Patents by Inventor Scott D. Brandenburg

Scott D. Brandenburg 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: 11973268
    Abstract: This document describes techniques, apparatuses, and systems for a multi-layer air waveguide with layer-to-layer connections. Each pre-formed layer of the air waveguide is attached to at least one other pre-formed layer by a mechanical interface. The mechanical interface may be a stud-based interface, a snap fastener-based interface, a ball-and-socket based interface, or a pressure contact interface utilizing irregular roughed surfaces of each pre-formed layer. The mechanical interfaces of the pre-formed layers structurally hold the air waveguide together and electrically couple all of the pre-formed layers. In this manner, the cost of manufacturing the air waveguide antennas may be less expensive than previous manufacturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman, Mark William Hudson
  • Patent number: 11962087
    Abstract: This document describes a single-layer air waveguide antenna integrated on a circuit board. The waveguide guides electromagnetic energy through channels filled with air. It is formed from a single layer of material, such as a sheet of metal, metal-coated plastic, or other material with conductive surfaces that is attached to a circuit board. A portion of a surface of the circuit board is configured as a floor of the channels filled with air. This floor is an electrical interface between the circuit board and the channels filled with air. The single layer of material is positioned atop this electrical interface to define walls and a ceiling of the channels filled with air. The single layer of material can be secured to the circuit board in various ways. The cost of integrating an air waveguide antenna on to a circuit board this way may be less expensive than other waveguide-manufacturing techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman, Mark William Hudson, Sophie Macfarland
  • Publication number: 20240022001
    Abstract: Described herein is a waveguide that is configured to be soldered to a printed circuit board (PCB) via one or more metallic portions disposed thereon. Additionally, the waveguide may have solder disposed within thru holes that is configured to conduct heat from one or more components of the PCB when the waveguide is mounted to the PCB. Also described herein is an assembly comprising the waveguide soldered to the PCB via solder between the metallic portions of the waveguide and metallic portions of the PCB. Techniques for producing the waveguide and the assembly are also described herein. By soldering the waveguide to the PCB, an inexpensive, precise, and secure mechanical bonding may be achieved while electrically sealing features of the waveguide and/or components of the PCB. Furthermore, the solder within the thru holes allows for better heat conduction through the waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman, Michael J. Pepples, Kevin Paul McReynolds
  • Publication number: 20230378656
    Abstract: This document describes a single-layer air waveguide antenna integrated on a circuit board. The waveguide guides electromagnetic energy through channels filled with air. It is formed from a single layer of material, such as a sheet of metal, metal-coated plastic, or other material with conductive surfaces that is attached to a circuit board. A portion of a surface of the circuit board is configured as a floor of the channels filled with air. This floor is an electrical interface between the circuit board and the channels filled with air. The single layer of material is positioned atop this electrical interface to define walls and a ceiling of the channels filled with air. The single layer of material can be secured to the circuit board in various ways. The cost of integrating an air waveguide antenna on to a circuit board this way may be less expensive than other waveguide-manufacturing techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman, Mark William Hudson, Sophie Macfarland
  • Publication number: 20230352845
    Abstract: This document describes techniques, apparatuses, and systems for a waveguide with slot antennas and reflectors. An apparatus may include a waveguide channel that includes a hollow channel containing a dielectric and an array of slot antennas through a surface that is operably connected with the dielectric. The apparatus also includes reflectors positioned adjacent to and offset from each longitudinal side of the waveguide channel. The reflectors and the waveguide channel are positioned to generate a particular radiation pattern for an antenna element electrically coupled to the dielectric. In this way, the described waveguide with slot antennas and reflectors can adjust the positioning of the reflectors to provide a radiation pattern with a wide or asymmetric beamwidth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Biswadeep Das Gupta, Syed An Nazmus Saqueb, Scott D. Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman, Warren Whithaus
  • Patent number: 11728576
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for a plastic air-waveguide antenna with conductive particles. The described antenna includes an antenna body made from a resin embedded with conductive particles, a surface of the antenna body that includes a resin layer with no or fewer conductive particles, and a waveguide structure. The waveguide structure can be made from a portion of the surface on which the embedded conductive particles are exposed. The waveguide structure can be molded as part of the antenna body or cut into the antenna body using a laser, which also exposes the conductive particles. If the waveguide is molded as part of the antenna body, the conductive particles can be exposed by an etching process or by using the laser. In this way, the described apparatuses and techniques can reduce weight, improve gain and phase control, improve high-temperature performance, and avoid at least some vapor-deposition plating operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, Mark W. Hudson, David W. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20230208016
    Abstract: This document describes techniques, apparatuses, and systems of a metal antenna assembly with integrated features. The described antenna assembly comprises an antenna structure including an antenna body having at least one antenna element formed from a metal alloy while in a thixotropic state. The antenna structure includes a surface having a corrosion inhibitor coating. The antenna assembly further includes an air-waveguide structure. In implementations, the antenna structure is configured to attach to a mounting. The antenna structure includes at least one integrated alignment feature promoting alignment during manufacturing of the antenna assembly. The antenna structure further includes an internal portion in the antenna body defining an integrated heatsink portion and an integrated electromagnetic interference portion within which circuit components can reside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman, Mark William Hudson, Sophie Macfarland, Dennis C. Nohns
  • Patent number: 11626345
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a printed circuit board (PCB) that supports an integrated circuit (IC) chip. The device also includes a lid over the IC chip. A thermal interface material (TIM) is configured to transfer thermal energy from the IC chip to the lid. A heat spreader forms a cavity in communication with the lid. The heat spreader is at least partially filled with a liquid that is configured to change phases during operation of the IC chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David W. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 11616306
    Abstract: This document describes a single-layer air waveguide antenna integrated on a circuit board. The waveguide guides electromagnetic energy through channels filled with air. It is formed from a single layer of material, such as a sheet of metal, metal-coated plastic, or other material with conductive surfaces that is attached to a circuit board. A portion of a surface of the circuit board is configured as a floor of the channels filled with air. This floor is an electrical interface between the circuit board and the channels filled with air. The single layer of material is positioned atop this electrical interface to define walls and a ceiling of the channels filled with air. The single layer of material can be secured to the circuit board in various ways. The cost of integrating an air waveguide antenna on to a circuit board this way may be less expensive than other waveguide-manufacturing techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman, Mark William Hudson, Sophie Macfarland
  • Patent number: 11509035
    Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an antenna device includes a substrate, a plurality of antenna elements supported on the substrate, an integrated circuit supported on one side of the substrate, and a metallic waveguide antenna situated against the substrate. The metallic waveguide antenna includes a heat dissipation portion in a thermally conductive relationship with the integrated circuit. The heat dissipation portion is configured to reduce a temperature of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David W. Zimmerman, Shawn Shi
  • Publication number: 20220352640
    Abstract: This document describes techniques, apparatuses, and systems for a multi-layer air waveguide with layer-to-layer connections. Each pre-formed layer of the air waveguide is attached to at least one other pre-formed layer by a mechanical interface. The mechanical interface may be a stud-based interface, a snap fastener-based interface, a ball-and-socket based interface, or a pressure contact interface utilizing irregular roughed surfaces of each pre-formed layer. The mechanical interfaces of the pre-formed layers structurally hold the air waveguide together and electrically couple all of the pre-formed layers. In this manner, the cost of manufacturing the air waveguide antennas may be less expensive than previous manufacturing processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman, Mark William Hudson
  • Publication number: 20220302570
    Abstract: This document describes a single-layer air waveguide antenna integrated on a circuit board. The waveguide guides electromagnetic energy through channels filled with air. It is formed from a single layer of material, such as a sheet of metal, metal-coated plastic, or other material with conductive surfaces that is attached to a circuit board. A portion of a surface of the circuit board is configured as a floor of the channels filled with air. This floor is an electrical interface between the circuit board and the channels filled with air. The single layer of material is positioned atop this electrical interface to define walls and a ceiling of the channels filled with air. The single layer of material can be secured to the circuit board in various ways. The cost of integrating an air waveguide antenna on to a circuit board this way may be less expensive than other waveguide-manufacturing techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman, Mark William Hudson, Sophie Macfarland
  • Publication number: 20220271437
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for a plastic air-waveguide antenna with conductive particles. The described antenna includes an antenna body made from a resin embedded with conductive particles, a surface of the antenna body that includes a resin layer with no or fewer conductive particles, and a waveguide structure. The waveguide structure can be made from a portion of the surface on which the embedded conductive particles are exposed. The waveguide structure can be molded as part of the antenna body or cut into the antenna body using a laser, which also exposes the conductive particles. If the waveguide is molded as part of the antenna body, the conductive particles can be exposed by an etching process or by using the laser. In this way, the described apparatuses and techniques can reduce weight, improve gain and phase control, improve high-temperature performance, and avoid at least some vapor-deposition plating operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, Mark W. Hudson, David W. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20220256685
    Abstract: Formed waveguide antennas using one or metal sheets can improve the materials and manufacturing process of a radar assembly. For example, the radar system can include a printed circuit board (PCB) and a metal sheet attached to the PCB. The metal sheet can be formed to provide multiple waveguide antennas that each include multiple waveguide channels. Multiple radiation slots can be formed on a surface of each of the multiple waveguide channels. The PCB can include an MIMIC and a thermally conductive material covering a portion of a first and a second surface of the PCB. The metal sheet can also be formed to provide a shield for the MIMIC. In this way, the described techniques and systems permit the waveguide antennas to formed with materials and a manufacturing process that reduce costs while still providing high performance (e.g., minimized loss).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David Wayne Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20220248525
    Abstract: An electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and thermal management system, method, and automotive radar system for an integrated circuit of a product circuit board (PCB) of a radar sensor includes a shield member disposed above the integrated circuit and extending to unpopulated areas of the PCB and configured to shield the integrated circuit from EMI and transfer heat energy generated by the integrated circuit away from the integrated circuit, and a set of pin members configured to be inserted through respective apertures defined by the shield member and the PCB and configured to transfer the heat energy from the shield member to an environment external to the PCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David W. Zimmerman, Navneet Gupta
  • Patent number: 11362436
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for a plastic air-waveguide antenna with conductive particles. The described antenna includes an antenna body made from a resin embedded with conductive particles, a surface of the antenna body that includes a resin layer with no or fewer conductive particles, and a waveguide structure. The waveguide structure can be made from a portion of the surface on which the embedded conductive particles are exposed. The waveguide structure can be molded as part of the antenna body or cut into the antenna body using a laser, which also exposes the conductive particles. If the waveguide is molded as part of the antenna body, the conductive particles can be exposed by an etching process or by using the laser. In this way, the described apparatuses and techniques can reduce weight, improve gain and phase control, improve high-temperature performance, and avoid at least some vapor-deposition plating operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, Mark W. Hudson, David W. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 11315852
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a printed circuit board that supports an integrated circuit (IC) chip and a thermal interface layer that is configured to transfer thermal energy from the IC chip. The thermal interface layer includes a containment frame that is non-electrically conductive and a thermal conductance pane that is inset in the containment frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David W. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20220109247
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for a plastic air-waveguide antenna with conductive particles. The described antenna includes an antenna body made from a resin embedded with conductive particles, a surface of the antenna body that includes a resin layer with no or fewer conductive particles, and a waveguide structure. The waveguide structure can be made from a portion of the surface on which the embedded conductive particles are exposed. The waveguide structure can be molded as part of the antenna body or cut into the antenna body using a laser, which also exposes the conductive particles. If the waveguide is molded as part of the antenna body, the conductive particles can be exposed by an etching process or by using the laser. In this way, the described apparatuses and techniques can reduce weight, improve gain and phase control, improve high-temperature performance, and avoid at least some vapor-deposition plating operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, Mark W. Hudson, David W. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 11217505
    Abstract: An electronics heat exchanger including a fluid flow body having a first panel, a second panel, and at least one fluid flow guide connecting the first panel and the second panel, a plurality of pedestals extending from the second panel, the plurality of pedestals including at least a first pedestal having a first height and a second pedestal having a second height, distinct from the first height, and wherein each of the pedestals is integral with the second panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, Mark W. Hudson
  • Publication number: 20210375718
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a printed circuit board (PCB) that supports an integrated circuit (IC) chip. The device also includes a lid over the IC chip. A thermal interface material (TIM) is configured to transfer thermal energy from the IC chip to the lid. A heat spreader forms a cavity in communication with the lid. The heat spreader is at least partially filled with a liquid that is configured to change phases during operation of the IC chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Scott D. Brandenburg, David W. Zimmerman