Patents Assigned to Transphorm, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130200495
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a buffer structure suited for III-N device having a foreign substrate. The buffer structure can include a first buffer layer having a first aluminum composition and a second buffer layer formed on the first buffer layer, the second buffer layer having a second aluminum composition. The buffer structure further includes a third buffer layer formed on the second buffer layer at a second interface, the third buffer layer having a third aluminum composition. The first aluminum composition decreases in the first buffer layer towards the interface and the second aluminum composition throughout the second buffer layer is greater than the first aluminum composition at the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: TRANSPHORM INC.
    Inventors: Stacia Keller, Brian L. Swenson, Nicholas Fichtenbaum
  • Patent number: 8493129
    Abstract: Power switching circuits including an inductive load and a switching device are described. The switches devices can be either low-side or high-side switches. Some of the switches are transistors that are able to block voltages or prevent substantial current from flowing through the transistor when voltage is applied across the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: James Honea, Yifeng Wu
  • Publication number: 20130140189
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for improved electrical appliances which allow for efficient and safe production of hydrogen and oxygen gas for a flame are disclosed. An appliance for providing gas for combustion may comprise a water inlet, a power source, and an electrolyzer with at least one electrolysis transistor generating hydrogen and oxygen. The appliance may also comprise a gas handling unit for collecting the output of the electrolyzer and transporting it to a burner, and an output interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Transphorm, Inc.
    Inventor: Transphorm, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8455931
    Abstract: An electronic component includes a high voltage switching transistor encased in a package. The high voltage switching transistor comprises a source electrode, a gate electrode, and a drain electrode all on a first side of the high voltage switching transistor. The source electrode is electrically connected to a conducting structural portion of the package. Assemblies using the abovementioned transistor with another transistor can be formed, where the source of one transistor can be electrically connected to a conducting structural portion of a package containing the transistor and a drain of the second transistor is electrically connected to the second conductive structural portion of a package that houses the second transistor. Alternatively, the source of the second transistor is electrically isolated from its conductive structural portion, and the drain of the second transistor is electrically isolated from its conductive structural portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventor: Yifeng Wu
  • Publication number: 20130088280
    Abstract: An electronic component includes a depletion-mode transistor, an enhancement-mode transistor, and a resistor. The depletion-mode transistor has a higher breakdown voltage than the enhancement-mode transistor. A first terminal of the resistor is electrically connected to a source of the enhancement-mode transistor, and a second terminal of the resistor and a source of the depletion-mode transistor are each electrically connected to a drain of the enhancement-mode transistor. A gate of the depletion-mode transistor can be electrically connected to a source of the enhancement-mode transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: TRANSPHORM INC.
    Inventors: Rakesh K. Lal, Robert Coffie, Yifeng Wu, Primit Parikh, Yuvaraj Dora, Umesh Mishra, Srabanti Chowdhury, Nicholas Fichtenbaum
  • Publication number: 20130062621
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure includes a III-N device having a substrate layer, a first III-N material layer on one side of the substrate layer, a second III-N material layer on the first III-N material layer, and a barrier layer disposed on another side of the substrate layer, the barrier layer being less electrically conductive than the substrate layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: TRANSPHORM INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas Fichtenbaum, Lee McCarthy, Yifeng Wu
  • Publication number: 20130056744
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices with guard rings are described. The semiconductor devices may be, e.g., transistors and diodes designed for high-voltage applications. A guard ring is a floating electrode formed of electrically conducting material above a semiconductor material layer. A portion of an insulating layer is between at least a portion of the guard ring and the semiconductor material layer. A guard ring may be located, for example, on a transistor between a gate and a drain electrode. A semiconductor device may have one or more guard rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: TRANSPHORM INC.
    Inventors: Umesh Mishra, Srabanti Chowdhury, Yuvaraj Dora
  • Patent number: 8390000
    Abstract: A III-N device is described with a III-N material layer, an insulator layer on a surface of the III-N material layer, an etch stop layer on an opposite side of the insulator layer from the III-N material layer, and an electrode defining layer on an opposite side of the etch stop layer from the etch stop layer from the insulator layer. A recess is formed in the electrode defining layer. An electrode is formed in the recess. The insulator can have a precisely controlled thickness, particularly between the electrode and III-N material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Rongming Chu, Robert Coffie
  • Patent number: 8389977
    Abstract: Group III-nitride devices are described that include a stack of III-nitride layers, passivation layers, and conductive contacts. The stack includes a channel layer with a 2DEG channel, a barrier layer and a spacer layer. One passivation layer directly contacts a surface of the spacer layer on a side opposite to the channel layer and is an electrical insulator. The stack of III-nitride layers and the first passivation layer form a structure with a reverse side proximate to the first passivation layer and an obverse side proximate to the barrier layer. Another passivation layer is on the obverse side of the structure. Defected nucleation and stress management layers that form a buffer layer during the formation process can be partially or entirely removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Rongming Chu, Umesh Mishra, Rakesh K. Lal
  • Publication number: 20130009692
    Abstract: Power switching circuits including an inductive load and a switching device are described. The switches devices can be either low-side or high-side switches. Some of the switches are transistors that are able to block voltages or prevent substantial current from flowing through the transistor when voltage is applied across the transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: TRANSPHORM INC.
    Inventors: James Honea, Yifeng Wu
  • Publication number: 20130009613
    Abstract: Power switching circuits including an inductive load and a switching device are described. The switches devices can be either low-side or high-side switches. Some of the switches are transistors that are able to block voltages or prevent substantial current from flowing through the transistor when voltage is applied across the transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: James Honea, Yifeng Wu
  • Patent number: 8344424
    Abstract: Enhancement mode III-nitride devices are described. The 2DEG is depleted in the gate region so that the device is unable to conduct current when no bias is applied at the gate. Both gallium face and nitride face devices formed as enhancement mode devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Soo Suh, Umesh Mishra
  • Publication number: 20120267640
    Abstract: Planar Schottky diodes for which the semiconductor material includes a heterojunction which induces a 2DEG in at least one of the semiconductor layers. A metal anode contact is on top of the upper semiconductor layer and forms a Schottky contact with that layer. A metal cathode contact is connected to the 2DEG, forming an ohmic contact with the layer containing the 2DEG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: TRANSPHORM INC.
    Inventors: Yifeng Wu, Umesh Mishra, Primit Parikh, Ilan Ben-Yaacov
  • Patent number: 8289065
    Abstract: Power switching circuits including an inductive load and a switching device are described. The switches devices can be either low-side or high-side switches. Some of the switches are transistors that are able to block voltages or prevent substantial current from flowing through the transistor when voltage is applied across the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: James Honea, Yifeng Wu
  • Publication number: 20120223320
    Abstract: A III-N semiconductor device can include an electrode-defining layer having a thickness on a surface of a III-N material structure. The electrode-defining layer has a recess with a sidewall, the sidewall comprising a plurality of steps. A portion of the recess distal from the III-N material structure has a first width, and a portion of the recess proximal to the III-N material structure has a second width, the first width being larger than the second width. An electrode is in the recess, the electrode including an extending portion over the sidewall of the recess. A portion of the electrode-defining layer is between the extending portion and the III-N material structure. The sidewall forms an effective angle of about 40 degrees or less relative to the surface of the III-N material structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: TRANSPHORM INC.
    Inventor: Yuvaraj Dora
  • Publication number: 20120223319
    Abstract: A diode is described with a III-N material structure, an electrically conductive channel in the III-N material structure, two terminals, wherein a first terminal is an anode adjacent to the III-N material structure and a second terminal is a cathode in ohmic contact with the electrically conductive channel, and a dielectric layer over at least a portion of the anode. The anode comprises a first metal layer adjacent to the III-N material structure, a second metal layer, and an intermediary electrically conductive structure between the first metal layer and the second metal layer. The intermediary electrically conductive structure reduces a shift in an on-voltage or reduces a shift in reverse bias current of the diode resulting from the inclusion of the dielectric layer. The diode can be a high voltage device and can have low reverse bias currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: TRANSPHORM INC.
    Inventor: Yuvaraj Dora
  • Publication number: 20120218025
    Abstract: An electronic component comprising a half bridge adapted for operation with an electrical load having an operating frequency is described. The half bridge comprises a first switch and a second switch each having a switching frequency, the first switch and the second switch each including a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal, wherein the first terminal of the first switch and the second terminal of the second switch are both electrically connected to a node. The electronic component further includes a filter having a 3 dB roll-off frequency, the 3 dB roll-off frequency being less than the switching frequency of the switches but greater than the operating frequency of the electrical load. The first terminal of the filter is electrically coupled to the node, and the 3 dB roll-off frequency of the filter is greater than 5 kHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: TRANSPHORM INC.
    Inventors: James Honea, Yifeng Wu
  • Patent number: 8237198
    Abstract: Planar Schottky diodes for which the semiconductor material includes a heterojunction which induces a 2DEG in at least one of the semiconductor layers. A metal anode contact is on top of the upper semiconductor layer and forms a Schottky contact with that layer. A metal cathode contact is connected to the 2DEG, forming an ohmic contact with the layer containing the 2DEG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Yifeng Wu, Rongming Chu, Primit Parikh, Umesh Mishra, Ilan Ben-Yaacov, Likun Shen
  • Publication number: 20120193677
    Abstract: A III-N device is described with a III-N layer, an electrode thereon, a passivation layer adjacent the III-N layer and electrode, a thick insulating layer adjacent the passivation layer and electrode, a high thermal conductivity carrier capable of transferring substantial heat away from the III-N device, and a bonding layer between the thick insulating layer and the carrier. The bonding layer attaches the thick insulating layer to the carrier. The thick insulating layer can have a precisely controlled thickness and be thermally conductive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: TRANSPHORM INC.
    Inventors: Primit Parikh, Yuvaraj Dora, Yifeng Wu, Umesh Mishra, Nicholas Fichtenbaum
  • Publication number: 20120175680
    Abstract: Enhancement mode III-nitride devices are described. The 2DEG is depleted in the gate region so that the device is unable to conduct current when no bias is applied at the gate. Both gallium face and nitride face devices formed as enhancement mode devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Transphorm Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Soo SUH, Umesh MISHRA