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Showing posts with label EMI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label EMI. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Faster installation for shielding gasket strip

Shielding specialist, TBA Electro Conductive Products now offers a beryllium copper (BeCu) gasket strip for narrow gap applications featuring new "Quick-Release" tape backing for faster installation

Shielding specialist, TBA Electro Conductive Products (ECP) now offers a beryllium copper (BeCu) gasket strip for narrow gap applications featuring new "Quick-Release" tape backing for faster installation Offering up to 100dB attenuation, ECP 630 Quick Release is a low profile gasket with just 1.52mm profile height making it ideal for use in the increasing number of applications where narrow gaps from 0.5mm require closing

The durable BeCu gasket features 360 "no-snag" fingers and is smooth to the touch making it suitable for bi-directional applications.

The gaskets also offer low closure forces from 8 to 30kg/m for 25 to 50% compression respectively and feature a leading edge that hooks over the module frame for full protection.

Installation is simplicity itself.

The leading edge of the gasket is hooked over the mounting flange and the opposing side is then attached by removing the backing sheet from the double sided pressure sensitive transfer tape which secures the gasket in position.

Material thickness is 0.05mm as standard and fingers are 2.54mm wide and 7.1mm long on 3.18mm pitch.

Strips are available up to 406mm long.

TBA's ECP 630 Quick Release gaskets are complemented by the company's extensive range of EMI shielding finger strip products.

These include clip-on, stick-on, snap-on and special mounting styles, each available with various plating options from clean and bright through gold and silver to zinc/clear chromate and electroless nickel.

TBA Electro Conductive Products is a specialist manufacturer of high quality electro static protection (ESP) and electro magnetic interference (EMI) shielding products.

The EMI shielding range includes an extensive portfolio of gaskets and gasketing materials, metal foil tapes, shielded windows and mesh products, vent panels and shielded fan vents.



We can supply any quantity and any kind of Copper Beryllium Finger Strips and Industrial Enclosure Shielding from stock.would you please inform us how many you need and your target price, then we will confirm ASAP. We are sincerely hope to do business with you and establish long term business relationship with your respectable company.

Look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best regards,

Sam Xu
Contact me:
MSN: xubiao_1996@hotmail.com
GMAIL: samjiefu@gmail.com
SKPYE:jiefu1996


Beryllium Copper Finger Strips and Industrial Enclosure Shielding


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Monday, August 27, 2007

RFI shielding enclosures and their closure seals

An enclosure is shielded from electromagnetic radiation, especially for testing electronic equipment such as cellular telephones. An electrically conductive housing with a rectangular chamber has open top with a flange extending upward from its perimeter. An electrically conductive closure hinged to the housing has a peripheral groove holding a conductive spring finger assembly. When closed, the flange fits into the spring finger assembly, forcing the fingers apart and against the walls of the groove. This provides excellent conductive connection between the housing and the closure through the flange, the fingers, and the groove. The conductive spring finger assembly is machined from thin beryllium copper strip, formed to final shape into straight portions and corner portions with small radii and then heat treated to retain its final spring form. Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A sealing strip assembly for RFI shielding of an openable closure for an opening in a housing, in which there is a groove having opposed side walls in either one of the closure or the housing and a flange in the other of the closure or the housing, the strip assembly comprising:

a) four substantially straight portions;

b) four corner portions, each corner portion having a radius;

c) each portion having a continuous base with opposed long sides;

d) a plurality of closely spaced apart fingers extending away from each of the long sides and terminating in a free end, such that the fingers on one long side oppose the fingers on the other long side;

e) the fingers on each side having a bend at a point intermediate the free end and the base, the bend directed toward the opposing fingers, such that the space between the opposed fingers at that point is less than the space between the opposed fingers at the free ends;

f) the free ends being arranged to elastically engage the side walls of the groove and then to wipe the side walls as the flange is inserted between the fingers; and

g) the portions being constructed of a thin, electrically conductive material treated after forming to be springy and retain the final straight and corner forms.

2. The strip assembly according to claim 1, in which each of the portions are fabricated separately, and inserted into the groove to closely approximate one another to thereby form a substantially continuous endless shielding strip at the periphery of the closure.

3. The strip assembly according to claim 1, in which a plurality of the portions are formed together, and inserted into the groove to closely approximate one another to thereby form a substantially continuous endless shielding strip at the periphery of the closure.

4. The strip assembly according to claim 1, in which the material of construction is beryllium copper.

5. The strip assembly according to claim 4, in which the material is plated with nickel.

6. A radio frequency shielded enclosure comprising;

a) An electrically conductive housing having a substantially rectangular shape with corners having radii, the housing enclosing a large chamber with an opening;

b) a flange coextensive with the housing and extending away therefrom at the periphery of the opening, the flange having a first thickness;

c) a closure openably connected to the housing configured for closing off the opening;

d) a groove in the closure having opposed side walls and an opening for receiving therein the flange when the closure closes the opening;

e) a sealing strip assembly comprising:

A) four substantially straight portions;

B) four corner portions, each corner portion having a radius;

C) each portion having a continuous base with opposed long sides;

D) a plurality of closely spaced apart fingers extending away from each of the long sides and terminating in a free end, such that the fingers on one long side oppose the fingers on the other long side;

E) the fingers on each side having a bend at a point intermediate the free end and the base, the bend directed toward the opposing fingers, such that the space between the opposed fingers at that point is less than the space between the opposed fingers at the free ends, and slightly less than the first thickness of the flange; and

F) the portions being constructed of a thin, electrically conductive material treated after forming to be springy and retain the final straight and corner forms;

f) the strip assembly being received into the groove to thereby form a substantially continuous endless shielding strip at the periphery of the closure, and

g) the flange arranged to pass freely between the free ends of the fingers and to force the fingers apart and against the groove walls when passing the bends, thereby creating electrical contact between the flange, the fingers and the opposed walls of the groove when the closure is closed.

7. The enclosure according to claim 6, in which the sealing strip assembly is constructed of eight individual portions that are fabricated separately and inserted into the groove in close proximity to one another.

8. The enclosure according to claim 6, in which a plurality of the portions are formed together and then inserted into the groove in close proximity to one another.

9. The enclosure according to claim 6, in which the material of construction of the sealing strip assembly is beryllium copper.

10. The enclosure according to claim 9, in which the beryllium copper is plated with nickel.

11. The enclosure according to claim 6, further comprising a projection at each of the opposed walls of the groove at the open end thereof that engage the free ends of the fingers to prevent the strip assembly from leaving the groove as the flange is removed from the strip assembly.

12. The enclosure according to claim 11, in which the free ends are arranged to elastically engage the opposed side walls of the groove and to then wipe the opposed side walls of the groove as the flange is inserted.

13. The enclosure according to claim 6, in which the free ends are arranged to elastically engage the opposed side walls of the groove and to then wipe the opposed side walls of the groove as the flange is inserted.

14. A radio frequency shielded enclosure comprising:

a) an electrically conductive housing having a particular shape, the housing enclosing a large chamber with an opening;

b) a closure configured for closing off the opening;

c) a flange having a first thickness, the flange being coextensive with either one of the housing or the closure and extending away therefrom at the periphery of the opening;

d) a groove in the other of the closure or the housing, the groove having opposed side walls and an opening for receiving therein the flange when the closure closes the opening;

e) a sealing strip assembly comprising:

A) a plurality of portions;

B) each portion having a continuous base with opposed long sides;

C) a plurality of closely spaced apart fingers extending away from each of the long sides and terminating in a free end, such that the fingers on one long side oppose the fingers on the other long side;

D) the fingers on each side having a bend at a point intermediate the free end and the base, the bend directed toward the opposing fingers, such that the space between the opposed fingers at that point is less than the space between the opposed fingers at the free ends, and slightly less than the first thickness of the flange; and

E) the portions being constructed of a thin, electrically conductive material treated after forming to be springy and retain the final forms required to form a substantially continuous shielding strip at the periphery of the opening;

f) the strip assembly being received into the groove to thereby form a substantially continuous endless shielding strip at the periphery of the closure, and

h) the flange arranged to pass freely between the free ends of the fingers and to force the fingers apart and against the groove walls when passing the bends, thereby creating electrical contact between the flange, the fingers and the opposed walls of the groove when the closure is closed.

15. The enclosure according to claim 14, in which the free ends are arranged to elastically engage the opposed side walls of the groove and to then wipe the opposed side walls of the groove as the flange is inserted.

16. The enclosure according to claim 15, further comprising a projection at each of the opposed walls of the groove at the open end thereof that engage the free ends of the fingers to prevent the strip assembly from leaving the groove as the flange is removed from the strip assembly.

17. A sealing strip assembly for an RFI shielded enclosure, the enclosure having:

an electrically conductive housing, the housing enclosing a large chamber with an opening;

a closure configured for closing off the opening;

a flange having a first thickness, the flange being coextensive with either one of the housing or the closure and extending away therefrom at the periphery of the opening; and

a groove in the other of the closure or the housing, the groove having opposed side walls and an opening for receiving therein the flange when the closure closes the opening;

the sealing strip assembly comprising:

A) a plurality of portions;

B) each portion having a continuous base with opposed long sides;

C) a plurality of closely spaced apart fingers extending away from each of the long sides and terminating in a free end, such that the fingers on one long side oppose the fingers on the other long side;

D) the fingers on each side having a bend at a point intermediate the free end and the base, the bend directed toward the opposing fingers, such that the space between the opposed fingers at that point is less than the space between the opposed fingers at the free ends, and slightly less than the first thickness of the flange;

E) the free ends being constructed to elastically engage the opposed side walls of the groove when inserted therein, and to then wipe the opposed walls of the groove as the flange is inserted for enhanced electrical contact; and

F) the portions being constructed of a thin, electrically conductive material treated after forming to be springy and retain the final forms required to form a substantially continuous shielding strip at the periphery of the opening.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to enclosures that are shielded from electromagnetic radiation and more particularly to such enclosures and doors that are provided with seals that achieve effective radio frequency shielding by simply closing the door.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

It is common practice to place apparatus that emits electromagnetic radiation (EMR), or which is sensitive to radio frequency interference (RFI) within a shielded enclosure. When the enclosure must be frequently opened, the means for ensuring that the shielding will be restored when the opening is once again closed present problems. It is well known to provide the access door or panel with a forwardly directed blade along its perimeter that conductively engages separate sealing strips with springy contact fingers conductively held in a groove at the enclosure opening. U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,670 issued Jun. 29, 1993 to Hogan describes such an apparatus and the problems encountered. When cellular telephones are tested, they must be shielded from even the slightest stray radiation. Their emitted radiation must also be shielded when they are tested in a production facility. The closure must be repeatedly opened and closed, as each phone is tested in turn. The closure must be easy to open and close. The unit should take up little space.

LIGI TOOL AND ENGINEERING, INC. OF POMPANO BEACH, Fla. has been producing the RFI-100 Radio Interference Test Box for this purpose. It provides 80 decibel isolation up to 3 GHz. It employs a beryllium copper spring finger strip held captive in the cover that cooperates with a flange extending from the enclosure opening. The strip is series 97-542 produced by INSTRUMENT SPECIALTIES OF DELAWARE WATER GAP, Pa., U.S. Pat. No. 3,504,095. The fingers are spaced apart farther than is desirable to permit some bending of the straight strip. Because the strip cannot be bent through a radius of less than 3 inches, the overall dimensions of the apparatus are larger than is desirable. Construction needed to hold the strip in place adds to the cost. It would be desirable to have a greater degree of shielding, a smaller enclosure, and one that was less costly to produce.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a means of shielding an openable closure that would enable providing smaller radii, greater shielding, less costly construction, and longer useful life without maintenance. The invention comprises a closure seal and an openable RFI shielded enclosure for testing electronic equipment. The seal of the invention comprises a generally U shaped conductive spring finger strip seated in a groove in the cover. The strip comprises a continuous web with springy fingers extending downward therefrom. The strip is comprised of eight portions, four corner portions with small radius, and four straight portions closely adjacent to one another to make an effectively continuous perimeter. The strips are formed into the final desired curved and straight shapes prior to heat treatment. A short flange extends from the housing and is designed to fit into the strip, forcing the fingers of the strip apart to press the legs against the opposed walls of the groove. This provides spring biased electrical contact between the housing, the springy fingers, and the walls of the groove.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent when the detailed description is studied in conjunction with the drawings in which like elements are designated by like reference characters in the various drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an enclosure of the prior art with cover open.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken through line 2--2 of FIG. 1 with cover closed.

FIG. 3 is top view of the enclosure of the invention with cover closed.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the enclosure.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the housing with the cover removed.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken through 6--6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the housing.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the cover from the underside.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken through 9--9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged detail of the encircled portion of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a corner portion of the gasket after milling and before forming to final shape.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a short straight portion of the gasket after milling and before forming to final shape.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a long straight portion of the gasket after milling and before forming to final shape.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged detail as in FIG. 10 with the gasket in place and the cover closed to show the sealing mechanism.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a portion of the gasket of another embodiment of the invention after milling and before forming to final shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawing FIGS. 1-2, an enclosure 1' of the prior art for testing a cellular telephone 10' is shown. It features a beryllium copper shielding gasket 2' held captive between slot 3' in the cover 4' and the slot 3" in the plate 6'. The gasket 2' has springy fingers 5' which extend laterally until bent inward by the flange 7' on the housing 8' as it closes. The finger before closing is shown in phantom. The radius of the seal is limited by the radius through which the strip may be bent. This determines the dimensions and shape of the finished enclosure. A more rectangular chamber of smaller dimensions would be more useful. The spring fingers are spaced apart by 0.015 inches to permit some bending. Machining the groove 3' with precision is very difficult, and increases the cost of manufacture.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-14, an RFI shielding enclosure 1 of the invention suitable for testing and adjusting cellular telephones is shown. Housing 8 has a substantially rectangular chamber 21 with four straight sides and four corners with small radius. A cover 4 has a slot 3 with four straight sides and four corners with central radius of 0.826 inches that holds captive a beryllium copper springy sealing gasket 2 with generally U shaped spring fingers 11 extending from a continuous base 14. A bend 18 intermediate the free ends 17 of the fingers and the base closes the space between the bends to 0.1476 inches. The fingers are spaced apart from adjacent fingers by only 0.005 for enhanced shielding. The gasket is able to conform to the small radius corners by means of its special construction. It is made up of four straight sections and four corner sections. They are chemically milled out of 0.005 inch beryllium copper strip stock. They are then formed to shape and heat treated to become springy and retain their shape. Tabs 9 may be bent out to retain the sections in holes 5 in the bottom of the slot. The slot 3 is cut out to 0.286 inches wide, and then an intermediate portion of the walls are cut away to 0.3060 inches width, forming projections 10 in groove 3 that hold the gasket sections in place once they are snapped in. The fingers 11 extend outward to touch the side walls of groove 3, and the free ends 17 of the fingers prevent movement past the projections 10 in the groove. The housing 8 has an upwardly projecting flange 12 with a thickness of 0.1520 inches arranged to slide between the bends 18 of fingers 11, forcing them further apart by 0.0024 inches on each side, and pressing the fingers against the side walls of groove 3, thereby making excellent low resistance double contact for enhanced electrical shielding. The beryllium copper gasket is plated with nickel to resist formation of insulating corrosion products. The flange is provided with a rounded edge 13 to facilitate insertion and prevent damage to the gasket. The dimensions of the gasket and the flange are arranged to cause very slight deflection for easy operation and long life, yet with enough wiping and spring action to ensure low resistance contact. The strip is free to move slightly within its groove under the forces of the moving flange 12, causing a wiping contact of the free ends of the strip against the walls of the groove, as well as the wiping contact between the flange and the fingers. Shielded multi pin electrical connector 22 is mounted in an aperture in the side wall.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 15, the two corner sections may be combined with one short section and two halves of the long sections to fabricate the sealing strip in only two separate identical pieces 20 for ease of manufacture and assembly.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the groove may be in the housing and the flange in the closure. The shape of the opening may vary, as desired.

The above disclosed invention has a number of particular features which should preferably be employed in combination, although each is useful separately without departure from the scope of the invention. While I have shown and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in form and arrangement of parts and the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made within the underlying idea or principles of the invention.





We can supply any quantity and any kind of Copper Beryllium Finger Strips and Industrial Enclosure Shielding from stock.would you please inform us how many you need and your target price, then we will confirm ASAP. We are sincerely hope to do business with you and establish long term business relationship with your respectable company.

Look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best regards,

Sam Xu
Contact me:
MSN: xubiao_1996@hotmail.com
GMAIL: samjiefu@gmail.com
SKPYE:jiefu1996


Beryllium Copper Finger Strips and Industrial Enclosure Shielding


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Radiation resistant closure

A radiation resistant joint between an edge of a movable member and a corresponding edge of a fixed member. The joint comprises at least two bowed conductive contact fingers fixed at one end to one of the members with one finger superimposed over the other finger. The free end of the upper finger engages the bow portion of the lower finger. Means are provided for moving the lower finger and consequently the upper finger away from the member with which they are attached such that the bow portions of each finger engage a conductive plate on the other member to make a radiation resistant seal therewith
.Radiation resistant closures are known in which inflatable tubes are utilized to move flexible conductive contact strips mounted on one member into conductive contact with a plate mounted on another member. An advantage of such a construction is that wear and tear of the contact strips is reduced because the strips are not subjected to the sliding action of the plate passing over the strips during opening and closing movement of the members relative to one another since the tube is inflated only after the members are in a closed position with respect to each other. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,757,225, there is disclosed a door for a radio shielded enclosure having an inflatable tube contained in the edges of a door for a moving contact member made of a thin flexible sheet metal strip into contact with a conductive strip mounted on the edges of a door frame. Because the sheet metal strip is of solid construction, it is important that the door fit accurately in its frame so as to assure that all portions of the strip along its length will be in conductive contact with portions of the door frame when the tube is inflated. The need for accurate and close fitting between the door frame and door necessarily increases cost of production.

Conductive strips in the form of comb-like bowed fingers such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,589,070 have been proposed where the bowed portions of the fingers flex outwardly of a member to which they are mounted to conductively engage a conductive plate mounted on another member. The individual fingers are easily flexed so that they will accommodate variations in spacing between the members. However since the strips containing the fingers are made of a light flexible material, such as beryllium copper, the fingers can be easily broken or bent out of shape, which if this occurs, can lead to impairment of radiation seal integrity.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide for a closure for forming a radiation resistant joint which may utilize the advantages of conductive strips having a plurality of comb-like conductive bowed fingers and which at the same time will insure integrity of a seal even in the event one of the fingers is broken off or bent out of shape.

Broadly a radiation resistant joint according to the invention comprises first and second resilient electrically conductive contact fingers where each finger has a bowed portion comprising a part of a finger strip affixed to an edge of either a movable member or a fixed member. The second resilient fingers are affixed at one end in an overlapping relation to an end of the first fingers with both fingers being connected to an edge of one of the members. The free ends of the second fingers overlap and engages the bowed portions of the first fingers. Bowed portions of both fingers are adapted to engage a conductive plate on the other member with which the fingers are not connected so that the fingers form a conductive seal between the edges of the members.

Preferably the fingers are in a comb-like strip and are made of an electrically conductive material, such as for example, beryllium copper.

Further an inflatable tube is preferably positioned between the first fingers and the member to which it is connected such that when the tube is inflated, it will move the bowed portions of the first fingers and the free ends and bowed portions of the second fingers outwardly towards a conductive plate of the other member. When the tube is in a deflated condition, the natural flexure of the fingers will move the bowed portions of the fingers out of contact with the conductive plate. By this construction the fingers are protected from damage when the members are moved to a closed position with respect to one another where the conductive plate is free to slide over the fingers without contact during opening and closing movement of the members. Further use of an inflatable tube to move the fingers outwardly into conductive engagement with the plate allows the fingers to be positioned in a groove contained in the member the sides of which give further protection against inadvertent damage to the fingers.

The fingers and inflatable tube may be mounted on either the edges of the movable door member or on the edges of a fixed frame member surrounding the door. The conductive plate would be mounted on a corresponding edge of the other member. Preferably the fingers and tube extend around the complete periphery of either the door or fixed frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of edges of a door and corresponding edge of a fixed frame having a closure according to the invention in an unsealed position; and

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the closure in a sealing position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is illustrated a movable door member 1 and a fixed frame member 2 with the door member being in a closed position with respect to the fixed frame member. A first bowed finger 3 is connected at one end to a conductive strip 4 forming part of the door member. A second bowed finger 5 is also connected to the strip 4 and in overlapping relation to the finger 3 such that the free end 6 of the second finger 5 engages the bowed portion 7 of the first finger 3.

The first and second fingers 3 and 5 comprise comb-like strips and are connected to the conductive strip 4 by means of a screw 10 engaging a clamp 11 between which the ends of finger strips are positioned. Other means, for example riveting or welding, could be used to connect the finger strips to the conductive strip.

The door 1 comprises conductive side plates 15 and 16 preferably of a ferrous material so as to provide a shielded structure. An inflatable tube 17 is positioned between the side plates 15 and 16 and is adapted to be connected to a source of fluid pressure, not shown.

The fixed frame member 2 has a side plate 18 comprising ferrous material also forming a shielding structure. A conductive plate 19 is connected to the plate 18 and extends perpendicularly thereto. As shown in FIG. 2 the plate 19 is adapted to be contacted by the bowed portions 7 and 5' of the finger strips 3 and 5 so that a conductive connection is made at two points. Thus if one of the fingers is broken off or bent out of shape, the other finger will continue to make sealing contact with the plate to insure integrity of radiation resilient joints between the members.

The inflatable tube 17 comprises an elastomeric material which has a memory to assume the shape shown in FIG. 1 when deflated to assure that the fingers 3 and 5 may spring or flex out of contact with the plate 19.

The side plate 16 may as shown in the figures extend in the righthand direction beyond the plate 19 so as to provide some degree of protection to the tube 17 and fingers when the door member is in an open position with respect to the frame member.

While the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes having the fingers and inflatable tube mounted in a door member, the fingers and inflated tube could instead be mounted in a fixed frame member and the conductive plate adapted to contact the fingers would then be part of the door member.

Contact fingers constructed according to the invention are also applicable for use as face seals between a sliding type door which is adapted to slide parallel to a wall to cover or close a wall opening. In this instance the fingers would be affixed to the face of the wall around the wall opening to engage the face of the door, or, alternatively, would be affixed to the face of the door around its periphery to engage the face of the wall around the door opening.

Further while two fingers are shown superimposed, further fingers could be added so as to be superimposed on the second finger 5 if further radio frequency attenuation was desired.

We can supply any quantity and any kind of Copper Beryllium Finger Strips and Industrial Enclosure Shielding from stock.would you please inform us how many you need and your target price, then we will confirm ASAP. We are sincerely hope to do business with you and establish long term business relationship with your respectable company.

Look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best regards,

Sam Xu
Contact me:
MSN: xubiao_1996@hotmail.com
GMAIL: samjiefu@gmail.com
SKPYE:jiefu1996


Beryllium Copper Finger Strips and Industrial Enclosure Shielding


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Read more...

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Mechanical design tips for EMI shielding

Nowadays every company is involved with CE / EMI demands. The use of electronics increases as well as the frequencies. Therefore radiation and immunity has to be taken into account in an early stage during the development of new products. In many cases EMI problems cannot be solved at PCB level, the enclosures and cables will have to be shielded.

When to use shielding?

Shielding is a fast way to comply with legal demands like CE or FCC or to prevent electro-magnetic interference. Since time-consuming development is not required, shielding is cost-effective. Therefore shielding is used for non consumer products quantities or if a quick market introduction is needed. It is also used for appliances with high radiation or sensitivity levels or for products of which these levels are not known in advance, like modular enclosures.

Radiation and conduction

Electro-magnetic interference can be transferred by radiation and conduction. Conduction plays an important role with frequencies below 10 MHz. To prevent this, cables and enclosures have to be shielded with magnetically conductive materials. The lower the frequency, the thicker the shielding needs to be. Click HERE for cable shielding solutions.

For high frequencies (HF shielding, >40 MHz), only a very thin layer of highly conductive material is needed.

Avoid gaps

The higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength. This means that when the frequency increases, the tolerable gap dimensions decrease. In other words: doors, panels and other parts need to be connected electrically on all sides. The easiest way to do this is with highly conductive EMI shielding gaskets. Most of them are self-adhesive for easy mounting.

Avoid Gaps

To select the appropriate gasket, several aspects have to be taken into account: the rigidity of the construction, the distance between the fixings, the distance between them and the construction materials used.



The allowed stiffness of the gasket depends on the rigidity of the construction and the distance between the fixings. If the gasket is too stiff, the door, lid or panel will deflect and gaps will be caused instead of prevented (fig. 1). Especially for doors several kinds of gaskets have been developed, which combine a very large compression range, low closure force and high conductivity. Many of them can be used in existing products, without changing the construction. The gasket selection diagram is very helpful to determine the appropriate gasket material.



Galvanic corrosion

The conductive layer on the outside of the gasket needs to be in the same galvanic range as the construction materials. Otherwise galvanic corrosion will occur and the electrical conduction between the parts will be lost. This will decrease the shielding performance. Commonly used criteria: no more than 0.3 Volts for harsh environments (salt spray / weathering) and no more than 0.5 Volts for benign environments (indoors, salt-free condensation only). Click HERE for an overview of the galvanic range.

To obtain a contact surface within the same galvanic range as the conductive covering of the gaskets, a Metal Tape with conductive self-adhesive can be applied. This can be provided with a masking tape of a smaller width. The paint overlaps the tape, which increases bonding and corrosion resistance (fig 2). Tapes






Waterseal Holland Shielding Systems

An other way to avoid galvanic corrosion is to take care that the environmental influences do not reach the EMI shielding gasket, for example with a combined EMI / water seal (fig. 3)

Some manufacturers of EMI shielding gaskets use carbon containing layers on the outside to prevent corrosion of the gasket. Please be aware that these are not galvanically compatible with many commonly used construction materials and that corrosion of the contact surfaces of the construction will take place. EMI shielding gaskets with a conductive layer of reinforced Amucor® foil are much more compatible with materials like zinc plated steel and aluminium, and will prevent this kind of corrosion.

Displays / vent panels

Not only connections between construction parts, but of course also displays and vent panels need to be shielded. Displays can be provided with a sputtered transparent Conductive Coating for HF shielding (>30 Mhz, fig 4) or a fine metal wire mesh for lower frequency / high performance shielding (fig. 5). The conductive sputter layer can be coated directly on the display or can be supplied on thin films for smaller amounts.

Of course, the shielding of the displays will have to be connected with the shielding of the enclosure to guarantee optimal damping. This can be done with a gasket or metal tape with conductive self-adhesive.

Shielded Display
Shielded Display

Vent Panels are usually shielded with aluminium honeycomb vents. These give excellent shielding performance with minimal loss of airflow. For superb shielding performance so-called cross-cell honeycomb vents are used. These consist of two or more layers of aluminium honeycomb, rotated 90° (fig. 6). Honeycombs are usually applied with a rigid aluminium frame and a gasket of 2-5 mm for optimal connection with the construction.

Honeycomb vent Holland Shielding Systems

Cables

To prevent radiation from escaping past the shielding through power and signal cables, they need to be shielded or filtered. Shielding can be provided by ready-made shielded cables, shielding tube and cable wrapping. Shielding tube consists of hollow braided metal wire, through which the cable or bundle of cables can be pulled to shield it. Cable Wrapping is a knitted metal wire tape, which is wrapped around a cable or bundle of cables. With this, it is very easy to make branches.

The shielding of the cables always needs to be connected properly with the shielding of the enclosure; otherwise the cable will act as an antenna and the shielding will be useless. For heavy duty and military applications, shielded cable glands and special cable entry systems with compressed conductive rubber seals are commonly used. For commercial applications and appliances that do not need a water seal, Entry-shield is used in most cases. Entry-shield consist of two pre-compressed flexible strips of EMI shielding gasket, between which the cables are entered. This way, many cables can be entered simultaneously with minimal mounting and it is very easy to add cables later (fig. 7).

Entry Shielding

Connectors

What was said about cables also applies for Connectors. These also need to be shielded or filtered and connected with a gasket. These gaskets can consist of 1mm thick die-cut material, which can also be manufactured easily according to customer specifications, with little tooling costs (fig. 8).

Foam Gasket

Shielding at the source

If the source of the radiation or sensitivity is known, shielding can be done at the source. The interfering parts can be packed in a folded box or envelope of die-cut shielding foil with an insulating layer on the inside to avoid short-circuiting (fig. 9). It can also be done by soldering vertical metal strips on the PCB to create compartments. These compartments are closed by adding a lid of flexible die-cut shielding foil (fig. 10) or by pressing a soft foam sheet with a conductive surface against the strips (fig. 11). With the latter option, many compartments can be shielded with just one single cover.



We can supply any quantity and any kind of Copper Beryllium Finger Strips and Industrial Enclosure Shielding from stock.would you please inform us how many you need and your target price, then we will confirm ASAP. We are sincerely hope to do business with you and establish long term business relationship with your respectable company.

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EMI Regulations

Government regulations in the US and many other countries prohibit electronic products from emitting EMI that could interfere with radio and television receivers. European regulations also include EMI immunity levels. Manufacturers of commercial electronic products generally contend with three types of EMI problems:

* Suppression of internally generated signals to prevent excessive levels of radiated and/or conducted emissions
The FCC in the United States, CSA in Canada, VCCI in Japan, AUSTEL in Australia, and legislation by EU (European Union) member countries all set certain standards for EMI emission levels that commercial electronic devices must meet before being sold in those countries. Many electronic products sold in the US must be tested and verified or certified for compliance with the FCC’s Part 15 regulations.

* External ambient interference with equipment operation
Many companies establish their own specifications for immunity to EMI over a range of phenomena. These may include electrostatic discharge (ESD), radiated immunity, and electricfast transients (EFT). This is not yet a requirement in the US; however, EU regulations currently do include immunity requirements.

* Internally generated emissions interfering with equipment operation
EMI from one circuit can interfere with the function of another within the same system or subsystem. Typically called cross-talk, this problem is the most common source of system susceptibility. Cross-talk frequently occurs in densely packaged mobile or portable equipment.
Design assistance that can make
a real difference in time and cost …
As the world’s largest manufacturer of EMI shielding materials, Chomerics offers its customers unparalleled knowledge of system design and regulatory compliance. We encourage you to contact our Applications Engineering Departments in Woburn or Marlow for practical advice on product selection. Featured in this catalog is Chomerics’ comprehensive product line for commercial applications. Since 1961, vigorous product development in pace with the rapid advances in electronics has made Chomerics a primary force in EMI shielding technology.
If you don’t find the ideal solution, call us.
We’re probably working on it!




We can supply any quantity and any kind of Copper Beryllium Finger Strips and Industrial Enclosure Shielding from stock.would you please inform us how many you need and your target price, then we will confirm ASAP. We are sincerely hope to do business with you and establish long term business relationship with your respectable company.

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Electromagnetic Compatibility and Interference

Electronic devices operating normally in their intended environment, without conducting or radiating excessive amounts of electromagnetic energy, or being susceptible to such energy from internal or external sources, are in the state of electromagnetic compatibility, or EMC. Electromagnetic interference, EMI, is radiated or conducted energy that adversely affects circuit performance, and thus disrupts a device’s EMC. Many types of electronic circuits radiate or are susceptible to EMI and must be shielded to ensure proper performance. Establishing basic electromagnetic compatibility in any electronic device generally requires two distinct approaches. The first approach is to reduce EMI generated from internal sources. As shown in Figure 1, this is best accomplished by designing an electronic circuit or device so that it inherently generates less EMI. Residual EMI may then be suppressed or contained within the enclosure by appropriate filtering and shielding methods. Filtering cables at the point where they enter or leave the enclosure will reduce conducted emissions.
















Figure 1
Reducing EMI Radiation and EMI Susceptibility








Radiated EMI may be eliminated or reduced by the use of shielded enclosures and shielding materials. The second method for establishing EMC in a device is to improve its immunity (or reduce its susceptibility) to interference from external EMI sources. Figure 1a illustrates an EMI-susceptible device. Susceptibility to external EMI may be reduced or even eliminated by designing circuits and choosing components which are inherently less sensitive to interference. As in the case of internal sources, conducted EMI may be reduced with filtering devices on incoming and outgoing leads as shown in Figure 1b, and susceptibility to externally radiated EMI may be reduced with use of effective shielding, as illustrated in Figure 1c.






We can supply any quantity and any kind of Copper Beryllium Finger Strips and Industrial Enclosure Shielding from stock.would you please inform us how many you need and your target price, then we will confirm ASAP. We are sincerely hope to do business with you and establish long term business relationship with your respectable company.

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EMI Shielded Window Provides Optical Clarity on CRT

A manufacturer of process control instruments needed to improve the readability of shielded CRT displays on a number of its models. Shielded windows used on the CRTs significantly reduced light transmission, resulting in undesirably dark screens. Some displays were also troubled with distorted text when the mesh in the shielded windows presented moiré pattern problems. The solution could not add cost or reduce the current shielding effectiveness.

Chomerics provided emiclare™ EMI shielded windows to improve CRT readability at costs less than the previous method. The emiclare windows feature a unique wire mesh weave developed for brighter image quality through higher light transmission. These polycarbonate windows are fully laminated with optically matched adhesives to reduce losses from reflection and dispersion. Their front surfaces have a non-glare hardcoat, and a clear hardcoat is on rear surfaces.

Together, these construction features provided great improvement to the CRTs' optical performance. They also provided better shielding performance, surpassing 50 dB effectiveness at 100 MHz. The emiclare shielding windows were delivered in 2 weeks at unit costs below the original window prices.

We can supply any quantity and any kind of Copper Beryllium Finger Strips and Industrial Enclosure Shielding from stock.would you please inform us how many you need and your target price, then we will confirm ASAP. We are sincerely hope to do business with you and establish long term business relationship with your respectable company.

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Saturday, August 25, 2007

Beryllium copper EMI/RFI shielding strips

EMI shielding specialist, TBA Electro Conductive Products (ECP) has introduced new small size beryllium copper EMI/RFI shielding strips

EMI shielding specialist, TBA Electro Conductive Products (ECP) has introduced new small size beryllium copper EMI/RFI shielding strips that are designed for use in applications where very narrow gaps are encountered. The new ECP620 gaskets are ideal for bidirectional applications including sub-rack assemblies, plug-in units, front panels, backplanes and other shielding and grounding enclosure applications requiring high shielding effectiveness for narrow gaps.ECP620 small size gaskets feature an uncompressed (free) height of just 2mm and require compression force of 16 to 50kg/m for 25 to 50% compression respectively (1.5 to 1mm).

The gaskets are manufactured from 0.5mm thick beryllium copper and are supplied in 406mm long strips.

Fingers are 1.06mm wide on 1.52mm pitch and strip width is 5.33mm uncompressed.

TBA ECP's new ECP620 small size gaskets feature pressure sensitive (stick-on) mounting and soft no-snag fingers.

They also meet the requirements of the RoHS and WEEE directives.

Like all TBA ECP's beryllium copper gaskets, the new small size designs are available in a wide range of plating options including clean and bright (unsolderable) as standard, solderable unplated, gold, silver, tin lead, bright tin, bright nickel, zinc/clear chromate and electroless nickel among others.

Beryllium copper shielding strips offer excellent spring qualities and long life.

Other important characteristics include low closing forces and high attenuation exceeding 100dB for many styles.

Complementing its range of beryllium copper shielding strips, TBA ECP also supplies stainless steel versions of its low-profile and pressure sensitive mounting gaskets.

These extend the choice of materials available to design engineers and provide hard-wearing and long-lasting EMI/RFI shielding in a wide range of applications.

TBA ECP's comprehensive range of standard beryllium copper fingerstock delivers cost effective EMI/RFI shielding with high attenuation.

Custom shielding is also available for board-level shielding and connector gaskets.

TBA Electro Conductive Products is a specialist manufacturer of high quality electro static protection (ESP) and electro magnetic interference (EMI) shielding products.

The EMI shielding range includes an extensive portfolio of gaskets and gasketing materials, metal foil tapes, shielded windows and mesh products, vent panels and shielded fan vents.





We can supply any quantity and any kind of Copper Beryllium Finger Strips and Industrial Enclosure Shielding from stock.would you please inform us how many you need and your target price, then we will confirm ASAP. We are sincerely hope to do business with you and establish long term business relationship with your respectable company.

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EMI shielding material:EMI gaskets shielding、EMI gasket、fabric tape、aluminum foil tape、copper foil tape

EMI gaskets shielding
EMI gaskets shieldingEMI gaskets shielding are used to provide an electrically conductive seal for electronic equipment openings and housing covers to prevent or restrict electromagnetic interference. EMI Gaskets have good performance after strictly testing. It is an efficient way using our gaskets and fabric tapes into any electronics to avoid the electromagnetic interference.


Fabric tape
fabric tapeFabric tape/Electrically-Conductive Adhesive Transfer Tapes are designed to help you save time in a variety of specialized electronics assembly operations – from attaching EMI shields and gaskets to grounding and bonding flexible circuits and PCBs – while improving the performance and reliability of your finished products.


Aluminum foil tape
aluminum foil tape Aluminum Foil Tapes are an economical EMI shielding solution for a variety of commercial uses. The tapes are available in copper, aluminum, or tinned copper foil backed with QuanYi’s highly conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive. Standard length rolls and die-cut custom shapes can be ordered.


Copper foil tape
copper foil tape Copper Foil Tapes are an economical EMI shielding solution for a variety of commercial uses. The tapes are available in copper, aluminum, or tinned copper foil backed with our highly conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive. Standard length rolls and die-cut custom shapes can be ordered. Copper foil tapes are recommended for electro-static shielding, cable wrapping, and stained glass work.



We can supply any quantity and any kind of Copper Beryllium Finger Strips and Industrial Enclosure Shielding from stock.would you please inform us how many you need and your target price, then we will confirm ASAP. We are sincerely hope to do business with you and establish long term business relationship with your respectable company.

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EMI Introduction

A knowledge of the fundamental concepts of EMI will aid the designer in selecting the gasket inherently best suited to a specific design.
To choose a most effective EMI shielding gasket for products such as telecommunications equipment, handset device, laptop PC, PC related, automotive and medical electronics, often you have three options: conductive fabric over foam (Aluminum foil over foam), conductive elastomer, or beryllium-copper (BeCu) strips (fingerstock). Depending on the product’s needs, these solutions provide varying EMI protection, intricacy of forms, and environmental protection.


As designing EMI shielding into products, some factors must be considered:

* Attenuation level. Most commercial applications typically require 60 to 100 dB but can go as high as 120 dB.
1. EMI Gasket of Conductive fabric over foam -Typical EMI shielding effectiveness is around 80 to 115 dB.( 10kHz to 10GHz frequency range)
2. EMI Gasket of Conductive elastomers - Typical EMI shielding effectiveness is around 40 to 120 dB.( 10kHz to 10GHz frequency range)
3. EMI Gasket of BeCu Strips (Fingerstock) - Typical EMI shielding effectiveness is around 75 to 120 dB.( 10kHz to 10GHz frequency range)
* Compression. Most commercial applications require low closure force. Compression force has the greatest effect on conductive elastomer shielding characteristics. Since they can be loaded with relatively low- to high-conductivity filler materials, conductive elastomers supply the widest range of shielding effectiveness.
BeCu strips and conductive fabric-over-foam gaskets are not affected as much by compression forces. As a result, they offer a narrower range of shielding capabilities.
* Mechanical durability.
* Form, referring to the complexity of the form or pattern in which the gasket fits.
* Galvanic compatibility between the gasketing conductive material and substrate metal. This avoids creating a galvanic cell, which can lead to corrosion.
* Environmental sealing from water, dust, and similar external substances.

Other selection considerations include cost, service life (cycles, actuations), tolerances, and mounting methods such as fastener types and adhesives.


We can supply any quantity and any kind of Copper Beryllium Finger Strips and Industrial Enclosure Shielding from stock.would you please inform us how many you need and your target price, then we will confirm ASAP. We are sincerely hope to do business with you and establish long term business relationship with your respectable company.

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EMI Theory

Electronic devices operating normally in their intended environment, without conducting or radiating excessive amounts of electromagnetic energy, or being susceptible to such energy from internal or external sources, are in the state of electromagnetic
compatibility, or EMC. Electromagnetic interference, EMI, is radiated or conducted energy that adversely affects circuit performance, and thus disrupts a device’s EMC. Many types of electronic circuits radiate or are susceptible to EMI and must be shielded to ensure proper performance. Establishing basic electromagnetic compatibility in any electronic device generally requires two distinct approaches. The first approach is to reduce EMI generated from internal sources. It is the best accomplished by designing an electronic circuit or device so that it inherently generates less EMI. Residual EMI may then be suppressed or contained within the enclosure by appropriate filtering and shielding methods. Filtering cables at the point where they enter or leave the enclosure will reduce conducted emissions. Radiated EMI may be eliminated or reduced by the use of shielded enclosures and shielding materials. The second method for establishing EMC in a device is to improve its immunity (or reduce its susceptibility) to interference from external EMI sources.

Here you will find everything you need, to solve all your EMI shielding issues. Products including: 1. EMI Shielding gasket (Conductive fabric over foam, Conductive elastomer, BeCu Strips), 2. EMI shielding/conductive tape (Copper foil tape, Aluminum foil tape, conductive fabric tape), 3. EMI shielding adhesive (Conductive adhesive). Our technical engineers will work together with you from the design phase through final production

We can supply any quantity and any kind of Copper Beryllium Finger Strips and Industrial Enclosure Shielding from stock.would you please inform us how many you need and your target price, then we will confirm ASAP. We are sincerely hope to do business with you and establish long term business relationship with your respectable company.

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EMI shield having flexible fingers with nonlinear slits

An electromagnetic interference shield for use around access panels and doors in electronic equipment enclosures includes a base and profile manufactured from an electrically nonconductive solid material such as a thermoplastic resin polymer. An electrically conductive layer of a metallized fabric is bonded to the profile to provide effective shielding and grounding function. The underlying polymer provides elastic compliancy and resiliency to the shield. The shield may be divided into flexible fingers which can be rectangular or nonlinear shaped. The nonlinear shaped flexible finger from nonlinear shaped slits between the fingers which provides improved EMI shielding by reducing the amount of EMI transmission that can pass through the shield. The electromagnetic interference shield may also be made from an electrically conductive material. During normal operation, electronic equipment generates undesirable electromagnetic energy that can interfere with the operation of proximately located electronic equipment due to EMI transmission by radiation and conduction. The electromagnetic energy can by of a wide range of wavelengths and frequencies. To minimize the problems associated with EMI, sources of undesirable electromagnetic energy may be shielded and electrically grounded. Shielding is designed to prevent both ingress and egress of electromagnetic energy relative to a housing or other enclosure in which the electronic equipment is disposed. Since such enclosures often include gaps or seams between adjacent access panels and around doors, effective shielding is difficult to attain because the gaps in the enclosure permit transference of EMI therethrough. Further, in the case of electrically conductive metal enclosures, these gaps can inhibit the beneficial Faraday Cage Effect by forming discontinuities in the conductivity of the enclosure which compromise the efficiency of the ground conduction path through the enclosure. Moreover, by presenting an electrical conductivity level at the gaps that is significantly different from that of the enclosure generally, the gaps can act as slot antennae, resulting in the enclosure itself becoming a secondary source of EMI.

Specialized EMI gaskets have been developed for use in gaps and around doors to provide a degree of EMI shielding while permitting operation of enclosure doors and access panels. To shield EMI effectively, the gasket should be capable of absorbing or reflecting EMI as well as establishing a continuous electrically conductive path across the gap in which the gasket is disposed. Conventional metallic gaskets manufactured from copper doped with beryllium are widely employed for EMI shielding due to their high level of electrical conductivity. Due to inherent electrical resistance in the gasket, however, a portion of the electromagnetic field being shielded induces a current in the gasket, requiring that the gasket form a part of an electrically conductive path for passing the induced current flow to ground. Failure to ground the gasket adequately could result in radiation of an electromagnetic field from a side of the gasket opposite the primary EMI field.

In addition to the desirable qualities of high conductivity and grounding capability, EMI gaskets should be elastically compliant and resilient to compensate for variable gap widths and door operation, yet tough to withstand repeated door closure without failing due to metal fatigue. EMI gaskets should also be configured to ensure intimate electrical contact with proximate structure while presenting minimal force resistance per unit length to door closure, as the total length of an EMI gasket to shield a large door can readily exceed several meters. It is also desirable that the gasket be resistant to galvanic corrosion which can occur when dissimilar metals are in contact with each other for extended periods of time. Low cost, ease of manufacture, and ease of installation are also desirable characteristics for achieving broad use and commercial success.

Conventional metallic EMI gaskets, often referred to as copper beryllium finger strips, include a plurality of cantilevered or bridged fingers forming linear slits therebetween. The fingers provide spring and wiping actions when compressed. Other types of EMI gaskets include closed-cell foam sponges having metallic wire mesh knitted thereover or metallized fabric bonded thereto. Metallic wire mesh may also be knitted over silicone tubing. Strips of rolled metallic wire mesh, without foam or tubing inserts, are also employed.

One problem with metallic finger strips is that to ensure a sufficiently low door closure force, the copper finger strips are made from thin stock, for example on the order of about 0.05 mm (0.002 inches) to about 0.15 mm (0.006 inches) in thickness. Accordingly, sizing of the finger strip uninstalled height and the width of the gap in which it is installed must be controlled to ensure adequate electrical contact when installed and loaded, yet prevent plastic deformation and resultant failure of the strip due to overcompression of the fingers. To enhance toughness, beryllium is added to the copper to form an alloy; however, the beryllium adds cost. Finger strips are also expensive to manufacture, in part due to the costs associated with procuring and developing tooling for outfitting presses and rolling machines to form the complex contours required. Changes to the design of a finger strip to address production or performance problems require the purchase of new tooling and typically incur development costs associated with establishing a reliable, high yield manufacturing process. Notwithstanding the above limitations, metallic finger strips are commercially accepted and widely used. Once manufacturing has been established, large quantities of finger strips can be made at relatively low cost.

Metallic mesh and mesh covered foam gaskets avoid many of the installation disadvantages of finger strips; however, they can be relatively costly to produce due to the manufacturing controls required to realize acceptable production yields.

Another problem with conventional finger strips is that they are not as effective in EMI shielding as clock speed of an electronic product is increased. As clock speed is increased, the wavelength of the EMI waves produced decreases. Accordingly, the waves can penetrate smaller and smaller apertures in the enclosure and in the EMI shield. At lower wavelengths, the slits formed in the finger shields can act as slot antennae, permitting the passage of EMI therethrough and the resultant shielding effectiveness of the shields decreases. Conventional finger strips with linear slits formed between the fingers are increasingly less effective in these applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A metallized fabric clad polymer EMI shield overcomes many of the limitations and disadvantages of conventional EMI shields. One method of manufacturing a metallized fabric clad polymer shield for shielding EMI from passing through a seam between first and second electrically conductive bodies includes forming a base and a profile of an electrically nonconductive solid material in a predetermined configuration. The base is designed to secure the shield to the first body while the profile is designed to contact the second body. An electrically conductive layer is then disposed on at least part of the profile so as to be interdisposed between the profile and the second body upon installation of the shield in a suitable gap of an electronic enclosure. In one exemplary embodiment, the profile and base may be an extrusion of a polymer such as polyvinyl chloride ("PVC"), a thermoplastic resin, and the conductive layer may be a metallized fabric bonded to the profile by a heat sensitive glue. The forming and deposition processes may be separate or may be substantially contiguous. After extrusion and cooling of the profile and base, the metallized fabric may be bonded to the profile in a separate operation. Alternatively, by employing an in-line crosshead extrusion method, the polymer base and profile may be formed and substantially immediately thereafter, the metallized fabric applied as a thermally activated glue-backed tape. Resultant thermal energy in the extrusion activates the glue on the fabric side of the tape, bonding the metallized fabric to the profile. As a subsequent step in either manufacturing method, the profile may be divided into a plurality of independently flexible cantilevered or bridged fingers to compensate for variable gap width along the length of the gap.

Another embodiment for manufacturing a metallized fabric clad polymer EMI shield according to the invention includes disposing an electrically conductive layer on an electrically nonconductive solid sheet material and then forming the sheet into a base and a profile of a predetermined configuration. The sheet may be a polymer such as PVC, the conductive layer may be a metallized fabric bonded to the sheet by a thermally activated glue, and the profile and base may be formed by a thermal process such as thermoforming. As a subsequent step in the manufacturing method, the profile may be divided into a plurality of independently flexible cantilevered or bridged fingers.

According to certain embodiments of the invention, a metallized fabric clad polymer shield for shielding EMI from passing through a seam between first and second electrically conductive bodies includes a base for securing the shield to the first body, a profile of an electrically nonconductive solid material attached to the base for contacting the second body, and an electrically conductive layer disposed on the profile.

The base and the profile may be formed integrally of the same material by extrusion or of different materials by co-extrusion. Alternatively, the base and the profile may be similar or distinct materials joined together by bonding. Additionally, a hinge of a material exhibiting different flexural characteristics may be disposed between the base and the profile, either by co-extrusion or bonding. As used herein, the term bonding includes chemical processes such as those using glues or solvents, as well as mechanical processes such as friction welding and interlocking mechanical cross-sections.

To facilitate installing the EMI shield in an enclosure, an adhesive strip may be attached to the base. Alternatively, the base may include apertures for mechanical fasteners or a return for insertion in a slot or for capturing a flange of the first body. The return may also include barbing to stabilize the shield once installed.

Further EMI shield effectiveness may be achieved using nonlinear shaped EMI shielding fingers forming nonlinear slits therebetween. Various embodiments of nonlinear fingers and slits are contemplated, including those which are arcuate, sinusoidal, interdigitated, chevron-shaped, and combinations thereof. By using nonlinear fingers, the slits formed between the fingers do not form linear apertures so that EMI transmission in a given direction cannot line up with an entire slit length, but only a limited portion of the slit length. For arcuate and sinusoidal slits, as the radius of curvature is decreased, in the limit, the wavelength of EMI waves capable of passing through the slits approaches slit width, which can be substantially zero.

In one embodiment, the EMI shielding fingers with nonlinear slits may be manufactured out of an electrically conductive material such as a copper beryllium alloy or other metallic material. In another embodiment, the NM shielding fingers with nonlinear slits may be manufactured out of a metallized fabric clad polymer or other coated or clad material composition. In general, the nonlinear slits may be employed in any EMI finger shield, regardless of the material and method of manufacture, providing greatly improved EMI shielding effectiveness for short and very short wavelength radiation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, in accordance with preferred and exemplary embodiments, together with further advantages thereof, is more particularly described in the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view of a portion of an EMI shield in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a schematic sectional view of the EMI shield depicted in FIG. 1A taken along line 1B--1B;

FIG. 1C is an enlarged view of FIG. 1B rotated counterclockwise ninety degrees and including the metallized fabric.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an EMI shield disposed in a gap in accordance with a another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of an EMI shield in an uninstalled state in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram representation of a method of manufacture of an EMI shield by extrusion in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a schematic plan view of an EMI finger shield with non-linear arcuate fingers forming arcuate slits in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a schematic plan view of an EMI finger shield with non-linear sinusoidal fingers forming sinusoidal slits in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a schematic plan view of an EMI finger shield with non-linear chevron fingers forming chevron slits in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a schematic plan view of an EMI finger shield with non-linear zigzag fingers forming zigzag slits in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a schematic plan view of an EMI finger shield with non-linear interdigitated fingers forming corresponding slits in accordance with yet still another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7B is a schematic plan view of an EMI finger shield with non-linear interdigitated fingers forming corresponding slits in accordance with still a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic plan and sectional views, respectively, of a metallized fabric clad polymer EMI shield 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The shield 10 is formed from an electrically nonconductive solid material to produce a substantially planar base 12 and a generally arcuate profile 14 having an offset tip 16. The base 12 is configured with a series of apertures 18 so that the base 12 can be secured to a first body (not depicted) by a plurality of nuts and bolts, self-tapping machine screws, rivets, or other mechanical fasteners.

Referring now to FIG. 1C, an enlarged sectional view of the EMI shield 10 is depicted, including an electrically conductive layer of metallized fabric 20 disposed on the profile 14. The relative thicknesses of the fabric 20 and the profile 14 in this and other embodiments are for illustrative purposes only. In some embodiments, as will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow, the thickness of the fabric 20 is typically substantially less than that of the profile 14. The metallized fabric 20 is bonded to the profile 14 with the fabric portion proximate the profile 14 and the metallic portion remote therefrom. The fabric 20 extends from the base 12 proximate the aperture 18 along the profile 14 and wraps around the offset tip 16. Accordingly, when the EMI shield 10 is compressed between first and second bodies at contact zones shown generally as arrows B1 and B2, the fabric provides an electrically conductive path therebetween. Since the EMI shield 10 is secured to the first body solely at the base 12 in a bridge configuration, the tip 16 is free to slide across the first body as the profile 14 is compressed by the second body. By offsetting the tip 16 slightly, the tip 16 slides readily over imperfections in the surface of the first body. Accordingly, the profile 14 elastically deforms during compressive loading, such as when the door is closed, instead of being jammed and crushed.

As is apparent from the depiction in FIG. 1C, the plane of the base 12 is offset from an end of the tip 16 so that when the EMI shield 10 is secured to the first body, a predetermined elastic deformation of the profile 14 results. This preloading of the EMI shield 10 ensures that the tip 16 remains in intimate contact with the first body, thereby providing a positive electrical ground path. In other embodiments, the fabric 20 may extend along the base 12 covering the aperture 18 so that a redundant electrical ground path exists when a fastener such as an aluminum rivet passes through the fabric and aperture, securing the EMI shield 10 to the first body. In yet another embodiment, the fabric may extend further, wrapping around the base 12 so that the fabric 20 is captured between the base 12 and the first body thereby providing a more positive electrical ground path. For any of these embodiments, the fabric 20 may stop short of the tip 16 or need not wrap around the tip 16, if desired.

Referring again to FIG. 1A, the profile 14 of the EMI shield 10 may be divided at regular intervals into a plurality of independently flexible fingers 22, each extending from the common base 12. By subdividing the profile 14 in this manner, the EMI shield 10 can provide effective shielding in a gap which varies in width along its length. Reliefs 24 may be provided at the corners of the fingers 22 to blunt the fingers 22 and minimize catching of the tips 16 on surface imperfections in the first body.

Instead of having a compressive arcuate profile 14, an EMI shield 100 may have a substantially planar profile 114 attached to a substantially planar base 112 by a hinge 26 in a cantilevered configuration so that the EMI shield 100 resembles a recumbent "W" as depicted in FIG. 2. A metallized fabric 120 envelops the entire exterior surface of the EMI shield 100 and wraps around respective tips of both the base 112 and profile 114. The base 112 may be attached to a first body 28 by a thin layer of adhesive 32 along a portion thereof to retain the EMI shield 100 in a predetermined position. The adhesive 32 may be electrically conductive. As a second body 30 moves relative to the first body 28 varying the width of a gap G formed therebetween, the hinge 26 elastically deforms to keep the profile 114 in contact therewith. The V-shaped configuration of the hinge 26 is designed to accommodate a relatively large range of motion between the first and second bodies 28, 30 while maintaining contact for electrical ground and shielding purposes; however, any of a variety of hinge configurations may be used. While the fabric 120 is depicted as being bonded to the entire exterior surface of the EMI shield 100, for ease of manufacture the fabric 120 need not be bonded to the hinge 26. A sufficient amount of fabric 120 should be provided in the area of the hinge 26, however, so as not to restrict the full range of compression of the EMI shield 100.

In this EMI shield 100, all of the base 112, the hinge 26 and the profile 114 are manufactured from the same polymer material; however, different materials with different material properties may be used as depicted in FIG. 3. The EMI shield 200 includes a substantially planar profile 214 which forms an acute angle with a substantially planar base 212 in a cantilevered configuration so that the EMI shield 200 resembles a recumbent "U". Instead of terminating at a tip, however, the base 212 includes a return 34 which forms a throat 36 to permit mounting the EMI shield 200 on a planar flange of the first body. The return includes barbing 38 directed into the throat 36 to stabilize the EMI shield 200 once installed on the flange. The return 34 could alternatively be configured for insertion into a slot in the first body. Barbing 38 extending in opposing directions from both sides of the return may be used to stabilize the EMI shield 200 in such a configuration.

The profile 214 is attached to the base 212 by a hinge 126, but instead of being manufactured from the material used to make the base 212 and the profile 214, the hinge 126 may be manufactured of a more flexible material resistant to fatigue failure to extend the life of the EMI shield 200. A metallized fabric 220 envelops the entire exterior surface of the EMI shield 200, wrapping around the tip of profile 214 and extending into the throat 36 to provide a electrical ground path between the first and second bodies. While the fabric 220 is depicted as being bonded to the entire exterior surface of the EMI shield 200, the fabric 220 need not be bonded to the hinge 126. A sufficient amount of fabric 220 should be provided in the area of the hinge 126, however, so as not to restrict the full range of compression of the EMI shield 200.

A cost effective method of manufacture of the various EMI shields is by continuous extrusion of one or more selected polymers using a screw extruder 40 having a die 42 with the desired shape of the cross-section of the shield 10 as depicted schematically in FIG. 4. In one embodiment, the shield 10 may be manufactured from high temperature rated PVC for flame retardancy, although any electrically nonconductive material with a suitable modulus of elasticity may be employed. Flame retardancy is desirable, however, since such EMI shields can be approved for installation in safety certified electronic equipment enclosures. If a more flexible hinge is desired, a compatible material such as polyester can be coextruded with the profile and base to form the hinge. A suitable polyester hinge material is Hytrel.TM., available from DuPont located in Wilmington, Del. Techniques of coextrusion are well known to those skilled in the art of polymer processing.

Once the polymer portion of the EMI shield 10 has been formed to the desired configuration, an electrically conductive layer is disposed on the profile 14 and any other portion of the EMI shield 10 desired. One method employs a metallized fabric 20 in tape form of suitable width backed with a thermally activated glue. The glue may cover substantially the entire backing or solely portions thereof such as along the edges. In a process known to those skilled in the art as in-line crosshead extrusion, as the polymer is being extruded through the die 42, the hot extrusion passes through a second die 44 in which the metallized fabric tape 20 is mated thereto. The thermal energy in the extrusion and the second die 44 activates the glue, bonding the metallized fabric 20 to the profile 14. Alternatively, the metallized fabric 20 can be disposed on the extrusion in a separate operation, such as by passing the formed polymer and metallized fabric tape 20 through a heated die after the polymer has been cut to a desired length.

As used herein, the term metallized fabrics include articles having one or more metal coatings disposed on woven, nonwoven, or open mesh carrier backings and equivalents thereof. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,618 issued to O'Connor et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,072 issued to Morgan et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,037 issued to Morgan et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,928 issued to Cribb et al., the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference. Metallized fabrics are commercially available in a variety of metal and fabric carrier backing combinations. For example, pure copper on a nylon carrier, nickel-copper alloy on a nylon carrier, and pure nickel on a polyester mesh carrier are available under the registered trademark Flectron.RTM. from Advanced Performance Materials located in St. Louis, Mo. An aluminum foil on a polyester mesh carrier is available from Neptco, located in Pawtucket, R. I. Other suitable metals include silver and tin. The choice of metal is guided, in part, by installation conditions of the EMI shield. For example, a particular metal might be chosen due to the composition of abutting body metal in the enclosure to avoid galvanic corrosion of the EMI shield which could increase electrical resistance and deteriorate electrical grounding performance. Metallized tapes are desirable both for ease of application as well as durability. Deposition of a metal layer directly on the polymer profile would wear away relatively quickly due to friction when compared to the metallized fabrics.

Once the metallized fabric has been bonded to the EMI shield, other features can be formed. For example, the EMI shield may pass through rotary drilling, stamping, or piercing tools to divide the profile into independently flexible fingers or create apertures in the base for mounting the shield. The EMI shield can be cut to the desired length before or after these finishing operations.

Instead of forming the polymer and then applying the metallized fabric, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the metallized fabric can be first bonded to either flat or preformed polymer sheet stock. Then, the sheet stock can be thermoformed to a final predetermined configuration by as known by those skilled in the art. Thermoforming can be accomplished on discrete pieces of sheet stock in a heated die or continuously by passing the sheet stock through heated rollers to produce the desired configuration. Additional manufacturing steps such as generating the mounting apertures or dividing the profile into fingers can be accomplished prior to, during, or after thermoforming, as desired.

By relying on the metallized fabric to provide an electrically conductive path and the underlying polymer to provide elastic compliancy and resiliency, lower electrical resistance is achievable since beryllium is not required to be added to copper for toughness. As a result, the electrical conductivity and the resultant EMI shielding capability of the EMI shield according to this invention is improved over conventional copper beryllium finger strips. Further, the polymer portion of the shield is less brittle than all metal copper beryllium finger strips, resulting in reduced handling and installation damage to the EMI shield, improved safety, and extended service life.

In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness of an EMI shield profile according to the invention may be between about 0.13 mm (0.005 inches) or less and about 01.5 mm (0.060 inches) or more. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the EMI shield profile may be between about 0.25 mm (0.010 inches) or less and about 1.0 mm (0.04 inches) or more. The metallized fabric may have a thickness between about 0.1 mm (0.004 inches) or less and about 0.5 mm (0.02 inches) or more. These ranges are considered exemplary in nature and specific dimensions for a particular application would depend on the mechanical properties of the polymer material selected for the profile and hinge, the overall configuration of the EMI shield, and the electrical properties of the metallized fabric. Accordingly, values outside these ranges are considered to be within the scope of the invention.

An improved method of EMI shielding can be achieved by modifying the configuration of the EMI shield fingers. Instead of dividing the profile 14 of the EMI shield 10 into rectangularly shaped independent fingers 22, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the profile 14 may be divided into fingers of other nonlinear shapes. As depicted in FIG. 5A, an EMI shield 310 having a profile 314 may be divided into arcuate-shaped, independently flexible fingers 322, which form nonlinear arcuate slits 350 therebetween. The width of the slits depicted in the figures is exaggerated to facilitate depiction. In practice, slit width can be substantially zero, with the profile being cut only, without the removal of any material. By dividing the profile 314 into non-rectangular fingers, the EMI shield 310 can provide improved EMI shielding, because an EMI transmission in a given direction cannot be aligned with the entire slit length from the base 312 to the tip 316. As with the EMI shield 10 with the independently flexible fingers 22 of rectangular shape depicted in FIG. 1A, the EMI shield 310 with arcuate shaped independently flexible fingers 322 shown in FIG. 5A may also include the other features, such as apertures 318 in a base 312 thereof and an offset tip 316.

Instead of having arcuate-shaped independently flexible fingers 322, an EMI shield 410 may be a version thereof, and have a profile 414 divided into sinusoidal-shaped independently flexible fingers 422, as depicted in FIG. 5B. The EMI shield 410 with sinusoidal-shaped independently flexible fingers 422 also may include a base 412 and apertures 418 formed therein. The radius or radii of curvature of the arcuate and sinusoidal fingers 322, 422 may be selected, as desired, to minimize the passage of EMI waves therethrough, as discussed hereinabove.

An EMI shield 510 with a profile 514 may be divided into chevron-shaped independently flexible fingers 522 as depicted in FIG. 6A. A base 512 may form apertures 518. Alternatively, an EMI shield 610 may be a version thereof, with a profile 614 being divided into zigzag shaped independently flexible fingers 622 as depicted in FIG. 6B, with an associated base 612 and apertures 618.

An EMI shield 710 with a profile 714 may also be divided into more complex shapes, such as independently flexible interdigitated fingers 722 as depicted in FIG. 7A, with a base 712 and apertures 718.

Lastly, as depicted in FIG. 7B, an EMI shield 810 with a profile 814 may combine the features of other fingers, such as the zigzag fingers 622 of FIG. 6B and the generally rectangularly interdigitated fingers 722 of FIG. 7A to form independently flexible interdigitated fingers 822 with tapered portions.

The EMI finger shields having fingers of non-rectangular shape may be manufactured according to any method and with any material, including electrically conductive materials, such as copper beryllium alloy, as well as metallized fabric clad polymers.

While there have been described herein what are to be considered exemplary and preferred embodiments of the present invention, other modifications of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. For example, instead of the fingers being arcuate or planar, more complex contours such as partially twisted fingers may be created by thermoforming when the profile is divided into fingers or thereafter. Additionally, the invention is not limited to linear EMI shields, but rather includes shaped EMI shields such as those in the form of annuli and other closed or open curves required for specific applications. Still further, the non-linear slits formed between adjacent fingers may be any combination of the shapes disclosed herein, as well as other geometries and variants thereof. For example, the slits may be chevron-shaped proximate the base and arcuate proximate the tip. Moreover, the non-linear slits may be formed in any EMI finger shield, irrespective of the method of attachment to the enclosure to be shielded. For example, the shield base may be bonded to the enclosure or may include a return with barbing to attach to an enclosure flange. In general, all combinations and permutations of the EMI shields disclosed herein are considered to be within the scope of the invention. The particular methods of manufacture of and geometries disclosed herein are exemplary in nature and are not to be considered limiting.

It is therefore desired to be secured in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is the invention as defined and differentiated in the following claims





We can supply any quantity and any kind of Copper Beryllium Finger Strips and Industrial Enclosure Shielding from stock.would you please inform us how many you need and your target price, then we will confirm ASAP. We are sincerely hope to do business with you and establish long term business relationship with your respectable company.

Look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best regards,

Sam Xu
Contact me:
MSN: xubiao_1996@hotmail.com
GMAIL: samjiefu@gmail.com
SKPYE:jiefu1996


Beryllium Copper Finger Strips and Industrial Enclosure Shielding


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