Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Novx Corporation

Noux Corporation

Steven Bernard Heymann

Aleksey Klochkov

Juan Guerrero

Edward Anthony Oldynski

Peter Gefter

Lyle Dwight Nelsen

Mark E Hogsett

Gee Kuen Chong

Leslie Wayne Partridge

Matthew Thomas Antonelli

Carl Newberg

Greenberry Bedford Brown

Noel Verbiest

Joseph Cassio

Ionizing blower

Systems and methods for sterilization using nonthermal plasma (NTP) ionization are disclosed. An example method for inactivation of viable microorganisms includes: inactivating viable microorganisms in a predetermined volume by: installing a plurality of ceiling mounted direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC), bipolar or steady-state, ion emitter modules based on a geometry of the predetermined volume; and producing, using the plurality of ceiling mounted ion emitter modules, a DC or AC, bipolar or steady-state, nonthermal plasma (NTP), each of the ceiling mounted ion emitter modules comprising a high voltage power supply (HVPS).

Systems and methods for sterilization using nonthermal plasma generation

Automatic emitter point cleaners are disclosed. An automatic emitter point cleaning system includes: a fan configured to direct a stream of air through an air path; a point emitter configured to produce at least one of positive ions or negative ions within or proximate to the air path; a brush; a first gear coupled to the brush and configured to move the brush into contact with the point emitter; a second gear to engage the first gear; and a motor to actuate the second gear such that the second gear actuates the first gear to move the brush past the point emitter.

Automatic emitter point cleaners

Ionizing bar

An example apparatus for charge neutralization includes: a first emitter nozzle; a power supply configured to supply a high frequency alternating current (AC) signal to the first emitter nozzle; control circuitry configured to: provide a polarity signal to the power supply to generate a DC offset signal, wherein a combination of the high frequency AC signal and the DC offset signal causes the power supply to output a positive ion generation pulse or a negative ion generation pulse; control the polarity signal to cause the power supply to provide a period of positive ion generation and a period of negative ion generation; determine a balance voltage at an output of the first emitter nozzle; and control the polarity signal to adjust a relative durations of the period of positive ion generation and the period of negative ion generation based on the balance voltage.

Methods and apparatus for adaptive charge neutralization

An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for detecting electrostatic discharges (ESD) events, comprising: an ESD detector configured to determine at least one process window that will permit the ESD detector to detect an ESD event; at least one antenna coupled to said ESD detector; and said ESD detector calibrated for at least one discharge energy. Another embodiment of the invention provides: a method for detecting electrostatic discharges (ESD) events, comprising: determining at least one process window that will permit an ESD detector to detect an ESD event; and calibrating the ESD detector for at least one discharge energy.

In-tool ESD events selective monitoring method and apparatus

In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for electrostatic discharges (ESD) events monitoring incorporating a charged device model event simulator (CDMES) unit comprises: at least one antenna positioned in a process area; an ESD detector coupled to said at least one antenna; said ESD detector wirelessly coupled to said CDMES unit; and said ESD detector calibrated for different discharge energies generated by said CDMES unit.

In-tool ESD events monitoring method and apparatus

Methods and apparatus for static charge neutralization in variable pressure environments are disclosed. In particular, barrier discharge ionization apparatus may include a hollow dielectric channel disposed within a variable pressure environment and may have at least one open end, a reference emitter disposed on the outer surface of the channel, and a high voltage electrode disposed within the channel. The high voltage electrode may present a high intensity electric field to the reference emitter through the dielectric channel in response to the provision of a variable-waveform signal dictated by conditions in the variable pressure environment. This results in the generation of a plasma region with electrically balanced charge carriers within the variable pressure environment due to barrier discharge occurring at the interface of the reference emitter and the outer surface of the dielectric channel. The disclosed apparatus are compatible with either radio frequency or micro-pulse voltage power supplies.

Barrier discharge charge neutralization

Linear ionizing bar

Ionizing bars for delivering charged carriers to charge neutralization target objects may include an ion emitter for establishing an ion cloud of charge carriers in response to application of an ionizing voltage. Disclosed bars may also include a reference electrode that presents a non-ionizing electric field to urge ions to move away from the ion emitter. The disclosed bars may also include a manifold. The manifold may receive and divide gas into plural gas streams directed past the ion emitter in a pattern to thereby urge charge carriers toward the target. The manifold may have plural apertures with nozzled inserts received therein. At least some of the inserts may have at least one aperture through which gas may flow and the nozzle inserts may collectively direct the divided gas streams away from the manifold and toward the target in one or more predetermined patterns.

Growing community of inventors

Los Gatos, CA, United States of America

Steven Bernard Heymann