Mechanical Housing

Abstract

An apparatus for containing objects, such as electronic circuit cards, and a method for making the same, the apparatus having a housing; at least one case disposed within the housing, the case adapted to confine the objects to different locations within the housing and comprising a frame, the region within the frame divided into two regions by a first partition, each of the two regions divided into a plurality of sections by a plurality of second partitions, each of the second partitions thermally coupled to the frame and the first partition, each of the sections divided into a plurality of slots, each slot having an object disposed therein for thermal contact between the first partition, a second partition, and one of a second partition and the frame; and at least one heat sink adapted to absorb heat from the case, the heat sink thermally coupled to the case and the housing.

1 . An apparatus for containing and cooling objects comprising: 
 a cage of generally non-thermally conductive material comprising: 
 at least one first aperture;  
 at least one second aperture exposing at least a portion of a case and different than the first aperture;  
   wherein the case is of thermally conductive material, is partially within the cage, and is accessible to objects through the at least one first aperture;    at least one heat sink thermally coupled to the case through the at least one second aperture; and    at least one cover for sealing the at least one first aperture;    wherein one or more of the objects thermally coupled to the case will transfer heat to the case, through the second aperture, to the heat sink;    wherein the at least one heat sink protrudes though the at least one second aperture to thermally couple to the case.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one case protrudes though the at least one second aperture to thermally couple to the at least one heat sink.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a conductive thermal path between the at least one case and the at least one heat sink.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cage is made of a generally non-thermally conductive material from the following group: nylon, plastic, ABS, and structural foam.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a base.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one heat sink includes fins.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one case comprises one of the following thermally conductive materials: aluminum, copper, bronze, or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one heat sink comprises one of the following thermally conductive materials: aluminum, copper, bronze, or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus for containing and cooling objects comprising: 
 a cage of generally non-thermally conductive material comprising: 
 at least one first aperture;  
 at least one second aperture exposing at least a portion of a case and different than the first aperture;  
   wherein the case is of thermally conductive material, is partially within the cage, and is accessible to objects through the at least one first aperture;    at least one heat sink thermally coupled to the case through the at least one second aperture; and    at least one cover for sealing the at least one first aperture;    wherein one or more of the objects thermally coupled to the case will transfer heat to the case, through the second aperture, to the heat sink;    wherein the at least one case protrudes though the at least one second aperture to thermally couple to the at least one heat sink.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising a conductive thermal path between the at least one case and the at least one heat sink.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cage is made of a generally non-thermally conductive material from the following group: nylon, plastic, ABS, and structural foam.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a base.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one heat sink includes fins.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one case comprises one of the following thermally conductive materials: aluminum, copper, bronze, or combinations thereof.