The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 03, 2006
Filed:
Jun. 13, 2005
James E. Cannon, Colorado Springs, CO (US);
James E. Cannon, Colorado Springs, CO (US);
Agilent Technologies, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A solution to the problem of broken micro-browser probe assemblies caused by the accidental application of excessive force is to manufacture the rods out of a material that resists forces found in normal usage and appears stiff, but that will abruptly deform harmlessly under less force than causes permanent damage to other elements of the micro-browser. The sudden deformation serves as a signal to the operator to stop being a gorilla. That leaves the problem of re-shaping the rod. A preferred solution is to use as the rod a Nitinol superelastic metal wire that automatically returns to its previous shape once the force causing deformation is removed. An alternate solution is to make the rod from a length of Nitinol 'memory metal' wire that restores itself to a pre-set shape upon the application of mild heat, such as immersion in a cup of hot water from an office coffee machine. The small circuit board and its components are not bothered by the bath. In each case the diameter of the wire is selected to make the wire be strong enough to not deform under normal use, but to allow it to abruptly deform under less force than will damage the other elements in the micro-browser.