Crashworthy memory module having a thermal cutoff

• US 9,484,164 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2014
• Issued: 11/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corporation (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corporation (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bartonek, Mark Joseph, Goergen, Todd Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Thienvu
• Assistant Examiner(s): Comber, Kevin J
• Application Number:
  US14/331,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20160020598A1
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 361/104
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2045/0065 Black boxes, devices automatically broadcasting distress signals
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2045/009 Fire detection or protection; Erosion protection, e.g. from airborne particles
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/005 Solid-state data loggers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88

Abstract

A memory module is disclosed. The memory module may have an enclosure having a slot in a wall of the enclosure. The memory module may also have a device disposed within the enclosure. The memory module may further have a thermal cutoff disposed in the slot. The thermal cutoff may have a first end attached to the device. The thermal cutoff may also have a second end attached to a wire configured to electrically connect to the device. The thermal cutoff may disconnect the wire from the device when subjected to a threshold temperature.

Claims

1. A memory module, comprising:

an enclosure including a wall that defines a slot therethrough;

an electronic device disposed within the enclosure;

a filler disposed within the enclosure, the filler including a first filler portion and a second filler portion, a surface of the first filler portion facing a surface of the second filler portion, the surface of the first filler portion and the surface of the second filler portion being in contact with the electronic device; and

a thermal cutoff disposed in the slot, the thermal cutoff including

a first end attached to the electronic device, and

a second end attached to a wire configured to electrically connect to the electronic device, the thermal cutoff being configured to disconnect the wire from the electronic device when subjected to a threshold temperature.

2. The memory module of claim 1, wherein the first end of the thermal cutoff is soldered to a pad on the electronic device.

3. The memory module of claim 1, wherein the enclosure includes

a top portion having an upper recess;

and

a bottom portion configured to be fixedly attached to the top portion, the bottom portion having

a side wall defining the slot therethrough; and

a lower recess.

4. The memory module of claim 3, wherein

the first filler portion is disposed in the upper recess,

the second filler portion is disposed in the lower recess, and

the electronic device is disposed between the first filler portion and the second filler portion.

5. The memory module of claim 3, wherein the thermal cutoff is one thermal cutoff of a plurality of thermal cutoffs disposed in the slot.

6. The memory module of claim 5, wherein each thermal cutoff of the plurality of thermal cutoffs has a substantially cylindrical shape, and

all of the thermal cutoffs are disposed side-by-side in the slot, such that the thermal cutoffs are substantially perpendicular to the side wall.

7. The memory module of claim 5, wherein the slot has a width substantially equal to a sum of diameters of all of the thermal cutoffs.

8. The memory module of claim 1, wherein the threshold temperature ranges from about 110°

C. to 125°

C.

9. A thermal wiring disconnect system for an electronic device disposed within an enclosure, the thermal wiring disconnect system comprising:

a wall of the enclosure defining a slot therethrough;

a thermal cutoff disposed in the slot, the thermal cutoff including

a first end attached to the electronic device, and

a second end attached to a wire configured to electrically connect to the electronic device, the thermal cutoff being configured to disconnect the wire from the electronic device when subjected to a threshold temperature; and

a filler disposed within the enclosure, the filler including a first filler portion and a second filler portion, a surface of the first filler portion facing a surface of the second filler portion, the surface of the first filler portion and the surface of the second filler portion being in contact with the electronic device.

10. The thermal wiring disconnect system of claim 9, wherein the first end is soldered to a pad on the electronic device.

11. The thermal wiring disconnect system of claim 9, wherein the filler comprises a thermal clay.

12. The thermal wiring disconnect system of claim 9, wherein the threshold temperature ranges from about 230°

F. to 260°

F.

13. A method for manufacturing a memory module, the method comprising:

fabricating an enclosure including a wall that defines a slot therethrough;

installing a filler within the enclosure, the filler including a first filler portion and a second filler portion, a surface of the first filler portion facing a surface of the second filler portion;

installing an electronic device in the enclosure, the surface of the first filler portion and the surface of the second filler portion being in contact with the electronic device; and

installing a thermal cutoff by

disposing the thermal cutoff in the slot so that the thermal cutoff is substantially perpendicular to the wall;

connecting a first end of the thermal cutoff to the electronic device; and

connecting a second end of the thermal cutoff to a wire configured to electrically connect to the electronic device, wherein the thermal cutoff is configured to disconnect the wire from the electronic device when subjected to a threshold temperature.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

soldering the first end of the thermal cutoff to the electronic device; and

soldering the second end of the thermal cutoff to the wire.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the thermal cutoff is a first thermal cutoff, and the wire is a first wire, the method further comprising

placing a second thermal cutoff in the slot, the second thermal cutoff being arranged adjacent to and lengthwise parallel to the first thermal cutoff;

connecting a first end of the second thermal cutoff to the electronic device; and

connecting a second end of the second thermal cutoff to a second wire configured to electrically connect to the electronic device.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the thermal cutoff is one thermal cutoff of a plurality of thermal cutoffs and the slot has a width substantially equal to a sum of diameters of all thermal cutoffs of the plurality of thermal cutoffs.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein fabricating the enclosure includes

fabricating a top portion of the enclosure, the top portion defining an upper recess;

and

fabricating a bottom portion of the enclosure, the bottom portion defining a lower recess.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the installing the filler within the enclosure includes placing the first filler portion in the upper recess, and placing the second filler portion in the lower recess,

the method further comprising fixedly connecting the top portion of the enclosure to the bottom portion of the enclosure.