US4979090A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power converter circuit board
Assignee: Sundstrand Corp
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Filing: 1989-12-11
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Granted: 1990-12-18
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Expires: 2009-12-11
Abstract
Abstract Prior power converters have utilized discrete components mounted on circuit boards of different design. Failure of one or more of the components requires the components to be separately tested to determine which is faulty. The faulty component or the board containing same must then be replaced. This results in significant down time for the inverter and can require stocking of a large number of specialized boards. In order to overcome these problems, an inverter is assembled using a series of circuit boards of standardized type. Each circuit board includes separate layers which interconnect components mounted thereon together with a heat exchanger which cools high power components. When a malfunction of a component occurs, the entire board may be replaced so that inverter down time is minimized. Also, the use of standardized boards reduces stocking requirements and inventory costs.
Inventors
- 👤 John Huss
- 👤 Richard J. Hoppe
- 👤 Lawrence E. Crowe
- 👤 Thomas Sutrina
- 👤 Eric D. Lakin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:06
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/0213; H05K1/0263; H05K1/0265; H05K1/0201; H05K1/0203; H05K1/16; H05K1/167; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/10; H05K2201/10007; H05K2201/10166; H05K2201/10174; H05K3/00; H05K3/0058; H05K3/0061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A circuit board, comprising: a substrate having a main layer including an electrically conductive portion and an electrically nonconductive portion adjacent the electrically conductive portion, the substrate having first and second opposite faces wherein the electrically conductive and nonconductive portions extend substantially an entire distance from the first face to the second face and further including a layer of insulating material disposed on a first side of the electrically conductive portion and an electrically conductive component in contact with the layer of insulating material; and means extending through the layer of insulating material for coupling the electrically conductive component to the electrically conductive portion of the substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A circuit board, comprising: a substrate having a main layer including an electrically conductive portion and an electrically nonconductive portion adjacent the electrically conductive portion, the substrate having first and second opposite faces wherein the electrically conductive and nonconductive portions extend substantially an entire distance from the first face to the second face and further including a layer of insulating material disposed on a first side of the electrically conductive portion and an electrically conductive component in contact with the layer of insulating material; and means extending through the layer of insulating material for coupling the electrically conductive component to the electrically conductive portion of the substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The circuit board of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive component comprises a series of traces disposed on the layer of insulating material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The circuit board of cIaim 2, further including a second layer of insulating material disposed on the traces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The circuit board of cIaim 2, further including a second layer of insulating material disposed on the traces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The circuit board of claim 3, further including discrete electrical components disposed atop the second layer of insulating material and connected to the traces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The circuit board of claim 1, wherein the substrate main layer includes three electrically conductive portions and electrically non-conductive portions between the electrically conductive portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The circuit board of claim 1, including a further layer of insulating material on a second side of the electrically conductive portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The circuit board of claim 6, including a planar resistor disposed on the further layer of insulating material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The circuit board of claim 7, wherein the resistor is of the etched foil type.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The circuit board of claim 6, including a still further layer of insulating material on the resistor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The circuit board of claim 9, further including a heat exchanger dispcsed on the still further layer of insulating material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The circuit board of claim 10, wherein the heat exchanger is electrically conductive.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The circuit board of claim 11, further including a power transistor in electrical and thermal contact with the heat exchanger.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The circuit board of claim 12, further including a power diode in electrical and thermal contact with the heat exchanger.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The circuit board of claim 13, wherein the resistor, the transistor, the diode, the electrically conductive portion of the main layer, the electrically conductive component and the coupling means are interconnected to form a switch assembly for an inverter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-12-17 | 1994-06-18 | 1994-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-17 | 1998-06-18 | 1998-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-17 | 2002-06-18 | 2002-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |