Electric Arc-type Devices Patents (Class 219/383)
  • Patent number: 11815074
    Abstract: Scalable power processing units (PPUs) for Hall-effect thrusters (HETs) and terrestrial systems are disclosed. A technique for current estimation may be employed on each output of parallel isolated discharge supply modules (DSMs) to force proper current/load sharing between the DSMs. A flyback power supply may be used that performs the dual functions of a cathode keeper plasma ignitor and sustainer. The flyback power supply may be tuned for a high no-load direct current (DC) output voltage to achieve cathode keeper ignition rather than requiring a separate ignitor supply, which reduces circuit complexity. To address requirements for higher voltage DC ignition than are achievable with a flyback power supply alone, a supplemental DC ignitor may be placed in parallel with the flyback power supply of some embodiments. Such simplified PPU architectures may provide a high efficiency, low part count, scalable architecture suitable for more compact and lower cost system designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Gabriel F. Benavides, Luis R. Pinero, Corey R. Rhodes, Arthur Birchenough
  • Patent number: 11752552
    Abstract: A method for building structures on existing components includes preparing an auxiliary plate suitable for fastening on the working plate, wherein the auxiliary plate has at least one reference marking, fastening the component on the auxiliary plate, optionally processing the at least one surface to be processed for providing a surface that is substantially parallel to the working plane of the device, measuring the at least one reference marking and the component, wherein the position is recorded, introducing the auxiliary plate with the at least one reference marking and the component into the device and detachably fastening the auxiliary plate on the working plate and processing the component in the device for additive manufacturing by working data on the basis of measuring data. A device and a composite structure for additive manufacturing is used in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Reiner Anton, Uwe Galander, Kay Krabiell
  • Patent number: 11359892
    Abstract: A method where a laser beam is configured to generate a laser-induced plasma filament (LIPF), and the LIPF acts as a decoy to detract a homing missile or other threat from a specific target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Alexandru Hening, Ryan P. Lu, Ayax D. Ramirez
  • Patent number: 11119277
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a splice-on connector configuration having connector body defining a forward fiber buckling region and a rearward splice encapsulation region. The splice encapsulation region can be filled with curable adhesive. The splice encapsulation region can also function to anchor a fiber optic cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Ponharith Nhep, Yu Lu
  • Patent number: 10515832
    Abstract: A laser processing apparatus includes a laser beam generating unit which emits a laser beam, a lens unit which divides the laser beam into a plurality of laser beams, and a light condensing unit which condenses the plurality of laser beams. The lens unit includes a first lens array having a first central axis and a second lens array having a second central axis, and wherein at least one of the first lens array and the second lens array reciprocates such that the first central axis and the second central axis are deviated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Emil Aslanov, Je Kil Ryu, Hae Sook Lee, Young Geun Cho, Gyoo Wan Han
  • Patent number: 10481330
    Abstract: An electrical discharge, suitable for heating optical fibers for processing, is made in a controlled partial vacuum, such that saturation of available ionizable gas molecules is reached. The workpiece temperature is thereby made to be a stably controlled function of the absolute air pressure and is insensitive to other conditions. A system and method accomplishing the foregoing are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: 3SAE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert G. Wiley, Brett Clark, John Lower, Jason Troyer, Clyde J. Troutman
  • Patent number: 10287036
    Abstract: An arcjet thruster system for a spacecraft is provided. The arcjet thruster system may include a power supply that includes a radio-frequency start power supply and a continuous direct-current power supply, each selectively coupled to electrodes of an arcjet for initiation and maintenance of an arc between the electrodes. A radio-frequency/direct-current control module may be provided for selectively coupling the radio-frequency start power supply and a continuous direct-current power supply. The radio-frequency start power supply may be used to initiate an arc that is then sustained by the continuous direct-current power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Albert Lichtin, Jacob H. Blum
  • Patent number: 9997322
    Abstract: Electrode assemblies for plasma reactors include a structure or device for constraining an arc endpoint to a selected area or region on an electrode. In some embodiments, the structure or device may comprise one or more insulating members covering a portion of an electrode. In additional embodiments, the structure or device may provide a magnetic field configured to control a location of an arc endpoint on the electrode. Plasma generating modules, apparatus, and systems include such electrode assemblies. Methods for generating a plasma include covering at least a portion of a surface of an electrode with an electrically insulating member to constrain a location of an arc endpoint on the electrode. Additional methods for generating a plasma include generating a magnetic field to constrain a location of an arc endpoint on an electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Peter C. Kong, Jon D. Grandy, Brent A. Detering, Larry D. Zuck
  • Patent number: 9952386
    Abstract: A multi-electrode system includes a fiber holder that holds at least one optical fiber, a plurality of electrodes arranged to generate a heated field to heat the at least one optical fiber, and a vibration mechanism that causes at least one of the electrodes from the plurality of electrodes to vibrate. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum. The system can be used for processing many types of fibers, such processing including, as examples, stripping, splicing, annealing, tapering, and so on. Corresponding fiber processing methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: 3SAE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert G. Wiley, Brett Clark, Jared C. Meitzler, Clyde J. Troutman
  • Patent number: 9930726
    Abstract: A heating device and a heating method are disclosed, by which an irregularly shaped object can be evenly and efficiently heated by a plurality of conductive pins smoothly sliding inside through holes so that their tips sufficiently follow the irregular shape of the object, while damage to the conductive pins or the object is prevented. The heating device 100 heats an object M placed between opposing electrodes 101 and 102. At least one of the electrodes 101 includes a retention plate 130 for retaining a plurality of conductive pins 110 supported in an electrode plate 120 in a state in which the conductive pins 110 are slid away from an opposite electrode 102, and a release mechanism 140 for releasing the plurality of conductive pins 110 from retention by the retention plate 130.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: TOYO SEIKAN GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoki Maruyama, Shinji Yamada
  • Patent number: 9730552
    Abstract: A matchbox oven is disclosed. The matchbox oven includes a housing, a slider, a mover, a heat source and a blower. The housing includes a cavity having two openings. The mover moves the slider in and out of the cavity through the two openings. The heat source provides heat to the cavity for heating up any food item placed within the cavity. The slider includes multiple stoppers to serve as oven covers for preventing heat within the cavity from escaping through the two openings. The slider can also be utilized as a heat sink for lowering the cavity's temperature during oven operation. When a new cook temperature is substantially lower than the temperature of the cavity, the blower forces heated air within the cavity to exit through the two openings before the starting of and/or during the initial portion of a new cook cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Ovention, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip R. McKee
  • Patent number: 9723951
    Abstract: A matchbox oven is disclosed. The matchbox oven includes a housing, a slider, a mover and a heat source. The housing includes a cavity having a first and second openings. The mover moves the slider in and out of the cavity through the first and second openings. The heat source provides heat to the cavity for heating up any food item placed on a portion of the slider located within the cavity. The slider, which is configured to receive food items, includes multiple stoppers to serve as oven covers for preventing heat within the cavity from escaping through the first and second openings. When necessary, a portion of the slider can also be utilized as a heat sink for lowering the temperature of the cavity during oven operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Ovention, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip R. McKee
  • Patent number: 9632252
    Abstract: A multi-electrode system includes a fiber holder that holds at least one optical fiber, a plurality of electrodes arranged to generate a heated field to heat the at least one optical fiber, and a vibration mechanism that causes at least one of the electrodes from the plurality of electrodes to vibrate. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum. The system can be used for processing many types of fibers, such processing including, as examples, stripping, splicing, annealing, tapering, and so on. Corresponding fiber processing methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: 3SAE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Wiley, Brett Clark, Jared C. Meitzler, Clyde J. Troutman
  • Patent number: 9627780
    Abstract: An electrical system having a current path formed in a region between first and second electrodes. When a low pressure is sustained in the region, and a plasma is generated in a portion of a gap between the electrodes, current flows across the gap from the first electrode to the second electrode. In one embodiment the system is operable as a motor or a generator, having a first electrode and a member including a second electrode which is rotatable with respect to the first electrode. In another embodiment a first conductor is positioned to carry current toward or away from a first terminal at a high temperature, and a second conductor is spaced apart from the first terminal to carry current toward or away from a second terminal when the second conductor is at a low temperature relative to the temperature of the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Advanced Magnet Lab, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer Meinke
  • Patent number: 9482475
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a shell; a pair of tube plates provided at both ends of the shell; a plurality of heat transfer tubes supported by the tube plates and housed in the shell; and a high-temperature fluid inlet connection for introducing a high-temperature fluid into the shell. A cooling jacket having a porous structure, over which a cooling fluid is to be spread, is provided on the interior surface of the high-temperature fluid inlet connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Takeshi Fujisawa, Nobuo Yamaga
  • Patent number: 9380694
    Abstract: A plasma torch is provided and adapted to generate very high operating temperatures to gasify various types of materials, such as biomass materials and various carbonaceous materials. The plasma torch is composed of a ceramic body that has first, second, and third intersecting bores. Each of the first, second, and third intersecting bores defines a threaded portion therein. A first and second tungsten carbide electrode is adjustably disposed in the first and second intersecting bores and operative to be adjustable to establish a controlled gap size therebetween. A compressed gas connection is threadably disposed in the threaded portion of the third bore and is operative to introduce a flow of compressed gas through the controlled gap. The first and second tungsten carbide electrodes are connectable to a source of electrical energy and functions to produce an electrical arc across the controlled gap. The resulting flame produced by the electrical arc burns at an extreme temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: MILLENIUM SYNTHFUELS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lai O. Kuku, Michael Philip Woudenberg
  • Patent number: 9341777
    Abstract: An optical fiber fusion splicer includes a base having a fiber groove for containing an optical fiber, a fiber clamp for pressing the optical fiber contained in the fiber groove against the base and load changing means for changing a load for the fiber clamp to press the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SEI OPTIFRONTIER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryuichiro Sato, Hiroshi Takayanagi, Makoto Miyamori
  • Patent number: 9271341
    Abstract: Provided is a heat treatment apparatus that even when annealing SiC at high temperature, can exhibit a low heat capacity and perform uniform heating. The heat treatment apparatus includes a pair of parallel plate electrodes, high-frequency power supply that applies a high-frequency voltage to the pair of parallel plate electrodes so as to discharge between the pair of parallel plate electrodes, a temperature measurement instrument that measures the temperature of a sample to be heated which is disposed in the pair of parallel plate electrodes, a gas introduction unit that introduces a gas to the pair of parallel plate electrodes, reflection mirrors that surround the pair of parallel plate electrodes, and a control unit that controls the output of the high-frequency power supply. Heating of a gas due to discharge between the pair of parallel plate electrodes is used to thermally treat the sample to be heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ken'etsu Yokogawa, Masatoshi Miyake
  • Patent number: 9212077
    Abstract: A molten glass discharging device provided in the bottom of a melting furnace of a waste vitrification apparatus so that the device can control the melting or cooling of a molten material. The molten glass discharging device, which is provided in the bottom of the furnace and controls discharging of a molten material, includes: an induction heating unit (110) having a discharging passage (10) along a discharging port formed in the bottom of the melting furnace; an induction coil (120) provided outside the induction heating unit (110); and a cooling unit (130) supporting the induction heating unit (110) and having a cooling conduit through which a cooling fluid circulates. The device can realize repeated discharging of the molten material by induction heating or cooling of the induction heating unit. Further, even when glass is adhered to the discharging port, the adhered glass can be easily discharged from the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Deuk Man Kim, Seok Mo Choi, Hyun Jun Jo, Hyun Je Cho, Seung Chul Park, Cheon Woo Kim, Tae Won Hwang
  • Patent number: 9095829
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a tuyere chamber, a plasma torch configured to produce a superheated gas and to direct the superheated gas into the tuyere chamber in an axial direction, and a shroud gas inlet assembly configured to direct a shroud gas into the tuyere chamber wherein one part of the shroud gas is injected coaxially with the super heated gas and a second part of the shroud gas is injected as a swirl shielding the tuyere walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Alter NRG Corp.
    Inventors: Aleksandr Gorodetsky, James Santoianni, Aleksandre Kokourine
  • Patent number: 9063285
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a fusion splicer, including: heating ends of a first and second fiber with an arc; measuring fiber end melt-back at a corner of the first fiber and a corner of the second fiber; increasing the heat of the arc and heating the ends of the first and second fibers with the arc; measuring fiber end melt-back at the corner of the first fiber and the corner of the second fiber; determining a slope of the fiber end melt-back; and based on said slope, setting a value to adjust the heat produced by the splicer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventor: Wenxin Zheng
  • Patent number: 8981261
    Abstract: A method and system for attenuating a shockwave propagating through a first medium by heating a selected region of the first fluid medium rapidly to create a second, transient medium that intercepts the shockwave and attenuates its energy density before it reaches a protected asset. The second medium may attenuate the shockwave by one or more of reflection, refraction, dispersion, absorption and momentum transfer. The method and system may include a sensor for detecting a shockwave-producing event, determining a direction and distance of the shockwave relative to a defended target and calculating a firing plan, and an arc generator for creating the second medium. The arc generator may create the second medium by creating an electric arc that travels along an electrically conductive path utilizing at least one of high intensity laser pulses, pellets forming a conductive ion trail, sacrificial conductors, projectiles trailing electrical wires, and magnetic induction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Brian J. Tillotson
  • Patent number: 8963050
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer having a surface with a thin film formed thereon is transported into a chamber and held by a holder. After an atmosphere provided in the chamber is replaced, flashes of light are directed from flash lamps in a light irradiation part toward the semiconductor wafer to perform a baking process on the thin film. The irradiation of the semiconductor wafer with light from halogen lamps in the light irradiation part also starts at the same time as the irradiation thereof with the flashes of light. The flashes of light emitted for an extremely short period of time and having a high intensity allow the surface temperature of the thin film to rise momentarily. This prevents the occurrence of abnormal grain growth resulting from prolonged baking in the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Kato, Hiroki Kiyama
  • Publication number: 20150040615
    Abstract: An electrical discharge, suitable for heating optical fibers for processing, is made in a controlled partial vacuum, such that saturation of available ionizable gas molecules is reached. The workpiece temperature is thereby made to be a stably controlled function of the absolute air pressure and is insensitive to other conditions. A system and method accomplishing the foregoing are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Robert G. Wiley, Brett Clark, John Lower, Jason Troyer, Clyde J. Troutman
  • Publication number: 20150031039
    Abstract: A method and device for adjusting the temperature of a sample by heating a substrate with a laser diode light; said light projected on to the substrate to absorb the light and convert the light energy to a heat energy thereby raising the temperature of the substrate corresponding to the intensity of the light energy, the substrate configured to transfer the thermal energy substantially homogenously to the sample. The device or method suitable for amplification of a nucleic acid sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Juergen Hans Pipper, Sankar Thulasinga
  • Publication number: 20150014296
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat generating device using an arc discharge reactor. One object of the present invention is to not only discharge a high brightness arc but also to make an arc which discharges at an even higher brightness when a magnet is placed nearby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: Gear Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kisung Kim, Hee Jae Kim
  • Patent number: 8933374
    Abstract: A pulse laser machining apparatus and method generates a clock signal, emits a pulse laser beam in synchronization with the clock signal, scans the pulse laser beam in synchronization with the clock signal only in a one-dimensional direction, moves a stage in a direction perpendicular to the one-dimensional direction, passes or cuts off the pulse laser beam in synchronization with the clock signal, and controls the passing or cutting off of the pulse laser beam based on the number of light pulses of the pulse laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8779332
    Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure forming die, the method includes: an introduction hole forming step for forming, in plate-shaped die substrate having one side end face and the other side end face, a plurality of introduction holes for introducing kneaded clay on the other side end face to function as a kneaded clay introduction face, and a slit forming step for forming slits communicating with the introduction holes in order to form the partition walls of the honeycomb structure by extruding the kneaded clay by performing a comb-like electro-discharge machining by a comb-like electrode 21 where a plurality of plate-shaped protrusion electrodes 23 corresponding with width of the slits are disposed on the one side end face to function as a kneaded clay formation face of the die substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichiro Hayashi, Tomoki Nagae, Masanari Iwade
  • Publication number: 20130277354
    Abstract: There is provided a method for plasma heat treatment that can suppress the degradation of thermal efficiency even in the case where plasma is used to heat a sample at a temperature of 1,200° C. or more. In a method for plasma heat treatment that a sample to be processed is heated by plasma, the method including the steps of: preheating in which a heat treatment chamber is exhausted while preheating an upper electrode and a lower electrode using plasma generated between the upper electrode and the lower electrode; and heat treatment in which the sample to be processed is heated after the preheating step. The upper electrode and the lower electrode are electrodes containing carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Masatoshi Miyake, Ken'etsu Yokogawa, Takashi Uemura, Masaru Izawa, Satoshi Sakai
  • Publication number: 20130277355
    Abstract: A method for oxidizing a combustible material. The method includes introducing a volume of the combustible material into a plasma zone of a gliding electric arc oxidation system. The method also includes introducing a volume of oxidizer into the plasma zone of the gliding electric arc oxidation system. The volume of oxidizer includes a stoichiometrically excessive amount of oxygen. The method also includes generating an electrical discharge between electrodes within the plasma zone of the gliding electric arc oxidation system to oxidize the combustible material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Joseph J. Hartvigsen, Elangovan, Michele Hollist, Piotr Czernichowski
  • Publication number: 20130277356
    Abstract: A method of fusion-splicing includes attaching a stab to a stub cap having a non-axisymmetric structure, positioning an embedded optical fiber to a fusion splicing working part by fixing the stub cap thereto; positioning an outside optical fiber to the fusion splicing working part; fusion-splicing the embedded optical fiber and the outside optical fiber; repositioning the embedded optical fiber to a reinforcing working part by fixing the stub cap thereto and repositioning the outside optical fiber to the reinforcing working part such that a relative positional relationship between the embedded optical fiber and the outside optical fiber becomes the same as that at the fusion splicing working part; and reinforcing a spliced portion between the embedded optical fiber and the outside optical fiber while a tension is applied to the embedded optical fiber and the outside optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: SEI Optifrontier Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichiro Sato, Hiroyasu Toyooka, Hiroshi Takayanagi
  • Publication number: 20130240499
    Abstract: A plasma electrode for a plasma cutting device consisting of a hollow cylindrical electrode body at whose front side a centric core holder directed in the interior of the electrode, arranged on the front side for the mounting of an emitting electrode core is arranged, wherein in the interior of the electrode body a cooling tube is arranged, through which an axial coolant flow flows, characterized in that the cooling tube is held position secured at least partially with its face on the core holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: HOLMA AG
    Inventor: Manfred Hollberg
  • Patent number: 8519306
    Abstract: A glow plug including a pressure sensor (830) and a heater (150). The glow plug includes a position-defining member which defines the positional relationship between the pressure sensor (830) and the heater (150) and has a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the heater. The pressure sensor (830) is fixed at a predetermined sensor reference position relative to the position-defining member. The heater (150) is held by a heater-holding member (820) in such manner that an attachment position A of the heater-holding member to the heater can be displaced, with a change in external pressure, relative to a predetermined heater reference position defined by the position-defining member. A displacement transmission member (840) is arranged between the heater (150) and the pressure sensor (830) so as to transmit displacement of the heater (150) to the pressure sensor (830).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Itoh, Shunsuke Maeda, Masanori Suda, Toshiyuki Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 8461487
    Abstract: A system for forming high quality silicon material, e.g., polysilicon. In a specific embodiment, the melted material comprises a silicon material and an impurity, e.g., phosphorous species. The system includes a crucible having an interior region. In a specific embodiment, the crucible is made of a suitable material such as a quartz material or others. The quartz material is capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 1400 Degrees Celsius for processing silicon. In a specific embodiment, the crucible is configured in an upright position and has an open region to expose a melted material. In a specific embodiment, the present system has an energy source. Such energy source may be an arc heater or other suitable heating device, including multiple heating devices, which may be the same or different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventors: Masahiro Hoshino, Cheng C. Kao
  • Publication number: 20130140291
    Abstract: A glass substrate slicing apparatus is disclosed, which comprises a laser emitting device and a slicing device. The laser emitting device is adapted to emit a laser beam onto a surface of a glass substrate to be sliced so as to form micro-grooves on the surface of the glass substrate; and the slicing device is adapted to slice the glass substrate at locations of the micro-grooves, and comprises a wheel cutter fixing device and a diamond wheel cutter fixed on the wheel cutter fixing device. A laser beam is emitted by the laser emitting device to form micro-grooves on a surface of the glass substrate so that a diamond wheel cutter can be inserted into the micro-grooves to slice the glass substrate at locations of the micro-grooves. As a result, the frictional force between the diamond wheel cutter and the glass substrate can be enhanced to prevent slipping of the diamond wheel cutter during the slicing process, thus improving the slicing accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Zhuang Zhuang, Jung-Mao Tsai, Shiue-Shih Liao, Song-Xian Wen, Ming--Feng Deng
  • Publication number: 20130126513
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a plasma edge region are described. One of the systems includes a top electrode and a bottom electrode. The system also includes an upper electrode extension and a lower electrode extension. At least a portion of the plasma edge region is formed between the upper electrode extension and the lower electrode extension. The system includes a circuit to control a radio frequency signal at the upper electrode extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Alexei Marakhtanov, Rajinder Dhindsa
  • Patent number: 8399808
    Abstract: Systems and methods for forming a time-average line image are disclosed. The method includes forming a line image with a first amount of intensity non-uniformity. The method also includes forming and scanning a secondary image over at least a portion of the line image to form a time-averaged modified line image having a second amount of intensity non-uniformity that is less than the first amount. Wafer emissivity is measured in real time to control the intensity of the secondary image. Temperature is also measured in real time based on the wafer emissivity and reflectivity of the secondary image, and can be used to control the intensity of the secondary image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ultratech, Inc.
    Inventors: Serguei Anikitchev, James T. McWhirter, Joseph E. Gortych
  • Patent number: 8367976
    Abstract: A system of heating a sample on a microchip includes the steps of providing a microchannel flow channel in the microchip; positioning the sample within the microchannel flow channel, providing a laser that directs a laser beam onto the sample for heating the sample; providing the microchannel flow channel with a wall section that receives the laser beam and enables the laser beam to pass through wall section of the microchannel flow channel without being appreciably heated by the laser beam; and providing a carrier fluid in the microchannel flow channel that moves the sample in the microchannel flow channel wherein the carrier fluid is not appreciably heated by the laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Board of Regents, The University of California
    Inventors: Neil Reginald Beer, Ian Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20130011569
    Abstract: A method for arc spraying in which at least one wire-shaped spray filler material is melted in an arc by means of electric current and atomised by means of an atomising gas flow and applied in the form of a particle stream onto a workpiece, at least one wire-shaped spray filler material being preheated before the melting in the arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Jochen Schein, Peter Heinrich, Werner Krömmer
  • Patent number: 8350190
    Abstract: A ceramic electrode for a gliding electric arc system. The ceramic electrode includes a ceramic fin defining a spine, a heel, and a tip. A discharge edge of the ceramic fin defines a diverging profile approximately from the heel of the ceramic fin to the tip of the ceramic fin. A mounting surface coupled to the ceramic fin facilitates mounting the ceramic fin within the gliding electric arc system. One or more ceramic electrodes may be used in the gliding electric arc system or other systems which at least partially oxidize a combustible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Hartvigsen, Michele Hollist, S. Elangovan, Piotr Czernichowski, Merrill Wilson
  • Patent number: 8334480
    Abstract: An electrically heated towel rack including two parallel retractable arms (1,1?) and an electric heating board (2) is provided. Each of the retractable arms has a fixed portion (12) and a retractable portion (14). A connecting member (11) is disposed at one end of the fixed portion (12) for connecting the fixed portion (12) and a wall (3). The electric heating board (2) is rotatably disposed between the two retractable arms (1,1?) and supported by two support members (13), the support members (13) being respectively disposed on inner sides of the retractable portions (14) of the two retractable arms (1,1?). The electric heating board (2) can be an electric glass board. The distance between the electric heating board (2) and the wall (3) can be adjusted by pushing or pulling the retractable portions (14). Alternatively, the electric heating board (2) can be rotated to a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Materials Enterprises Company Limited
    Inventor: Wing Yiu Yeung
  • Patent number: 8240169
    Abstract: A vitreous silica crucible manufacturing apparatus includes a plurality of carbon electrodes configured to heat and melt raw material powder by arc discharge, and a value of a ratio R2/R1 of a diameter R2 of a front end of each of the carbon electrodes to a diameter R1 of a base end is set in a range of 0.6 to 0.8. Each carbon electrode has a diameter reduction portion formed at a front end position and reduced in diameter from a diameter R3 of a base end side to the diameter R2 of the front end. When a length of the diameter reduction portion is L1, the diameter of the front end is R2, the diameter of the base end is R1, an angle between the axis lines of the carbon electrodes is ?1, and X=(R1?R2)/2, a value of L1?(X/tan(?1/2)) is set in a range of 50 to 150 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Japan Super Quartz Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Fukui, Hiroshi Kishi, Masaki Morikawa
  • Publication number: 20120187103
    Abstract: [Purpose] Provided are a pulse laser machining apparatus and a pulse laser machining method that can improve the accuracy of positioning of an irradiation spot of a pulse laser beam, perform stable micromachining on a surface of a large object to be machined, and increase the speed of the micromachining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: Makoto Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20120190174
    Abstract: There is provided a laser processing method of a sapphire substrate including preparing a sapphire substrate on which plural stacked portions spaced from each other are formed, irradiating a short pulse laser beam from a laser light source, making the laser beam irradiated from the laser light source pass through a beam shaping module, adjusting a position of a light concentrating unit or the sapphire substrate such that the laser beam is concentrated to the inside of the sapphire substrate through the light concentrating unit, and forming a phase transformation area within the sapphire substrate by irradiating the laser beam into the sapphire substrate. The laser beam is introduced into the sapphire substrate while avoiding an area where the stacked portions are formed on the sapphire substrate, so that the phase transformation area is formed within the sapphire substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicants: QMC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Beng So RYU, Byong Shik LEE, Hyeon Sam JANG, Bum Joong KIM
  • Publication number: 20120189252
    Abstract: A receptacle ferrule assembly for a fiber optic receptacle connector. The receptacle ferrule assembly comprises a first lens with first second optical surfaces and a receptacle ferrule body having first and second ends. At least one monolithic optical system is formed in a monolithic receptacle ferrule body and includes a lens formed at the second end of monolithic receptacle ferrule body and an optical surface formed at the first end of monolithic receptacle ferrule body. The optical surface is situated adjacent to, and mated to the second optical surface of the first lens The monolithic optical system is configured, in conjunction with the first lens, to define a receptacle optical pathway from the second end of the monolithic optical system to the first surface of the first lens. According to some embodiments the first lens is a gradient index lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Venkata Adiseshaiah Bhagavatula, Jeffery Alan DeMeritt, Davide Domenico Fortusini, Jacques Gollier, James Phillip Luther
  • Publication number: 20120179030
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a light-emitting component, a light-detecting component, a lock-in amplifier, a frequency generator that is operatively linked to the lock-in amplifier and the light-emitting component, a speaker capable of emitting an audio signal wherein the output audio signal varies depending on the detected fluorescence in the sample, and a visible output of relative fluorescent intensity where the visible output varies depending on the detected fluorescence in the sample. The apparatus may also include a laser that is operatively coupled to the lock-in amplifier through a control switch, and focusing lens or an additional type of filter such as an interference filter, a short-pass filter, a notch filter, a long-pass filter or an infrared filter. The apparatus may be used to identify and/or to remove fluorescent or non-fluorescent material from a sample. Associated methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: James McGreevy, Charles B. Grissom, Ronald M. Jones
  • Patent number: 8217311
    Abstract: A method for instant splicing of an optical fiber to an optical waveguide or bulk material comprises forming a nanometric conductive layer at the interface between the optical fiber and the optical waveguide or bulk material to be spliced, and applying laser radiation to the interface through the fiber optical internally or through the bulk material externally, to produce an arc discharge due to the laser light electric field. The arc discharge melts and diffuses the conductive layer to produce a permanent splice having a low optical loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: KiloLambda Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Ram Oron, Ariela Donval, Doron Nevo, Moshe Oron
  • Patent number: 8217312
    Abstract: Method for heating a fluid, in particular a fluid which is not electrical conductive, where a rotor body (10) which is arranged in a chamber for absorption of the fluid, is rotated with a generally vertical shaft (11). A voltage is applied to a rod shaped electrode (16) which is arranged centrally in a rotor chamber (12) and to an electrode at the bottom (13) of the rotor chamber, for creation of a flame arc, so that a flow of the fluid passing the flame arc is created. The length (L) of the flame arc is held generally stable, preferably constant by controlling the position of the rod shaped electrode (16). The fluid is made enter the rotor chamber (12) so that it is kept outside the flame arc, and that the fluid is provided to flow through the rotor chamber (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: ALU Innovation AS
    Inventor: Karl Venaas
  • Publication number: 20120168422
    Abstract: An intraocular lens comprises an optical element adapted to be implanted within the capsular bag of a human eye. The optical element includes one or more internal layers formed by one or more planes that are moveable relative to one another in order to effect the power of the optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen Boyd, Cary Reich
  • Publication number: 20120168992
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for guiding and distributing high-energy radiation (18), in particular laser radiation, in the tool base body (7) of a bending die (3), in particular a V-shaped die (13), comprising a bending recess (11) in the tool base body (7) and a beam exit opening (17) arranged therein for locally heating a workpiece (2) bearing against a contact surface (10) of the bending die (3) by introducing high-energy radiation (18) from a radiation source (20) arranged outside the tool base body (7) into the tool base body (7) through a beam entry opening (22) and high-energy radiation (18) is discharged to the bending recess (11) through the beam exit opening (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: TRUMPF MASCHINEN AUSTRIA GMBH & CO. KG.
    Inventors: Ferdinand Bammer, Dieter Schuoecker, Thomas Schumi, Gerhard Sperrer