Patents by Inventor Alan D. Foster

Alan D. Foster 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: 6035523
    Abstract: A support is provided for a component on a substrate to minimize unacceptable bending or displacement. In a preferred embodiment, a suitable amount of a thermoplastic material is injected through a hole in a PCB under the component after the component has been affixed to the PCB. This allows the support material to fill any space between the component and the PCB yet allow for variation in lead height and for thermal expansion of the support material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg D. McNeil, David C. Buuck, Alan D. Foster
  • Patent number: 5999437
    Abstract: A processor-inclusive memory module (PIMM) is disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, the PIMM includes a printed circuit board having first and second opposing surfaces. The printed circuit board also has an address line formed therein. A first SRAM is mounted on the first surface of the printed circuit board. The present PIMM is further comprised of a second SRAM mounted on the second surface of the printed circuit board. The second SRAM is mounted on the second surface of the printed circuit board directly opposite the first SRAM mounted on the first surface of the printed circuit board. The first and second SRAMs are coupled to the address line by respective cache buses. A processor is also mounted on the first surface of the printed circuit board, and is coupled to the address line. In one embodiment of the invention, a heat sink is thermally coupled to the processor. The processor has a plurality of contact pads disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Chengson, William L. Schmidt, Unmesh Agarwala, Alan D. Foster, Edward C. Priest, John C. Manton, Ali Mira
  • Patent number: 5867419
    Abstract: A processor-inclusive memory module (PIMM) is disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, the PIMM includes a printed circuit board having first and second opposing surfaces. The printed circuit board also has an address line formed therein. A first SRAM is mounted on the first surface of the printed circuit board. The present PIMM is further comprised of a second SRAM mounted on the second surface of the printed circuit board. The second SRAM is mounted on the second surface of the printed circuit board directly opposite the first SRAM mounted on the first surface of the printed circuit board. The first and second SRAMs are coupled to the address line by respective cache buses. A processor is also mounted on the first surface of the printed circuit board, and is coupled to the address line. In one embodiment of the invention, a heat sink is thermally coupled to the processor. The processor has a plurality of contact pads disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Chengson, William L. Schmidt, Unmesh Agarwala, Alan D. Foster, Edward C. Priest, John C. Manton, Ali Mira
  • Patent number: 5710733
    Abstract: A processor-inclusive memory module (PIMM) is disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, the PIMM includes a printed circuit board having first and second opposing surfaces. The printed circuit board also has an address line formed therein. A first SRAM is mounted on the first surface of the printed circuit board. The present PIMM is further comprised of a second SRAM mounted on the second surface of the printed circuit board. The second SRAM is mounted on the second surface of the printed circuit board directly opposite the first SRAM mounted on the first surface of the printed circuit board. The first and second SRAMs are coupled to the address line by respective cache buses. A processor is also mounted on the first surface of the printed circuit board, and is coupled to the address line. In one embodiment of the invention, a heat sink is thermally coupled to the processor. The processor has a plurality of contact pads disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Chengson, William L. Schmidt, Unmesh Agarwala, Alan D. Foster, Edward C. Priest, John C. Manton, Ali Mira
  • Patent number: 5504652
    Abstract: A unitary heat sink including a planar contact portion for contacting the top of an IC. The heat sink is constructed from a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 150 watts per meter Degree Kelvin (W/m.degree.K.) but preferably is constructed from aluminum having a conductivity of 221 (W/m.degree.K.). A number of leg portions extend from the contact portion such that each leg portion has a distal end. The leg portions, being made of the same material as the contact portion, are configured to have a sufficient resiliency such that deformations of the leg portions provide a spring force in the range of 5 to 16 lbs against the top of the IC. A method for dissipating heat from an integrated circuit includes the steps of forming a unitary heat sink from a heat sink material, where the heat sink includes a contact portion and a number of integral, spring leg portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. Foster, Mark P. August
  • Patent number: 4202528
    Abstract: A mobile home jack and coupler assembly is adapted for mounting to the A-frame or tongue of a mobile home. Both top mounted coupler assembly and inverted bottom mounted coupler assembly are disclosed. Each includes a screw jack which mounts from underneath. The screw jack carries, adjacent its lower end, a mounting plate which is received in underlying relation to a portion of the coupler, while the upper end thereof extends through a guide plate above the coupler. The mounting plate on the jack is welded to the jack body by an underlying weld, with the result that the tongue weight of the mobile home is carried directly by the jack support plate in compression, rather than in tension, and the compressive force is transferred by the underlying weld, also in compression, to the jack body. As a result, jack mounting screws do not carry the tongue weight applied to the jack, and greater tongue loads can more safely be carried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1980
    Assignee: Dayton-Walther Corporation
    Inventor: Alan D. Foster
  • Patent number: 4127306
    Abstract: An offset spindle and spindle support for a mobile home axle is disclosed, in which the wheel spindle is vertically offset with respect to a conventional axle tube. The offset support comprises a generally cup-shaped stamping and utilizes the backing plate of the brake to form a box-section, low-cost high strength offset support for a forged wheel spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1978
    Assignee: Dayton-Walther Corporation
    Inventor: Alan D. Foster