Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the temperature of an electronic device. The apparatus comprises a refrigeration system including a compressor and a multi-pass heat exchanger. The refrigeration system is operative to circulate a refrigerant fluid through a fluid flow loop such that the refrigerant fluid will change between gaseous and liquid states to alternately absorb and release thermal energy. The refrigerant fluid is pre-cooled in the heat exchanger by a pre-cooling refrigerant stream. A thermal head is connected into the fluid flow loop and has a temperature controlled surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the temperature of an electronic device. The apparatus comprises a refrigeration system including a compressor and a multi-pass heat exchanger. The refrigeration system is operative to circulate a refrigerant fluid through a fluid flow loop such that the refrigerant fluid will change between gaseous and liquid states to alternately absorb and release thermal energy. The refrigerant fluid is pre-cooled in the heat exchanger by a pre-cooling refrigerant stream. A thermal head is connected into the fluid flow loop and has a temperature controlled surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the temperature of an integrated circuit device includes a refrigerant system having a coolant loop containing refrigerant, an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser. The condenser has a variable speed fan controlled to maintain the temperature of the refrigerant at a predetermined value. In a refrigeration system used to cool an integrated circuit device, a method for controlling refrigerant pressure by comparing the refrigerant temperature at a predetermined location to a predetermined value and varying the cooling applied to the condenser.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the temperature of an integrated circuit device includes a refrigerant system having a coolant loop containing refrigerant, an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser. The condenser has a variable speed fan controlled to maintain the temperature of the refrigerant at a predetermined value. In a refrigeration system used to cool an integrated circuit device, a method for controlling refrigerant pressure by comparing the refrigerant temperature at a predetermined location to a predetermined value and varying the cooling applied to the condenser.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling an integrated circuit device includes a sealed thermally insulated chamber containing the integrated circuit device. A cooling element is located in chamber and is in thermal contact with the integrated circuit device for cooling the device. The integrated circuit device is mounted in a socket having socket pins that extend through a heater board forming one side of the device to projecting exposed external end portions. A heating element in the form of a polymer thick film resistor is deposited on the heater board on the inside of the chamber in the vicinity of the socket pins. The heating element is activated as necessary by a thermostatic control circuit to maintain the temperature of the exposed external end portions of the socket pins above a predetermined threshold to prevent moisture condensation on the projecting portions of the pins.

Abstract: A mechanical component peripheral lead protector covers fine pitch component leads in such a manner that nothing can come into contact with them. The lead protector is disposed above the component having the leads. It can be made of aluminum, conductive plastic or any other non ESD (electric static discharge) generating material. It can be glued, snapped, bolted or riveted to the associated PC board or glued to the top of the component, depending upon the application in which it is being used. The attachment method should be one which enables it to be removed and replaced when necessary. The center of the lead protector can be provided with an aperture so that the legends on the top of the component will be exposed.

Abstract: A hot bar apparatus for effecting solder bonds for high density electronic components has a diamond or diamond-like (i.e. a generally diamond crystal lattice with graphite impurities) surface that makes contact with the leads of the electronic component and transmits the heat necessary to effect a solder bond. The diamond or diamond-like surface has superior wear characteristics over any other material, and it also is an electrical insulator to protect the electronic components from spurious voltages and currents generated by electrical currents that provide the heat for the hot bar.