US4992729A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low profile inker
Assignee: Microsemi Semiconductor ULC
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Filing: 1989-05-08
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Granted: 1991-02-12
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Expires: 2009-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A low profile inker for use in a semiconductor testing apparatus. A probe test head of the apparatus detects defective circuits on a semiconductor wafer and generates control signals in response thereto. The inker is connected to the testing apparatus by means of a support arm beneath the probe test head. An inker reservoir is connected to the support arm and has a substantially vertical needle extending therefrom with a tip thereof proximate the semiconductor wafer circuit under test. A solenoid activated plunger arm is connected to the support arm in parallel with the reservoir and an angle pin connects the plunger to an inker filament disposed within the reservoir. The angle pin converts vertical movement of the solenoid operated plunger into parallel movement of the inker filament within the reservoir for forcing liquid onto the semiconductor wafer in order to mark defective circuits.
Inventors
- 👤 Normand Nadeau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/282; G01R31/2831; B; B43; B43L; B43L13/00; B43L13/02; B43L13/022; B43L13/024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
In a probe instrument provided with a movable probe test head for testing circuits on a semiconductor wafer and in response generating control signals indicative of defective ones of said circuits, a low profile inker for marking said defective circuits, comprised of: (a) a support arm connected to said probe instrument beneath said test head, (b) an inker reservoir rigidly mounted on said support arm for storing a quantity of marking liquid, including a substantially vertical inker filament for forcing said liquid from said reservoir, (c) solenoid operated plunger means mounted on said support arm parallel to said reservoir, for receiving said control signals and in response moving in a substantially vertical axis, (d) a needle extending substantially vertically downward from said reservoir for directing said liquid forced from said reservoir onto said defective circuits, and (e) parallel activator means connecting said plunger means and said inker filament for translating vertical movement of said plunger means into parallel movement of said inker filament thereby forcing said liquid onto said defective circuits while maintaining the reservoir and needle fixed to the support arm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
In a probe instrument provided with a movable probe test head for testing circuits on a semiconductor wafer and in response generating control signals indicative of defective ones of said circuits, a low profile inker for marking said defective circuits, comprised of: (a) a support arm connected to said probe instrument beneath said test head, (b) an inker reservoir rigidly mounted on said support arm for storing a quantity of marking liquid, including a substantially vertical inker filament for forcing said liquid from said reservoir, (c) solenoid operated plunger means mounted on said support arm parallel to said reservoir, for receiving said control signals and in response moving in a substantially vertical axis, (d) a needle extending substantially vertically downward from said reservoir for directing said liquid forced from said reservoir onto said defective circuits, and (e) parallel activator means connecting said plunger means and said inker filament for translating vertical movement of said plunger means into parallel movement of said inker filament thereby forcing said liquid onto said defective circuits while maintaining the reservoir and needle fixed to the support arm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A low profile inker as defined in claim 1, wherein said support arm is connected to said probe instrument by means of a clip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A low profile inker as defined in claim 2, wherein said solenoid operated plunger means is connected to said support arm by means of a bracket secured thereto by a pair of bolts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A low profile inker as defined in claim 1, wherein said parallel activator means is comprised of an angle pin attached at one end via a threaded connection to said plunger means and at the other end via a ball-and-socket connection to said inker filament.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A low profile inker as defined in claim 1, wherein said reservoir is secured to said support arm by means of clip support.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
A low profile inker as defined in claim 1, wherein said solenoid operated plunger means is further comprised of a solenoid coil connected via a pair of control leads to said test head for receiving said control signals, an electromagnetically actuated plunger arm disposed within said solenoid coil, said plunger arm being urged within said coil upon receipt of said control signals by said coil, and a coil spring for urging said plunger arm into an extended position outside of said solenoid coil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A low profile inker as defined in claim 2, wherein said parallel activator means is comprised of an angle pin attached at one end via a threaded connection to said plunger means and at the other end via a ball-and-socket connection to said inker filament.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A low profile inker as defined in claim 2, wherein said reservoir is secured to said support arm by mean of clip support.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
A low profile inker as defined in claim 2, wherein said solenoid operated plunger means is further comprised of a solenoid coil connected via a pair of control leads to said test head for receiving said control signals, an electromagnetically actuated plunger arm disposed within said solenoid coil, said plunger arm being urged within said coil upon receipt of said control signals by said coil, and a coil spring for urging said plunger arm into an extended position outside of said solenoid coil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
A low profile inker as defined in claim 3, wherein said parallel activator means is comprised of an angle pin attached at one end via a threaded connection to said plunger means and at the other end via a ball-and-socket connection to said inker filament.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A low profile inker as defined in claim 3, wherein said reservoir is secured to said support arm by means of clip support.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
A low profile inker as defined in claim 3, wherein said solenoid operated plunger means is further comprised of a solenoid coil connected via a pair of control leads to said test head for receiving said control signals, an electromagnetically actuated plunger arm disposed within said solenoid coil, said plunger arm being urged within said coil upon receipt of said control signals by said coil, and a coil spring for urging said plunger arm into an extended position outside of said solenoid coil.
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) | 1994-02-11 | 1994-08-13 | 1995-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-11 | 1998-08-13 | 1999-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-11 | 2002-08-13 | 2003-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |