Abstract: A method and apparatus for fastening two substantially coplanar edges without a weld is disclosed. The method includes: configuring a dovetail feature on a first edge; configuring a complementary dovetail feature receptacle on a second edge to receive the dovetail feature therein; disposing the dovetail feature within the complementary dovetail receptacle; and swaging an interface defined between the dovetail feature in said first edge and said complementary dovetail feature in the second edge to swage mating edges defining the dovetail feature and the dovetail receptacle at least six swage contact points. In one embodiment the swaging is with a hollow circle punch.

Abstract: A method and incorporated assembly is provided to enhance structural rigidity to a computer environment having at least one rack for housing electronic components. The assembly comprises a stiffener component mountable to a horizontal side of the rack; a support component mountable in a substantially horizontal direction on a vertical side of the rack to provide rotational support of the rack; and an enhancer component being mountable to at least one side of the rack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fastening two substantially coplanar edges without a weld is disclosed. The method includes: configuring a dovetail feature on a first edge; configuring a complementary dovetail feature receptacle on a second edge to receive the dovetail feature therein; disposing the dovetail feature within the complementary dovetail receptacle; and swaging an interface defined between the dovetail feature in said first edge and said complementary dovetail feature in the second edge to swage mating edges defining the dovetail feature and the dovetail receptacle at at least six swage contact points. In one embodiment the swaging is with a hollow circle punch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fastening two substantially coplanar edges without a weld is disclosed. The method includes: configuring a dovetail feature on a first edge; configuring a complementary dovetail feature receptacle on a second edge to receive the dovetail feature therein; disposing the dovetail feature within the complementary dovetail receptacle; and swaging an interface defined between the dovetail feature in said first edge and said complementary dovetail feature in the second edge to swage mating edges defining the dovetail feature and the dovetail receptacle at at least six swage contact points. In one embodiment the swaging is with a hollow circle punch.

Abstract: An electrical contact assembly includes a first module having a first set of electrical contacts, a second module having a second set of electrical contacts, a shape-generating module, and a clamping arrangement. The second set of electrical contacts is aligned with the first set of electrical contacts and the shape-generating module is arranged to impart a shape to the second module such that the second set of electrical contacts is driven toward the first set of electrical contacts. The clamping arrangement is arranged to clamp the first, the second, and the shape-generating modules together, thereby resulting in a positive contact force between the first and second sets of electrical contacts. The positive contact force is equal to or greater than a predefined value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of cooling of an electronic module. The apparatus and method include a heat sink thermally coupled to the module, and a fastener configured to alter a clamping force therebetween as a result of the heat sink and the module formed of materials having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) than the fastener.

Abstract: An electrical contact assembly includes a first module having a first set of electrical contacts, a second module having a second set of electrical contacts, a shape-generating module, and a clamping arrangement. The second set of electrical contacts is aligned with the first set of electrical contacts and the shape-generating module is arranged to impart a shape to the second module such that the second set of electrical contacts is driven toward the first set of electrical contacts. The clamping arrangement is arranged to clamp the first, the second, and the shape-generating modules together, thereby resulting in a positive contact force between the first and second sets of electrical contacts. The positive contact force is equal to or greater than a predefined value.

Abstract: A pluggable cartridge for inserting a circuit card into an enclosure without operator access to the enclosure interior is provided. The cartridge includes a top portion and a first wall configured to secure the circuit card thereon for movement in unison therewith and a second wall. The first and second walls have a bottom edge and a top edge wherein the top edge of the first wall is movably secured to the top portion. The top edge of the second wall is removably secured to the top portion by snap-fit means. The circuit card is housed within and protected by the first and second walls so as to be moveable with respect to the bottom edge of the second wall. A tail stock bezel is removably secured by snap-fit means at one end of the second wall and top portion. A handle is movably connected to the top portion so as to be movable between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: The material and geometric properties of an electrical probe contact are combined to produce an electrical contact which is capable of self-alignment over many thousands of uses. The probe contact moves substantially only in a vertical direction and provides a consistent contact force with corresponding electrical contact pads on a semiconductor wafer. The probe contacts are configured in an array of a large plurality of individual contacts which extend from a base to which they are attached through apertures in an overlying mask spaced apart from the base.

Abstract: A design and method for fabricating a foil heat sink including a fin body, wherein the fin body includes a plurality of heat sink fins having a fin head and a fin foot and wherein the plurality of heat sink fins are disposed in a parallel fashion so as to form a plurality of horizontal channels between the plurality of heat sink fins, a fin support, wherein the fin support includes a plurality of fin support structures disposed between the plurality of heat sink fins so as to separate the plurality of heat sink fins and wherein the plurality of fin support structures are disposed adjacent to the fin head so as to form a plurality of vertical channels between the plurality of heat sink fins, and a fin base, wherein the fin base includes a plurality of fin spacers disposed between the plurality of heat sink fins so as to separate the plurality of heat sink fins and wherein the plurality of fin spacers are disposed so as to be adjacent to the fin foot.

Abstract: A pluggable cartridge for inserting a circuit card into an enclosure without operator access to the enclosure interior is provided. The cartridge includes a top portion and a first wall configured to secure the circuit card thereon for movement in unison therewith and a second wall. The first and second walls have a bottom edge and a top edge wherein the top edge of the first wall is movably secured to the top portion. The top edge of the second wall is removably secured to the top portion by snap-fit means. The circuit card is housed within and protected by the first and second walls so as to be moveable with respect to the bottom edge of the second wall. A tail stock bezel is removably secured by snap-fit means at one end of the second wall and top portion. A handle is movably connected to the top portion so as to be movable between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A heat sink device interconnect including a mounting device, having a mounting device top, a board stiffener, wherein the board stiffener is disposed so as to be communicated with the mounting device and a heat sink device compressingly disposed between the mounting device top and the board stiffener, wherein the heat sink device includes a top plate, a bottom plate and a heat sink fin compressingly disposed between the top plate and the bottom plate.

Abstract: A design and method for fabricating a foil heat sink including a fm body, wherein the fin body includes a plurality of heat sink fins having a fin head and a fin foot and wherein the plurality of heat sink fins are disposed in a parallel fashion so as to form a plurality of horizontal channels between the plurality of heat sink fins, a fin support, wherein the fin support includes a plurality of fin support structures disposed between the plurality of heat sink fins so as to separate the plurality of heat sink fins and wherein the plurality of fin support structures are disposed adjacent to the fin head so as to form a plurality of vertical channels between the plurality of heat sink fins, and a fin base, wherein the fin base includes a plurality of fin spacers disposed between the plurality of heat sink fins so as to separate the plurality of heat sink fins and wherein the plurality of fin spacers are disposed so as to be adjacent to the fin foot.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing vibration testing of fiber optic components is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a base member and a mounting assembly for holding a plurality of connectors therein, The plurality of connectors optically couple a plurality of fiber optic cables with one another in a serial configuration. In addition, a securing mechanism for adjustably secures the mounting assembly in a selected axial orientation with respect to the base member, wherein the mounting assembly allows simultaneous vibration testing of each of the plurality of connectors.

Abstract: A printed circuit board employs a rigid toothed drive arm driven by an exterior spur gear to actuate a pair of levers pivotably attached to one end of the drive arm. Spur gear rotation moves the drive arm and variously moves the drive arm and levers into “Y” or “T” configurations, and in doing so, pushes against exteriorly mounted cabinet or enclosure pins to effect inward and outward motion of the entire board, even when it is fully populated with printed circuit cards contained in cooperatively acting cartridges.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing vibration testing of fiber optic components is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a base member and a mounting assembly for holding a plurality of connectors therein, The plurality of connectors optically couple a plurality of fiber optic cables with one another in a serial configuration. In addition, a securing mechanism for adjustably secures the mounting assembly in a selected axial orientation with respect to the base member, wherein the mounting assembly allows simultaneous vibration testing of each of the plurality of connectors.

Abstract: An electronic printed board assembly comprises a printed circuit board which employs printed circuit card connectors electrically connected to components mounted on the board. The printed circuit board includes board level guides with slots for receiving correspondingly shaped ridges disposed on outer, lower portions of printed circuit card-bearing cartridges. The guides are preferably provided on only one side for each cartridge to improve packaging density. The surface guides, together with the cartridge design, eliminate the need for physical contact with surrounding enclosures or cabinets.

Abstract: An electronic printed board assembly comprises a printed circuit board which employs printed circuit card connectors electrically connected to components mounted on the board. The printed circuit board includes board level guides with slots for receiving correspondingly shaped ridges disposed on outer, lower portions of printed circuit card-bearing cartridges. The guides are preferably provided on only one side for each cartridge to improve packaging density. The surface guides, together with the cartridge design, eliminate the need for physical contact with surrounding enclosures or cabinets.

Abstract: A printed circuit board employs a rigid toothed drive arm driven by an exterior spur gear to actuate a pair of levers pivotably attached to one end of the drive arm. Spur gear rotation moves the drive arm and variously moves the drive arm and levers into “Y” or “T” configurations, and in doing so, pushes against exteriorly mounted cabinet or enclosure pins to effect inward and outward motion of the entire board, even when it is fully populated with printed circuit cards contained in cooperatively acting cartridges.

Abstract: An earthquake resistant frame structure which is shippable in a fully populated condition has abase member, a plurality of support members extending from the base member, a top portion disposed over the ends of the support members, a extension member disposed over the top portion, side stiffeners positioned perpendicularly between the support members, and a tie down assembly system positioned between the base member and a flooring surface. The extension member has a platform section and at least two legs depending substantially perpendicularly therefrom that slidingly engage the support members. The two legs have slots therethrough configured to receive fasteners that, when secured to support members, secure and maintain the extension member in position. First and second panels protrude laterally from the frame structure to form an extension area, from which a bracket hingedly depends. A variety of pin arrangements are used to prevent the removal of the bracket from the hinge.