Patents by Inventor Paul N. Shepherd

Paul N. Shepherd 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).

  • Patent number: 6711029
    Abstract: A low temperature co-fired ceramic assembly (LTCC) with a constraining core of differing dielectric constants that minimizes shrinkage of the outer ceramic layers during firing. The ceramic assembly has a planar ceramic core. The core has a first ceramic layer with a first dielectric constant and a second ceramic layer adjacent to the first ceramic layer. The second ceramic layer has a second dielectric constant. A third ceramic layer has a third dielectric constant. A fourth ceramic layer has a fourth dielectric constant. The ceramic core is located between the third and the fourth ceramic layers. Several electrically conductive vias extend through the first, second, third and fourth ceramic layers. Several circuit features are located on the first, second, third and fourth ceramic layers. The vias electrically connect the circuit features on the layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip S. Fisher, Charles O. Jordan, Paul N. Shepherd
  • Publication number: 20030218870
    Abstract: A low temperature co-fired ceramic assembly (LTCC) with a constraining core of differing dielectric constants that minimizes shrinkage of the outer ceramic layers during firing. The ceramic assembly has a planar ceramic core. The core has a first ceramic layer with a first dielectric constant and a second ceramic layer adjacent to the first ceramic layer. The second ceramic layer has a second dielectric constant. A third ceramic layer has a third dielectric constant. A fourth ceramic layer has a fourth dielectric constant. The ceramic core is located between the third and the fourth ceramic layers. Several electrically conductive vias extend through the first, second, third and fourth ceramic layers. Several circuit features are located on the first, second, third and fourth ceramic layers. The vias electrically connect the circuit features on the layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Phillip S. Fisher, Charles O. Jordan, Paul N. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 6560860
    Abstract: A low temperature co-fired ceramic assembly (LTCC) with a constraining core to minimize shrinkage of outer ceramic layers during firing. The outer ceramic layers have high density circuit features. A ceramic core includes several ceramic layers. Several via holes are located in the first and second ceramic layers. Several low density circuit features are located on the ceramic layers that make up the core. Outer ceramic layers are placed top and bottom of the ceramic core. The outer ceramic layers have via holes and high density circuit features. The circuit features patterned on the ceramic layers include resistors, capacitors, circuit lines, vias, inductors, or bond pads. The ceramic core is fired first in a furnace. The outer layers are then laminated to the ceramic core and fired. The ceramic core controls the shrinkage rate of the outer ceramic layers during firing allowing higher density circuit features on the outer layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: Paul N. Shepherd
  • Publication number: 20010018797
    Abstract: A low temperature co-fired ceramic assembly (LTCC) with a constraining core to minimize shrinkage of outer ceramic layers during firing. The outer ceramic layers have high density circuit features. A ceramic core includes several ceramic layers. Several via holes are located in the first and second ceramic layers. Several low density circuit features are located on the ceramic layers that make up the core. Outer ceramic layers are placed top and bottom of the ceramic core. The outer ceramic layers have via holes and high density circuit features. The circuit features patterned on the ceramic layers include resistors, capacitors, circuit lines, vias, inductors, or bond pads. The ceramic core is fired first in a furnace. The outer layers are then laminated to the ceramic core and fired. The ceramic core controls the shrinkage rate of the outer ceramic layers during firing allowing higher density circuit features on the outer layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventor: Paul N. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 6205032
    Abstract: A low temperature co-fired ceramic assembly (LTCC) with a constraining core to minimize shrinkage of outer ceramic layers during firing. The outer ceramic layers have high density circuit features. A ceramic core includes several ceramic layers. Several via holes are located in the first and second ceramic layers. Several low density circuit features are located on the ceramic layers that make up the core. Outer ceramic layers are placed top and bottom of the ceramic core. The outer ceramic layers have via holes and high density circuit features. The circuit features patterned on the ceramic layers include resistors, capacitors, circuit lines, vias, inductors, or bond pads. The ceramic core is fired first in a furnace. The outer layers are then laminated to the ceramic core and fired. The ceramic core controls the shrinkage rate of the outer ceramic layers during firing allowing higher density circuit features on the outer layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: Paul N. Shepherd