International Business Machines Corporation

Kenneth Carl Larsen

John Saunders Corbin, Jr

Jose Arturo Garza, Jr

Howard Victor Mahaney, Jr

John Joseph Salazar

Dales Morrison Kent

Hoa Thanh Phan

David Lewis Gardell

Peter Matthew Thomsen

Mark Wayne Mueller

Donald Lee Thompson

Benjamin Michael Kreuz

Lonnie J Cannon

David Allen Hall

Jeffrey Frank Kutner

Francis Anthony Kuchar, Jr

Improved methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for testing LGA devices. One example embodiment include vertical routing of test nest assembly cooling lines in order to minimize the test nest footprint and increase available test sites on a single test card. Another example embodiment includes isolating and adjusting external loads and moments into the heatsink/cold plate, wherein these loads and moments involve controlling the centroid to restore more ideal thermal performance of the heatsink/chip interface. Still another example embodiment includes a nest architecture facilitating easy and low-cost replacement of LGA sockets. Finally, another example embodiment includes efficient condensation control of test nest assembly parts by using dry-air exhaust.

Functional and stress testing of LGA devices

A chip testing system with improved thermal performance. In a preferred embodiment, a nest assembly of a chip testing apparatus includes tooling balls and a fitted frame for improving alignment of a coldplate and a chip surface. In preferred embodiments, the coldplate is of unibody design. Thermal performance is also improved by balancing the forces exerted on the coldplate using an adjustable hose mounting bracket. The bracket allows the forces exerted by the hoses on the coldplate to be adjusted so they balance and cancel other unwanted forces on the cold plate.

Apparatus for functional and stress testing of exposed chip land grid array devices

A system and method for front service access to a component or subassembly in a computer system is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a frame having a front face is provided, as well as a plate configured to move into and out of the front face of the frame. The plate includes a first portion and a second portion coupled to one another via a linking element. A component cage is mounted on the first portion of the plate. The first portion of the plate is moved out of the front face of the frame and is rotated downward via the linking element. In this position, the cage is readily accessible.

Cage assembly for front service access and method of use

A mechanism has a subassembly that contains a microprocessor. The mechanism allows the microprocessor to be easily installed through frontal or rear access into a rack drawer and subsequently docked into a receiving assembly. The docking mechanism is multi-axis in that installation of the subassembly occurs along a single axis, but docking of the microprocessor occurs along an axis that is normal to the installation axis. Actuation of the installation mechanism is accomplished with a front-to-rear motion which sequentially provides a power connection to the microprocessor and displaces it in a vertical motion. This vertical motion registers and mates the microprocessor with the assembly. The microprocessor is preloaded in its final latched position to restrain it from shock and vibration events while supporting the assembly in a fixed and stable position.

Multi-axis microprocess or docking mechanism

Growing community of inventors

Georgetown, TX, United States of America

Kenneth Carl Larsen