Patent EP0189695A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4600969A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protective apparatus for encapsulating electrical circuits
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-07-06
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Granted: 1986-07-15
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Expires: 2004-07-06
Abstract
Abstract An encapsulating apparatus for protecting an electrical circuit, the electrical circuit comprising a plurality of discrete electrical components supported on a circuit board and connected electrically to each other and to external electrical lead lines. The encapsulating apparatus comprises an imperforately walled hollow container defining oppositely first and second openings through the wall thereof. The container further comprises internal support means for receiving and positioning the electrical components in a predetermined relationship to the container and to each other with the lead lines extending outwardly through the first opening. The second opening is completely closed by a cap having a portion corresponding in size and configuration to said second opening. The cap further comprises at least one irregularly shaped arm projecting into the container when the cap is in closing relationship to the second opening, positively fixedly positioning the components in their predetermined relationship. The cap is further retained in closed relationship with respect to the second opening by an epoxy or other suitable means. The container is then substantially filled by a potting compound which is applied as a fluid and hardens rigidly. When the liquid potting compound solidifies, the electrical components are permanently sealed within the container.
Inventors
- 👤 Max S. Hendrickson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:46
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/14; H05K7/1417
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
Encapsulating means for protecting an electrical circuit, the electrical circuit comprising a carrier and a plurality of discrete electrical components supported by the carrier and connected electrically to each other and to external electrical lead lines, the encapsulating means comprising: a walled container means having a first opening in a first wall and a second opening in an oppositely disposed second wall, the container means further comprising internal support means for receiving and positioning the carrier in a predetermined relationship to the container means, with the lead lines extending out of the container means through the first opening; cap means for completely closing the second opening, the cap means including at least one arm means projecting into the container means when the cap means is in closing relationship to the second opening, to positively fixedly position the carrier in the predetermined relationship; means for holding the cap means in closed relationship with respect to the second opening; and potting means introduced into the container means interior to inextricably encompass the fixedly positioned electrical circuit and arm means to permanently fix and seal the electrical circuit within the container means, wherein the potting means is applied as a fluid and hardens rigidly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
Encapsulating means for protecting an electrical circuit, the electrical circuit comprising a carrier and a plurality of discrete electrical components supported by the carrier and connected electrically to each other and to external electrical lead lines, the encapsulating means comprising: a walled container means having a first opening in a first wall and a second opening in an oppositely disposed second wall, the container means further comprising internal support means for receiving and positioning the carrier in a predetermined relationship to the container means, with the lead lines extending out of the container means through the first opening; cap means for completely closing the second opening, the cap means including at least one arm means projecting into the container means when the cap means is in closing relationship to the second opening, to positively fixedly position the carrier in the predetermined relationship; means for holding the cap means in closed relationship with respect to the second opening; and potting means introduced into the container means interior to inextricably encompass the fixedly positioned electrical circuit and arm means to permanently fix and seal the electrical circuit within the container means, wherein the potting means is applied as a fluid and hardens rigidly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The encapsulating means of claim 1 wherein the container means further comprises an outwardly projecting externally threaded neck coincident with the first opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The encapsulating means of claim 2 wherein the arm means is an arm member having at least one aperture therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The encapsulating means of claim 3 wherein the container means is an elongated rectangularly shaped box, with the first and second openings being aligned with the longitudinal axis of the box.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The encapsulating means of claim 2 wherein the internal support means is substantially axially aligned with the first opening and second opening and tangential to the periphery of the container means neck.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The encapsulating means of claim 5 wherein the carrier is a circuit board to which the components are attached, and the internal support means is a pair of substantially parallel flanges integrally molded on an inner wall surface of the container means and arranged to receive the circuit board slid between and along the parallel flanges until the circuit board abuts the first wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The encapsulating means of claim 6 wherein the substantially parallel flanges are tapered so that a gap created between the flanges narrows between the container means second opening and first opening, the gap adjacent the first opening being slightly narrower than a thickness of the circuit board such that the flanges tightly grasp the circuit board therebetween.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The encapsulating means of claim 1 wherein the container means and cap means are formed of high impact electrical insulating material which is resistant to mechanical stress.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The encapsulating means of claim 8 wherein the container means and cap means are composed of plastic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
198 words
Encapsulating means for protecting an electrical circuit, the electrical circuit comprising a carrier and a plurality of discrete electrical components supported by the carrier and connected electrically to each other and to external electrical lead lines, the encapsulating means comprising: container means for encapsulating the electrical circuit, the container means having a first and a second opening, the container means further including a pair of spaced flanges disposed within the container means for receiving and positioning the carrier in a predetermined relationship to the container means, with the lead lines extending outwardly through the first opening; a cap for completely closing the second opening, the cap including at least one arm means for fixing the carrier in the predetermined relationship, the arm means arranged to engage the carrier within the container means when the cap is in closing relationship to the second opening; bonding means for holding the cap in closed relationship with respect to the second opening; and potting means for permanently fixing and sealing the electrical circuit within the container means and the cap in closed relationship to the second opening, the potting means being introduced into the container means as a fluid which hardens rigidly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
198 words
Encapsulating means for protecting an electrical circuit, the electrical circuit comprising a carrier and a plurality of discrete electrical components supported by the carrier and connected electrically to each other and to external electrical lead lines, the encapsulating means comprising: container means for encapsulating the electrical circuit, the container means having a first and a second opening, the container means further including a pair of spaced flanges disposed within the container means for receiving and positioning the carrier in a predetermined relationship to the container means, with the lead lines extending outwardly through the first opening; a cap for completely closing the second opening, the cap including at least one arm means for fixing the carrier in the predetermined relationship, the arm means arranged to engage the carrier within the container means when the cap is in closing relationship to the second opening; bonding means for holding the cap in closed relationship with respect to the second opening; and potting means for permanently fixing and sealing the electrical circuit within the container means and the cap in closed relationship to the second opening, the potting means being introduced into the container means as a fluid which hardens rigidly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The encapsulating means of claim 10 wherein the container means has a longitudinal axis and wherein the first and second openings are oppositely disposed and aligned with the longitudinal axis of the container means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The encapsulating means of claim 11 wherein flanges are substantially parallel to each other and the container means longitudinal axis, the flanges being integrally molded as part of inner surfaces of the container means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4292590A
Cited
US4345290A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-07-14 | 1990-01-13 | 1990-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-14 | 1994-01-13 | 1994-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-14 | 1998-01-13 | 1998-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |