Abstract: A mirror system for improving a motorist's field of vision, and comprising at least one mirror having a convex reflecting surface, and a housing capable of being mounted beneath an exterior surface of a vehicle for accommodating therein the at least one mirror when not in use. A mechanism within the housing elevates the at least one mirror out of the housing through an opening in the exterior surface of the vehicle and rotates the at least one mirror after its elevation through the opening into a line of sight of the motorist thus allowing a cross-section of the opening to have a smaller area than a cross-section of the at least one mirror. After use, the mechanism retracts the mirror(s) into the housing, preferably automatically under control of a controller.

Abstract: An external rear-view mirror for a motor vehicle is described, comprising a mirror housing (1) and a mirror base (4). The mirror housing comprises a mirror (6), on its rear side (2) and at least one lamp device (7), with at least one light source, that has a light outlet opening with a cover screen (3), for the light source arranged in the mirror housing (1). According to the invention the at least one light source comprises several distributed light diodes (12, 13).

Abstract: A deformable curvature mirror capable of controlled deformation by applying unipolar electrical voltages to electrode segments on the back of the mirror. Two plates of an electro-restrictive material, such as PZT or PMN, are jointed together. One plate has a pattern of a plurality of electrode segments on the outer surface with each electrode segment having a separate electrical terminal for applying a variable unipolar electrical voltage thereto for causing variable expansion of the plate and thereby selectively deforming that plate and, in turn, the deformable curvature mirror.

Abstract: An optical filter that is provided at an optical path between a photoelectric conversion device which converts a subject image formed at a light-receiving surface thereof to an electrical signal and an optical system which forms the subject image with a light flux from the subject at the photoelectric conversion device, to filter the light flux, includes a stage formed at, at least, a portion of an external circumference of the optical filter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting and marking delamination defects on thin film disks are disclosed. The apparatus includes a read/write (R/W) head and a burnishing head mounted on separate arms that access the disk while spinning on the test stand. The controller uses the R/W head to perform an initial magnetic test of selected areas on the disk to establish an initial defect map. The burnish head is then flown over the surface for an extended time to accelerate and open up the latent delamination defects by impacting protruding material. The R/W head is then used to perform a second magnetic test which is compared against the first test to identify the delamination defects which have been developed by the burnishing. The delamination defects are then marked with a magnetic pattern which aids in optically locating the defect during subsequent failure analysis.

Abstract: A method of preprocessing low frequency components of a perpendicular read-back signal in a data storage system in order to reduce low frequency noise includes introducing a dominant known perturbation, to the perpendicular read-back signal, which masks the effects of other low frequency noise sources and leaves the read-back signal with one dominant low frequency noise component. The method then further includes removing the dominant known perturbation from the read-back signal to recover low frequency portions of the read-back signal in order to determine values of bits read from a storage medium. A perpendicular recording data storage system configured to implement the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a marking device (1, 11) for the identification of objects with a coding of regions (4, 5, 13) with different magnetic properties. The marking device is characterized in that magnetic regions (4, 5, 13) are so magnetically biased that their hysteresis loops (7, 8, 15) are shifted on the field strength axis (H) relative to the magnetization axis (M).

Abstract: A magnetic recording disk drive with patterned disk media, wherein discrete magnetic data blocks representative of the individual data bits are isolated from one another, uses the discrete data blocks as the source of the clocking signal to the write head. The carrier for the read/write head includes a special pattern sensor that senses the data blocks in the data tracks before they pass beneath the write head. The pattern sensor output serves as the clocking signal to precisely control the placement of the write pulses by the write head. A time delay is calculated using a timing mark on the patterned disk to delay the write pulses so that a data block sensed by the pattern sensor is the same data block to which the write pulse is applied. In this manner the actual previously recorded data provides the synchronization or clocking signal to control the writing of the new data.

Abstract: An arbitration and data source selection mechanism arbitrating access to a shared communication port between a servo engine and a controller of a disc drive is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the arbitration and data source selection mechanism, the shared communication port, the servo engine and the controller collectively share a common die of an application specific integrate circuit (ASIC). Servo control code and control code are each loaded into the ASIC for operation of the disc drive. The servo engine is allowed to hold service of the shared serial port dedicated to the servo control code for any length of time required by the servo engine. During periods of non-use by the servo control code, the servo engine releases the shared serial port to the controller for dedicated use by the control code, for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing and dispersing wear to the surface of a rotatable disc in a disc drive using an adaptive dither process. The disc drive includes an actuator assembly that is secured in a parked position by a latch when not in use. The method includes determining an open latch current required to open the latch as the actuator assembly is moved from the parked position to a position over a user data storage portion of the disc. A dither current is subsequently applied to the actuator assembly to induce a reciprocating lateral displacement of the actuator assembly when the actuator assembly is secured in the parked position, wherein the maximum amplitude of the dither current is selected to be less than the open latch current.

Abstract: A lateral tape sensor for a tape drive having a tape head that is not capable of moving vertically as quickly as tape media, wherein the sensor senses lateral movement of tape media as it moves along a tape path between a storage reel and a take-up reel. The lateral tape motion sensor comprising a means for sensing the position of at least one edge of the tape media and a means for comparing the at least one edge position to predetermined thresholds to determine if the tape media moved laterally. When the lateral movement exceeds predetermined thresholds, the tape drive processor and control circuits respond to prevent accidentally overwriting data previously written on an adjacent track during a write operation, to adjust the tape head to locate data being read following lateral tape motion that occurs during a read operation or to warn the user of poor tape media quality.

Abstract: The invention presents techniques for marking data storage media and responding to disturbances in the marking process. In one embodiment, the invention presents a system that uses a laser to emit a beam to ablate physical marks in a data storage medium. The system includes a sensor such as an optical sensor, configured to detect the position of the data storage medium and to generate a position signal as a function of the position of the data storage medium. An optical device, controlled by an actuator, directs the beam from the laser to an ablation site on the data storage medium as a function of the position signal.

Abstract: A high density tape library includes a plurality of rectangular platforms mounted adjacent one another for movement in a plane, with tape cassette magazines mounted on the platforms. The platforms have depending guide and cam follower members for movement around a generally rectangular track under the control of a series of cams. At a cassette handling station, selected tape cassettes are shifted from a magazine to a tape drive.

Abstract: A shrouded hard disk drive includes one or more contamination filter cavities embedded within the shroud for capturing airborne contaminants circulated within the drive during normal operation. The present invention takes advantage of naturally occurring radial and circumferential velocity differences between air at the edges of the disk pack and the air at the filter cavity entrance opening (i.e., the inner circumference of the shroud) to redirect airflow through a filter positioned within the one or more filter cavities. After air passes through the filter, it exits through a filter cavity exit opening positioned in proximity to either in the area between the disks, or the area above or below the disk pack.

Abstract: A shaft secured to a hub is inserted and rotatably supported in a sleeve secured to a base. A dynamic pressure groove is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve, and lubricant is sealed between the shaft and the sleeve. The rotation of the shaft causes dynamic pressure to generate in the lubricant due to the dynamic pressure groove, supporting the shaft floatingly. The crystallized-glass sleeve allows heat generated in a coil to be hardly transferred to the shaft, thereby reducing the variations in the clearance between the shaft and the sleeve due to temperature changes to a minimum in cooperation with the crystallized-glass sleeve with a low thermal expansion coefficient. Finishing accuracy of the bearing surface can be improved by chemical polishing. Consequently, the rotation accuracy can be improved and the leakage of lubricant due to the variations in the clearance can be prevented.

Abstract: A small magnetic disk cartridge for use in a card disk drive to be loaded in electronic equipment. The magnetic disk cartridge comprises a housing, a disk-mounting hub rotatable within the housing by a spindle provided in the disk drive, and a flexible magnetic disk mounted at one point on the disk-mounting hub.

Abstract: A slider comprises a slider body and a thin-film magnetic head element. The slider body has an air bearing surface, an air inflow end, and an air outflow end. The air bearing surface has: a first surface including two portions that extend in a direction of air passage; a second surface including a portion that extends in the direction of air passage, the portion of the second surface being disposed between the two portions of the first surface; a third surface that is located closer to the air outflow end than the first surface is; and a border part located between the first and third surfaces. The first surface and the second surface have such a difference in level that the second surface is located farther from the recording medium than the first surface is. This difference in level varies gradually so as to increase with decreasing distance from the air outflow end.

Abstract: A suspension comprises a load beam, a base plate, and a hinge member. The hinge member has an end portion lapped and fixed on the proximal portion of the load beam, a base plate mounting portion lapped and fixed on the base plate, and flexible portions situated between the end portion and the base plate mounting portion. The flexible portions are situated individually on the opposite sides of an opening formed in the hinge member, and are elastically deformable in its thickness direction. An end portion of the base plate and the hinge member are fixed on each other by means of laser welds in positions near the flexible portions. The laser welds are formed individually in regions that extend in the axial direction of the hinge member from the flexible portions.

Abstract: An extending portion of a hinge member is formed having a first hole in which a first positioning pin can be inserted and a second hole in which a second positioning pin can be inserted. The first hole has an elongated shape that allows the extending portion of the hinge member to move relatively to the first positioning pin in a width direction. The second hole is a circular large hole that allows the extending portion to move relatively to the second positioning pin in the width direction and an axial direction. A third hole and a fourth hole are formed in a flexure. The third hole has an elongated shape that allows the flexure to move relatively to the first positioning pin in the axial direction. The fourth hole has an elongated shape that allows the flexure to move relatively to the second positioning pin.

Abstract: A magnetic head supporting mechanism includes a head positioning actuator having an arm, and a load beam connected to the arm. The load beam has a gimbal. The gimbal includes a magnetic head slider fixing portion on which a magnetic head slider having a magnetic head is mounted, a first pair of beams extending from opposite sides of the magnetic head slider fixing portion along a traverse direction of the load beam perpendicular to a longitudinal direction thereof, and a second pair of beams respectively connected to the first pair of beams and extending so as to face the opposite sides of the magnetic head slider fixing portion.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a hard disk driving device with an enhanced reliability suitable for portable computer HDDs is provided by improving the latch mechanism as a stopper means for preventing unprepared movement of a magnetic head due to external forces such as vibrations or impacts, thereby preventing breakage of the head, caused by contact with a magnetic disk, and also coping with such external forces as very weak impacts or vibrations, where among structural members of the latch mechanism a longer link member having complicated shape is increased in weight to improve the response to the weak impacts and vibrations and make the specific gravity higher by adding 55 to 93% by weight of tungsten thereto as a metallic filler. The resulting decrease in the flowability during the injection molding due to the addition of tungsten as the metallic filler is covered by using 7 to 45% by weight of LCP (liquid crystal polymer) having a good flowability as a base material.

Abstract: A dual spin-valve magnetoresistive thin film elements includes a composite free magnetic layer having first and second free magnetic layers, first and second nonmagnetic electrically conductive layers residing below and above the composite free magnetic layer, respectively, first and second dual pinned magnetic layers each having first and second pinned magnetic layers, and first and second antiferromagnetic layers. In the first dual pinned magnetic layer, the first pinned magnetic layer of contacts the first antiferromagnetic layer and the second pinned magnetic layer contacts the first nonmagnetic electrically conductive layer. In the second dual pinned magnetic layer, the first pinned magnetic layer of contacts the second antiferromagnetic layer and the second pinned magnetic layer contacts the second nonmagnetic electrically conductive layer, and the magnetic moment of the first pinned magnetic layer is smaller than the second pinned magnetic layer.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive head of CPP structure in which an insulating protective film 20 covers at least part of the boundary between the lower shield layer 10 and the non-magnetic film 11 adjacent thereto so as to reduce the area of the lower shield layer which is exposed on the surface of the substrate when the magnetoresistive film is patterned. This construction minimizes damage that occurs when the magnetoresistive film is patterned and also reduces the fraction defective due to current leakage across the upper and lower shields.

Abstract: A unit element of a magnetic device or a ferroelectric device and magnetic particles of a magnetic recording medium are provided. The outline of the unit element and the magnetic particles is arranged so as to have a portion topologically identical to one of a letter-C shape and a letter-S shape that correspond to the magnetization or polarization distribution immediately before the rotation of magnetization or polarization.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive-effect device includes a multilayer film, hard bias layers arranged on both sides of the multilayer film, and electrode layers respectively deposited on the hard bias layers. The electrode layers are formed, extending over the multilayer film. Under the influence of the hard bias layers arranged on both sides of the multilayer, the multilayer film, forming the magnetoresistive-effect device, has, on the end portions thereof, insensitive regions which exhibit no substantial magnetoresistive effect. The insensitive region merely increases a direct current resistance. By extending the electrode layers over the insensitive regions of the multilayer film, a sense current is effectively flown from the electrode layer into the multilayer film. With a junction area between the electrode layer and the multilayer film increased, the direct current resistance is reduced, while the reproduction characteristics of the device are thus improved.

Abstract: A mobile high voltage network supplies electrical consumer units connected via a plug-in connector and can be switched on and off by means of mechanical switches, with a fuse responding in the event of a short circuit. The high voltage network carries a direct voltage and to each electrical consumer unit (8; 10) a separate diagnostic and protection monitoring system is assigned which is activated when it is switched on and/or off. Such a direct voltage and high voltage network in conjunction with the diagnostic and protection monitoring system makes it possible, before starting up any circuit of consumer units, to effect a self-diagnosis of the protection monitoring system, to ensure that all components are fully functional. Without this, self-diagnosis with proof of functionality the relevant circuit of consumer units is not switched on.

Abstract: A capacitor is disclosed which includes at least one electrochemical cell. The cell includes a cathode having a coating of an amorphous metal oxide, an anode having a coating of an amorphous metal oxide and a substrate layer containing an electrolyte disposed between the cathode and anode. A conductive rubber layer is positioned on the exterior surface of both the cathode and the anode, and first and second current collectors are disposed, respectively, adjacent the outer surfaces of the conductive rubber layers. Finally, a metallic coating is interposed between each rubber layer and its adjacent current collector to reduce the contact resistance present in the capacitor.

Abstract: Protection is provided for servicing a distribution bus by grounding the line side of a circuit breaker through which the distribution bus is fed and then closing the circuit breaker. The trip unit of the circuit breaker includes logic, in addition to the normal protection logic, which opens the circuit breaker main contacts without delay if current is detected upon closing of the grounded circuit breaker. However, if the grounded circuit breaker has been closed for a selected period of time and then current is detected, the distribution bus is kept at zero potential by not operating the breaker. A breaker auxiliary switch with a mechanical delay provides the indication of the selected time interval after closing the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a circuit breaker having an arc fault detection circuit, a ground fault detection circuit, a signal indicative of an arc fault in a corresponding pole of the circuit breaker; and a trip mechanism including a pair of separable contacts. The trip mechanism is in operable communication with the ground fault detection circuitry so that in response to receiving the signal from the ground fault detection circuitry, the arc fault detection circuitry causes the ground fault detection circuitry to generate a trip signal causing the trip mechanism to separate the pair of separable contacts.

Abstract: A power source protecting device comprises a power source switching unit for shutting off the power supply from an AC power source according to an open control signal, a surge voltage protecting unit for outputting the open control signal when a surge voltage occurs, a leakage current protecting unit for outputting the open control signal when a leakage current occurs, and an over-current protecting unit for outputting the open control signal according to a current value when an over-current occurs. The present invention can provides the surge voltage protection, the leakage current protection and the over current protection at the same time. In comparison with the conventional power source protecting device, the invention can provide a more compact and low cost device, and is able to provide an accurate and safe protection according to the current detection based on an energy.

Abstract: An ESD protection circuit protecting an internal circuit. The internal circuit is powered by a first and second power supply and has an input terminal receiving an input signal on a pad. A capacitor is connected between the input terminal of the internal circuit and the second power supply. The ESD protection circuit comprises a protection circuit connected between the pad and the first power supply, and establishing a conductive path from the pad to the first power supply when an ESD event occurs, and an inductance connected between the pad and the input terminal of the internal circuit, and cutting off a conductive path from the pad to the capacitor when the ESD event occurs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel module that comprises an insulator (1) that forms an integral part with a surge arrester (2) composed of resistor elements. The insulator (1) is configured as a composite part with a solid body (12), for example a glass-fiber reinforced plastic tube, and an elastomer sleeve (13) molded thereonto, for example a protection, and the surge arrester (2) is embedded into the molded-on elastomer sleeve (13).

Abstract: A circuit in accordance with the invention includes a resistive capacitive timer (RC-timer), where the RC-timer includes circuitry to compensate for a leakage current through a capacitor in the RC timer.

Abstract: An inrush current suppression circuit is installed between a DC voltage and a load with a parallel system capacitor. The inrush current suppression circuit includes a first current limiting circuit which includes a first resistor, a first controlled switch, and a second controlled switch. The inrush current suppression circuit further includes a second current limiting circuit which further includes a second resistor, a third controlled switch, and an energy-storing capacitor. The second current limiting circuit is electrically connected in parallel to the system capacitor, and the first current limiting circuit is electrically connected with the DC voltage and the second current limiting circuit. When the DC voltage is detected, the first controlled switch is conducted. When a voltage of two ends of the load reaches a first threshold value, the second controlled switch is conducted so as to bypass the first resistor.

Abstract: An algorithmic system for an electronic trip unit is provided whereby reliable instantaneous protection is provided. A multi-algorithmic approach uses an algorithm to detect bolted faults based on a direct comparison of the current and a threshold value, and an additional algorithm to detect current overloads based on a comparison of a peak-to-peak current and an additional current threshold.

Abstract: A battery protection system for a battery having a switching mechanism positioned intermediate to the positive terminal and an electrical load of the battery. A controller manipulates the switching mechanism between an open position and a closed position, the closed position connects the electrical load to the battery and the open position disconnects the electrical load from the battery. The battery protection system utilizes a battery status detection system, which instructs the controller to open the switching mechanism when the detection system detects a signal from an accelerometer, the signal from the accelerometer corresponding to a vehicle crash.

Abstract: A superconducting fault current controller/current controller employs a superconducting-shielded core reactor (SSCR) with a variable impedance in a secondary circuit to control current in a primary circuit such as an electrical distribution system. In a second embodiment, a variable current source is employed in a secondary circuit of an SSCR to control current in the primary circuit. In a third embodiment, both a variable impedance in one secondary circuit and a variable current source in a second circuit of an SSCR are employed for separate and independent control of current in the primary circuit.

Abstract: Electrical power distribution circuits for motor vehicles incorporate a switching element for controlling the energization of the circuits. Current metering elements associated with each switching element indicate the current drawn by the respective electrical circuits. A microcontroller is provided which provides an activation signal for the switching elements, often in accord with a pulse width modulated duty cycle. The microcontroller implements a circuit protective algorithm which takes as inputs the indication of current drawn by a particular electrical circuit and the duty cycle. An equivalent D.C. current is estimated for determining a heat index for a hypothetical fuse suitable for protecting the circuit. When the heat index exceeds the rating for the fuse the fuse melts.

Abstract: A compliant collet chuck for firmly clamping a workpiece has a base member attachable to the faceplate or spindle of a lathe. The base member has a central bore having a tapered portion and which is surrounding by a channel. A bayonet cylinder occupies the channel and has circumferential bayonet slots which receive eccentric locking pins therein. An adjustable collet chuck has a tapered portion at one end that bears against the tapered bore in the base member and a second tapered portion at the other end. An axial free play nut having a tapered bore, which is adapted to bear against the second taper, is threaded into the bayonet cylinder, and rotation thereof produces through the tapers, a radial force to compress the central bore of the chuck to grip the workpiece. Rotation of the actuating pins flexes the bayonet beam to lock the workpiece in place within the chuck.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wafer handling device having a coating layer (3) surrounding a wafer handling device (1,2) that consists essentially of non-crystalline carbon (DLC) having electric resistivity ranging from 10 sup 8 to 10 sup 13/ &-cm. The coating layer preferably contains 15-26 atom % of hydrogen. The coating layer preferably has an intensity ratio of 0.7-1.2, the intensity ratio being defined as a ratio of an intensity at 1360 cm−1 to another intensity at 1500 cm−1 when said coating layer is subjected to Raman spectroscopic analysis. The coating layer is manufactured by the P-CVD process wherein hydrocarbon (CxHy) is introduced into a vacuum container and ionized therein by ionizing process and ionized hydrocarbon is deposited on the surface of said wafer handling device by applying thereto a predetermined pulse voltage within an after-glow time of smaller than 250 microseconds.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck of an ion implanter includes a base, a platen mounted on the base, and a clamp mechanically fixing the platen on the base. The clamp has a fixing member latched to the platen and coupling bolts that fix the fixing member to the base.

Abstract: This invention provides a stacked ceramic body in which de-lamination (inter-layer peeling) does not easily occur, and a production method thereof. In the invention, a predetermined number of unit layers 151 and 152 each including a ceramic layer 111 112, an internal electrode layer 121, 122, a spacer 131, 132 having substantially the same thickness as the internal electrode layer 121, 122 and adhesive layers 14 stacked on the surface of the internal electrode layer and on the surface of the adhesive layer are stacked. A print portion for the internal electrode layer 121, 122 and a print portion for the spacer 131, 132 are formed on a green sheet for the ceramic layer 111, 112, and print portions for the adhesive layer 14 are formed on both of them to give an unsintered unit. The unsintered units are stacked to give an unsintered stacked body, are press-bonded and are then sintered.

Abstract: A method for making capacitive silicon pressure sensors and pressure switches with high long-term stability involves fabrication by wafer bonding of a silicon substrate wafer with another silicon wafer where a highly boron-doped diaphragm is defined by a self-aligned doping process through a window defined on an insulating layer. The long-term stability of the device is secured by anisotropically etching the window, e.g. by reactive ion etching, so as to create vertical window walls. The flatness of the diaphragm can be secured by the provision of an insulating film on the backside of the substrate wafer that compensates the stress on the silicon diaphragm created by the insulating layer present between the two wafers. The cavity formed by the window may contain gas or it may be evacuated in which case the fabrication method may also involve a process step facilitating the evacuation of the cavity and sealing the same using metal employed for making electrical connections.

Abstract: For use in a printed wiring board, a capacitor, and a method of manufacturing the capacitor. In one embodiment, the capacitor includes: (1) first and second interdigitated finger sets, located on a first layer of the printed wiring board, that employ fringe capacitance to store electrical energy and together form a first capacitor conductor and (2) a second capacitor conductor, located on a second layer of the printed wiring board, that cooperates with the first capacitor conductor to employ plate capacitance to store further electrical energy.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a solid electrolytic capacitor is manufactured by repeating a plurality of times a first step of immersing a substrate made of a valve metal whose surface is roughened and which is formed with an insulating oxide film in an ethylene dioxythiophene solution and a second step of bringing the substrate into contact with an oxidizing agent solution containing quadrivalent cerium salt at a concentration of 1% to 7% by weight so that the cumulative total time during which the second step is performed is shorter than five minutes, thereby forming a solid high molecular polymer electrolyte layer on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A space-saving frame member for use in supporting a keyboard adjacent to a monitor. The frame member has an upper end and a lower end, and means for attaching the upper end of the frame member to the monitor such that the lower end of the frame member extends from a lower side of the monitor to support the keyboard. The frame member may be retractable such that when in an extended position, the user can access the keyboard. When the keyboard is no longer in use, the frame member may be retracted such that the keyboard is stored beneath and behind the monitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly with a base board and at least one daughter board, which base board includes at least a first attachment means for attaching the base board to a mainframe, with the front of the assembly which remains accessible from the exterior after installation of the assembly in the mainframe being of a standardized width; the daughter board being connected to the base board via at least a second attachment means in such a way that an electrically conductive front panel of the daughter board forms at least a portion of the front of the assembly, with at least a portion of the front panel of the daughter board being of the standardized width.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus attaches to a cabinet housing electronics for protecting the electronics from external elements. The cooling apparatus includes an exterior surface for exposure to the external elements and a coupling that attaches the exterior surface to the cabinet. When the cooling apparatus is attached to a surface of the cabinet, the exterior surface is maintained in a spaced-apart relationship from the cabinet, forming an enclosed channel having a pair of openings, one of the openings being located above the other. In such a manner, the cooling apparatus can be added to cool an existing, installed, in-place cabinet without requiring extensive modification to the existing cabinet.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding and securing an electrical module, IC, or other electronic components to a PCB that is easy to use and manipulate. The apparatus utilizes a transitional element to hold the electrical module or IC and then secure itself to the PCB using fasteners or the like. Preferred methods for assembling and using the apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: The power semiconductor module (1) comprises a housing (5), a covering panel (11) and at least two submodules (21, 22). The submodules (21, 22) each comprise at least one semiconductor chip, which has two main electrodes which are electrically conductively connected to main connections (3, 4) of the submodules. The submodules (21, 22) are arranged alongside one another, and one of their two main surfaces is pressed against the covering panel (11) of the module. The submodules are electrically connected in series.