Abstract: A generic chip carrier is described which includes, as integral parts, a voltage bus and a plurality of terminating resistors connected between the voltage bus and signal traces on the carrier. The voltage bus wraps around the chip carrier, thus providing a large area of metal. Through the selective use of the terminating resistors, the generic carrier can be customized for a particular type of integrated circuit, i.e., source or destination termination of signals. A signal trace may be customized by "operating" the terminating resistor with a current spike applied by a standard electrical probe. Spare bonding pads and terminating resistors are placed at intervals about the periphery of the carrier as insurance against defective or mistakenly removed terminating resistors.

Abstract: An electrical end connector (10) of the zero insertion force type includes a pair of opposing blocks (21, 40), one of which blocks is slideably mounted in a housing (22). Opposite corresponding pairs of female receptacles (34) and male pins (31) are cooperatively mounted on the opposing blocks (21, 40). The housig (22) has two sets of oppositely disposed windows formed through the longitudinal ends. One block (40) has a channel formed therethrough, such that the block (40) is urged transversely upon insertion of a cam-like slider device (70), thereby selectively engaging or disengaging the male pins (31) and female receptacles (43).

Abstract: A generic chip carrier is described which includes, as integral parts, a voltage bus and a plurality of terminating resistors connected between the voltage bus and signal traces on the carrier. The voltage bus wraps around the chip carrier, thus providing a large area of metal. Through the selective use of the terminating resistors, the generic carrier can be customized for a particular type of integrated circuit, i.e., source or destination termination of signals. A signal trace may be customized by "opening" the terminating resistor with a current spike applied by a standard electrical probe. Spare bonding pads and terminating resistors are placed at intervals about the periphery of the carrier as insurance against defective or mistakenly removed terminating resistors.

Abstract: An improved multiple circuit module for use in an electronic device includes a number of cold plates sandwiched between pairs of circuit boards for taking away excess heat from the circuit boards. Each plate is provided with open spaces which permit communication between the circuit boards, and with circuit boards on other cold plates. Electrical communication between the circuit boards is effected by an array of metallic pins. The pins are received in a perforate pin header which extends along the depth of the cold plate, and pins communicating with other circuit boards extend into a connector block which is placed between a pair of pin headers. Shielding is provided in both the connector blocks and pin headers to prevent electronic cross-talk between pins disposed therein. In one embodiment, a novel type of pin which reduces installation and disconnection friction is utilized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a parallel board connector having zero insertion force between a PC board and a backplane which presents effectively zero impedance change through the connector interface. The PC board and the backplane to which it is to be connected have through-plated holes. The boards are positioned to overlap such that the through-plated holes are axially aligned. A shuttle block is provided with a number of parallel dual flex pins attached to one surface. To effect connection, the flex pins of the shuttle block are inserted through the holes of one board and into the holes of a second board to provide an electrical connection having very low or no impedance interface.

Abstract: A cooling plate for heat dissipation is particularly adapted for use within printed circuit board stacks. The cooling plate includes a fluid inlet manifold, fluid pass containing a plurality of heat dissipation fins, and a fluid outlet manifold. Externally, the cooling plate has a pattern of heat conductive pads that is substantially identical to the pattern of devices on a printed circuit board attached to the cooling plate. The cooling plate includes apertures and mounting elements for z-axis connector assemblies so that printed circuit boards attached to either side of the cooling plate may electrically interconnect.

Abstract: An electrical edge connector (14) of the zero insertion force type includes a pair of opposing blocks (30, 32) defining a longitudinal guideway (34) therebetween. Opposite corresonding pairs of female contacts (52, 54) are disposed in transverse holes in the blocks (30, 32), and male contacts (60) are slidably supported in the female contacts in one block for selective actuation into or out of sliding engagement with the female contacts in the other block responsive to insertion of a slider (36).

Abstract: A circuit module (10) having enhanced heat transfer and distribution characteristics which is particularly adapted for use in high speed electronic digital computers. The circuit module (10) includes a circuit board assembly (12) with a plurality of electronic devices (26) such as integrated circuits, mounted on a circuit board (28). The circuit board (28) includes conductive pads (42 and 44) and plated-through holes (46) forming a thermally conductive flow path from each electronic device (26) to the opposite side of the circuit board for more efficient heat transfer away from the module (10). The heat pads (42 and 44) and plated-through holes (46) are preferably connected with the ground plane layer (36) of the circuit board (28) for better heat distribution as well.

Abstract: A circuit module (10) having enhanced heat transfer and distribution characteristics which is particularly adapted for use in high speed electronic digital computers. The circuit module (10) includes a circuit board assembly (12) with a plurality of electronic devices (26) such as integrated circuits, mounted on a circuit board (28). The circuit board (28) includes conductive pads (42 and 44) and plated-through holes (46) forming a thermally conductive flow path from each electronic device (26) to the opposite side of the circuit board for more efficient heat transfer away from the module (10). The heat pads (42 and 44) and plated-through holes (46) are preferably connected with the ground plane layer (36) of the circuit board (28) for better heat distribution as well.

Abstract: The specification discloses an interconnected multiple circuit module (10) including a connector assembly (14) for interconnecting two circuit modules (12) each having at least one circuit board assembly (16). The connector assembly (14) includes pins (26) extending through the circuit board assemblies (16) and a free connector block (28) for receiving the pins in opposite ends. The pins (26), connector block (28) and contacts (40) within the block are preferably adapted to provide differential mechanical resistances on opposite ends of the block between the pins to facilitate controlled predictable electrical connection of the circuit modules (12).