching valve installed on a downstream side of the gas passage, wherein this valve opens and closes the gas passage, an orifice provided on at least one of an inlet side or outlet side of the valve, wherein the orifice regulates flow rate of the raw material gas, and a constant temperature heating device heats the source tank, the gas passage, the valve and the orifice to a set temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Masaaki Nagase, Atsushi Hidaka, Kaoru Hirata, Ryousuke Dohi, Kouji Nishino, Nobukazu Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9556519
    Abstract: Vapor deposition systems and methods associated with the same are provided. The systems may be designed to include features that can promote high quality deposition; simplify manufacture, modification and use; as well as, reduce the footprint of the system, amongst other advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: ULTRATECH INC.
    Inventors: Douwe Johannes Monsma, Jill Svenja Becker
  • Patent number: 9556520
    Abstract: A method of depositing a layer includes spraying a source gas and a reactant gas onto a substrate disposed on a susceptor unit using at least one source gas spray nozzle and at least one reactant gas nozzle to form a first source gas region and a first reactant gas region on the substrate, respectively, moving the susceptor unit by a distance corresponding to a width of the source gas spray nozzle or a width of the reactant gas spray nozzle in a first direction, and spraying the source gas and the reactant gas onto the first reactant gas region and the first source gas region using the source gas spray nozzle and the reactant gas nozzle, respectively, to form a first monolayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Choel-Min Jang, Sung-Hun Key, In-Kyo Kim, Suk-Won Jung, Myung-Soo Huh
  • Patent number: 9556521
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for patterning of substrates using charged particle beams without photomasks and without a resist layer. Material can be deposited onto a substrate, as directed by a design layout database, localized to positions targeted by multiple, matched charged particle beam columns. Reducing the number of process steps, and eliminating lithography steps, in localized material addition has the dual benefit of reducing manufacturing cycle time and increasing yield by lowering the probability of defect introduction. Furthermore, highly localized, precision material deposition allows for controlled variation of deposition rate and enables creation of 3D structures. Local gas injectors and detectors, and local photon injectors and detectors, are local to corresponding ones of the columns, and can be used to facilitate rapid, accurate, targeted, highly configurable substrate processing, advantageously using large arrays of said beam columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Multibeam Corporation
    Inventors: Theodore A. Prescop, Kevin M. Monahan, David K. Lam, Michael C. Smayling
  • Patent number: 9556522
    Abstract: An epitaxial reactor enabling simultaneous deposition of thin films on a multiplicity of wafers is disclosed. During deposition, a number of wafers are contained within a wafer sleeve comprising a number of wafer carrier plates spaced closely apart to minimize the process volume. Process gases flow preferentially into the interior volume of the wafer sleeve, which is heated by one or more lamp modules. Purge gases flow outside the wafer sleeve within a reactor chamber to minimize wall deposition. In addition, sequencing of the illumination of the individual lamps in the lamp module may further improve the linearity of variation in deposition rates within the wafer sleeve. To improve uniformity, the direction of process gas flow may be varied in a cross-flow configuration. Combining lamp sequencing with cross-flow processing in a multiple reactor system enables high throughput deposition with good film uniformities and efficient use of process gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Crystal Solar Incorporated
    Inventors: Visweswaren Sivaramakrishnan, Kedarnath Sangam, Tirunelveli S. Ravi, Andrzej Kaszuba, Quoc Vinh Truong
  • Patent number: 9556523
    Abstract: A method and composition for coating surfaces, a corresponding coating and the use of objects coated according to said method. A cleaned, metallic surface is contacted with an aqueous composition that is a dispersion or suspension, and drying and/or baking the organic coating or optionally, drying the organic coating and coating with an equivalent or additional coating composition prior to a drying and/or baking. The aqueous composition has a pH of 4 to 11 and contains an anionic polyelectrolyte in a quantity of 0.01 to 5.0 wt. % relative to the total mass of the composition, which may have a solids content of from 2 to 40 wt. %. The solids have an average particle size from 10 to 1000 nm. A coating forms on the basis of an ionogenic gel which binds cations released from the metallic surface that originate from a pretreatment stage or from the contacting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Chemetall GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Wasserfallen, Michael Schwamb, Aliaksandr Frenkel, Vera Sotke, Wolfgang Bremser, Martin Droll, Oliver Seewald, Ron Eilinghoff, Stephanie Gerold, Evgenija Niesen, Lars Schachtsiek, Manuel Traut
  • Patent number: 9556524
    Abstract: A temperature regulator or the like that can circulate a desired thermal medium and efficiently transfer the heat of the thermal medium is provided. The temperature regulator includes a pipe that is made of a metal or alloy with corrosion resistance to a predetermined thermal medium and that serves as a flow path for circulating the thermal medium; and a plate in which the pipe is buried, wherein the plate is formed by accelerating powder made of aluminum (Al) or alloy together with a gas and thereafter spraying the powder remaining in a solid phase toward the pipe so that the powder is deposited on the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kayamoto, Gou Takahara
  • Patent number: 9556525
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a (shaped) ceramic or glass-ceramic article, involving the steps of: (a) providing a powder or a powder mixture comprising ceramic or glass-ceramic material, (b) depositing a layer of said powder or powder mixture on a surface, (d) heating at least one region of said layer by means of an energy beam or a plurality of energy beams to a maximum temperature such that at least a part of said ceramic or glass-ceramic material in said at least one region is melted and (e) cooling said at least one region of said layer so that at least part of the material melted in step (d) is solidified, such that the layer is joined with said surface in said at least one region. The invention also relates to ceramic or glass-ceramic articles and their use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: BEGO BREMER GOLDSCHLAEGEREI WILH, HERBST GMBH & CO. KG, NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO INNALOX BV, FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNGE E.V.
    Inventors: Stephan Dierkes, Anne Jans Faber, Jan Wilkes, Mark P. M. Welters, Wilhelm Meiners, Konrad Wissenbach
  • Patent number: 9556526
    Abstract: A system and method for generating hypochlorous acid, the system comprising an electrolysis cell, a first fluid line configured to direct a first salt solution to a cathode chamber of the electrolysis cell, and a second fluid line configured to direct a second salt solution to an anode chamber of the electrolysis cell, where the second salt solution has a greater salt concentration than the first salt solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: TENNANT COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel P. Longhenry, Daniel L. Joynt
  • Patent number: 9556527
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an ammonium peroxydisulfate or alkali metal peroxydisulfate, to an undivided electrolytic cell which is composed of individual components, and to an electrolytic device composed of a plurality of said electrolytic cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED INITIATORS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Michael Müller, Patrick Keller, Markus Schiermeier
  • Patent number: 9556528
    Abstract: Hybrid thermochemical water splitting systems are disclosed that thermally reduces metal oxides particles to displace some but not all of the electrical requirements in a water splitting electrolytic cell. In these hybrid systems, the thermal reduction temperature is significantly reduced compared to two-step metal-oxide thermochemical cycles in which only thermal energy is required to produce hydrogen from water. Also, unlike conventional higher temperature systems where the reduction step must be carried out under reduced oxygen pressure, the reduction step in the proposed hybrid systems can be carried out in air, allowing for thermal input by a solar power tower with a windowless, cavity receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Richard B. Diver, Jr., Robert D. Palumbo, Nathan P. Siegel, James E. Miller
  • Patent number: 9556529
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a module for an electrolyzer of filterpress type comprising at least one closed frame defining at least one first opening, wherein said module comprises a sealing and electric insulating material, wherein said material at least partly covers the surface of the frame. In addition the present invention comprises a method for producing a module for an electrolyzer of filterpress type and use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: New NEL Hydrogen AS
    Inventors: Oddmund Wallevik, Hans Jörg Fell, Petr Chladek
  • Patent number: 9556530
    Abstract: The invention concerns a system of gas ducts (6) for transporting gas, for example, into electrolytic equipment, in connection with which there are means (13) for taking at least gas into the system of gas ducts, whereby there is a suitable number of gas supply holes (7) in the system of gas ducts in a wall (19) limiting the system of gas ducts, whereby the material, such as gas, flowing in the system of gas ducts (6) is prevented at least in part from passing through the wall (19) of the system of gas ducts (6). The invention also concerns equipment and a method for electrolytic recovery of metal, such as copper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Ville Nieminen, Lauri Palmu, Henri Virtanen
  • Patent number: 9556531
    Abstract: An article of manufacture and method of forming a borided material. An electrochemical cell is used to process a substrate to deposit a plurality of borided layers on the substrate. The plurality of layers are co-deposited such that a refractory metal boride layer is disposed on a substrate and a rare earth metal boride conforming layer is disposed on the refractory metal boride layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Ali Erdemir, Vivekanand Sista, Ozgenur Kahvecioglu, Osman Levent Eryilmaz
  • Patent number: 9556532
    Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a mold that has a porous alumina layer over its surface, which is capable of preventing formation of pits (recesses). A moth-eye mold manufacturing method of an embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a mold which has a porous alumina layer over its surface, including the steps of: providing a mold base which includes an aluminum base and an aluminum film deposited on a surface of the aluminum base, the aluminum film having a purity of not less than 99.99 mass %; anodizing a surface of the aluminum film to form a porous alumina layer which has a plurality of minute recessed portions; and bringing the porous alumina layer into contact with an etching solution to enlarge the plurality of minute recessed portions of the porous alumina layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Minoura, Akinobu Isurugi, Ichirou Ihara, Hidekazu Hayashi, Kenichiro Nakamatsu
  • Patent number: 9556533
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a plurality of inlet pipes and a plurality of outlet pipes, connected to a processing tank and configured to be switched therebetween to create a flow of a processing liquid in the processing tank in a direction different from that of the processing liquid before the switching. The inlet pipes and the outlet pipes are each provided with a flow control device which is controlled by a control section so that upon the switching, a flow rate of the processing liquid flowing therethrough changes with time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiichi Kurashina, Tsutomu Nakada
  • Patent number: 9556534
    Abstract: Provided is an anode for electroplating which uses an aqueous solution as an electrolytic solution, and the anode which is low in potential when compared with a conventional anode, able to decrease an electrolytic voltage and an electric energy consumption rate and may also be used as an anode for electroplating various types of metals, and which is low in cost. Also provided is a method for electroplating which uses an aqueous solution as an electrolytic solution, in which the anode is low in potential and electrolytic voltage, thereby making it possible to decrease the electric energy consumption rate. The anode for electroplating of the present invention is an anode for electroplating which uses an aqueous solution as an electrolytic solution, in which a catalytic layer containing amorphous ruthenium oxide and amorphous tantalum oxide is formed on a conductive substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: THE DOSHISHA
    Inventor: Masatsugu Morimitsu
  • Patent number: 9556535
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a template for epitaxial growth, the method including: a surface treatment step of dispersing Ga atoms on a surface of a sapphire substrate; and an AlN growth step of epitaxially growing an AlN layer on the sapphire substrate, wherein in a Ga concentration distribution in a depth direction perpendicular to the surface of the sapphire substrate in an internal region of the AlN layer excluding a near-surface region up to a depth of 100 nm from the surface of the AlN layer, which is obtained by secondary ion mass spectrometry, a position in the depth direction where the Ga concentration takes the maximum value is present in a near-interface region located between the interface of the sapphire substrate and a position at 400 nm spaced apart from the interface to the AlN layer side, and the maximum value of the Ga concentration is 3×1017 atoms/cm3 or more and 2×1020 atoms/cm3 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Soko Kagaku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cyril Pernot, Akira Hirano
  • Patent number: 9556536
    Abstract: Occlusion and release of lithium ion are likely to one-dimensionally occur in the b-axis direction of a crystal in a lithium-containing composite oxide having an olivine structure. Thus, a positive electrode in which the b-axes of lithium-containing composite oxide single crystals are oriented vertically to a surface of a positive electrode current collector is provided. The lithium-containing composite oxide particles are mixed with graphene oxide and then pressure is applied thereto, whereby the rectangular parallelepiped or substantially rectangular parallelepiped particles are likely to slip. In addition, in the case where the rectangular parallelepiped or substantially rectangular parallelepiped particles whose length in the b-axis direction is shorter than those in the a-axis direction and the c-axis direction are used, when pressure is applied in one direction, the b-axes can be oriented in the one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Miwa, Nobuhiro Inoue, Kuniharu Nomoto, Junpei Momo
  • Patent number: 9556537
    Abstract: Multi-filament UHMW PE yarns can be produced according to processes that result in improved properties. The UHMW PE can have an intrinsic viscosity in decalin at 135° C. of at least about 30 dl/g, and can be processed under optimal conditions to achieve a gel spun yarn having a tenacity of greater than about 45 g/d (40.5 g/dtex).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Y. Tam, John A. Young, Norman Aminuddin, John E. Hermes
  • Patent number: 9556538
    Abstract: Fibers and methods of forming the fibers are described herein. The fibers generally include an ethylene based polymer exhibiting a molecular weight distribution of from about 2 to about 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Cyril Chevillard, Wyman Stephens, John Ashbaugh, Fengkui Li
  • Patent number: 9556539
    Abstract: To provide an add-in material to be added to a porous molded body base, the add-in material being capable of developing a pore of appropriate size efficiently without degrading the formability and productivity of a porous molded body, particularly a porous fired body when producing the porous molded body. A shrinkable fiber composed of a thermoplastic resin and to be dispersed in a base of a porous molded body, particularly a porous fired body, wherein the shrinkable fiber has a fiber diameter of 10 to 40 ?m, a fiber length of 1 to 20 mm, and a dry-heat shrinkage percentage of at least 8% when subjected to heat treatment at 80° C. for 5 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: ES FiberVisions Co., Ltd., ES FiberVisions Hong Kong Limited, ES FiberVisions LP, ES FiberVisions ApS
    Inventors: Minoru Miyauchi, Yasushi Matsuda, Yuji Koyama
  • Patent number: 9556540
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making an opaque and glossy film from a thermoplastic polyester composition, comprising the steps of a) extruding the polyester composition through a slot die, and quenching to form a substantially amorphous film having a crystallinity of at most 5%; b) rapidly heating the amorphous film to a drawing temperature in the range from Tg to (Tg+50)° C. while applying a draw ratio in the range of from ?initiation to ?max. in longitudinal direction, and a drawing rate of at least 1 m/min to form an oriented film showing stress-whitening, wherein ?initiation is the draw ratio at which a transfer from a transparent product to a stress-whitened product occurs and ?max. is the draw ratio at which failure of the stress whitened film occurs; and c) heat-setting the oriented stress-whitened film; the thermoplastic polyester composition substantially consisting of at least one crystallizable polyester derived from at least one aliphatic diol and at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: SAUDI BASIC INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zahir Bashir, Ian MacMillan Ward, Glen Peter Thompson, Anthony Paul Unwin
  • Patent number: 9556541
    Abstract: Fibers comprising a first thermoplastic composition having a softening temperature up to 120° C and a curable resin. Also disclosed are compositions comprising a plurality of fibers, with some of the fibers comprising a first thermoplastic composition having a softening temperature up to 120° C and some of the fibers comprising a curable resin. The fibers have an aspect ratio of at least 2:1 and a maximum cross-sectional dimension up to 60 micrometers. Fluid compositions containing the fibers and methods of contacting a subterranean formation using the fibers are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Berrigan, James G. Carlson, Michael D. Crandall, Clayton A. George, Ignatius A. Kadoma, Yong K. Wu
  • Patent number: 9556542
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for producing a carbon nanotube fiber. The apparatus includes: a vertical reactor having a reaction zone; an inlet through which a spinning solution is introduced into the bottom of the reaction zone of the reactor; an inlet through which a carrier gas is introduced into the bottom of the reaction zone of the reactor; heating means for heating the reaction zone; and a discharge unit disposed on the top of the reaction zone and through which a carbon nanotube fiber is discharged from the reactor. The spinning solution entering the reaction zone through the spinning solution inlet is carbonized and graphitized while ascending from the bottom of the reaction zone by the carrier gas entering through the carrier gas inlet, to form a carbon nanotube fiber consisting of continuous aggregates of carbon nanotubes. Further provided is a carbon nanotube fiber produced using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eugene Oh, Dongchul Lee, KwangWoo Yoon
  • Patent number: 9556543
    Abstract: A device and a method are provided for machining running surfaces on head end pieces of revolving flats. The device has a base frame with a longitudinal axis and is provided with clamping devices for fixing the revolving flat at at least two points distributed on the longitudinal axis. The device comprises two chip-removal machining devices which are arranged outboard the clamping devices viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis. A sliding guide is provided for accommodating the clamping devices in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Schatzmann
  • Patent number: 9556544
    Abstract: A heddle (10) is provided for weaving strip-shaped warp yarn. Said heddle (10) includes a heddle shaft (12) formed by two shaft parts (13). Said shaft parts (13) are placed on top of each other in a respective end section (15) of the heddle shaft (12) and interconnected. The end eyelets (16) of the heddle (10) are also in said end section (15). To form a yarn eye between both shaft parts (13), two separate warp yarn guiding bodies (20) are placed therebetween. To determine the position of the warp yarn guiding body (20) with respect to the heddle shaft (12), at least one shaft projection (22) is produced by stamping and subsequent bending or embossing each shaft part (13) for each warp yarn guiding body (20). Said shaft projection (22) engages in an associated recess (25) of the warp yarn guiding body (20), and a bonding connection is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: GROZ-BECKERT KG
    Inventors: Christian Gerth, Rainer Grossman, Mario Gusenko
  • Patent number: 9556545
    Abstract: A hydrophobic polymer fiber mat that folds in response to the application of water along a predetermined fold line, thereby allowing for the formation of three-dimensional objects strictly through the targeted application of water. The fiber mat is preferably formed by electrospinning a polymer, such as poly(vinyl acetate), to form mats with average fiber diameters ranging from 0.5 to 1 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Syracuse University
    Inventors: Patrick T. Mather, Jaimee Marie Robertson, Amir Torbati
  • Patent number: 9556546
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a sewing machine motor configured to generate drive power to drive a needle bar up-and-down motion mechanism and a cutting unit. The cutting unit includes a cutting needle having a distal end with a blade, and a cutting needle up-and-down motion mechanism having a first motor separate from a sewing machine motor and configured to generate drive power to move the cutting needle independently of the needle bar up-and-down motion mechanism. A cut is formed by the blade as a result of up-and-down motion of the cutting needle while the cutting needle is held in a manner such that an extending direction of the cutting needle corresponds with an extending direction of the needle bar. The cutting unit further includes a cutting needle rotating mechanism configured to rotate the cutting needle about a central axis line of the cutting needle directed to the extending direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kawaguchi, Nobuhiko Funato, Toshiyuki Mamiya, Takahira Osamura
  • Patent number: 9556547
    Abstract: A sewing machine can detect a sewing target feeding length, and includes: a presser rod, a presser main body detachably mounted on the presser rod, a movable presser portion mounted on the presser main body such that it can be pressed in contact with a sewing target in the sewing operation, and such that it is movable with the sewing target in feeding and reverse feeding directions; a movement transmission portion configured having one end that can be coupled with the movable presser portion, and having an other end that receives a position change of the one end; a slide volume that detects the position change of the other end, and a calculation unit that calculates the position change of the movable presser portion based on the detection result obtained by the slide volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ayuko Hayasaka
  • Patent number: 9556548
    Abstract: A novel method of tufting carpets is provided to allow the use of the same sequence of colored yarns on front and rear staggered needle bars to yield sufficient gauge stitch density to provide for a solid appearance of any of the selected colors et, and utilizing optimized tacking of rear yarns to minimize loose yarn on the backing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Tuftco Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Frost, Mike Bishop, Brian K. Lovelady, Paul E. Beatty, Michael R. Morgante, Jeffrey D. Smith, Jason Daniel Detty
  • Patent number: 9556549
    Abstract: A washing machine for treating laundry comprising a basket rotatable about a first rotational axis, having a peripheral side wall extending upwardly from a bottom wall to at least partially define a treating chamber; a clothes mover proximate the bottom wall, having a base with a centrally located hub concentric with a second rotational axis about which the clothes mover reciprocally rotates; and at least one vane having an elongated body extending away from the hub and projecting upwardly from the clothes mover to terminate in a tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, David W. Carr, Dale E. Mueller, Basak Oguz, Jon D. Strait
  • Patent number: 9556550
    Abstract: A device for the sealing of an external drum of a continuous-flow washing machines in relation to the internal drum in a more reliable manner and to prevent the risk of treatment liquid flooding from the one treatment chamber into the adjacent treatment chamber if a seal leaks by providing separate seals between adjacent external drums by each of the end faces of the adjacent external drums which point to one another having assigned thereto an own, preferably identically realized seal. In continuous-flow washing machines stationary external drums are assigned to some treatment chambers in a rotatingly drivable internal drum. Said stationary external drums have to be sealed relative to the treatment chambers of the rotatable internal drum. If one common seal is provided between adjacent external drums, if there are leaks, this results in total failure with treatment liquid flooding from the external drum into the adjacent external drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Herbert Kannegiesser GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Hildebrand, Wilhelm Bringewatt, Engelbert Heinz