US3818349A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thick film vhf tuner wherein uhf subchassis is used as external ground element for vhf tuner
Assignee: Zenith Electronics LLC
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Filing: 1973-10-01
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Granted: 1974-06-18
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Expires: 1993-10-01
Abstract
Abstract A television tuner has a UHF section comprising a stamped metal subchassis forming a plurality of resonant circuit elements whose electrical characteristics are adjustable by deforming portions thereof and a thick film integrated circuit VHF section comprising a nonconductive substrate upon which a plurality of resistive, conductive and capacitive circuit elements are formed by resistive, conductive and dielectric materials deposited in predetermined patterns. A number of discrete components are directly connected to both the UHF and VHF sections. A shielded metal housing supports the stamped metal subchassis and thick film integrated circuit. A plurality of mounting fingers comprising extensions of the stamped subchassis form electrical and mechanical connections to the thick film integrated circuit resiliently supporting it and permitting the subchassis to function as an external ground element therefor.
Inventors
- 👤 J Ma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 05:35
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/06; H04B1/08; H03; H03J; H03J3/00; H03J3/02; H03J3/16; H03J3/18; H03J3/185; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/0213; H05K1/0237; H05K1/16; H05K1/162; H05K1/167; H05K1/18; H05K1/181
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A television tuner including: a thick film integrated circuit having components comprising a plurality of deposited resistive, capacitive and conductive circuit components formed by predetermined patterns of resistive, dielectric and conductive materials deposited on a nonconductive substrate; an RF amplifier stage, a mixer stage and a local oscillator stage, each including portions of said thick film circuit components; said thick film integrated circuit carrying high frequency currents and low frequency currents; an elongated ground plane formed on said substrate by a large area of deposited conductive material adjacent to and in alignment with said RF amplifier and mixer stages; the ones of said plurality of deposited circuit components carrying said high frequency currents having conductive elements connected thereto which are of larger area than other conductive elements to compensate for skin effect; and an external ground element electrically connected at a plurality of points to said ground plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A television tuner including: a thick film integrated circuit having components comprising a plurality of deposited resistive, capacitive and conductive circuit components formed by predetermined patterns of resistive, dielectric and conductive materials deposited on a nonconductive substrate; an RF amplifier stage, a mixer stage and a local oscillator stage, each including portions of said thick film circuit components; said thick film integrated circuit carrying high frequency currents and low frequency currents; an elongated ground plane formed on said substrate by a large area of deposited conductive material adjacent to and in alignment with said RF amplifier and mixer stages; the ones of said plurality of deposited circuit components carrying said high frequency currents having conductive elements connected thereto which are of larger area than other conductive elements to compensate for skin effect; and an external ground element electrically connected at a plurality of points to said ground plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A television tuner as set forth in claim 1, wherein said deposited circuit components lie on one surface of said substrate and wherein said thick film circuit includes a plurality of discrete frequency selective components mounted on said substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A television tuner as set forth in claim 2, wherein said substrate defines a plurality of holes surrounded by conductive material and wherein said discrete components are mounted on the opposite surface of said substrate and have conductors making electrical connections to said conductive material through said holes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A television tuner as set forth in claim 3, wherein said substrate comprises alumina and wherein said tuner includes means supporting said substrate for protection against mechanical and thermal shock.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A television tuner as set forth in claim 4, wherein said supporting means includes a plurality of finger-like extensions on said external ground element cooperating with said holes in said substrate for resiliently supporting said substrate and forming electrical connections with said ground plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
A television tuner as set forth in claim 5, wherein said substrate defines a linearly arranged plurality of holes and wherein said means for resiliently supporting further includes: a linear segmenting shield, having a plurality of finger-like extensions, cooperating with said linearly arranged plurality of holes in making mechanical connections with said substrate, the linear arrangement of connections defining a hinge line about which said substrate is rotationally movable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
A television tuner for converting the frequency of received signals to an intermediate frequency, said tuner including: a thick film VHF section comprising a plurality of resistive, conductive and capacitive circuit elements formed by depositing resistive, conductive, and dielectric materials in predetermined patterns on a nonconductive substrate; a UHF section comprising a stamped metal subchassis of essentially planar configuration forming a plurality of inductive and capacitive elements, the electrical characteristics of which are adjustable by deforming portions thereof; and means for using said stamped metal subchassis of said UHF section as an external ground element for said VHF section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
99 words
A television tuner for converting the frequency of received signals to an intermediate frequency, said tuner including: a thick film VHF section comprising a plurality of resistive, conductive and capacitive circuit elements formed by depositing resistive, conductive, and dielectric materials in predetermined patterns on a nonconductive substrate; a UHF section comprising a stamped metal subchassis of essentially planar configuration forming a plurality of inductive and capacitive elements, the electrical characteristics of which are adjustable by deforming portions thereof; and means for using said stamped metal subchassis of said UHF section as an external ground element for said VHF section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
A television tuner as set forth in claim 7, wherein said thick film VHF section includes: an elongated ground plane formed on said substrate by a large area of deposited conductive material, and wherein said meanS for using includes; a plurality of finger-like extensions on said UHF subchassis electrically and mechanically connected to said ground plane and resiliently supporting said VHF section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A television tuner as set forth in claim 8, wherein said tuner includes: a metal housing forming an electromagnetic shield surrounding said thick film VHF section and said UHF section and having means for supporting said VHF and UHF sections.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A television tuner as set forth in claim 9, wherein said VHF section is pivotally mounted to said housing by a straight-line plurality of mechanical connections to said substrate defining a hinge line about which said substrate is rotationally movable.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-17 | 1977-12-17 | 1978-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-17 | 1981-12-17 | 1982-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-17 | 1985-12-17 | 1986-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |