Patents by Inventor Gareth Hougham

Gareth Hougham 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: 20080020601
    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: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gareth Hougham, Brian Beaman, Evan Colgan, Paul Coteus, Stefano Oggioni, Enrique Vargas
  • Publication number: 20080020596
    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: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gareth Hougham, Brian Beaman, Evan Colgan, Paul Coteus, Stefano Oggioni, Enrique Vargas
  • Publication number: 20080001275
    Abstract: A Planar Memory Module (PAMM) device comprising a generally planar card comprising a first side and a second side, the first side having a plurality of couplings and the second side having a plurality of connectors, a plurality of memory devices coupled to the card via a first portion of the plurality of couplings, and at least one hub chip coupled to the card via a second portion of the plurality of couplings. Each of the plurality of couplings is connected to an associated one of the plurality of connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Paul Coteus, Kevin Gower, Shawn Hall, Gareth Hougham, Dale Pearson
  • Publication number: 20070298626
    Abstract: Techniques for forming enhanced electrical connections are provided. In one aspect, an electrical connecting device comprises an electrically insulating carrier having one or more contact structures traversing a plane thereof. Each contact structure comprises an elastomeric material having an electrically conductive layer running along at least one surface thereof continuously through the plane of the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Gareth Hougham, Ali Afzali, Steven Cordes, Paul Coteus, Matthew Farinelli, Sherif Goma, Alphonso Lanzetta, Daniel Morris, Joanna Rosner, Nisha Yohannan
  • Publication number: 20070298624
    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: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth Hougham, Brian Beaman, Evan Colgan, Paul Coteus, Stefano Oggioni, Enrique Vargas
  • Publication number: 20070232090
    Abstract: LGA (land grid array) interposers having variable pitch connectors and distribution wiring to support space transforming I/O interconnections between first level chip modules and second level packaging. Apparatus and methods for constructing high-performance electronic modules (such as processor modules for computer systems) using LGA interposers that provide space transform I/O interconnections between fine pitch I/O contacts on a chip module and coarse pitch contacts on a circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Evan Colgan, Paul Coteus, Hubert Harrer, Gareth Hougham, John Magerlein, John Torok
  • Publication number: 20070087588
    Abstract: An interposer having one or more hollow electrical contact buttons disposed in a carrier. The interposer is formed by disposing sacrificial posts in vias of the carrier. The electrical contact buttons are formed on the sacrificial posts by a metallizing process in desired pattern using a mask. The sacrificial posts are made of a material that thermally decomposes upon application of heat without altering the carrier or the electrical contact buttons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gareth Hougham, Keith Fogel, Joanna Rosner, Paul Lauro, Sherif Goma, Joseph Zinter
  • Publication number: 20070054512
    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 serfaces. 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: January 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth Hougham, Brian Beaman, John Corbin, Paul Coteus, Shawn Hall, Kathleen Hinge, Theron Lewis, Frank Libsch, Amanda Mikhail
  • Publication number: 20070004239
    Abstract: Techniques for providing electrical connections are provided. In one aspect, an electrical connecting device is provided which comprises a plurality of compressible contacts; and a downstop structure surrounding at least a portion of one or more of the contacts, limiting compression of the contacts, and being configured to limit interaction between the contacts. The electrical connecting device may be further configured to have the plurality of compressible contacts have a first coefficient of thermal expansion and the downstop structure have a second coefficient of thermal expansion, the first coefficient of thermal expansion being substantially similar to the second coefficient of thermal expansion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth Hougham, Brian Beaman, Claudius Feger
  • Publication number: 20060274562
    Abstract: A Planar Memory Module (PAMM) device comprising a generally planar card comprising a first side and a second side, the first side having a plurality of couplings and the second side having a plurality of connectors, a plurality of memory devices coupled to the card via a first portion of the plurality of couplings, and at least one hub chip coupled to the card via a second portion of the plurality of couplings. Each of the plurality of couplings is connected to an associated one of the plurality of connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Inventors: Paul Coteus, Kevin Gower, Shawn Hall, Dale Pearson, Gareth Hougham
  • Publication number: 20060177568
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to semiconductor, integrated circuits, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to centrifugal methods of filling high-aspect ratio vias and trenches with powders, pastes, suspensions of materials to act as any of a conducting, structural support, or protective member of an electronic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth Hougham, Leena Buchwalter, Stephen Buchwalter, Jon Casey, Claudius Feger, Matteo Flotta, Jeffrey Gelorme, Kathleen Hinge, Anurag Jain, Sung Kang, John Knickerbocker
  • Publication number: 20060114406
    Abstract: A method of joining two panels during the manufacturing of a LCD display employing the ODF (One Drop Fill) assembly technique. Using this method, the liquid crystal is deposited on one of the substrate's interior to the glue seal. The glue seal is pre-deposited near the peripheral edge of the substrates. The two substrates are then brought in contact with one another. The glue seal must be cured rapidly in order to seal the entire periphery while avoiding contamination between the glue seal, in the liquid state and the liquid crystal. The present invention teaches the use of a non-epoxy glue sealant, which is cured using photoinitiators. Experimental research has discovered the use of photons that are derived from laser beams and the control thereof. This allows for a faster, lower temperature cure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Applicant: AU Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Robert von Gutfeld, James Glownia, Gareth Hougham
  • Publication number: 20060112857
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to thermally-conductive pastes for use with integrated circuits, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to self-orienting microplates of graphite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth Hougham, Paul Lauro, Brian Sundlof, Jeffrey Gelorme
  • Publication number: 20060105607
    Abstract: Integrated optoelectronic chips or collections of chips on a module that have both electrical as well as optical interconnects offer many advantages in speed, power consumption and heat generation. Mixed signal types, however, pose significant packaging challenges. This invention describes a land grid array (LGA) interposer which can simultaneously connect electrical and optical signals from a module to a printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth Hougham, Russell Budd, Punit Chiniwalla, Paul Coteus, Alphonso Lanzetta, Frank Libsch
  • Publication number: 20060081979
    Abstract: A microelectronic device is made of a semiconductor substrate, a heat generating component in a layer thereof, and a body within the remaining semiconductor substrate. The body is made of materials which have a high thermal inertia and/or thermal conductivity. When high thermal conductivity materials are used, the body acts to transfer the heat away from the substrate to a heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sri Sri-Jayantha, Gareth Hougham, Sung Kang, Lawrence Mok, Hien Dang, Arun Sharma
  • Publication number: 20060027934
    Abstract: A carrier structure and method for fabricating a carrier structure with through-vias each having a conductive structure with an effective coefficient of thermal expansion which is less than or closely matched to that of the substrate, and having an effective elastic modulus value which is less than or closely matches that of the substrate. The conductive structure may include concentric via fill areas having differing materials disposed concentrically therein, a core of the substrate material surrounded by an annular ring of conductive material, a core of CTE-matched non-conductive material surrounded by an annular ring of conductive material, a conductive via having an inner void with low CTE, or a full fill of a conductive composite material such as a metal-ceramic paste which has been sintered or fused.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventors: Daniel Edelstein, Paul Andry, Leena Buchwalter, Jon Casey, Sherif Goma, Raymond Horton, Gareth Hougham, Michael Lane, Xiao Liu, Chirag Patel, Edmund Sprogis, Michelle Steen, Brian Sundlof, Cornelia Tsang, George Walker, Yu-Ting Cheng, Kenneth Ocheltree, Robert Montoye
  • Publication number: 20060009050
    Abstract: An interposer having one or more hollow electrical contact buttons disposed in a carrier. The interposer is formed by disposing sacrificial posts in vias of the carrier. The electrical contact buttons are formed on the sacrificial posts by a metallizing process in desired pattern using a mask. The sacrificial posts are made of a material that thermally decomposes upon application of heat without altering the carrier or the electrical contact buttons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Inventors: Gareth Hougham, Keith Fogel, Joanna Rosner, Paul Lauro, Sherif Goma, Joseph Zinter
  • Publication number: 20060003648
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating Land Grid Array (LGA) interposer contacts that are both conducting and elastic. Also provided are LGA interposer contacts as produced by the inventive methods. Provided is LGA type which utilizes a pure unfilled elastomer button core that is covered with an electrically-conductive material that is continuous from the top surface to the bottom surface of the button structure. In order to obviate the disadvantages and drawbacks which are presently encountered in the technology pertaining to the fabrication and structure of land grid arrays using electrically-conductive interposer contacts, there is provided both methods and structure for molding elastomer buttons into premetallized LGA carrier sheets, and wherein the non-conductive elastomer buttons are surface-metallized in order to convert them into conductive electrical contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Gareth Hougham, Keith Fogel, Paul Lauro, Joseph Zinter Jr
  • Publication number: 20050250248
    Abstract: A reworkable thermoset epoxy-containing material that allows for a reworkable assembly such as a reworkable waferlevel underfilled miocroelectronic package. A method for using the reworkable thermoset material in the formation of a microelectronic package using this material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Stephen Buchwalter, Claudius Feger, Gareth Hougham, Nancy LaBianca, Hosadurga Shobha
  • Patent number: 6919420
    Abstract: Reworkable thermoset acid-cleavable acetal and ketal based epoxy oligomers can be B-staged into a tack free state. Compositions containing the epoxy oligomers are employed in a reworkable assembly such as a wafer-level underfilled microelectronic package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Leslie Buchwalter, Claudius Feger, Gareth Hougham, Nancy LaBianca, Hosadurga Shobha