Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-26
2001-02-06
Gandhi, Jayprakash N. (Department: 2841)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S796000, C361S816000, C361S752000, C361S753000, C361S800000, C174S034000, C174S034000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06185109
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of electronic chassis that house electronic components such as, for example, electronic components for high speed telecommunication and networking applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electronic chassis which house electronic components for high speed telecommunication and networking applications typically include two card guides mounted between side walls of the chassis, one located adjacent the top of the chassis and the other located adjacent the bottom of the chassis. The card guides receive and support a plurality of vertically oriented circuit boards that are typically inserted into the chassis in between the two card guides. Conventional card guides typically include small openings that allow some room air to flow through the chassis. Nonetheless, the design of conventional card guides typically restricts the amount of airflow through the chassis and therefore does not provide the required amount of cooling of the circuit boards within the chassis.
Moreover, conventional electronic chassis typically include an air filter that is positioned immediately below the bottom card guide. Fans located at the top of the chassis cause air to flow upward from the bottom of the chassis through the air filter. However, the air that flows through the filter and into the chassis is typically not evenly distributed along each of the circuit boards. This may result in overheating of some of the circuit boards within the chassis.
Finally, attempts have been made to provide electromagnetic interference (EMI) shields that are positioned along the top and the bottom of the chassis to prevent electromagnetic emissions from exiting the chassis. However, conventional EMI shields typically restrict the amount of airflow through the chassis.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have an electronic chassis apparatus that overcomes the disadvantages described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the invention provides an electronic chassis apparatus comprising an electronic chassis having a first card guide attached to the electronic chassis. The first card guide includes a plurality of openings formed therein and a plurality of channels to receive a plurality of circuit boards. Each of the plurality of channels is positioned adjacent to at least one of the plurality of openings. A first electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding screen is positioned adjacent the first card guide. An air filter is positioned within the electronic chassis and is spaced-apart from the EMI shielding screen to allow room air to flow through the air filter and to allow filtered air to be distributed along the plurality of openings. The first electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding screen may preferably be attached to a surface of the first card guide. The surface of the first card guide may preferably be a bottom surface of the first card guide. The first card guide may preferably include a width and a length, and the plurality of openings may preferably extend continuously along a substantial portion of the width of the first card guide. The air filter may preferably be positioned adjacent a bottom portion of electronic chassis. The electronic chassis may further include a second card guide positioned above the first card guide. The second card guide may preferably include a plurality of openings formed therein and a plurality of channels to receive the plurality of circuit boards. Each of the plurality of channels may preferably be positioned adjacent to at least one of the plurality of openings. The second card guide may preferably include a width and a length. The plurality of openings of the second card guide may preferably extend continuously along a substantial portion of the width of the second card guide. A second electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding screen may preferably be positioned adjacent the second card guide and attached to a surface of the second card guide. The surface of the second card guide may preferably be the top surface of the second card guide.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of operating an electronic chassis. An electronic chassis including a first card guide attached to the electronic chassis is provided. The first card guide includes a plurality of openings formed therein and a plurality of channels to receive a plurality of circuit boards. Each of the plurality of channels is positioned adjacent to at least one of the plurality of openings. A first electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding screen is positioned adjacent the first card guide. An air filter is positioned within the electronic chassis and is spaced-apart from the EMI shielding screen. Room air flows through the air filter, and filtered air is distributed along the plurality of openings.
The invention provides the foregoing and other features, and the advantages of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
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Connell John J.
Koradia Amir
Ravlin Philip A.
3Com Corporation
Baniak Pine & Gannon
Dinh Tuan
Gandhi Jayprakash N.
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