Patents by Inventor Garret R. Smalley

Garret R. Smalley 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: 20240094253
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to microscale and millimeter scale multi-layer structures (e.g., probe structures for making contact between two electronic components for example in semiconductor wafer, chip, and electronic component test applications).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventor: Garret R. Smalley
  • Publication number: 20240094250
    Abstract: Probe structures, arrays, methods of using probes and arrays, and/or methods for making probes and/or arrays wherein the probes include at least one flat tensional spring segments and in some embodiments include one or both of:(1) narrowed channel passage segments (e.g. by increasing width of plunger elements or by decreasing channel widths) along portions of channel lengths (e.g. not entire channel lengths) to enhance stability or pointing accuracy while still allowing for assembled formation of movable probe elements and/or (2) pairs of joined probes with at least one end of the probe set having independently compressible tips (e.g. as Kelvin probe pairs for use in 4 wire Kelvin probe tests).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Ting Wu, Garret R. Smalley
  • Publication number: 20240085457
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to probe structures, arrays, methods of using probes and arrays, and/or methods for making probes and/or arrays. In the various embodiments, probes include at least two springs separated by a movable stop while in other embodiments, three or more springs may be included with two or more movable stops. Movable stops interact with fixed stops that are either part of the probes themselves or part of separate elements that engage with the probes (such as array frame structures) that provide for the retention, longitudinal and/or lateral positioning of probes and possibly for orientation of the probes about a longitudinal axis. Fixed stops provide for controlled limits for movement of the movable stops which in turn allow for enhanced compliant or elastic performance of the probes upon increased probe compression in either one direction, in the order of tip compressions, or in both directions or tip compression orders (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Ming Ting Wu, Garret R. Smalley, Dennis R. Smalley
  • Patent number: 11867721
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to probe structures, arrays, methods of using probes and arrays, and/or methods for making probes and/or arrays. In the various embodiments, probes include at least two springs separated by a movable stop while in other embodiments, three or more springs may be included with two or more movable stops. Movable stops interact with fixed stops that are either part of the probes themselves or part of separate elements that engage with the probes (such as array frame structures) that provide for the retention, longitudinal and/or lateral positioning of probes and possibly for orientation of the probes about a longitudinal axis. Fixed stops provide for controlled limits for movement of the movable stops which in turn allow for enhanced compliant or elastic performance of the probes upon increased probe compression in either one direction, in the order of tip compressions, or in both directions or tip compression orders (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Ting Wu, Garret R. Smalley, Dennis R. Smalley
  • Patent number: 11262383
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to microscale and millimeter scale multi-layer structures (e.g., probe structures for making contact between two electronic components for example in semiconductor wafer, chip, and electronic component test applications). One or more layers of the structures include shell and core regions formed of different materials wherein the core regions are offset from a symmetric, longitudinally extending position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventor: Garret R. Smalley