Abstract:
A process for forming an integral edge seal in a gas distribution plate for use in a fuel cell. A seal layer is formed along an edge of a porous gas distribution plate by impregnating the pores in the layer with a material adapted to provide a seal which is operative dry or when wetted by an electrolyte of a fuel cell. Vibratory energy is supplied to the sealing material during the step of impregnating the pores to provide a more uniform seal throughout the cross section of the plate.
Abstract:
In an improved seal for a gas distribution plate of a fuel cell, a groove is provided extending along an edge of the plate. A member of resinous material is arranged within the groove and a paste comprising an immobilized acid is arranged surrounding the member and substantially filling the groove. The seal, which is impervious to the gas being distributed, is resistant to deterioration by the electrolyte of the cell.
Abstract:
An improved interface configuration for use between adjacent elements of a fuel cell stack. The interface is impervious to gas and liquid and provides resistance to corrosion by the electrolyte of the fuel cell. The multi-layer configuration for the interface comprises a non-cupreous metal-coated metallic element to which is film-bonded a conductive layer by hot pressing a resin therebetween. The multi-layer arrangement provides bridging electrical contact.
Abstract:
A test probe for use in testing a liquid crystal display device includes a rigid carrier block (20) having a lower surface to which is secured a flexible circuit (44) having a free end (50) aligned with the free end (26) of the carrier block. A plurality of projecting probe contact features (54) are integrally formed on traces (56) of the flexible circuit (44) and project from the plane of the flexible circuit adjacent the free end. An elastomeric back-up pad (40) is interposed between the carrier block (20) and the projecting contact features (54). The lower side of the carrier block is recessed (30) and the flexible circuit is pre-formed to the configuration of the recess in which it is mechanically secured by a rigid clamp or pressure bar (60). Conductive traces (56) of the flexible circuit have inner ends (58) bearing electrical contacts (68) for connection to test circuitry. The rigid carrier block (20) is mounted to enable the projecting probe contact features to be pressed against a line of contacts (16) on a display device panel (12) while maintaining a clearance between the aligned free ends of the carrier block (26), elastomer (42) and flexible circuit (50) and the edge (70) of a member (18) that overlies the display panel (12) and extends closely adjacent to and parallel to the row of display panel contacts (16).
Abstract:
Shaped contacts (40, 42) for interconnecting circuits or for use in an integrated circuit test probe are electroplated as integral parts of circuit traces (34) upon a stainless steel mandrel (10). A shaped, hardened steel indentation tool (16, 18, 26, 28) makes indentations (24a, 24b) of predetermined shape in the surface of the mandrel (10), which is provided with a pattern of dielectric, such as Teflon (12), or photoresist. Areas of the steel mandrel, including the indentations (24a,24b), are electroplated with a pattern of conductive material (34, 36, 38), and a dielectric substrate (32) is laminated to the conductive material. The circuit features formed by the indentations define raised contacts of a conical (18) or pyramidal (28) shape, having free ends with a small area that allows higher pressures to be applied to a surface against which the contacts are pressed. This enables the contacts to penetrate foreign materials, such as oxides, that may form on the surface of the pads (56, 58), to which the contacts are to be connected to ensure a good contact without any need for wiping action. The projecting contacts can also be pressed into plated holes (82, 84) in a substrate, such as a printed wiring board, to which mateable/demateable electrical connection is to be made.
Abstract:
A multi-level substrate (24) for mounting and interconnecting a number of integrated circuit chips (10) is formed of a stack of laminated sheets each comprising a conductive circuit layer (30,34,38,42,46) is laminated to a dielectric film (32,36,40,44,48). The sheets are formed by fully additive or semi-additive processes on a reusable mandrel and are interconnected to one another by raised features (78) on the circuit layer of one sheet that project through a hole (86) in the dielectric film of an adjacent sheet to contact a receiving area (88) of the circuit layer of the adjacent sheet. Integrated circuit chips (10) and other electrical components are mounted to the uppermost sheet and electrically connected thereto by means of wiring bonding (16) or a f lip-chip arrangement (150) in which chip pads (148) rest upon and contact raised features (146) of the circuit layer (140) of the uppermost sheet.
Abstract:
A flexible circuit includes a plurality of electrical traces and a plurality of probe tips directly formed thereto. The electrical traces are made of a first electrically conductive material and the probe tips are made of a second electrically conductive material that is harder than the first electrically conductive material. The first material is copper or a copper alloy and the second material is nickel or a nickel alloy, where the second material may be plated with gold. Portions of the probe tips are exposed to facilitate electrical contact with contact pads of another electrical circuit. The flexible circuit may also include a ground layer to facilitate electrical correction with another electrical circuit at relatively high frequencies.
Abstract:
Apparatus for holding and securing an electrical module, IC, or other electronic components to a PCB that is easy to use and manipulate. The apparatus utilizes a transitional element to hold the electrical module or IC and then secure itself to the PCB using fasteners or the like. Preferred methods for assembling and using the apparatus are disclosed.
Abstract:
The present invention includes stack flexible circuit layers having raised features or bumps for Z-axis interconnection to another circuit layer or electrical component. An intermediate or adhesive layer separates each circuit layer. The multiple layers are stacked with the raised features from one layer aligning with pads of an overlying or underlying layer and are laminated so that the raised features pierce the intermediate or adhesive layer and make electrical contact with the corresponding pad of the adjacent circuit layer. The raised features may have a shape sufficient to penetrate the intermediate and/or the adhesive layer allowing blind vias to be made without pre-drilling the intermediate or adhesive layers. The intermediate layer of film can have a function other than or in addition to that of an adhesive. For example, in a connector application where the raised feature is used to make contact to corresponding pads, a film that has a low permeability to water could be placed between the raised features and corresponding pads on the next layer. The low water permeability film would act as a sealant to prevent environmental attack on the connection. The raised feature would penetrate the sealant to make electrical contact to a corresponding pad. This would allow the connector to be disassembled and reconnected.
Abstract:
The invention includes the use of a decal to produce a packaged chip either at the chip level or wafer level. The decal includes a substrate containing circuitry that routes the chip output pads to bumps prepared for package attachment to another substrate such as a printed circuit board. The decal can be applied either to the wafer or to a single chip. The decal protects the chip and if necessary changes the interconnection density so that the chip can be interfaced with a printed circuit board or other electronic device. This configuration also may allow the packaged integrated circuit to be tested utilizing the bumps on the decal as temporary electrical contact features.