Patents by Inventor William Louis Brodsky

William Louis Brodsky 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: 7293994
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrically connecting two substrates using resilient wire bundles captured in apertures of an interposer by a retention film. The interposer comprises an electrically non-conductive carrier having two surfaces and apertures extending from surface to surface. A resilient wire bundle is disposed in each aperture. An electrically non-conductive retention film is associated with one or both surfaces of the carrier and has an orifice overlying each aperture. The width of each orifice is smaller than that of the underlying aperture to thereby enhance retention of the resilient wire bundle within the aperture. Pin contacts of one or both of the substrates make electrical contact with the resilient wire bundles by extending through the orifices of the retention film and partially through the apertures. In one embodiment, the interposer is a land grid array (LGA) connector that connects an electronic module and a printed circuit board (PCB).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Louis Brodsky, John Lee Colbert, Roger Duane Hamilton, Amanda Elisa Ennis Mikhail, Mark David Plucinski
  • Patent number: 7284992
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for constructing electronic package structures using LGA (land grid array) module-to-board connectors that are designed to provide higher count I/O interconnections by expanding LGA area, but without having to increase chip module footprint or reduce the pitch of area array I/O contacts of an LGA interposer or circuit board beyond practical limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wiren Dale Becker, William Louis Brodsky, Evan George Colgan, Michael Ford McAllister, Edward Seminaro, John Torok
  • Patent number: 7173193
    Abstract: A method and structure are provided for implementing enhanced interconnection performance of an electrical connector, such as a land grid array (LGA) module, and a printed wiring board. A multi-layer printed wiring board includes a plurality of predefined ground and power layers. At least one of the predefined ground and power layers includes a thickness variation minimizing structure for minimizing thickness variation. The thickness variation minimizing structure includes a perforated pattern within a selected area of the at least one of the predefined ground and power layers. The selected area is proximate to predefined module sites, such as land grid array (LGA) module sites, in the ground and power layers. The selected area can include regions surrounding each predefined module site, and also can include a region within the module site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Louis Brodsky, Mark Kenneth Hoffmeyer, James R. Stack
  • Patent number: 7168958
    Abstract: A connector, for example an LGA connector to be used in coupling a circuit board to a chip or a multi-chip module, includes an insulating carrier with a through-holes corresponding to the connections to be made above and below the carrier, and contacts in the through-holes. The contacts include wadded-wire wads that protrude above and below the carrier to make contact with the chip or circuit board, but each also includes a solid conductive member that extends over a major portion of the length of the through-hole and is in electro-mechanical connection with the wadded-wire wad or wads in the hole at numerous points along the length of the through-hole. The solid conductive member includes barbs or projections that penetrate the wadded wire. The solid conductive members thus provide a low-resistance parallel path and can also hold the wadded-wire wad or wads in place. A method of making and system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Louis Brodsky, John G. Torok
  • Patent number: 7101193
    Abstract: An electronic subassembly comprises a printed circuit board and an electronic module, particularly a ceramic module, electrically connected to one another through a planar interposer. The interposer comprises an insulator sheet and electrical spring elements joining contact sites on the module with contact pads on the PCB. The invention includes modifications that improve the integrity of electrical connections between the printed circuit board and the electronic module. This is achieved by compensating for non-planarity between the surfaces of the interposer and the module, particularly resulting from a convex curvature of the module, by minimizing relative movement, such as rocking in the x-z and y-z planes. It also includes modifications to the suspension of the module within the interposer housing to reduce the effects caused by any sliding that may occur between the interposer and the module in the x-y plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: William Louis Brodsky
  • Patent number: 7083477
    Abstract: A connector system includes a first connector assembly that is electrically connected to wiring on a first printed wiring board and a second connector assembly that is electrically connected to wiring on a second printed wiring board. Each connector assembly includes a number of connector modules that are joined together in a predetermined array such as a row. In one of the connector assemblies, the row also includes one or more actuation modules. The actuation module or modules are engaged by an actuator mechanism to force the connector assemblies into mating engagement or to draw them apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Louis Brodsky, Michael F. Scanlon, John G. Torok
  • Patent number: 7076333
    Abstract: An electrical connection of a transfer station releasably, repeatably electrically couples with respect to a matching connection of a portable cartridge. A substrate in the portable cartridge has electrical contacts on a facing surface. In the transfer station, a matching circuitized flexible substrate has electrical contacts on a facing surface thereof, which are arranged to match the portable cartridge electrical contacts when in a face-to-face relationship. An elastomeric compression element, at the rear of the matching substrate, has individual protruding compression members contacting the rear surface and registered with corresponding individual electrical contacts. Elongated electrical contacts are registered with two adjacent individual compression members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Quantum Corporation
    Inventors: William Louis Brodsky, Dennis Hurley Byrne, Alex Chliwnyj, David Michael Davis, James Mitchell Karp, George G. Zamora
  • Patent number: 6986668
    Abstract: An electronic subassembly comprises a printed circuit board and an electronic module, particularly a ceramic module, electrically connected to one another through a planar interposer. The interposer comprises an insulator sheet and electrical spring elements joining contact sites on the module with contact pads on the PCB. The invention includes modifications that improve the integrity of electrical connections between the printed circuit board and the electronic module. This is achieved by compensating for non-planarity between the surfaces of the interposer and the module, particularly resulting from a convex curvature of the module, by minimizing relative movement, such as rocking in the x-z and y-z planes. It also includes modifications to the suspension of the module within the interposer housing to reduce the effects caused by any sliding that may occur between the interposer and the module in the x-y plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: William Louis Brodsky
  • Patent number: 6974915
    Abstract: The details of a printed wiring board (PWB) sub-assembly and the method of producing the same are described. The sub-assembly comprises a printed circuit board electrically joined through a plurality of connections to one or more area array devices, such as modules or printed wiring boards. The sub-assembly can serve as a part of an original assembly. The sub-assembly can function as an after market item that can be readily substituted as a replacement for a failed component wherein the dimensional space between the printed circuit board and one or both of the area array devices must provide sufficient clearance for surface mounted devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Louis Brodsky, Benson Chan, Michael Anthony Gaynes, Voya Rista Markovich
  • Patent number: 6892451
    Abstract: The details of a printed wiring board (PWB) sub-assembly and the method of producing the same are described. The sub-assembly comprises a printed circuit board electrically joined through a plurality of connections to one or more area array devices, such as modules or printed wiring boards. The sub-assembly can serve as a part of an original assembly. The sub-assembly can function as an after market item that can be readily substituted as a replacement for a failed component wherein the dimensional space between the printed circuit board and one or both of the area array devices must provide sufficient clearance for surface mounted devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Louis Brodsky, Benson Chan, Michael Anthony Gaynes, Voya Rista Markovich
  • Patent number: 6854982
    Abstract: An electrical connection releasably, repeatably electrically couples with respect to a matching connection of a portable cartridge. A substrate in the portable cartridge has electrical contacts on a facing surface of a flex cable termination mounted on a backing plate. A matching circuitized flexible substrate has electrical contacts on a facing surface thereof, which are arranged to match the portable cartridge electrical contacts when in a face-to-face relationship, and is mounted on a compression element with protruding compression members. Elongated electrical contacts are registered with two adjacent individual compression members. A loader exerts a normal force to the cartridge to compress the compression element and create non-wiping contact between the facing electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Louis Brodsky, Dennis Hurley Byrne, Alex Chliwnyj, David Michael Davis, James Mitchell Karp, George G. Zamora
  • Patent number: 6837718
    Abstract: An electrical connection releasably, repeatably electrically couples with respect to a matching connection of a portable cartridge. A substrate in the portable cartridge has electrical contacts on a facing surface of a flex cable mounted on a backing plate. A matching circuitized flexible substrate has electrical contacts on a facing surface thereof, which are arranged to match the portable cartridge electrical contacts when in a face-to-face relationship, and is mounted on a compression element with protruding compression members. Elongated electrical contacts are registered with two adjacent individual compression members. A loader exerts a normal force to the cartridge to compress the compression element and create non-wiping contact between the facing electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Louis Brodsky, Dennis Hurley Byrne, Alex Chliwnyj, David Michael Davis, James Mitchell Karp, George G. Zamora
  • Publication number: 20040248433
    Abstract: An electrical connection of a transfer station releasably, repeatably electrically couples with respect to a matching connection of a portable cartridge. A substrate in the portable cartridge has electrical contacts on a facing surface. In the transfer station, a matching circuitized flexible substrate has electrical contacts on a facing surface thereof, which are arranged to match the portable cartridge electrical contacts when in a face-to-face relationship. An elastomeric compression element, at the rear of the matching substrate, has individual protruding compression members contacting the rear surface and registered with corresponding individual electrical contacts. Elongated electrical contacts are registered with two adjacent individual compression members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, a Corporation
    Inventors: William Louis Brodsky, Dennis Hurley Byrne, Alex Chliwnyj, David Michael Davis, James Mitchell Karp, George G. Zamora
  • Publication number: 20040188135
    Abstract: A method and structure are provided for implementing enhanced interconnection performance of an electrical connector, such as a land grid array (LGA) module, and a printed wiring board. A multi-layer printed wiring board includes a plurality of predefined ground and power layers. At least one of the predefined ground and power layers includes a thickness variation minimizing structure for minimizing thickness variation. The thickness variation minimizing structure includes a perforated pattern within a selected area of the at least one of the predefined ground and power layers. The selected area is proximate to predefined module sites, such as land grid array (LGA) module sites, in the ground and power layers. The selected area can include regions surrounding each predefined module site, and also can include a region within the module site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Louis Brodsky, Mark Kenneth Hoffmeyer, James R. Stack
  • Patent number: 6722895
    Abstract: An electrical connection of a transfer station releasably, repeatably electrically couples with respect to a matching connection of a portable cartridge. A substrate in the portable cartridge has electrical contacts on a facing surface. In the transfer station, a matching circuitized flexible substrate has electrical contacts on a facing surface thereof, which are arranged to match the portable cartridge electrical contacts when in a face-to-face relationship. An elastomeric compression element, at the rear of the matching substrate, has individual protruding compression members contacting the rear surface and registered with corresponding individual electrical contacts. Elongated electrical contacts are registered with two adjacent individual compression members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Louis Brodsky, Dennis Hurley Byrne, Alex Chliwnyj, David Michael Davis, James Mitchell Karp, George G. Zamora
  • Publication number: 20040060733
    Abstract: An electronic subassembly comprises a printed circuit board and an electronic module, particularly a ceramic module, electrically connected to one another through a planar interposer. The interposer comprises an insulator sheet and electrical spring elements joining contact sites on the module with contact pads on the PCB. The invention includes modifications that improve the integrity of electrical connections between the printed circuit board and the electronic module. This is achieved by compensating for non-planarity between the surfaces of the interposer and the module, particularly resulting from a convex curvature of the module, by minimizing relative movement, such as rocking in the x-z and y-z planes. It also includes modifications to the suspension of the module within the interposer housing to reduce the effects caused by any sliding that may occur between the interposer and the module in the x-y plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: William Louis Brodsky
  • Patent number: 6695623
    Abstract: A method and structure for electrically and mechanically interconnecting an array of printed circuit board contacts to an array of module contacts with a plurality of deformable resilient electrical conductors with two ends. Each of the conductor ends are electrically connected to one of the contact arrays. A portion of the conductor may deform longitudinally and laterally responsive to movement of the printed circuit board relative to the module responsive to heating and cooling cycles and mechanical vibrations, while maintaining the electrical connection of the contact arrays. An interposer with apertures extending through the interposer carries the conductors in the apertures and is used to align the conductors with the contacts. A method for excluding a rigid adhesive means from a portion of the resilient conductor is also taught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Louis Brodsky, David V. Caletka, Michael Anthony Gaynes, Voya Rista Markovich
  • Patent number: 6658729
    Abstract: An electronic subassembly comprises a printed circuit board and an electronic module, particularly a ceramic module, electrically connected to one another through a planar interposer. The interposer comprises an insulator sheet and electrical spring elements joining contact sites on the module with contact pads on the PCB. The invention includes modifications that improve the integrity of electrical connections between the printed circuit board and the electronic module. This is achieved by compensating for non-planarity between the surfaces of the interposer and the module, particularly resulting from a convex curvature of the module, by minimizing relative movement, such as rocking in the x-z and y-z planes. It also includes modifications to the suspension of the module within the interposer housing to reduce the effects caused by any sliding that may occur between the interposer and the module in the x-y plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: William Louis Brodsky
  • Patent number: 6595784
    Abstract: An interposer member having strategically positioned apertures for electrically connecting an electronic device to a circuitized substrate. The member includes a homogeneous elastomer core having strategically positioned apertures. The apertures are positioned through the member approximately equidistant between adjacent plated through holes and/or conductive pads. Such positioning relieves stress from the plated through holes and/or conductive pads, and increases the contact compliancy of the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Louis Brodsky, David Vincent Caletka
  • Publication number: 20030134534
    Abstract: An electrical connection of a transfer station releasably, repeatably electrically couples with respect to a matching connection of a portable cartridge. A substrate in the portable cartridge has electrical contacts on a facing surface. In the transfer station, a matching circuitized flexible substrate has electrical contacts on a facing surface thereof, which are arranged to match the portable cartridge electrical contacts when in a face-to-face relationship. An elastomeric compression element, at the rear of the matching substrate, has individual protruding compression members contacting the rear surface and registered with corresponding individual electrical contacts. Elongated electrical contacts are registered with two adjacent individual compression members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Louis Brodsky, Dennis Hurley Byrne, Alex Chliwnyj, David Michael Davis, James Mitchell Karp, George G. Zamora