Method of changing a power source for an electronic assembly

• US 8,726,478 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2010
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Twitchell, Robert W. Jr., Clark, Richard Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): ARBES, CARL J
• Application Number:
  US12/962,866
• Publication Number:
  US 20110072628A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,259 Days
• Field of Search: 294/020.8, 294/262, 298/25
• US Class Current: 29/402.08
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0004 comprising several parts forming a closed casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4973 Replacing of defective part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49817 with other than ancillary treating or assembling

Abstract

An all weather housing assembly for protection of electrical components includes a first housing having an open end and defining a first compartment for receipt therein of electronic components; a cover attached to the first housing for enclosing the first compartment, the cover further including a mounting structure for receiving and retaining a power source which structure is mounted on a side of the cover that is exterior to the enclosed first compartment; and a second housing having an open end and defining a second compartment that is dimensioned to cover and protect a power source when received and retained by the mounting structure of the cover, the second housing being connected to the first housing independent of the attachment of the cover to the first housing.

Claims

1. A method for changing a power source of an electronic assembly mounted to a structure or asset without exposing an electronic device of the electronic assembly to environmental conditions at the structure or asset, the electronic assembly comprising a sealed first housing having the electronic device disposed therein, and a second housing, which has a first power source therein, connected to the first housing, the method comprising:

(a) effecting opening of the second housing such that the first housing remains sealed to environmental conditions at the structure or asset;

(b) removing the first power source;

(c) installing the second power source;

(d) effecting closing of the second housing;

(e) wherein, following performance of said steps, the electronic device is powered by the second power source.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second power sources each comprise a battery.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises a radio capable of receiving a wireless signal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic assembly further includes a base having slots formed therein for mounting the electronic assembly to a structure or asset.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic assembly is configured to monitor one or more conditions of the asset or structure the weather housing assembly is mounted to.

6. A method for changing a power source of a weather housing assembly for protection of electrical components, the housing assembly including a first housing having an open end and defining a first compartment having electronic components therein, a cover attached to the first housing for enclosing the first compartment, the cover further including a mounting structure for receiving and retaining a power source which structure is mounted on a side of the cover that is exterior to the enclosed first compartment, and a second housing having an open end and defining a second compartment that is dimensioned to cover and protect a power source when received and retained by the mounting structure of the cover, the second housing being connected to the first housing independent of the attachment of the cover to the first housing, the method comprising:

(a) separating the second housing from the first housing so as to provide access to the second compartment;

(b) removing a first power source received and retained by the mounting structure of the cover;

(c) installing a second power source such that it is received and retained by the mounting structure of the cover; and

(d) connecting the second housing to the first housing so as to prevent access to the second compartment;

(e) wherein, following performance of said steps, the electronic device is powered by the second power source.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the second housing is connected to the first housing by connectors, the connectors comprising threaded screws, and wherein said step of separating the second housing from the first housing comprises removing the threaded screws.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the first and second power sources each comprise a battery.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the electronic components comprises a radio capable of receiving a wireless signal.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the weather housing assembly further includes a base having slots formed therein for mounting the weather housing assembly to a structure or asset.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the weather housing assembly is mounted to a structure or asset.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein the electronic components comprise a printed circuit assembly (PCA) card, the PCA card being physically supported within the first housing by rails of the first housing, opposite sides of the PCA card being received and retained by the rails.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein the electronic components comprise a sensor interface for acquiring data from one or more sensors associated with the weather housing assembly.

14. The method of claim 6, wherein the electronic components are configured to monitor one or more conditions of an asset or structure the weather housing assembly is attached to.