Patents Assigned to Cree Fayetteville, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11206740
    Abstract: A power module includes a number of sub-modules connected via removable jumpers. The removable jumpers allow the connections between one or more power semiconductor die in the sub-modules to be reconfigured, such that when the removable jumpers are provided, the power module has a first function, and when the removable jumpers are removed, the power module has a second function. The removable jumpers may also allow for independent testing of the sub-modules. The power module may also include a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB), which is used to connect one or more contacts of the power semiconductor die. The multi-layer PCB reduces stray inductance between the contacts and therefore improves the performance of the power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Cree Fayetteville, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Cole, Brandon Passmore
  • Patent number: 11172584
    Abstract: A power module includes a number of sub-modules connected via removable jumpers. The removable jumpers allow the connections between one or more power semiconductor die in the sub-modules to be reconfigured, such that when the removable jumpers are provided, the power module has a first function, and when the removable jumpers are removed, the power module has a second function. The removable jumpers may also allow for independent testing of the sub-modules. The power module may also include a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB), which is used to connect one or more contacts of the power semiconductor die. The multi-layer PCB reduces stray inductance between the contacts and therefore improves the performance of the power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Cree Fayetteville, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Cole, Brandon Passmore
  • Patent number: 11069640
    Abstract: A package for power electronics includes a power substrate, a number of power semiconductor die, and a Kelvin connection contact. Each one of the power semiconductor die are on the power substrate and include a first power switching pad, a second power switching pad, a control pad, a semiconductor structure, and a Kelvin connection pad. The semiconductor structure is between the first power switching pad, the second power switching pad, and the control pad, and is configured such that a resistance of a power switching path between the first power switching pad and the second power switching pad is based on a control signal provided at the control pad. The Kelvin connection pad is coupled to the power switching path. The Kelvin connection contact is coupled to the Kelvin connection pad of each one of the power semiconductor die via a Kelvin conductive trace on the power substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Cree Fayetteville, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice McPherson, Daniel Martin, Jennifer Stabach
  • Patent number: 10917992
    Abstract: A power module including at least one substrate, a housing arranged on the at least one power substrate, a first terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate, a second terminal including a contact surface, a third terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate, a plurality of power devices arranged on and connected to the at least one power substrate, and the third terminal being electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of power devices. The power module further including a base plate and a plurality of pin fins arranged on the base plate and the plurality of pin fins configured to provide direct cooling for the power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: CREE FAYETTEVILLE, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Feurtado, Brice McPherson, Daniel Martin, Alexander Lostetter
  • Patent number: 10784235
    Abstract: A power module includes a case, a first terminal, a second terminal, and a number of silicon carbide semiconductor die. The case has a footprint less than 30 cm2. The silicon carbide semiconductor die are inside the case and coupled between the first terminal and the second terminal. The power module and the silicon carbide semiconductor die are configured such that in a first operating state the silicon carbide semiconductor die are capable of continuously blocking voltages greater than 650V between the first terminal and the second terminal, and in a second operating state the silicon carbide semiconductor die are capable of continuously passing currents greater than 200 A between the first terminal and the second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Cree Fayetteville, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice McPherson, Sayan Seal, Zachary Cole, Jennifer Stabach, Brandon Passmore, Ty McNutt, Alexander B. Lostetter
  • Patent number: 10749443
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a power module that includes at least one power substrate, a housing arranged on the at least one power substrate, and a first terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate. The first terminal includes a contact surface located above the housing at a first elevation. The power module includes a second terminal including a contact surface located above the housing at a second elevation different from the first elevation, a third terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate, and a plurality of power devices electrically connected to the at least one power substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Cree Fayetteville, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Martin, Brice McPherson, Alexander Lostetter
  • Patent number: 10750627
    Abstract: A power module includes a number of sub-modules connected via removable jumpers. The removable jumpers allow the connections between one or more power semiconductor die in the sub-modules to be reconfigured, such that when the removable jumpers are provided, the power module has a first function, and when the removable jumpers are removed, the power module has a second function. The removable jumpers may also allow for independent testing of the sub-modules. The power module may also include a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB), which is used to connect one or more contacts of the power semiconductor die. The multi-layer PCB reduces stray inductance between the contacts and therefore improves the performance of the power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Cree Fayetteville, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Cole, Brandon Passmore
  • Patent number: 10405450
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a power module that includes at least one power substrate, a housing arranged on the at least one power substrate, and a first terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate. The first terminal includes a contact surface located above the housing at a first elevation. The power module includes a second terminal including a contact surface located above the housing at a second elevation different from the first elevation, a third terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate, and a plurality of power devices electrically connected to the at least one power substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Cree Fayetteville, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice McPherson, Alex Lostetter
  • Patent number: 10212838
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a power module that includes at least one power substrate, a housing arranged on the at least one power substrate, and a first terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate. The first terminal includes a contact surface located above the housing at a first elevation. The power module includes a second terminal including a contact surface located above the housing at a second elevation different from the first elevation, a third terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate, and a plurality of power devices electrically connected to the at least one power substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Cree Fayetteville, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice McPherson, Alexander Lostetter
  • Patent number: 10136529
    Abstract: A method of making a power module includes providing a base plate defining a topology pattern, providing a power substrate above the base plate, providing at least two power contacts and arranging solder catches in the at least two power contacts, soldering the at least two power contacts to the power substrate utilizing the solder catches, and securing a housing to the power substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Cree Fayetteville, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice McPherson, Peter Killeen, Alex Lostetter, Robert Shaw, Brandon Passmore, Jared Hornberger, Tony M. Berry
  • Patent number: 10076800
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing an electronic component having attaches includes providing a first component having a first attach, forming trenches on a portion of the first attach with a laser to form a solder stop, and providing a second component comprising a second attach. The process further includes providing solder between the first attach and the second attach to form a connection between the first component and the second component, where the trenches contain the solder to a usable area. A device produced by the process is disclosed as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Cree Fayetteville, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Stabach, Brice McPherson, Chad B. O'Neal
  • Patent number: 9967977
    Abstract: A step etched metal electrical contact including a main body formed from a metal sheet defining a metal tab sized to match a die/device terminal and an electrical clearance aperture, electrical clearance trench, and/or an electrical clearance gaps. A heat sink may be combined with the step etched metal electrical contact to provide double sided module cooling for increased thermal performance of power modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Cree Fayetteville, Inc.
    Inventor: Brice McPherson
  • Patent number: 9761506
    Abstract: Provided is a double-sided cooling structure for a semiconductor device using a low processing temperature and reduced processing time utilizing solid phase diffusion bonding. The fabrication method for this system is provided. The semiconductor device 1 comprising: a mounting substrate 70; a semiconductor chip 10 disposed on the mounting substrate 70 and a semiconductor substrate 26, a source pad electrode SP and a gate pad electrode GP disposed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate 26, and a drain pad electrode 36 disposed on a back side surface of the semiconductor substrate 26 to be contacted with the mounting substrate 70; and a source connector SC disposed on the source pad electrode SP. The mounting substrate 70 and the drain pad electrode 36 are bonded by using solid phase diffusion bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignees: ROHM CO., LTD., CREE FAYETTEVILLE, INC.
    Inventors: Takukazu Otsuka, Bryon Western, Brandon Passmore, Zach Cole
  • Patent number: 9728868
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a liquid and solid phase power connect for packaging of an electrical device using a using a phase changing metal. The phase changing metal transitions back and forth between a liquid phase and a solid phase while constantly maintaining connection to the electrical device. The packaging uses a substrate, a restraining housing, and a lid to encase an electrical contact on the electrical device and restrain the phase changing metal. In one embodiment, the entire electrical device is encased and a voltage isolator is utilized to limit the contact areas between the phase changing metal and the electrical device. A method for relieving contact stress by transitioning the phase changing metal from a solid to a liquid is also taught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Cree Fayetteville, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Lostetter
  • Patent number: 9647563
    Abstract: A regenerative clamping circuit for a power converter using clamping diodes to transfer charge to a clamping capacitor and a regenerative converter to transfer charge out of the clamping capacitor back to the power supply input connection. The regenerative converter uses a switch connected to the midpoint of a series connected inductor and capacitor. The ends of the inductor and capacitor series are connected across the terminals of the power supply to be in parallel with the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Cree Fayetteville, Inc.
    Inventors: Bret Whitaker, Adam Barkley
  • Patent number: 9615452
    Abstract: A power substrate utilizing silver conductors on ceramic, and the process for making said device. The insulating portion of the substrate is fabricated from a ceramic by placing trenches into the ceramic which can be filled with silver conductors. These conductors can serve the purpose of traces for electrical interconnection, pads for die attachment, as well as thermal conductors for heat pipes and heat spreaders. The conductors can be made on both the top and the bottom of the ceramic. Such substrates may be used for a multitude of applications requiring power substrates for conducting large currents, and are suitable for high efficiency, high temperature, and/or high reliability applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: CREE FAYETTEVILLE, INC.
    Inventors: Bryon Western, John Fraley
  • Patent number: 9559684
    Abstract: Switch cells consist of an array of power switches and passive components which can replace the main switches in many power topologies, allowing reduced switching loss without altering the power topology directly. The switch cell topology discussed herein utilizes a saturable resonant inductor to reduce the size and power loss of the cell. Additionally, the cell transfers energy stored in the inductor into a capacitor for efficient energy storage during the cell's conduction region. This energy is then transferred back to the system when the cell turns off, thus reducing the total switching energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Cree Fayetteville, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley Alan Reese
  • Patent number: D903590
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Cree Fayetteville, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice McPherson, Alexander Lostetter
  • Patent number: D908632
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Cree Fayetteville, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Cole, Brandon Passmore
  • Patent number: D909310
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Cree, Fayetteville, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice McPherson, Sayan Seal, Zachary Cole, Jennifer Stabach, Brandon Passmore, Ty McNutt, Alexander B. Lostetter