Patent
US 12,397,362 B2GaN CLAMP WITH UNIFORM PRESSURE
Stephan R. Fatschel
MKS Inc., Andover, MA (US)·Aug. 26, 2025·US
Copyright © 2026 Matter42. All rights reserved.
Patent
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US 12,397,362 B2Patent drawings and their descriptions. Click a drawing to enlarge it.
FIG. 1 is a partial, cross-sectional side view of a circuit board and clamp assembly arranged in accordance with the 55 present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a partial, cross-sectional side view of a circuit board and clamp assembly arranged in accordance with the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a partial, cross-sectional side view of a circuit 60 board and multiple clamp assembly arranged in accordance with the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 is a top view of the circuit board and multiple clamp assembly of
FIG. 5 is a side view of a circuit board and clamp 65 assembly arranged in accordance with the present disclo- sure. B₂ In the drawings, reference numbers may …
Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
A circuit board clamp comprising: a clamp frame including a first frame support passing through a first aperture of a circuit board and fastened to a heat sink, a second frame support passing through a second aperture of the circuit board and fastened to the heat sink, and a top plate arranged between the first frame support and the second frame support, the top plate including a top plate aperture; a piston supported by the top plate via a threaded fastener engaging the top plate aperture, the piston arranged to be displaced relative to the top plate in accordance with adjustment of the threaded fastener, the piston includ-ing a tubular section having a bias seat; 5 a pressure plate assembly including a pressure plate and a stem attached to the pressure plate, the stem posi-tioned within the tubular section for translation therein, the pressure plate positioned opposite the circuit board from the heat sink, the pressure plate contacting a surface mounted integrated circuit between the circuit board and the pressure plate; and a bias member seated on the bias seat and applying a biasing force on the pressure plate to urge the surface mounted integrated circuit into contact with the circuit board.
The circuit board clamp of claim 1 wherein the bias member is one of a coil spring or a Belleville washer.
The circuit board clamp of claim 1 wherein one of the first frame support or the second frame support includes a threaded portion for receiving a fastener to mount the circuit board clamp to the heat sink.
The circuit board clamp of claim 1 further comprising a cylinder supported by the top plate, where in the piston translates within the cylinder.
A circuit board assembly comprising: a heat sink; a circuit board having a first side and a second side, wherein one of the first side or the second side opposes and is in thermal contact with the heat sink and wherein the circuit board includes a plurality of apertures; a surface mounted integrated circuit attached to an other of the first side or the second side of the circuit board, the surface mounted integrated circuit including a plu-rality of electrical conductors on one of a first surface or a second surface of the surface mounted integrated circuit and the one of the first surface or the second B₂ surface of the surface mounted integrated circuit opposes the other of the first side or the second side of the circuit board to enable electrical contact between the surface mounted integrated circuit and the circuit board; a clamp frame including a first frame support passing through a first aperture of the plurality of apertures of the circuit board and fastened to the heat sink, a second frame support passing through a second aperture of the plurality of apertures of the circuit board and fastened to the heat sink, and a top plate arranged between the first frame support and the second frame support, the top plate including a top plate aperture; a piston supported by the top plate via a threaded fastener, the piston arranged to be displaced relative to the top plate, the piston including a tubular section having a bias seat; a pressure plate assembly including a pressure plate and a stem attached to the pressure plate, the stem posi-tioned within the tubular section for translation therein, the pressure plate positioned opposite the circuit board from the heat sink, the pressure plate contacting the surface mounted integrated circuit; and a bias member seated on the bias seat and applying a biasing force on the pressure plate to urge the surface mounted integrated circuit into contact with the circuit board.
The circuit board assembly of claim 5 wherein the bias member is one of a coil spring or a Belleville washer.
The circuit board assembly of claim 5 wherein one of the first frame support or the second frame support includes a threaded portion for receiving a fastener to mount the clamp frame to the heat sink.
The circuit board assembly of claim 5 further compris-ing a cylinder supported by the top plate, where in the piston translates within the cylinder. ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
Layer stacks claimed or described, ordered top of device to substrate.
circuit board clamp
circuit board assembly
Performance values and ranges asserted in the specification or claims.
| Property | Value | Material |
|---|---|---|
Thickness | 50–120 µm | — |
Patents and literature cited by this patent (applicant and examiner references).
Cited patents · 8
Patent
Atlas literature
Patent
US 12,397,362 B2Patent drawings and their descriptions. Click a drawing to enlarge it.
FIG. 1 is a partial, cross-sectional side view of a circuit board and clamp assembly arranged in accordance with the 55 present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a partial, cross-sectional side view of a circuit board and clamp assembly arranged in accordance with the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a partial, cross-sectional side view of a circuit 60 board and multiple clamp assembly arranged in accordance with the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 is a top view of the circuit board and multiple clamp assembly of
FIG. 5 is a side view of a circuit board and clamp 65 assembly arranged in accordance with the present disclo- sure. B₂ In the drawings, reference numbers may …
Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
A circuit board clamp comprising: a clamp frame including a first frame support passing through a first aperture of a circuit board and fastened to a heat sink, a second frame support passing through a second aperture of the circuit board and fastened to the heat sink, and a top plate arranged between the first frame support and the second frame support, the top plate including a top plate aperture; a piston supported by the top plate via a threaded fastener engaging the top plate aperture, the piston arranged to be displaced relative to the top plate in accordance with adjustment of the threaded fastener, the piston includ-ing a tubular section having a bias seat; 5 a pressure plate assembly including a pressure plate and a stem attached to the pressure plate, the stem posi-tioned within the tubular section for translation therein, the pressure plate positioned opposite the circuit board from the heat sink, the pressure plate contacting a surface mounted integrated circuit between the circuit board and the pressure plate; and a bias member seated on the bias seat and applying a biasing force on the pressure plate to urge the surface mounted integrated circuit into contact with the circuit board.
The circuit board clamp of claim 1 wherein the bias member is one of a coil spring or a Belleville washer.
The circuit board clamp of claim 1 wherein one of the first frame support or the second frame support includes a threaded portion for receiving a fastener to mount the circuit board clamp to the heat sink.
The circuit board clamp of claim 1 further comprising a cylinder supported by the top plate, where in the piston translates within the cylinder.
A circuit board assembly comprising: a heat sink; a circuit board having a first side and a second side, wherein one of the first side or the second side opposes and is in thermal contact with the heat sink and wherein the circuit board includes a plurality of apertures; a surface mounted integrated circuit attached to an other of the first side or the second side of the circuit board, the surface mounted integrated circuit including a plu-rality of electrical conductors on one of a first surface or a second surface of the surface mounted integrated circuit and the one of the first surface or the second B₂ surface of the surface mounted integrated circuit opposes the other of the first side or the second side of the circuit board to enable electrical contact between the surface mounted integrated circuit and the circuit board; a clamp frame including a first frame support passing through a first aperture of the plurality of apertures of the circuit board and fastened to the heat sink, a second frame support passing through a second aperture of the plurality of apertures of the circuit board and fastened to the heat sink, and a top plate arranged between the first frame support and the second frame support, the top plate including a top plate aperture; a piston supported by the top plate via a threaded fastener, the piston arranged to be displaced relative to the top plate, the piston including a tubular section having a bias seat; a pressure plate assembly including a pressure plate and a stem attached to the pressure plate, the stem posi-tioned within the tubular section for translation therein, the pressure plate positioned opposite the circuit board from the heat sink, the pressure plate contacting the surface mounted integrated circuit; and a bias member seated on the bias seat and applying a biasing force on the pressure plate to urge the surface mounted integrated circuit into contact with the circuit board.
The circuit board assembly of claim 5 wherein the bias member is one of a coil spring or a Belleville washer.
The circuit board assembly of claim 5 wherein one of the first frame support or the second frame support includes a threaded portion for receiving a fastener to mount the clamp frame to the heat sink.
The circuit board assembly of claim 5 further compris-ing a cylinder supported by the top plate, where in the piston translates within the cylinder. ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
Layer stacks claimed or described, ordered top of device to substrate.
circuit board clamp
circuit board assembly
Performance values and ranges asserted in the specification or claims.
| Property | Value | Material |
|---|---|---|
Thickness | 50–120 µm | — |
Patents and literature cited by this patent (applicant and examiner references).
Cited patents · 8
Patent
Atlas literature
Patent
US 12,397,362 B2Patent drawings and their descriptions. Click a drawing to enlarge it.
FIG. 1 is a partial, cross-sectional side view of a circuit board and clamp assembly arranged in accordance with the 55 present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a partial, cross-sectional side view of a circuit board and clamp assembly arranged in accordance with the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a partial, cross-sectional side view of a circuit 60 board and multiple clamp assembly arranged in accordance with the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 is a top view of the circuit board and multiple clamp assembly of
FIG. 5 is a side view of a circuit board and clamp 65 assembly arranged in accordance with the present disclo- sure. B₂ In the drawings, reference numbers may …
Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
A circuit board clamp comprising: a clamp frame including a first frame support passing through a first aperture of a circuit board and fastened to a heat sink, a second frame support passing through a second aperture of the circuit board and fastened to the heat sink, and a top plate arranged between the first frame support and the second frame support, the top plate including a top plate aperture; a piston supported by the top plate via a threaded fastener engaging the top plate aperture, the piston arranged to be displaced relative to the top plate in accordance with adjustment of the threaded fastener, the piston includ-ing a tubular section having a bias seat; 5 a pressure plate assembly including a pressure plate and a stem attached to the pressure plate, the stem posi-tioned within the tubular section for translation therein, the pressure plate positioned opposite the circuit board from the heat sink, the pressure plate contacting a surface mounted integrated circuit between the circuit board and the pressure plate; and a bias member seated on the bias seat and applying a biasing force on the pressure plate to urge the surface mounted integrated circuit into contact with the circuit board.
The circuit board clamp of claim 1 wherein the bias member is one of a coil spring or a Belleville washer.
The circuit board clamp of claim 1 wherein one of the first frame support or the second frame support includes a threaded portion for receiving a fastener to mount the circuit board clamp to the heat sink.
The circuit board clamp of claim 1 further comprising a cylinder supported by the top plate, where in the piston translates within the cylinder.
A circuit board assembly comprising: a heat sink; a circuit board having a first side and a second side, wherein one of the first side or the second side opposes and is in thermal contact with the heat sink and wherein the circuit board includes a plurality of apertures; a surface mounted integrated circuit attached to an other of the first side or the second side of the circuit board, the surface mounted integrated circuit including a plu-rality of electrical conductors on one of a first surface or a second surface of the surface mounted integrated circuit and the one of the first surface or the second B₂ surface of the surface mounted integrated circuit opposes the other of the first side or the second side of the circuit board to enable electrical contact between the surface mounted integrated circuit and the circuit board; a clamp frame including a first frame support passing through a first aperture of the plurality of apertures of the circuit board and fastened to the heat sink, a second frame support passing through a second aperture of the plurality of apertures of the circuit board and fastened to the heat sink, and a top plate arranged between the first frame support and the second frame support, the top plate including a top plate aperture; a piston supported by the top plate via a threaded fastener, the piston arranged to be displaced relative to the top plate, the piston including a tubular section having a bias seat; a pressure plate assembly including a pressure plate and a stem attached to the pressure plate, the stem posi-tioned within the tubular section for translation therein, the pressure plate positioned opposite the circuit board from the heat sink, the pressure plate contacting the surface mounted integrated circuit; and a bias member seated on the bias seat and applying a biasing force on the pressure plate to urge the surface mounted integrated circuit into contact with the circuit board.
The circuit board assembly of claim 5 wherein the bias member is one of a coil spring or a Belleville washer.
The circuit board assembly of claim 5 wherein one of the first frame support or the second frame support includes a threaded portion for receiving a fastener to mount the clamp frame to the heat sink.
The circuit board assembly of claim 5 further compris-ing a cylinder supported by the top plate, where in the piston translates within the cylinder. ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
Layer stacks claimed or described, ordered top of device to substrate.
circuit board clamp
circuit board assembly
Performance values and ranges asserted in the specification or claims.
| Property | Value | Material |
|---|---|---|
Thickness | 50–120 µm | — |
Patents and literature cited by this patent (applicant and examiner references).
Cited patents · 8
Patent
Atlas literature
Patent
US 12,397,362 B2Patent drawings and their descriptions. Click a drawing to enlarge it.
FIG. 1 is a partial, cross-sectional side view of a circuit board and clamp assembly arranged in accordance with the 55 present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a partial, cross-sectional side view of a circuit board and clamp assembly arranged in accordance with the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a partial, cross-sectional side view of a circuit 60 board and multiple clamp assembly arranged in accordance with the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 is a top view of the circuit board and multiple clamp assembly of
FIG. 5 is a side view of a circuit board and clamp 65 assembly arranged in accordance with the present disclo- sure. B₂ In the drawings, reference numbers may …
Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
A circuit board clamp comprising: a clamp frame including a first frame support passing through a first aperture of a circuit board and fastened to a heat sink, a second frame support passing through a second aperture of the circuit board and fastened to the heat sink, and a top plate arranged between the first frame support and the second frame support, the top plate including a top plate aperture; a piston supported by the top plate via a threaded fastener engaging the top plate aperture, the piston arranged to be displaced relative to the top plate in accordance with adjustment of the threaded fastener, the piston includ-ing a tubular section having a bias seat; 5 a pressure plate assembly including a pressure plate and a stem attached to the pressure plate, the stem posi-tioned within the tubular section for translation therein, the pressure plate positioned opposite the circuit board from the heat sink, the pressure plate contacting a surface mounted integrated circuit between the circuit board and the pressure plate; and a bias member seated on the bias seat and applying a biasing force on the pressure plate to urge the surface mounted integrated circuit into contact with the circuit board.
The circuit board clamp of claim 1 wherein the bias member is one of a coil spring or a Belleville washer.
The circuit board clamp of claim 1 wherein one of the first frame support or the second frame support includes a threaded portion for receiving a fastener to mount the circuit board clamp to the heat sink.
The circuit board clamp of claim 1 further comprising a cylinder supported by the top plate, where in the piston translates within the cylinder.
A circuit board assembly comprising: a heat sink; a circuit board having a first side and a second side, wherein one of the first side or the second side opposes and is in thermal contact with the heat sink and wherein the circuit board includes a plurality of apertures; a surface mounted integrated circuit attached to an other of the first side or the second side of the circuit board, the surface mounted integrated circuit including a plu-rality of electrical conductors on one of a first surface or a second surface of the surface mounted integrated circuit and the one of the first surface or the second B₂ surface of the surface mounted integrated circuit opposes the other of the first side or the second side of the circuit board to enable electrical contact between the surface mounted integrated circuit and the circuit board; a clamp frame including a first frame support passing through a first aperture of the plurality of apertures of the circuit board and fastened to the heat sink, a second frame support passing through a second aperture of the plurality of apertures of the circuit board and fastened to the heat sink, and a top plate arranged between the first frame support and the second frame support, the top plate including a top plate aperture; a piston supported by the top plate via a threaded fastener, the piston arranged to be displaced relative to the top plate, the piston including a tubular section having a bias seat; a pressure plate assembly including a pressure plate and a stem attached to the pressure plate, the stem posi-tioned within the tubular section for translation therein, the pressure plate positioned opposite the circuit board from the heat sink, the pressure plate contacting the surface mounted integrated circuit; and a bias member seated on the bias seat and applying a biasing force on the pressure plate to urge the surface mounted integrated circuit into contact with the circuit board.
The circuit board assembly of claim 5 wherein the bias member is one of a coil spring or a Belleville washer.
The circuit board assembly of claim 5 wherein one of the first frame support or the second frame support includes a threaded portion for receiving a fastener to mount the clamp frame to the heat sink.
The circuit board assembly of claim 5 further compris-ing a cylinder supported by the top plate, where in the piston translates within the cylinder. ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
Layer stacks claimed or described, ordered top of device to substrate.
circuit board clamp
circuit board assembly
Performance values and ranges asserted in the specification or claims.
| Property | Value | Material |
|---|---|---|
Thickness | 50–120 µm | — |
Patents and literature cited by this patent (applicant and examiner references).
Cited patents · 8
Cited non-patent literature · 4
Cited non-patent literature · 4
Cited non-patent literature · 4
Cited non-patent literature · 4