Patents by Inventor Craig K. Merritt

Craig K. Merritt 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: 20230191541
    Abstract: A solder preform in the shape of a solder tube or washer includes: a cylindrically shaped solder alloy body including an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end, a second end, a first opening located at the first end, and a second opening located at the second end, the second end interlocking with the first end, and the first opening and the second opening cut along an entire height of the solder alloy body; and a flux core embedded in the solder alloy body between the inner surface and the outer surface, the flux core including a thermochromic indicator. During reflow soldering, the flux core including the thermochromic indicator flows out of the first opening of the first end and the second opening of the second end to coat the inner surface of the solder alloy body and the outer surface of the solder alloy body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Craig K. Merritt, Anthony D. Lanza, JR., James B. Hevel
  • Patent number: 11602808
    Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to a solder preform, comprising: a solder alloy body, the solder alloy body comprising at least one opening; and a flux core embedded in the solder alloy body, the flux core comprising a thermochromic indicator, wherein during reflow soldering, the flux core comprising the thermochromic indicator is configured to flow out of the at least one opening of the solder alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: INDIUM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Craig K. Merritt, Anthony D. Lanza, Jr., James B. Hevel
  • Patent number: 10838002
    Abstract: Some implementations are directed to a burn-in solder preform including: a barrier layer to prevent thermally conductive material from adhering to a semiconductor component during burn-in testing; and a thermally conductive cladding layer attached to a portion of the barrier layer such that at least one dimension of the barrier layer extends past the thermally conductive cladding layer, where the thermally conductive cladding layer is attached over the barrier layer through continuous attachment or spot attachment. In some implementations, a method includes: placing the aforementioned burn-in solder preform between a test fixture and a semiconductor component; attaching a portion of the barrier layer of the burn-in solder preform to a head of the text fixture; and after attaching a portion of the barrier layer of the burn-in solder preform to the head of the test fixture, performing burn-in testing of the semiconductor component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: INDIUM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas R. Gross, Robert Jarrett, Anthony D. Lanza, Jr., Craig K. Merritt
  • Publication number: 20200346307
    Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to a solder preform, comprising: a solder alloy body, the solder alloy body comprising at least one opening; and a flux core embedded in the solder alloy body, the flux core comprising a thermochromic indicator, wherein during reflow soldering, the flux core comprising the thermochromic indicator is configured to flow out of the at least one opening of the solder alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Craig K. Merritt, Anthony D. Lanza, JR., James B. Hevel
  • Publication number: 20190128953
    Abstract: Some implementations are directed to a burn-in solder preform including: a barrier layer to prevent thermally conductive material from adhering to a semiconductor component during burn-in testing; and a thermally conductive cladding layer attached to a portion of the barrier layer such that at least one dimension of the barrier layer extends past the thermally conductive cladding layer, where the thermally conductive cladding layer is attached over the barrier layer through continuous attachment or spot attachment. In some implementations, a method includes: placing the aforementioned burn-in solder preform between a test fixture and a semiconductor component; attaching a portion of the barrier layer of the burn-in solder preform to a head of the text fixture; and after attaching a portion of the barrier layer of the burn-in solder preform to the head of the test fixture, performing burn-in testing of the semiconductor component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: THOMAS R. GROSS, ROBERT JARRETT, ANTHONY D. LANZA, JR., CRAIG K. MERRITT
  • Patent number: 7593228
    Abstract: A technique for forming a thermally conductive interface with patterned metal foil is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a thermally conductive metal foil having at least one patterned surface for facilitating heat dissipation from at least one integrated circuit device to at least one heat sink. The metal foil preferably has a characteristic formability and softness that may be exemplified by alloys of lead, indium, tin, and other malleable metals, and/or composites comprising layers of at least one malleable metal alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Indium Corporation of America
    Inventors: Robert N. Jarrett, Craig K. Merritt