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: 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 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: 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: 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: An electronic package and packaging method in which integral convective fins are formed of portions of a leadframe from which electrical leads are also formed. The leadframe comprises a base and first and second sets of leads extending from the base. The first set of leads is separated from the base and from the second set of leads, such that each lead of the first set has an interior end adjacent but separate from the base, and each lead of the second set has an interior portion that remains attached to the base. A circuit device is mounted to the base and electrically connected to the interior ends of the first set of leads. The device, base, and interior ends and portions of the leads are then encased within a housing. Exterior ends of the leads remain outside the housing as package terminals and thermal dissipaters.

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.

Abstract: An overmolded electronic assembly having an electromagnetic interference shield, in the form of a thin metal film or foil, coupled to the top of or within an overmolded body. The shield effectively reduces the amount of electromagnetic interference (“EMI”) emissions from penetrating within the assembly to the circuit board without substantially increasing the cost of the unit. Thus, an electronic assembly having improved vibration, moisture, and EMI emission resistance is achieved as compared with traditional overmolded or metal assemblies. Further, because the shield can be formed on the electronic assembly in one continuous processing step, a substantial savings in time and cost for the manufacturing process is also realized.

Abstract: An electronic package and packaging method in which integral convective fins are formed of portions of a leadframe from which electrical leads are also formed. The leadframe comprises a base and first and second sets of leads extending from the base. The first set of leads is separated from the base and from the second set of leads, such that each lead of the first set has an interior end adjacent but separate from the base, and each lead of the second set has an interior portion that remains attached to the base. A circuit device is mounted to the base and electrically connected to the interior ends of the first set of leads. The device, base, and interior ends and portions of the leads are then encased within a housing. Exterior ends of the leads remain outside the housing as package terminals and thermal dissipaters.

Abstract: A process and electronic assembly for conducting heat from a semiconductor circuit device mounted to a substrate. The substrate is supported by a housing member equipped with a heat-conductive member. A surface of the device opposite the substrate is bonded to the heat-conductive member with a solder joint formed of indium and optionally one or more alloying constituents that increase the melting temperature of the solder joint above that of indium. The housing member, substrate, and device are assembled so that an indium-containing solder material is present between the heat-conductive member and the surface of the device opposite the substrate. The solder material is then reflowed to form the solder joint. The alloying constituent(s) are preferably introduced into the solder joint during reflow.

Abstract: A thermally enhanced electronic module includes a thermally conductive case, a self-aligning thermally conductive heat sink and a die. The case includes a pivot area with a first shape formed into the case for receiving a first portion of the heat sink and a first portion of the heat sink has a second shape that is complementary to the first shape. The die includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The die is mounted to a substrate with the first surface of the die facing the substrate and the second surface of the die is in thermal contact with the heat sink.

Abstract: An electrically-insulating polymer-based material with improved thermal conductvity 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: An overmolded electronic assembly having an electromagnetic interference shield, in the form of a thin metal film or foil, coupled to the top of or within an overmolded body. The shield effectively reduces the amount of electromagnetic interference (“EMI”) emissions from penetrating within the assembly to the circuit board without substantially increasing the cost of the unit. Thus, an electronic assembly having improved vibration, moisture, and EMI emission resistance is achieved as compared with traditional overmolded or metal assemblies. Further, because the shield can be formed on the electronic assembly in one continuous processing step, a substantial savings in time and cost for the manufacturing process is also realized.

Abstract: An overmolded electronic package includes a circuit-carrying substrate and a connector housing or shroud interconnected via a suitable interconnection arrangement. Some embodiments may include a backplate affixed to the substrate and, in some cases, also to the connector housing or shroud. In some embodiments, the connector housing or shroud may be affixed to the substrate, and in any case the entire subassembly of components is overmolded with a rigidly formable molding compound to bond together all components of the subassembly and form the overmolded electronic package. The subassembly of components with the exception of the backplate may alternatively be overmolded with the molding compound, and a backplate thereafter affixed to the subassembly via a compliant bonding medium.

Abstract: A thermal stack laminate and a process for producing the same are disclosed. The thermal stack laminate includes a baseplate formed from a heat sink material that has on a first surface a very thin thermally sprayed alumina layer to serve as a dielectric and attached to the alumina is a kinetic spray applied solderable layer. An electrical component is attached to the thermal stack laminate by solder. The thermal stack laminate optionally includes a kinetic spray applied first and/or second metal matrix composite layer between the baseplate and the alumina layer and between the alumina layer and the solderable material. In addition, one other optional layer comprises a first layer of the solderable material applied via a thermal spray process followed by the remainder of the solderable material applied by a kinetic spray process.