Patents by Inventor Michael C. Weller

Michael C. Weller 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: 20040003882
    Abstract: A method of mounting a component on a substrate includes applying a conductive adhesive on a contact pad joined to a substrate, aligning a component with the substrate such that at least one lead of the component is juxtaposed with the conductive adhesive, performing a partial cure of the conductive adhesive, testing performance of the component, and performing a full cure of the conductive adhesive. Another method includes the additional steps of applying a tacky film to the substrate and juxtaposing the component with the tacky film. When the testing in either embodiment shows a defective or misaligned component, the component may be replaced or repositioned by cold separation of the at least one component lead from the partially cured conductive adhesive. Optionally, additional conductive adhesive may be applied, when needed, before replacement or repositioning of a component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: John G. Davis, Joseph D. Poole, Kris A. Slesinger, Michael C. Weller
  • Patent number: 6589376
    Abstract: A method of mounting a component on a substrate includes applying a conductive adhesive on a contact pad joined to a substrate, aligning a component with the substrate such that at least one lead of the component is juxtaposed with the conductive adhesive, performing a partial cure of the conductive adhesive, testing performance of the component, and performing a full cure of the conductive adhesive. Another method includes the additional steps of applying a tacky film to the substrate and juxtaposing the component with the tacky film. When the testing in either embodiment shows a defective or misaligned component, the component may be replaced or repositioned by cold separation of the at least one component lead from the partially cured conductive adhesive. Optionally, additional conductive adhesive may be applied, when needed, before replacement or repositioning of a component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John G. Davis, Joseph D. Poole, Kris A. Slesinger, Michael C. Weller
  • Patent number: 6590285
    Abstract: A method of mounting a component on a substrate includes applying a conductive adhesive on a contact pad joined to a substrate, aligning a component with the substrate such that at least one lead of the component is juxtaposed with the conductive adhesive, performing a partial cure of the conductive adhesive, testing performance of the component, and performing a full cure of the conductive adhesive. Another method includes the additional steps of applying a tacky film to the substrate and juxtaposing the component with the tacky film. When the testing in either embodiment shows a defective or misaligned component, the component may be replaced or repositioned by cold separation of the at least one component lead from the partially cured conductive adhesive. Optionally, additional conductive adhesive may be applied, when needed, before replacement or repositioning of a component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John G. Davis, Joseph D. Poole, Kris A. Slesinger, Michael C. Weller
  • Patent number: 6530412
    Abstract: A method for temporarily attaching an electrical component to a pad, testing the component, removing and replacing the component if necessary, and making a final attachment of the component to the pad. The method provides for attachment and removal of components, to and from pads located on the substrate of a printed circuit board, wherein the method enables components to be easily removed prior to final assembly without damaging the circuit board or components mounted thereon. The method utilizes a layer of conductive, radiation-curable adhesive placed between the component's lead and the pad. Radiation is then directed through a mask onto a portion of the adhesive layer, which cures the portion while leaving a remaining area of the adhesive layer uncured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Cronin, Joseph D. Poole, Michael C. Weller
  • Patent number: 6332267
    Abstract: A process for making a removably interlockable connector assembly that includes a first connector having a head on a mesa and a second connector having an opening that receives the head on the first connector. The head on the mesa of the first connector and the material defining the opening in the second connector are flexible and sized, so that the head on the mesa of the first connector and the material defining the opening in the second connector flex as the head on the mesa of the first connector is inserted into the opening in the second connector. The head on the mesa of the first connector is formed by selectively etching portions of a first pad layer through openings in an etch resistant layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John G. Davis, Richard J. Noreika, Michael C. Weller
  • Patent number: 6179625
    Abstract: A removably interlockable connector assembly and process for making the assembly that include a first connector having a head on a mesa and a second connector having an opening that receives the head on the first connector. The head on the first connector and the material defining the opening in the second connector are flexible and sized, so that the head on the first connector and the material defining the opening in the second connector flex as the head on the first connector is inserted into the opening in the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John G. Davis, Richard J. Noreika, Michael C. Weller
  • Patent number: 6139661
    Abstract: A method for temporarily attaching an electrical component to a pad, testing the component, removing and replacing the component if necessary, and making a final attachment of the component to the pad. The method provides for attachment and removal of components, to and from pads located on the substrate of a printed circuit board, wherein the method enables components to be easily removed prior to final assembly without damaging the circuit board or components mounted thereon. The method utilizes a layer of conductive, radiation-curable adhesive placed between the component's lead and the pad. Radiation is then directed through a mask onto a portion of the adhesive layer, which cures the portion while leaving a remaining area of the adhesive layer uncured. Because the portion of the adhesive layer that receives the radiation, and is consequently cured by the radiation, is only a limited portion of the whole adhesive layer, the component may be easily removed from the pad by applying a small mechanical force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Cronin, Joseph D. Poole, Michael C. Weller
  • Patent number: 5044615
    Abstract: A printed circuit board holder wherein several boards are securely held in place in a fixture by force exerting devices pushing against the board edges. The fixture includes recessed openings where the boards are located and force exerting devices positioned between pairs of the openings. The force exerting devices include an elliptical member which is mounted flush with the boards and is rotatable to push the two adjacent boards apart from each other. Contact is made only with the board edges to provide a smooth surface across the force exerting means, the circuit boards, and the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Newman, Michael C. Weller, Frank P. Zickefoose