Abstract:
A thermally conductive polymer composition is applied to mounted components to provide both thermal control and RF radiation attenuation. In order to improve the RF attenuation performance, a plurality of discrete conductive elements may be incorporated into the polymer composition, with the sizing, spacing and configuration of the suppressed most efficiently by the particular composition. The discrete conductive elements are significantly larger, on the order of 1-5 mils (approximately 25-127 μm) than the filler materials utilized to render the base polymer conductive. Also disclosed is an apparatus and a method for preparing and applying such a polymer composition to an electronic component.
Abstract:
A protective enclosure includes one or more walls for surrounding an electronic device. At least one of the walls includes energy absorbing protrusions for absorbing the energies, etc., created when, and if, the electronic device unfortunately explodes due to a lightning strike.
Abstract:
A large programmable display includes a thin flat sheet of flexible non-conducting material on which wires are mounted via an adhesive. The wires have low impedance segments and are coupled to light emitting displays. An additional sheet of a flexible non-conducting material may be used to create a seal to protect against infiltration to the wires and LEDs of external environmental elements. Advantageously, the display may be rolled up to be transported, and, later unfurled to be operated.
Abstract:
An electromagnetic shield structure (100) has an elongated conductive wall (102) that continuously or discontinuously defines a shielding perimeter and has a flange (104) laying over laterally to form a J-shaped hook (106) in cross section. A conductive cover or lid (108) engages over the standing wall (102) and has a depending side wall skirt (110) that has a flange (112) and forms a J-shaped hook (114) facing opposite from the hook (106) of the elongated wall (102). The cover (108) is pressed onto the wall (102) for assembly, causing the flanges (104) and (112) to deflect and snap over one another in the space between the overlapping skirt (110) and wall (102). The shield enclosure (122) can be disassembled without damage by applying a tool (116) through an opening (118) in the outer one of either the skirt (110) or wall (102), to deflect and disengage the flanges (104) and (112) in the space between the overlapped skirt (110) and wall (102).
Abstract:
A system having a steerable antenna coupled to a temperature-dependent driver. The driver has a shape-memory element fabricated using a shape-memory alloy (SMA) and having the ability to change its shape as a function of temperature. The element is adapted to steer the antenna to improve signal reception and is controlled by a control circuit, which resistively heats the element while using the strength of the electrical signal generated by the antenna in response to a received radio-frequency signal as a feedback signal. The temperature of the element is adjusted to optimize the signal strength. Systems of the invention may enable customer-performed antenna alignment and are relatively simple and inexpensive to implement.
Abstract:
A packing tape containing an integrated slicing means and an apparatus for dispensing the packing tape is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, the dispensing apparatus comprises a cutting blade operable to cut the packing tape perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, a roller operable to deliver the packing tape to the cutting blade. In another aspect the apparatus includes a notch creating means that forms a tab and/or notch in the packing tape. In still another aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes at least one protrusion creating means between the cutting blade and the roller operable to create a plurality of protrusions a fixed distance from an edge created by the cutting blade.
Abstract:
A heat source is formed within one piece of a multi-piece mold designed to shape a glass tube. The one piece of the mold can then be used as a source of intense heat to render the glass malleable and to also contribute to shaping the tube in conformance with the mold. In one embodiment, the heat source includes channels formed throughout the one piece of mold for distributing a gas therethrough with jets of gas emanating from the inner surface of the mold piece for heating the tube to be shaped to a desired temperature. In apparatus embodying the invention, there is no need for a separate torch and for moving the torch during the shaping process. Also, in accordance with the invention, better control of the heat supplied to the tube being shaped is obtained.
Abstract:
In accordance with the invention, rather than embedding them collectively in potting compound, wire to pin connections on a connector block are separately coated with protective gel for resisting corrosion. The coating can be effected with high volume gel dispensing equipment in shop environments and by manual gel dispensing in the field, providing significant advantages rework and repair in the field.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, an apparatus having an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield for an electronic component. The EMI shield and the electronic component are adapted to be assembled onto a circuit board. The EMI shield provides EMI shielding for the electronic component. The EMI shield includes a thermally conductive material, such as a metal. The EMI shield is deformed, e.g., with a dimple or a tab, to form a contacting portion to contact the electronic component. After the assembly of the EMI shield and the electronic component onto the circuit board, the contacting portion of the EMI shield contacts the electronic component, thereby allowing conductive transfer of thermal energy between the electronic component and the EMI shield and enhanced heat dissipation for the electronic component.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, an apparatus for electronic equipment has a bristle pad having an anchor end and a free end, wherein the bristle pad has a plurality of flexible bristles each having an anchor end corresponding to the anchor end of the bristle pad and a free end corresponding to the free end of the bristle pad. The bristle pad is adapted to be placed between an electronic component and an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield for the electronic component, wherein the EMI shield provides EMI shielding for the electronic component. The plurality of flexible bristles are adapted to provide a conductive thermal path between the electronic component and the EMI shield, and one or more of the flexible bristles are adapted to flex when the RF shield is attached to a circuit pack.