Isolation chamber for electronic devices
First Claim
1. An isolation chamber for providing a controlled environment for an electronic device, comprising:
- a rigid outer support shell formed of thermally conductive material with outer heat exchange means exposed to the external environment;
a plurality of inner heat exchange means positioned inside the isolation chamber defining a temperature controlled central region for receiving the electronic device;
thermal insulation means positioned inside the isolation chamber between the outer support shell and the inner heat exchange means;
a plurality of thermally conductive standoff means extending from the outer shell through the insulation means to the plurality of inner heat exchange means forming a plurality of heat conductive paths therebetween;
a plurality of heat pump means, one positioned in each of the plurality of heat paths for controlling the temperature of the central region by supporting heat flow along the conductive paths when energized and inhibiting heat flow along the conductive paths when not energized;
an internal atmosphere within the central region for supporting convection heat currents which transfer heat between the electronic device and the inner heat exchange means;
circulation means within the central region for moving the internal atmosphere therein; and
power means for providing electric power to the electronic device and to the heat pumps.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The isolation chamber has an aluminum outer housing with heat transfer fins extending therefrom on the outside vertical surfaces, and insulation material mounted along each inside surface thereof forming a thermally insulative shell. Large aluminum studs extend inwardly from the side surfaces of the housing through the insulative shell for supporting a solid state heat pump. Each pump has a set of inwardly directed heat exchange fins. Each stud and associated pump and inwardly directed set of fins forms a heat conductive path between the surrounding ambient air and the interior of the isolation chamber for controlling the heat flow therebetween. The combined configuration of the inner heat exchange fins defines a central cavity which is temperature controlled to within a desired operating temperature range. A card cage containing the electronic devices is installed in the temperature regulated central region. The atmosphere within the central region is isolated from the surrounding ambient air, and supports internal convective heat transfer between the electronic devices and the inner fins by recirculating throughout the card cage and between the inner heat transfer fins. The operating level of the heat pumps are adjustable to provide the most efficient pumping as the external temperature varies. The outer housing and card cage form a double wall electrically conductive structure which twice encloses the electronic devices for providing double shielding from electrical interference. The card cage is cushioned from external vibration by the absorption affect of the insulative shell material.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An isolation chamber for providing a controlled environment for an electronic device, comprising:
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a rigid outer support shell formed of thermally conductive material with outer heat exchange means exposed to the external environment; a plurality of inner heat exchange means positioned inside the isolation chamber defining a temperature controlled central region for receiving the electronic device; thermal insulation means positioned inside the isolation chamber between the outer support shell and the inner heat exchange means; a plurality of thermally conductive standoff means extending from the outer shell through the insulation means to the plurality of inner heat exchange means forming a plurality of heat conductive paths therebetween; a plurality of heat pump means, one positioned in each of the plurality of heat paths for controlling the temperature of the central region by supporting heat flow along the conductive paths when energized and inhibiting heat flow along the conductive paths when not energized; an internal atmosphere within the central region for supporting convection heat currents which transfer heat between the electronic device and the inner heat exchange means; circulation means within the central region for moving the internal atmosphere therein; and power means for providing electric power to the electronic device and to the heat pumps. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification