Raytheon Company

Todd E Southard

Joseph R Ellsworth

Craig H McCordic

Caroline Margaret Manteiga

Ethan Santosh Heinrich

Dennis W Mercier

Dimitry Zarkh

Douglas Moriondo

Noah Goldberg

Dennis Proulx

The present disclosure sets forth a rigid, self-aligning radio frequency ('RF') connector comprising a rigid body with a first connection end and a second connection end opposite the first connection end. The RF connector can also comprise a recess disposed on an outer surface of the rigid body between the first and second connection ends, and a collapsible connector support that can comprise a connection portion and a collapsible portion. The collapsible connector support can be disposed within and protrude from the recess while also being configured to collapse into the recess. The collapsible connector support can also be configured to interface with an interfacing surface to facilitate generation of a reaction force sufficient to support the RF connector in an offset position relative to the interfacing surface and to nominally align the RF connector with a device to be connected.

Self-aligning radio frequency connector

An assembly is provided for an electronic system. This electronic system includes a base and an electronic component. The base includes a base connector, a bay and a first guide. The first guide is arranged along a first side of the bay. The electronic component is configured to mate with the first guide and to move along the first guide within the bay to an installed position. The electronic component includes a component connector and a brake. The component connector is configured to couple with the base connector when the electronic component is at the installed position. The brake is engageable as the electronic component moves along the first guide to the installed position.

Brake for an electronic component

An apparatus includes a coldplate configured to be thermally coupled to a structure to be cooled and to remove thermal energy from the structure. The coldplate includes (i) first and second outer layers having at least one first material and (ii) a third layer embedded in the outer layers and having at least one second material. The first and second materials have different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs). The third layer is embedded non-uniformly in the outer layers so that different zones of the coldplate have different local CTEs. The third layer may include openings extending through the second material(s), and projections of the first material(s) from at least one of the first and second outer layers may partially or completely fill the openings. The first and second outer layers may include aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and the third layer may include aluminum silicon carbide or thermal pyrolytic graphite.

Tailored coldplate geometries for forming multiple coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) zones

A coolant interface includes a line replaceable unit (LRU) inserted into a slot within a modular assembly such as a chassis for an electronics assembly. Quick disconnect fluid coupling fittings on the LRU mate with counterpart fittings on a fluid distribution manifold within the chassis when the LRU is inserted into the slot. A seal surrounding the quick disconnect fluid coupling fittings on a flat surface abutting a counterpart surface on the fluid distribution manifold when the LRU is inserted into the slot compresses the seal against the counterpart surface. Alignment pin(s) projecting from the flat surface and received by corresponding guide holes within the counterpart surface, and captive hardware provides pressure between the flat surface and the counterpart surface to increase and maintain compression of the seal. The alignment pins and captive hardware are arranged to increase mechanical stability of the connection.

Growing community of inventors

Bolton, MA, United States of America

Todd E Southard