Patents by Inventor Ming Y. Tsai

Ming Y. Tsai 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: 10510492
    Abstract: Monolithic capacitor structures having a main capacitor and a vise capacitor are discussed. The vise capacitor provides to the monolithic capacitor structure reduced vibrations and/or acoustic noise due to piezoelectric effects. To that end, vise capacitor may cause piezoelectric deformations that compensate the deformations that are caused by the electrical signals in the main capacitor. Embodiments of these capacitor structures may have the main capacitor and the vise capacitor sharing portions of a rigid dielectric. Electrical circuitry that employs the vise capacitor to reduce noise and/or vibration in the monolithic capacitor structures is also described. Methods for fabrication of these capacitors are discussed as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ming Y. Tsai, Albert Wang, Curtis C. Mead, Tyler S. Bushnell, Paul A. Martinez
  • Patent number: 10461040
    Abstract: Capacitor devices having multiple capacitors with similar nominal capacitances are described. The capacitors may be multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) and may be fabricated employing class 2 materials. The arrangement of the electrodes in the device may reduce relative variations between the capacitors of the device. The capacitor devices may be allow high performance and compact electrical circuits that may employ matched capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul A. Martinez, Ming Y. Tsai, Won Seop Choi
  • Patent number: 10332683
    Abstract: Capacitor devices with electrodes that are geometrically arranged to reduce parasitic capacitances are described. The capacitors may be multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) structures in which certain electrodes may have a clearance from a capacitor structure wall, such as top wall. In circuits and devices where that particular capacitor wall may be placed near a shielding structure, the clearance may reduce unintended parasitic capacitances between the shield structure and the electrodes. As a result, the shield structures may be placed closer to the electronic components, which may allow circuit boards and electronic devices with a lower profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Behzad Reyhani Masoleh, Ming Y. Tsai, Paul A. Martinez, Scott D. Morrison, Tracey L. Chavers
  • Patent number: 10256036
    Abstract: A system includes a circuit board, an inductor including windings mounted on the circuit board, and a plurality of magnetic field containment devices. Each magnetic field containment device includes an independent electrical circuit that is not directly electrically connected via a conductor to any other magnetic field containment device. Each magnetic field containment device also includes a material of a certain relative permeability. Each magnetic field containment device at least partially surrounds the inductor and, in operation, at least partially contains a magnetic B-Field generated by electrical current in the windings of the inductor. The plurality of magnetic field containment devices, in operation, enables a certain saturation current in the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul A. Martinez, Ming Y. Tsai, Federico P. Centola, Martin Schauer, Cheung-Wei Lam, Jason C. Sauers
  • Publication number: 20190096581
    Abstract: Capacitor devices with electrodes that are geometrically arranged to reduce parasitic capacitances are described. The capacitors may be multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) structures in which certain electrodes may have a clearance from a capacitor structure wall, such as top wall. In circuits and devices where that particular capacitor wall may be placed near a shielding structure, the clearance may reduce unintended parasitic capacitances between the shield structure and the electrodes. As a result, the shield structures may be placed closer to the electronic components, which may allow circuit boards and electronic devices with a lower profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Behzad Reyhani Masoleh, Ming Y. Tsai, Paul A. Martinez, Scott D. Morrison, Tracey L. Chavers
  • Publication number: 20190006287
    Abstract: Capacitor devices having multiple capacitors with similar nominal capacitances are described. The capacitors may be multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) and may be fabricated employing class 2 materials. The arrangement of the electrodes in the device may reduce relative variations between the capacitors of the device. The capacitor devices may be allow high performance and compact electrical circuits that may employ matched capacitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Paul A. Martinez, Ming Y. Tsai, Won Seop Choi
  • Publication number: 20180337003
    Abstract: Monolithic capacitor structures having a main capacitor and a vise capacitor are discussed. The vise capacitor provides to the monolithic capacitor structure reduced vibrations and/or acoustic noise due to piezoelectric effects. To that end, vise capacitor may cause piezoelectric deformations that compensate the deformations that are caused by the electrical signals in the main capacitor. Embodiments of these capacitor structures may have the main capacitor and the vise capacitor sharing portions of a rigid dielectric. Electrical circuitry that employs the vise capacitor to reduce noise and/or vibration in the monolithic capacitor structures is also described. Methods for fabrication of these capacitors are discussed as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Ming Y. Tsai, Albert Wang, Curtis C. Mead, Tyler S. Bushnell, Paul A. Martinez
  • Publication number: 20180068784
    Abstract: A system includes a circuit board, an inductor including windings mounted on the circuit board, and a plurality of magnetic field containment devices. Each magnetic field containment device includes an independent electrical circuit that is not directly electrically connected via a conductor to any other magnetic field containment device. Each magnetic field containment device also includes a material of a certain relative permeability. Each magnetic field containment device at least partially surrounds the inductor and, in operation, at least partially contains a magnetic B-Field generated by electrical current in the windings of the inductor. The plurality of magnetic field containment devices, in operation, enables a certain saturation current in the inductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Paul A. Martinez, Ming Y. Tsai, Federico P. Centola, Martin Schauer, Cheung-Wei Lam, Jason C. Sauers
  • Publication number: 20170207024
    Abstract: Methods and devices related to fabrication and utilization of multilayer capacitors presenting low equivalent series resistance (ESR) is illustrated. The capacitors may present electrodes that are coupled to metallic terminations at the bottom and/or at the side of the capacitor. The position of the electrode coupling may lead to smaller current paths in the MLCC electrode, which may decrease line inductances. Methods and systems for fabrication of the capacitors described are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Paul A. Martinez, Gang Ning, Curtis C. Mead, Ming Y. Tsai, Albert Wang