Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Birk

Thomas J. Birk 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: 9618556
    Abstract: A positioning apparatus includes a support structure, a positioning structure, and a fixture for retaining MEMS devices. A shaft spans between the support structure and the positioning structure, and is configured to rotate about a first axis relative to the support structure in order to rotate the positioning structure and the fixture about the first axis. The positioning structure includes a pair of beams spaced apart by a third beam. Another shaft spans between the pair of beams and is configured to rotate about a second axis relative to the positioning structure in order to rotate the fixture about the second axis. Methodology entails installing the positioning apparatus into a chamber, orienting the fixture into various positions, and obtaining output signals from the MEMS devices to determine functionality of the MEMS devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Birk
  • Publication number: 20160231369
    Abstract: A positioning apparatus includes a support structure, a positioning structure, and a fixture for retaining MEMS devices. A shaft spans between the support structure and the positioning structure, and is configured to rotate about a first axis relative to the support structure in order to rotate the positioning structure and the fixture about the first axis. The positioning structure includes a pair of beams spaced apart by a third beam. Another shaft spans between the pair of beams and is configured to rotate about a second axis relative to the positioning structure in order to rotate the fixture about the second axis. Methodology entails installing the positioning apparatus into a chamber, orienting the fixture into various positions, and obtaining output signals from the MEMS devices to determine functionality of the MEMS devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas J. Birk
  • Patent number: 9341663
    Abstract: A positioning apparatus includes a support structure, a positioning structure, and a fixture for retaining MEMS devices. A shaft spans between the support structure and the positioning structure, and is configured to rotate about a first axis relative to the support structure in order to rotate the positioning structure and the fixture about the first axis. The positioning structure includes a pair of beams spaced apart by a third beam. Another shaft spans between the pair of beams and is configured to rotate about a second axis relative to the positioning structure in order to rotate the fixture about the second axis. Methodology entails installing the positioning apparatus into a chamber, orienting the fixture into various positions, and obtaining output signals from the MEMS devices to determine functionality of the MEMS devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Birk
  • Publication number: 20150145543
    Abstract: A positioning apparatus includes a support structure, a positioning structure, and a fixture for retaining MEMS devices. A shaft spans between the support structure and the positioning structure, and is configured to rotate about a first axis relative to the support structure in order to rotate the positioning structure and the fixture about the first axis. The positioning structure includes a pair of beams spaced apart by a third beam. Another shaft spans between the pair of beams and is configured to rotate about a second axis relative to the positioning structure in order to rotate the fixture about the second axis. Methodology entails installing the positioning apparatus into a chamber, orienting the fixture into various positions, and obtaining output signals from the MEMS devices to determine functionality of the MEMS devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas J. Birk
  • Patent number: 6188230
    Abstract: A pickup chuck for retaining a semiconductor chip package having electrical contact pads on a surface thereof facing into the pickup chuck. The pickup chuck includes an electrically conductive member for coupling the contact pads to an external electrical device, such as a tester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Birk
  • Patent number: 6069483
    Abstract: A pickup chuck which includes a body defining a fluid flow path and a first recess for receiving a semiconductor chip package, at least two chip contact members extending out of the body into the recess, each of which being independently movable in a first direction which is out of the body and in a second direction which is into the body, springs biasing the members into the first direction, flanges limiting movement of each member into the first direction, and one or more heat dissipation fins located within the fluid flow path and engaged with the members to conduct heat therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Martin M. Maxwell, Thomas J. Birk