Monolithic structures including alignment and/or retention fixtures for accepting components
First Claim
1. An alignment structure for receiving a plurality of components, comprising:
- a base;
a plurality of alignment fixtures attached to the base and having desired positions relative to one another,wherein the base and the alignment fixtures are substantially monolithic, and wherein the alignment fixtures comprise a material deposited on substantially a layer-by-layer basis in their respective relative positions, and wherein the structure comprises at least two conductive paths separated from one another by a dielectric, wherein at least one of the paths meets a criteria selected from the group consisting of;
(1) the at least one path forms a connection between at least two electrical contact points on a single component;
(2) the at least one path forms a connection between electrical contact points on at least two different components;
(3) the at least one path allows an electrical connection to be made from the structure to a separate structure;
(4) the structure is adapted to be located in a substantially hermetic package and the at least one path allows an electrical connection to be made from the structure to a separate structure that is external to the package;
(5) the at least one path makes an electrical connection to an electrically functional device that was formed along with the structure; and
(6) the at least one path comprises a component that modifies an signal selected from the group consisting of RF signals and microwave signals.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Permanent or temporary alignment and/or retention structures for receiving multiple components are provided. The structures are preferably formed monolithically via a plurality of deposition operations (e.g. electrodeposition operations). The structures typically include two or more positioning fixtures that control or aid in the positioning of components relative to one another, such features may include (1) positioning guides or stops that fix or at least partially limit the positioning of components in one or more orientations or directions, (2) retention elements that hold positioned components in desired orientations or locations, and/or (3) positioning and/or retention elements that receive and hold adjustment modules into which components can be fixed and which in turn can be used for fine adjustments of position and/or orientation of the components.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An alignment structure for receiving a plurality of components, comprising:
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a base; a plurality of alignment fixtures attached to the base and having desired positions relative to one another, wherein the base and the alignment fixtures are substantially monolithic, and wherein the alignment fixtures comprise a material deposited on substantially a layer-by-layer basis in their respective relative positions, and wherein the structure comprises at least two conductive paths separated from one another by a dielectric, wherein at least one of the paths meets a criteria selected from the group consisting of; (1) the at least one path forms a connection between at least two electrical contact points on a single component; (2) the at least one path forms a connection between electrical contact points on at least two different components; (3) the at least one path allows an electrical connection to be made from the structure to a separate structure; (4) the structure is adapted to be located in a substantially hermetic package and the at least one path allows an electrical connection to be made from the structure to a separate structure that is external to the package; (5) the at least one path makes an electrical connection to an electrically functional device that was formed along with the structure; and (6) the at least one path comprises a component that modifies an signal selected from the group consisting of RF signals and microwave signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A device, comprising:
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(a) an alignment structure, comprising; (1) a base; (2) a plurality of alignment fixtures adhered to the base and having desired positions relative to one another; (b) a plurality of components mounted on the alignment structure in positions dictated by the alignment fixtures, wherein the base and the alignment fixtures are monolithic, and wherein the alignment fixtures comprise a material deposited on substantially a layer-by-layer basis in their respective relative positions, and wherein the structure comprises at least two conductive paths separated from one another by a dielectric, wherein at least one of the paths meets a criteria selected from the group consisting of; (1) the at least one path forms a connection between at least two electrical contact points on a single component; (2) the at least one path forms a connection between electrical contact points on at least two different components; (3) the at least one path allows an electrical connection to be made from the structure to a separate structure; (4) the structure is adapted to be located in a substantially hermetic package and the at least one path allows an electrical connection to be made from the structure to a separate structure that is external to the package; (5) the at least one path makes an electrical connection to an electrically functional device that was formed along with the structure; and (6) the at least one path comprises a component that modifies an signal selected from the group consisting of RF signals and microwave signals. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification