Patents by Inventor Lawrence S. Mok

Lawrence S. Mok 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: 20090184264
    Abstract: A laser annealing method for annealing a stacked semiconductor structure having at least two stacked layers is disclosed. A laser beam is focused on a lower layer of the stacked layers. The laser beam is then scanned to anneal features in the lower layer. The laser beam is then focused on an upper layer of the stacked layers, and the laser beam is scanned to anneal features in the upper layer. The laser has a wavelength of less than one micrometer. The beam size, depth of focus, energy dosage, and scan speed of the laser beam are programmable. Features in the lower layer are offset from features in the upper layer such that these features do not overlap along a plane parallel to a path of the laser beam. Each of the stacked layers includes active devices, such as transistors. Also, the first and second layers may be annealed simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Howard H. Chen, Louis C. Hsu, Lawrence S. Mok, J. Campbell Scott
  • Patent number: 7555566
    Abstract: A novel massively parallel supercomputer of hundreds of teraOPS-scale includes node architectures based upon System-On-a-Chip technology, i.e., each processing node comprises a single Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). Within each ASIC node is a plurality of processing elements each of which consists of a central processing unit (CPU) and plurality of floating point processors to enable optimal balance of computational performance, packaging density, low cost, and power and cooling requirements. The plurality of processors within a single node may be used individually or simultaneously to work on any combination of computation or communication as required by the particular algorithm being solved or executed at any point in time. The system-on-a-chip ASIC nodes are interconnected by multiple independent networks that optimally maximizes packet communications throughput and minimizes latency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthias A. Blumrich, Dong Chen, George L. Chiu, Thomas M. Cipolla, Paul W. Coteus, Alan G. Gara, Mark E. Giampapa, Philip Heidelberger, Gerard V. Kopcsay, Lawrence S. Mok, Todd E. Takken
  • Patent number: 7529085
    Abstract: A fansink arrangement for a laptop computer wherein two distinct patterns of air intake can be employed. Particularly, dual air intakes of the laptop can be managed and controlled depending upon an operating mode of the computer. Thus, when the computer is in a “stand alone” mode, only one air intake is employed while in a “docking” mode of the computer two air intakes are employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Albert V. Makley, Thomas M. Cipolla, Thomas R. Hildner, Vinod Kamath, Fumitoshi Kiyooka, Lawrence S. Mok, Fusanobu Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20090011546
    Abstract: A method of forming structure. A substrate and an interposer are provided. The substrate includes a heat source and N continuous substrate channels on a first side of the substrate (N?2). N interposer channels are coupled to the N substrate channels so as to form M continuous loops (1?M?N). Each loop independently consists of K substrate channels and K interposer channels in an alternating sequence. For each loop, K is at least 1 and is subject to an upper limit consistent with a constraint of the M loops collectively consisting of the N interposer channels and the N substrate channels. Each loop is independently open ended or closed. The first side of the substrate is connected to the interposer. The interposer is adapted to be thermally coupled to a heat sink such that the interposer is interposed between the substrate and the heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Minhua Lu, Lawrence S. Mok
  • Publication number: 20090008129
    Abstract: A structure. The structure includes a substrate and an interposer. The substrate includes a heat source and N continuous substrate channels on a first side of the substrate (N?2). The interposer includes N continuous interposer channels coupled to the N substrate channels to form M continuous loops (1?M?N). Each loop independently consists of K substrate channels and K interposer channels in an alternating sequence. For each loop, K is at least 1 and is subject to an upper limit consistent with a constraint of the M loops collectively consisting of the N interposer channels and the N substrate channels. Each loop is independently open ended or closed. The first side of the substrate is connected to the interposer. The interposer is adapted to be thermally coupled to a heat sink such that the interposer is interposed between the substrate and the heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Minhua Lu, Lawrence S. Mok
  • Publication number: 20090011547
    Abstract: A method of forming a structure. An interposer is provided. The interposer is adapted to be interposed between a heat source and a heat sink and to transfer heat from the heat source to the heat sink. The interposer includes an enclosure that encloses a cavity. The enclosure is made of a thermally conductive material. The cavity includes a thermally conductive foam material. The foam material includes pores and includes at least one serpentine channel. Each serpentine channel has at least two contiguously connected channel segments. Each serpentine channel independently forms a closed loop or an open ended loop. The foam material is adapted to be soaked by a liquid filling the pores. Each serpentine channel is adapted to be partially filled with a fluid that serves to transfer heat from the heat source to the heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Minhua Lu, Lawrence S. Mok
  • Publication number: 20090008130
    Abstract: A structure. The structure includes an interposer adapted to be interposed between a heat source and a heat sink and to transfer heat from the heat source to the heat sink. The interposer includes an enclosure that encloses a cavity. The enclosure is made of a thermally conductive material. The cavity includes a thermally conductive foam material. The foam material includes pores and includes at least one serpentine channel. Each serpentine channel has at least two contiguously connected channel segments. Each serpentine channel independently forms a closed loop or an open ended loop. The foam material is adapted to be soaked by a liquid filling the pores. Each serpentine channel is adapted to be partially filled with a fluid that serves to transfer heat from the heat source to the heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Minhua Lu, Lawrence S. Mok
  • Publication number: 20080315403
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for integrating microchannel cooling modules within high-density electronic modules (e.g., chip packages, system-on-a-package modules, etc.,) comprising multiple high-performance IC chips. Electronic modules are designed such that high-performance (high power) IC chips are disposed in close proximity to the integrated cooling module (or cooling plate) for effective heat extraction. Moreover, electronic modules which comprise large surface area silicon carriers with multiple chips face mounted thereon are designed such that integrated silicon cooling modules are rigidly bonded to the back surfaces of such chips to increase the structural integrity of the silicon carriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Paul S. Andry, Evan G. Colgan, Lawrence S. Mok, Chirag S. Patel, David E. Seeger
  • Patent number: 7458413
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the heat transfer from a semiconductor chip to its heat sinking device. The heat transfer device has a liquid chamber in which liquid is circulated within the chamber to spread the heat from one location of the chamber to the heat pipes partially mounted in the chamber. The heat is then carried away by the heat pipes to a remote heat sinking device. The chamber has built-in mechanism to allow the liquid to expand during normal operation and its expansion status to be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence S. Mok
  • Patent number: 7434308
    Abstract: A structure, and method of forming and cooling the structure. The structure may include a substrate (e.g., a semiconductor chip) having N continuous substrate channels and an interposer having N continuous interposer channels (N?2). The N interposer channels are coupled to the N substrate channels to form M continuous loops (1?M?N). The M loops may transfer heat from a heat source within the substrate to the interposer and then to a heat sink thermally coupled to the interposer. The structure may include an interposer having a thermally conductive enclosure surrounding a cavity. The cavity contains a thermally conductive foam material (e.g., graphite foam). The foam material contains a serpentine channel having contiguously connected channel segments. The serpentine channel may transfer heat from a heat source within a substrate (e.g., a semiconductor chip) to the interposer and then to a heat sink thermally coupled to the interposer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Minhua Lu, Lawrence S. Mok
  • Publication number: 20080165033
    Abstract: A wireless key is signal, having a key-specific identifier, is received, the key-specific identifier detected, and the signal transmission location is calculated. The signal transmission location is stored based on the detected key-specific identifier. Another instance of the same wireless key signal is received, its key-specific identifier is detected, and the stored signal transmission location is retrieved based on the detected key-specific identifier. Optionally, a wireless key signal is received at a user and repeated at a plurality of locations in a parking facility. A vehicle response is detected, and associated with one of the repeatings of the wireless key signal. A location of the vehicle response is detected based on the repeating with which it is associated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Trieu C. Chieu, David L. Cohn, Shiwa S. Fu, Santhosh Kumaran, Lawrence S. Mok
  • Publication number: 20080166492
    Abstract: A method of producing a metal-graphite foam composite, and particularly, the utilization thereof in connection with a cooling apparatus. Also provided is a cooling apparatus, such as a liquid cooler or alternatively, a heat sink for electronic heat-generating components, which employ the metal-graphite foam composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Minhua Lu, Lawrence S. Mok, Krystyna W. Semkow
  • Publication number: 20080053640
    Abstract: An arrangement for improving the cooling efficiency of semiconductor chips. One embodiment is to construct a vapor chamber with one compliant surface for improving the efficiency of transferring heat from a semiconductor chip to the vapor chamber, and another embodiment is to construct a vapor chamber with the chip substrate such that the chips are embedded inside the vapor chamber. One surface of the vapor chamber has a flexible structure to enable the surface of the vapor chamber to be compliant with the surface of a chip or a heat sink device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence S. Mok
  • Publication number: 20080046766
    Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium for maximizing the performance of a computer system that includes at least one computing unit. Temperature and location data for each computing unit is received by a server unit and the location of each computing unit within a given environment is reevaluated and revised to maximize the overall performance of the computer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Trieu C. Chieu, Hoi Y. Chan, Vinod Kamath, Lawrence S. Mok
  • Publication number: 20080002357
    Abstract: A fansink arrangement for a laptop computer wherein two distinct patterns of air intake can be employed. Particularly, dual air intakes of the laptop can be managed and controlled depending upon an operating mode of the computer. Thus, when the computer is in a “stand alone” mode, only one air intake is employed while in a “docking” mode of the computer two air intakes are employed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Albert V. Makley, Thomas M. Cipolla, Thomas R. Hildner, Vinod Kamath, Fumitoshi Kiyooka, Lawrence S. Mok, Fusanobu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7273091
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus for heat generating devices such as semiconductor chips comprises a parallel disk fan in the middle of a set of heat sink fins. The parallel disk fan has radial elements placed between the disks to efficiently create air flow without turbulence. Cooling efficiency is further enhanced when heat dissipation through the parallel disks of the fan is introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Manish Bahl, Lawrence S. Mok
  • Patent number: 7230334
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for integrating microchannel cooling modules within high-density electronic modules (e.g., chip packages, system-on-a-package modules, etc.,) comprising multiple high-performance IC chips. Electronic modules are designed such that high-performance (high power) IC chips are disposed in close proximity to the integrated cooling module (or cooling plate) for effective heat extraction. Moreover, electronic modules which comprise large surface area silicon carriers with multiple chips face mounted thereon are designed such that integrated silicon cooling modules are rigidly bonded to the back surfaces of such chips to increase the structural integrity of the silicon carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul S. Andry, Evan G. Colgan, Lawrence S. Mok, Chirag S. Patel, David E. Seeger
  • Patent number: 7217144
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method of increasing the quantity of input and output connectors, which are available for the attachment to connection cables of electronic equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to an arrangement, such as a connector drawer, which is adapted to be installed in a selectively retractable and extendable mode in a laptop computer and which provides for a versatile structure facilitating a elective increase in the quantity of input and output connectors as may be necessitated by specific utilization of the electronic equipment or laptop computers, particularly in conjunction with the connection therewith of auxiliary operating devices or components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Cipolla, Lawrence S. Mok
  • Patent number: 7180179
    Abstract: A thermal interposer is provided for attachment to a surface of a semiconductor device. In one embodiment, the thermal interposer includes an upper plate having a bottom surface with a plurality of grooves and made of a material having high thermal conductivity, and a lower plate having a top surface with a plurality of grooves and made of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is substantially the same as the coefficient of thermal expansion of the material of a semiconductor device that is bonded to the bottom surface of the lower plate. The bottom surface of the upper plate is hermetically bonded to the top surface of the lower plate so that a vapor chamber is formed by the upper and lower plates, and walls of the grooves on the top surface of the lower plate extend to within less than 250 microns from walls of the grooves on the bottom surface of the upper plate comprise a plurality of second walls the first walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence S. Mok, Evan G. Colgan, Minhua Lu, Da-Yuan Shih
  • Patent number: 7128135
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of constructing a semiconductor chip cooling device consists of multiple fans and heat sinks to provide redundant cooling capability. Heat coming from a semiconductor chip is first distributed to several heat sinks using multiple heat pipes. The heat sinks are placed around the fan outlet such that air is pulled in near the center of the fan and then pushed to across the heat sinks. Multiple fans and heat sinks are stacked up to form a complete cooling device. An external control circuitry is used to monitor and control the fans. In case of one fan fails, the other fans will be speeded up to make up the lost of air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence S. Mok, Pablo D. Quinones