Abstract:
A Multi-Chip-Module or MCM (66) is mounted on a supporting motherboard (64). A plurality of first contact pads (99) are formed on the module (66) adjacent to its peripheral edge for interconnection with microelectronic components (70,72,74,76,78) mounted on the module (66). Second contact pads (94) are formed on the motherboard (64) adjacent to respective first contact pads (99). A flexible cable (96) includes controlled impedance microstrip or stripline conductor (98) with first and second gold dots (100,102) at their ends. A frame (104) resiliently presses the first and second gold dots (100, 102) into connection with respective first and second contacts (99,94) for interconnection thereof. The components (70, 72,74,76,78) on the module (66) can be hermetically sealed by a cover (80), and the module (66) and cable (96) can be hermetically sealed by a first resilient ring (112) which is compressed between the frame (104) and the cover (80), and a second resilient ring (114) which is compressed between the frame (104) and the motherboard (64). Alternatively, the cover (80) and the first ring (112) can be replaced by a cover (104a) which is integral with a frame (104'). An alternative connector (136) includes a flexible cable (146) which extends around an edge of a frame (144) to enable vertical stacking of MCMs (164) and/or backplanes (138) in any combination.
Abstract:
A pressure-type contact for flexible or conventional wire cable terminations is fabricated from electroformed thin metallic wafers (100) in which one wafer is plated with a raised conductive interconnection feature (122). The electrical circuitry (118, 120) is made on a stainless steel mandrel (10, 10a) having a Teflon pattern (16, 16a) on its surface that allows the desired electrical circuit (30, 32, 34, 30a, 32a, 34a, 78) to be electrolytically plated upon the conductive mandrel surface. The mandrel surface is formed with projecting features in the form of depressions (24, 24a) that will form a series of dots or raised interconnection features on the termination wafers. The mandrel also has projecting posts (76) for providing electrical connection through the substrate.
Abstract:
A pressure-type contact for flexible or conventional wire cable terminations is fabricated from electroformed thin metallic wafers (100) in which one wafer is plated with a raised conductive interconnection feature (122). The electrical circuitry (118, 120) is made on a stainless steel mandrel (10, 10a) having a TEFLON pattern (16, 16a) on its surface that allows the desired electrical circuit (30, 32, 34, 30a, 32a, 34a, 78) to be electrolytically plated upon the conductive mandrel surface. The mandrel surface is formed with projecting features in the form of depressions (24, 24a) that will form a series of dots or raised interconnection features on the termination wafers. The mandrel also has projecting posts (76) for providing electrical connection through the substrate.
Abstract:
An electrolyte distribution and supply system for use with a fuel cell having a means for drawing electrolyte therein is formed by a set of containers of electrolyte joined to respective fuel cells in a stack of such cells. The electrolyte is separately stored so as to provide for electrical isolation between electrolytes of the individual cells of the stack. Individual storage compartments are coupled by tubes containing wicking fibers, the ends of the respective tubes terminating on the means for drawing electrolyte in each of the respective fuel cells. Each tube is heat shrunk to tightly bind the fibers therein.
Abstract:
A method for forming a nanolaminate structure is provided which comprises plating a substrate with layers of substantially a first metal and substantially a second metal using an electrolytic plating process and controlling the plating current to obtain a desired current density at the cathode, which is maintained within a predefined range.
Abstract:
The invention includes a testing apparatus for testing integrated circuit chips during vibration. The apparatus includes a vibration fixture base which is a table that can be vibrated vertically and/or horizontally. The base supports a holding fixture for supporting a flexible circuit having circuit traces whose ends terminate in raised dots or bumps. The flexible circuit is clamped to the holding fixture to properly position the raised features at the end of the circuit traces. A holder and clamp unit holds a plurality of integrated circuit chips and clamps the chips against the bumps on the flexible circuit with predetermined pressure to make electrical contact between pads on the integrated circuit chip and the bumps. The clamp unit can be raised and lower and rotated. Even pressure is assured by a compressible layer carried in the fixture and located beneath the bumps. The contact points of the bumps and the integrated circuit chip pads vibrate in unison during vibration testing. Firm clamping pressure provided by the compressible layer and the clamp eliminates damage to the chip under vibration testing.
Abstract:
The invention includes a puncture-resistant electrostatic chuck with a flat surface and a method of making the same. The electrostatic chuck includes a conductive layer such as copper foil that is laminated to a first insulation layer such as a polyimide. A puncture-resistant layer is placed over the conductive layer and includes random or woven fibers held together by a resin. The puncture-resistant layer has an uneven topography on a top surface due to the fibers contained therein. A second insulation layer overlies the puncture-resistant layer and has a top surface which is substantially flat. The flat top surface of the second insulation layer is made by laminating layers together with a mandrel which is polished and free of irregularities such as pits, dents and high spots. Preferably the mandrel has a uniform thickness over its entire surface.
Abstract:
A corrosion resistant barrier is provided for isolated circuity. An isolated circuit (10, 12) with raised interconnection features (16, 18) having a corrosion resistant gold coating (34) is formed on a reusable stainless steel mandrel (22) which is provided with indentations to define raised features. A seed layer (32) of copper is electroplated on the mandrel in a pattern of the isolated circuit to be formed. The copper seed layer (32) is then followed by electroplated layers of gold (34), nickel (36) and copper (38) until a total desired conductor thickness is achieved. A dielectric substrate (44, 46) is laminated on the multilayer conductive traces of the circuit. After removal of the multilayer circuit from the mandrel, a predrilled dielectric coverlay (50) is laminated to the circuit with holes in the coverlay receiving the raised circuit features (52). The finished part is then etched to remove the copper seed layer from the raised features.
Abstract:
An integrated circuit chip (26, 34) is connected to a circuit trace by providing a raised feature on a circuit trace (17, 28) which is coated with a material capable of forming an electrical connection (23, 32), as well as an attachment when the pad (25, 33) of an integrated circuit chip (26, 34) is brought into engagement with it. This material may be solder (23) or it may be a Z-axis adhesive (32) which becomes conductive at areas where it is compressed. The raised feature or bump (18, 31) on the circuit trace (17, 28) may be produced by providing a mandrel (10) having a recess (12) complementary to the raised feature (18, 31) to be provided, and suitably plating the circuit trace (17, 28) on the mandrel (10) including the recessed area (12). Upon subsequent lamination of a dielectric layer (19, 30) and removal from the mandrel (10), there is produced a circuit trace (17, 28) on a dielectric with a raised feature (18, 31) which can be used to attach to an integrated circuit chip (26, 34).
Abstract:
A fuel cell having a pair of electrodes at the sites of electrochemical reactions of hydrogen and oxygen and a phosphoric acid electrolyte provided with an electrolyte supporting structure in the form of a laminated matrix assembly disposed between the electrodes. The matrix assembly is formed of a central layer disposed between two outer layers, each being permeable to the flow of the electrolyte. The central layer is provided with relatively large pores while the outer layers are provided with relatively small pores. An external reservoir supplies electrolyte via a feed means to the central layer to compensate for changes in electrolyte volume in the matrix assembly during the operation of fuel cell.