Abstract:
A method for forming a leadframe assembly (22) is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a sheet (10) of leadframe material and depositing a brazing alloy (12) on a first surface of the sheet (10). The method also includes the steps of placing one or more substrates (16) on the first surface of the sheet (10) and in contact the brazing alloy (12), and heating the brazing alloy (12) to bond the substrate (16) to the first surface of the sheet (10).
Abstract:
A circuit board assembly (30) that makes use of a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrate (10), and a process for producing the assembly (30). The substrate (10) contains at least first and second regions (32,34) formed by a plurality of first ceramic layers (36) and at least one second ceramic layer (38), respectively, that are superimposed and bonded to each other. Conductor lines (22) are present on at least some of the first ceramic layers (36) so as to be between adjacent pairs of the layers (36). Electrically-conductive vias (16) electrically interconnect the conductor lines (22) on different first ceramic layers (36), and a surface-mount IC device (12) is mounted to the substrate (10). The first ceramic layers (36) are formed of electrically-nonconductive materials, while the one or more second ceramic layers (38) contain thermally-conductive particles dispersed in a matrix of electrically-nonconductive materials, such that the one or more second ceramic layers (38) are more thermally conductive than the first ceramic layers (36).
Abstract:
A thick film current sensing resistor (10) is provided having an input terminal (14) for receiving an electrical current (I), and an output terminal (16) for outputting the electrical current (I). A film of resistive material (20) extends between the input and output terminals (14 and 16) and is electrically coupled to the input and output terminals (14 and 16) so that current (I) flows through the film of resistive material (20). A pair of sensing terminals (24 and 26) are provided to sense a voltage potential (Vs) across the film of resistive material (20). The sensed voltage (Vs) provides an indication of the current (I). An gap (32) is formed in the film of resistive material (20) between the input and output terminals (14 and 16) and the sensing terminals (24 and 26). The length (L A ) of the gap (32) defines a voltage sensing point of the sensing terminals (24 and 26).
Abstract:
A liquid cooled power electronics assembly (10) configured to use electrically conductive coolant (16) to cool power electronic devices that uses dielectric plates sealed with a metallic seal around the perimeter of the dielectric plates to form a device assembly (10), and then forms another metallic seal between the device assembly (10) and a housing (18). The configuration allows for more direct contact between the electronic device (12) and the coolant (16), while protecting the electronic device (12) from contact with potentially electrically conductive coolant (16). Material used to form the dielectric plates and the housing (18) are selected to have similar coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) so that the reliability of the seals is maximized.
Abstract:
A display for displaying images that includes a transreflective electrowetting layer operable to a transparent-state where light passes through the transreflective electrowetting layer and a reflective-state where light is reflected by the transreflective electrowetting layer; a non-reflective layer underlying the transreflective electrowetting layer; and an emissive layer proximate to the transreflective electrowetting layer. The display combines light emitting elements such as OLED's with transreflective electrowetting elements to provide a display that can operate in high ambient light conditions without undesirably high power dissipation by the OLED's, and can operate under low ambient light or no ambient light conditions.
Abstract:
An inductor (30,130) and method (100) of containing a magnetic field is provided. The inductor (30,130) includes a first set of layers (32,132) wound in a first predetermined direction, wherein each layer of the first set of layers (32,132) is electrically connected to one another, and a second set of layers (34,134) wound in a second predetermined direction, wherein each layer of the second set of layers (34,134) is electrically connected to one another and the first set of layers (32,132), and the second set of layers (34,134) is between a top layer (32A,132A) and a bottom layer (32B,132B), such that the top layer (32A,132A) forms a first pair with a first layer of the second set of layers (34,134), and the bottom layer (32B,132B) forms a second pair with a second layer of the second set of layers (34,134) so that the magnetic field is substantially contained, such as to remain substantially within a gap (35,135) defined between each layer of the pairs of layers.
Abstract:
An embedded resistor and capacitor circuit and fabrication method is provided. The circuit includes a substrate, a conductive foil laminated to the substrate, and a thick film dielectric material disposed on the conductive foil. One or more thick film electrodes are formed on the dielectric material and a thick film resistor is formed at least partially contacting the thick film electrodes. A capacitor is formed by an electrode and the conductive foil. The electrodes serve as terminations for the resistor and capacitor.
Abstract:
An embedded capacitor method and system is provided for printed circuit boards. The capacitor structure is embedded within an insulator substrate (30B), minimizes real-estate usage, provides a high capacitance, enhances capacitance density, and yet forms an advantageous planar surface topography. A cavity (36) is defined within and contained by an insulator substrate layer (30B), and a dielectric material (38) at least partially fills the cavity (30B). The dielectric material (38) is connected to an electrical conductor (32A, 32B), and vias (34A, 34B) are used for interconnections and traces. In an aspect, a plurality of stacked insulator substrate layers (40B-40F) define a plurality of cavities (41A-41E) filled with the dielectric material (48A-48E), providing even greater capacitance. In another aspect, an array of cavities (76A-76L) is formed in the insulator substrate layer (70). The embedded capacitor can be employed within numerous systems that utilize capacitors including automotive electronics such as a pressure sensor, an engine control module, a transmission controller, and radio systems including satellite radio devices.
Abstract:
Tuned Electromagnetic Bandgap (EBG)devices (10, 30), and a method for making and tuning tuned EBG devices (10, 30) are provided. The method includes the steps of providing first and second overlapping substrates (32, 32a), placing magnetically alignable conductive material (36) between the substrates (32, 32a), and applying a magnetic field (44, 45) in the vicinity of the magnetically alignable conductive material (36) to align at least some of the material into conductive vias (46, 47). The method further includes the steps of physically altering via characteristics of EBG devices (10, 30) to tune the bandpass and resonant frequencies of the EBG devices (10, 30).