Methods for packaging circuit boards

A method of improving data handling apparatus including N circuit-package means, cover means disposed about said circuit-package means, and base means including slotted deck means and motherboard means mounted thereunder;

• this deck means including N sets of apertures therein, each set being identical, placed side-by-side in parallel, and comprising a connector-slot flanked by one or more vent-slots;
• each said circuit-package means comprising circuit means including connector means, packaged in essentially-identical, nonconductive envelope means, with
• each connector means arranged to be connected-into said motherboard means;
• this method comprising:
• constructing each envelope means to house and closely-surround a respective circuit means, making each said envelope means to include a bottom-edge portion with vent means and to include tang means surrounding said connector means projected centrally from a bottom-edge segment thereof, this segment being different from said bottom-edge portion and being arranged and adapted to interfit with a receiving one of said connector slots in said deck means;
• also making each said envelope means to also include vent means whereby to conduct coolant-air from upper portions thereof, down across its circuit means, to exit through said vent-means in said bottom edge portion, then onto said motherboard means for cooling thereof.

A method of enhancing a control circuit array which includes:

• one or more circuit-package means and associated receiving base means, which, in turn, includes receiving-circuit-board means having an array of N connector-receptacle means, plus deck means superposed over said board means and including vent holes and N sets of apertures, each set comprising a slot superposed above a respective one of said receptable means plus one or more flanking vents;
• this method comprising:
• making each said circuit-package means to comprise:
• circuit board means including connector means arranged to be removably connected-into said receiving-board means;
• and providing nonconductive envelope means to house and closely-surround said circuit-board means, making this envelope means to be relatively square and to include tang means projected centrally from a bottom-edge portion thereof surrounding said connector means, and being arranged and adapted to interfit with a receiving one of said slot means in said deck means, said bottom-edge portion also including vent aperture means adapted for registry with respective ones of said deck vent holes;
• while, further, making said envelope means to also include upper vent means along an upper-edge portion, opposite said bottom-edge portion, and to also include cooling-vent slit means in other portions of said envelope means whereby to conduct coolant-air from upper portions thereof, down across the circuit-board means, to exit through said vent aperture means in said bottom edge portion and onto said receiving-board means for cooling thereof.

A method of providing an array of essentially-identical circuit package means for use with prescribed base means, which includes receiving-circuit-board means having an array of N connector-receptacle means plus deck means which is superposed over said board means and which includes N sets of apertures, each set comprising a slot superposed above a respective one of said receptacle means plus one or more flanking vents;

• this method including:
• making each said package means to comprise:
• plug-in circuit board means which includes connector means arranged to be removably connected-into said receiving-board means;
• and to also include nonconductive envelope means which is constructed and adapted to house and to closely-surround said plug-in circuit board means, while further arranging said envelope means to be relatively square and to include tang means projected centrally from a bottom-edge portion thereof surrounding said connector means, and being arranged and adapted to interfit with a receiving one of said slots in said deck means, said bottom-edge portion also including vent aperture means adapted for registry with respective ones of said deck vents;
• while further making said envelope means to also include upper vent means along an upper-edge portion, opposite said bottom-edge portion, and also to include cooling-vent slit means in other portions of said envelope means whereby to conduct coolant-air from upper portions thereof, down across the circuit board means, to exit through said vent aperture means in said bottom edge portion and onto said receiving-board means for cooling thereof.