Patents by Inventor Jiachun Zhou

Jiachun Zhou has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240402217
    Abstract: A test socket for coupling an integrated circuit (IC) chip to a printed circuit board (PCB) is provided. The test socket includes a conductive body having a first surface configured to face the PCB and a second surface configured to face the IC chip. The conductive body defines a signal cavity and a ground cavity extending from the first surface to the second surface. The test socket further includes a signal probe disposed in the signal cavity. The signal probe is configured to electrically connect to a signal conductor of the PCB and to a signal pad of the IC chip. The test socket further includes a ground probe disposed in the ground cavity. The ground probe is configured to electrically connect to a ground conductor of the PCB and to a ground pad of the IC chip. The ground probe is further electrically connected to the conductive body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Khaled Elmadbouly, Rock Yan, Jiachun Zhou, Dexian Liu, Annie Mu
  • Publication number: 20240393364
    Abstract: A test socket for a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) is provided. The test socket includes a socket body configured to engage the semiconductor IC and a load board and an elastomer retainer including a top surface adjacent to the socket body and configured to face the semiconductor IC, and a bottom surface configured to face a load board. The elastomer retainer defines a slot extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. The test socket further includes a rotational contact positioned in the slot. The rotational contact is configured to move between a free state, a pre-load state, and a loaded state. The elastomer retainer is configured to compress under a pre-load force from the rotational contact when moving from the free state to the pre-load state, and compress under a loading force from the rotational contact when moving from the pre-load state to the loaded state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Jiachun Zhou, Justin Bahaj, Siang Soh, Xiaofei Ji
  • Publication number: 20240377433
    Abstract: A contact probe includes a shell having a first end and an opposed second end. The shell defines an interior chamber therein and a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end. The contact probe further includes a plunger partially received within the interior chamber and extending longitudinally outward of the first end. The plunger includes a tip for electrically connecting the contact probe to an external chip. The contact probe further includes a stepped collar coupled to the shell. The stepped collar includes a first step and a second step. The second step extends about the shell and the first step extends around the plunger longitudinally between the second step and the tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Jiachun Zhou, Zhe Yang
  • Publication number: 20240329080
    Abstract: A test socket is provided. The test socket includes a conductive body having a first surface configured to face a printed circuit board (PCB) and a second surface configured to face an integrated circuit (IC) chip. The conductive body defines a signal cavity and a ground cavity that extend from the first surface to the second surface. The test socket further includes a signal probe disposed in the signal cavity. The signal probe is configured to electrically connect to a signal conductor of the PCB and to a signal pad of the IC chip. The test socket further includes a ground probe disposed in the ground cavity. The ground probe is configured to electrically connect to a ground conductor of the PCB and to a ground pad of the IC chip. The conductive body is configured to be electrically connected to the ground conductor of the PCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Khaled Elmadbouly, Jiachun Zhou
  • Publication number: 20240142513
    Abstract: A test socket for an IC chip includes a retainer positioned adjacent a load board, the retainer defining a plurality of apertures corresponding to contact pads on the load board; a plurality of contacts disposed in the plurality of apertures, the plurality of contacts configured to electrically couple the IC chip to the contact pads; a housing defining a chamber in fluid communication with an inlet, a liquid outlet, and a vapor outlet. The housing includes a body structure defining a plurality of cavities corresponding to the plurality of apertures and configured to receive the plurality of contacts therein, and a guide structure configured to receive the IC chip and position the IC chip in the chamber when engaged with the plurality of contacts. The chamber receives a two phase fluid coolant via the inlet to at least partially submerges the plurality of contacts in the two phase fluid coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Jiachun Zhou, Dexian Liu, Quynh Ngoc Nguyen, Qihai Liang
  • Publication number: 20230143660
    Abstract: A test socket for an IC includes a socket body, a rotational contact, and an elastomer retainer. The socket body includes a top surface that faces the IC, and a bottom surface that faces a load board. The socket body defines a slot extending from the top surface to an aperture in the bottom surface. The rotational contact is positioned in the slot. The elastomer retainer captures the rotational contact in the socket body and includes a round section about which the rotational contact rotates. The elastomer retainer compresses under translatory force from the rotational contact when translating from the free state to the pre-load state upon engagement with the load board, and compresses under rotational force from the rotational contact when rotating from the pre-load state to the loaded state upon engagement with the IC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Ursu, Jiachun Zhou, Siang Soh, Justin Bahaj
  • Publication number: 20230099805
    Abstract: A test socket for an IC chip includes a retainer positioned adjacent a load board, the retainer defining a plurality of apertures corresponding to contact pads on the load board; a plurality of contacts disposed in the plurality of apertures, the plurality of contacts configured to electrically couple the IC chip to the contact pads; a housing defining a chamber in fluid communication with an inlet, a liquid outlet, and a vapor outlet. The housing includes a body structure defining a plurality of cavities corresponding to the plurality of apertures and configured to receive the plurality of contacts therein, and a guide structure configured to receive the IC chip and position the IC chip in the chamber when engaged with the plurality of contacts. The chamber receives a two phase fluid coolant via the inlet to at least partially submerges the plurality of contacts in the two phase fluid coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Jiachun Zhou, Dexian Liu, Quynh Ngoc Nguyen, Qihai Liang
  • Patent number: 11283206
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for an electrical connector assembly for connecting an integrated circuit chip to a printed circuit board. The electrical connector assembly includes a socket body that is made of an insulating material. The socket body has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a first plurality of cavities including a first cavity and a second cavity. The first cavity and the second cavity each have an inner surface plated with a conductive material to form a metal grounding shell. The electrical connector assembly includes multiple probes including a first probe and a second probe. The first probe is configured to be positioned within the first cavity and the second probe is configured to be positioned within the second cavity. The electrical connector assembly includes one or more signal traces that electrically connect the metal grounding shells of the first cavity and the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: SMITHS INTERCONNECT AMERICAS, INC.
    Inventors: Jiachun Zhou, Khaled Elmadbouly, Dexian Liu, Noah Weichselbaum
  • Patent number: 11221348
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for electrical connector assemblies. The assemblies include a socket defining a signal cavity, the socket having a first socket opening and a second socket opening. The assemblies include a signal contact probe located within the signal cavity. The signal contact probe includes a first plunger received in the shell cavity and extending through a first shell opening and located in the first socket opening. The signal contact probe includes a second plunger received in the shell cavity and extending through a second shell opening and located in the second socket opening. The assemblies include an end insulation ring located in the second socket opening and around the second plunger, the end insulation ring configured to facilitate substantially constant impedance through the signal spring probe, and configured to restrict lateral movement of the second plunger within the second socket opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: SMITHS INTERCONNECT AMERICAS, INC.
    Inventors: Jiachun Zhou, Dexian Liu, Kevin Deford, Jim Spooner, Bo Shi
  • Publication number: 20210005992
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for an electrical connector assembly for connecting an integrated circuit chip to a printed circuit board. The electrical connector assembly includes a socket body that is made of an insulating material. The socket body has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a first plurality of cavities including a first cavity and a second cavity. The first cavity and the second cavity each have an inner surface plated with a conductive material to form a metal grounding shell. The electrical connector assembly includes multiple probes including a first probe and a second probe. The first probe is configured to be positioned within the first cavity and the second probe is configured to be positioned within the second cavity. The electrical connector assembly includes one or more signal traces that electrically connect the metal grounding shells of the first cavity and the second cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Jiachun Zhou, Khaled Elmadbouly, Dexian Liu, Noah Weichselbaum
  • Publication number: 20200088763
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for electrical connector assemblies. The assemblies include a socket defining a signal cavity, the socket having a first socket opening and a second socket opening. The assemblies include a signal contact probe located within the signal cavity. The signal contact probe includes a first plunger received in the shell cavity and extending through a first shell opening and located in the first socket opening. The signal contact probe includes a second plunger received in the shell cavity and extending through a second shell opening and located in the second socket opening. The assemblies include an end insulation ring located in the second socket opening and around the second plunger, the end insulation ring configured to facilitate substantially constant impedance through the signal spring probe, and configured to restrict lateral movement of the second plunger within the second socket opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Jiachun Zhou, Dexian Liu, Kevin Deford, Jim Spooner, Bo Shi
  • Patent number: 8808010
    Abstract: A socket for use in a test system is provided, where the test system is configured to align at least a portion of an electronic device with a plurality of aligned connectors. The socket can include a metal structure having a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings spaced to accommodate the plurality of aligned connectors. At least one opening in the plurality of openings can extend through a thickness of the metal structure and can have an annular inner surface. The annular inner surface can be proximal to at least a portion of a conductive outer surface of at least one aligned connector of the plurality of aligned connectors in the test system. The socket can further include an insulation layer provided on the annular inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Interconnect Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiachun Zhou, Dexian Liu, Siang Soh, Brian Hahn, Bizhao Li
  • Patent number: 8758066
    Abstract: A contact probe and method of forming the same are provided, where the contact probe can include a shell including a body having a shell cavity. The contact probe can also include at least one plunger slidably received in the shell cavity and extending through at least one opening in at least one end of the shell. The contact probe can further include a biasing device configured to exert a biasing force on the at least one plunger and at least one insulation member including an insulative material. The at least one insulation member can be disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of at least one of: the shell and the at least one plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Interconnect Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiachun Zhou, Caiyun Yang
  • Patent number: 8506307
    Abstract: An electrical connector and method of forming the same are provided, where the method can include affixing at least one layer to a core such that the layer is isomorphic to at least a portion of on an external surface of the core, press fitting the core with the layer into a socket cavity in a socket body, and removing the core from the socket cavity while leaving at least a portion of the layer so that the layer forms a shell layer affixed to an internal surface of the socket cavity. The method can further include inserting at least one plunger and a biasing device into a shell cavity so that a tail of the plunger is slidably received in the shell cavity and the biasing device biases a tip of the plunger away from an internal surface of the shell cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Interconnect Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: David Henry, Jiachun Zhou, Kanapathipillai Prabakaran, Yingdong Ji
  • Publication number: 20130203298
    Abstract: A contact probe and method of forming the same are provided, where the contact probe can include a shell including a body having a shell cavity. The contact probe can also include at least one plunger slidably received in the shell cavity and extending through at least one opening in at least one end of the shell. The contact probe can further include a biasing device configured to exert a biasing force on the at least one plunger and at least one insulation member including an insulative material. The at least one insulation member can be disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of at least one of: the shell and the at least one plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Jiachun Zhou, Caiyun Yang
  • Publication number: 20120315775
    Abstract: A socket for use in a test system is provided, where the test system is configured to align at least a portion of an electronic device with a plurality of aligned connectors. The socket can include a metal structure having a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings spaced to accommodate the plurality of aligned connectors. At least one opening in the plurality of openings can extend through a thickness of the metal structure and can have an annular inner surface. The annular inner surface can be proximal to at least a portion of a conductive outer surface of at least one aligned connector of the plurality of aligned connectors in the test system. The socket can further include an insulation layer provided on the annular inner surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Jiachun Zhou, Dexian Liu, Siang Soh, Brian Hahn, Bizhao Li
  • Publication number: 20120142229
    Abstract: An electrical connector and method of forming the same are provided, where the method can include affixing at least one layer to a core such that the layer is isomorphic to at least a portion of on an external surface of the core, press fitting the core with the layer into a socket cavity in a socket body, and removing the core from the socket cavity while leaving at least a portion of the layer so that the layer forms a shell layer affixed to an internal surface of the socket cavity. The method can further include inserting at least one plunger and a biasing device into a shell cavity so that a tail of the plunger is slidably received in the shell cavity and the biasing device biases a tip of the plunger away from an internal surface of the shell cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: David Henry, Jiachun Zhou, Kanapathipillai Prabakaran, Yingdong Ji
  • Publication number: 20090261851
    Abstract: According to some example embodiments, an interconnect has a crown with contact tips, in which each of the contact tips is structured to physically contact a substantially spherical solder ball along a curved inner surface of the contact tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: ANTARES ADVANCED TEST TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jiachun Zhou, Praveen Matlapudi
  • Publication number: 20050174136
    Abstract: A probe apparatus for preferably testing packaged circuit chips combines an ACE with plunger pins placed in between the ACE and the test contact. A plunger pin provides a contact end for contacting the test contacts and a back end configured for indenting the ACE. The contact end may be configured in conjunction with the test contacts particularities whereas the plunger pins' back ends have a curvature that corresponds to the ACE's deformation behavior in the impinging vicinity such wear relevant ACE deformations are kept to a minimum. The plunger pins are arrayed in a removable frame. For contacting ball grid arrays, the plunger pins feature on their front ends self centering interacting concentrically arrayed crown peaks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Jiachun Zhou, January Kister