Patents by Inventor Brice McPherson

Brice McPherson 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).

  • Publication number: 20230260861
    Abstract: Semiconductor packages and, more particularly, semiconductor packages with increased power handling capabilities are disclosed. Semiconductor packages may include lead frame structures and corresponding housings that incorporate semiconductor die. To promote increased current and voltage capabilities, exemplary semiconductor packages include one or more arrangements of creepage extension structures, lead frame structures that may include integral thermal pads, additional thermal elements, and combinations thereof. Creepage extension structures may be arranged as part of top sides of semiconductor packages along with thermal pads of lead frame structures and additional thermal elements. Creepage extension structures may also be arranged as part of top sides and along on one or more peripheral edges of semiconductor packages to promote further increases in power handling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Geza Dezsi, Devarajan Balaraman, Brice McPherson
  • Publication number: 20230142930
    Abstract: A power module is provided with a substrate, power devices, and a housing. The power devices are mounted on device pads of the substrate and arranged to provide a power circuit having a first input, a second input, and at least one output. First and second power terminals provide first and second inputs for the power circuit. At least one output power terminal provides at least one output. The housing encompasses the substrate, the power devices, and portions of the first and second input power terminals as well as the at least one output power terminal. The first and second input power terminals extend out of a first side of the housing, and the at least one output power terminal extends out of a second side of the housing, the first side being opposite the second side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Brice McPherson, Shashwat Singh, Roberto M. Schupbach
  • Publication number: 20230060641
    Abstract: Power semiconductor devices, and more particularly arrangements of power semiconductor devices for improved thermal performance in high power applications are disclosed. Arrangements for multiple power semiconductor devices within a package and/or module are provided that more efficiently utilize the active device area of each power semiconductor device for a given operational specification. Certain arrangements are provided that reduce the effects of thermal crowding in order to provide increased power capability or a similar power capability in a reduced device size. Improved thermal balancing may be provided by variable spacing and/or variable offset distances between next-adjacent power semiconductor devices. In this manner, active areas of power devices and/or modules may include an increased density of power semiconductor devices within a given area while also exhibiting improved thermal profiles during operation, thereby providing improved operating characteristics and/or increased operating lifetimes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Brice McPherson, Benjamin A. Samples, Brandon Passmore
  • Publication number: 20220354014
    Abstract: A power module including at least one substrate, a housing arranged on the at least one power substrate, a first terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate, a second terminal including a contact surface, a third terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate, a plurality of power devices arranged on and connected to the at least one power substrate, and the third terminal being electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of power devices. The power module further including a base plate and a plurality of pin fins arranged on the base plate and the plurality of pin fins configured to provide direct cooling for the power module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew FEURTADO, Brice MCPHERSON, Daniel MARTIN, Alexander LOSTETTER
  • Patent number: 11445630
    Abstract: A power module including at least one substrate, a housing arranged on the at least one power substrate, a first terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate, a second terminal including a contact surface, a third terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate, a plurality of power devices arranged on and connected to the at least one power substrate, and the third terminal being electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of power devices. The power module further including a base plate and a plurality of pin fins arranged on the base plate and the plurality of pin fins configured to provide direct cooling for the power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: WOLFSPEED, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Feurtado, Brice McPherson, Daniel Martin, Alexander Lostetter
  • Publication number: 20220262909
    Abstract: Strategic placement and patterning of electrodes, vias, and metal runners can significantly reduce strain in a power semiconductor die. By modifying the path defining electrodes, vias, and metal runners, as well as patterning the material layers thereof, strain can be better managed to increase reliability of a power semiconductor die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel Jenner Lichtenwalner, Edward Robert Van Brunt, Thomas E. Harrington, III, Shadi Sabri, Brett Hull, Brice McPherson, Joe W. McPherson
  • Publication number: 20220115346
    Abstract: A package for power electronics includes a power substrate, a number of power semiconductor die, and a Kelvin connection contact. Each one of the power semiconductor die are on the power substrate and include a first power switching pad, a second power switching pad, a control pad, a semiconductor structure, and a Kelvin connection pad. The semiconductor structure is between the first power switching pad, the second power switching pad, and the control pad, and is configured such that a resistance of a power switching path between the first power switching pad and the second power switching pad is based on a control signal provided at the control pad. The Kelvin connection pad is coupled to the power switching path. The Kelvin connection contact is coupled to the Kelvin connection pad of each one of the power semiconductor die via a Kelvin conductive trace on the power substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Brice McPherson, Daniel Martin, Jennifer Stabach
  • Publication number: 20210313243
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a power module comprising a substrate, first and second pluralities of vertical power devices, and first and second terminal assemblies. The substrate has a top surface with a first trace and a second trace. The first plurality of vertical power devices and a second plurality of vertical power devices are electrically coupled to form part of a power circuit. The first plurality of vertical power devices are electrically and mechanically directly coupled between the first trace and a bottom of a first elongated bar of the first terminal assembly. The second plurality of vertical power devices are electrically and mechanically directly coupled between the second trace and a bottom of a second elongated bar of the second terminal assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventor: Brice McPherson
  • Publication number: 20210313289
    Abstract: A package for power electronics includes a power substrate, a number of power semiconductor die, and a Kelvin connection contact. Each one of the power semiconductor die are on the power substrate and include a first power switching pad, a second power switching pad, a control pad, a semiconductor structure, and a Kelvin connection pad. The semiconductor structure is between the first power switching pad, the second power switching pad, and the control pad, and is configured such that a resistance of a power switching path between the first power switching pad and the second power switching pad is based on a control signal provided at the control pad. The Kelvin connection pad is coupled to the power switching path. The Kelvin connection contact is coupled to the Kelvin connection pad of each one of the power semiconductor die via a Kelvin conductive trace on the power substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Brice McPherson, Daniel Martin, Jennifer Stabach
  • Publication number: 20210313256
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a power module having a substrate, first and second pluralities of vertical power devices, and first and second terminal assemblies. The substrate has a top surface with a first trace and a second trace. The first plurality of vertical power devices and the second plurality of vertical power devices are electrically coupled to form part of a power circuit. The first plurality of vertical power devices is electrically and mechanically directly coupled between the first trace and a bottom of a first elongated bar of the first terminal assembly. The second plurality of vertical power devices are electrically and mechanically directly coupled between the second trace and a bottom of a second elongated bar of the second terminal assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Brice McPherson, Brandon Passmore, Roberto M. Schupbach, Jennifer Stabach-Smith
  • Patent number: 11135669
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing an electronic component having attaches includes providing a first component having a first attach, forming trenches on a portion of the first attach with a laser to form a solder stop, and providing a second component comprising a second attach. The process further includes providing solder between the first attach and the second attach to form a connection between the first component and the second component, where the trenches contain the solder to a usable area. A device produced by the process is disclosed as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Jennifer Stabach, Brice McPherson, Chad B. O'Neal
  • Patent number: 11069640
    Abstract: A package for power electronics includes a power substrate, a number of power semiconductor die, and a Kelvin connection contact. Each one of the power semiconductor die are on the power substrate and include a first power switching pad, a second power switching pad, a control pad, a semiconductor structure, and a Kelvin connection pad. The semiconductor structure is between the first power switching pad, the second power switching pad, and the control pad, and is configured such that a resistance of a power switching path between the first power switching pad and the second power switching pad is based on a control signal provided at the control pad. The Kelvin connection pad is coupled to the power switching path. The Kelvin connection contact is coupled to the Kelvin connection pad of each one of the power semiconductor die via a Kelvin conductive trace on the power substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Cree Fayetteville, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice McPherson, Daniel Martin, Jennifer Stabach
  • Publication number: 20210136947
    Abstract: A power module including at least one substrate, a housing arranged on the at least one power substrate, a first terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate, a second terminal including a contact surface, a third terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate, a plurality of power devices arranged on and connected to the at least one power substrate, and the third terminal being electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of power devices. The power module further including a base plate and a plurality of pin fins arranged on the base plate and the plurality of pin fins configured to provide direct cooling for the power module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew Feurtado, Brice McPherson, Daniel Martin, Alexander Lostetter
  • Patent number: 10917992
    Abstract: A power module including at least one substrate, a housing arranged on the at least one power substrate, a first terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate, a second terminal including a contact surface, a third terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate, a plurality of power devices arranged on and connected to the at least one power substrate, and the third terminal being electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of power devices. The power module further including a base plate and a plurality of pin fins arranged on the base plate and the plurality of pin fins configured to provide direct cooling for the power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: CREE FAYETTEVILLE, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Feurtado, Brice McPherson, Daniel Martin, Alexander Lostetter
  • Patent number: D909310
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Cree, Fayetteville, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice McPherson, Sayan Seal, Zachary Cole, Jennifer Stabach, Brandon Passmore, Ty McNutt, Alexander B. Lostetter
  • Patent number: D942403
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: WOLFSPEED, INC.
    Inventors: Brice McPherson, Matthew Feurtado
  • Patent number: D954667
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: WOLFSPEED, INC.
    Inventors: Brice McPherson, Alexander Lostetter
  • Patent number: D954668
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: WOLFSPEED, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Feurtado, Daniel Martin, Ty McNutt, Brice McPherson, Alexander Lostetter
  • Patent number: D969740
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: WOLFSPEED, INC.
    Inventors: Brice McPherson, Alexander Lostetter
  • Patent number: D985517
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: WOLFSPEED, INC
    Inventors: Brice McPherson, Matthew Feurtado