Electrostatic Cleaning Patents (Class 15/1.51)
  • Patent number: 11908713
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate treatment system includes: a chamber having an internal space defined by a first surface and a second surface of the chamber opposing each other, and a third surface of the chamber connected the first surface and the second surface; a transfer device in a central region of the internal space for transferring a semiconductor substrate; an ionizing device including first and second discharge devices on the second surface for emitting ions having a first polarity and a second polarity, respectively, to charge particles in the internal space with the first and second polarities, and a third discharge device disposed above the transfer device, and configured to emit ions having the first and second polarities together; and first and second dust collecting assemblies on the third surface, facing each other, and configured to collect charged particles by generating electric fields having different polarities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daesung Jung, Kwangil Kim
  • Patent number: 11877712
    Abstract: An automatic and currentless dirt remover for collecting dirt from the area surrounding the dirt remover, having a dirt-collecting body and a rolling-action sheath body, which defines a receiving space for receiving the dirt-collecting body. The sheath body has openings for providing external access to the dirt-collecting body, which has a surface that collects the dirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventor: Susanne Schmekel
  • Patent number: 11619895
    Abstract: In an example of the disclosure, service rotation of a drum along a longitudinal axis of the drum is caused. The service rotation is to apply a centrifugal force upon a liquid held by the drum. The centrifugal force pushes gas bubbles in the drum away from a curved surface of the drum and towards the longitudinal drum axis. The gas bubbles evacuate from the drum via an outlet tube positioned adjacent to the longitudinal drum axis. A production rotation of the drum is caused after the service rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ziv Seemann, Erez Heldy, Dror Halawa
  • Patent number: 11441974
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising directing, from a distribution unit, a stream comprising at least one of solid CO2 particles or CO2 droplets toward an article, wherein the article comprises a plurality of surface particles, and wherein the stream comprising at least one of solid CO2 particles or CO2 droplets causes at least a portion of the plurality of surface particles on the article to dislodge from the surface of the article; collecting, on a surface of a substrate having a pre-determined initial state comprising initial surface particles on the surface of the substrate or a real-time aerosol sampling unit, at least some of the portion of the plurality of surface particles dislodged from the surface of the article; analyzing the surface of the substrate after performing the collecting; and determining at least one of a size, a morphology, a chemical composition, a particle number concentration, or a particle size distribution of the portion of the plurality of surface particles that were dislodged
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Changgong Wang, Zhili Zuo, Chang Ke, Song-Moon Suh
  • Patent number: 11392041
    Abstract: A particle removal device, along with methods of using such, are described. The device includes a handheld module having a body. A first one or more channels and a second one or more channels are formed in the body. The body includes a nozzle, and the handheld module is configured to provide suction by the nozzle and to inject an ionized fluid stream by the nozzle. The body further includes a handle attached to the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsuan Wu, Ming-Hsun Tsai, Shang-Chieh Chien, Li-Jui Chen, Heng-Hsin Liu
  • Patent number: 11260651
    Abstract: A dust removal device for continuous paper improves operability and usability for a user. The continuous paper is continuously supplied in a rightward direction, then through guide rollers, the direction of the continuous paper is reversed leftward. A downward front surface of the continuous paper is cleaned with a first dust removal device. Further, a direction of the continuous paper is reversed with a guide roller rightward. A downward back surface of the continuous paper is cleaned with a second dust removal device, and is guided to the downstream side. The two dust removal devices are provided in a vertical positional relationship in space. Dust removed with a dust removing member falls to a dust receiving member and is stored in the dust receiving member. It is possible to easily dispose the dust by pulling out the dust removal device from a cleaning position to an outside detachment position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: RISO KAGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takuya Kambayashi
  • Patent number: 11155428
    Abstract: Novel materials and devices can remove small defects from long rolls of flexible electronics material while they are in continuous motion. The cleaning materials are designed to remove small particles without transferring defects or damaging the flexible electronics. The device generally consists of variable speed, motor-driven cylinders mounted on moveable brackets. The cylinders are capable of matching the speed of the cleaning material such that the cleaning material is always in contact with the web roll to be cleaned. The brackets are capable of rotating so the same material can be used more than once. Another material is used to remove debris from the cleaning material. A similar device consisting of motor-driven cylinders and moveable is used to apply the debris removal film to the cleaning film, allowing the cleaning film to be used multiple times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL TEST SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Mark M. Stark, Alan E. Humphrey
  • Patent number: 10883236
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a reinforced elastomeric blade having a plurality of laminated layers. The laminated layers can include at least two layers of elastomeric material at least partially separated by a fiber reinforced laminate layer or an embedded metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Winter Equipment Company
    Inventors: Kent Winter, William A. Sulesky
  • Patent number: 10856710
    Abstract: A brushroll is provided. The brushroll includes a first roller and a second roller. The first roller and the second roller are arranged symmetrically in an axial direction of the brushroll. The first roller is provided with a plurality of first mounting grooves spaced apart and arranged along a circumference of the first roller. The second roller is provided with a plurality of second mounting grooves spaced apart and arranged along a circumference of the second roller. The brushroll includes first brush members inserted in the first mounting grooves and second brush members inserted in the second mounting grooves. A robot vacuum cleaner having the aforementioned brushroll is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventors: Hao Zheng, Fangfei Xiong, Xiaogang Xuan
  • Patent number: 10746352
    Abstract: A lubricant coating device preventing coating unevenness of lubricant powders is provided. The lubricant coating device includes a solid lubricant, a coating member and a film shaping member. The coating member in which first fibers composed of a material located on a positive polarity side and second fibers composed of a material located on a negative polarity side, on a triboelectric series with respect to the material of the solid lubricant are implanted, coats lubricant powders scraped off from the solid lubricant onto the image supporter. The film shaping member comes in contact with the image supporter and presses the lubricant powders onto the image supporter, to shape the lubricant powders into a form of a film. A scraping amount of the lubricant powders by the first fibers and a scraping amount of the lubricant powders by the second fibers are set to become substantially identical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Yukimasa Azuma
  • Patent number: 10534281
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image carrier, an electrifying member, and a charge eliminating device, and eliminates remaining charge on the surface of the image carrier by the charge eliminating device. The charge eliminating device includes a discharge member. The discharge member includes an electro conductive knit fabric knitted in a cylindrical shape using twisted yarn made of twisted metal fibers and a support member having a cylindrical shape and inserted in the electro conductive knit fabric, and is disposed to face the image carrier in a noncontact manner. A magnet member is disposed inside the image carrier within a charge elimination nip width between two tangential lines of an outer circumference surface of the discharge member, the two tangential lines being parallel to a straight line passing through a rotation center of the image carrier and a center axis of the discharge member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Tamotsu Shimizu, Hiroka Itani, Kenichi Tamaki
  • Patent number: 10381211
    Abstract: On field ionization under ambient conditions is described and applied on both ionization and desorption of various chemicals and biochemical present on the surface of materials in solid, liquid or gas states. The Atmospheric Pressure Megavolt Electrostatic Field Ionization Desorption (APME-FID) method generates ions directly from the surface of samples connected to a high electrical voltage at megavolt conditions. Megavolt electrostatic potential is generated and gradually accumulated directly on the sample surface by a Van de Graaff generator without causing damage to the sample. Therefore, when coupled with mass spectrometric system, the APME-FID-MS method enables direct detection of analytes on the surface of samples in different sizes and diverse types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
    Inventors: Kwan Ming Ng, Ho Wai Tang, Sin Heng Man
  • Patent number: 10338701
    Abstract: The techniques taught in this application include, generally, a brush stylus that includes a number of active bristles. When the brush stylus is in contact with a touchscreen on the computing device, the active bristles provide data to the brush stylus, a computing device the other brush stylus, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kunjal Parikh, Arvind Kumar, Jordan E. Maslov, Shantanu Kulkarni, Prosenjit Ghosh
  • Patent number: 10321006
    Abstract: A document reading device includes a conveyer for conveying a document sheet using a single drive source, a reader for reading an image of the document sheet being conveyed through a reading position, and a controller for stopping the conveyance by the conveyer if a read request for a first document sheet, which is being conveyed upstream of the reading position in a conveyance direction, has not received. The controller invalidates the image read from a second document sheet which is being conveyed downstream of the first document sheet if the trailing edge of the second document sheet has not passed through the reading position at a timing when the conveyance is stopped because of the read request having not been received, and validates the image read from the second document sheet if the trailing edge of the second document sheet has passed through the reading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Okawa, Seiji Shibaki
  • Patent number: 10300157
    Abstract: Described is a retail store fixture that includes an electric charge circuit. The electric charge circuit generates a positive electric charge, or voltage, in response to the motion of a moveable portion of the retail store fixture. The retail store fixture can be a shopping cart or other fixture with a moveable portion. The positive electric charge is deposited on a part of the retail store fixture that it is desired to sterilize. The positive electric charge repels bacteria, sterilizing the portion of the retail store fixture that receives the positive charge. A shopping cart, for example, equipped with the electric charge circuit can be sterilized without requiring chemicals or power to be supplied to the cart. Rotation of the shopping cart wheels can be used to generate the voltage. The voltage can be used to sterilize a shopping cart handle, and/or other parts of the shopping cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Allen Jones, Nicholaus Adam Jones, Robert James Taylor
  • Patent number: 10274873
    Abstract: First and second abutment portions are disposed in a cleaning container. The first abutment portion is arranged on the outer side relative to a first cleaning member in a width direction of a belt at a position corresponding to the first cleaning member in a circumferential direction of the belt and abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the belt. The second abutment portion is arranged on the outer side relative to a second cleaning member in the width direction at a position corresponding to the second cleaning member in the circumferential direction and abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the belt. The outer end of the first abutment portion is located on the inner side relative to the end of the first roller, and the inner end of the second abutment portion is located on the outer side relative to the end of the second roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keita Shigihara
  • Patent number: 10254704
    Abstract: A charging device includes a charging member that charges a member to be charged and a cleaning member that is disposed in contact with a surface of the charging member and that cleans the surface of the charging member. The cleaning member includes a core and two foamed elastic layers disposed adjacent to each other in an axial direction around an outer peripheral surface of the core from one end to another end of the core in a substantially double-helical pattern. The two foamed elastic layers are a first foamed elastic layer having an average skeleton size D1 smaller than an average spacing Sm between irregularities in the surface of the charging member and a second foamed elastic layer having an average skeleton size D2 larger than or equal to the average spacing Sm between the irregularities in the surface of the charging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Mizoguchi, Fuyuki Kano
  • Patent number: 10000097
    Abstract: An electrostatic energy generator may include one or more first tire cord fabrics each including a conductive material which is a wire-shaped electrode and a non-conductive material, the non-conductive material configured to surround an outer peripheral surface of the conductive material, and one or more second tire cord fabrics each including a conductive material which is a wire-shaped electrode, and a material configured to surround an outer peripheral surface of the conductive material that is different from the non-conductive material of the first tire cord fabric, wherein the first tire cord fabric and the second tire cord fabric are arranged in a longitudinal direction so as to be in contact with each other and form a bundle, such that frictional electricity is generated due to a friction between the first tire cord fabric and the second tire cord fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Research & Business Foundation Sungkyunkwan University
    Inventors: Sang Woo Kim, Wanchul Seung, Ju-Hyuck Lee, Keun Young Lee, Sung Soo Kwak, Tae Yun Kim
  • Patent number: 9982805
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for passing pipes or cables through an opening in a building. Said device comprises a sleeve-like housing that has an axial passage channel that is open at its opposite ends; bristles that are mounted on the walls of the passage channel in such a way that they are opposite each other and that are extended inwards in such a way that they mesh with one another in order to close the passage channel; and flexible strips of material that are mounted in the passage channel and that are coated with an intumescent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: HILTI AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Mario Paetow, Christian Förg, Rudolf Semler, Thomas Monden
  • Patent number: 9904234
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming method includes: performing a reversal development process using an electrophotographic photoreceptor including a conductive support, and an undercoat layer, a photosensitive layer, and a surface protective layer, which are at least provided on the conductive support, wherein the surface protective layer includes at least a cured resin and a component capable of influencing frequency dependence of impedance, and the undercoat layer includes at least a metal oxide and has a thickness in the range of 1 to 30 ?m; and performing an electrostatic discharge step including applying an AC voltage at 2 kHz or more, wherein the frequency of the AC voltage is increased depending on use history.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Koichi Kudoh
  • Patent number: 9895725
    Abstract: An assembly configured to clean one or more selected structures of a device may comprise an end effector assembly, a material disposed on a surface of the end effector assembly that, in operation of the device, faces the selected structure(s) of the device. The end effector assembly may be configured to selectively move the material towards and against the selected structure(s) such that the material remains on the facing surface of the end effector assembly and to retain, when the end effector assembly is moved away from the device, at least some particulates previously on the selected structure(s). The device may comprise a data storage assembly and the selected structures may comprise a spindle motor hub and a disk clamp to secure the clamp to the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Yang Chong, Yih Fey Chang, Lie Dhani Hastama
  • Patent number: 9817352
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus supplies, to an image carrying member, a toner to which a lubricant is externally added to form a toner image and transfers the toner image to a sheet transported to the image carrying member. The image forming apparatus includes a control portion that controls, when a toner patch is formed onto the image carrying member in a part corresponding to a region between the sheets transported continuously, the drawing of the toner patch based on coverage information of the toner image transferred to the sheet transported in a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Shinichi Tsukamura
  • Patent number: 9791693
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for removing dust from lens surfaces inside a camera inner chamber, comprising: a bulb blower, a retainer is defined with a planar annular section, for fitting over a bayonet mount ring from the camera, a frusto-conical bottomless cup sized such that the blower nozzle outlet tip and main body are releasably engaged therethrough and the nozzle inlet seat releasably lockingly abuts thereagainst, and omnidirectional spring loaded connectors spacedly interconnecting the annular section to the cup, enabling the cup to move from a first position, at rest spacedly away from the plane of the retainer annular section, to a second position about the annular section plane. the nozzle outlet tip is progressively movable through the plane of the annular section against the bias of the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: 1317442 ALBERTA LTD.
    Inventor: Fariborz Rahbar-Dehghan
  • Patent number: 9720357
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, a member disposed opposite the fixing member, a rubbing member, a detector, and a rubbing operation controller. The fixing member fixes a toner image on a recording medium. The rubbing member rubs the fixing member to maintain a surface of the fixing member in optimum condition of the fixing member. The detector detects vibration of the rubbing member. The rubbing operation controller controls rubbing the fixing member with the rubbing member. The rubbing operation controller controls a rubbing rotation speed and a rubbing force in response to at least the vibration of the rubbing member as a trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Masateru Ujiie
  • Patent number: 9696681
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum and a brush roller. The photosensitive drum has a circumferential surface on which a toner image is to be formed. The brush roller rotates while in contact with the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum to charge the photosensitive drum. The brush roller removes toner remaining on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Imanaka
  • Patent number: 9610618
    Abstract: A system for electrostatically cleaning surfaces includes an electrostatically chargeable brush, having conductive polymer bristles, moveably disposed adjacent to a solid surface to be cleaned. The system also includes an actuator, configured to linearly move a solid element toward and through sliding contact along the solid surface, the brush being positioned to contact at least one of the solid surface and the solid element prior to the sliding contact, to electrostatically remove dust and the like therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Kevin O'Brien Gaw
  • Patent number: 9507312
    Abstract: A lubricant application device includes: a lubricant supply unit; a roller-type rotatable lubricant application member that applies a lubricant agent to a lubricant-applied member, the lubricant agent being supplied from the lubricant supply unit; and a flicking member to be brought into contact with the lubricant application member in a position that is on the downstream side of the lubricant supply unit and is on the upstream side of the lubricant-applied member in the rotation direction of the lubricant application member, the flicking member being brought into contact with the lubricant application member so that the amount of the lubricant agent to be applied to either end portion of the lubricant-applied member becomes smaller than the amount of the lubricant agent to be applied to the middle portion of the lubricant-applied member in the axial direction of the lubricant application member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Yusuke Nishisaka
  • Patent number: 9405232
    Abstract: An ink transfer element for a printing apparatus, the ink transfer element comprising a surface for transferring ink applied thereto to at least one further ink transfer element, wherein the surface is configured to, when an ink comprising pigment particles and a liquid vehicle is applied to the surface, at least partly separate the liquid vehicle from the pigment particles, through the surface. The ink transfer element further relates to printing apparatus and a method of printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Indigo B.V.
    Inventors: Ziv Gilan, Michal Kalish, Zeharia Levi, David Levi
  • Patent number: 9351622
    Abstract: A fluid extracting device with a shaped head and associated systems and methods of use and manufacture. In one embodiment, the device includes an extractor head that includes an extractor port housing having a cavity configured to be coupled to a vacuum source. The extractor port housing includes a recessed surface and individual openings extending through the recessed surface and in fluid communication with an interior suction cavity. The extractor port housing can further include first and second lips each adjacent to opposite sides of the recessed surface and each configured to provide a squeegee function. In another embodiment, the device includes a tubular member and a handle operably coupled to the tubular member and including a suction control device. The suction control device is configured such that a user can simultaneously operate the device to control the suction and operate the extractor to remove fluid from a flooring surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Sapphire Scientific Inc.
    Inventors: William Bruders, Brett Bartholmey
  • Patent number: 9248974
    Abstract: Devices for removing particulate from surfaces may include at least one belt coupled with at least one guide to rotate the belt(s) about the guide(s). A vacuum cavity may be disposed around a portion of the belt(s) to remove captured particulate therefrom when a negative pressure is introduced in the vacuum cavity. A surface may be cleaned by rotating a dry belt about a guide and positioning a portion of the dry belt on the surface to capture and collect particulate. A portion of the dry belt can pass into a vacuum cavity, and collected particulate may be removed from the dry belt into the vacuum cavity. A cleaning apparatus may be formed by coupling a belt to a guide so the belt can rotate around the guide. A vacuum cavity can be disposed to encompass a portion of the belt. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Mark S. Grill
  • Patent number: 9215959
    Abstract: A vacuum accessory tool comprises a housing that defines a suction nozzle and a hair removal assembly associated with the suction nozzle. In one embodiment, the vacuum accessory tool further comprises an agitator assembly located in the suction nozzle and driven by an air turbine. In another embodiment, an impeller associated with the air turbine is weighted to prevent build-up of hair and other debris at the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Heidenga, Joseph A. Fester, Kevin T. Downey, Christian J. Choe
  • Patent number: 9122208
    Abstract: A belt cleaning device is a device for an endless belt which has a bearing surface for bearing a toner image, and includes a cleaning unit and a toner rubbing portion. The cleaning unit is arranged to face the bearing surface and removes residual toner remaining on the bearing surface. The toner rubbing portion is arranged to face the bearing surface at a side upstream of the cleaning unit in a rotating direction of the belt and charges the residual toner by rubbing the residual toner. The toner rubbing portion includes brush bristles whose tips are faced toward the bearing surface and which are charged when rubbing the residual toner. The brush bristles include first bristle-like bodies to be positively charged and second bristle-like bodies to be negatively charged. The first and second bristle-like bodies are alternately arranged in a predetermined first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Teppei Shibuya
  • Patent number: 9117656
    Abstract: A semiconductor cleaning device includes an external electrode opposed to a side surface of the semiconductor device; a base configured to allow arrangement of the semiconductor device, and having an opening positioned between the side surface of the semiconductor device in the arranged state and the external electrode, and located below the side surface of the semiconductor device; a frame having an electrically insulating property, being in contact with the external electrode, arranged on the base and opposed to the side surface of the semiconductor device; and suction means connected to the opening in the base and being capable of taking in the foreign matter through the opening. Thereby, the semiconductor cleaning device and a semiconductor cleaning method that can remove the foreign matter adhered to the side surface of the semiconductor device and can prevent re-adhesion of the removed foreign matter can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Okada, Takaya Noguchi, Hajime Akiyama
  • Patent number: 9027187
    Abstract: A cleaning system used for removing contaminant particles on a surface of an image sensor is provided. The cleaning system includes an gas blower, two plate electrodes parallel to each other, and a high frequency voltage source. The gas blower supplies a mixed gas to the two plate electrodes. The high frequency voltage source provides a high voltage for the two plate electrodes to ionize the mixed gas, thereby the ionized gas cause contaminant particles on the surface of the image sensor to be positively charged, and cause the surface of the image sensor to be positively charged. The vacuum pump device removes the positively charged particles, which are repelled by the positively charged surface of the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jen-Tsorng Chang
  • Patent number: 8978187
    Abstract: A debris removal device for electrostatically removing debris may include a sheet comprising a plurality of conductive traces and a driver circuit positioned in electrical communication with the conductive traces of the sheet. Each conductive trace may be spaced apart from adjacent conductive traces. Furthermore, the driver circuit may be configured to selectively energize subsets of the plurality of conductive trace. The driver circuit may be configured to energize the subsets of the plurality of conductive traces sequentially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation
    Inventors: Fredric S. Maxik, David E. Bartine, Pedro Medelius
  • Publication number: 20140283316
    Abstract: A cleaning system used for removing contaminant particles on a surface of an image sensor is provided. The cleaning system includes an gas blower, two plate electrodes parallel to each other, and a high frequency voltage source. The gas blower supplies a mixed gas to the two plate electrodes. The high frequency voltage source provides a high voltage for the two plate electrodes to ionize the mixed gas, thereby the ionized gas cause contaminant particles on the surface of the image sensor to be positively charged, and cause the surface of the image sensor to be positively charged. The vacuum pump device removes the positively charged particles, which are repelled by the positively charged surface of the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: JEN-TSORNG CHANG
  • Publication number: 20140259468
    Abstract: A debris removal device for electrostatically removing debris may include a sheet comprising a plurality of conductive traces and a driver circuit positioned in electrical communication with the conductive traces of the sheet. Each conductive trace may be spaced apart from adjacent conductive traces. Furthermore, the driver circuit may be configured to selectively energize subsets of the plurality of conductive trace. The driver circuit may be configured to energize the subsets of the plurality of conductive traces sequentially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: LIGHTING SCIENCE GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fredric S. Maxik, David E. Bartine, Pedro Medelius
  • Publication number: 20140261536
    Abstract: The invention includes a dust mitigation device that utilizes electromagnetic waves to protect devices from dust deposition. The device includes a nonconducting (dielectric) material separating at least one electrode, and in some embodiments a plurality of electrodes, from a grounded layer. The electrodes are connected to a single phase AC signal or a transient voltage signal. In some embodiments the grounded layer is created using a continuous conductor or a conductive grid. In some embodiments, the dielectric, the electrodes, and/or the grounded layer are transparent. The electromagnetic fields produced by the electrodes lift dust particles away from the shield and repel charged particles. Deposited dust particles are removed from the dust mitigation device when the electrodes are activated, regardless of the resistivity of the dust. The invention further includes a method of mitigating dust using such components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Charles R. Buhler, Carlos I. Calle, Judson Sidney Clements
  • Publication number: 20140251371
    Abstract: A method of cleaning at least one collecting electrode of an electrostatic precipitator includes applying, in a first mode of operation, a first average current between at least one discharge electrode and at least one collecting electrode, and switching from the first mode of operation to a second mode of operation in which a second average current is applied between the at least one discharge electrode and the at least one collecting electrode, the second average current being a factor of at least 3 higher than the first average current, to achieve a forced cleaning of the at least one collecting electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Andreas BACK
  • Patent number: 8806710
    Abstract: A cleaner head for a surface treating appliance includes a housing and a rotatable brush bar located within the housing. The brush bar includes a first plurality of bristles and a second plurality of bristles which protrude radially outwardly beyond the first plurality of bristles. The second plurality of bristles has a surface resistivity in the range from 1×10?5 to 1×1012 ?/sq so that static electricity residing on a floor surface to be cleaned is discharged upon contact with the conductive bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Thomas James Dunning Follows, Stephen Benjamin Courtney
  • Patent number: 8782851
    Abstract: Agitating apparatus for a surface treating appliance includes a rotatable body having at least one substantially continuous row of bristles extending outwardly therefrom, the bristles having a surface resistivity in the range from 1×10?5 to 1×1012 ?/sq so that static electricity residing on a floor surface to be cleaned is discharged upon contact with the bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Thomas James Dunning Follows, Stephen Benjamin Courtney
  • Publication number: 20140196744
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a brush surface having a contamination is provided. The method includes steps of: providing a mechanical wave; and stripping off the contamination from the brush surface by the mechanical wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiann-Lih WU, Jeng-Jyi HWANG, Soon-Kang HUANG, Chi-Ming YANG
  • Patent number: 8776308
    Abstract: A robot cleaner having a static-charge removal device to prevent deterioration in performance or damage to an interior circuit of the cleaner due to static charge. The robot cleaner includes a conductive trap member to trap frictional static charge, a discharge member electrically connected to the trap member to discharge the static charge, trapped by the trap member, into another kind of energy, for example, light, sound, or kinetic energy, and a ground member located on the robot cleaner while being connected to the discharge member. The robot cleaner prevents adherence of dust, loose debris, etc. as well as damage to an interior circuit thereof due to static charge, thereby efficiently performing a cleaning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Soo Jung, Dong Won Kim, Seung Il Han, Hwi Chan Jang, Jun Hwa Lee
  • Publication number: 20140174466
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein include at least one of systems, methods, and software to facilitate automatic solar power surface-cleaning Such embodiments include at least one automatic solar power surface-cleaning robot that uses no water or external power, continuously cleans the solar power surfaces and requires no maintenance or external power. The solar power surface-cleaning robot is easy to retrofit in an existing solar power generation plant. An automatic solar power surface-cleaner uses high-voltage AC electric fields to sweep particulates and debris as the robot traverses the surface to be cleaned. Photovoltaic solar cells supply the power for the robot. No external power is required. The robot clamps to the surface to be cleaned at the edges using motor driven rollers. Electronics inside the device generate high-voltage AC that is applied to conductors close to the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Taft Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Potter, Dia Potter
  • Patent number: 8756739
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein include at least one of systems, methods, and software to facilitate automatic solar power surface-cleaning. Such embodiments include at least one automatic solar power surface-cleaning robot that uses no water or external power, continuously cleans the solar power surfaces and requires no maintenance or external power. The solar power surface-cleaning robot is easy to retrofit in an existing solar power generation plant. An automatic solar power surface-cleaner uses high-voltage AC electric fields to sweep particulates and debris as the robot traverses the surface to be cleaned. Photovoltaic solar cells supply the power for the robot. No external power is required. The robot clamps to the surface to be cleaned at the edges using motor driven rollers. Electronics inside the device generate high-voltage AC that is applied to conductors close to the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Taft Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Potter, Dia Potter
  • Patent number: 8756034
    Abstract: A test installation for electrical filter installations has, in the interior of a housing, a dust measurement device, a converter control cabinet, a feed for the converter control cabinet, a computer, connecting apparatuses for connecting the dust measurement device to a clean and a raw-gas dust channel of the electrical filter installation, cables for connecting the converter control cabinet to a high-voltage rectifier for the electrical filter installation, as well as a power connection, and wherein the housing has recesses for passing through at least the connecting apparatuses, the cable and power supplies for the feed and for the power connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Klöckner, Michael Steingräber, Andreas Zintl
  • Publication number: 20140150816
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein include at least one of systems, methods, and software to facilitate automatic solar power surface-cleaning. Such embodiments include at least one automatic solar power surface-cleaning robot that uses no water or external power, continuously cleans the solar power surfaces and requires no maintenance or external power. The solar power surface-cleaning robot is easy to retrofit in an existing solar power generation plant. An automatic solar power surface-cleaner uses high-voltage AC electric fields to sweep particulates and debris as the robot traverses the surface to be cleaned. Photovoltaic solar cells supply the power for the robot. No external power is required. The robot clamps to the surface to be cleaned at the edges using motor driven rollers. Electronics inside the device generate high-voltage AC that is applied to conductors close to the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Scott Potter, Dia Potter
  • Patent number: 8727832
    Abstract: Cleaning or polishing magnetic recording media (MRM) may comprise mounting and rotating the MRM on a spindle; circulating a tape adjacent to a surface of the MRM; and applying an electrostatic (ES) voltage to the tape and attracting particles located on the MRM to the tape. The ES voltage may apply an ES load to the tape to force the tape into contact with the surface of the MRM. No mechanical load may be applied to the tape to force the tape into contact with the surface of the MRM. Additionally, a mechanical load may be applied to the tape to force the tape into contact with the surface of the MRM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Xing-Cai Guo, Ferdinand Hendriks, Toshiki Hirano, Thomas E. Karis, Bruno Marchon
  • Publication number: 20140083448
    Abstract: The present invention relates to entrance mat and carpet, designated to be placed ahead of the entrance of houses for example, for the convenience of the user, before entering to the house for example, enabling the user to scrubs his shoes on the entrance mat, to avoid from dirtying the house. Wherein, the present invention entrance mat is an interactive mat, enabling by electricity power to operates the mat mechanism, which operating a circular motion on part of the entrance mat, enabling the user to stand on the nun-moving parts of the entrance mat, and to point each time one of his shoe on the moving part of the mat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: OHAD MAYROM
  • Publication number: 20140082865
    Abstract: The static eliminating and dust removing apparatus comprises a big container and a small container disposed within the big container. The big container opens at the top and bottom ends to suck the dust in upwardly and discharge the dust. The small container is of hollow cylindrical or truncated conical structure and of a construction that the cyclone and tornado are generated within the small container. Furthermore, the static eliminating and dust removing apparatus has an ion generator disposed in the small container for generating ions which is injected or introduced in the small container and a dried compressed air injection opening formed on the small container for injecting the dried compressed air into the small container to generate cyclone and tornado within the small container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: TRINC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Makoto Takayanagi