Abstract: A consistent, repeatable ground connection between a high frequency circuit board and a mating ground structure within a high frequency system is disclosed. The high frequency circuit board includes a dielectric layer located between a conductive backing and a microstrip transmission line. The conductive backing has a groove formed along one of its edges near the transmission line. An elastic, electrically conductive member is positioned within the groove so that it maintains electrical contact with the conductive backing and the mating ground structure. The invention reduces manufacturing costs by permitting less stringent manufacturing and machining tolerances, by eliminating the need for impedance matching between mating components, and by eliminating the need to utilize copper shims with adhesive backings between mating components. In addition, the invention maintains a consistent ground connection when the high frequency system is exposed to a range of operating temperatures.

Abstract: A retainer for removable components that plug into a printed circuit board retains the removable component in an associated sockets on a printed circuit board. The retainer has the form of a clip including a retaining surface that applies a retaining force to the component. The retaining force is largely a spring force that directs the leads into the associated sockets by applying pressure to the top of the component. The retainer further has a positioning surface that positions the retaining surface in association with the component. This is done by the positioning surface engaging the exposed exterior surface of the associated sockets. A connecting surface connects the retaining surface to the positioning surface around the circuit board. In the preferred embodiment, the component is a crystal oscillator that plugs into the printed circuit board. Such crystal oscillators are removable to permit changing the operating frequency of an associated microwave transmission circuit.

Abstract: A power coupler that is held in place at two different points along its length to substantially eliminate any movement thereof due to vibration of the environment. One of these holding means comprises a piece of dielectric which snugly encloses the coupler to prevent side-to-side movement while still allowing a vertical adjustment of the coupler element through the holding means. A constant impedance equal to that of an electrically connected circuit is maintained along a portion of the coupler by varying passageway opening sizes. The electrical connection to the circuit, which has a threaded terminal comprising a part of the adjustment means and the other holding means eliminates connector insertion loss and signal reflections inherent in prior art signal interfaces between the coupler and an electrical signal receiving circuit.

Abstract: A concept previously used for providing anti-rotational locking of complementary threaded devices is utilized in a RF tuning cavity to minimize anti-microphonic disturbances of the prior art caused by inconsistent ohmic contact between the prior art adjustable length threaded portions. The use of a resilient locking strip embedded longitudinally into the threads of an adjustable resonator provides substantially constant electrical or ohmic contact between the two threaded portions so as to maintain a standing wave in the tuning element. The longitudinal design of the locking strip is such as to prevent or minimize movement of the extremity of the threaded resonator which movement can also effect the resonant frequency.

Abstract: A connector retainer is illustrated for use with at least two inline sets of right angle electrical connector pins whereby the connector retainer flexibly partially encloses and interlocks with the connector and has an extension thereof inserted in the right angle portion of the electrical pins wherein the inserted portion is of a larger diameter than the distance between the inline sets of pins. Such a portion can fit in the right angle portion between the sets of the pins and provide a hinge-type function without being able to move either horizontally or vertically thereby retaining the connector in contact with the electrical pins.

Abstract: A method is shown, along with apparatus for accomplishing same, for minimizing power required to keep an enclosed electronic module from overheating in a high temperature environment, while still operating to maintain the module at greater than a given minimum temperature when the environmental temperatures are far below the sensed minimum temperature for the module. This is accomplished by placing a thin sheet of heating material between the module to be temperature maintained and a heat sink which is exposed to the environment exterior the enclosure. Energy applied to the sandwiched heater prevents transfer of heat from the electronic module to the environment in such a way as to drastically reduce the heat (power consuming) requirements as compared to prior art heater approaches.

Abstract: A combination latch and handle which comprises an L-shaped piece of deformable plastic material having a pocket intermediate two locking protrutions. The pocket, which holds a spring metal clip, fits into a slot on the edge of a piece of sheet metal. The locking protrusions pass through openings on either side of the slot to lock the latch and handle into place securely as the forces to install same are at right angles to the forces to engage or disengage the latching mechanism. The spring metal clip is designed to co-act with a pin on a mating piece of sheet metal.