Patents Represented by Attorney Lawrence R. Fraley
  • Patent number: 6586683
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a printed circuit device including an electrically insulating substrate, and first, second, and third sets of conductors formed on a top surface of the substrate is disclosed. The method includes forming an oxide layer on the set of second conductors; forming a solder mask on the oxide layer; forming a composite layer on the first set of conductors; and forming a solder layer on at least a portion of the third set of conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edward L. Arrington, Anilkumar C. Bhatt, Edmond O. Fey, Kevin T. Knadle, John J. Konrad, Joseph A. Kotylo, Jeffrey McKeveny, Jose A. Rios, Amit K. Sarkhel, Andrew M. Seman, Timothy L. Wells
  • Patent number: 6585865
    Abstract: A transport system for the implementation of electrolytic deposition, coating or etching; and more particularly, an apparatus for selective electrolytic metallization and deposition utilizing a fluid head arrangement. A method is provided for making and maintaining an electrical contact with a product being processed in a transport system employed for selective electrolytic metallization and deposition, coating or etching. The method of making and maintaining an electrical contact with a product being processed may be utilizing a fluid head arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Acciai, Steven L. Tisdale
  • Patent number: 6585150
    Abstract: A method for protecting tin oxide coated solder surfaces against further oxidation and a method for fluxless solder joining of such surfaces is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Bernier, Donald W. Henderson, James Spalik, Isabelle Paquin
  • Patent number: 6581821
    Abstract: A method and structure for forming an electronic package with an interconnect structure that comprises lead-free solders. The method first forms a module by initially providing a chip carrier, a first joiner solder that is lead-free, and a core interconnect (e.g., solder ball, solder column) that includes a lead-free core solder. The liquidus temperature T1L of the first joiner solder is less than a solidus temperature TCS of the core solder. A first end of the core interconnect is soldered to the chip carrier with the first joiner solder, which includes reflowing the first joiner solder at a reflow temperature that is above T1L and below TCS, followed by cooling the first joiner solder to a temperature that is below a solidus temperature of the first joiner solder. Thus, the module with the soldered core interconnect has been formed. The method then provides a circuit card and a second joiner solder that is lead-free. The liquidus temperature T2L of the second joiner solder is less than TCS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Amit K. Sarkhel
  • Patent number: 6583517
    Abstract: A method and structure to electrically and mechanically join a first a first electrically conductive pad on a first substrate to a second electrically conductive pad on a second substrate using a solder joint that includes a low-melt solder alloy composition. The second electrically conductive pad has a geometry that compels a gap size of a gap between the first substrate and the second substrate to exceed a distance between the first substrate and a surface of the second pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Miguel A. Jimarez
  • Patent number: 6579576
    Abstract: A fluid treatment device and method for treating moving substrates with fluid as the substrates move through the device at a relatively high rate of travel. Fluid injection in combination with the application of vibration energy (e.g., ultrasonic) results in enhanced fluid treatment of the substrates. In one embodiment, a bifurcated horn is utilized in combination with fluid injector members having pluralities of rows of spaced injector ports, the injectors being strategically positioned relative to the vibrational source. In one example, the device and method may be used for enhanced penetration by dye materials of ceramic substrate surfaces to detect adverse surface conditions (e.g., cracks) and thus potentially defective product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Lawrence Miller, Richard Francis Nelson, John Keith Ostrom
  • Patent number: 6574860
    Abstract: The method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention mitigates the problem of gold contamination during the SMT assembly operations in the manufacture of Hybrid Multi Chip Modules (HMCM), achieving a high assembly process yield. This target is accomplished by protecting, at the first process step, the gold with a thin layer (0.02-0.03 millimeter) of a paste very soluble in water and washing it off. The protective layer obtained with the above described method is very strong. Furthermore it is very easy to remove, since it is soluble in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Luigi Giussani, Lorenza Lombardi, Michele Monopoli, Vittorio Sirtori, Franco Zambon
  • Patent number: 6576996
    Abstract: A method for bonding heat sinks to packaged electronic components comprises the steps of: (a) exposing to a plasma a surface of a molded polymer formed on a substrate; (b) allowing the plasma to at least partially convert silicon-containing residue on the surface to silica; and (c) bonding an article to the surface by applying an adherent between the article and the surface. Often, the silicon-containing residue is silicone oil, a mold release compound, which may prevent the formation of a bond when using conventional bonding methods and materials. The silica layer formed on the surface of the molded polymer assists in formation of a proper bond. The plasma may be an oxygen plasma and the adherent may be selected from either a heat cured silicone-based paste adhesive with a metal oxide filler or a heat cured porous polymer film impregnated with adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frank D. Egitto, Michael A. Gaynes, Ramesh R. Kodnani, Luis J. Matienzo, Mark V. Pierson
  • Patent number: 6576549
    Abstract: A method and structure for forming a metalized blind via. A dielectric layer is formed on a metallic layer, followed by laser drilling a depression in the dielectric layer such that a carbon film that includes the carbon is formed on a sidewall of the depression. If the laser drilling does not expose the metallic layer, then an anisotropic plasma etching, such as a reactive ion etching (RIE), may be used to clean and expose a surface of the metallic layer. The dielectric layer includes a dielectric material having a carbon based polymeric material, such as a permanent photoresist, a polyimide, and advanced solder mask (ASM). The metallic layer includes a metallic material, such as copper, aluminum, and gold. The carbon film is in conductive contact with the metallic layer, and the carbon film is sufficiently conductive to permit electroplating a continuous layer of metal (e.g., copper) directly on the carbon film without need of an electrolessly plated layer underneath the electroplated layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frank D. Egitto, Elizabeth Foster, Raymond T. Galasco, David E. Houser, Mark L. Janecek, Thomas E. Kindl, Jeffrey A. Knight, Stephen W. MacQuarrie, Voya R. Markovich, Luis J. Matienzo, Amarjit S. Rai, David J. Russell, William T. Wike
  • Patent number: 6574780
    Abstract: For a mulitlayer chip carrier module a computer program receives a large plurality of module design parameters and provides as output a graphical representation of the design together with text files that rate module wireability, including die pad position, attachment of each die pad to its BGA pad, and net cross-over; and quantifies the number of redistribution layers; summarizes input parameters; creates a truth table for rating wireability and thermal requirements; and provides cost sensitive parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Christian Robert Le Coz
  • Patent number: 6570102
    Abstract: A method and arrangement for creating an impedance controlled printing wiring board, particularly the formation of a structure for high speed printed wiring boards incorporating multiple differential impedance controlled layers. Furthermore, there are provided vias of either through-holes, blind holes and buried holes filled with a conductive paste material to form electrical interconnections with conductive layers of the printed wiring board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Richard Miller, Konstantinos I. Papathomas, Brian Eugene Curcio, Joseph J. Sniezek
  • Patent number: 6570259
    Abstract: The present invention provides a package for a semiconductor chip that minimizes stresses and strains that arise from differential thermal expansion on chip-to-substrate or chip-to-card interconnections. A collar element of one or more elements is provided. Adhesive material connects the collar element to the electric device and to the substrate that supports it, forming a unitary electrical package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Alcoe, Eric A. Johnson, Matthew M. Reiss, Charles G. Woychik
  • Patent number: 6569262
    Abstract: Lead-free solder metal powder material including two or more metals capable of forming an intermetallic compound and having an unreacted phase and an amorphous phase. Further, a lead-free solder paste is prepared by mixing the powder material with a soldering flux. The powder material is preferably formed using a mechanical milling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Ikuo Shohji
  • Patent number: 6569604
    Abstract: A blind via structure, and associated laser ablation methods of formation, that includes a blind via within a photoimageable dielectric (PID) layer on a substrate, such that the sidewall of the blind via makes an obtuse angle with the blind end of the blind via. The obtuse-angled sidewall may be formed by executing two processes in sequence. In the first process, photoimaging of the PID layer, with selective exposure to ultraviolet light, results in one or more blind vias having acute-angled sidewalls. The photoimaging cross links the PID material that had been selectively exposed to ultraviolet light such that a subsequent developing step removes PID material not cross linked, or weakly cross linked, to simultaneously form multiple blind vias having different sized openings. In the second process, laser ablation is selectively employed to remove the acute-angled sidewalls from particular blind vias in a way that forms replacement obtuse-angled sidewalls in the laser-ablated blind vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anilkumar Chinuprasad Bhatt, Francis Joseph Downes, Jr., Robert Lee Lewis, Voya R. Markovich
  • Patent number: 6569710
    Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of individual semiconductor chip modules wherein a plurality of chips are placed in a plurality of chip compartments formed by adhering a support panel to the first surface and a cover panel to the second surface of a stiffener panel having openings defining sidewalls of the chip compartments. The resulting laminated panel structure is then cut into a plurality of modules each having at least one compartment containing at least one chip. Each chip is electrically connected to interior conductive pads on the inner surface of the support panel, and these interior pads in turn are connected by conductive paths to exterior conductive terminals deposited on the outer surface of the support panel. The electrical connections between the chip and the interior conductive pads of the support panel may be encapsulated in a polymeric material before the cover panel is adhered to the stiffener panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Mark V. Pierson
  • Patent number: 6565367
    Abstract: A compliant pin contact and assembly utilizing same in which the contact is comprised of two layers, each of a different material and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) than the other, to enable insertion within an opening in either a “cold” or “hot” state to thereby expand and positively engage the opening's walls, thereby securedly holding the pin in position. Representative materials include Invar and aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Budman, Bruce Chamberlin, Li Li, James Stack
  • Patent number: 6562662
    Abstract: An electronic package comprising a semiconductor chip mounted on a substrate is formed by bonding a structure which covers at least an outer surface of the semiconductor chip and has the same or about the same thermal expansion coefficient as the substrate to the semiconductor chip's side surface of the substrate. This reduces warp and deformation caused by temperature changes during package operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Itsuroh Shishido, Toshihiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6559388
    Abstract: An electrical structure, and associated method of fabrication, for reducing thermally induced strain in a soldered interface, such as a solder ball or a solder column, between a chip carrier (or chip) and an electronic carrier such as a circuit card. The thermally induced strain may be caused during thermal cycling by a mismatch in coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and consequent differential rates in thermal expansion, between the chip carrier (or chip) and the electronic carrier. The thermally induced strain may also exist with a large chip carrier characterized by a large temperature difference during thermal transients between the electronic carrier and localized regions of the chip carrier, even in the absence of a CTE mismatch. The electrical structure of the present invention includes an interposing compliant layer of soft and spongy material between the chip carrier (or chip) and the electronic carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Kresge, Voya R. Markovich
  • Patent number: 6555762
    Abstract: The present invention provides a unique, high density, electronic package having a conductive composition for filling vias or through holes to make reliable vertical or Z-connects from a dielectric layer to adjacent electrical circuits. The through holes may be plated or non-plated prior to filling. A description for making high density electronic packaging using this feature is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bernd K. Appelt, Jeffrey D. Gelorme, Sung Kwon Kang, Voya R. Markovich, Kostas Papathomas, Sampath Purushothaman
  • Patent number: 6552266
    Abstract: A chip carrier package that includes a cover plate attached to the stiffener by a reflowable bonding material is disclosed. Additionally, a thermally and electrically conductive bonding material between the cover plate and the chip itself may be included. Also a chip package including an alignment device to aid in properly aligning the cover plate on the stiffener. Furthermore, a method of packaging a chip including providing a reflowable material between the cover plate and stiffener body for attaching the cover plate to the stiffener, and simultaneously attaching the cover plate to the stiffener with an attaching of the carrier to an electronic circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy F. Carden, Glenn O. Dearing, Kishor V. Desai, Stephen R. Engle, Randall Stutzman, George H. Thiel