Patents by Inventor Brian S. Beaman

Brian S. Beaman 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: 8136242
    Abstract: A method of producing a land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and at least one interposer mounted on a first surface of said carrier plane. The interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. A plurality of electrically-conductive elements are arranged about the surface of the at least one hemi-toroidal interposer and extend radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth G. Hougham, Brian S. Beaman, Evan G. Colgan, Paul W. Coteus, Stefano S. Oggioni, Enrique Vargas
  • Patent number: 8123529
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for providing electrical connections for an area array device. Each of a plurality of holes in a circuit board has a conductor within it and has an opening on a side of the circuit board. Electrically conductive contact posts extend from the openings of the holes. The contact posts are in a pattern corresponding to contact pads on an area array device. A compliant portion of each contact post is inserted within a hole. The conductor compresses the compliant portion to removably secure the contact post within the hole. The conductors form an electrical connection with the contact post. A spring portion of each contact post extends away from the circuit board. The spring portion is compressible toward the circuit board, and provides an electrical connection between a contact post and a contact pad in response to contact with the contact pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Brian S. Beaman
  • Patent number: 8118602
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing electrical connections for an area array device. Each of a plurality of holes in a circuit board has a conductor within it and has an opening on a side of the circuit board. Electrically conductive contact posts extend from the openings of the holes. The contact posts are in a pattern corresponding to contact pads on an area array device. A compliant portion of each contact post is inserted within a hole. The conductor compresses the compliant portion to removably secure the contact post within the hole. The conductors form an electrical connection with the contact post. A spring portion of each contact post extends away from the circuit board. The spring portion is compressible toward the circuit board, and provides an electrical connection between a contact post and a contact pad in response to contact with the contact pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Brian S. Beaman
  • Publication number: 20110320237
    Abstract: A method, a computer program product, and an apparatus is provided for scheduling meetings which includes (1) evaluating a set of proposed meetings, (2) creating a number of calendars, each calendar containing schedule date for the proposed meetings, (3) ranking each calendar according to a calendar evaluation criteria and providing the ranking data with the calendar, and (4) displaying several of the calendars and their respective ranking data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian S. Beaman, Mark K. Hoffmeyer, Joseph C. Diepenbrock, John L. Colbert, Roger S. Krabbenhoft, Sandra J. Shirk/Heath, William L. Brodsky
  • Publication number: 20110287638
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for aligning socket housing segments for an area array device. Each socket housing segment includes at least a first surface and a second surface, with the second surface opposite the first surface. The second surface of each socket housing segment provides electrical connections for a portion of the area array device. Socket contact pads are disposed on the first surfaces of the plurality of socket housing segments. The socket contact pads correspond to substrate contact pads disposed on a substrate. One or more alignment structures are disposed at a space between the socket housing segments. Each alignment structure is coupled to at least two of the socket housing segments. The one or more alignment structures maintain a predetermined alignment of each socket housing segment so that the socket contact pads align with the substrate contact pads during a surface mount connection process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian S. Beaman, William L. Brodsky, John L. Colbert, Mark K. Hoffmeyer, Yuet-Ying Yu
  • Publication number: 20110266042
    Abstract: A printed circuit board assembly and method of assembly is provided for a printed circuit board having a top and bottom surface with at least one edge portion having a rounded surface extending front the top surface to a point below the top surface and at least one electrical contact pad located on the top surface and extending over the edge portion rounded surface to a point below the top surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Brian S. Beaman
  • Patent number: 8037600
    Abstract: A method of producing a land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and mounting at least one interposer on a first surface of the carrier plane. The interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. The method includes arranging a plurality of electrically conductive elements about the surface of the at least one hemi-toroidal interposer and extending radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth G. Hougham, Brian S. Beaman, Evan G. Colgan, Paul W. Coteus, Stefano S. Oggioni, Enrique Vargas
  • Patent number: 7975379
    Abstract: LGA connectors are fabricated with buttons or spring contacts preformed to different heights to accommodate the initial topography of a typical module or PCB of a particular product type. This is accomplished during fabrication by measuring topographies of mating surfaces of a first electronic device and of a second electronic device; fabricating interposer contacts to form opposing non-planar sides having respective inverse topographies for contacting the mating surfaces; and sandwiching the interposer between the first and second electronic devices with the opposing sides in contact with respective mating surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth G. Hougham, Brian S. Beaman, John S. Corbin, Paul Coteus, Shawn A. Hall, Kathleen C. Hinge, Theron L. Lewis, Frank R. Libsch, Amanda E. E. Mikhail
  • Publication number: 20110151681
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing electrical connections for an area array device. Each of a plurality of holes in a circuit board has a conductor within it and has an opening on a side of the circuit board. Electrically conductive contact posts extend from the openings of the holes. The contact posts are in a pattern corresponding to contact pads on an area array device. A compliant portion of each contact post is inserted within a hole. The conductor compresses the compliant portion to removably secure the contact post within the hole. The conductors form an electrical connection with the contact post. A spring portion of each contact post extends away from the circuit board. The spring portion is compressible toward the circuit board, and provides an electrical connection between a contact post and a contact pad in response to contact with the contact pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brian S. Beaman
  • Publication number: 20110151688
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for providing electrical connections for an area array device. Each of a plurality of holes in a circuit board has a conductor within it and has an opening on a side of the circuit board. Electrically conductive contact posts extend from the openings of the holes. The contact posts are in a pattern corresponding to contact pads on an area array device. A compliant portion of each contact post is inserted within a hole. The conductor compresses the compliant portion to removably secure the contact post within the hole. The conductors form an electrical connection with the contact post. A spring portion of each contact post extends away from the circuit board. The spring portion is compressible toward the circuit board, and provides an electrical connection between a contact post and a contact pad in response to contact with the contact pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brian S. Beaman
  • Patent number: 7836585
    Abstract: A method of operatively combining a plurality of components to form a land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and at least one interposer mounted on a first surface of said carrier plane. The interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. A plurality of electrically-conductive elements are arranged about the surface of the at least one hemi-toroidal interposer and extend radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth G. Hougham, Brian S. Beaman, Evan G. Colgan, Paul W. Coteus, Stefano S. Oggioni, Enrique Vargas
  • Patent number: 7832095
    Abstract: A method of producing a land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and at least one interposer mounted on a first surface of said carrier plane. The interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. A plurality of electrically-conductive elements are arranged about the surface of the at least one hemi-toroidal interposer and extend radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth G. Hougham, Brian S. Beaman, Evan G. Colgan, Paul W. Coteus, Stefano S. Oggioni, Enrique Vargas
  • Patent number: 7832094
    Abstract: A method of operatively combining a plurality of components to form a land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and at least one interposer mounted on a first surface of said carrier plane. The interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. A plurality of electrically-conductive elements are arranged about the surface of the at least one hemi-toroidal interposer and extend radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth G. Hougham, Brian S. Beaman, Evan G. Colgan, Paul W. Coteus, Stefano S. Oggioni, Enrique Vargas
  • Publication number: 20100279521
    Abstract: A method of producing a land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and at least one interposer mounted on a first surface of said carrier plane. The interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. A plurality of electrically conductive elements are arranged about the surface of the at least one hemi-toroidal interposer and extend radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gareth G. Hougham, Brian S. Beaman, Evan G. Colgan, Paul W. Coteus, Stefano S. Oggioni, Enrique Vargas
  • Patent number: 7823283
    Abstract: A land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and at least one interposer mounted on a first surface of said carrier plane. The interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. A plurality of electrically-conductive elements are arranged about the surface of the at least one hemi-toroidal interposer and extend radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane. Provided is also a method of producing the land grid array interposer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth G. Hougham, Brian S. Beaman, Evan G. Colgan, Paul W. Coteus, Stefano S. Oggioni, Enrique Vargas
  • Publication number: 20100173505
    Abstract: LGA connectors are fabricated with buttons or spring contacts preformed to different heights to accommodate the initial topography of a typical module or PCB of a particular product type. This is accomplished during fabrication by measuring topographies of mating surfaces of a first electronic device and of a second electronic device; fabricating interposer contacts to form opposing non-planar sides having respective inverse topographies for contacting the mating surfaces; and sandwiching the interposer between the first and second electronic devices with the opposing sides in contact with respective mating surfaces. For those LGA types made by molding techniques such as the metal-in-polymer type (eg. Tyco Electronics MPI, or Shin Etsu RP) or the Metal-on-Elastomer type (IBM), using molds with the desired topography provides the desired LGA topography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Gareth G. Hougham, Brian S. Beaman, John S. Corbin, Paul Coteus, Shawn A. Hall, Kathleen C. Hinge, Theron L. Lewis, Frank R. Libsch, Amanda E. E. Mikhail
  • Patent number: 7665999
    Abstract: A module arrangement which includes a land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and at least one interposer mounted on a first surface of said carrier plane. The interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a moldable dielectric elastomeric material. A plurality of electrically-conductive elements are arranged about the surface of the at least one hemi-toroidal interposer and extend radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth G. Hougham, Brian S. Beaman, Evan G. Colgan, Paul W. Coteus, Stefano S. Oggioni, Enrique Vargas
  • Patent number: 7658616
    Abstract: A land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and interposer groupings of different height being mounted on a first surface of said carrier plane. Each interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. A plurality of electrically-conductive elements are arranged about the surface of each hemi-toroidal interposer and extend radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth G. Hougham, Brian S. Beaman, Evan G. Colgan, Paul W. Coteus, Stefano S. Oggioni, Enrique Vargas
  • Publication number: 20100000085
    Abstract: A method of producing a module arrangement which includes a land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and at least one interposer mounted on a first surface of said carrier plane. The interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. A plurality of electrically-conductive elements are arranged about the surface of the at least one hemi-toroidal interposer and extend radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gareth G. Hougham, Brian S. Beaman, Evan G. Colgan, Paul W. Coteus, Stefano S. Oggioni, Enrique Vargas
  • Patent number: 7641479
    Abstract: A method of producing a land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and at least one interposer mounted on a first surface of said carrier plane. The interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. A plurality of electrically-conductive elements are arranged about the surface of the at least one hemi-toroidal interposer and extend radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth G. Hougham, Brian S. Beaman, Evan G. Colgan, Paul W. Coteus, Stefano S. Oggioni, Enrique Vargas