Abstract: Disclosed are systems for applying materials to components. The system comprises a tool operable for transferring a portion of a material from a supply of the material to a component. A first portion of the tool may be configured for cutting along a side or edge of the portion of the material. A second portion of the tool may be configured for tamping, pressing, or pushing against the portion of the material to cause uncut sides or edges of the portion of the material attached to the supply of the material to be torn, severed, detached, or separated from the supply of the material.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of frames for shielding assemblies including detachable or severable pickup members. Also disclosed are exemplary embodiments of shielding assemblies (e.g., board level shields, etc.) including the same.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of EMI shields including electrically-conductive foam (broadly, electrically-conductive resiliently compressible porous material). An exemplary embodiment includes an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield for an optical transceiver including transmitter and receiver optical sub-assemblies. The EMI shield includes a portion having openings configured for receiving the transmitter and receiver optical sub-assemblies therethrough to thereby allow the EMI shield to be fit over the transmitter and receiver optical sub-assemblies for installation along a portion of the optical transceiver. The EMI shield also includes sidewalls depending from the portion that includes the openings. Electrically-conductive resiliently compressible porous material (e.g., electrically-conductive foam, etc.) is along at least a portion of an outer perimeter defined by the sidewalls.

Abstract: A device for absorbing energy from an electronic component includes a low melting alloy layer including a first side and a second side opposing the first side, and coating layers substantially covering the first side and the second side of the low melting alloy layer. In some embodiments, the low melting alloy layer includes a polymer mixture and a plurality of low melting alloy particulates dispersed in the polymer mixture. Other example devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of thermal management assemblies suitable for use (e.g., configured for heat spreading, etc.) with transceivers (e.g., small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceivers, SFP+ transceivers, quad small form-factor pluggable (QSFP) transceivers QSFP+ transceivers, XFP transceivers, etc.) and other devices (e.g., memory card readers, etc.). In exemplary embodiments, a thermal management assembly comprises at least one flexible heat spreading material (e.g., a single graphite sheet, multiple graphite sheets, etc.) including portions wrapped (e.g., in different non-parallel directions, in parallel directions, etc.) around corresponding portions of a part, which may be configured to be coupled to and/or along a side of a device housing. The at least one flexible heat spreading material may be operable for defining at least a portion of a thermally-conductive heat path around the corresponding portions of the part.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of thermal interface materials, electronic devices, and methods for establishing thermal joints between heat spreaders or lids and heat sources. In exemplary embodiments, a method of establishing a thermal joint for conducting heat between a heat spreader and a heat source of an electronic device generally includes positioning a thermal interface material (TIM1) between the heat spreader and the heat source.

Abstract: A method includes raising a pickup area of a pickup member including one or more arms extending between the pickup area and one or more sidewalls of a frame of a board level shield (BLS), such that the pickup area is raised relative to and above an upper surface of the one or more sidewalls of the frame, and such that the pickup area rotates in place as the pickup area is raised relative to and above the upper surface of the one or more sidewalls.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of highly compliant non-silicone putties and thermal interface materials including the same. In an exemplary embodiment, a non-silicone putty includes at least one thermally-conductive filler and at least one other filler including hollow polymeric particles in a non-silicone polymer base or matrix. The non-silicone putty may have a thermal conductivity of at least about 3 Watts per meter-Kelvin and/or may have a hardness of less than about 30 Shore 00.

Abstract: A system for applying materials to components generally includes a tool operable for transferring a portion of a material from a supply of the material to a component. The tool may include a resilient material configured for tamping the portion of the material onto the component and/or for imprinting the portion of the material for release and transfer from the supply.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of thermal interface materials with low secant modulus of elasticity and high thermal conductivity.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of board level shields including thermal interface materials. Also disclosed are methods of applying thermal interface materials to board level shields.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of frames for shielding assemblies. Exemplary embodiments are also disclosed of shielding assemblies including such frames. In exemplary embodiments, a frame for a board level shield (BLS) may include at least one finger or tab (broadly, a portion or contact) configured to fill, cover, or close off a gap or void defined by a cover's sidewalls to thereby inhibit or prevent EMI leakage through the gap or void.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of frames for shielding assemblies. Exemplary embodiments are also disclosed of shielding assemblies including such frames. In exemplary embodiments, a frame for a board level shield (BLS) may include portions alignable with and solderable to solder ball pads along a printed circuit board. A cover may be releasably attachable to, detachable from, and reattachable to the frame.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, a circuit assembly may be provided on and/or supported by an electrically conductive structure, such as a board level shield, a midplate, a bracket, a precision metal part, etc. For example, a circuit assembly may be provided on and/or supported by an outer top surface of a board level shield. In an exemplary embodiment, an assembly generally includes an electrically conductive structure configured for a first functionality in the electronic device. An electrically nonconductive material is on at least part of the electrically conductive structure. First electrical component(s) are at least partly on the electrically nonconductive layer and configured to define at least a portion of a circuit assembly for electrical connection with one or more second electrical components of the electronic device. The electrically conductive structure may thus be configured for a second functionality in the electronic device.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of laser weldable brackets for attachment of heat sinks to EMI shields, such as a board level shield, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, an assembly generally includes an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield, a heat sink, and a bracket laser weldable to the EMI shield for attachment of the heat sink to the EMI shield. In another exemplary embodiment, a method of attaching a heat sink to an EMI generally includes laser welding a bracket to the EMI shield whereby the bracket retains the heat sink in place relative to the EMI shield.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of frames for shielding assemblies. Exemplary embodiments are also disclosed of shielding assemblies including such frames. In exemplary embodiments, a frame for a board level shield (BLS) may include portions alignable with and solderable to solder ball pads along a printed circuit board. A cover may be releasably attachable to, detachable from, and reattachable to the frame.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of thermal interface materials, electronic devices, and methods for establishing thermal joints between heat spreaders or lids and heat sources. In exemplary embodiments, a method of establishing a thermal joint for conducting heat between a heat spreader and a heat source of an electronic device generally includes positioning a thermal interface material (TIM1) between the heat spreader and the heat source.