Abstract: An enclosure for electronic devices has a wall of a rigid plastic material, with elongated chambers defined therein. The chambers are filled with a material having a high thermal conductivity, or materials having high heat capacity, such as phase change material. Each chamber is located so that the material in the chamber is in thermal contact with the wall at a first location that tends to be at a relatively high temperature, and at a second location that tends to be at a lower temperature. The enclosure may alternatively have heat pipes of metal rather than chambers.

Abstract: A contact wire connector includes a housing connected to an insulation displacement contact (IDC) and a contact sleeve. A strain relief member is connected to the housing opposite the IDC. The contact sleeve connects to a pin of a substrate and the IDC connects to an insulated wire which establishes an electrical connection between the substrate and the insulated wire. The strain relief member engages the insulated wire to maintain the electrical connection in an unstrained state.

Abstract: The aerial terminal has a tray assembly having zero, one, or more holes for paired-conductor drop wires, as well as one or more converter holes for converters (e.g., baluns), each of which allows signals over an additional conductor pair to be converted and sent through a coaxial-cable drop wire. The tray assembly enables the aerial terminal to be used to distribute to customers both communication signals and broadband signals carried by a multi-wire distribution cable. In a preferred embodiment, the tray assembly of the present invention is designed to replace the grommet trays of prior-art Flexterm.RTM. 5000 Aerial Terminals by Lucent Technology, Inc., that are already in service, without disturbing any of the connections between the distribution cable and the terminal block of the existing aerial terminal.

Abstract: A mechanically sealed insulation displacement connector includes a contact and a wire holder. The wire holder has a channel for receiving an insulated wire and a slot for receiving the contact. One end of the channel has a conical shaped region which provides a positive stop for an inserted wire. The positive stop causes the insulation of the inserted wire to press against the inside surface of the conical region when the wire is inserted into the channel. The insulation is slightly deformed providing an inexpensive and effective seal for the wire's conductor without the use of gelled oils and greases. As the insulation is pressed against the conical shaped region, the wire holder is rotated enabling the contact to move into the slot where it pierces the insulation and grips the conductor of the wire, thereby making an electrical connection and holding the insulation against the conical shaped region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a terminal housing with a wire entry system providing strain relief and a good seal. Two closed cell foam pads are mounted at each wire entrance port. The ports are shaped so that the wire can be inserted from the top of the housing and strain relief is provided where the wire comes to rest.