Patents by Inventor Thomas Spann

Thomas Spann 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: 9640461
    Abstract: A power module includes a substrate DMB (Direct Metal Bonded). A novel bridging DMB is surface mounted to the substrate DMB along with power semiconductor device dice. The top metal layer of the bridging DMB has one or more islands to which bonding wires can connect. In one example, an electrical path extends from a module terminal, through a first bonding wire and to a first location on a strip-shaped island, through the island to a second location, and from the second location and through a second bonding wire. The strip-shaped island of the bridging DMB serves as a section of the overall electrical path. Another bonding wire of a separate electrical path passes transversely over the strip-shaped island without any wire crossing any other wire. Use of the bridging DMB promotes bonding wire mechanical strength as well as heat sinking from bonding wires down to the substrate DMB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: IXYS Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Spann, Ira Balaj-Loos
  • Patent number: 9443792
    Abstract: A power module includes a substrate DMB (Direct Metal Bonded). A novel bridging DMB is surface mounted to the substrate DMB along with power semiconductor device dice. The top metal layer of the bridging DMB has one or more islands to which bonding wires can connect. In one example, an electrical path extends from a module terminal, through a first bonding wire and to a first location on a strip-shaped island, through the island to a second location, and from the second location and through a second bonding wire. The strip-shaped island of the bridging DMB serves as a section of the overall electrical path. Another bonding wire of a separate electrical path passes transversely over the strip-shaped island without any wire crossing any other wire. Use of the bridging DMB promotes bonding wire mechanical strength as well as heat sinking from bonding wires down to the substrate DMB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: IXYS Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Spann, Ira Balaj-Loos
  • Patent number: 9177888
    Abstract: A packaged power semiconductor device is provided with voltage isolation between a metal backside and terminals of the device. The packaged power semiconductor device is arranged in an encapsulant defining a hole for receiving a structure for physically coupling the device to an object. A direct-bonded copper (“DBC”) substrate is used to provide electrical isolation and improved thermal transfer from the device to a heatsink. At least one power semiconductor die is mounted to a first metal layer of the DBC substrate. The first metal layer spreads heat generated by the semiconductor die. In one embodiment, the packaged power semiconductor device conforms to a TO-247 outline and is capable of receiving a screw for physically coupling the device to a heatsink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: IXYS Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Spann, Holger Ostmann, Kang Rim Choi
  • Publication number: 20150087113
    Abstract: A packaged power semiconductor device is provided with voltage isolation between a metal backside and terminals of the device. The packaged power semiconductor device is arranged in an encapsulant defining a hole for receiving a structure for physically coupling the device to an object. A direct-bonded copper (“DBC”) substrate is used to provide electrical isolation and improved thermal transfer from the device to a heatsink. At least one power semiconductor die is mounted to a first metal layer of the DBC substrate. The first metal layer spreads heat generated by the semiconductor die. In one embodiment, the packaged power semiconductor device conforms to a TO-247 outline and is capable of receiving a screw for physically coupling the device to a heatsink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Spann, Holger Ostmann, Kang Rim Choi
  • Patent number: 8901723
    Abstract: A packaged power semiconductor device is provided with voltage isolation between a metal backside and terminals of the device. The packaged power semiconductor device is arranged in an encapsulant defining a hole for receiving a structure for physically coupling the device to an object. A direct-bonded copper (“DBC”) substrate is used to provide electrical isolation and improved thermal transfer from the device to a heatsink. At least one power semiconductor die is mounted to a first metal layer of the DBC substrate. The first metal layer spreads heat generated by the semiconductor die. In one embodiment, the packaged power semiconductor device conforms to a TO-247 outline and is capable of receiving a screw for physically coupling the device to a heatsink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: IXYS Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Spann, Holger Ostmann, Kang Rim Choi
  • Patent number: 8876996
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of double-sided metallized ceramic substrates according to the direct-bonding process. The method enables a ceramic substrate to be bonded to a metal plate or foil on the upper side and the underside in only one process sequence. The composite to be bonded is located on a specially designed carrier structured on the upper side with a plurality of contact points. After the bonding process the composite of metal plates and ceramic substrate can be detached from the carrier free of any residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: IXYS Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Weidenauer, Thomas Spann, Heiko Knoll
  • Publication number: 20130252381
    Abstract: A packaged power semiconductor device is provided with voltage isolation between a metal backside and terminals of the device. The packaged power semiconductor device is arranged in an encapsulant defining a hole for receiving a structure for physically coupling the device to an object. A direct-bonded copper (“DBC”) substrate is used to provide electrical isolation and improved thermal transfer from the device to a heatsink. At least one power semiconductor die is mounted to a first metal layer of the DBC substrate. The first metal layer spreads heat generated by the semiconductor die. In one embodiment, the packaged power semiconductor device conforms to a TO-247 outline and is capable of receiving a screw for physically coupling the device to a heatsink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: IXYS Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Spann, Holger Ostmann, Kang Rim Choi
  • Patent number: 8455987
    Abstract: A packaged power semiconductor device is provided with voltage isolation between a metal backside and terminals of the device. The packaged power semiconductor device is arranged in an encapsulant defining a hole for receiving a structure for physically coupling the device to an object. A direct-bonded copper (“DBC”) substrate is used to provide electrical isolation and improved thermal transfer from the device to a heatsink. At least one power semiconductor die is mounted to a first metal layer of the DBC substrate. The first metal layer spreads heat generated by the semiconductor die. In one embodiment, the packaged power semiconductor device conforms to a TO-247 outline and is capable of receiving a screw for physically coupling the device to a heatsink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: IXYS Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Spann, Holger Ostmann, Kang Rim Choi
  • Publication number: 20110303348
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of double-sided metallized ceramic substrates according to the direct-bonding process. The method enables a ceramic substrate to be bonded to a metal plate or foil on the upper side and the underside in only one process sequence. The composite to be bonded is located on a specially designed carrier structured on the upper side with a plurality of contact points. After the bonding process the composite of metal plates and ceramic substrate can be detached from the carrier free of any residue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: IXYS Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Weidenauer, Thomas Spann, Heiko Knoll