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Steen, NY

Paul H. Steen, Ithaca, NY US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110036691LIQUID SWITCHES AND SWITCHING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS THEREOF - A dispensing apparatus includes a housing defining a channel, a plunger slidably engaged with an inner surface of the channel, a substrate with one or more passages each having two or more openings, a liquid in each of the one or more passages, at least one fluid, and a force application system. The substrate is disposed in the channel on one side of the plunger. The liquid in each of the one or more passages has a volume which exceeds an internal volume of each the one or more passages and forms a liquid drop around each of the openings. The liquid drops are fluidly connected to one another and each of the liquid drops is individually adjustable between two or more sizes. Each of the sizes and a location of each of the liquid drops define one of two or more switch positions. The fluid is located in the channel on the one side of the plunger and substantially surrounding the liquid drops. The force application system is configured to individually and selectively apply a force on the liquid in each of the one or more passages to control switching between the two or more switch positions of each of the liquid drops. Engaging one or more of the switch positions moves the plunger along the inner surface of the channel away from the substrate.02-17-2011

Patent applications by Paul H. Steen, Ithaca, NY US

Steven Steen, Peekskill, NY US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080286660DAMASCENE RETICLE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF - A method for manufacturing an optical projection reticle employs a damascene process. First feature recesses are etched into a projection reticle mask plate which is transmissive or transparent. Then feature recesses are tilled with a radiation transmissivity modifying material comprising a partially transmissive material and/or a radiation absorber for absorbing actinic radiation. Sacrificial materials may be added to the recess temporarily prior to filling the recess to provide gaps juxtaposed with the material filling the recess. Thereafter, the sacrificial materials are removed. Then the projection mask is planarized leaving feature recesses filled with transmissivity modifying material, and any gaps desired. The projection mask is planarized while retained in a fixture holding it in place during polishing with a polishing tool and a slurry.11-20-2008

Steven E. Steen, Peekskill, NY US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080203137SUBSTRATE BONDING METHODS AND SYSTEM INCLUDING MONITORING - Bonding methods and a bonding system including monitoring are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of monitoring bonding a first and second substrate includes: providing a plurality of piezoelectric sensors to a substrate mounting stage of a substrate bonding system; and monitoring a force change measured by the plurality of piezoelectric sensors induced by a bond front between the first and second substrate during bonding. This method allows real time monitoring of the bonding quality and adjustment of the bonding process parameters.08-28-2008
20080206977METHODS OF FORMING WIRING TO TRANSISTOR AND RELATED TRANSISTOR - Methods of wiring to a transistor and a related transistor are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes a method of forming wiring to a transistor, the method comprising: forming a transistor on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate using masks that are mirror images of an intended layout, the forming including forming a gate and a source/drain region for each and a channel, the SOI substrate including a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) layer, a buried insulator layer and a silicon substrate; forming a dielectric layer over the transistor; bonding the dielectric layer to another substrate; removing the silicon substrate from the SOI substrate to the buried insulator layer; forming a contact to each of the source/drain region and the gate from a channel side of the gate; and forming at least one wiring to the contacts on the channel side of the gate.08-28-2008
20080217782METHOD FOR PREPARING 2-DIMENSIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES FOR INTEGRATION IN A THIRD DIMENSION - A method which is intended to facilitate and/or simplify the process of fabricating interlayer vias by selective modification of the FEOL film stack on a transfer wafer is provided. Specifically, the present invention provides a method in which two dimensional devices are prepared for subsequent integration in a third dimension at the transition between normal FEOL processes by using an existing interlayer contact mask to define regions in which layers of undesirable dielectrics and metal are selectively removed and refilled with a middle-of-the-line (MOL) compatible dielectric film. As presented, the inventive method is compatible with standard FEOL/MOL integration schemes, and it guarantees a homogeneous dielectric film stack specifically in areas where interlayer contacts are to be formed, thus allowing the option of a straightforward integration path, if desired.09-11-2008
20090202952SUBLITHOGRAPHIC PATTERNING METHOD INCORPORATING A SELF-ALIGNED SINGLE MASK PROCESS - A method of implementing sub-lithographic patterning of a semiconductor device includes forming a first set of patterned features with a single lithography step, the initial set of patterned features characterized by a linewidth and spacing therebetween; forming a first set of sidewall spacers on the first set of patterned features, and thereafter removing the first set of patterned features so as to define a second set of patterned features based on the geometry of the first set of sidewall spacers; and performing one or more additional iterations of forming subsequent sets of sidewall spacers on subsequent sets of patterned features, followed by removal of the subsequent sets of patterned features, wherein a given set of patterned features is based on the geometry of an associated set of sidewall spacers formed prior thereto, and wherein a final of the subsequent sets of patterned features is characterized by a sub-lithographic dimension.08-13-2009
20090251698METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COLLECTING ALIGNMENT DATA FROM COATED CHIPS OR WAFERS - A process and system for determining alignment data for features on wafers or chips when a wafer or chip is substantially coated by an over bump applied material, e.g. a resin or film, and using that data to align the wafers or chips for subsequent operations such as dicing or joining. Position data for alignment is produced by identifying a location of an at least partially obscured feature by varying the depth of focus upon a work piece to determine an SNR approximating a maximum value from an image captured by optical scanning. An SNR above a threshold value can be employed.10-08-2009
20090259321System and Method for Virtual Control of Laboratory Equipment - A system for virtual control of electronic laboratory equipment includes a local computer system. One or more items of electronic laboratory equipment are connected to the local computer system. Each item of electronic laboratory equipment has a physical control panel including one or more displays or controls. A virtual control panel generation unit generates a virtual control panel accessible from a remote computer system. The virtual control panel is substantially similar to the physical control panel in appearance. A command interpretation unit monitors interaction between the remote user and the virtual control panel and generates electronic laboratory equipment commands for exploiting the functionality of the electronic laboratory equipment.10-15-2009
20100133616METHODS OF FORMING WIRING TO TRANSISTOR AND RELATED TRANSISTOR - Methods of wiring to a transistor and a related transistor are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes a method of forming wiring to a transistor, the method comprising: forming a transistor on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate using masks that are mirror images of an intended layout, the forming including forming a gate and a source/drain region for each and a channel, the SOI substrate including a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) layer, a buried insulator layer and a silicon substrate; forming a dielectric layer over the transistor; bonding the dielectric layer to another substrate; removing the silicon substrate from the SOI substrate to the buried insulator layer; forming a contact to each of the source/drain region and the gate from a channel side of the gate; and forming at least one wiring to the contacts on the channel side of the gate.06-03-2010

Patent applications by Steven E. Steen, Peekskill, NY US

Steven Erik Steen, Peekskill, NY US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090050486Enhanced Magnetic Plating Method and Apparatus - An apparatus for plating a magnetic film on a substrate includes: a track including a plurality of stopping points along the track; a permanent magnet placed on the track such that the permanent magnet can be moved along the track towards and away from the stopping points; at least one plating tank positioned on the stopping point; and a removable high permeability iron flux concentrator inserted into gaps between the substrate and inside walls of the plating tank, substantially surrounding the substrate and extending around and under the substrate.02-26-2009
20100037933SOLAR CELL PANELS AND METHOD OF FABRICATING SAME - A solar cell panel and method of forming a solar cell panel. The method includes a: forming an electrically conductive bus bar on a top surface of a bottom cover plate; forming an electrically conductive contact frame proximate to a bottom surface of a top cover plate, the top cover plate transparent to visible light; and placing an array of rows and columns of solar cell chips between the bottom cover plate and the top cover plate, each solar cell chip of the array of solar cell chips comprising an anode adjacent to a top surface and a cathode adjacent to a bottom surface of the solar cell chip, the bus bar electrically contacting each anode of each solar cell chip of the array of solar cell chips and the contact frame contacting each anode of each solar cell chip of the array of solar cell chips.02-18-2010
20100037939METHODS OF FABRICATING SOLAR CELL CHIPS - A method of fabricating solar cell chips. The method includes creating an integrated circuit chip process route for fabricating integrated circuit chips using integrated circuit wafers in an integrated circuit fabrication facility; creating a solar cell process route for fabricating solar cells using solar cell wafers in the integrated circuit fabrication facility; releasing integrated circuit chip wafers and solar cell wafers into tool queues of tools of the an integrated circuit fabrication facility; and processing the solar cell wafers on at least some tools of the integrated circuit fabrication facility used to process the integrated circuit wafers. Also the process used to fabricate the solar cell chips.02-18-2010
20100188774PLANAR MAGNETIC WRITER HAVING OFFSET PORTIONS - A magnetic head in one embodiment includes a bottom pole; a top pole positioned above a plane extending through the bottom pole and parallel to a plane of deposition of the bottom pole, wherein the top pole is at least partially offset from the bottom pole in a direction parallel to a plane of deposition of the top pole; a first write gap in the top pole; and a first coil for generating a magnetic flux across the first write gap. A method in one embodiment includes forming a bottom pole; forming a top pole above a plane extending through the bottom pole and parallel to a plane of deposition of the bottom pole, wherein the top pole is at least partially offset from the bottom pole in a direction parallel to a plane of deposition of the top pole, wherein at least one write gap is formed in the top pole; forming side poles for coupling the top and bottom poles; and forming a first coil for generating a magnetic flux across the first write gap.07-29-2010
20100297800SOLAR CELL PANELS AND METHOD OF FABRICATING SAME - A solar cell panel and method of forming a solar cell panel. The method includes a: forming an electrically conductive bus bar on a top surface of a bottom cover plate; forming an electrically conductive contact frame proximate to a bottom surface of a top cover plate, the top cover plate transparent to visible light; and placing an array of rows and columns of solar cell chips between the bottom cover plate and the top cover plate, each solar cell chip of the array of solar cell chips comprising an anode adjacent to a top surface and a cathode adjacent to a bottom surface of the solar cell chip, the bus bar electrically contacting each anode of each solar cell chip of the array of solar cell chips and the contact frame contacting each anode of each solar cell chip of the array of solar cell chips.11-25-2010
20100304519METHOD OF FABRICATING SOLAR CELL CHIPS - A method of fabricating solar cell chips. The method includes creating an integrated circuit chip process route for fabricating integrated circuit chips using integrated circuit wafers in an integrated circuit fabrication facility; creating a solar cell process route for fabricating solar cells using solar cell wafers in the integrated circuit fabrication facility; releasing integrated circuit chip wafers and solar cell wafers into tool queues of tools of the an integrated circuit fabrication facility; and processing the solar cell wafers on at least some tools of the integrated circuit fabrication facility used to process the integrated circuit wafers. Also the process used to fabricate the solar cell chips.12-02-2010

Steven Erik Steen, Yorktown Heights, NY US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100279454Method of Manufacturing a Solar Cell - A method of manufacturing a solar cell. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate, applying a first dopant to a first surface, applying a second dopant to a second surface, covering the doped first surface with a hard mask, applying a third dopant to the substrate side, removing the hard mask, applying a pattern of first electrical contacts to the doping pattern, and applying a pattern of second electrical contacts to the doped second surface, the pattern of second electrical contacts and the doping pattern being straight-lined opposed.11-04-2010

Thomas Steen, Ballston Spa, NY US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100278672METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LUBRICATING A SCREW PUMP SYSTEM - A pump system includes inlet chambers, an outlet chamber, and rotors disposed inside the inlet chambers and the outlet chamber to pump a process fluid from the inlet chambers to the outlet chamber and to direct the process fluid to a separator. A gear chamber is configured to receive a portion of the process fluid from the separator. First and second sets of pump bearings are coupled to the rotors and lubricated by the portion of the process fluid flowing from the gear chamber. A conduit is configured to direct the portion of the process fluid from the pump bearings back to the gear chamber. Some of the portion of the process fluid lubricating the pump bearings is permitted to leak to the inlet chambers. Additional process fluid is continually added to the portion of the process fluid to compensate for fluid leaking to the inlet chambers.11-04-2010
20100278673METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING FLUID FLOW WITHIN A SCREW PUMP SYSTEM - In a pump system, a process fluid is directed into inlet chambers of a pump casing at an inlet pressure, and a plurality of rotors disposed inside the pump casing are rotated to pump the process fluid from the inlet chambers to an outlet chamber located between the inlet chambers, wherein the process fluid in the outlet chambers is at an outlet pressure. The process fluid is directed from the outlet chamber to a separator configured to separate particulate matter from the process fluid, and a portion of separated process fluid is directed from the separator to a gear chamber of the pump. Pump bearings are lubricated with the portion of separated process fluid from the gear chamber. Some of the portion of the separated process fluid from the pump bearing is leaked to the inlet chambers via rotor shrouds to reduce accumulation of particulate matter in the inlet chambers.11-04-2010

Thomas Lowell Steen, Ballston Spa, NY US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100136323SYSTEM FOR THERMAL PROTECTION AND DAMPING OF VIBRATIONS AND ACOUSTICS - A protective shield for a device exposed to heat includes a granular fill layer, a nano particle layer, a metallic foam layer, a thermal barrier coating, or combinations thereof. The shield is configured for providing thermal resistance, and damping of vibrations, and acoustics to the device.06-03-2010
20110103987PUMP SYSTEM - The present invention provides a pump system comprising a bearing housing coupled to a pump liner, the pump liner defining a fluid conduit, the pump liner comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; and at least one rotor having a first rotor portion and a second rotor portion, the first rotor portion being disposed within the fluid conduit and the second rotor portion being disposed within the bearing housing; the first rotor portion comprising a first conveying stage adjacent to the bearing housing, and a second conveying stage adjacent to the first conveying stage, the first and second conveying stages being configured to convey a fluid, the first conveying stage being configured to convey the fluid from the bearing housing into the fluid conduit. The new pump systems rely on a dynamic restriction to reduce the need for mechanical seals between bearing housings and raw process fluid.05-05-2011