Patents by Inventor Lawrence E. Rinehart

Lawrence E. Rinehart 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: 8698302
    Abstract: A structurally robust power switching assembly, that has a power transistor, comprising a thin and delicate layer of metal oxide, and a major surface of the layer of metal oxide being substantially coincident with a major surface of the power transistor, the major surface of the power transistor defining both an emitter and a gate. Also, dielectric material is placed over a portion of the emitter, so that it abuts the gate and a highly conductive pillar is constructed out of a relatively soft material, supported by the gate and the dielectric material, so that it has a larger area than would be possible if it was supported only by the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Rinehart Motion Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Rinehart, Guillermo L. Romero
  • Publication number: 20120104457
    Abstract: A structurally robust power switching assembly, that has a power transistor, comprising a thin and delicate layer of metal oxide, and a major surface of the layer of metal oxide being substantially coincident with a major surface of the power transistor, the major surface of the power transistor defining both an emitter and a gate. Also, dielectric material is placed over a portion of the emitter, so that it abuts the gate and a highly conductive pillar is constructed out of a relatively soft material, supported by the gate and the dielectric material, so that it has a larger area than would be possible if it was supported only by the gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Rinehart, Guillermo L. Romero
  • Publication number: 20120097979
    Abstract: A structurally robust power switching assembly, that has a first rigid structural unit, defining a first unit major surface that is patterned to define a plurality of mutually electrically isolated, electrically conductive paths. Also, a similar, second rigid structural unit is spaced apart from the first unit major surface. Finally, a transistor is interposed between and electrically connected to the first unit major surface and the second unit major surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Rinehart, Guillermo L. Romero
  • Patent number: 8089150
    Abstract: A structurally robust power switching assembly, comprising a first rigid structural unit that defines a first unit major surface that is patterned to define a plurality of mutually electrically isolated, electrically conductive paths. Also, a similar, second rigid structural unit is spaced apart from the first unit major surface. Finally, a transistor is interposed between and electrically connected to the first unit major surface and the second unit major surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Rinehart, Guillermo L. Romero
  • Patent number: 7521789
    Abstract: An electrical assembly, comprising a heat producing semiconductor device supported on a first major surface of a direct bond metal substrate that has a set of heat sink protrusions supported by its second major surface. In one preferred embodiment the heat sink protrusions are made of the same metal as is used in the direct bond copper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Rinehart Motion Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Rinehart, Guillermo L. Romero
  • Patent number: 7522403
    Abstract: A multilayer polymer film capacitor block, adapted to accept high currents. At least one multilayer polymer film capacitor is fit into a cavity defined in a rigid, thermally conductive structure. The cavity is sized and shaped to receive said multilayer polymer film capacitor when said capacitor is at a temperature below 40° C., but fitting said capacitor in a conformal manner so that as said capacitor is raised to temperatures above 40° C., said cavity constrains expansion of said capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Rinehart Motion Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Rinehart, Guillermo L. Romero
  • Publication number: 20080158924
    Abstract: A structurally robust power switching assembly, comprising a first rigid structural unit that defines a first unit major surface that is patterned to define a plurality of mutually electrically isolated, electrically conductive paths. Also, a similar, second rigid structural unit is spaced apart from the first unit major surface. Finally, a transistor is interposed between and electrically connected to the first unit major surface and the second unit major surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Rinehart, Guillermo L. Romero
  • Patent number: 7197819
    Abstract: A method of assembling and providing an electric power apparatus. The method uses a heat resistant housing having a structure adapted to accommodate and retain a power circuit card and also including a bracket adapted to accommodate and constrain a rigid conductive member. A power circuit card having an electrical terminal is placed into the housing and a rigid conductive member into the bracket. The rigid conductive member is flow soldered to the electrical terminal, thereby exposing the heat resistant housing to heat and creating a solder bond. Finally, the rigid conductive member is affirmatively connected to the housing. The bracket constrains the rigid conductive member so that the act of affirmatively connecting does not weaken the solder bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Rinehart Motion Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Rinehart, Guillermo L. Romero
  • Patent number: 7173823
    Abstract: A heat producing, fluid cooled assembly that includes a housing made of liquid-impermeable material, which defines a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and an opening. Also included is an electrical package having a set of semiconductor electrical devices supported on a substrate and the second major surface is a heat sink adapted to express heat generated from the electrical apparatus and wherein the second major surface defines a rim that is fit to the opening. Further, the housing is constructed so that as fluid travels from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet it is constrained to flow past the opening thereby placing the fluid in contact with the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Rinehart Motion Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Rinehart, Guillermo L. Romero
  • Patent number: 5687072
    Abstract: A physical construction of an inverter of the type having a positive voltage line and a negative voltage line interconnected by one or more switch sections. Each section includes two switch circuits, each having a transistor in parallel with a diode. The two switch circuits are connected in series, with the connection between the circuits providing an output to drive a load. The positive voltage line includes a positive voltage rail positioned closely to a negative voltage rail which is part of the negative voltage line. The close proximity of the two rails causes an electrical coupling between the positive and negative voltage lines. Current paths including circuit traces and bond wires within the inverter are arranged to place paths having oppositely directed currents, or equal and opposite di/dt's, in close parallel proximity resulting in mutual coupling and reduction in parasitic inductances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: SemiPower Systems
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Rinehart