Patents by Inventor Grant W. WAGNER

Grant W. WAGNER 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).

  • Patent number: 11085949
    Abstract: A probe card assembly for nondestructive integrated circuit testing is disclosed. The probe card assembly includes an outer gimbal bearing with a tapered bearing surface being mounted on a top surface of a printed circuit board. The probe card assembly further includes an inner gimbal bearing with a spherical bearing surface which contacts the tapered bearing surface of the outer gimbal bearing at a single point of contact about a circumference thereof. The probe card assembly further includes a spring plate mounted to the outer gimbal bearing, providing a downward force to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Audette, Dustin Fregeau, David L. Gardell, Peter W. Neff, Frederick H. Roy, III, Grant W. Wagner
  • Patent number: 11029334
    Abstract: A probe includes a pedestal and at least one feature extending from the pedestal to engage a surface of a corresponding contact at a position offset from a central longitudinal axis of the contact. The pedestal includes a cavity and the feature can include one or more blades that extend from a periphery of the cavity to a central longitudinal axis of the pedestal. The three blades are configured to engage the surface of the contact. The three blades can be positioned within the cavity to provide a 120-degree rotational symmetry about the central longitudinal axis of the pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Audette, Dennis R. Conti, Marc D. Knox, Grant W. Wagner
  • Patent number: 10663487
    Abstract: A system for testing functionality of die on a wafer including a plurality of contacts includes a support structure and a plurality of probes mounted to the support structure in an array. A configuration of each of the plurality of probes varies based on a position of the probe within the array to maintain uniform engagement between the plurality of probes and a corresponding plurality of contacts across the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Audette, Dennis R. Conti, Marc D. Knox, Grant W. Wagner
  • Patent number: 10578648
    Abstract: A probe card assembly for nondestructive integrated circuit testing is disclosed. The probe card assembly includes an outer gimbal bearing with a tapered bearing surface being mounted on a top surface of a printed circuit board. The probe card assembly further includes an inner gimbal bearing with a spherical bearing surface which contacts the tapered bearing surface of the outer gimbal bearing at a single point of contact about a circumference thereof. The probe card assembly further includes a spring plate mounted to the outer gimbal bearing, providing a downward force to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Audette, Dustin Fregeau, David L. Gardell, Peter W. Neff, Frederick H. Roy, III, Grant W. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20200049738
    Abstract: A probe card assembly for nondestructive integrated circuit testing is disclosed. The probe card assembly includes an outer gimbal bearing with a tapered bearing surface being mounted on a top surface of a printed circuit board. The probe card assembly further includes an inner gimbal bearing with a spherical bearing surface which contacts the tapered bearing surface of the outer gimbal bearing at a single point of contact about a circumference thereof. The probe card assembly further includes a spring plate mounted to the outer gimbal bearing, providing a downward force to a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: David M. AUDETTE, Dustin FREGEAU, David L. GARDELL, Peter W. NEFF, Frederick H. ROY, III, Grant W. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20190361048
    Abstract: A probe includes a pedestal and at least one feature extending from the pedestal to engage a surface of a corresponding contact at a position offset from a central longitudinal axis of the contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: David M. Audette, Dennis R. Conti, Marc D. Knox, Grant W. Wagner
  • Patent number: 10444260
    Abstract: A probe includes a pedestal and at least one feature extending from the pedestal to engage a surface of a corresponding contact at a position offset from a central longitudinal axis of the contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Audette, Dennis R. Conti, Marc D. Knox, Grant W. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20190195913
    Abstract: A system for testing functionality of die on a wafer including a plurality of contacts includes a support structure and a plurality of probes mounted to the support structure in an array. A configuration of each of the plurality of probes varies based on a position of the probe within the array to maintain uniform engagement between the plurality of probes and a corresponding plurality of contacts across the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: David M. Audette, Dennis R. Conti, Marc D. Knox, Grant W. Wagner
  • Patent number: 10261108
    Abstract: A system for testing functionality of die on a wafer including a plurality of contacts includes a support structure and a plurality of probes mounted to the support structure in an array. A configuration of each of the plurality of probes varies based on a position of the probe within the array to maintain uniform engagement between the plurality of probes and a corresponding plurality of contacts across the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Audette, Dennis R. Conti, Marc D. Knox, Grant W. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20180017596
    Abstract: A system for testing functionality of die on a wafer including a plurality of contacts includes a support structure and a plurality of probes mounted to the support structure in an array. A configuration of each of the plurality of probes varies based on a position of the probe within the array to maintain uniform engagement between the plurality of probes and a corresponding plurality of contacts across the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: David M. Audette, Dennis R. Conti, Marc D. Knox, Grant W. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20180017592
    Abstract: A probe includes a pedestal and at least one feature extending from the pedestal to engage a surface of a corresponding contact at a position offset from a central longitudinal axis of the contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: David M. Audette, Dennis R. Conti, Marc D. Knox, Grant W. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20170356933
    Abstract: A probe card assembly for nondestructive integrated circuit testing is disclosed. The probe card assembly includes an outer gimbal bearing with a tapered bearing surface being mounted on a top surface of a printed circuit board. The probe card assembly further includes an inner gimbal bearing with a spherical bearing surface which contacts the tapered bearing surface of the outer gimbal bearing at a single point of contact about a circumference thereof. The probe card assembly further includes a spring plate mounted to the outer gimbal bearing, providing a downward force to a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: David M. AUDETTE, Dustin FREGEAU, David L. GARDELL, Peter W. NEFF, Frederick H. ROY, III, Grant W. Wagner
  • Patent number: 9797928
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a probe card assembly for nondestructive integrated circuit testing. The probe card assembly includes an outer gimbal bearing with a tapered bearing surface being mounted on a top surface of a printed circuit board. The probe card assembly further includes an inner gimbal bearing with a spherical bearing surface which contacts the tapered bearing surface of the outer gimbal bearing at a single point of contact about a circumference thereof. The probe card assembly further includes a spring plate mounted to the outer gimbal bearing, providing a downward force to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Audette, Dustin Fregeau, David L. Gardell, Peter W. Neff, Frederick H. Roy, III, Grant W. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20160077129
    Abstract: A probe card assembly for nondestructive integrated circuit testing is disclosed. The probe card assembly includes an outer gimbal bearing with a tapered bearing surface being mounted on a top surface of a printed circuit board. The probe card assembly further includes an inner gimbal bearing with a spherical bearing surface which contacts the tapered bearing surface of the outer gimbal bearing at a single point of contact about a circumference thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: David M. AUDETTE, Dustin FREGEAU, David L. GARDELL, Peter W. NEFF, Frederick H. ROY, III, Grant W. Wagner
  • Patent number: 9116200
    Abstract: Methodologies and test configurations are provided for testing thermal interface materials and, in particular, methodologies and test configurations are provided for testing thermal interface materials used for testing integrated circuits. A test methodology includes applying a thermal interface material on a device under test. The test methodology further includes monitoring the device under test with a plurality of temperature sensors. The test methodology further includes determining whether any of the plurality of temperature sensors increases above a steady state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dustin Fregeau, David L. Gardell, Laura L. Kosbar, Keith C. Stevens, Grant W. Wagner
  • Patent number: 9086433
    Abstract: A probe conducts testing of a circuit. The probe includes a base coupled to a substrate. The probe also includes a cantilever attached to the base at a first end, the cantilever deflecting from a first position to a second position in which a second end opposite the first end is in contact with the substrate and to move between the second position and the first position based on movement of a compliant bump of the circuit, and a probe tip attached to the cantilever at the second end, the probe tip maintaining contact with the compliant bump of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Audette, Dustin Fregeau, David L. Gardell, Grant W. Wagner
  • Patent number: 9081034
    Abstract: A method of probing compliant bumps of a circuit with probes is described. The method includes disposing the probes on a substrate, a base of each of the probes being coupled to the substrate. The method also includes disposing the circuit such that each of the compliant bumps is in contact with the probe tip of a corresponding one of the probes, each probe tip being connected to each base of each probe through a cantilever, and supplying current to the probes to test the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Audette, Dustin Fregeau, David L. Gardell, Grant W. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20140167802
    Abstract: A method of probing compliant bumps of a circuit with probes is described. The method includes disposing the probes on a substrate, a base of each of the probes being coupled to the substrate. The method also includes disposing the circuit such that each of the compliant bumps is in contact with the probe tip of a corresponding one of the probes, each probe tip being connected to each base of each probe through a cantilever, and supplying current to the probes to test the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Audette, Dustin Fregeau, David L. Gardell, Grant W. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20140167801
    Abstract: A probe conducts testing of a circuit. The probe includes a base coupled to a substrate. The probe also includes a cantilever attached to the base at a first end, the cantilever deflecting from a first position to a second position in which a second end opposite the first end is in contact with the substrate and to move between the second position and the first position based on movement of a compliant bump of the circuit, and a probe tip attached to the cantilever at the second end, the probe tip maintaining contact with the compliant bump of the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Audette, Dustin Fregeau, David L. Gardell, Grant W. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20130229198
    Abstract: Methodologies and test configurations are provided for testing thermal interface materials and, in particular, methodologies and test configurations are provided for testing thermal interface materials used for testing integrated circuits. A test methodology includes applying a thermal interface material on a device under test. The test methodology further includes monitoring the device under test with a plurality of temperature sensors. The test methodology further includes determining whether any of the plurality of temperature sensors increases above a steady state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dustin FREGEAU, David L. GARDELL, Laura L. KOSBAR, Keith C. STEVENS, Grant W. WAGNER