Patent ID: 6301108
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: H05K

Abstract:
A chassis for housing a plurality of electronic component with fire containment capability, comprising:a housing;at least one card insertable into and removable from said housing, said card containing at least one electronic component generating heat during operation of said chassis;an aperture for permitting warm air generated within said housing to escape into the environment to thereby control temperature within said housing;a trap door for said aperture moveable relative to said housing between a first position, in which said door does not cover said aperture, and a second position, in which said door substantially obstructs said aperture, anda temperature sensitive material comprising a filament operatively associated with said trap door, wherein said temperature sensitive material is transformed upon exposure to sufficient heat or flame within said chassis so as to enable said trap door to move to said second position relative to said aperture, thereby substantially preventing migration of any flame occurring within said chassis through said aperture; wherein said trap door is incorporated into a replaceable shutter assembly insertable and removable relative to said chassis whereby said shutter assembly may be inserted or removed from said chassis without interfering with ongoing operation of said chassis;wherein said shutter assembly comprises a mounting structure insertable into said housing into a fixed position relative to said housing, and a hinge connecting said trap door to said mounting plate; andwherein said temperature sensitive material comprises an elongate, thin filament having a first end and a second end, said first and second ends fixed to said mounting structure and an intermediate portion extending between said first and second ends, wherein said intermediate portion supports said trap door against said mounting structure in an open position relative to said aperture, but melts upon exposure to sufficient heat or flame within said housing to thereby release said trap door from said mounting structure and thereby move with respect to said mounting structure to a substantially closed condition relative to said aperture.