Patents Assigned to Microfabrica Inc.
  • Patent number: 12255123
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to heat transfer arrays, cold plates including heat transfer arrays along with inlets and outlets, and thermal management systems including cold-plates, pumps and heat exchangers. These devices and systems may be used to provide cooling of semiconductor devices or other devices and particularly such devices that produce high heat concentrations. The heat transfer arrays may include microjets, multi-stage microjets, microchannels, fins, wells, wells with flow passages, well with stress relief or stress propagation inhibitors, and integrated microjets and fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventors: Onnik Yaglioglu, Richard T. Chen, Will J. Tan, Jia Li, Uri Frodis, Nina C. Levy, Dennis R. Smalley
  • Patent number: 12196781
    Abstract: Probes for contacting electronic components include compliant modules stacked in a serial configuration, which are supported by a sheath, exoskeleton, or endoskeleton which allows for linear longitudinal compression of probe ends toward one another wherein the compliant elements within the compliant modules include planar springs (when unbiased). Alternatively, probes may be formed from single modules or back-to-back modules that may share a common base/standoff. Modules may allow for lateral and/or longitudinal alignment relative to array structures or other modules. Planar springs may be spirals, interlaced spirals having common or offset longitudinal levels, with similar or different rotational orientations that are functionally joined, and planar springs may transition into multiple thinner spring elements along their lengths. Compression of probe tips toward one another may cause portions of spring elements to move closer together or further apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventors: Arun S. Veeramani, Ming Ting Wu, Dennis R. Smalley
  • Patent number: 12196782
    Abstract: Probes for contacting electronic components include compliant modules stacked in a serial configuration, which are supported by a sheath, exoskeleton, or endoskeleton which allows for linear longitudinal compression of probe ends toward one another wherein the compliant elements within the compliant modules include planar springs (when unbiased). Alternatively, probes may be formed from single modules or back-to-back modules that may share a common base/standoff. Modules may allow for lateral and/or longitudinal alignment relative to array structures or other modules. Planar springs may be spirals, interlaced spirals having common or offset longitudinal levels, with similar or different rotational orientations that are functionally joined, and planar springs may transition into multiple thinner planar spring elements along their length. Compression of probe tips toward one another may cause portions of spring elements to move closer together or further apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventors: Arun S. Veeramani, Ming Ting Wu, Dennis R. Smalley
  • Patent number: 12181493
    Abstract: Probe structures, arrays, methods of using probes and arrays, and/or methods for making probes and/or arrays wherein the probes include at least one flat tensional spring segments and in some embodiments include one or both of:(1) narrowed channel passage segments (e.g. by increasing width of plunger elements or by decreasing channel widths) along portions of channel lengths (e.g. not entire channel lengths) to enhance stability or pointing accuracy while still allowing for assembled formation of movable probe elements and/or (2) pairs of joined probes with at least one end of the probe set having independently compressible tips (e.g. as Kelvin probe pairs for use in 4 wire Kelvin probe tests).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Ting Wu, Garret R. Smalley
  • Patent number: 12146898
    Abstract: Probe structures having multiple beams are joined at their ends with at least one functioning as a current carrying beam (i.e. an electrical beam) and at least one functioning as a structural beam (i.e. non-current carrying beam) that conveys desired mechanical or structural parameters for the probe such as spring force, scrubbing, over travel, operational stability and repeatability, and the like. The current carrying beam provides little with regard to mechanical properties, and the structural beam is separated from the current carrying beam along a majority of its length and does not pass current between the probe ends due to its dielectric nature or the presence of at least one dielectric barrier located at an end or along its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventor: Arun S. Veeramani
  • Patent number: 12078657
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to probe structures, arrays, methods of using probes and arrays, and/or methods for making probes and/or arrays wherein the probes include at least one flat extension spring segment and wherein in some embodiments the probes also provide: (1) narrowed channel passage segments (e.g. by increasing width of plunger elements or by decreasing channel widths) along portions of channel lengths (e.g. not entire channel lengths) to enhance stability or pointing accuracy while still allowing for assembled formation of movable probe elements, and/or (2) ratcheting elements on probe arms and/or frame elements to allow permanent or semi-permanent transition from a build state or initial state to a working state or pre-biased state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Ting Wu, Arun S. Veeramani
  • Patent number: 12066462
    Abstract: Probes for contacting electronic components include a plurality of compliant modules stacked in a serial configuration, which are supported by an exoskeleton or an endoskeleton which allows for linear longitudinal compression of probe ends toward one another wherein the compliant elements within the compliant modules include planar springs (when unbiased). Other probes are formed from single compliant modules or pairs of back-to-back modules that may share a common base. Module bases may include configurations that allow for one or both lateral alignment and longitudinal alignment of probes relative to array structures (e.g., array substrates, guide plates) or other modules they contact or to which they adhere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventors: Arun S. Veeramani, Dennis R. Smalley
  • Patent number: 11999016
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to the formation micro-scale or millimeter scale structures or methods of making such structures wherein the structures are formed from at least one sheet structural material and may include additional sheet structural materials or deposited structural materials wherein all or a portion of the patterning of the structural materials occurs via laser cutting. In some embodiments, selective deposition is used to provide a portion of the patterning. In some embodiments the structural material or structural materials are bounded from below by a sacrificial bridging material (e.g. a metal) and possibly from above by a sacrificial capping material (e.g. a metal).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventors: Arun S. Veeramani, Heath A. Jensen, Uri Frodis, Christopher G. Wiita, Michael S. Lockard, Irina Boguslavsky, Pavel Lembrikov, Dennis R. Smalley, Richard T. Chen
  • Patent number: 12000865
    Abstract: Vertical probes, formed of at least one layer that longitudinally includes a first and a second end and a central portion, with the central portion including at least three compliant arms wherein each of the two outer arms include a material having a yield strength greater than a first amount and the at least one intermediate arm is formed of a material having a yield strength less than the first yield strength amount wherein a yield strength of the material of the intermediate arm has a ratio to that of an outer arm of less than 1, more preferably less than 0.8, even more preferably less than 0.6, and most preferably less than 0.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventor: Uri Frodis
  • Patent number: 11982689
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to microscale and millimeter scale multi-layer structures (e.g., probe structures for making contact between two electronic components for example in semiconductor wafer, chip, and electronic component test applications). One or more layers of the structures include shell and core regions formed of different materials wherein the core regions are offset from a symmetric, longitudinally extending position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventor: Garret R. Smalley
  • Patent number: 11973301
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to microscale and millimeter scale multi-layer structures (e.g. probe structures for making contact between two electronic components for example in semiconductor wafer and chip and electronic component test applications). Some embodiments of the invention provide structures that include a core and shell on at least one layer where the layer including the shell is formed from at least one core material and at least one shell material wherein the shell material is different from a shell material or a single structural material on at least one of an immediately preceding layer or an immediately succeeding layer and wherein the core material is different from any core material on at least one of an immediately preceding layer or an immediately succeeding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventor: Uri Frodis
  • Publication number: 20240103038
    Abstract: Probe structures, arrays, methods of using probes and arrays, and/or methods for making probes and/or arrays wherein the probes include at least one flat tensional spring segments and in some embodiments include narrowed channel passage segments (e.g. by increasing width of plunger elements or by decreasing channel widths) along portions of channel lengths (e.g. not entire channel lengths) to enhance stability or pointing accuracy while still allowing for assembled formation of movable probe elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventor: Ming Ting Wu
  • Publication number: 20240103040
    Abstract: Vertical probes, formed of at least one layer that longitudinally includes a first and a second end and a central portion, with the central portion including at least three compliant arms wherein each of the two outer arms include a material having a yield strength greater than a first amount and the at least one intermediate arm is formed of a material having a yield strength less than the first yield strength amount wherein a yield strength of the material of the intermediate arm has a ratio to that of an outer arm of less than 1, more preferably less than 0.8, even more preferably less than 0.6, and most preferably less than 0.4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventor: Uri Frodis
  • Publication number: 20240103042
    Abstract: Probes for contacting electronic components include compliant modules stacked in a serial configuration, which are supported by a sheath, exoskeleton, or endoskeleton which allows for linear longitudinal compression of probe ends toward one another wherein the compliant elements within the compliant modules include planar springs (when unbiased). Alternatively, probes may be formed from single modules or back-to-back modules that may share a common base/standoff. Modules may allow for lateral and/or longitudinal alignment relative to array structures or other modules. Planar springs may be spirals, interlaced spirals having common or offset longitudinal levels, with similar or different rotational orientations that are functionally joined. Compression of probe tips toward one another may cause portions of spring elements to move closer together or further apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventors: Arun S. Veeramani, Ming Ting Wu, Dennis R. Smalley
  • Publication number: 20240094253
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to microscale and millimeter scale multi-layer structures (e.g., probe structures for making contact between two electronic components for example in semiconductor wafer, chip, and electronic component test applications).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventor: Garret R. Smalley
  • Publication number: 20240094247
    Abstract: Probe structures, probe arrays) and methods for making such structures include incorporation of nano-fibers and metal composites to provide structures with improved material properties. Nano-fiber incorporation may occur by co-deposition of fibers and metal, selective placement of fibers followed by deposition of metal, or general placement of fibers followed by selective deposition of a metal. Structures may be formed from single layers of fibers and deposited metal or from multiple layers formed adjacent to one another or attached to one another after formation. All portions, or only selected portions, of a structure may include composites of metal and nano-fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventor: Onnik Yaglioglu
  • Publication number: 20240094257
    Abstract: Probes for contacting electronic components include compliant modules stacked in a serial configuration, which are supported by a sheath, exoskeleton, or endoskeleton which allows for linear longitudinal compression of probe ends toward one another wherein the compliant elements within the compliant modules include planar springs (when unbiased). Alternatively, probes may be formed from single modules or back-to-back modules that may share a common base/standoff. Modules may allow for lateral and/or longitudinal alignment relative to array structures or other modules. Planar springs may be spirals, interlaced spirals having common or offset longitudinal levels, with similar or different rotational orientations that are functionally joined, and planar springs may transition into multiple thinner planar spring elements along their length. Compression of probe tips toward one another may cause portions of spring elements to move closer together or further apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventors: Arun S. Veeramani, Ming Ting Wu, Dennis R. Smalley
  • Publication number: 20240094258
    Abstract: Probes for contacting electronic components include compliant modules stacked in a serial configuration, which are supported by a sheath, exoskeleton, or endoskeleton which allows for linear longitudinal compression of probe ends toward one another wherein the compliant elements within the compliant modules include planar springs (when unbiased). Alternatively, probes may be formed from single modules or back-to-back modules that may share a common base/standoff. Modules may allow for lateral and/or longitudinal alignment relative to array structures or other modules. Planar springs may be spirals, interlaced spirals having common or offset longitudinal levels, with similar or different rotational orientations that are functionally joined, and planar springs may transition into multiple thinner planar spring elements along their length. Compression of probe tips toward one another may cause portions of spring elements to move closer together or further apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventors: Arun S. Veeramani, Ming Ting Wu, Dennis R. Smalley
  • Publication number: 20240097390
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to microscale and millimeter scale multi-layer structures (e.g. probe structures for making contact between two electronic components for example in semiconductor wafer and chip and electronic component test applications). Some embodiments of the invention provide structures that include a core and shell on at least one layer where the layer including the shell is formed from at least one core material and at least one shell material wherein the shell material is different from a shell material or a single structural material on at least one of an immediately preceding layer or an immediately succeeding layer and wherein the core material is different from any core material on at least one of an immediately preceding layer or an immediately succeeding layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventor: Uri Frodis
  • Publication number: 20240094636
    Abstract: Probe array formation embodiments of the invention (e.g., that are used to form full arrays or multi-probe subarrays that are to be assembled into full arrays) provide simultaneous formation of many probes of an array or subarray while the probes are in an array configuration. These embodiments provide for the creation and deformation of array formation templates that include holes or openings for depositing probe material wherein the openings are either fully formed (i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventor: Onnik Yaglioglu