International Business Machines Corporation

Endicott Interconnect Technologies, Inc.

Surescan Corporation

Fletcher L Chapin

Benson Chan

James D Herard

John E Kozol

Vincent M Fiacco

John R Mankus

Robert S Pokrzywa

Allan O Johnson

Liza Hart

Theodore W Blizinski

An x-ray source assembly capable of producing x-rays suitable for use in medical, explosive detection, and other areas. The assembly includes a housing having a two-part socket member (which holds the assembly's x-ray tube therein) positioned therein. The two-part housing defines an opening through with the tube's x-rays are emitted.

X-ray source assembly

An imaging inspection apparatus which utilizes a plurality of individual imaging inspection devices (e.g., X-ray Computer Tomography scanning devices) positioned on a frame for directing beams onto articles having objects therein to detect the objects based on established criteria. The apparatus utilizes a conveyor which is not physically coupled to the frame having the imaging inspection devices to pass the articles along a path of travel to an inspection location within the apparatus, whereupon the inspection devices direct beams onto the article and the beams are detected and output signals provided to a processing and analysis assembly which analyzes the signals and identifies certain objects which meet the criteria.

Imaging inspection apparatus

The invention provides an apparatus and method for orienting a part detached from a web of parts. The apparatus and method use a duct with at least one interior sloped side to orient the part in a substantially vertical orientation. The invention further provides an apparatus for stacking a plurality of flexible circuits. The apparatus includes a container having a contoured end that causes the flexible circuits to stack upon the contoured end.

Orienting and stacking parts

An electrical assembly and actuating mechanism for use therewith in which conductor pairs of two circuit members (e.g., printed circuit board and electronic module or semiconductor chip) are effectively electrically coupled. A rigid plate is fixedly positioned relative to a first of the circuit members (e.g., using upstanding pins), a pressure plate is movably oriented relative to the rigid member, and an actuator (e.g., screw) moves within the rigid member to cause the pressure plate to engage the second circuit. Such engagement in turn causes the conductors of the second circuit member to forcibly engage the first circuit member's conductors. Solder balls and dendritic members can also be used for providing enhanced coupling without harm to either structures. The resulting assembly affords a low profile when in final position, as highly desired in the design of microelectronic packaging structures which the present invention is particularly related to. The invention also assures effective heat sinking of at least one of the circuit members.

Electrical assembly for coupling two circuit members

Electrical assembly

A connector having a connector body with opposing end contacts. The connector also includes tabs coupled to the connector body and positioned between the opposing end contacts. Provided between the tabs and the opposing end contacts are circular stabilizers. When no force is applied to the opposing end contacts, the tabs and the circular stabilizers hold the connector in a cylindrical holder. When a compressive force is applied on each opposing end contact, the circular stabilizers pivot about an axis while maintaining the position of the connector in the holder. Further, as the opposing end contacts are compressed, they move across the connector surface of the component making contact with the connector. The movement of the opposing end contacts 'wipes' across the surface and, thus, forms a good electrical connection between the connector and the surface.

Single C-beam contact

Electrical components such as IC modules and printed circuit boards, at least one of which has an array of solder balls or other protruding conductors, are connected quickly, precisely and economically with a component locator having openings adapted to capture the protruding conductors. The locator is aligned with one of the components, and the other component is pressed against the locator. The protruding conductors enter the capture openings and complete electrical circuits with contacts on the other conductor.

Method and apparatus for locating electrical circuit members

An electronic package including a base member and associated cover member designed for being positioned together to compress at least two circuitized substrates (e.g., a ceramic substrate and a plurality of flexible substrates) positioned therein. One of the substrates is substantially rigid and is positively positioned in a protected, aligned manner within the base. Additionally, the flexible substrates are precisely aligned and initially secured to the rigid substrate, the invention further using yet another resilient means to act against each of the flexible substrates when the packages fully assemble. The cover is secured to the base to effect final compression of the internal elements. This package may be positioned on and electrically coupled to another circuitized substrate, e.g., PCB.

Electronic package assembly and connector for use therewith

An electronic package including a base member and associated cover member designed for being positioned together to compress at least two circuitized substrates (e.g., a ceramic substrate and a plurality of flexible substrates) positioned therein. One of the substrates is substantially rigid and is positively positioned in a protected, aligned manner within the base. Additionally, the flexible substrates are precisely aligned and initially secured to the rigid substrate, the invention further using yet another resilient means to act against each of the flexible substrates when the packages are fully assembled. The cover is secured to the base to effect final compression of the internal elements. This package may be positioned on and electrically coupled to another circuitized substrate, e.g., PCB.

Growing community of inventors

Maine, NY, United States of America

Fletcher L Chapin