Patrick C Herbert

US Patent:

6501282, Dec 31, 2002

Filed:

Sep 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/677037

Inventors:

Ernst H Dummermuth - Chesterland OH
Patrick C Herbert - Mentor OH
Steven M. Galecki - Painesville OH

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

G01R 2726

US Classification:

324679, 324658

Abstract:

A capacitance comparison circuit determines the relative value of two capacitors, such as may be sensor elements, by monitoring voltage changes caused by charge redistribution between the capacitors when they are series connected and then connected alternately in a first and second polarity across a voltage. The direction of change of voltage at the junction of the capacitors with respect to the switching of polarity of their connection precisely reveals which capacitor is larger. Disconnecting the voltage monitor during the switching reduces switching induced errors.

US Patent:

6583374, Jun 24, 2003

Filed:

Feb 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/788928

Inventors:

Michael J. Knieser - Richmond Heights OH
Richard D. Harris - Solon OH
Robert J. Kretschmann - Bay Village OH
Ernst H. Dummermuth - Chesterland OH
Patrick C. Herbert - Mentor OH

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

B81B 704

US Classification:

200181, 7351419, 7351416, 7351426, 7351432, 7351433, 7351434, 310306, 310309, 438 50, 257415

Abstract:

A microelectricalmechanical system (MEMS) digital isolator may be created in which an actuator such as an electrostatic motor drives a beam against a predefined force set, for example, by another electrostatic motor. When the threshold of the opposing force is overcome, motion of the beam may be sensed by a sensor also attached to the beam. The beam itself is electrically isolated between the locations of the actuator and the sensor. The structure may be incorporated into integrated circuits to provide on-chip isolation.

US Patent:

6593870, Jul 15, 2003

Filed:

Oct 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/982726

Inventors:

Ernst H. Dummermuth - Chesterland OH
Michael J. Knieser - Richmond Heights OH
Patrick C. Herbert - Mentor OH
Jeffrey R. Annis - Waukesha WI
Steven M. Galecki - Concord OH
Richard D. Harris - Solon OH
Mark A. Lucak - Hudson OH
Robert J. Kretschmann - Bay Village OH

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

H03M 100

US Classification:

341155, 438 52, 341143

Abstract:

An isolated-ADC and a method for providing isolated analog-to-digital conversion are disclosed. The isolated-ADC includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS), a comparator, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The MEMS includes a beam element supported from a substrate for movement with respect to an axis, first and second actuators and a sensor. The first and second actuators are capable of exerting respective forces upon the beam element causing the beam element to move in response to analog input and feedback signals, respectively. The sensor detects changes in position of the beam element and produces a position signal indicative thereof. The comparator generates a digital signal based upon a comparison of the position signal with a reference value. Based on the digital signal, the DAC generates the feedback signal, and the isolated-ADC produces a digital output signal.

US Patent:

6803755, Oct 12, 2004

Filed:

Oct 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/001412

Inventors:

Patrick C. Herbert - Mentor OH
Jeffrey R. Annis - Waukesha WI
Jun J. Yao - San Diego CA
Winfred L. Morris - Thousand Oaks CA
Henric Larsson - Oak Park CA
Richard D. Harris - Solon OH
Robert J. Kretschmann - Bay Village OH

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

G01R 3302

US Classification:

324 99R, 324259, 324260, 3241581

Abstract:

In a MEMS device employing a beam supported by transverse arms, potential bowing of the transverse arms caused by fabrication processes, temperature or local self-heating from resistive losses is accommodated by flexible terminations of the transverse arms. Alternatively, this bowing is controlled so as to provide selective biasing to the beam or mechanical advantage in the sensing of beam motion.

US Patent:

6975193, Dec 13, 2005

Filed:

Mar 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/397096

Inventors:

Michael J. Knieser - Fortville IN, US
Richard D. Harris - Solon OH, US
Robert J. Pond - Doylestown OH, US
Louis F. Szabo - Broadview Heights OH, US
Frederick M. Discenzo - Brecksville OH, US
Patrick C. Herbert - Mentor OH, US
Robert J. Kretschmann - Bay Village OH, US
Mark A. Lucak - Hudson OH, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

H01N051/22

US Classification:

335 78, 200181

Abstract:

Microelectromechanical (MEMS) switches are used to implement a flying capacitor circuit transferring of electrical power while preserving electrical isolation for size critical applications where transformers or coupling capacitors would not be practical. In one embodiment, the invention may be used to provide input circuits that present a programmable input impedance. The circuit may be modified to provide for power regulation.

US Patent:

7049806, May 23, 2006

Filed:

Sep 27, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/950886

Inventors:

Patrick C. Herbert - Mentor OH, US
Jeffrey R. Annis - Waukesha WI, US
Jun J. Yao - San Diego CA, US
Winfred L. Morris - Thousand Oaks CA, US
Henric Larsson - Oak Park CA, US
Richard D. Harris - Solon OH, US
Robert J. Kretschmann - Bay Village OH, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

G01R 33/02

US Classification:

324 99R, 3241581, 324259, 324260

Abstract:

In a MEMS device employing a beam supported by transverse arms, potential bowing of the transverse arms caused by fabrication processes, temperature or local self-heating from resistive losses is accommodated by flexible terminations of the transverse arms. Alternatively, this bowing is controlled so as to provide selective biasing to the beam or mechanical advantage in the sensing of beam motion.

US Patent:

7093498, Aug 22, 2006

Filed:

Sep 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/675642

Inventors:

Patrick C. Herbert - Mentor OH, US
Richard D. Harris - Mentor OH, US
Frederick M. Discenzo - Brecksville OH, US
Michael J. Knieser - Fortville IN, US
Robert J. Kretschmann - Bay Village OH, US
Mark A. Lucak - Hudson OH, US
Robert J. Pond - Doylestown OH, US
Louis F. Szabo - Broadview Heights OH, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

G01B 7/16

US Classification:

73778

Abstract:

A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) strain gauge includes at least one flexible arm that can be caused to oscillate. Transverse strain on the arm changes the resonant frequency of the arm. A detector communicating with the flexible arm may detect the frequency of oscillation to provide, an indication of the transverse strain of the substrate.

US Patent:

7391610, Jun 24, 2008

Filed:

Sep 29, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/536751

Inventors:

Ronald E. Schultz - Solon OH, US
Kenwood H. Hall - Hudson OH, US
Patrick C. Herbert - Mentor OH, US
Douglas R. Bodmann - Shaker Heights OH, US
Daniel E. Killian - Eastlake OH, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

H05K 7/20

US Classification:

361688, 361704, 361715, 361716, 361719, 165 803

Abstract:

An electronic module and chassis/module installation are disclosed. The installation comprises a chassis including a metallic heat input region. An electronic module including an electronic component is adapted to be connected to the chassis. An uninterrupted thermal pathway thermally connects the electronic component of the module to the heat input region of the chassis. The thermal pathway comprises a chimney, a heat channel thermally connected to the chimney, and a heat output block thermally connected to the heat channel. A first electrically insulative non-metallic layer thermally couples the chimney to the electronic component. A second electrically insulative non-metallic layer thermally couples the heat output block to the chassis heat input region.