Patents by Inventor Bethany Joy Walles

Bethany Joy Walles 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).

  • Method for reworking a multi-layer circuit board using a shape memory alloy material
    Patent number: 5925298
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a rigid circuit board has a circuit board with a reduced thickness in a bend region. The bend region may have several layers of laminate and conductive material. The circuit board is heated to the glass transition temperature which allows the circuit board to become flexible. The apparatus has a clamping member and a stationary member. The clamping member uses a shape memory alloy actuator with a transition temperature about the same as the glass transition temperature of the laminate. The actuator is used to form the bend region to a predetermined shape around the stationary member. When the circuit board is cooled, the circuit board again becomes rigid in its predetermined shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Bethany Joy Walles, Michael George Todd, Robert Edward Belke, Jr.