摘要 |
<p>A protective containment apparatus for preventing damage to expensive components of an assembly due to the failure of an electronic component in a nearby potted circuit which is known to fail catastrophically. The containment aparatus can employ a resilient material (38) placed around the at-risk electronic component (34) prior to putting the circuit. The resilient material (38) absorbs the expanding gases and fragmented parts of the at-risk component (34) which are expelled during the catastrophic failure. The cushioning effect of the resilient material (38) prevents the fragments and parts of the potting material from becoming projectiles that can damage any nearby components of the assembly. The containment apparatus can also employ a restrictive material (42) placed around the at-risk component (34) prior to potting the circuit. The restrictive material (42) prevents any expelled fragments of the at-risk component (34) and expanding gases from causing the potting material to fracture and become projectiles which can damage nearby components of the assembly. A combination of the resilient material (34) and the restrictive material (42) can also be employed and is most effective in preventing damage to nearby component of the assembly.</p> |