Patents by Inventor Robert Michael Smythe

Robert Michael Smythe 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: 9322580
    Abstract: A circuit assembly generally includes a circuit board and at least one electrical pathway configured to couple a thermoelectric module to the circuit board. The circuit board and the at least one electrical pathway form part of the thermoelectric module when the thermoelectric module is coupled to the circuit board via the at least one electrical pathway. The thermoelectric module, including the portion of the circuit board forming part of the thermoelectric module, defines a footprint that is smaller than a footprint of the circuit board. As such, the circuit board is capable of supporting electrical components on the circuit board in a position outside the footprint defined by the thermoelectric module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Gerard Hershberger, Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe, Michael G. Sutsko
  • Patent number: 9222735
    Abstract: According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of thermally-conductive interface assemblies suitable for use in dissipating heat from one or more components of a memory module. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may generally include a flexible heat-spreading material having first and second sides and one or more perforations extending through the flexible heat-spreading material from the first side to the second side. The flexible heat-spreading material may be sandwiched between first and second layers of soft thermal interface material. A portion of the soft thermal interface material may be disposed within the one or more perforations. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may be positioned relative to one or more components of a memory module to provide a thermally-conductive heat path from the one or more components to the first layer of soft thermal interface material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe
  • Publication number: 20140374080
    Abstract: According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of thermally-conductive interface assemblies suitable for use in dissipating heat from one or more components of a memory module. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may generally include a flexible heat-spreading material having first and second sides and one or more perforations extending through the flexible heat-spreading material from the first side to the second side. The flexible heat-spreading material may be sandwiched between first and second layers of soft thermal interface material. A portion of the soft thermal interface material may be disposed within the one or more perforations. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may be positioned relative to one or more components of a memory module to provide a thermally-conductive heat path from the one or more components to the first layer of soft thermal interface material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe
  • Patent number: 8837151
    Abstract: According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of thermally-conductive interface assemblies suitable for use in dissipating heat from one or more components of a memory module. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may generally include a flexible heat-spreading material having first and second sides and one or more perforations extending through the flexible heat-spreading material from the first side to the second side. The flexible heat-spreading material may be sandwiched between first and second layers of soft thermal interface material. A portion of the soft thermal interface material may be disposed within the one or more perforations. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may be positioned relative to one or more components of a memory module to provide a thermally-conductive heat path from the one or more components to the first layer of soft thermal interface material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe
  • Publication number: 20140150839
    Abstract: A circuit assembly generally includes a circuit board and at least one electrical pathway configured to couple a thermoelectric module to the circuit board. The circuit board and the at least one electrical pathway form part of the thermoelectric module when the thermoelectric module is coupled to the circuit board via the at least one electrical pathway. The thermoelectric module, including the portion of the circuit board forming part of the thermoelectric module, defines a footprint that is smaller than a footprint of the circuit board. As such, the circuit board is capable of supporting electrical components on the circuit board in a position outside the footprint defined by the thermoelectric module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Gerard Hershberger, Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe, Michael G. Sutsko
  • Patent number: 8649179
    Abstract: A circuit assembly generally includes a circuit board and at least one electrical pathway configured to couple a thermoelectric module to the circuit board for use as a heat pump in the circuit assembly. The circuit board and the at least one electrical pathway form part of the thermoelectric module when the thermoelectric module is coupled to the circuit board via the at least one electrical pathway. The thermoelectric module, including the portion of the circuit board forming part of the thermoelectric module, defines a footprint that is smaller than a footprint of the circuit board. As such, the circuit board is capable of supporting electrical components on the circuit board in a position outside the footprint defined by the thermoelectric module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Gerard Hershberger, Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe, Michael G. Sutsko
  • Publication number: 20120201008
    Abstract: A circuit assembly generally includes a circuit board and at least one electrical pathway configured to couple a thermoelectric module to the circuit board for use as a heat pump in the circuit assembly. The circuit board and the at least one electrical pathway form part of the thermoelectric module when the thermoelectric module is coupled to the circuit board via the at least one electrical pathway. The thermoelectric module, including the portion of the circuit board forming part of the thermoelectric module, defines a footprint that is smaller than a footprint of the circuit board. As such, the circuit board is capable of supporting electrical components on the circuit board in a position outside the footprint defined by the thermoelectric module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: LAIRD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Gerard Hershberger, Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe, Michael G. Sutsko
  • Publication number: 20120174956
    Abstract: An example thermoelectric module generally includes a first laminate having a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer, a second laminate having a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer, and thermoelectric elements disposed generally between the first and second laminates. At least one of the dielectric layers is a polymeric dielectric layer. The electrically conductive layers of the first and second laminates are at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the respective first and second laminates. The thermoelectric elements are coupled to the electrically conductive pads of the first and second laminates for electrically coupling the thermoelectric elements together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: LAIRD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Michael Smythe, Jeffrey Gerard Hershberger, Richard F. Hill
  • Patent number: 8193439
    Abstract: An example method for making thermoelectric modules generally includes coupling a first wafer and a second wafer together, processing the first and second wafers to produce a first thermoelectric element and a second thermoelectric element where the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element are coupled together, coupling the first thermoelectric element to a first conductor, coupling the second thermoelectric element to a second conductor, separating the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element, coupling the first thermoelectric element to a third conductor whereby the first thermoelectric element, the first conductor, and the third conductor form at least part of a thermoelectric module, and coupling the second thermoelectric element to a fourth conductor whereby the second thermoelectric element, the second conductor, and the fourth conductor form at least part of another thermoelectric module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Michael Smythe, Jeffrey Gerard Hershberger
  • Publication number: 20120087094
    Abstract: According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of thermally-conductive interface assemblies suitable for use in dissipating heat from one or more components of a memory module. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may generally include a flexible heat-spreading material having first and second sides and one or more perforations extending through the flexible heat-spreading material from the first side to the second side. The flexible heat-spreading material may be sandwiched between first and second layers of soft thermal interface material. A portion of the soft thermal interface material may be disposed within the one or more perforations. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may be positioned relative to one or more components of a memory module to provide a thermally-conductive heat path from the one or more components to the first layer of soft thermal interface material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe
  • Publication number: 20120061135
    Abstract: According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of EMI shielding, thermally-conductive interface assemblies. In various exemplary embodiments, an EMI shielding, thermally-conductive interface assembly includes a thermal interface material and a sheet of shielding material, such as an electrically-conductive fabric, mesh, foil, etc. The sheet of shielding material may be embedded within the thermal interface material and/or be sandwiched between first and second layers of thermal interface material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe
  • Patent number: 8081468
    Abstract: According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of thermally-conductive interface assemblies suitable for use in dissipating heat from one or more components of a memory module. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may generally include a flexible heat-spreading material having first and second sides and one or more perforations extending through the flexible heat-spreading material from the first side to the second side. The flexible heat-spreading material may be sandwiched between first and second layers of soft thermal interface material. A portion of the soft thermal interface material may be disposed within the one or more perforations. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may be positioned relative to one or more components of a memory module to provide a thermally-conductive heat path from the one or more components to the first layer of soft thermal interface material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe
  • Publication number: 20110030754
    Abstract: An example thermoelectric module of the present disclosure generally includes a first laminate having a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer, a second laminate having a dielectric layer and an electrically conductive layer coupled to the dielectric layer, and thermoelectric elements disposed generally between the first and second laminates. At least one of the dielectric layers is a polymeric dielectric layer. The electrically conductive layer of the first laminate is at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the first laminate. The electrically conductive layer of the second laminate is at least partially removed to form electrically conductive pads on the second laminate. The thermoelectric elements are coupled to the electrically conductive pads of the first and second laminates for electrically coupling the thermoelectric elements together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Michael Smythe, Jeffrey Gerard Hershberger, Richard F. Hill
  • Publication number: 20110000516
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an assembly includes one or more thermoelectric modules, a compliant thermal interface, and a heat spreader. The compliant thermal interface is configured such that it may substantially conform against and intimately thermally contact an outer surface of a fluid conduit. The heat spreader is disposed generally between and thermally coupled to the compliant thermal interface and the one or more thermoelectric modules. The heat spreader may have greater flexibility than the one or more thermoelectric modules. The heat spreader may also have a thermal conductivity greater than the compliant thermal interface. The assembly may have sufficient flexibility to be circumferentially wrapped at least partially around a portion of the fluid conduit's outer surface, with the compliant thermal interface in substantial conformance against and in intimate thermal contact with the fluid conduit's outer surface portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: LAIRD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Gerard Hershberger, Richard F. Hill, Richard I. Roser, Robert Michael Smythe
  • Publication number: 20100321895
    Abstract: According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of thermally-conductive interface assemblies suitable for use in dissipating heat from one or more components of a memory module. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may generally include a flexible heat-spreading material having first and second sides and one or more perforations extending through the flexible heat-spreading material from the first side to the second side. The flexible heat-spreading material may be sandwiched between first and second layers of soft thermal interface material. A portion of the soft thermal interface material may be disposed within the one or more perforations. The thermally-conductive interface assembly may be positioned relative to one or more components of a memory module to provide a thermally-conductive heat path from the one or more components to the first layer of soft thermal interface material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe
  • Publication number: 20100321897
    Abstract: According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of thermally-conductive interface assemblies. In exemplary embodiments, thermal interface material is disposed on or along one side of a flexible thermally-conductive sheet. In other embodiments, a flexible thermally-conductive sheet is bonded to, encapsulated within, or sandwiched between first and second layers of a thermal interface material. The flexible thermally-conductive sheet may be a flexible perforated graphite sheet. The thermal interface material may be thermally-conductive polymer. The perforations in the graphite sheet may enable a polymer-to-polymer bond to form that may help mechanically bond the first and second layers to the graphite sheet and/or may help provide heat conduction between the first and second layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Hill, Robert Michael Smythe
  • Publication number: 20100319744
    Abstract: An example method for making thermoelectric modules generally includes coupling a first wafer and a second wafer together, processing the first and second wafers to produce a first thermoelectric element and a second thermoelectric element where the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element are coupled together, coupling the first thermoelectric element to a first conductor, coupling the second thermoelectric element to a second conductor, separating the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element, coupling the first thermoelectric element to a third conductor whereby the first thermoelectric element, the first conductor, and the third conductor form at least part of a thermoelectric module, and coupling the second thermoelectric element to a fourth conductor whereby the second thermoelectric element, the second conductor, and the fourth conductor form at least part of another thermoelectric module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: LAIRD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Michael Smythe, Jeffrey Gerard Hershberger