Patents by Inventor Clarence E. Cowan
Clarence E. Cowan 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).
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Patent number: 7616017Abstract: To reduce the time to make measurements and the noise in measurements obtained by probing a device supported on surface of a thermal chuck in a probe station, a conductive member is arranged to intercept current coupling the thermal unit of the chuck to the surface supporting the device. The conductive member is capacitively coupled to the thermal unit but free of direct electrical connection thereto.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2007Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: Clarence E. Cowan, Paul A. Tervo, John L. Dunklee
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Patent number: 7550984Abstract: A cable includes an inner conductor, an inner dielectric, and a guard conductor, where the inner dielectric is between the inner conductor and the guard conductor. The cable also includes an outer dielectric, and a shield conductor, where the outer dielectric is between the guard conductor and the shield conductor. The cable further includes an additional layer of material between the outer dielectric and the shield conductor of suitable composition for reducing triboelectric current generation between the outer dielectric and the shield conductor to less than that which would occur were the outer dielectric and the shield conductor to directly adjoin each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2007Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Lesher, Brad Miller, Clarence E. Cowan, Michael Simmons, Frank Gray, Cynthia L. McDonald
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Patent number: 7498828Abstract: A probe assembly suitable for high-current measurements of an electrical device.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2007Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: John Dunklee, Clarence E. Cowan
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Publication number: 20080252316Abstract: A membrane probing assembly includes a probe card with conductors supported thereon, wherein the conductors include at least a signal conductor located between a pair of spaced apart guard conductors. A membrane assembly includes a membrane with contacts thereon, and supporting at least a signal conductor located between a pair of spaced apart guard conductors. The guard conductors of the probe card are electrically interconnected proximate the interconnection between the probe card and the membrane assembly. The guard conductors of the membrane assembly are electrically interconnected proximate the interconnection between the probe card and the membrane assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2008Publication date: October 16, 2008Inventors: Paul A. Tervo, Kenneth R. Smith, Clarence E. Cowan, Mike P. Dauphinais, Martin J. Koxxy
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Patent number: 7403025Abstract: A membrane probing assembly includes a probe card with conductors supported thereon, wherein the conductors include at least a signal conductor located between a pair of spaced apart guard conductors. A membrane assembly includes a membrane with contacts thereon, and supporting at least a signal conductor located between a pair of spaced apart guard conductors. The guard conductors of the probe card are electrically interconnected proximate the interconnection between the probe card and the membrane assembly. The guard conductors of the membrane assembly are electrically interconnected proximate the interconnection between the probe card and the membrane assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2006Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Tervo, Kenneth R. Smith, Clarence E. Cowan, Mike P. Dauphinais, Martin J. Koxxy
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Patent number: 7323895Abstract: A low-current pogo probe card for measuring currents down to the femtoamp region includes a laminate board having a layer of conductive traces interposed between to dielectric layers. A plurality of probing devices, such as ceramic blades, are edge-mounted about a central opening so that the probing needles or needles included therein terminate below the opening in a pattern suitable for probing a test subject workpiece. A plurality of pogo pin receiving pad sets, each including a guard pad, occupy the periphery of the board. Each guard pad is electrically connected to a trace from the layer of conductive traces. The pad sets may be connected to the probing devices by low noise cables or traces. Air trenches separate the pad sets for reducing cross talk and signal settling times.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Tervo, Clarence E. Cowan
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Patent number: 7295025Abstract: A cable includes an inner conductor, an inner dielectric, and a guard conductor, where the inner dielectric is between the inner conductor and the guard conductor. The cable also includes an outer dielectric, and a shield conductor, where the outer dielectric is between the guard conductor and the shield conductor. The cable further includes an additional layer of material between the outer dielectric and the shield conductor of suitable composition for reducing triboelectric current generation between the outer dielectric and the shield conductor to less than that which would occur were the outer dielectric and the shield conductor to directly adjoin each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2006Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Lesher, Brad Miller, Clarence E. Cowan, Michael Simmons, Frank Gray, Cynthia L. McDonald
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Patent number: 7292057Abstract: To reduce noise in measurements obtained by probing a device supported on surface of a thermal chuck in a probe station, a conductive member is arranged to intercept current coupling the thermal unit of the chuck to the surface supporting the device. The conductive member is capacitively coupled to the thermal unit but free of direct electrical connection thereto.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2006Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: Clarence E. Cowan, Paul A. Tervo, John L. Dunklee
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Patent number: 7250779Abstract: A probe assembly suitable for making test measurements using test signals having high currents. The disclosed probe assembly provides for a test signal exhibiting relatively low inductance when compared to existing probe assemblies by preferably reducing the electrical path distance between the test instrumentation and the electrical device being tested.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2003Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: John Dunklee, Clarence E. Cowan
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Patent number: 7148714Abstract: A low-current pogo probe card for measuring currents down to the femtoamp region includes a laminate board having a layer of conductive traces interposed between two dielectric layers. A plurality of probing devices, such as ceramic blades, are edge-mounted about a central opening so that the probing needles or needles included therein terminate below the opening in a pattern suitable for probing a test subject workpiece. A plurality of pogo pin receiving pad sets, each including a guard pad, occupy the periphery of the board. Each guard pad is electrically connected to a trace from the layer of conductive traces. The pad sets may be connected to the probing devices by low noise cables or traces. Air trenches separate the pad sets for reducing cross talk and signal settling times.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2005Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Tervo, Clarence E. Cowan
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Patent number: 7148711Abstract: A membrane probing assembly includes a probe card with conductors supported thereon, wherein the conductors include at least a signal conductor located between a pair of spaced apart guard conductors. A membrane assembly includes a membrane with contacts thereon, and supporting at least a signal conductor located between a pair of spaced apart guard conductors. The guard conductors of the probe card are electrically interconnected proximate the interconnection between the probe card and the membrane assembly. The guard conductors of the membrane assembly are electrically interconnected proximate the interconnection between the probe card and the membrane assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Tervo, Kenneth R. Smith, Clarence E. Cowan, Mike P. Dauphinais, Martin J. Koxxy
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Patent number: 7138810Abstract: A cable includes an inner conductor, an inner dielectric, and a guard conductor, where the inner dielectric is between the inner conductor and the guard conductor. The cable also includes an outer dielectric, and a shield conductor, where the outer dielectric is between the guard conductor and the shield conductor. The cable further includes an additional layer of material between the outer dielectric and the shield conductor of suitable composition for reducing triboelectric current generation between the outer dielectric and the shield conductor to less than that which would occur were the outer dielectric and the shield conductor to directly adjoin each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2004Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Lesher, Brad Miller, Clarence E. Cowan, Michael Simmons, Frank Gray, Cynthia L. McDonald
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Patent number: 7138813Abstract: To reduce noise in measurements obtained by probing a device supported on surface of a thermal chuck in a probe station, a conductive member is arranged to intercept current coupling the thermal unit of the chuck to the surface supporting the device. The conductive member is capacitively coupled to the thermal unit but free of direct electrical connection thereto.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2003Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: Clarence E. Cowan, Paul A. Tervo, John L. Dunklee
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Patent number: 7068057Abstract: A low-current pogo probe card for measuring currents down to the femtoamp region includes a laminate board having a layer of conductive traces interposed between two dielectric layers. A plurality of probing devices, such as ceramic blades, are edge-mounted about a central opening so that the probing needles or needles included therein terminate below the opening in a pattern suitable for probing a test subject workpiece. A plurality of pogo pin receiving pad sets, each including a guard pad, occupy the periphery of the board. Each guard pad is electrically connected to a trace from the layer of conductive traces. The pad sets may be connected to the probing devices by low noise cables or traces. Air trenches separate the pad sets for reducing cross talk and signal settling times.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2005Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Tervo, Clarence E. Cowan
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Patent number: 7042241Abstract: A probe card includes a plurality of probes, where each probe is supported by the probe card. A plurality of landings are on the top of the probe card. Each of the landings is electrically interconnected with a coaxial cable that is also associated with one of the probes. A plurality of trenches defined by the probe card substantially encircles respective landings.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2004Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Tervo, Clarence E. Cowan
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Patent number: 6930498Abstract: A membrane probing assembly includes a probe card with conductors supported thereon, wherein the conductors include at least a signal conductor located between a pair of spaced apart guard conductors. A membrane assembly includes a membrane with contacts thereon, and supporting at least a signal conductor located between a pair of spaced apart guard conductors. The guard conductors of the probe card are electrically interconnected proximate the interconnection between the probe card and the membrane assembly. The guard conductors of the membrane assembly are electrically interconnected proximate the interconnection between the probe card and the membrane assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2004Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Tervo, Kenneth R. Smith, Clarence E. Cowan, Mike P. Dauphinais, Martin J. Koxxy
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Patent number: 6856153Abstract: A low-current pogo probe card for measuring currents down to the femtoamp region includes a laminate board having a layer of conductive traces interposed between two dielectric layers. A plurality of probing devices, such as ceramic blades, are edge-mounted about a central opening so that the probing needles or needles included therein terminate below the opening in a pattern suitable for probing a test subject workpiece. A plurality of pogo pin receiving pad sets, each including a guard pad, occupy the periphery of the board. Each guard pad is electrically connected to a trace from the layer of conductive traces. The pad sets may be connected to the probing devices by low noise cables or traces. Air trenches separate the pad sets for reducing cross talk and signal settling times.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Tervo, Clarence E. Cowan
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Patent number: 6847219Abstract: A cable includes an inner conductor, an inner dielectric, and a guard conductor, where the inner dielectric is between the inner conductor and the guard conductor. The cable also includes an outer dielectric, and a shield conductor, where the outer dielectric is between the guard conductor and the shield conductor. The cable further includes an additional layer of material between the outer dielectric and the shield conductor of suitable composition for reducing triboelectric current generation between the outer dielectric and the shield conductor to less than that which would occur were the outer dielectric and the shield conductor to directly adjoin each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2003Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Lesher, Brad Miller, Clarence E. Cowan, Michael Simmons, Frank Gray, Cynthia L. McDonald
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Patent number: 6838890Abstract: A membrane probing assembly includes a probe card with conductors supported thereon, wherein the conductors include at least a signal conductor located between a pair of spaced apart guard conductors. A membrane assembly includes a membrane with contacts thereon, and supporting at least a signal conductor located between a pair of spaced apart guard conductors. The guard conductors of the probe card are electrically interconnected proximate the interconnection between the probe card and the membrane assembly. The guard conductors of the membrane assembly are electrically interconnected proximate the interconnection between the probe card and the membrane assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2000Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Tervo, Kenneth R. Smith, Clarence E. Cowan, Mike P. Dauphinais, Martin J. Koxxy
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Patent number: 6822467Abstract: A low-current pogo probe card for measuring currents down to the femtoamp region includes a laminate board having a layer of conductive traces interposed between two dielectric layers. A plurality of probing devices, such as ceramic blades, are edge-mounted about a central opening so that the probing needles or needles included therein terminate below the opening in a pattern suitable for probing a test subject workpiece. A plurality of pogo pin receiving pad sets, each including a guard pad, occupy the periphery of the board. Each guard pad is electrically connected to a trace from the layer of conductive traces. The pad sets may be connected to the probing devices by low noise cables or traces. Air trenches separate the pad sets for reducing cross talk and signal settling times.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2002Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Cascade Microtech, INCInventors: Paul A. Tervo, Clarence E. Cowan