US3609539A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-aligning kelvin probe
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1968-09-28
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1988-09-28
Abstract
Abstract Electrical contact device for Kelvin probing comprising two contact bars separated by an insulator, said bars having selfaligning shaped contact ends for self-aligning upon a protruding electrical contact on the body to be probed.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J Gunthert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:05
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H1/00; H01H1/12; H01H1/14; H01H1/32; G; G01; G01R; G01R1/00; G01R1/02; G01R1/06; G01R1/067; G01R1/06711; G01R1/06733; G01R1/06738; G01R1/073; G01R1/07307; G01R1/07342; G01R27/00; G01R27/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A self-aligning Kelvin probe capable of contacting closely spaced contacts on a body to be probed, said probe comprising: first and second electrodes separated by an electrically insulating layer contiguous with said electrodes, each of said electrodes being electrically connectable to external electrical test means; means on each of said electrodes having complimentary inwardly beveled portions defining a recessed seat for releasable electrical contact on and about a protruding electrical terminal; and resilient suspension means supporting the Kelvin probe, said suspension means being movable with at least two degrees of freedom to allow self-aligning movement of the Kelvin probe for contacting the electrical contact on the body to be probed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A self-aligning Kelvin probe capable of contacting closely spaced contacts on a body to be probed, said probe comprising: first and second electrodes separated by an electrically insulating layer contiguous with said electrodes, each of said electrodes being electrically connectable to external electrical test means; means on each of said electrodes having complimentary inwardly beveled portions defining a recessed seat for releasable electrical contact on and about a protruding electrical terminal; and resilient suspension means supporting the Kelvin probe, said suspension means being movable with at least two degrees of freedom to allow self-aligning movement of the Kelvin probe for contacting the electrical contact on the body to be probed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
137 words
A self-aligning electrical contact device for Kelvin probing comprising: a Kelvin probe, said probe comprising first and second electrically conductive contact members separated by an electrically insulating layer, each of said members being electrically connectable on one end to external electrical test means, each of said members on the other end being of a semitrough shape extending beyond said insulating layer so as to jointly form a trough shaped configuration for electrically contacting a protruding electrical contact on a body to be probed, said semitrough shape having a slidable self-aligning configuration for self-aligning upon the protruding electrical contact; and resilient suspension means supporting the Kelvin probe, said suspension means being movable with at least two degrees of freedom to allow self-aligning movement of the Kelvin probe for contacting the corresponding contact on the body to be probed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
137 words
A self-aligning electrical contact device for Kelvin probing comprising: a Kelvin probe, said probe comprising first and second electrically conductive contact members separated by an electrically insulating layer, each of said members being electrically connectable on one end to external electrical test means, each of said members on the other end being of a semitrough shape extending beyond said insulating layer so as to jointly form a trough shaped configuration for electrically contacting a protruding electrical contact on a body to be probed, said semitrough shape having a slidable self-aligning configuration for self-aligning upon the protruding electrical contact; and resilient suspension means supporting the Kelvin probe, said suspension means being movable with at least two degrees of freedom to allow self-aligning movement of the Kelvin probe for contacting the corresponding contact on the body to be probed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
137 words
A self-aligning Kelvin probe fixture comprising: a plurality of Kelvin probes, each Kelvin probe comprising first and second electrically conductive contact members separated by an electrically insulating layer, each of said members being electrically connectable on one end to external electrical test means, each of said members on the other end being of a semitrough shape extending beyond said insulating layer so as to jointly form a trough shape configuration for electrically contacting a corresponding protruding electrical contact on a body to be probed, said semitrough shape having a slidable self-aligning configuration for self-aligning upon the protruding electrical contact; and resilient suspension means supporting the Kelvin probes, said suspension means providing independent self-aligning movement of each Kelvin probe with at least two degrees of freedom for contacting the corresponding electrical contact on the body to be probed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
137 words
A self-aligning Kelvin probe fixture comprising: a plurality of Kelvin probes, each Kelvin probe comprising first and second electrically conductive contact members separated by an electrically insulating layer, each of said members being electrically connectable on one end to external electrical test means, each of said members on the other end being of a semitrough shape extending beyond said insulating layer so as to jointly form a trough shape configuration for electrically contacting a corresponding protruding electrical contact on a body to be probed, said semitrough shape having a slidable self-aligning configuration for self-aligning upon the protruding electrical contact; and resilient suspension means supporting the Kelvin probes, said suspension means providing independent self-aligning movement of each Kelvin probe with at least two degrees of freedom for contacting the corresponding electrical contact on the body to be probed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |