Michael Andrew Kast

US Patent:

6677743, Jan 13, 2004

Filed:

Mar 5, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/264231

Inventors:

Aaron P. Coolidge - Norton MA
Timothy Mason - Uxbridge MA
Michael Kast - Palo Alto CA
Stephen P. Gill - Atherton CA

Assignee:

Foster-Miller, Inc. - Waltham MA

International Classification:

G01R 3100

US Classification:

324126, 324142

Abstract:

A powerline sensor including a housing physically and electrically connectable to a powerline; a number of voltage sensing devices spaced peripherally about the housing, each voltage sensing device having an outer plate, an inner plate, and a dielectric material between the inner and out plates, the inner plates electrically connectable to the powerline, the outer plates electrically isolated form the powerline; and circuitry for sensing the voltage potential between the inner and outer plates to determine the voltage on the powerline.

US Patent:

6703586, Mar 9, 2004

Filed:

Sep 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/245351

Inventors:

Michael A. Kast - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Southwall Technologies, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H05B 300

US Classification:

219203, 219543, 219522

Abstract:

Localized heating of a window, such as a vehicle windshield or sidelight, is provided by dividing an optical coating that is electrically conductive into high and low heating zones. While the conductive coating covers substantially the entirety of the window, the coating is patterned to establish a preselected heating power density pattern. In one application, bus-to-bus dimensions are kept short and opposite polarity high heating zones are placed in a side-by-side relationship, so that the major portion of the window is left unheated and the bus connections may be placed along the same window edge. In another application, the bus-to-bus dimensions are significantly larger, but power concentration is provided by a pattern of isolation lines that narrow the dimensions of current flow through a zone in which heating is desired.

US Patent:

7498183, Mar 3, 2009

Filed:

May 18, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/804473

Inventors:

Rajiv Pethe - Mountain View CA, US
Michael A. Kast - Palo Alto CA, US
Scott C-J. Tseng - Fremont CA, US
Neil Bergstrom - Palo Alto CA, US
Julius Kozak - Antioch CA, US

Assignee:

Southwall Technologies, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01L 21/00

US Classification:

438 21, 438668, 257773

Abstract:

In a method of forming micro traces, stamping techniques are employed to define a target pattern of the micro traces. The stamping is applied to electrically conductive material and may be limited to pressure, but a thermal stamping approach may be utilized. Following the stamping, a portion of the conductive material is removed, leaving the target pattern of conductive micro traces. In the pressure-application step, the pressure or the combination of pressure and temperature is sufficient to at least weaken the integrity of the bulk conductive material along the area of contact. Typically, this step causes shearing of the conductive material. Following the pressure-application step, excess conductive material is removed. In some embodiments of the invention, the thickness of the micro traces is not determined in a single step. The original thickness may be formed using a “seed” material.

US Patent:

20130187636, Jul 25, 2013

Filed:

Jan 3, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/733745

Inventors:

Michael Kast - Palo Alto CA, US
David P. Knight - Mountain View CA, US
Mark A. Parsons - Colorado Springs CO, US
Dennis Saxby - Los Gatos CA, US

International Classification:

G01R 21/00
H01R 43/26

US Classification:

324127, 29825

Abstract:

A power distribution monitoring system is provided that can include a number of features. The system can include a plurality of power line sensing devices configured to attach to individual conductors on a power grid distribution network. In some embodiments, the power line sensors can include a split-core transformer. In some embodiments, a power line sensing device is disposed on each conductor of a three-phase network. The sensing devices can be configured to measure and monitor, among other things, current and electric-field on the conductors. Methods of installing, sealing, and protecting the split-core transformers of the power line sensors are also discussed.

US Patent:

44508689, May 29, 1984

Filed:

Apr 30, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/258966

Inventors:

Eugene F. Duval - Palo Alto CA
David P. Bagshaw - Stanford CA
Michael A. Kast - Menlo Park CA
Gilbert M. Masters - Menlo Park CA
Harry T. Whitehouse - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

F16K 1106

US Classification:

13762529

Abstract:

A freeze protection system allows the working fluid contained in the communicating tubes of the solar collector to drain from both the input and output tubes of the collector when a first predetermined temperature of the working fluid is detected and to fill the collector via both the input and output tubes when a second predetermined temperature is detected. The invention includes valve mechanisms, of the spool valve variety, that communicate the working fluid to be heated to the collector and therefrom to a storage tank, a valve actuator and a sensor. The actuator moves a valve element from a first position for communicating working fluid to be heated from a source to the input tube of the collector and for communicating heated working fluid from the output tube of the collector to a storage facility to a second position for interrupting fluid communication from the source to the collector and for communicating both the input and output tubes of the collector to a drainpipe--draining the collector of working fluid--when the first predetermined temperature level is detected by the sensor. Upon detection of the second predetermined temperature level the sensor causes the actuator to return the valve element to the first position via an intermediate position that closes the drainpipe and temporarily communicates the working fluid to both the input and output tubes of the collector.

US Patent:

43958826, Aug 2, 1983

Filed:

Feb 20, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/236096

Inventors:

Michael A. Kast - Menlo Park CA
David P. Bagshaw - Redwood City CA
Harry T. Whitehouse - Redwood City CA

Assignee:

Sunspool Corporation - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

F03G 706

US Classification:

60527

Abstract:

A support member is used to mount a heat motor and at least one electrical resistance heating element for actuating said heat motor. The support member is made of a thermally conductive material with cylindrical openings which receive the motor and heating element(s). Heat from the resistance element actuates the motor by heat conductance through the support.

US Patent:

59116854, Jun 15, 1999

Filed:

Apr 2, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/832040

Inventors:

Thorsten Siess - Aachen, DE
Helmut Reul - Duren, DE
Gunther Rau - Aachen, DE
Michael Kast - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Guidant Corporation - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

A61M 110

US Classification:

600 16

Abstract:

An intravascular microaxial pump has an integrated configuration that enables both the drive unit as well as the pumping segment to be advanced through a patient's vasculature. The device includes elements that enhance pumping efficiency and performance while minimizing shear and cavitation. Cost reduction is achieved in the reusability of certain components while a manufacturing method reduces the labor involved in the pump's assembly.

US Patent:

45414122, Sep 17, 1985

Filed:

Feb 16, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/466818

Inventors:

David P. Bagshaw - Redwood City CA
Michael A. Kast - Menlo Park CA
Harry T. Whitehouse - Redwood City CA

Assignee:

Sunspool Corporation - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

F24J 302
F16K 1504

US Classification:

126419

Abstract:

A freeze protection system allows the working fluid contained in the communicating tubes of the solar collector to drain from both the input and output tubes of the collector when a first predetermined temperature of the working fluid is detected and to fill the collector via both the input and output tubes when a second predetermined temperature is detected. The invention includes valve mechanism, of the spool valve variety, that communicate the working fluid to be heated to the collector and therefrom to a storage tank, a valve actuator and a sensor. The actuator moves a valve element from a first position for communicating working fluid to be heated from a source to the input tube of the collector and for communicating heated working fluid from the output tube of the collector to a storage facility to a second position for interrupting fluid communication from the source to the collector and for communicating both the input and output tubes of the collector to a drainpipe--draining the collector of working fluid--when the first predetermined temperature level is detected by the sensor. Upon detection of the second predetermined temperature level the sensor causes the actuator to return the valve element to the first position via an intermediate position that closes the drainpipe and temporarily communicates the working fluid to both the input and output tubes of the collector. As part of the invention, a unique holder of a thermally conductive material is provided to hold the power and heater parts of the actuator.