Patents by Inventor Patrick C. Thompson

Patrick C. Thompson 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).

  • Electrical interface arrangement
    Patent number: 4780086
    Abstract: In an interface arrangement for automatic test equipment a substrate, such as a circuit board, is supported between spring loaded test probes within a vacuum chamber so that application of a vacuum causes the probes to contact the board. An internal dam is mounted within the vacuum chamber and, upon the application of the vacuum, seals off an internal portion of the chamber containing the probe arrays so that cooling air may be applied to the circuit board without breaking the vacuum in the outer portion of the chamber. Access may also be provided to the circuit board in this condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Marconi Instruments Limited
    Inventors: Frank H. Jenner, Ricki E. White, Patrick C. Thompson