Cardlock clamp
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsRobert J. Monson, Kevin J. Thorson, Melissa A. Grette-Compton, Kent D. Katterheinrich
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cardlock clamp is described that is used to secure an electronics module in a channel of a card cage. The cardlock clamp is configured to convert an input compression force into clamping forces in at least two radial directions perpendicular to the input compression force. The described cardlock clamp also provides self-alignment and self-center functions for the electronics module inserted into the channel. Further, variations of the cardlock clamp are described that provide more effective heat transfer from the electronics module to the card cage.
Claims21
A cardlock clamp used to secure an electronics module in a channel, comprising:
- a member that is expandable in at least two radial directions, and the member includes an input compression force mechanism, the input compression force mechanism is configured to apply a compression force in a z-direction substantially perpendicular to the at least two radial directions;
- and
- a plurality of force converting elements in the member and engageable with the member, the force converting elements are engageable with the input compression force mechanism and are configured to convert the compression force of the input compression force mechanism into clamping forces that act on the member in the at least two radial directions in order to transfer the clamping forces to the member;
- the member includes a plurality of brackets that are moveable relative to each other, the plurality of brackets define a cavity in which the plurality of force converting elements are disposed.
A cardlock clamp used to secure an electronics module in a channel, comprising:
- a first surface that in use contacts the electronics module;
- and
- a second surface that in use contacts a heat sink and being connected to the first surface, the first surface and the second surface are movable in at least two radial directions that are substantially perpendicular to one another, and
- wherein the first surface and the second surface comprise a thermally conductive material comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of diamond, copper, aluminum, carbon nano-tubes, and compounds thereof,
- wherein when the cardlock clamp is installed in the channel, the first surface engages the electronics module, the second surface engages the heat sink, and heat is transferred from the electronics module to the heat sink.
A cardlock clamp used to secure on electronics module in a channel, comprising:
- a first surface that in use contacts the electronics module;
- a second surface that in use contacts a heat sink and being connected to the first surface,
- wherein the first surface and the second surface comprise a thermally conductive material comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of diamond, copper, aluminum, carbon nano-tubes, and compounds thereof,
- wherein when the cardlock clamp is installed in the channel, the first surface engages the electronics module, the second surface engages the heat sink, and heat is transferred from the electronics module to the heat sink;
- a third surface that in use contacts the electronics module and
- a fourth surface that in use contacts a heat sink and being connected to the first surface,
- wherein the third surface and the fourth surface comprise a thermally conductive material comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of diamond, copper, aluminum, carbon nano-tubes, and compounds thereof,
- wherein when the cardlock clamp is installed in the channel, the third surface engages the electronics module, the fourth surface engages the heat sink, and heat is transferred from the electronics module to the heat sink.
A clamp mechanism, comprising:
- an input compression force mechanism that is configured to input a compression force in a z-direction;
- a plurality of force converting elements engageable with the input compression force mechanism and configured to convert a compression force input of the input compression force mechanism into clamping forces in at least two radial directions, wherein the at least two radial directions are substantially perpendicular to the z-direction;
- a member having a plurality of brackets that are moveable relative to each other in the at least two radial directions, the plurality of brackets containing the plurality of three converting elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.