Patents by Inventor Thomas D. Kidd

Thomas D. Kidd 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: 10479322
    Abstract: An arrangement to reduce refreezing of meltable snow includes a wiper arm configured to wipe the meltable snow from an ambient-facing surface of a window positioned on a vehicle. The arrangement also includes a sensor coupled to the wiper arm that is configured to gather and transmit a parameter on the vehicle and environment. The arrangement also includes a processor that is configured to receiving the parameter, determining refreezability of the meltable snow based on the parameter, and defining an action to be performed by the wiper arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Dangler, Thomas D. Kidd
  • Patent number: 10150449
    Abstract: A method to reduce refreezing of meltable snow includes configuring a wiper arm to wipe the meltable snow from an ambient-facing surface of a window positioned on a vehicle. The method also includes configuring a sensor coupled to the wiper arm to gather and transmit a parameter on the vehicle and environment. The method also includes configuring a processor to receive the parameter, determine refreezability of the meltable snow based on the parameter, and define an action to be performed by the wiper arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Dangler, Thomas D. Kidd
  • Patent number: 9554474
    Abstract: A removable, permanent or reconfigurable debug probing device for use in debug probing of a printed circuit assembly, the printed circuit assembly having at least one through via, the debug probing device comprising at least one leader thread configured to be threaded through the at least one through via. Using the probing device comprises inserting a selected one of the at least one leader threads through a selected one of the at least one through via to thereby probe a surface of the printed circuit assembly; and responsive to detecting a defect in the selected through via, using a flexible circuit connected to the selected leader thread to repair the detected defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gerald K. Bartley, David J Braun, John R Dangler, Matthew S Doyle, Thomas D Kidd
  • Publication number: 20160272155
    Abstract: An arrangement to reduce refreezing of meltable snow includes a wiper arm configured to wipe the meltable snow from an ambient-facing surface of a window positioned on a vehicle. The arrangement also includes a sensor coupled to the wiper arm that is configured to gather and transmit a parameter on the vehicle and environment. The arrangement also includes a processor that is configured to receiving the parameter, determining refreezability of the meltable snow based on the parameter, and defining an action to be performed by the wiper arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: John R. Dangler, Thomas D. Kidd
  • Patent number: 9421946
    Abstract: An arrangement to reduce refreezing of meltable snow includes a wiper arm configured to wipe the meltable snow from an ambient-facing surface of a window positioned on a vehicle. The arrangement also includes a sensor coupled to the wiper arm that is configured to gather and transmit a parameter on the vehicle and environment. The arrangement also includes a processor that is configured to receiving the parameter, determining refreezability of the meltable snow based on the parameter, and defining an action to be performed by the wiper arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John R Dangler, Thomas D Kidd
  • Publication number: 20160157358
    Abstract: A removable, permanent or reconfigurable debug probing device for use in debug probing of a printed circuit assembly, the printed circuit assembly having at least one through via, the debug probing device comprising at least one leader thread configured to be threaded through the at least one through via. Using the probing device comprises inserting a selected one of the at least one leader threads through a selected one of the at least one through via to thereby probe a surface of the printed circuit assembly; and responsive to detecting a defect in the selected through via, using a flexible circuit connected to the selected leader thread to repair the detected defect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Gerald K. Bartley, David J. Braun, John R. Dangler, Matthew S. Doyle, Thomas D. Kidd
  • Patent number: 9265155
    Abstract: A rework device in form of a flexible circuit is provided in order to repair a printed circuit assembly. The printed circuit assembly includes one or more through vias and interconnections. The flexible circuit includes a lead in portion and a tail portion. The flexible circuit also includes a first distended head portion proximal to the lead in portion and a second distended head portion proximal to the tail portion. Further, the second distended head portion is connected to the first distended head portion through a coverlay portion. The flexible circuit provided is adapted to be threaded through a through via to repair the printed circuit assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gerald K Bartley, David J Braun, John R Dangler, Matthew S Doyle, Thomas D Kidd
  • Publication number: 20150222068
    Abstract: A cable assembly for interconnecting a plurality of circuit boards together by using a connector assembly connected to each of the circuit boards. The cable assembly includes a first cable having a first end part and a second cable having a second end part. A first periphery of the first end part has a plurality of first half vias that collectively form a column along a width direction of the connector assembly. A second periphery of the second end part has a plurality of second half vias that collectively form a column along the width direction of the connector assembly. The first and second end parts are coupled together to form a connecting unit, such that the first half vias and the second half vias are joined together to form full vias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Braun, Mark G. Clark, John R. Dangler, Matthew S. Doyle, Thomas D. Kidd, Jason T. Stoll
  • Patent number: 9032617
    Abstract: A cable assembly for interconnecting a plurality of circuit boards together by using a connector assembly connected to each of the circuit boards. The cable assembly includes a first cable having a first end part and a second cable having a second end part. A first periphery of the first end part has a plurality of first half vias that collectively form a column along a width direction of the connector assembly. A second periphery of the second end part has a plurality of second half vias that collectively form a column along the width direction of the connector assembly. The first and second end parts are coupled together to form a connecting unit, such that the first half vias and the second half vias are joined together to form full vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Braun, Mark G. Clark, John R. Dangler, Matthew S. Doyle, Thomas D. Kidd, Jason T. Stoll
  • Publication number: 20140149003
    Abstract: A method to reduce refreezing of meltable snow includes configuring a wiper arm to wipe the meltable snow from an ambient-facing surface of a window positioned on a vehicle. The method also includes configuring a sensor coupled to the wiper arm to gather and transmit a parameter on the vehicle and environment. The method also includes configuring a processor to receive the parameter, determine refreezability of the meltable snow based on the parameter, and define an action to be performed by the wiper arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Dangler, Thomas D. Kidd
  • Publication number: 20140148085
    Abstract: An arrangement to reduce refreezing of meltable snow includes a wiper arm configured to wipe the meltable snow from an ambient-facing surface of a window positioned on a vehicle. The arrangement also includes a sensor coupled to the wiper arm that is configured to gather and transmit a parameter on the vehicle and environment. The arrangement also includes a processor that is configured to receiving the parameter, determining refreezability of the meltable snow based on the parameter, and defining an action to be performed by the wiper arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Dangler, Thomas D. Kidd
  • Publication number: 20120088376
    Abstract: A cable assembly for interconnecting a plurality of circuit boards together by using a connector assembly connected to each of the circuit boards. The cable assembly includes a first cable having a first end part and a second cable having a second end part. A first periphery of the first end part has a plurality of first half vias that collectively form a column along a width direction of the connector assembly. A second periphery of the second end part has a plurality of second half vias that collectively form a column along the width direction of the connector assembly. The first and second end parts are coupled together to form a connecting unit, such that the first half vias and the second half vias are joined together to form full vias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. BRAUN, Mark G. CLARK, John R. DANGLER, Matthew S. DOYLE, Thomas D. KIDD, Jason T. STOLL
  • Patent number: 8106300
    Abstract: A cable assembly for interconnecting a plurality of circuit boards together by using a connector assembly connected to each of the circuit boards. The cable assembly includes a first cable having a first end part and a second cable having a second end part. A first periphery of the first end part has a plurality of first half vias that collectively form a column along a width direction of the connector assembly. A second periphery of the second end part has a plurality of second half vias that collectively form a column along the width direction of the connector assembly. The first and second end parts are coupled together to form a connecting unit, such that the first half vias and the second half vias are joined together to form full vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Braun, Mark G. Clark, John R. Dangler, Matthew S. Doyle, Thomas D. Kidd, Jason T. Stoll
  • Patent number: 7977582
    Abstract: A flexible multilayer printed circuit assembly with shield fences. The flexible multilayer printed circuit assembly with multiple conductive layers includes logic ground vias that connect logic ground plane layers together, and shield vias that connect a top and a bottom shield plane layer together. Each of the shield fences is formed between the shield vias on an outside perimeter of each of the conductive layers. Each of the shield fences contains the logic ground vias inside, and also contains each corresponding conductive layer in the horizontal direction to which each layer extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark G. Clark, John R. Dangler, Matthew S. Doyle, Thomas D. Kidd, Timothy L. McMillan, Jason T. Stoll
  • Publication number: 20100084160
    Abstract: A cable assembly for interconnecting a plurality of circuit boards together by using a connector assembly connected to each of the circuit boards. The cable assembly includes a first cable having a first end part and a second cable having a second end part. A first periphery of the first end part has a plurality of first half vias that collectively form a column along a width direction of the connector assembly. A second periphery of the second end part has a plurality of second half vias that collectively form a column along the width direction of the connector assembly. The first and second end parts are coupled together to form a connecting unit, such that the first half vias and the second half vias are joined together to form full vias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: David J. Braun, Mark G. Clark, John R. Dangler, Matthew S. Doyle, Thomas D. Kidd, Jason T. Stoll
  • Publication number: 20090188712
    Abstract: A flexible multilayer printed circuit assembly with shield fences. The flexible multilayer printed circuit assembly with multiple conductive layers includes logic ground vias that connect logic ground plane layers together, and shield vias that connect a top and a bottom shield plane layer together. Each of the shield fences is formed between the shield vias on an outside perimeter of each of the conductive layers. Each of the shield fences contains the logic ground vias inside, and also contains each corresponding conductive layer in the horizontal direction to which each layer extends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Mark G. Clark, John R. Dangler, Matthew S. Doyle, Thomas D. Kidd, Timothy L. McMillan, Jason T. Stoll
  • Patent number: 6224395
    Abstract: A flex cable is slit between conductor traces to provide conformable strips, at least one of which can be flipped to expose one of the conductor traces to the other side of the cable. This increases the design flexibility of the flex cable because the conductor traces can be exposed on both sides of the cable without laser ablation or etch operations to remove the substrate. Also, because the flex cable is slit along its length, it is more able to conform to different connector locations, thereby obviating the need for designing a different flex cable to accommodate changes in mating hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul E. Dahlen, John R. Dangler, Thomas D. Kidd, Miles F. Swain
  • Patent number: 5513073
    Abstract: Attachment of electronics to optical devices is made by supporting the optical devices on a heat spreader card and the electronics on a separate circuit card. Each card has at least a first major surface, with an optical transducing subassembly mounted perpendicularly from the major surface of the heat spreader card. Electronics, except for transducing elements, are placed on the circuit card. The only direct attachment between the circuit card and the heat spreader card is one or more flexible cables attached to the respective major surfaces. This arrangement mechanically isolates the circuit card from the heat spreader card. The flexible cables include electrical conductors held positionally in a polyimide matrix, which provides for thermal isolation of the heat spreader card and the circuit card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy R. Block, David P. Gaio, Charles J. Guenther, Dennis L. Karst, Thomas D. Kidd, Michael W. Leddige
  • Patent number: 5446960
    Abstract: An alignment apparatus and method that provides a pick and placement tool that picks matrix leaded modules from trays, places the modules into a self-aligning nest, picks the modules from the nest and places them on a printed circuit board. The specific location and orientation of the nest with respect to a printed circuit board is known by the pick and placement tool. Once the nest has aligned the module, the tool picks the module from the nest and places it in the appropriate location on the printed circuit board. The nest has sloped sides that angle toward that bottom and are slippery. These sides funnel the module toward the bottom of the nest and correct gross misalignment. At the bottom inside of the nest are locating features into which the leads of the module fit. Between the locating features are slip surfaces so that the module leads slide into the locating features, correcting fine misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip D. Isaacs, Thomas D. Kidd, Bradley H. Redfield, Jeffrey L. Stone