Conductive gasket apparatus and method

Abstract

To attenuate electromagnetic energy, a capacitive bond between a window and a frame is provided by a capacitive coupling. This capacitive coupling includes an elastomeric matrix and a conductive media. The elastomeric matrix provides a seal between the window and the frame. The conductive media is bound to the matrix and conducts electromagnetic energy from the window to the frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a window mounting illustrating a RF shielded window, capacitively coupled to the window mounting, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a capacitive gasket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A capacitive coupling for providing a capacitive bond between a window and a frame, comprising: an elastomeric matrix to provide a seal between the window and the frame; anda conductive media bound to the matrix to conduct electromagnetic energy from the window to the frame.

2. The capacitive coupling according to claim 1, wherein the conductive media comprises carbon black.

3. The capacitive coupling according to claim 1, wherein the conductive media comprises aluminum.

4. The capacitive coupling according to claim 1, wherein the conductive media comprises silver.

5. The capacitive coupling according to claim 1, wherein the elastomeric matrix comprises ethylene propylene diene monomer.

6. The capacitive coupling according to claim 1, wherein the conductive media is configured to conduct electromagnetic energy from the window to the frame prior to the window absorbing a predetermined maximum amount of energy.

7. The capacitive coupling according to claim 6, wherein the electromagnetic energy absorbed by the window is in the range of about 80 MHz to about 18 GHz.

8. The capacitive coupling according to claim 7, wherein the electromagnetic energy absorbed by the window is in the range of about 1 GHz to about 2 GHz.

9. A system comprising: a window comprising an electrically conductive layer, wherein the electrically conductive layer attenuates electromagnetic energy from a predetermined low value to a predetermined high value;a frame comprising an electrically conductive material; anda gasket to seal the window to the frame and provide a capacitive coupling between the window and the frame, wherein the gasket is configured to provide a conductive path from the window to the frame prior to an amount of electromagnetic energy in the window exceeding the predetermined high value.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the gasket includes a capacitive coupling for providing a capacitive bond between the window and the frame, the gasket comprising: an elastomeric matrix to provide the seal between the window and the frame; anda conductive media bound to the matrix to conduct electromagnetic energy from the window to the frame.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the conductive media comprises carbon black.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the conductive media comprises aluminum.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein the conductive media comprises silver.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein the elastomeric matrix comprises ethylene propylene diene monomer.

15. The system according to claim 10, wherein the system is configured to attenuate electromagnetic energy in the range of about 80 MHz to about 18 GHz.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the system is configured to attenuate greater than 20 dB of electromagnetic energy in the range of about 80 MHz to about 18 GHz.

17. A method of attenuating electromagnetic energy in an interior of a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a body and a window, the window comprising a frame and a window pane, the method comprising: shielding the window pane to attenuate the electromagnetic energy;capacitively coupling the window pane to the frame; andconductively connecting the frame to the body.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: sealing the window pane in the frame with a gasket, wherein the gasket comprises a conductive media and an elastomeric matrix.

19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: attenuating 20 dB of electromagnetic energy in the range of about 80 MHz to about 18 GHz.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising: attenuating more than 20 dB of electromagnetic energy in the range of about 1 GHz to about 2 GHz.