US5072176A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible membrane circuit tester
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1991-02-22
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Granted: 1991-12-10
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Expires: 2011-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A pattern of electrodes, with electrical lead lines to the electrodes, arearried by a thin-film membrane mounted on a frame. The pattern corresponds to a test point pattern on a circuit to be tested. The lead lines go to edge connectors on the frame. In order to test a circuit, the membrane is pushed against the test points by air pressure, such that capacitive coupling occurs between the electrodes and the test points.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian S. Miller
- 👤 David R. Kaplan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:35
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/302; G01R31/312
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A device for testing a planar electrical circuit having a plurality of test points thereon, said device including: a relatively rigid frame having an open portion; a dielectric thin membrane attached to said frame and spanning said open portion; a plurality of electrodes carried by said membrane; a respective electrical lead line from each of said electrodes to an edge of said frame, whereby said frame may be juxtaposed with respect to said planar electrical circuit such that the electrodes of said membrane are in close proximity to respective test points on said circuit whereby capacitive coupling is established between each of said test points and a respective electrode when a test voltage is electronically coupled to the various lead lines and said planar electrical circuit, wherein said lead lines are mainly on the opposite side of said membrane from said electrodes, but each lead line includes a portion extending through said membrane and in contact with a respective electrode, further wherein a high-dielectric layer covers the side opposite the membrane of each electrode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
174 words
A device for testing a planar electrical circuit having a plurality of test points thereon, said device including: a relatively rigid frame having an open portion; a dielectric thin membrane attached to said frame and spanning said open portion; a plurality of electrodes carried by said membrane; a respective electrical lead line from each of said electrodes to an edge of said frame, whereby said frame may be juxtaposed with respect to said planar electrical circuit such that the electrodes of said membrane are in close proximity to respective test points on said circuit whereby capacitive coupling is established between each of said test points and a respective electrode when a test voltage is electronically coupled to the various lead lines and said planar electrical circuit, wherein said lead lines are mainly on the opposite side of said membrane from said electrodes, but each lead line includes a portion extending through said membrane and in contact with a respective electrode, further wherein a high-dielectric layer covers the side opposite the membrane of each electrode.
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) | 1994-12-09 | 1995-06-10 | 1995-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-09 | 1999-06-10 | 1999-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-09 | 2003-06-10 | 2003-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |