IP Library Granted Patent US 12,322,886
Granted Patent B2
US 12,322,886 · App. 17/228,148 · Granted Jun 3, 2025

Power module having electrical interconnections using mechanical fittings and process of implementing the same

Inventors: Ben Samples (Fayetteville, AR); Zach Cole (Summers, AR); Amol Deshpande (Fayetteville, AR)
Assignee: Wolfspeed, Inc.
H01R12/7088H01R13/514H05K7/12H05K7/1422
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,322,886
App. No.
17/228,148
Granted
Jun 3, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A power module includes at least one power substrate; a plurality of power devices arranged on the at least one power substrate; and a power connector configured to be electrically connected to the plurality of power devices. The power connector includes a mechanically compliant fitting.

Claims (89)

1. A power package, comprising:

at least one power substrate;

a plurality of power devices arranged on the at least one power substrate; and

a connector configured to be electrically connected to the plurality of power devices; and

at least one power element configured to conduct current with the plurality of power devices,

wherein the connector comprises a mechanically compliant fitting;

wherein the connector comprises a first power connector portion electrically connected to the at least one power substrate;

wherein the at least one power substrate is configured to provide electrical interconnection, voltage isolation, and/or heat transfer for the plurality of power devices;

wherein the connector comprises a power connector that is further configured to be electrically connected between the plurality of power devices and the at least one power element;

wherein the power connector comprises a second power connector portion electrically connected to the at least one power element; and

wherein the at least one power element is connected to at least one power terminal.

2. The power package of claim 1 , wherein:

the connector further comprises a signal connector that is configured to be electrically connected between the plurality of power devices and at least one signal element;

the signal connector comprises a first signal connector portion electrically connected to the at least one power substrate; and

the signal connector comprises a second signal connector portion electrically connected to at least one signal element.

3. The power package of claim 1 , wherein the power connector comprises the mechanically compliant fitting configured as a mechanical connection between the first power connector portion and the second power connector portion.

4. The power package of claim 1 , wherein the power connector comprises an elastic compression component arranged in one of the first power connector portion and the second power connector portion.

5. The power package of claim 1 , further comprising a housing and the at least one power element is arranged at least partially in the housing.

6. The power package of claim 1 ,

wherein the first power connector portion is connected to the at least one power substrate with at least one of the following: an ultrasonic welding construction, a solder construction, a brazing construction, and a swage type construction; and

wherein the second power connector portion is connected to the at least one power element with at least one of the following: an ultrasonic welding construction, a solder construction, a brazing construction, and a swage type construction.

7. The power package of claim 1 , wherein the first power connector portion and the second power connector portion are configured with different gender component constructions comprising a male component construction and a female component construction.

8. The power package of claim 1 , wherein the first power connector portion and the second power connector portion are configured with different gender component constructions comprising a cylinder construction and a pin construction.

9. The power package of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one signal element configured to exchange signals with the plurality of power devices;

the connector further comprises a signal connector configured to be electrically connected between the plurality of power devices and the at least one signal element;

the signal connector comprising a first signal connector portion electrically connected to the at least one power substrate;

the signal connector comprising a second signal connector portion electrically connected to the at least one signal element,

wherein the at least one signal element is connected to at least one signal terminal; and

wherein the signal connector comprises a mechanically compliant fitting.

10. The power package of claim 9 , wherein the signal connector comprises a mechanical connection between the first signal connector portion and the second signal connector portion.

11. The power package of claim 9 , wherein the signal connector comprises an elastic compression component arranged in one of the first signal connector portion and the second signal connector portion.

12. The power package of claim 9 , further comprising a housing and the at least one signal element is arranged at least partially in the housing.

13. The power package of claim 9 ,

wherein the first signal connector portion is connected to the at least one power substrate with at least one of the following: an ultrasonic welding construction, a solder construction, a brazing construction, and a swage type construction; and

wherein the second signal connector portion is connected to the at least one signal element with at least one of the following: an ultrasonic welding construction, a solder construction, a brazing construction, and a swage type construction.

14. The power package of claim 9 , wherein the first signal connector portion and the second signal connector portion are configured with different gender component constructions comprising a male component construction and a female component construction.

15. The power package of claim 9 , wherein the first signal connector portion and the second signal connector portion are configured with different gender component constructions comprising a cylinder construction and a pin construction.

16. A system comprising at least one of the power package of claim 1 , the system configured as one of the following: an inverter, a power system, a motor system, a converter, and an AC-DC power supply.

17. The power package of claim 1 , wherein the connector is configured with a first gender component construction and a second gender component construction.

18. The power package of claim 1 ,

wherein the connector further comprises a signal connector having a first signal connector portion and a second signal connector portion; and

wherein the first signal connector portion is configured with a first gender component construction, the second signal connector portion is configured with a second gender component construction, and the first gender component construction is configured to electrically connect with the second gender component construction.

19. The power package of claim 1 , further comprising:

one or more sensors,

wherein the one or more sensors are arranged on one of the following: the at least one power element and the at least one power substrate, and

wherein the one or more sensors are connected to at least one signal element.

20. A power package, comprising:

at least one power substrate;

a plurality of power devices arranged on the at least one power substrate; and

a connector configured to be electrically connected to the plurality of power devices,

wherein:

the connector comprises a mechanically compliant fitting;

the connector comprises a power connector that is configured to be electrically connected between the plurality of power devices and at least one power element;

the connector further comprises a signal connector that is configured to be electrically connected between the plurality of power devices and at least one signal element;

the power connector comprises a first power connector portion electrically connected to the at least one power substrate;

the power connector comprises a second power connector portion electrically connected to the at least one power element; and

the at least one power substrate is configured to provide electrical interconnection, voltage isolation, and/or heat transfer for the plurality of power devices.

21. The power package of claim 20 , wherein:

the signal connector comprises a first signal connector portion electrically connected to the at least one power substrate; and

the signal connector comprises a second signal connector portion electrically connected to at least one signal element.

22. The power package of claim 20 ,

wherein the signal connector comprises a first signal connector portion and a second signal connector portion; and

wherein the first signal connector portion is configured with a first gender component construction, the second signal connector portion is configured with a second gender component construction, and the first gender component construction is configured to electrically connect with the second gender component construction.

23. The power package of claim 20 , further comprising:

one or more sensors,

wherein the one or more sensors are arranged on one of the following: the at least one power element and the at least one power substrate, and

wherein the one or more sensors are connected to the at least one signal element.

24. The power package of claim 20 , wherein the power connector comprises an elastic compression component arranged in one of the first power connector portion and the second power connector portion.

25. A power package, comprising:

at least one power substrate;

a plurality of power devices arranged on the at least one power substrate;

a power connector configured to be electrically connected to the plurality of power devices; and

at least one power element configured to conduct current with the plurality of power devices,

wherein the power connector comprises a mechanically compliant fitting;

wherein the power connector is further configured to be electrically connected between the plurality of power devices and the at least one power element;

wherein the at least one power substrate is configured to provide electrical interconnection, voltage isolation, and/or heat transfer for the plurality of power devices;

wherein the power connector comprises a first power connector portion electrically connected to the at least one power substrate;

wherein the power connector comprises a second power connector portion electrically connected to the at least one power element; and

wherein the at least one power element is connected to at least one power terminal.

26. The power package of claim 25 , wherein the first power connector portion and the second power connector portion are configured with different gender component constructions comprising a male component construction and a female component construction.

27. The power package of claim 25 , wherein the power connector is configured with a first gender component construction and a second gender component construction.

28. The power package of claim 25 , further comprising a signal connector having a first signal connector portion and a second signal connector portion,

wherein the first signal connector portion is configured with a first gender component construction, the second signal connector portion is configured with a second gender component construction, and the first gender component construction is configured to electrically connect with the second gender component construction.

29. The power package of claim 25 , further comprising:

one or more sensors,

wherein the one or more sensors are arranged on one of the following: the at least one power element and the at least one power substrate, and

wherein the one or more sensors are connected to at least one signal element.

30. The power package of claim 25 , wherein the power connector comprises an elastic compression component arranged in one of the first power connector portion and the second power connector portion.

Assignments (11)
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Mar 26, 2026
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075280/0919 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Sep 30, 2025
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 072992/0381 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Sep 30, 2025
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 072992/0588 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Sep 30, 2025
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 072992/0467 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL AT REEL/FRAME NO. 64185/0755 Recorded Sep 30, 2025
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WOLFSPEED, INC.
Reel/Frame 072989/0001 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Sep 30, 2025
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 072992/0113 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2023
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 064185/0755 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 14, 2022
From: CREE, INC.
To: WOLFSPEED, INC.
Reel/Frame 059085/0667 →
MERGER Recorded Aug 13, 2021
From: CREE FAYETTEVILLE, INC.
To: CREE, INC.
Reel/Frame 057291/0406 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE CORRECT THE STATE OF THE ASSIGNEE FROM ARIZONA TO ARKANSAS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 056068 FRAME: 0812. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Apr 30, 2021
From: SAMPLES, BEN; COLE, ZACH; DESHPANDE, AMOL
To: CREE FAYETTEVILLE, INC
Reel/Frame 056103/0703 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2021
From: SAMPLES, BEN; COLE, ZACH; DESHPANDE, AMOL
To: CREE FAYETTEVILLE, INC
Reel/Frame 056068/0812 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220328990A1 · Oct 13, 2022
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