Abstract: A multilayer microelectronics module formed by laminating together individual thermoplastic polymer sheets formed by injection, compression or other suitable molding techniques. Metal pieces to form vias of a desired shape and size are inserted into the molded sheets, preferably by in situ insert molding. The vias provide an electrical connection from the top to the bottom surfaces of the sheets.

Abstract: An improved connection through a substrate layer is formed by embedding a conductive element such as a pin on one or more balls or spheres in a thermoplastic material which is preferably a liquid crystal polymer. The substrate may be heated to facilitate the embedding process in which material of the substrate layer is reflowed under pressure to retain the conductive element by means of a preload force. The formation of such connections with either pins or plural conductive elements allows independence of aspect ratio of the connection and, hence, feature size of conductive patterns on the substrate and the thickness of the substrate layer.

Abstract: This invention is an improved method and apparatus for applying fluids onto a selected area of a component. The method uses a thin film or membrane formed by placing a forming tool in the fluid to be applied. A thin film or membrane is formed across the forming tool, which is analogous to a soap bubble formed across a bubble wand dipped into a soap bubble solution. The thin film is brought into contact with the area of the component to be coated thereby resulting in the transfer of the thin film onto the component and a variation of the thin fluid film or membrane forming tool that allows for a continuous feed application.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming one or more electrical conductors in a multilayer structure such as a computer component during a punching operation. A conducting sheet is placed in direct contact with a sheet of a deformable dielectric material. A punch is used to form a conducting slug from the sheet and to simultaneously transfer the slug into the dielectric material. During the transfer operation, a portion of the dielectric material is displaced so as to cause a mechanical interference between the slug and dielectric material.

Abstract: A single step electrical/mechanical connection process utilizes an adhesive layer (3 or 26) that is patterned on a substrate (1 or 21) to mechanically connect adjacent substrates in a multilayered structure (28) or to connect a pin (2) assembly to a device (5). In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive layer (3 or 26) and substrate (1 or 21) are made from materials which will undergo transesterification under heat and pressure to create a very strong bond therebetween. The adhesive layer (3 or 26) is positioned around and does not cover the solder (4) in the pin connector assembly or the alignment holes (24) in the molding/sheet (21), thereby allowing bonding metallurgy to make positive electrical connections between pins (2) and pads (6) and adjacent spheres (22) in a multilayered structure (28).

Abstract: There is disclosed a high density electronic connector system in which a plastic insulating body supports on one or more levels a plurality of conductive circuit traces. Output contacts to these traces are provided by small metal balls. The metal balls are driven into tight contact with respective ones of the conductive traces and captivated by the plastic body. The balls are covered with gold and provide miniature, wear resistant closely spaced output contacts in the connector system. A ball may contact conductive traces on two levels of the insulating body and thereby provide an electrical connection between conductive traces. A method of manufacture of the connector system includes the steps of heating the plastic body to an elevated temperature, and driving the small metal balls through or against a respective conductive trace and into the plastic body which thereby captivates it. The conductive traces may be solder plated.

Abstract: A multilayer microelectronics module formed by laminating together individual thermoplastic polymer sheets formed by injection, compression or other suitable molding techniques. Metal pieces to form vias of a desired shape and size are inserted into the molded sheets, preferably by in situ insert molding. The vias provide an electrical connection from the top to the bottom surfaces of the sheets.

Abstract: There is disclosed a high density electronic connector system in which a plastic insulating body supports on one or more levels a plurality of conductive circuit traces. Output contacts to these traces are provided by small metal balls. The metal balls are driven into tight contact with respective ones of the conductive traces and captivated by the plastic body. The balls are covered with gold and provide miniature, wear resistant closely spaced output contacts in the connector system.

Abstract: A multilayered ceramic (MLC) substrate having embedded and exposed conductors suitable for mounting and interconnecting a plurality of electronic devices exterior thereof. The horizontal planar conductors comprise substantially a plurality of solid, non-porous, homogeneous metal patterns, whereas the vertical interplanar connection conductors are substantially porous metal conductors that are formed by methods such as screening. The process to form the MLC substrate involves forming a pattern of solid, nonporous conductors to a backing sheet having a release layer, then transferring the pattern to a ceramic green sheet. Zero X-Y shrinkage sintering processes allow the MLC substrate and solid metal conductors to be densified without distortion of the solid metal patterns or the ceramic.

Abstract: A multilayered ceramic (MLC) substrate having embedded and exposed conductors suitable for mounting and interconnecting a plurality of electronic devices exterior thereof. The horizontal planar conductors comprise substantially a plurality of solid, non-porous, homogeneous metal patterns, whereas the vertical interplanar connection conductors are substantially porous metal conductors that are formed by methods such as screening. The process to form the MLC substrate involves forming a pattern of solid, nonporous conductors to a backing sheet having a release layer, then transferring the pattern to a ceramic green sheet. Zero X-Y shrinkage sintering processes allow the MLC substrate and solid metal conductors to be densified without distortion of the solid metal patterns or the ceramic.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic integrated circuit packaging substrate provides a plurality of integrated circuit operating voltages at the integrated circuit mounting surface thereof without requiring a separate input/output pin and internal power distribution plane for every integrated circuit operating voltage. The substrate includes a power via for supplying a first integrated circuit operating voltage at the integrated circuit mounting surface, and a plurality of voltage converting means on the integrated circuit mounting surface for stepping down the first operating voltage to all other requisite operating voltages. The voltage converting means may be resistors or operational amplifier voltage dividers.

Abstract: An in situ process is disclosed for fabricating gas discharge display panels in a sequential seal, bake-out and backfill mode of operation. The single thermal cycle process involves placing unassembled panel parts in a controlled gas ambient furnace system with required seal frame, evacuating said furnace and backfilling with an appropriate ambient atmosphere to an appropriate pressure while heating the furnace. During the heating, the furnace is repeatedly evacuated to moderate vacuum and refilled to some predetermined pressure. The furnace is heated to just above the glass transition temperature of the seal frame in this evacuate-refill mode, then held for some time to achieve outgassing of both panel parts and furnace chamber. Thereafter, the furnace chamber is refilled to one atmosphere and further heated to complete the sealing of the panel. The panel is then cooled to approximately 300.degree.

Abstract: A glass composition comprises a low glass transition temperature glass and a higher glass transition temperature glass, which glasses are uniquely capable of forming together a continuous vitreous phase over their entire compositional range. During thermal cycling, the low glass transition temperature glass flows out and solubilizes the higher glass transition temperature glass to thereby synthesize in situ a new glass. The low glass transition temperature glass is composed of 14.1% SiO.sub.2, 72.8% PbO, 12.5% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0.2% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0.1% CaO, 0.2% Na.sub.2 O, and 0.1% MgO, and the higher glass transition temperature glass is composed of 71.11% SiO.sub.2, 2.38% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 7.13% CaO, 14.45% Na.sub.2 O, 3.76% MgO, 0.30% of K.sub.2 O, 0.13% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, and 0.74% PbO.

Abstract: Chromium is passivated by forming a chromium oxide layer thereon by heating at temperatures of about 450.degree.C in an atmosphere containing oxygen. While useful, per se, the process finds particular application as an integral part of overall processing schemes where thermal cycles are used.