Abstract: An apparatus suitable for controlling vegetation which apparatus comprises a hot-liquid reservoir (28), release means (38) connected to the hot-liquid reservoir (28) and at least one nozzle (74), for applying a stream of foam that contains steam, connected to the reservoir through the release means. The apparatus includes a heating means (34) to keep the liquid hot so the pressure is above atmospheric pressure. The liquid may be pumped by a pump (36) through the hot-water reservoir (28), the water being heated on demand by heaters (34) within the reservoir (28). The apparatus is either propelled by or mounted on a vehicle; and during use of the apparatus to control vegetation the vehicle provides power (24) to the heating means.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting a discontinuity or irregularity in a supply line of an electrical power distribution network including a neutral return line and an earth return line. The method includes measuring a property associated with the supply line wherein the property is different when the network includes the neutral return line compared to when the network does not include the neutral return line. The method also includes comparing a result of the measuring with a reference to provide an indication of the discontinuity or irregularity. The property may include a complex impedance associated with the neutral return line or earth return line and/or ambient electrical noise present on the supply line. An apparatus for detecting a discontinuity or irregularity in a supply line of an electrical power distribution network is also disclosed.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly that makes use of a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrate, and a process for producing the assembly. The substrate contains at least first and second regions formed by a plurality of first ceramic layers and at least one second ceramic layer, respectively, that are superimposed and bonded to each other. Conductor lines are present on at least some of the first ceramic layers so as to be between adjacent pairs of the layers. Electrically-conductive vias electrically interconnect the conductor lines on different first ceramic layers, and a surface-mount IC device is mounted to the substrate. The first ceramic layers are formed of electrically-nonconductive materials, while the one or more second ceramic layers contain thermally-conductive particles dispersed in a matrix of electrically-nonconductive materials, such that the one or more second ceramic layers are more thermally conductive than the first ceramic layers.

Abstract: An electronic assembly is provided having a thermal cooling fluid, such as a liquid, for cooling an electronic device within a sealed compartment. The assembly includes a housing generally defining a sealed fluid compartment, an electronic device disposed within the housing and a cooling liquid for cooling the electronic device. The assembly includes inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with the sealed fluid compartment for allowing the cooling liquid to pass through the compartment to cool the electronic device. Fluid flow channels are formed in thermal communication with the electronic device within the housing. The fluid channels include channels that allow liquid to flow in thermal communication with the electronic device to cool the device.

Abstract: A chip cooling system including a semiconductor device having a bulk region, wherein at least one fluid channel extends at least partially through the bulk region, the fluid channel having an inlet and an outlet, a fluid inlet port in fluid communication with the channel inlet, and a fluid outlet port in fluid communication with the channel outlet, and a cooling fluid flows from the fluid inlet port, through the fluid channel and to the fluid outlet port to cool the bulk region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cooling of electronic components such as CD or DVD players and recorders and the disc or discs within. Specifically, the present invention relates to the internal cooling of a disc playing or recording device and the disc or discs within.

Abstract: An electronic package having circulated submersed cooling fluid and method are provided. The electronic package has a housing defining a sealed enclosure and electronic devices located in the housing. The electronic devices have thermal emitting electrical circuitry. A dielectric fluid, such as a liquid, is located in the housing in heat transfer relationship with the electronic devices. A fluid circulator, such as a piezo fan, is located in the housing in contact with the dielectric liquid for circulating the dielectric liquid to cool the electronic devices.

Abstract: A fluid-cooled electronic assembly including a base having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet therein, a cap attached to the base to form a fluid containment chamber therebetween, wherein the fluid containment chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and an electronic device disposed within the fluid containment chamber and connected to the base, the electronic device having a plurality of microchannels adapted to receive a cooling fluid flow therethrough, wherein the cap is shaped to direct a fluid flow from the fluid inlet to the microchannels such that a pressure drop between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet is reduced.

Abstract: A circuit assembly containing a surface mount (SM) IC package wire bonded to a substrate and configured to conduct heat from the package into a heat sink through a heat-conducting member instead of the substrate. The package contains an IC device with input/output pads on a surface thereof that are connected with leads to conductors on the substrate. The heat sink is located adjacent the package so as not to be separated from the package by the substrate. The heat-conducting member is positioned adjacent the surface of the device opposite its input/output pads, and is bonded to the device and heat sink to provide a heat path between the package and heat sink that does not pass through the substrate.

Abstract: An electronic assembly with integral thermal transient suppression includes an integrated circuit (IC) chip disposed within a cavity of an IC device package. A transient thermal suppression material (TTSM) is disposed in the cavity in thermal contact with the IC chip. A heat sink may also be provided in thermal contact with the chip. When present, the heat sink serves as a cover of the packaged IC chip and may include fins extending from an upper surface (in contact with air) and a lower surface (in thermal contact with the TTSM). The TTSM may be thought of as a phase change material that absorbs energy dissipated by the IC chip in a phase change event.

Abstract: An audio volume control system including a plurality of audio signal sources each configured to generate an audio signal, and a controller configured to retrieve a stored volume setting for each audio signal source and control the output volume level of an output device in response to the stored volume setting.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly with a substrate having a laminate construction of ceramic layers, such as an LTCC ceramic substrate. The substrate is configured for the purpose of improving the thermal management of power circuit devices mounted to the substrate. Thermally-conductive vias extend through the substrate from a first surface thereof to a second surface thereof. A circuit device is mounted to the first surface of the substrate and is electrically interconnected to conductor lines of the substrate. The device is also thermally coupled to the thermally-conductive vias with a first solder material. A heat sink located adjacent the second surface of the substrate is bonded to the thermally-conductive vias with a second solder material, such that the first solder material, the thermally-conductive vias, and the second solder material define a thermal path from the device to the heat sink.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an electronic assembly and an electronic assembly with an integrated cooling system for dissipating heat. The electronic assembly comprises a base; and at least one electrical component attached to the base. The base defines an integrated cooling system having a fluid channel spanning within the base and at least one heat exchanger in heat communication with the fluid channel. The integrated cooling system may further include a pump attached to the base for directing the flow of the fluid within the fluid channel, and a port in fluid communication with the fluid channel for receiving fluid from an external source.

Abstract: A surface mountable axial leaded component including a component body, a first component lead and a second component lead. The first component lead extends from a first end of the component body and a second component lead extends from a second end of the component body that is opposite the first end. A portion of the first and second component leads is formed in a loop and a diameter of the loop is at least equal to the diameter of the component body. The loop may be formed as a circular loop, an elliptical loop, a polygon loop, a square loop or rectangular loop, among other loop configurations. When formed as a circular loop, the loop may include a flat segment.

Abstract: A power semiconductor device package utilizes integral fluid conducting micro-channels, one or more inlet ports for supplying liquid coolant to the micro-channels, and one or more outlet ports for exhausting coolant that has passed through the micro-channels. The semiconductor device is mounted on a single or multi-layer circuit board having electrical and fluid interconnect features that mate with the electrical terminals and inlet and outlet ports of the device to define a self-contained and self-sealed micro-channel heat exchanger.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high performance polymer-base material capable of dissipating transient thermal energy generated by an electronic module, such as a heat-generating power device. The methods of the present invention involve adding a suitable thinner to reduce the viscosity and increase the volume of a polymer-base matrix material so that a large amount of thermal absorbing particles may be added. The final cured product may have a filler content of more than 80 weight %. Further, the present invention provides a new and reduced cost formulation of a polymer-base thermal transient suppression material containing organic wax particles.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly that makes use of a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrate, and a process for producing the assembly. The substrate contains at least first and second regions formed by a plurality of first ceramic layers and at least one second ceramic layer, respectively, that are superimposed and bonded to each other. Conductor lines are present on at least some of the first ceramic layers so as to be between adjacent pairs of the layers. Electrically-conductive vias electrically interconnect the conductor lines on different first ceramic layers, and a surface-mount IC device is mounted to the substrate. The first ceramic layers are formed of electrically-nonconductive materials, while the one or more second ceramic layers contain thermally-conductive particles dispersed in a matrix of electrically-non-conductive materials, such that the one or more second ceramic layers are more thermally conductive than the first ceramic layers.

Abstract: An electrically-insulating polymer-based material with improved thermal conductivity so as to be suitable for use as an adhesive for mounting and conducting heat from electronic devices. The polymer-based material comprises metal particles dispersed in a matrix material. The metal particles are encapsulated by a dielectric coating so that they are electrically insulated from each other. The polymer-based material may also comprise dielectric particles dispersed in the matrix material and/or the dielectric coating for the purpose of further increasing the thermal conductivity of the polymer-based material. The material is also suitable for use as a potting compound or an encapsulation material for various electronic applications.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly comprising a laminate substrate and a surface mount device having a CTE less than that of the laminate substrate and attached with at least one solder joint to a first surface of the laminate substrate. The assembly further includes a localized stiffener attached to a second surface of the laminate substrate so as to be directly opposite the circuit device. The localized stiffener is formed of a material and is shaped so that, when attached to the laminate substrate, the stiffener is capable of increasing the thermal cycle fatigue life of the one or more solder joints that attach the device to the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for dissipating heat from high-power electronic devices. The assembly includes a high-current substrate, such as a printed circuit board supporting an electronic device, a heat pipe thermally coupled with the electronic device and an assembly case which also forms a heat sink, and thermal transient suppression material which may be thermally coupled with the electronic device and the heat pipe.