Patents by Inventor Thomas G. Ruttan

Thomas G. Ruttan 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: 7604486
    Abstract: Apparatus including a body as an intermediary between a device and a printed circuit board, the body including a contact area defined by a plurality of openings each to accommodate a contact therethrough and an alignment feature adjacent the contact area and protruding from a plane defined by the contact area, wherein a surface of the alignment feature includes a friction-reducing material. A method including contacting an alignment feature of a socket with a friction-reducing material. Apparatus and system including a body as an intermediary between a device and a printed circuit board; a plurality of contacts each disposed through a contact area of the body and oriented to deflect a device in a first direction; and a load plate coupled to the body and configured to apply an actuation force on a device in a different second direction. A method including inserting a device into a socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Martinson, Yupeng Li, Tieyu Zheng, Mandy G. Mistakawi, Thomas G. Ruttan
  • Patent number: 7530814
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a circuit board having integrated contacts to mate with corresponding pads of a semiconductor device. At least some of the integrated contacts are of varying sizes to enable different contact resistances between the corresponding integrated contacts and pads, enabling reduced loading forces to adapt the semiconductor device to the circuit board. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Chandrashekhar Ramaswamy, Thomas G. Ruttan, Mark D. Summers
  • Publication number: 20090081889
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a circuit board having integrated contacts to mate with corresponding pads of a semiconductor device. At least some of the integrated contacts are of varying sizes to enable different contact resistances between the corresponding integrated contacts and pads, enabling reduced loading forces to adapt the semiconductor device to the circuit board. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Chandrashekhar Ramaswamy, Thomas G. Ruttan, Mark D. Summers
  • Patent number: 7479015
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a socket assembly, electronic assembly and electronic system provide current paths for supplying power and I/O signals to a processor. The socket assembly includes a base having an upper surface and a lower surface with a plurality of contacts extending from the upper surface of the base. Each of the contacts is adjacent to another contact such that each of the contacts is part of a differential pair of contacts. Each of the contacts includes a first side and a second side. One of the contacts in each differential pair of contacts is oriented in one direction while the other contact in each differential pair of contacts is oriented in an opposing direction such that the first side of one of the contacts in each differential pair faces in an opposite direction to the first side of the other contacts in each differential pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas G. Ruttan, Tieyu Zheng
  • Publication number: 20080151511
    Abstract: Apparatus including a body as an intermediary between a device and a printed circuit board, the body including a contact area defined by a plurality of openings each to accommodate a contact therethrough and an alignment feature adjacent the contact area and protruding from a plane defined by the contact area, wherein a surface of the alignment feature includes a friction-reducing material. A method including contacting an alignment feature of a socket with a friction-reducing material. Apparatus and system including a body as an intermediary between a device and a printed circuit board; a plurality of contacts each disposed through a contact area of the body and oriented to deflect a device in a first direction; and a load plate coupled to the body and configured to apply an actuation force on a device in a different second direction. A method including inserting a device into a socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Robert R. Martinson, Yupeng Li, Tieyu Zheng, Mandy G. Mistakawi, Thomas G. Ruttan
  • Publication number: 20080003843
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a socket assembly, electronic assembly and electronic system provide current paths for supplying power and I/O signals to a processor. The socket assembly includes a base having an upper surface and a lower surface with a plurality of contacts extending from the upper surface of the base. Each of the contacts is adjacent to another contact such that each of the contacts is part of a differential pair of contacts. Each of the contacts includes a first side and a second side. One of the contacts in each differential pair of contacts is oriented in one direction while the other contact in each differential pair of contacts is oriented in an opposing direction such that the first side of one of the contacts in each differential pair faces in an opposite direction to the first side of the other contacts in each differential pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas G. Ruttan, Tieyu Zheng
  • Patent number: 6884086
    Abstract: A land grid array (LGA) socket is connected to a power converter using compression contact technology eliminating the need for an edge-card connector typically required in such applications. The LGA socket is mounted to the power converter in a single direction of assembly (i.e., the vertical axis).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas G. Ruttan, Ed Stanford, Peter A. Davison, Tony Harrison
  • Patent number: 6752635
    Abstract: A conventional land grid array (LGA) socket assembly uses the same socket contact in the power delivery area and the signal delivery area. Using low current socket contacts in the power delivery area may create self-heating and limit power delivery from a printed circuit board (PCB) to an IC package mounted in the socket. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an LGA socket assembly that has a separate power delivery contact, which includes contact pins and contacts pads that are ganged using a cross beam to form a comb-shaped contact. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, an LGA socket assembly has a shorter channel in the power delivery area than in known LGA socket assemblies. In still another embodiment, an LGA socket assembly has a shorter channel in the power delivery area in the signal delivery area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Damion T. Searls, Thomas G. Ruttan, Jiteender P. Manik
  • Patent number: 6709277
    Abstract: A land grid array (LGA) socket is connected to a power converter using compression contact technology eliminating the need for an edge-card connector typically required in such applications. The LGA socket is mounted to the power converter in a single direction of assembly (i.e., the vertical axis).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas G. Ruttan, Ed Stanford, Peter A. Davison, Tony Harrison
  • Patent number: 6702620
    Abstract: A dual serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) connector that includes a first SATA connector interface, a second SATA connector interface, and a housing. The first SATA connector interface and the second SATA connector interface may be mounted in the housing in a double stack configuration parallel to each other. The first SATA connector interface and the second SATA connector interface may also be mounted in the housing longitudinally in an end-to-end configuration. The footprints on a printed circuit board (PCB) associated with the SATA connector interfaces provide less manufacturing problems and good electrical performance. Dual SATA interfaces on a single connector save PCB space and manufacturing assembly time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Lynch, John C. Schwartz, Robert Schum, Endre C. Veka, Thomas G. Ruttan
  • Patent number: 6700464
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a direct board-to-board coaxial connection fabricated from metal parts that have been stamped and formed is disclosed. The connection allows direct board-to-board coaxial connections with a low cost and ease of manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Yun Ling, Thomas G. Ruttan, Daniel T. Tong
  • Publication number: 20030155989
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a direct board-to-board coaxial connection fabricated from metal parts that have been stamped and formed is disclosed. The connection allows direct board-to-board coaxial connections with a low cost and ease of manufacturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Yun Ling, Thomas G. Ruttan, Daniel T. Tong
  • Patent number: 6535395
    Abstract: A system for delivering power to a processor enables a DC-to-DC converter substrate to be secured to the processor carrier in the Z-axis direction. The ability to assemble the converter to the processor in this way facilitates assembly compared to systems in which the converter is plugged in to the processor carrier in the direction substantially parallel to the surface of the motherboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Joe A. Harrison, Edward R. Stanford, Thomas G. Ruttan
  • Publication number: 20030045175
    Abstract: A dual serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) connector that includes a first SATA connector interface, a second SATA connector interface, and a housing. The first SATA connector interface and the second SATA connector interface may be mounted in the housing in a double stack configuration parallel to each other. The first SATA connector interface and the second SATA connector interface may also be mounted in the housing longitudinally in an end-to-end configuration. The footprints on a printed circuit board (PCB) associated with the SATA connector interfaces provide less manufacturing problems and good electrical performance. Dual SATA interfaces on a single connector save PCB space and manufacturing assembly time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: John M. Lynch, John C. Schwartz, Robert Schum, Endre C. Veka, Thomas G. Ruttan
  • Publication number: 20020164894
    Abstract: A land grid array (LGA) socket is connected to a power converter using compression contact technology eliminating the need for an edge-card connector typically required in such applications. The LGA socket is mounted to the power converter in a single direction of assembly (i.e., the vertical axis).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas G. Ruttan, Edward R. Stanford, Peter A. Davison, Tony Harrison
  • Publication number: 20020040811
    Abstract: A system for delivering power to a processor enables a DC-to-DC converter substrate to be secured to the processor carrier in the Z-axis direction. The ability to assemble the converter to the processor in this way facilitates assembly compared to systems in which the converter is plugged in to the processor carrier in the direction substantially parallel to the surface of the motherboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Joe A. Harrison, Edward R. Stanford, Thomas G. Ruttan
  • Publication number: 20020042214
    Abstract: A system for delivering power to a processor enables a DC-to-DC converter substrate to be secured to the processor carrier in the Z-axis direction. The ability to assemble the converter to the processor in this way facilitates assembly compared to systems in which the converter is plugged in to the processor carrier in the direction substantially parallel to the surface of the motherboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Joe A. Harrison, Edward R. Stanford, Thomas G. Ruttan
  • Patent number: 6360431
    Abstract: A system for delivering power to a processor enables a DC-to-DC converter substrate to be secured to the processor carrier in the Z-axis direction. The ability to assemble the converter to the processor in this way facilitates assembly compared to systems in which the converter is plugged in to the processor carrier in the direction substantially parallel to the surface of the motherboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Joe A. Harrison, Edward R. Stanford, Thomas G. Ruttan
  • Patent number: 5225796
    Abstract: An improved coplanar transmission structure has a coplanar transmission line formed on one surface of a substrate and a lossy resistive material formed on the opposite surface of the substrate for suppressing spurious electromagnetic modes propagating through the substrate. The lossy resistive material may be nichrome or the like and is patterned on the substrate using thin or thick film processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank R. Williams, Thomas G. Ruttan