Systems and methods for mounting devices

• US 6,707,670 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2001
• Issued: 03/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Optic153 LLC (Equitable IP Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Dorsal Networks, Inc. (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Seal, Lowell
• Primary Examiner(s): CHERVINSKY, BORIS LEO
• Application Number:
  US09/949,933
• Publication Number:
  US 20030048049A1
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• Field of Search: 361/704, 361/707, 361/716, 361/721, 361/729, 361/732, 361/740, 361/741, 361/784, 174/52.1
• US Class Current: 361/704
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/14 using wedges
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0052 the interlocking key acting as a dovetail-type key

Abstract

A retainer includes a device having at least one dovetail-shaped portion, a frame configured to receive the dovetail-shaped portion, and at least one expanding device. The expanding device is configured to compress the dovetail-shaped portion against the frame, thereby securing the device against the frame.

Claims

1. An optical processing device comprising:

a plurality of processing modules, a portion of each of the processing modules being configured in a dovetail shape;

a frame configured to receive the dovetail end of the processing modules; and

at least one expanding device configured to lock the dovetail end of the processing modules to the frame.

2. The optical processing device of claim 1 wherein the expanding device includes a wedge lock.

3. The optical processing device of claim 1 wherein the dovetail end of each processing module includes two dovetail angles, and

wherein the two dovetail angles are substantially equal.

4. The optical processing device of claim 1 wherein the dovetail end of each processing module includes two dovetail angles, and

wherein the dovetail angles are different.

5. The optical processing device of claim 1 wherein the dovetail end of each processing module includes two dovetail angles, and

wherein at least one of the two dovetail angles is between 30 and 75 degrees.

6. The optical processing device of claim 1 wherein the frame is further configured to:

act as a heat sink for the processing modules.

7. The optical processing device of claim 6 further comprising:

a thermal interface positioned between the dovetail end of the processing modules and the frame, the thermal interface being configured to enhance heat transfer to the frame.

8. The optical processing device of claim 1 wherein one of the expanding devices is associated with each processing module.

9. The optical processing device of claim 1 wherein a plurality of the expanding devices is associated with each processing module.

10. The optical processing device of claim 1 wherein the at least one expanding device is configured to attach to the dovetail end of the processing modules prior to insertion in the frame.

11. The optical processing device of claim 1 wherein the at least one expanding device is configured to attach to the frame.

12. The optical processing device of claim 1 wherein the at least one expanding device includes a non-expanded state and an expanded state, and

wherein the at least one expanding device is further configured to:

allow the frame to receive the processing modules when in the non-expanded state, and

lock the processing modules in place when in the expanded state.

13. The optical processing device of claim 1 wherein the optical processing device includes an underwater repeater.

14. The optical processing device of claim 1 wherein the expanding device includes:

a rail, and

a wedge lock configured to attach to the rail.

15. The optical processing device of claim 1 wherein the expanding device is configured to lock the processing module within the frame in a cantilevered state.

16. A retainer comprising:

a device configured with at least one dovetail-shaped portion;

a frame configured to receive the dovetail-shaped portion; and

at least one expanding device configured to compress the dovetail-shaped portion against the frame.

17. The retainer of claim 16 wherein the dovetail-shaped portion includes two dovetail angles, and

wherein the two dovetail angles are substantially equal.

18. The retainer of claim 16 wherein the dovetail-shaped portion includes two dovetail angles, and

wherein the dovetail angles are different.

19. The retainer of claim 16 wherein the dovetail-shaped portion includes two dovetail angles, and

wherein each of the dovetail angles is between 30 and 75 degrees.

20. The retainer of claim 16 wherein the at least one expanding device includes a wedge lock.

21. The retainer of claim 16 wherein the at least one expanding device includes two or more wedge locks.

22. The retainer of claim 16 wherein the at least one expanding device includes:

a rail, and

a plurality of wedge segments configured to attach to the rail and enter a non-expanded state and an expanded state.

23. The retainer of claim 22 wherein, when in the non-expanded state, the at least one expanding device allows the frame to receive the dovetail-shaped portion.

24. The retainer of claim 16 wherein the at least one expanding device is further configured to:

attach to the device.

25. The retainer of claim 16 wherein the at least one expanding device is further configured to:

attach to the frame.

26. The retainer of claim 16 wherein the at least one expanding device includes one or more of a tapered shim, a linear expander, and a wedge lock.

27. A method for retaining a device, comprising a dovetail portion, in a frame, the method comprising:

attaching at least one expanding device to one of the dovetail portion and the frame;

sliding the dovetail portion into the frame; and

expanding the at least one expanding device to retain the dovetail portion in the frame.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the expanding device includes one or more of a wedge lock, a tapered shim, and a linear expander.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein the attaching includes:

attaching a rail to one of the dovetail portion and the frame, and

sliding a plurality of wedge segments onto the rail.

30. A system for retaining a device, comprising a dovetail portion, in a frame, comprising:

means for attaching at least one expanding device to one of the dovetail portion and the frame;

means for sliding the dovetail portion into the frame; and

means for expanding the at least one expanding device to retain the dovetail portion in the frame.

31. A method for dissipating heat from a processing module, comprising a dovetail portion, to a frame, the method comprising:

attaching at least one expanding device to one of the dovetail portion and the frame;

inserting the dovetail portion into the frame; and

expanding the at least one expanding device to bring the dovetail portion into contact with the frame and allow for heat to dissipate from the processing module to the frame.