US5095616A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Grounding method for use in high frequency electrical circuitry
Assignee: Tektronix Inc
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Filing: 1990-10-26
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Granted: 1992-03-17
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Expires: 2010-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A grounding method for use in high frequency electrical circuitry has a conductive elastomeric member with a low resistivity per square. The conductive elastomeric member is placed in contact with the ground plane of a circuit board and a conductive housing within which the circuit board is situated. The conductive elastomeric member is deformed to flow into discontinuities of a ground path between the ground plane and the conductive housing so that the discontinuities do not act as antennae to radiate energy in response to high frequency signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Cornelis T. Veenendaal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:51
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K9/00; H05K9/0007; H05K9/002; H05K9/0039; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49124; Y10T29/49126; Y10T29/49155; Y10T29/49158
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of grounding a circuit board in a high frequency environment, the circuit board having a ground plane on one side, to a conductive housing within which the circuit board is situated comprising the steps of: forming a conductive elastomer having a low resistivity per square, the conductive elastomer having a configuration to fill a cavity within the conductive housing formed between the circuit board and walls of the conductive housing; placing the conductive elastomer within the cavity to provide electrical contact between the ground plane of the circuit board and the walls of the conductive housing; and deforming the conductive elastomer to cause the conductive elastomer to flow into discontinuities in a ground path between the ground plane and the walls to prevent radiation of energy from the discontinuities.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of grounding a circuit board in a high frequency environment, the circuit board having a ground plane on one side, to a conductive housing within which the circuit board is situated comprising the steps of: forming a conductive elastomer having a low resistivity per square, the conductive elastomer having a configuration to fill a cavity within the conductive housing formed between the circuit board and walls of the conductive housing; placing the conductive elastomer within the cavity to provide electrical contact between the ground plane of the circuit board and the walls of the conductive housing; and deforming the conductive elastomer to cause the conductive elastomer to flow into discontinuities in a ground path between the ground plane and the walls to prevent radiation of energy from the discontinuities.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the forming step comprises the step of impregnating a block of elastomeric material with a conductive material to form the conductive elastomer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the forming step comprises the steps of: filling a relatively thin sheet of flexible polymer with a conductive material to produce a conductive sheet; placing the conductive sheet in the bottom of a mold; and backfilling the conductive sheet with a flexible polymer material to produce the conductive elastomer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the forming step comprises the steps of: laying a plurality of closely spaced electrical conductors on a sacrificial substrate to form a flexible connector sheet; placing the flexible connector sheet in the bottom of a mold; backfilling the flexible connector sheet with a flexible polymer material to cover the conductors; and removing the sacrificial substrate to produce the conductive elastomer.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for grounding a circuit board, the circuit board having a ground plane on one side, to a conductive housing within which the circuit board is situated comprising: a conductive elastomer having a low resistivity per square, the conductive elastomer being situated within the housing and being positioned to provide electrical connection between the ground plane and the conductive housing; and means for deforming he conductive elastomer to cause the conductive elastomer to flow into discontinuities of a ground path between the ground plane and the conductive housing to eliminate spurious energy radiation caused by the discontinuities in response to high frequency signals.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for grounding a circuit board, the circuit board having a ground plane on one side, to a conductive housing within which the circuit board is situated comprising: a conductive elastomer having a low resistivity per square, the conductive elastomer being situated within the housing and being positioned to provide electrical connection between the ground plane and the conductive housing; and means for deforming he conductive elastomer to cause the conductive elastomer to flow into discontinuities of a ground path between the ground plane and the conductive housing to eliminate spurious energy radiation caused by the discontinuities in response to high frequency signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein the conductive elastomer comprises a block of elastomeric material impregnated with a conductive material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein the conductive elastomer comprises: a sheet of a flexible polymer filled with a conductive material; and a backing of a flexible polymer material adhered to the sheet of the flexible polymer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein the conductive elastomer comprises a block of flexible polymer material having a plurality of conductive leads laid on the surface of the block.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of manufacturing a conductive elastomeric member comprising the steps of: laying a plurality of closely spaced electrical conductors on a sacrificial substrate to form a flexible connector sheet; placing the flexible connector sheet in the bottom of a mold; backfilling the flexible connector sheet with a flexible polymer material covering the conductors; and removing the sacrificial substrate to produce the conductive elastomeric member.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of manufacturing a conductive elastomeric member comprising the steps of: laying a plurality of closely spaced electrical conductors on a sacrificial substrate to form a flexible connector sheet; placing the flexible connector sheet in the bottom of a mold; backfilling the flexible connector sheet with a flexible polymer material covering the conductors; and removing the sacrificial substrate to produce the conductive elastomeric member.
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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) | 1995-03-17 | 1995-09-16 | 1996-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-17 | 1999-09-16 | 2000-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-17 | 2003-09-16 | 2004-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |