US5528161A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Through-port load carrier and related test apparatus
Assignee: Venturedyne Ltd
•
Filing: 1994-09-15
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Granted: 1996-06-18
•
Expires: 2014-09-15
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a load carrier for use with a test chamber. Such carrier includes (a) an insertion portion having a length about equal to the thickness of a chamber wall, (b) a carrier portion extending away from the chamber and (c) a flange interposed between the portions for sealing contact with the wall. The insertion portion extends through an opening in a chamber wall to connect to a rack holding printed circuit boards. The carrier portion holds a test device connected to the circuit boards through the load carrier. The load carrier is removable and can operate in "standalone" fashion or be tested at a location remote from the chamber when another load carrier is substituted in the chamber. Chamber backplane wiring is eliminated or substantially eliminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter A. Liken
- 👤 Steven B. Ensing
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:15
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/2801; G01R31/281; G01R31/2817; G01R31/2806; G01R31/2808
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
In the combination of a test chamber having an interior wall, an exterior wall and at least one product carrier in the chamber and holding products to be tested, the improvement wherein: the product carrier includes an electrical connector adjacent to the interior wall when the product carrier is positioned for product testing; the combination includes a load carrier supported by the chamber and having a carrier portion outside the chamber and protruding away from the chamber exterior wall, the carrier portion having spaced rigid walls forming a compartment containing a test device for imposing a load on the products to be tested; the load carrier includes a walled insertion portion extending away from the carrier portion, toward the chamber interior wall and having an electrical connector coupled to the electrical connector of the product carrier; and the load carrier has a flange interposed between the portions for sealing contact with the exterior wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
In the combination of a test chamber having an interior wall, an exterior wall and at least one product carrier in the chamber and holding products to be tested, the improvement wherein: the product carrier includes an electrical connector adjacent to the interior wall when the product carrier is positioned for product testing; the combination includes a load carrier supported by the chamber and having a carrier portion outside the chamber and protruding away from the chamber exterior wall, the carrier portion having spaced rigid walls forming a compartment containing a test device for imposing a load on the products to be tested; the load carrier includes a walled insertion portion extending away from the carrier portion, toward the chamber interior wall and having an electrical connector coupled to the electrical connector of the product carrier; and the load carrier has a flange interposed between the portions for sealing contact with the exterior wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the carrier portion includes a slide rack and the test device is mounted on the slide rack.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 1 including a work cell computer remotely mounted from the load carrier and wherein: the products to be tested are connected to the computer through the compartment outside the chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein: the products to be tested are mounted in the product carrier, are inside the chamber and are electrically connected to the insertion portion; the insertion portion is connected to the test device; and the test device is connected to the computer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein: the insertion portion and the carrier portion are coupled to the flange; and the flange is generally planar and substantially parallel to the chamber exterior wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
A test apparatus including: a chamber having an interior cavity and a wall with an opening therethrough, the wall having an exterior panel; a rigidly-constructed load carrier for connection to a product carrier in the interior cavity, such load carrier having an insertion portion and a carrier portion attached to one another, and wherein: the insertion portion and the opening are conformably sized; the insertion portion slidably extends inwardly through the exterior panel and into the opening toward the chamber interior cavity; and the carrier portion extends outwardly from the exterior panel and is outside the chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
A test apparatus including: a chamber having an interior cavity and a wall with an opening therethrough, the wall having an exterior panel; a rigidly-constructed load carrier for connection to a product carrier in the interior cavity, such load carrier having an insertion portion and a carrier portion attached to one another, and wherein: the insertion portion and the opening are conformably sized; the insertion portion slidably extends inwardly through the exterior panel and into the opening toward the chamber interior cavity; and the carrier portion extends outwardly from the exterior panel and is outside the chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein: the chamber wall has an interior panel spaced inwardly from the exterior panel; the insertion portion has a length which is about equal to the dimension between the interior and exterior panels; the insertion portion has an end panel which is substantially coplanar with the interior panel of the chamber wall and which includes a connector mounted thereon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: the insertion portion includes a front face having an area; the carrier portion includes a rear face outside the chamber and having an area substantially greater than the area of the front face.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein: the carrier portion contains a test device; the chamber contains circuit boards; and the circuit boards are connected to the test device through the load carrier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein: the chamber is surrounded by ambient air; the carrier portion is in the ambient air and supports at least one test device mounted in a test compartment of the carrier portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein: the insertion portion and the test compartment of the load carrier are separated by a barrier compartment which substantially prevents moisture from migrating from the insertion portion to the test compartment.
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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) | 1999-06-18 | 1999-12-18 | 2000-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-06-18 | 2003-12-18 | 2004-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-06-18 | 2007-12-18 | 2008-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |