US 10749443

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 10749443:

Title: High power multilayer module having low inductance and fast switching for paralleling power devices

Assignee: Wolfspeed Inc. (Current Assignee)
*Original Assignee: Cree Fayetteville Inc.
*Note: The patent was assigned to Cree, Inc. on August 13, 2021, and subsequently to Wolfspeed, Inc. on February 14, 2022, due to a name change from Cree, Inc. to Wolfspeed, Inc. The current assignee is Wolfspeed, Inc.

Inventors: Daniel Martin, Brice Mcpherson, Alexander Lostetter

Filing Date: February 4, 2019

Issue Date: August 18, 2020

Abstract:
A power module is disclosed that includes at least one power substrate, a housing arranged on the at least one power substrate, a first terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate, the first terminal comprising a contact surface located above the housing at a first elevation, a second terminal comprising a contact surface located above the housing at a second elevation different from the first elevation, a third terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate, and a plurality of power devices electrically connected to the at least one power substrate. The disclosure is also directed to a process of configuring a high power multilayer module having low inductance and fast switching for paralleling power devices.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a power module designed for high power and fast switching. Key features include:

  • At least one power substrate (the base for components).
  • A housing built on the power substrate.
  • A first terminal (e.g., V+) with a contact surface above the housing at a specific height (first elevation).
  • A second terminal (e.g., V-) with a contact surface also above the housing, but at a different height (second elevation) than the first terminal.
  • A third terminal (e.g., phase output) connected to the power substrate.
  • Multiple power devices (like transistors or diodes) connected to the power substrate.
  • The design aims to reduce parasitic inductance and enable fast switching for paralleled power devices.

• Independent Claim 12: This claim focuses on a power conversion system that incorporates the power module from Claim 1, adding external bus bars for connection to capacitors. Key features include:

  • The power module as described in Claim 1.
  • A first planar bus bar electrically connected to the first terminal of the power module.
  • A second planar bus bar electrically connected to the second terminal of the power module.
  • These two planar bus bars are arranged one above the other, which helps minimize inductance in the external connections.

• Independent Claim 13: This claim describes a power module with a focus on current flow to reduce impedance. Key features include:

  • The power module structure similar to Claim 1.
  • Current flows in a first direction from the first terminal, across the power substrate.
  • The current then flows in a second, different direction from the power substrate to the second terminal. This opposing current flow is designed to reduce impedance through flux cancellation.

• Independent Claim 14: This claim outlines a process for manufacturing or configuring such a power module. Key steps include:

  • Providing at least one power substrate.
  • Providing a housing on the power substrate.
  • Electrically connecting a first terminal to the power substrate, where this terminal has a contact surface above the housing at a first elevation.
  • Providing a second terminal with a contact surface above the housing at a different, second elevation.
  • Providing a third terminal electrically connected to the power substrate.
  • Providing a plurality of power devices electrically connected to the power substrate.

USPTO Database Search:
A search on the USPTO website for patent 10749443 confirms its existence and current status as "Active." Public PAIR has been retired and replaced by Patent Center for accessing patent information. The official Patent Public Search tool can be used for quick lookups by patent number.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
No specific litigation or dockets related to US Patent 10749443 were found in the CAFC 2026 dockets using the provided search terms. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit website provides general case information but does not offer a direct searchable database for specific patent numbers within dockets for a given year through public search. Therefore, no authoritative information on active litigation was readily available.