Patents by Inventor Ralph A. Barrese

Ralph A. Barrese 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: 7425256
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for plating a workpiece. The apparatus comprises, generally, an anode, a cathode, and a selective anode shield/material flow assembly. In use, both the anode and the cathode are immersed in a solution, and the cathode is used to support the workpiece. During an electroplating process, the anode and the cathode generate an electric field emanating from the anode towards the cathode, to generate a corresponding current to deposit an electroplating material on the workpiece. The selective shield/material flow assembly is located between the anode and the cathode, and forms a multitude of adjustable openings. These opening have sizes that are adjustable during the electroplating process for selectively and controllably adjusting the amount of electric flux passing through the selective shield/material flow assembly and the distribution of the electroplating material on the workpiece. The selective shield/material flow assembly can also be used with an electroless plating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph A. Barrese, Gary Gajdorus, Allen H. Hopkins, John J. Konrad, Robert C. Schaffer, Timothy L. Wells
  • Publication number: 20080000777
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for plating a workpiece. The apparatus comprises, generally, an anode, a cathode, and a selective anode shield/material flow assembly. In use, both the anode and the cathode are immersed in a solution, and the cathode is used to support the workpiece. During an electroplating process, the anode and the cathode generate an electric field emanating from the anode towards the cathode, to generate a corresponding current to deposit an electroplating material on the workpiece. The selective shield/material flow assembly is located between the anode and the cathode, and forms a multitude of adjustable openings. These opening have sizes that are adjustable during the electroplating process for selectively and controllably adjusting the amount of electric flux passing through the selective shield/material flow assembly and the distribution of the electroplating material on the workpiece. The selective shield/material flow assembly can also be used with an electroless plating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ralph Barrese, Gary Gajdorus, Allen Hopkins, John Konrad, Robert Schaffer, Timothy Wells
  • Patent number: 7288177
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for plating a workpiece. The apparatus comprises, generally, an anode, a cathode, and a selective anode shield/material flow assembly. In use, both the anode and the cathode are immersed in a solution, and the cathode is used to support the workpiece. During an electroplating process, the anode and the cathode generate an electric field emanating from the anode towards the cathode, to generate a corresponding current to deposit an electroplating material on the workpiece. The selective shield/material flow assembly is located between the anode and the cathode, and forms a multitude of adjustable openings. These opening have sizes that are adjustable during the electroplating process for selectively and controllably adjusting the amount of electric flux passing through the selective shield/material flow assembly and the distribution of the electroplating material on the workpiece. The selective shield/material flow assembly can also be used with an electroless plating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph A. Barrese, Gary Gajdorus, Allen H. Hopkins, John J. Konrad, Robert C. Schaffer, Timothy L. Wells
  • Publication number: 20050218002
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for plating a workpiece. The apparatus comprises, generally, an anode, a cathode, and a selective anode shield/material flow assembly. In use, both the anode and the cathode are immersed in a solution, and the cathode is used to support the workpiece. During an electroplating process, the anode and the cathode generate an electric field emanating from the anode towards the cathode, to generate a corresponding current to deposit an electroplating material on the workpiece. The selective shield/material flow assembly is located between the anode and the cathode, and forms a multitude of adjustable openings. These opening have sizes that are adjustable during the electroplating process for selectively and controllably adjusting the amount of electric flux passing through the selective shield/material flow assembly and the distribution of the electroplating material on the workpiece. The selective shield/material flow assembly can also be used with an electroless plating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph Barrese, Gary Gajdorus, Allen Hopkins, John Konrad, Robert Schaffer, Timothy Wells
  • Patent number: 6746578
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for plating a workpiece. The apparatus comprises, generally, an anode, a cathode, and a selective anode shield/material flow assembly. In use, both the anode and the cathode are immersed in a solution, and the cathode is used to support the workpiece. During an electroplating process, the anode and the cathode generate an electric field emanating from the anode towards the cathode, to generate a corresponding current to deposit an electroplating material on the workpiece. The selective shield/material flow assembly is located between the anode and the cathode, and forms a multitude of adjustable openings. These opening have sizes that are adjustable during the electroplating process for selectively and controllably adjusting the amount of electric flux passing through the selective shield/material flow assembly and the distribution of the electroplating material on the workpiece. The selective shield/material flow assembly can also be used with an electroless plating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph A. Barrese, Gary Gajdorus, Allen H. Hopkins, John J. Konrad, Robert C. Schaffer, Timothy L. Wells
  • Publication number: 20020179450
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for plating a workpiece. The apparatus comprises, generally, an anode, a cathode, and a selective anode shield/material flow assembly. In use, both the anode and the cathode are immersed in a solution, and the cathode is used to support the workpiece. During an electroplating process, the anode and the cathode generate an electric field emanating from the anode towards the cathode, to generate a corresponding current to deposit an electroplating material on the workpiece. The selective shield/material flow assembly is located between the anode and the cathode, and forms a multitude of adjustable openings. These opening have sizes that are adjustable during the electroplating process for selectively and controllably adjusting the amount of electric flux passing through the selective shield/material flow assembly and the distribution of the electroplating material on the workpiece. The selective shield/material flow assembly can also be used with an electroless plating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ralph A. Barrese, Gary Gajdorus, Allen H. Hopkins, John J. Konrad, Robert C. Schaffer, Timothy L. Wells
  • Patent number: 6372101
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing drag-out is provided. The apparatus is arranged at an exit where a workpiece leaves a plating chamber. Brush members are arranged to contact both sides of the workpiece as it leaves the plating chamber. The brush members are adjustably arranged in a housing such that the angle of the brush member relative to the workpiece can be varied. A locking mechanism is provided to hold the brush member at a selected angle. The entire apparatus is adjustably inward and outward with respect to the workpiece as well as with respect to the plating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph A. Barrese, Allen H. Hopkins, John J. Konrad, Donald L. Putman, David A. Space, Jr.