Patents by Inventor Thomas Peter Schneider

Thomas Peter Schneider 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: 9190592
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a thermoelectric device includes providing a substrate having a plurality of inclined growth surfaces protruding from a surface thereof. Respective thermoelectric material layers are grown on the inclined growth surfaces, and the respective thermoelectric material layers coalesce to collectively define a continuous thermoelectric film. A surface of the thermoelectric film opposite the surface of the substrate may be substantially planar, and a crystallographic orientation of the thermoelectric film may be tilted at an angle of about 45 degrees or less relative to a direction along a thickness thereof. Related devices and fabrication methods are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nextreme Thermal Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Vaudo, Philip A. Deane, Thomas Peter Schneider, Christopher D. Holzworth, Joseph Robert Williamson
  • Publication number: 20140124010
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a thermoelectric device includes providing a substrate having a plurality of inclined growth surfaces protruding from a surface thereof. Respective thermoelectric material layers are grown on the inclined growth surfaces, and the respective thermoelectric material layers coalesce to collectively define a continuous thermoelectric film. A surface of the thermoelectric film opposite the surface of the substrate may be substantially planar, and a crystallographic orientation of the thermoelectric film may be tilted at an angle of about 45 degrees or less relative to a direction along a thickness thereof. Related devices and fabrication methods are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Robert P. Vaudo, Philip A. Deane, Thomas Peter Schneider, Christopher D. Holzworth, Joseph Robert Williamson
  • Patent number: 7855397
    Abstract: An electronic assembly may include a packaging substrate, an integrated circuit (IC) semiconductor chip, a plurality of metal interconnection structures, and a thermoelectric heat pump. The integrated circuit (IC) semiconductor chip may have an active side including input/output pads thereon and a back side opposite the active side, and the IC semiconductor chip may be arranged with the active side facing the first surface of the packaging substrate. The plurality of metal interconnection structures may be between the active side of the IC semiconductor chip and the first surface of the packaging substrate, and the plurality of metal interconnection structures may provide mechanical connection between the active side of the IC semiconductor chip and the first surface of the packaging substrate. The thermoelectric heat pump may be coupled to the packaging substrate with the thermoelectric heat pump being configured to actively pump heat between the IC semiconductor chip and the packaging substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Nextreme Thermal Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall G. Alley, Philip A. Deane, David A. Koester, Thomas Peter Schneider, Jesko von Windheim
  • Publication number: 20090072385
    Abstract: An electronic assembly may include a packaging substrate, an integrated circuit (IC) semiconductor chip, a plurality of metal interconnection structures, and a thermoelectric heat pump. The integrated circuit (IC) semiconductor chip may have an active side including input/output pads thereon and a back side opposite the active side, and the IC semiconductor chip may be arranged with the active side facing the first surface of the packaging substrate. The plurality of metal interconnection structures may be between the active side of the IC semiconductor chip and the first surface of the packaging substrate, and the plurality of metal interconnection structures may provide mechanical connection between the active side of the IC semiconductor chip and the first surface of the packaging substrate. The thermoelectric heat pump may be coupled to the packaging substrate with the thermoelectric heat pump being configured to actively pump heat between the IC semiconductor chip and the packaging substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Randall G. Alley, Philip A. Deane, David A. Koester, Thomas Peter Schneider, Jesko Von Windheim