Patents by Inventor Stephen Michael Hugo

Stephen Michael Hugo 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: 20240138064
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a multilayer circuit board is provided which includes forming a layer of a the multilayer circuit board with an internal clearance region having a modified voltage-to-ground clearance of conductive material adjacent to an aperture of the multilayer circuit board. The modified voltage-to-ground clearance of conductive material is based on a configuration of a connector pin to be press-fit connected within the aperture of the multilayer circuit board, and the internal clearance region is enlarged in a direction of greatest normal force outward from the aperture with insertion of the connector pin into the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: James D. BIELICK, Theron Lee LEWIS, David J. BRAUN, John R. DANGLER, Timothy P. YOUNGER, Stephen Michael HUGO, Timothy JENNINGS
  • Patent number: 11906574
    Abstract: Aspects include a hybrid socket dynamic warp indicator for socket connector systems and methods of using the same to measure the warpage of a printed circuit board assembly. The method can include providing a printed circuit board having a plurality of pads and a socket. A warp indicator having a plurality of solder joint connections and a resistor array is electrically coupled to the printed circuit board to build a printed circuit board assembly. The printed circuit board assembly is subjected to a thermal event. A resistance across the resistor array is measured after the thermal event. A number of separations between one or more pads of the printed circuit board and one or more solder joint connections of the warp indicator is determined based on a change in the resistance. A defective warpage condition for the socket is determined based on the number of separations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Hugo, Theron Lee Lewis, Timothy Jennings, Timothy P. Younger, David J. Braun, Jennifer I. Bennett, John R. Dangler, James D. Bielick
  • Patent number: 11699884
    Abstract: An apparatus for grounding a heatsink utilizing an EMC spring press-fit pin includes a printed circuit board, a logic chip, a heatsink, and a grounding member, where the grounding member includes an integrated spring and a first terminal pin at a first end of the grounding member. The logic chip is electrically coupled to the printed circuit board and the heatsink is disposed on a top surface of the logic chip. The first terminal pin at the first end of the grounding member is disposed in a plated-through hole of the printed circuit, where the grounding member is configured to electrically couple the heatsink to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Braun, John R. Dangler, Timothy P. Younger, James D. Bielick, Stephen Michael Hugo, Theron Lee Lewis, Jennifer I. Bennett, Timothy Jennings
  • Publication number: 20230178922
    Abstract: A first apparatus includes an electrical connector with an outer shell and an inner wafer, where the inner wafer is configured to slide into a cavity of the outer shell. The first apparatus further includes a shape-memory alloy coupled to a void in the outer shell and configured to interfere with an area on the inner wafer. A second apparatus includes an OTS connector with an outer shell and an inner wafer, where the inner wafer is configured to slide into a cavity of the outer shell. The second apparatus further includes a plurality of SMT leads of the inner wafer configured to mount onto a plurality of landing pads on a PCBA. The second apparatus includes a shape-memory alloy coupled to a void in the outer shell and configured to interfere with the inner wafer preventing movement of the inner wafer within the outer shell of OTS connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Theron Lee Lewis, David J. Braun, James D. Bielick, John R. Dangler, Timothy P. Younger, Timothy Jennings, Jennifer I. Bennett, Stephen Michael Hugo
  • Publication number: 20230009784
    Abstract: Aspects include a hybrid socket dynamic warp indicator for socket connector systems and methods of using the same to measure the warpage of a printed circuit board assembly. The method can include providing a printed circuit board having a plurality of pads and a socket. A warp indicator having a plurality of solder joint connections and a resistor array is electrically coupled to the printed circuit board to build a printed circuit board assembly. The printed circuit board assembly is subjected to a thermal event. A resistance across the resistor array is measured after the thermal event. A number of separations between one or more pads of the printed circuit board and one or more solder joint connections of the warp indicator is determined based on a change in the resistance. A defective warpage condition for the socket is determined based on the number of separations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Hugo, Theron Lee Lewis, Timothy Jennings, Timothy P. Younger, David J. Braun, Jennifer I. Bennett, John R. Dangler, James D. Bielick
  • Patent number: 11445650
    Abstract: Provided is a system for removing an electronic component from a printed circuit board (PCB). The system may comprise a heating well configured to hold a rework liquid. The system may further comprise a head system configured to create a liquid-tight seal around an electronic component. The system may further comprise a nozzle and a mechanical capture device disposed within the head system. The mechanical capture device may be configured to attach to the electronic component. The system may further comprise a controller. The controller may be configured to release the rework liquid through the nozzle and onto the electronic component and lift the electronic component off the PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Theron Lee Lewis, Jennifer I. Bennett, James D. Bielick, David J. Braun, John R. Dangler, Stephen Michael Hugo, Timothy Jennings, Timothy P. Younger
  • Publication number: 20220029361
    Abstract: An apparatus for grounding a heatsink utilizing an EMC spring press-fit pin includes a printed circuit board, a logic chip, a heatsink, and a grounding member, where the grounding member includes an integrated spring and a first terminal pin at a first end of the grounding member. The logic chip is electrically coupled to the printed circuit board and the heatsink is disposed on a top surface of the logic chip. The first terminal pin at the first end of the grounding member is disposed in a plated-through hole of the printed circuit, where the grounding member is configured to electrically couple the heatsink to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: David J. Braun, John R. Dangler, Timothy P. Younger, James D. Bielick, Stephen Michael Hugo, Theron Lee Lewis, Jennifer I. Bennett, Timothy Jennings
  • Publication number: 20210120712
    Abstract: Provided is a system for removing an electronic component from a printed circuit board (PCB). The system may comprise a heating well configured to hold a rework liquid. The system may further comprise a head system configured to create a liquid-tight seal around an electronic component. The system may further comprise a nozzle and a mechanical capture device disposed within the head system. The mechanical capture device may be configured to attach to the electronic component. The system may further comprise a controller. The controller may be configured to release the rework liquid through the nozzle and onto the electronic component and lift the electronic component off the PCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Theron Lee Lewis, Jennifer I. Bennett, James D. Bielick, David J. Braun, John R. Dangler, Stephen Michael Hugo, Timothy Jennings, Timothy P. Younger
  • Patent number: 9733134
    Abstract: A method includes providing a printed circuit board (“PCB”) supporting a solderable component, and supporting a first fuse on the PCB, where the first fuse includes a first temperature-sensitive element that measurably changes in response to exposure to ambient thermal conditions exceeding a first threshold temperature. The PCB, the solderable component, and the first fuse define an apparatus. The method includes performing a PCB assembly manufacturing process, and then testing the first fuse to determine whether, during the PCB assembly manufacturing process, the first fuse was exposed to ambient thermal conditions exceeding a first threshold temperature. The first threshold temperature is a minimum temperature where the PCB assembly manufacturing process is to be carried out, a maximum temperature at which the PCB assembly manufacturing process is to occur, or a first intermediate temperature between the minimum and maximum temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Hugo, Matthew Stephen Kelly
  • Patent number: 9714870
    Abstract: An apparatus according to the invention may include one or more fuses placed on a printed circuit board on which an printed circuit board assembly is formed. Each fuse changes in response to ambient thermal conditions beyond a threshold temperature. The change can be detected with a testing apparatus such as in in-circuit tester after a process such as a solder assembly process to determine whether the process was performed within the desire temperature range. Fuses may be positioned at different locations on the printed circuit board to provide localized and differentiated temperature measurements. An array of fuses may be designed to change at a progressing sequence of ambient temperatures to enable trends in the process temperature to be recorded. Temperature data may be recorded and linked to an identifier on the apparatus such as a product serial number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Hugo, Matthew Stephen Kelly
  • Publication number: 20160011061
    Abstract: A method includes providing a printed circuit board (“PCB”) supporting a solderable component, and supporting a first fuse on the PCB, where the first fuse includes a first temperature-sensitive element that measurably changes in response to exposure to ambient thermal conditions exceeding a first threshold temperature. The PCB, the solderable component, and the first fuse define an apparatus. The method includes performing a PCB assembly manufacturing process, and then testing the first fuse to determine whether, during the PCB assembly manufacturing process, the first fuse was exposed to ambient thermal conditions exceeding a first threshold temperature. The first threshold temperature is a minimum temperature where the PCB assembly manufacturing process is to be carried out, a maximum temperature at which the PCB assembly manufacturing process is to occur, or a first intermediate temperature between the minimum and maximum temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Hugo, Matthew Stephen Kelly
  • Publication number: 20140198424
    Abstract: An apparatus according to the invention may include one or more fuses placed on a printed circuit board on which an printed circuit board assembly is formed. Each fuse changes in response to ambient thermal conditions beyond a threshold temperature. The change can be detected with a testing apparatus such as in in-circuit tester after a process such as a solder assembly process to determine whether the process was performed within the desire temperature range. Fuses may be positioned at different locations on the printed circuit board to provide localized and differentiated temperature measurements. An array of fuses may be designed to change at a progressing sequence of ambient temperatures to enable trends in the process temperature to be recorded. Temperature data may be recorded and linked to an identifier on the apparatus such as a product serial number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Hugo, Matthew Stephen Kelly