Apparatus and method for opening a sealed module containing a circuit board

An apparatus for opening a sealed module having a sealed housing formed of a first section and a second section sealingly connected to the first section, and a circuit board mounted on the second section within the housing, the circuit board including at least one connector having an exposed surface accessible from outside the housing, said apparatus comprising:

• a base means for supporting the first section of the module housing;
• a force transmitting means for transmitting a separation force to the exposed surface of the at least one connector sufficient to separate the second section from the first section and for distributing said separation force across the exposed surface of the connector to prevent damage to the circuit board, wherein said base means includes a bottom wall and a side wall extending from the bottom wall, said side wall having an upper support surface to support an outer flange of the first section of the housing.

An apparatus for opening a sealed electronic control module for an engine, the module including a sealed housing formed of a first section and a second section sealingly connected to the first section, and a circuit board mounted on the second section within the housing, the circuit board including a plurality of connectors having exposed surfaces accessible from outside the housing, said apparatus comprising:

• a base adapted to support the first section of the module housing;
• a force transmitter adapted to transmit a separation force to the exposed surfaces of at least two of the plurality of connectors to separate the second section from the first section, said force transmitter including a plurality of transmitting surfaces positioned a spaced distance from one another, each of said plurality of transmitting surfaces applying separation force to one or more of the at least two connectors of the plurality of connectors, wherein said base includes a bottom wall and a side wall extending from the bottom wall, said side wall having an upper support surface to support an outer flange of the first section of the housing.