Company Filing History:




Years Active: 1987-1998
Title: The Innovations of William W McKinley
Introduction
William W McKinley is a notable inventor based in Fort Collins, CO (US). He holds a total of 7 patents that showcase his contributions to the field of semiconductor technology. His work has significantly impacted the development of integrated circuits and programmable memory systems.
Latest Patents
Among his latest patents, McKinley has developed a semiconductor fuse structure. This innovative structure comprises a polysilicon pad, a metal pad separated from the polysilicon pad by an insulator, and a metal via connecting the pads. A fuse is formed at the intersection of the polysilicon pad and via. Another significant patent is the polysilicon fuse array structure for integrated circuits. This programmable read-only memory (PROM) includes an array of polysilicon fuse elements. The fuse array is formed within a semiconductor substrate that includes first and second patterned signal layers electrically insulated from one another. Each polysilicon fuse element within the array connects a first electrical conductor residing in the first patterned signal layer with a second electrical conductor residing in the second patterned signal layer. The polysilicon fuse element is designed as a narrow strip and is folded to cause a current flowing through the element to crowd, thereby lowering the amount of current required to heat the fuse element to its melting point, known as the threshold current. The PROM is programmed by passing a threshold current through selected fuse elements.
Career Highlights
Throughout his career, McKinley has worked with prominent companies such as NCR Corporation and AT&T Global Information Solutions Company. His experience in these organizations has allowed him to refine his skills and contribute to significant advancements in technology.
Collaborations
Some of McKinley's notable coworkers include Harold S Crafts and William J Wuertz. Their collaborations have likely fostered an environment of innovation and creativity in their respective projects.
Conclusion
William W McKinley is a distinguished inventor whose work in semiconductor technology has led to several important patents. His contributions continue to influence the field of integrated circuits and programmable memory systems.