Material Deposition Or Application (e.g., Spraying, Coating) Patents (Class 700/123)
  • Patent number: 12145325
    Abstract: A vibration welding device has a first tool being with a vibration welding head arranged at a first support, wherein the vibration welding head vibrates in use in a first plane, and the first tool receives a first component, a second tool arranged at a second support, wherein the second tool receives a second component or a stack of welded components. The first and the second support are movable with respect to each other at least along a second axis perpendicular to the first plane from an initial position to a vibration welding position. A clamping arrangement having at least two oppositely arranged clamping devices, each having a clamping surface which is moveable along the first axis between a clamping position and open position, wherein in the clamping position, movement of the second component or the stack of welded components at least along the first axis is hindered during vibration welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Branson Ultraschall Niederlassung der Emerson Technologies Gmbh & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Silvio Fuchs, Bruno Collatz, L'udovit Šipoš
  • Patent number: 11440130
    Abstract: A method of controlling operation of an electron beam gun and wire feeder during deposition of pools of molten matter onto a substrate to form beads upon solidification of the molten matter. The method includes providing a substrate and a wire source. A molten pool of liquid phase metal is formed on the substrate by melting the wire utilizing an electron beam generated by an electron beam gun. The liquid metal solidifies into a solid phase. A controller utilizes data from a sensor to adjust a process perimeter based, at least in part, on data generated by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Karen M. Taminger, Robert A. Hafley, Joseph N. Zalameda, Christopher S. Domack, Brian L. Taminger, Eric R. Burke, Richard E. Martin, William J. Seufzer, Theresa A. Butler
  • Patent number: 11351769
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of synchronous-pore layered materials. Also disclosed is a device for the conduct of the process. In further aspects, the invention relates to layered materials which can be produced by the process, and also to wood-composite boards equipped with the layered materials produced by the process of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Flooring Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Norbert Kalwa, Joachim Hasch, Bernd Stiewe
  • Patent number: 11173571
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method, system and apparatus for cladding a surface of an articles subject to corrosive, erosive or abrasive wear, such as impact or grinding tools. The method includes providing a supply of stock material and feeding the stock material towards a portion of the surface of the article via a dedicated feed source. A dedicated heat source heats the fed stock material and the portion of the surface of the article such that the heated stock material and the portion of the surface at least partially melt. Upon removal of the heat, the molten feedstock and the surface portion form a bonded coating layer on at least a portion of the surface of the article, thereby protecting that part of the assembly against wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: LaserBond Limited
    Inventor: Gregory Hooper
  • Patent number: 10836102
    Abstract: A layerwise production method of a tangible object (8). A layer of uncured building material is provided onto a carrier (4, 30). Repeatedly, method cycles are performed, each comprising: providing layer data corresponding to an object layer, selectively exposing the layer of building material based on the layer data for curing thereof, and providing a next layer of building material onto the preceding layer. Each method cycle further includes verifying the cured preceding layer for identifying regions of insufficiently cured building material, and adapting a radiation dose locally for the next layer dependent on whether or not a location to be exposed in accordance with the layer data of the next layer coincides with one of the identified regions of insufficiently cured building material in the preceding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Erwin Rinaldo Meinders, Herman Hendrikus Maalderink
  • Patent number: 10648099
    Abstract: A plating method capable of saving a substrate in an event of a failure of a transporter, a plating tank, or other component when the substrate is being plated is disclosed. The plating method includes: transporting a plurality of substrates to a plurality of plating tanks, respectively, with a transporter; immersing the plurality of substrates in a plating solution held in the plurality of plating tanks to plate the plurality of substrates; detecting a failure that has occurred in the transporter or a post-processing tank; and replacing the plating solution in the plurality of plating tanks with a preservative liquid to thereby immerse the plurality of substrates in the preservative liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryuya Koizumi, Masashi Shimoyama, Mizuki Nagai
  • Patent number: 10500641
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus including a build chamber, build platform lowerable in the chamber so layers of flowable material can successively form across the platform, laser for generating a laser beam, scanning unit for directing the laser beam onto each layer to selectively solidify the material and a processor for controlling the scanning unit. The processor controls the scanning unit directs the laser beam to solidify a selected area of material by advancing the laser beam many times along a scan path. On each pass, the laser beam solidifies spaced apart sections of the scan path, each subsequent pass solidifying sections that are located between sections solidified on a previous pass. The processor controls the scanning unit to direct the laser beam to solidify selected area of material by solidifying sub-millimetre sized sections of non-continuously area and in an order such that consecutively solidified sections are spaced apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventors: Michael Joseph McClelland, Ceri Brown, Ravi Guttamindapalli Aswathanarayanaswamy
  • Patent number: 10493480
    Abstract: The present application discloses an automatic powder cleaning process and device for wheel bolt holes. The device comprises a vacuum pump, a steady pressure tank, a powder cleaning robot, a powder cleaning gun, a control system and accessories. According to the process and the device, shielded protection is canceled, and powder at the mounting part of a wheel bolt hole is automatically cleaned, so that the process and the device are suitable for various wheel products, and the labor and the labor cost are reduced; the problems that a lot of different types of protective plugs needed for wheels are inconvenient to customize and store and high in cost are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: CITIC DICASTAL CO., LTD
    Inventors: Zaide Wang, Huanming Ma, Hongtao Wang, Zhiwei Qin, Bo Ning, Lei Bao
  • Patent number: 9987646
    Abstract: A bonding material applying apparatus includes a syringe in which a bonding material is filled. The syringe includes a discharge nozzle disposed at a tip thereof to discharge the bonding material filled in the syringe. A compressed air supply mechanism supplies compressed air to the syringe and discharges the bonding material from the discharge nozzle. When a discharge interval from the end of discharge to the start of discharge of the bonding material lasts for a certain time or longer, the compressed air supply mechanism supplies the compressed air for a time, which is shorter than a discharge time necessary to discharge the bonding material, to such an extent that the bonding material is substantially not discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobumichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 9738145
    Abstract: A method for forming a seal or cover on an opening of a vehicle body. An extruded strand made of an elastomer material is adhered to a body support surface which receives the strand, and the support surface and/or a strand surface to be adhered is supplied with adhesive material prior to the adhesion process. The supply of adhesive material is controlled according to an adhesive material quantity requirement based on the strand length, the requirement changing in the longitudinal direction of the support surface, as a result of depressions and/or steps for example, and/or according to an arrangement of the strand surface to be adhered on the strand, the arrangement changing in the longitudinal direction of the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: CQLT SaarGummi Technologies S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Christian Kast, Frank Michaely, Klaus Morawski
  • Patent number: 9031685
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for atomic layer deposition (ALD) is described. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber body having a contiguous internal volume comprised of a first deposition region spaced-apart from a second deposition region, the chamber body having a feature operable to minimize intermixing of gases between the first and the second deposition regions, a first gas port formed in the chamber body and positioned to pulse gas preferentially to the first deposition region to enable a first deposition process to be performed in the first deposition region, and a second gas port formed in the chamber body and positioned to pulse gas preferentially to the second deposition region to enable a second deposition process to be performed in the second deposition region is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry L. Chin, Alfred W. Mak, Lawrence C. Lei, Ming Xi, Hua Chung, Ken Kaung Lai, Jeong Soo Byun
  • Publication number: 20150105896
    Abstract: A process for operating an axial skinning apparatus for continuous manufacture of skinned ceramic honeycomb parts, including: determining the physical process parameters of the apparatus including: the rheology of the flowable skin cement; the geometry of the part to be skinned; and the geometry of the annulus gap of the skinning chamber; and calculating a plurality of dimensionless pressure gradient values (Lambda (?)) according to the formula (1): ? = ( ? ? ? P ) ? R 2 ? m ? ? L ? ( R V ) n ( 1 ) where ?P, P, R, V, L, and m and n are as defined herein; plotting a plurality of manifold pressures versus a plurality of part velocities; and selecting at least one operating window based on the skin quality of a plurality of preliminarily skinned parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Ralph Henry Hagg, Parasuram Padmanabhan Harihara, John Paul Bir Singh, Srinivasa Rao Vaddiraju
  • Patent number: 8996156
    Abstract: A method and system for automated repair of a machine component is provided. According to the proposed method, a first geometry of the component, including a damaged portion of the component, is digitalized. A trough is then machined over the damaged portion of the component. The machining is numerically controlled using digitalized geometrical data of the first geometry of the component. A second geometry of the component is then digitalized subsequent to the machining, the second geometry including the trough. Subsequently, a material is deposited over the trough. The deposition of the material is numerically controlled digitalized geometrical data of the second geometry of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Torsten Melzer-Jokisch, Dimitrios Thomaidis, Rolf Wilkenhöner
  • Patent number: 8935090
    Abstract: An energy map for a motor vehicle and an energy mapping system for making the energy map are disclosed. The energy map includes energy information related to energy consumption and energy recharging of various power sources along various roadway segments. The energy mapping system may include a navigation system for a motor vehicle comprising a GPS receiver, various energy level sensors, and an electronic control unit. A probe vehicle may be used to measure energy consumption and energy recharging for various power sources. The energy mapping system may also include a service provider. The navigation system may measure energy levels for the various power sources along various roadway segments and transmit the measurements to the service provider. The service provider may then associate differences in the measured energy levels for each of the various power sources with the various roadway segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Mineta
  • Patent number: 8868224
    Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for use in processing a paint batch. As an example, a system and method can include an input software mechanism for receiving input data related to the paint batch. Volatile organic compound software instructions are configured to determine an addition amount of solvent to add to the paint batch. The addition amount of solvent is determined based upon the input related to the paint batch and upon pre-specified criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: The Sherwin-Williams Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Triolo, Joseph J. Jaccoi
  • Patent number: 8689732
    Abstract: A system for creating a wood like appearance on a synthetic component including a sales client device, a network, computer instructions for creating a work order, a tray with scannable tray identifier to hold a synthetic component, a production client device connected to the network with computer instructions for applying a base coat, a glaze, and a top coat to the synthetic component as it automatically moves on a conveyer system a portion of which is connected to the production client device. A scannable tray identifier with a plurality of sensors link the tray identifier to the work order for authenticating and validating the location of the tray on the conveyor system, or initiating an alerting device. The system has a plurality of temperature control environments to simultaneously control heating of the synthetic component while spraying, drying and UV curing with spray treatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Glasscraft Door Company
    Inventors: John B. Plummer, Matthew James O'Shea, Joseph Gene Denley
  • Patent number: 8626330
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for atomic layer deposition (ALD) is described. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber body having a contiguous internal volume comprised of a first deposition region spaced-apart from a second deposition region, the chamber body having a feature operable to minimize intermixing of gases between the first and the second deposition regions, a first gas port formed in the chamber body and positioned to pulse gas preferentially to the first deposition region to enable a first deposition process to be performed in the first deposition region, and a second gas port formed in the chamber body and positioned to pulse gas preferentially to the second deposition region to enable a second deposition process to be performed in the second deposition region is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry L. Chin, Alfred W. Mak, Lawrence Chung-Lai Lei, Ming Xi, Hua Chung, Ken Kaung Lai, Jeong Soo Byun
  • Patent number: 8554353
    Abstract: A fabrication processing system is used to produce copper indium gallium selenide (CuIn1-xGaxSe2 or CIGS) thin film solar cells, more particularly to a fabrication processing system CIGS of thin film solar cells, equipped with real-time analysis facilities for profiling the elemental components of CIGS thin film using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. The system provides a process control system for determining whether abnormalities are present or not by measuring a physical and chemical properties on a continuous production process lines of CIGS thin film solar cell in real time, and performs a production and quality management at the same time by providing a feedback to CIGS fabrication process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Sungho Jeong, Seokhee Lee, Hee-Sang Shim
  • Patent number: 8518308
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a nozzle assembly configured to extrude material through an outlet; and a controllable robotic arm coupled to the nozzle assembly, the robotic arm having at one end a gripper configured to pick up an element and deposit the element at a desired position relative to the extruded material. The element may be one of: a reinforcement member for a structure being constructed; a segment of a plumbing pipe; an electric network component; and a tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventor: Behrokh Khoshnevis
  • Patent number: 8391999
    Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing semiconductor devices is disclosed. An embodiment comprises using desired device parameters to choose an initial manufacturing recipe. Once chosen, the initial manufacturing recipe may be modified by determining and applying an offset adjustment based on previous manufacturing to tune the recipes for the particular equipment to be utilized in the manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jui-Long Chen, Hui-Yun Chao, Chia-Tong Ho
  • Patent number: 8230290
    Abstract: A method for retransmitting signals in a MIMO system that uses an HARQ scheme is provided. In the method, an additional codeword-to-layer mapping scheme for retransmission in a MIMO system that uses an HARQ scheme is defined and used to efficiently retransmit signals. In addition, required information is obtained using existing control information to more efficiently retransmit signals in terms of control signal overhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ji Ae Seok, Jae Hoon Chung
  • Patent number: 8195323
    Abstract: Described herein is a system for controlling advance of a web material having characteristics of extensibility and comprising successive stretches of web for the production of respective articles, such as sanitary articles. In the passage from a delivery assembly to a treatment station functioning cyclically, the web material is subjected to extension. In order to ensure proper alignment of the individual articles with patterns or decorations provided thereon, the web must be fed to the treatment station in phase with the position reached by the treatment station within its operating cycle. A position sensor enables detection, for each stretch of web, of a real position of operation of the treatment station used for feeding the stretch of web itself to the treatment station with the aforesaid given phase relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Fameccanica. Data S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giambattista Simone
  • Patent number: 8171879
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus having various types of elements including a substrate carrier member for performing a substrate processing; and a control section in which a remote operation information transmitted from a remote control unit in a remote place through a communication network is provided only when there is an allow setting of a remote operation by a worker of the substrate processing apparatus with the safety of the remote operation work being confirmed, and the various types of elements are controlled based on the provided remote operation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Takuya Mori
  • Patent number: 8046095
    Abstract: A substrate processing system (100) includes a main transfer line (20) configured to transfer wafers (W) over the entire system, and an auxiliary transfer line (30) configured to transfer wafers (W) inside a photolithography process section (1a). The photolithography process section (1a) is arranged such that a resist coating process apparatus (2) and a developing process apparatus (5) are disposed separately from each other, a first light exposure process apparatus (3a) and a first PEB process apparatus (4a) are disposed adjacent to each other, and a second light exposure process apparatus (3b) and a second PEB process apparatus (4b) are disposed adjacent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Yuichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8041442
    Abstract: A process for selecting a surrogate part for metallic plating, the metallic plating of the surrogate part predicting results for the metallic plating of a new or predetermined part is disclosed. The process can include providing a reinforcement learning system having a memory circuitry and a processing circuitry. The memory circuitry can have a database with data associated with a plurality of surrogate parts and data associated with the predetermined part can be entered into the data input module. The processing circuitry can compare the data associated with each of the plurality of surrogate parts and the data associated with the predetermined part and select a surrogate part that affords predicting a plating result of the predetermined part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Richard Muehlhauser, Andrew Raymond Nowasielski
  • Patent number: 8029258
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a nozzle assembly configured to extrude material through an outlet; and a controllable robotic arm coupled to the nozzle assembly, the robotic arm having at one end a gripper configured to pick up an element and deposit the element at a desired position relative to the extruded material. The element may be one of: a reinforcement member for a structure being constructed; a segment of a plumbing pipe; an electric network component; and a tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventor: Behrokh Khoshnevis
  • Patent number: 8027746
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for atomic layer deposition (ALD) is described. The apparatus comprises a deposition chamber and a wafer support. The deposition chamber is divided into two or more deposition regions that are integrally connected one to another. The wafer support is movable between the two or more interconnected deposition regions within the deposition chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry L. Chin, Alfred W. Mak, Lawrence Chung-Lai Lei, Ming Xi, Hua Chung, Ken Kaung Lai, Jeong Soo Byun
  • Patent number: 8010228
    Abstract: A sensor on a semiconductor wafer is used as a process monitor and a capacitor is employed as a power supply for the sensor. The capacitor can be formed by stacking a poly-silicon layer and a silicon nitride layer on the wafer. A timer can be used to specify an operation time or an operation timing, etc. Furthermore, unauthorized use is prevented by storing a keyword in an ROM of the process monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Yuasa
  • Patent number: 7974727
    Abstract: A volume element (voxel) printing system for printing a three-dimensional object includes a first printhead group having a plurality of first printheads configured to print a first voxel layer on a substrate; at least one second printhead group having a plurality of second printheads downstream from the first group, the second printhead group configured to print a subsequent voxel layer on at least part of the first layer, said second printheads being reconfigurable as backup printheads for the first printheads in case of failure; a conveyor configured to convey the substrate past the printhead groups; and a control system configured to control and monitor the printhead groups, the object insertion device, and the conveyor, and dynamically to reconfigure the second printheads upon detection of failure of a first printhead. The at least one second printhead group is vertically spaced from the substrate by a greater distance than the first printhead group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7953274
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing a stain to match a target color of a selected substrate (e.g., wood species). The apparatus may include a computer and hardware and/or software to store a database of stain records, create or load spectral data (e.g., a digital image) of a target sample, and display images and/or process spectral data. The apparatus may facilitate stain selection, and may also dispense colorant agents and/or vehicles to create stains. The apparatus may be used in a “manual” mode (whereby a human compares database and target images and makes a selection); an “automatic” mode (whereby the computer suggests a match based on the selected substrate); or a “combination” mode (whereby the computer suggests a match and the user can then compare the suggested match with various images to achieve a final selection).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Valspar Sourcing, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Sara, Robert W Springate, Sanford Lee Hertz, Andrew Ubel
  • Patent number: 7912569
    Abstract: A method for generating data for a jetting program, includes the steps of: a) obtaining substrate data for a substrate, which is to be provided with deposits and components; and b) for each component which is to be placed on the substrate: —fetching component data for the component from said substrate data; and—selecting a matching predefined deposit pattern, comprising at least one deposit, which matches a desired deposit pattern for said component data, wherein the deposit pattern comprises, for the/each deposit, deposit data comprising deposit extension and deposit position; or—if no matching predefined deposit pattern exists, defining a deposit pattern, comprising at least one deposit, for the component data, comprising the step of defining, for the/each deposit, deposit data, which step comprises determining deposit extension and deposit position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Mydata Automation AB
    Inventors: Jens Byléhn, Håkan Sandell, William Holm
  • Patent number: 7912570
    Abstract: An accompanying document for a printing substrate, which is to be printed in a printing press, is configured as an electronic data set that is stored in a memory of an RFID tag. Data relating to a production-preparatory generation of an adhesive surface, on the printing substrate to be fed to the printing press, is written into the data set. Data relating to the manufacturer of the printing substrate of to its supplier, and data relating to the manufacture of the printing substrate are also written into the data set. In the case of a commercial unit having a printing substrate that has been only partially printed during a production run of the printing press, the data set can be supplemented with data which, at least, characterizes an event. The event could relate to a break in the printing substrate or to changes to the commercial unit which occurred during the production process that was implemented in the printing press using the printing substrate of the commercial unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Erwin Paul Josef Lehrieder
  • Patent number: 7867922
    Abstract: The present invention is a film forming method for an SiOCH film, comprising a unit-film-forming step including: a deposition step of depositing an SiOCH film element by using an organic silicon compound as a raw material and by using a plasma CVD method; and a hydrogen plasma processing step of providing a hydrogen plasma process to the deposited SiOCH film element, wherein the unit-film-forming step is repeated several times so as to form an SiOCH film on a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Shinji Ide, Yasuhiro Oshima, Yusaku Kashiwagi
  • Patent number: 7860597
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for atomic layer deposition (ALD) is described. The apparatus comprises a deposition chamber and a wafer support. The deposition chamber is divided into two or more deposition regions that are integrally connected one to another. The wafer support is movable between the two or more interconnected deposition regions within the deposition chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry L. Chin, Alfred W. Mak, Lawrence Chung-Lai Lei, Ming Xi, Hua Chung, Ken Kaung Lai, Jeong Soo Byun
  • Patent number: 7840303
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing a coating weight control calculation and an apparatus for generating an activation timing of each process in coating weight control are separately managed. A strip welding point pass event, a completion event of scan measurement of a steel strip in a width direction by a coating weight gauge, and a constant period event are related respectively to activation timings of preset control, feedback control and feedforward control respectively of a coating weight. In a coating weight control apparatus and method, the activation timing generation apparatus is equipped with a function of calculating a timing of changing a pressure reference avoiding insufficient coating in accordance with response characteristics of a pressure as an operation terminal, and if a target coating weight is changed from thin coating to thick coating, generating a preset control activation reference in accordance with the calculation result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Kayama
  • Patent number: 7805280
    Abstract: A method for analyzing technical processes is disclosed, which is characterized in that measuring data of the technical process is generated by at least one decentralized measuring unit, image data associated with a mechanical course of the technical process is produced by at least one decentralized image detection unit, the measuring data stored in the at least one decentralized measuring unit and the image data stored in the at least one image detection unit is provided with a time stamp available to all systems, the measuring and image data are transmitted to a central detection unit where said data is displayed and/or processed in a time-synchronous manner using the time stamp function. Since time stamping is carried out directly in situ, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rupert Maier, Ralf Sykosch
  • Patent number: 7721006
    Abstract: A generic device controller unit system (10) includes a generic “true real time” peripheral device controller and a data and protocol communications interface that uses a common set of instructions from a meta-message set. The system (10) is generic, in that the system (10) is capable of connecting a processor (40) to any number of various peripheral devices (50), instead of being designed to interconnect a processor (40) only to a specific peripheral device (50). The system (10) interfaces between a standard non-true real time operating system and peripheral devices (50) in such a manner as to employ true real time peripheral device control using the meta-message set. The device controller of the system (10) allows a standard non-true real time operating system to send instructions from the meta-message set to implement true real time control of peripheral devices (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: James Morrow
  • Patent number: 7693597
    Abstract: A substrate processing method for removing a resist film from a substrate having the resist film formed thereon comprises maintaining the inner region of the chamber at a prescribed temperature by putting a substrate in a chamber, denaturing the resist film by supplying ozone and a water vapor in such a manner that ozone is supplied into the chamber while a water vapor is supplied into the chamber at a prescribed flow rate, the amount of ozone relative to the amount of the water vapor being adjusted such that the dew formation within the chamber is prevented, and processing the substrate with a prescribed liquid material so as to remove the denatured resist film from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Mitsunori Nakamori, Tadashi Iino, Noritaka Uchida, Takehiko Orii
  • Patent number: 7684887
    Abstract: For monitoring production data, a grouping table in which machines are grouped into machine groups, machine components are grouped into machine component groups, chip manufacturing recipes are grouped into recipe groups or chip manufacturing parameters are grouped into parameter groups is used, whereby a considerable improvement in the comparability of the production data to be monitored is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Almuth Behrisch, Thomas Darnhofer-Demar, Hans-Peter Erb
  • Publication number: 20090139170
    Abstract: Floor covering that is composed of a plurality of hard floor panels (2), wherein, on the one hand, the floor panels (2) show a common general decor (3), however, on the other hand, among the floor panels (2) showing the common general decor (3), also floor panels (2) are present that differ from each other in respect to their appearance and/or on their own have zones of a differing appearance, wherein these floor panels (2), at least at two opposite sides or edges thereof, are provided with coupling parts (6-7) allowing that two of such floor panels (2) can cooperate with each other at these sides, and wherein at least some of the floor panels (2) possess at least one chamfer (8-28), such as a beveled edge or the like, wherein the surfaces of these chamfers (8-28) are provided, at least partially, with a separately applied decorative covering (10, 10A-10B) consisting at least of a decorative layer (11), characterized in that the appearance of said decorative covering (10, 10A-10B) is realized in a manner vary
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventor: Bernard Thiers
  • Patent number: 7524378
    Abstract: A maintenance system of a substrate processing apparatus, including a remote operation unit for operating the substrate processing apparatus from a remote place by transmitting a remote operation information to a side of the substrate processing apparatus through a communication network and providing the remote operation information to the substrate processing apparatus, and a communication control unit for receiving the remote operation information transmitted to the side of the substrate processing apparatus and providing the remote operation information to the substrate processing apparatus. The communication control unit provides the remote operation information to the substrate processing apparatus only when there is an allow setting for the remote operation by a worker in the side of the substrate processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Takuya Mori
  • Publication number: 20090055014
    Abstract: An accompanying document for a printing substrate, which is to be printed in a printing press, is configured as an electronic data set that is stored in a memory of an RFID tag. Data relating to a production-preparatory generation of an adhesive surface, on the printing substrate to be fed to the printing press, is written into the data set. Data relating to the manufacturer of the printing substrate of to its supplier, and data relating to the manufacture of the printing substrate are also written into the data set. In the case of a commercial unit having a printing substrate that has been only partially printed during a production run of the printing press, the data set can be supplemented with data which, at least, characterizes an event. The event could relate to a break in the printing substrate or to changes to the commercial unit which occurred during the production process that was implemented in the printing press using the printing substrate of the commercial unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Erwin Paul Josef Lehrieder
  • Patent number: 7485338
    Abstract: A method for precursor delivery includes transferring a precursor vapor from a precursor vaporization system to an intermediate precursor chamber, collecting the precursor vapor in the intermediate precursor chamber, flowing a process gas containing the collected precursor vapor to a process chamber, and exposing a substrate in the process chamber to the process gas to deposit a layer including at least one element from the precursor vapor on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Jacques Faguet
  • Publication number: 20090005897
    Abstract: A chemical or chemical compound (L) is supplied via at least two displacement pumps (1, 4) to a common supply line (11), through which the chemical or chemical compound (L) is supplied to the operating device (12) of a fibrous web machine. Each pump (1, 4) has a corresponding electric actuator (2, 5) which is equipped with a corresponding control drive (3, 6). The fibrous web machine has a measuring device (8; 8a, 8b) for determining the phase angles of at least the first and second actuators (2,5). A control signal based on the determined phase angle information is formed and transmitted to the first control drive (3), based on the control signal, the difference between the first and second electric actuators (2, 5) is adjusted. An electric synchronization signal between the control drives (3, 6) maintains the difference between the phase angles electric actuators (2, 5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: METSO PAPER, INC.
    Inventors: Ilkka Roitto, Tapio Nikola, Alf Robertsson, Ari Murronmaa, Petri Jokiranta, John Bergman
  • Patent number: 7460924
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for electrostatically aided atomization and dispensing of coating material. The apparatus includes a power supply for supplying operating potential and a coating dispensing device remote from the power supply. The coating dispensing device includes an input/output (I/O) device. The I/O device includes at least one indicator for selectively indicating a commanded state of the power supply and a fault state of at least one of the power supply and the coating dispensing device. A pair of conductors couple the I/O device to the power supply. Commands are coupled from the I/O device to the power supply. Commanded state information and fault state information are coupled from the power supply to the I/O device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Alexander, Gene P. Altenberger, Varce E. Howe, Michael C. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 7452196
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a nozzle assembly configured to extrude material through an outlet; and a controllable robotic arm coupled to the nozzle assembly, the robotic arm having at one end a gripper configured to pick up an element and deposit the element at a desired position relative to the extruded material. The element may be one of: a reinforcement member for a structure being constructed; a segment of a plumbing pipe; an electric network component; and a tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventor: Behrokh Khoshnevis
  • Patent number: 7437206
    Abstract: The invention provides a model-based control approach to chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) control. The preferred embodiment comprises mathematical models of the CMP process. These models play a critical role in obtaining superior control performance. Model-based Control Design involves the construction of a dynamic mathematical model of the system to be controlled, e.g. a removal rate model of a CMP system. The model can then be evaluated via computer simulations, and validated using data from the system. The invention provides a method and apparatus that processes in-situ data from a suite of real-time sensors and produces real-time commands to multiple actuators, such as applied pressures, slurry-flow rate, and wafer/pad velocity. A key aspect of the invention is an integrated model-based pressure-temperature-velocity-slurry flow control system that includes many innovations in real-time mode identification, real-time gain estimation, and real-time control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: SC Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk de Roover, Abbas Emami-Naeini, Jon Lloyd Ebert
  • Patent number: 7433752
    Abstract: The controller and method of the invention generate control instructions for a rotary machine that coats bottles. Gas is supplied to processing stations holding the bottles via a pressure management system. The processing stations are centrally controlled by a programmable PLC or microcontroller with an input device and display terminal. Since rotary machines need to be controlled differently depending on the type of bottles and the type of coating, different programs should be interactively created using the input device and display terminal, which then control the individual components of the rotary machine and the processing stations during the coating process. This eliminates unnecessary errors resulting from preparation of the different programs individually by a normal user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Peter Eimann, Patrick Johannes, Felix Petry, Hartmut Eggert, Peter Woerner, Matthias Bicker
  • Patent number: 7424411
    Abstract: The group creation part divides n ion particles into groups of a group G1, a group G2, . . . , and a group Gk. The individual area setting part sets an initial condition calculation area 1a, as an individual area of the group G1, and makes the calculation part calculate movement of the ion particle. Then, one by one, the individual area setting part sets an individual area of a group Gi+1, based on a range Rp, a dispersion ?L, etc. indicating a calculation result of an ion particle belonging to the group Gi. Further, the individual area setting part implants an ion particle belonging to the group Gi+1 into the individual area of the group Gi+1 and makes the calculation part calculate movement of the implanted ion particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Sanae Ito
  • Patent number: RE45067
    Abstract: The invention concerns a contactless numerical printing machine for products of average fluidity, such as varnish, glue, and conducting or scratchable ink, onto a substrate of variable thickness and dimensions. The machine includes a special device for printing without contact by projection. The projected materials are materials of average fluidity or composed of large-dimension molecules. The process used includes an electro-acoustic device for control of the projection, and a multiplicity of projection nozzles, each controlled individually. The machine also includes a production chain with different work stations, whose printing devices are controlled by a computer management system. The production chain allows printing with a certain precision in given zones located during the processing by an appropriate work station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: MGI France
    Inventors: Edmond Abergel, Raphael Renaud