Electrical connectors – Preformed panel circuit arrangement – e.g. – pcb – icm – dip,... – With provision to conduct electricity from panel circuit to...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-17
2002-07-09
Ta, Tho D. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Preformed panel circuit arrangement, e.g., pcb, icm, dip,...
With provision to conduct electricity from panel circuit to...
C439S840000, C439S066000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06416330
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to electrical connectors, and more particular to electrical connectors for coupling circuits on circuit substrates, such as printed circuit boards.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many computing devices, such as desktop computers, workstations, main-frame and super-computers employ multiple printed circuit boards (“PCB”) that include various microprocessors, printed circuits and other components that must be electrically coupled together to transmit data and/or power. The electrical traces on one or more layers of the PCB form the printed circuits and typically terminate in one or more terminals or contacts for making connections. A single failed or intermittent connection can result in large amounts of “down-time” for the computing device, and costly troubleshooting by highly skilled technicians.
Highly parallel processing super-computers present a particularly significant problem in terms of space constraints. These computers rely on a high number of connections between circuit boards that each carry one or more microprocessors. The nature of parallel processing places high demands on the timing of signals, including clock signals across the various computer components. In an effort to improve the timing of the signals, the PCBs are spaced relatively closely together to reduce the length of the connections between the PCBs. The tight spacing hinders the ability of technicians to access particular computer components, such as the PCBs and electrical connectors. This presents a particular problem to computer manufacturers and owners who desire a modular design that permits failed components to be quickly and easily replaced. If serviceable, a modular design would also permit the addition of new or additional processors as desired, for example when more processing power is required or when the processors become more affordable. This could significantly extend the life of the computing device.
A highly reliable and precise electrical connector is required to couple circuits between printed circuit boards, particularly for providing a supply voltage to the circuits. Additionally the connection should not cause significant voltage drops.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to principles of the present invention, an electrical connector includes a conductive channel surface in electrical communication with a canted coil spring conductor and a conductive contact surface, to couple circuits on a circuit substrate to a power supplying substrate.
According to one aspect of the invention, a channel in the channel member includes a single canted coil spring conductor.
In a further aspect of the invention, the contact surface is at an angle greater than 0° to an opening of the channel, to couple circuits on a circuit substrate to a nonparallel power supplying substrate. The angle can be 90° where the circuit substrate and power supplying substrate are perpendicular.
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Hellriegel Stephen V. R.
Kunze Richard K.
Yatskov Alexander I.
Cray Inc.
Nguyen Phuongchi
Seed Intellectual Property Law Group PPLC
Ta Tho D.
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