Patent US5834946A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5834946A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Integrated circuit test head
Assignee: Mosaid Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1997-10-30
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Granted: 1998-11-10
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Expires: 2017-10-30
Abstract
Abstract An integrated circuit test head assembly includes a group of circuit modules arranged in a circle, with the heat sinks carried by each of the modules located on the outside of the circle. The circuit modules are contained within a test head housing. Conductive pins extend downwardly from each of the modules and contact a probe card directly, without the need for an adapter. The circuit boards are cooled by flowing a cooling medium, typically a gas, around the outside of the circle of modules, so that all of the heat sinks are evenly cooled.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Albrow
- 👤 Bert Klugkist
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/2851; G01R31/2886
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
An integrated circuit test head comprising: (a) a plurality of circuit modules mounted in a circle within a test head housing, broad plane surfaces of the circuit modules being disposed approximately tangential to the circle; (b) conductive pins extending downwardly in the same direction from each of the modules; (c) heat sinks supported by the modules and extending radially outwardly from the circle; and (d) means for flowing a cooling medium within the housing outside the circle of modules and past the heat sinks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
An integrated circuit test head comprising: (a) a plurality of circuit modules mounted in a circle within a test head housing, broad plane surfaces of the circuit modules being disposed approximately tangential to the circle; (b) conductive pins extending downwardly in the same direction from each of the modules; (c) heat sinks supported by the modules and extending radially outwardly from the circle; and (d) means for flowing a cooling medium within the housing outside the circle of modules and past the heat sinks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
An assembly as defined in claim 1, further comprising a probe card having a diameter of approximately the diameter of the circle being disposed coaxial with the circle, the probe card having contacts on its upper surface in contact with said conductive pins, the probe card having a lower surface which supports probe wires which are connected to said contacts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly as defined in claim 2 further comprising a plenum in communication with a side of said housing for guiding said cooling medium into said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly as defined in claim 3 further comprising at least one fan for blowing or sucking said cooling medium into or from said plenum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An assembly as defined in claim 4 further including at least one hose in communication with said plenum, said at least one fan being located at a remote end of said at least one hose.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
An assembly as defined in claim 3 further comprising a pair of fans, one fan rotating so as to blow cooling medium into the plenum and another fan rotating so as to suck air from the plenum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
An assembly as defined in claim 3 further including a pair of hoses in communication with said plenum, a fan at a remote end of each of the hoses, one fan rotating so as to blow cooling medium into the plenum and another fan rotating so as to suck air from the plenum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An assembly as defined in claim 3, in which the modules are circuit boards, the plane of each of the circuit boards being approximately parallel to the axis of the circle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 2001-11-09 | 2002-05-11 | 2002-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-09 | 2006-05-11 | 2006-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-09 | 2010-05-11 | 2010-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |