IP Library Granted Patent US 12,392,821
Granted Patent B2
US 12,392,821 · App. 18/332,344 · Granted Aug 19, 2025

Thermal and electrical conductivity between metal contacts utilizing spring pin connectors

Inventors: Alexander Komposch (Morgan Hill, CA); Jason R. Fender (Chandler, AZ); Eric Jacob Palsgaard (Morgan Hill, CA); Douglas John Kroon (Morgan Hill, CA); Matthew Kirke Mellor (Hollister, CA); Donald I. Fowlkes (San Jose, CA)
Assignee: WOLFSPEED, INC.
G01R31/2896G01R31/2884H01L23/34H01R12/716H01R13/2471
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,392,821
App. No.
18/332,344
Granted
Aug 19, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

In one example, a system includes a semiconductor package having a metal contact. The system includes a metal submount. The metal submount includes a plurality of spring pin connectors embedded in the metal submount, the plurality of spring pin connectors being thermally and electrically connected to one another through the metal submount. The metal contact of the semiconductor package is thermally and electrically coupled to the metal submount through the plurality of spring pin connectors.

Claims (28)

1. A system, comprising:

a semiconductor package comprising a metal contact;

a metal submount;

a plurality of spring pin connectors embedded in the metal submount, the plurality of spring pin connectors being thermally and electrically connected to one another through the metal submount; and

wherein the metal contact of the semiconductor package is thermally and electrically coupled directly to the metal submount and the plurality of spring pin connectors.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the metal contact of the semiconductor package comprises a cooling pad associated with the semiconductor package.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the metal contact comprises a planar metal contact.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the metal contact has a surface area of at least about 50% of a surface area of a bottom surface of the semiconductor package.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the metal contact bas a surface area of at least about 75% of a surface area of a bottom surface of the semiconductor package.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the metal contact is associated with an electrical reference connection for the semiconductor package.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the metal submount comprises a heat sink.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the metal submount provides an electrical reference connection for the semiconductor package.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the metal submount is disposed adjacent one or more circuit boards.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor package comprises one or more electrical leads connected to the one or more circuit boards.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the metal submount comprises a recess configured to accommodate at least a portion of the semiconductor package.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the metal submount comprises a metal insert disposed in a groove provided between two circuit boards in an RF testing apparatus.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor package comprises one or more silicon-carbide MOSFETs.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor package comprises one or more Group III nitride-based devices.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the one or more Group-III nitride-based devices comprises one or more Group III nitride-based high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs).

16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor package comprises a channel mount power semiconductor package.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the metal submount comprises copper or silver.

18. A testing apparatus for a power semiconductor package, comprising:

a metal submount; and

a plurality of spring pin connectors embedded in the metal submount, the plurality of spring pin connectors being thermally and electrically connected to one another through the metal submount;

wherein a metal contact of the power semiconductor package is thermally and electrically coupled directly to the metal submount and the plurality of spring pin connectors.

19. A method, comprising:

mounting a semiconductor package including a metal contact to a metal submount, a plurality of spring pin connectors being embedded in the metal submount, the plurality of spring pin connectors being thermally and electrically connected to one another through the metal submount; and

wherein the metal contact is thermally and electrically coupled directly to the metal submount and the plurality of spring pin connectors.

Assignments (8)
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 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL AT REEL/FRAME NO. 69180/0437 Recorded Sep 30, 2025
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WOLFSPEED, INC.
Reel/Frame 072989/0088 →
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 →
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 072992/0467 →
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 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 17, 2024
From: WOLFSPEED, INC.
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 069180/0437 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2023
From: KOMPOSCH, ALEXANDER; FENDER, JASON R.; PALSGAARD, ERIC JACOB; KROON, DOUGLAS JOHN; MELLOR, MATTHEW KIRKE; FOWLKES, DONALD I.
To: WOLFSPEED, INC.
Reel/Frame 064727/0728 →