Patents by Inventor Tim Renfro

Tim Renfro 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: 20080156457
    Abstract: The base of a heat sink may be selectively plated with a solder wetting material and soldered to an integral heat spreader also selectively plated with gold. In another embodiment, the solder may be applied in the form of an insert made up of an electrical heating wire sandwiched between indium foil which acts as solder when heated by the intervening wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew J. Schaenzer, Thomas J. Fitzgerald, Tim A. Renfro, Manjit Dhindsa, Vaibhav P. Trivedi
  • Publication number: 20080119081
    Abstract: Socket warpage reduction apparatus and method including a socket comprising a socket housing having a surface mount region for an electrical device, and at least one rigid bar secured in a groove in the socket housing and contiguous the surface mount region to ensure the surface mount region is flat and remains flattened in varying ambient conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Tim Renfro, Brian Kluge, Jiteender Manik
  • Patent number: 7364063
    Abstract: The base of a heat sink may be selectively plated with a solder wetting material and soldered to an integral heat spreader also selectively plated with gold. In another embodiment, the solder may be applied in the form of an insert made up of an electrical heating wire sandwiched between indium foil which acts as solder when heated by the intervening wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Schaenzer, Thomas J. Fitzgerald, Tim A. Renfro, Manjit Dhindsa, Vaibhav P. Trivedi
  • Patent number: 7350299
    Abstract: A method and a structure for reducing socket warpage in an embodiment by forming at least one groove in a socket housing contiguous to a surface mount region for an electrical device and securing a rigid bar in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Tim A. Renfro, Brian C. Kluge, Jiteender P. Manik
  • Patent number: 7347354
    Abstract: A method of bonding a thermal interface layer to a heat dissipating member and the resulting device are described. The method may involve plating a bonding surface of the heat dissipating member, and bonding a metallic solder onto the plating under vacuum or inert conditions and substantially without the use of a solder flux. Also described, is a heat dissipating device having a thermal interface material layer bonded thereto for thermal coupling to a heat conducting component by an impermanent attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Hurley, Chris Rumer, Rod Christner, Tim Renfro
  • Patent number: 7244137
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an integrated socket is disclosed. The socket includes a socket grid to receive one or more pins from a component, a frame coupled to the socket grid to provide structural support, and a cable receptacle integrated into the socket to receive a cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Tim A. Renfro, Jiteender P. Manik, Michael Li
  • Patent number: 7077661
    Abstract: A socket for a microelectronic component is provided. The socket contains power, ground and signal conductors. It further contains a plurality of electrical conductors, each with a respective stop component, interconnection element, spring portion and protrusions. A plurality of protrusions is equal amongst each respective electrical conductor and identical in height. A plurality of electrical conductors are inserted into a respective opening within the socket body, a select plurality of electrical conductors electrically connects, via protrusions that frictionally fit, to either a power, ground or signal plane for the purpose of providing current to the integrated circuit. While a first plurality of electrical conductors are electrically connected through the same power, ground or signal conductor, they are also electrically disconnected from a second plurality of electrical conductors that are electrically connected though another conductors, not the same as the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Tim Renfro, Kris Frutschy
  • Patent number: 7037115
    Abstract: A land grid array socket may receive an integrated circuit package for electrical connection thereto through lands on the integrated circuit package and spring contacts which extend upwardly to engage those lands from the socket. A protector plate may be situated over the spring contacts prior to the time at which the integrated circuit package is assembled onto the socket. As a result, the spring contacts on the socket may be prevented from damage prior to the time that they are engaged by the integrated circuit package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Tim A. Renfro
  • Publication number: 20060040523
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an integrated socket is disclosed. The socket includes a socket grid to receive one or more pins from a component, a frame coupled to the socket grid to provide structural support, and a cable receptacle integrated into the socket to receive a cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Tim Renfro, Jiteender Manik, Michael Li
  • Publication number: 20060027635
    Abstract: The base of a heat sink may be selectively plated with a solder wetting material and soldered to an integral heat spreader also selectively plated with gold. In another embodiment, the solder may be applied in the form of an insert made up of an electrical heating wire sandwiched between indium foil which acts as solder when heated by the intervening wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventors: Matthew Schaenzer, Thomas Fitzgerald, Tim Renfro, Manjit Dhindsa, Vaibhav Trivedi
  • Patent number: 6969270
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an integrated socket is disclosed. The socket includes a socket grid to receive one or more pins from a component, a frame coupled to the socket grid to provide structural support, and a cable receptacle integrated into the socket to receive a cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Tim A. Renfro, Jiteender P. Manik, Michael Li
  • Publication number: 20050255723
    Abstract: A land grid array socket may receive an integrated circuit package for electrical connection thereto through lands on the integrated circuit package and spring contacts which extend upwardly to engage those lands from the socket. A protector plate may be situated over the spring contacts prior to the time at which the integrated circuit package is assembled onto the socket. As a result, the spring contacts on the socket may be prevented from damage prior to the time that they are engaged by the integrated circuit package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Inventor: Tim Renfro
  • Publication number: 20050243521
    Abstract: A pivotally mounted load plate may be provided with downwardly extending protrusions that engage corresponding slots in an integral heat spreader. As a result, when the load plate is rotated onto the integral heat spreader, alignment may be maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Li, Jiteender Manik, Tim Renfro
  • Publication number: 20050211752
    Abstract: A method of bonding a thermal interface layer to a heat dissipating member and the resulting device are described. The method may involve plating a bonding surface of the heat dissipating member, and bonding a metallic solder onto the plating under vacuum or inert conditions and substantially without the use of a solder flux. Also described, is a heat dissipating device having a thermal interface material layer bonded thereto for thermal coupling to a heat conducting component by an impermanent attachment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Edward Hurley, Chris Rumer, Rod Christner, Tim Renfro
  • Publication number: 20050181639
    Abstract: A socket for a microelectronic component is provided. The socket contains power, ground and signal conductors. It further contains a plurality of electrical conductors, each with a respective stop component, interconnection element, spring portion and protrusions. A plurality of protrusions is equal amongst each respective electrical conductor and identical in height. A plurality of electrical conductors are inserted into a respective opening within the socket body, a select plurality of electrical conductors electrically connects, via protrusions that frictionally fit, to either a power, ground or signal plane for the purpose of providing current to the integrated circuit. While a first plurality of electrical conductors are electrically connected through the same power, ground or signal conductor, they are also electrically disconnected from a second plurality of electrical conductors that are electrically connected though another conductors, not the same as the first.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventors: Tim Renfro, Kris Frutschy
  • Publication number: 20050164505
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a membrane for a land grid array (LGA) that reduces the likelihood and extent of deformation of the LGA contacts, as well as contamination thereof by foreign material. For one embodiment, the LGA has a number of holes formed therein that correspond to the LGA contacts and allow electrical coupling of the LGA contacts and pads of an IC device. For an alternative embodiment, the membrane has a number of conductive pads that correspond to the LGA contacts. These pads interface, in place of the LGA contacts, with the IC device pads, providing electrical connection between the IC device pads and the LGA contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventors: Tim Renfro, Jiteender Manik, Michael Li
  • Publication number: 20040266226
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an integrated socket is disclosed. The socket includes a socket grid to receive one or more pins from a component, a frame coupled to the socket grid to provide structural support, and a cable receptacle integrated into the socket to receive a cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Tim A. Renfro, Jiteender P. Manik, Michael Li
  • Publication number: 20040147156
    Abstract: Socket warpage reduction apparatus and method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: Intel Corporation.
    Inventors: Tim A. Renfro, Brian C. Kluge, Jiteender P. Manik
  • Patent number: 6692280
    Abstract: Socket warpage reduction apparatus and method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Tim A. Renfro, Brian C. Kluge, Jiteender P. Manik
  • Patent number: 6616471
    Abstract: An advanced zero-insertion force (ZIF) socket for coupling an electronic package having a plurality of electrical pins onto a printed circuit board (PCB) of a computer system. Such a ZIF socket comprises a base having a plurality of receptacles adapted to receive electrical pins of an electronic package; a top plate slidably mounted on the base, having a plurality of pin insertion apertures adapted to permit insertion of the electrical pins of the electronic package; and a cam mechanism having an integrated lever which is operable for actuation in the same plane as the socket, for sliding the top plate over the base in a first direction to permit insertion of the electrical pins of the electronic package into respective apertures of the base, and for sliding the top plate over the base in a second direction opposite to the first direction to secure an electrical coupling of the electrical pins of the electronic package with the receptacles of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Tim A. Renfro, Brian C. Kluge, Jiteender P. Manik