US5056706A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid metal paste for thermal and electrical connections
Assignee: Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corp
•
Filing: 1989-11-20
•
Granted: 1991-10-15
•
Expires: 2009-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A thermally and electrically conductive paste and its method of use for making a detachable and compliant thermal conductive connection between two surfaces or making an electrical connection between first and second electrical components. The paste is comprised of a liquid metal and particulate solid constituents which is non-solidifying, conformable, compliant, is removable, provides containment to impulsive loading, and is simple to apply.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas P. Dolbear
- 👤 Colin A. MacKay
- 👤 Richard D. Nelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:40
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K35/00; B23K35/22; B23K35/24; B23K35/26; B23K31/00; B23K31/02; H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/30; H05K3/32; H05K3/34; H05K3/346; H05K3/3465; H05K3/3485; H10; H10W; H10W72/00; H10W72/851; H10W72/874; H10W72/884; H10W74/00; H10W74/10; H10W74/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of making a detachable and compliant thermally conductive connection between two surfaces comprising, releasably connecting the two surfaces together with a thermally conductive non-solidifying paste comprised of a liquid metal and particulate solid constituents, wherein the proportions of the mixture of liquid and solids, in the range of operational temperatures encountered, lies between the ultimate liquidus and the ultimate solidus of the metallurgical phase diagram of the mixture.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of making a detachable and compliant thermally conductive connection between two surfaces comprising, releasably connecting the two surfaces together with a thermally conductive non-solidifying paste comprised of a liquid metal and particulate solid constituents, wherein the proportions of the mixture of liquid and solids, in the range of operational temperatures encountered, lies between the ultimate liquidus and the ultimate solidus of the metallurgical phase diagram of the mixture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the solid constituents are coated with a material that will wet with the liquid metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of nickel, silver and antimony.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 enhancing the wetting of the solid constituents by the liquid metal by alloying a material to the liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of nickel, silver and antimony.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the solid constituents are encapsulated by a gas entrapped around each particle during the mixing with the liquid to create the paste.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the mixture has a viscosity in the range of 20,000 to 200,000 centipoise.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid and the solids do not produce a reaction compound and the solids are soluble in the liquid to some extent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the paste connection is approximately 1-80 mils.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the solids are wet with the liquid but do not form reaction compounds therewith.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the solids are wet with the liquid but do not dissolve therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the solids are elongate and have a longitudinal axis oriented parallel to the plane of an electronic component in contact with the paste in order to enhance the thermal spreading capability of the paste.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of making a detachable and compliant electrical connection between first and second electrical components comprising, releasably connecting a first electrical component to a second electrical component with an electrically conductive non-solidifying paste comprised of a liquid metal and solid particulate constituents, wherein the proportions of the mixture of liquid and solids, in the range of operational temperatures used, lies between the ultimate liquidus and the ultimate solidus of the metallurgical diagram of the mixture.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of making a detachable and compliant electrical connection between first and second electrical components comprising, releasably connecting a first electrical component to a second electrical component with an electrically conductive non-solidifying paste comprised of a liquid metal and solid particulate constituents, wherein the proportions of the mixture of liquid and solids, in the range of operational temperatures used, lies between the ultimate liquidus and the ultimate solidus of the metallurgical diagram of the mixture.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the mixture has a viscosity in the range of 20,000 to 200,000 centipoise.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the liquid and the solids do not produce a reaction compound and the solids are soluble in the liquid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the liquid and solid react to form a compound layer on the solid particulate constituents.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the solid particulate constituents are at least partially soluble in the liquid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the solids are wet with the liquid but do not form reaction compounds therewith.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the solids are wet with the liquid but do not dissolve therein.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the solids are elongate and have a longitudinal axis oriented parallel to the plane of an electronic component in contact with the paste in order to enhance the thermal spreading capability of the paste.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3141238A
Cited
US4299715A
Cited
US4403410A
Cited
US4435611A
Cited
US4442966A
Cited
US4398975A
Cited
US4410457A
Cited
US4515304A
Cited
US4448240A
Cited
US4604644A
Cited
US4769690A
Cited
US4740252A
Cited
US4732702A
Cited
US4875617A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-10-14 | 1995-04-15 | 1995-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-14 | 1999-04-15 | 1999-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-14 | 2003-04-15 | 2003-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |