Patents by Inventor Lee R. Levine

Lee R. Levine 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: 5205463
    Abstract: A method of pre-forming a length of fine wire while simultaneously making a fire wire interconnection between a first and a second bonding point on a semiconductor device includes the steps of teaching the location of the edges of the die and teaching a plane in space which is located away from the edges of said die. After teaching the height of the clearance above the die and the XYZ location of the first and second bonding points the automatic wire bonder in directed to generate a desired geometric link profile between bonding points which defines the length of links L1, L2 and L3. Using the geometric profile and empirically determined constants the automatic wire bonder calculates a tool trajectory for pre-forming the fine wire while simultaneously making a fine wire interconnection with an automatic wire bonder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Kulicke and Soffa Investments, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Holdgrafer, Lee R. Levine, Douglas L. Gauntt
  • Patent number: 5176311
    Abstract: The present invention method is carried out with a programmable automatic wire bonder having a linear drive motor. The wire bonder is programmed to bond loose lead frame leads at a second bond position in a novel manner. The lead frame lead to be bonded at second bond is clamped in a work holder that leaves the ends of the lead frame leads loose above the bonding mandrel of the work holder but restrained to a predetermined floating zone that is established within a predetermined distance above the bonding mandrel. The bondig tool is programmed to engage the loose lead frame lead at second bond at a predetermined velocity which permits the bonding tool to simultaneously exert an impact force on the wire to be bonded and to clamp the loose lead frame lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Kulicke and Soffa Investments, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee R. Levine, Michael J. Sheaffer
  • Patent number: 5111989
    Abstract: A novel method of making very low profile fine wire interconnections is accomplished with a conventional automatic gold wire ball bonder and includes the steps of making a conventional first ball bond and moving the bonding tool so as to pay out a length of wire that is shorter than the final desired length of wire to be used in the interconnection. The bonding tool is movingly engaged against the target on which the second bond is to be made employing a first bonding force which bends and conforms the wire beneath the working face of the capillary bonding tool and simultaneously forward extrudes and wire draws the neck of the fine wire into a tapered section which avoids backward extrusion. Subsequently a second bond force and ultrasonic energy is applied at the second bond target position to generate a conventional thermosonic second bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Kulicke and Soffa Investments, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Holdgrafer, Michael J. Sheaffer, Lee R. Levine