Patents by Inventor James D. Bielick
James D. Bielick has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240170903Abstract: A controlled extraction of an electronic connector from an electronic circuit board includes a press mechanism of a device positioned in spaced relation over a base fixture of the device. The base fixture receiving an electronic circuit board which includes a connector. Shafts of a removal tool of the press mechanism can be inserted into a series of openings in the connector, respectively, in response to applying a downward force to the press mechanism. A capturing element on each of the shafts can be actuated where the capturing element couples to a wall defining the opening of each of the openings. The connector can be removed from the electronic circuit board by applying an upward force to the press mechanism which removes the connector with the capturing element of the shafts coupled to the wall of the opening, and releasing the press mechanism from the base fixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2022Publication date: May 23, 2024Inventors: Theron Lee Lewis, Timothy P. Younger, David J. Braun, James D. Bielick, John R. Dangler, Stephen Michael Hugo, Timothy Jennings
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Publication number: 20240138064Abstract: A method of fabricating a multilayer circuit board is provided which includes forming a layer of a the multilayer circuit board with an internal clearance region having a modified voltage-to-ground clearance of conductive material adjacent to an aperture of the multilayer circuit board. The modified voltage-to-ground clearance of conductive material is based on a configuration of a connector pin to be press-fit connected within the aperture of the multilayer circuit board, and the internal clearance region is enlarged in a direction of greatest normal force outward from the aperture with insertion of the connector pin into the aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2022Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: James D. BIELICK, Theron Lee LEWIS, David J. BRAUN, John R. DANGLER, Timothy P. YOUNGER, Stephen Michael HUGO, Timothy JENNINGS
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Patent number: 11906574Abstract: Aspects include a hybrid socket dynamic warp indicator for socket connector systems and methods of using the same to measure the warpage of a printed circuit board assembly. The method can include providing a printed circuit board having a plurality of pads and a socket. A warp indicator having a plurality of solder joint connections and a resistor array is electrically coupled to the printed circuit board to build a printed circuit board assembly. The printed circuit board assembly is subjected to a thermal event. A resistance across the resistor array is measured after the thermal event. A number of separations between one or more pads of the printed circuit board and one or more solder joint connections of the warp indicator is determined based on a change in the resistance. A defective warpage condition for the socket is determined based on the number of separations.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Stephen Michael Hugo, Theron Lee Lewis, Timothy Jennings, Timothy P. Younger, David J. Braun, Jennifer I. Bennett, John R. Dangler, James D. Bielick
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Patent number: 11699884Abstract: An apparatus for grounding a heatsink utilizing an EMC spring press-fit pin includes a printed circuit board, a logic chip, a heatsink, and a grounding member, where the grounding member includes an integrated spring and a first terminal pin at a first end of the grounding member. The logic chip is electrically coupled to the printed circuit board and the heatsink is disposed on a top surface of the logic chip. The first terminal pin at the first end of the grounding member is disposed in a plated-through hole of the printed circuit, where the grounding member is configured to electrically couple the heatsink to the printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2020Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: David J. Braun, John R. Dangler, Timothy P. Younger, James D. Bielick, Stephen Michael Hugo, Theron Lee Lewis, Jennifer I. Bennett, Timothy Jennings
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Publication number: 20230178922Abstract: A first apparatus includes an electrical connector with an outer shell and an inner wafer, where the inner wafer is configured to slide into a cavity of the outer shell. The first apparatus further includes a shape-memory alloy coupled to a void in the outer shell and configured to interfere with an area on the inner wafer. A second apparatus includes an OTS connector with an outer shell and an inner wafer, where the inner wafer is configured to slide into a cavity of the outer shell. The second apparatus further includes a plurality of SMT leads of the inner wafer configured to mount onto a plurality of landing pads on a PCBA. The second apparatus includes a shape-memory alloy coupled to a void in the outer shell and configured to interfere with the inner wafer preventing movement of the inner wafer within the outer shell of OTS connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2021Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Theron Lee Lewis, David J. Braun, James D. Bielick, John R. Dangler, Timothy P. Younger, Timothy Jennings, Jennifer I. Bennett, Stephen Michael Hugo
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Publication number: 20230009784Abstract: Aspects include a hybrid socket dynamic warp indicator for socket connector systems and methods of using the same to measure the warpage of a printed circuit board assembly. The method can include providing a printed circuit board having a plurality of pads and a socket. A warp indicator having a plurality of solder joint connections and a resistor array is electrically coupled to the printed circuit board to build a printed circuit board assembly. The printed circuit board assembly is subjected to a thermal event. A resistance across the resistor array is measured after the thermal event. A number of separations between one or more pads of the printed circuit board and one or more solder joint connections of the warp indicator is determined based on a change in the resistance. A defective warpage condition for the socket is determined based on the number of separations.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2021Publication date: January 12, 2023Inventors: Stephen Michael Hugo, Theron Lee Lewis, Timothy Jennings, Timothy P. Younger, David J. Braun, Jennifer I. Bennett, John R. Dangler, James D. Bielick
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Patent number: 11445650Abstract: Provided is a system for removing an electronic component from a printed circuit board (PCB). The system may comprise a heating well configured to hold a rework liquid. The system may further comprise a head system configured to create a liquid-tight seal around an electronic component. The system may further comprise a nozzle and a mechanical capture device disposed within the head system. The mechanical capture device may be configured to attach to the electronic component. The system may further comprise a controller. The controller may be configured to release the rework liquid through the nozzle and onto the electronic component and lift the electronic component off the PCB.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Theron Lee Lewis, Jennifer I. Bennett, James D. Bielick, David J. Braun, John R. Dangler, Stephen Michael Hugo, Timothy Jennings, Timothy P. Younger
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Patent number: 11268809Abstract: A method adjusts a mechanical process on a material in order to improve bonding characteristics of the material. A system collects surface micro-roughness measurements of a material, and places discrete sampling regions on the material. The system analyzes the surface micro-roughness measurements for each of the discrete sampling regions on the material, and identifies a lowest micro-roughness measurement in a discrete sampling region from a plurality of discrete sampling regions on the material. The system compares the lowest micro-roughness measurement to a threshold micro-roughness measurement in order to determine that the lowest micro-roughness measurement is less than the threshold micro-roughness measurement.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2018Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Jennifer Bennett, James D. Bielick, David J. Braun, Timothy P. Younger, Theron L. Lewis, Stephen M. Hugo, John R. Dangler, Timothy A. Bartsch
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Patent number: 11245238Abstract: A tool is provided for shaping contact tab interconnects at a circuit card edge. The tool includes a base member with a slot to receive a circuit card edge. The slot is sized such that the edge of the circuit card is slidable lengthwise within the slot. The tool further includes shaping dowels disposed within the base member, including at least two shaping dowels that define a set of adjacent shaping dowels extending at an angle relative to each other. The set of adjacent shaping dowels are exposed, at least in part, within the slot so that with lengthwise sliding of the edge of the circuit card within the slot, the edge of the circuit card contacts and slides across the set of adjacent shaping dowels rounding off, at least in part, ends of the contact tab interconnects at the edge of the circuit card.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2018Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Timothy P. Younger, Theron L. Lewis, James D. Bielick, Jennifer Bennett, David J. Braun, Tim Bartsch, John R. Dangler, Stephen M. Hugo
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Publication number: 20220029361Abstract: An apparatus for grounding a heatsink utilizing an EMC spring press-fit pin includes a printed circuit board, a logic chip, a heatsink, and a grounding member, where the grounding member includes an integrated spring and a first terminal pin at a first end of the grounding member. The logic chip is electrically coupled to the printed circuit board and the heatsink is disposed on a top surface of the logic chip. The first terminal pin at the first end of the grounding member is disposed in a plated-through hole of the printed circuit, where the grounding member is configured to electrically couple the heatsink to the printed circuit board.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2020Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: David J. Braun, John R. Dangler, Timothy P. Younger, James D. Bielick, Stephen Michael Hugo, Theron Lee Lewis, Jennifer I. Bennett, Timothy Jennings
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Patent number: 11175100Abstract: A heat sink assembly can comprise a heat sink and a shaping element made of a shape memory material. The shaping element is incorporated into the heat sink assembly in an assembly shape. An actuation energy can cause the shape memory material to change the shaping element to an actuation shape, and the actuation shape can produce a thermal coupling shape in the heat sink. A method comprises forming a shaping element, of a shape memory material, into an actuation shape. The method includes re-forming the shaping element from the actuation shape into an assembly shape and incorporating the shaping element in a heat sink assembly that includes a heat sink. In the method, applying an actuation energy causes the shape memory material to change the shaping element from the assembly shape to the actuation shape to produce a thermal coupling shape in the heat sink.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Theron L. Lewis, David J. Braun, Jennifer I. Bennett, James D. Bielick, John R. Dangler, Timothy P. Younger, Stephen M. Hugo, Timothy Jennings
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Publication number: 20210120712Abstract: Provided is a system for removing an electronic component from a printed circuit board (PCB). The system may comprise a heating well configured to hold a rework liquid. The system may further comprise a head system configured to create a liquid-tight seal around an electronic component. The system may further comprise a nozzle and a mechanical capture device disposed within the head system. The mechanical capture device may be configured to attach to the electronic component. The system may further comprise a controller. The controller may be configured to release the rework liquid through the nozzle and onto the electronic component and lift the electronic component off the PCB.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2019Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Theron Lee Lewis, Jennifer I. Bennett, James D. Bielick, David J. Braun, John R. Dangler, Stephen Michael Hugo, Timothy Jennings, Timothy P. Younger
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Patent number: 10881007Abstract: Methods for refurbishing a circuitry device are disclosed. The methods described herein include applying a first flux to solder contacts connecting a first member of a circuitry device to a second member of the circuitry device; performing a first setting process on the circuitry device with the first flux; applying a second flux to the solder contacts of the circuitry device; performing a second setting process on the circuitry device; and reflowing the solder contacts.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2017Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Tim A. Bartsch, James D. Bielick, David J. Braun, Jennifer I. Bennett, Timothy P. Younger
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Publication number: 20200355442Abstract: A heat sink assembly can comprise a heat sink and a shaping element made of a shape memory material. The shaping element is incorporated into the heat sink assembly in an assembly shape. An actuation energy can cause the shape memory material to change the shaping element to an actuation shape, and the actuation shape can produce a thermal coupling shape in the heat sink. A method comprises forming a shaping element, of a shape memory material, into an actuation shape. The method includes re-forming the shaping element from the actuation shape into an assembly shape and incorporating the shaping element in a heat sink assembly that includes a heat sink. In the method, applying an actuation energy causes the shape memory material to change the shaping element from the assembly shape to the actuation shape to produce a thermal coupling shape in the heat sink.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2019Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventors: Theron L. Lewis, David J. Braun, Jennifer I. Bennett, James D. Bielick, John R. Dangler, Timothy P. Younger, Stephen M. Hugo, Timothy Jennings
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Patent number: 10677856Abstract: Fabrication of a reliable circuit board assembly with press-fit connectors is facilitated by identifying a press-fit-connector-to-circuit board connection of a circuit board assembly for testing, with one or more press-fit connector pins of the connector being press-fit into one or more corresponding plated through-holes of the circuit board at a first surface of the circuit board. An electrically insulative liquid is applied at a second surface of the circuit board to the corresponding plated through-hole(s) with the press-fit pin(s), where the second surface and the first surface are opposite surfaces of the circuit board. Connection of the press-fit pin(s) to the corresponding plated through-hole(s) is tested to identify a connection failure, where the electrically insulative liquid facilitates identifying the connection failure. A fabrication adjustment to the circuit board assembly can be identified and implemented to address the identified connection failure.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2018Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Stephen M. Hugo, Tim Bartsch, James D. Bielick, David J. Braun, John R. Dangler, Theron L. Lewis, Jennifer Bennett, Timothy P. Younger
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Publication number: 20200141726Abstract: A method adjusts a mechanical process on a material in order to improve bonding characteristics of the material. A system collects surface micro-roughness measurements of a material, and places discrete sampling regions on the material. The system analyzes the surface micro-roughness measurements for each of the discrete sampling regions on the material, and identifies a lowest micro-roughness measurement in a discrete sampling region from a plurality of discrete sampling regions on the material. The system compares the lowest micro-roughness measurement to a threshold micro-roughness measurement in order to determine that the lowest micro-roughness measurement is less than the threshold micro-roughness measurement.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: JENNIFER BENNETT, JAMES D. BIELICK, DAVID J. BRAUN, TIMOTHY P. YOUNGER, THERON L. LEWIS, STEPHEN M. HUGO, JOHN R. DANGLER, TIMOTHY A. BARTSCH
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Publication number: 20200119507Abstract: Tools and methods are provided for shaping contact tab interconnects at a circuit card edge. The tool includes a base member with a slot to receive a circuit card edge. The slot is sized such that the edge of the circuit card is slidable lengthwise within the slot. The tool further includes shaping dowels disposed within the base member, including at least two shaping dowels that define a set of adjacent shaping dowels extending at an angle relative to each other. The set of adjacent shaping dowels are exposed, at least in part, within the slot. In operation, with lengthwise sliding of the edge of the circuit card within the slot, the edge of the circuit card contacts and slides across the set of adjacent shaping dowels to round off, at least in part, ends of the contact tab interconnects at the edge of the circuit card.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2018Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Timothy P. YOUNGER, Theron L. LEWIS, James D. BIELICK, Jennifer BENNETT, David J. BRAUN, Tim BARTSCH, John R. DANGLER, Stephen M. HUGO
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Patent number: 10593601Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a dye and pry process for removing quad flat no-lead (QFN) packages and bottom termination components (BTC) from card assemblies. Aspects of the invention include immersing a semiconductor package assembly in a solution comprising dye and placing the immersed semiconductor package assembly under vacuum pressure. Vacuum conditions ensure that the dye solution is pulled into any cracks in the solder formed between the semiconductor package assembly and the QFN package or BTC. The package assembly is dried and a hole is drilled to expose a bottom surface of the QFN package or BTC. The QFN package or BTC is then removed by applying a force to the exposed bottom surface. The semiconductor package assembly can then be inspected for the dye to locate cracks.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2019Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Tim A. Bartsch, Jennifer Bennett, James D. Bielick, David J. Braun, John R. Dangler, Stephen M. Hugo, Theron L. Lewis, Timothy P. Younger
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Patent number: 10575448Abstract: An apparatus for grounding a heat sink utilizing shape-memory alloy includes a printed circuit board, a logic chip, a heat sink, and a first grounding member, wherein the first grounding member is a shape-memory alloy. The apparatus further includes the logic chip electrically coupled to the printed circuit board and the heat sink disposed on a top surface of the logic chip. The apparatus further includes a first end of the first grounding member electrically coupled to the heat sink, wherein a second end of the grounding first member is disposed on a first ground land of the printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2018Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Theron L. Lewis, Timothy P. Younger, David J. Braun, James D. Bielick, Jennifer Bennett, Stephen M. Hugo, John R. Dangler
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Publication number: 20200057102Abstract: Fabrication of a reliable circuit board assembly with press-fit connectors is facilitated by identifying a press-fit-connector-to-circuit board connection of a circuit board assembly for testing, with one or more press-fit connector pins of the connector being press-fit into one or more corresponding plated through-holes of the circuit board at a first surface of the circuit board. An electrically insulative liquid is applied at a second surface of the circuit board to the corresponding plated through-hole(s) with the press-fit pin(s), where the second surface and the first surface are opposite surfaces of the circuit board. Connection of the press-fit pin(s) to the corresponding plated through-hole(s) is tested to identify a connection failure, where the electrically insulative liquid facilitates identifying the connection failure. A fabrication adjustment to the circuit board assembly can be identified and implemented to address the identified connection failure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2018Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: Stephen M. HUGO, Tim BARTSCH, James D. BIELICK, David J. BRAUN, John R. DANGLER, Theron L. LEWIS, Jennifer BENNETT, Timothy P. YOUNGER