System and method for removing heat from a subscriber optical interface

1. A heat control system comprising:

a housing comprising an internal cavity;

a heat dissipater column enclosing the internal cavity, for regulating temperature of the internal cavity in response to airflow through the heat dissipater column;

a shutter, coupled to the heat dissipater column, for regulating the airflow through the heat dissipater column; and

fins disposed in the heat dissipater column for transferring heat from within the housing to the airflow in the heat dissipater column.

2. The heat control system of claim 1 , wherein the shutter is disposed at an end of the heat dissipater column.

3. The heat control system of claim 1 , wherein a chimney effect contributes to the airflow.

4. The heat control system of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator for moving the shutter, wherein regulating the airflow comprises regulating convection.

5. The heat control system of claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensing device operative to control the shutter.

6. The heat control system of claim 1 , further comprising a bimetallic strip that moves the shutter in response to temperature change.

7. The heat control system of claim 1 , further comprising a spring operative to open the shutter in response to an increase in ambient temperature.

8. The heat control system of claim 1 , further comprising a motor that actuates the shutter.

9. A heat control system, comprising:

a housing, for a communication system, comprising an opening operable to emit heat that the communication system produces;

a cover positioned over at least a portion of the opening;

an actuator, coupled to the cover, operable to move the cover in response to a change in temperature;

a sensing device, coupled to the actuator, operable to sense the change in temperature; and

fins disposed in the opening for transferring heat from communication system to air flowing through the opening.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the opening comprises a chimney structure.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein emitting the heat comprises air flowing through the opening and wherein moving the cover comprises changing the air flowing through the opening.

12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the cover comprises a shutter.

13. The system of claim 9 , wherein the actuator comprises a motor.

14. The system of claim 9 , wherein the sensing device comprises a programmable device with memory.

15. A method for temperature control of a communication device, comprising the steps of:

sensing a temperature;

if the sensed temperature is above a level, opening a window of a housing for holding the communication device, and emitting heat through the window;

transferring heat from the communication device with fins to airflow in the window when the window is opened; and

if the sensed temperature is below the level, closing the window and containing the heat within the housing.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of converting thermal energy into mechanical motion, wherein opening the window comprises moving an object occluding at least a portion of the window via the mechanical motion.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein converting thermal energy into mechanical motion comprises a bimetallic member expanding or contracting in response to a change in the temperature and wherein moving the object comprises the expansion or contraction of the bimetallic member moving the object.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein:

the housing encloses the communication device and comprises a chimney;

opening the window comprises increasing airflow through the chimney; and

closing the window comprises decreasing airflow through the chimney.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising the step of transferring heat associated with the communication device to the chimney.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the sensing step comprises sensing the temperature of an operating environment of the housing.

21. A method for regulating temperature of an enclosure, comprising the steps of:

conducting heat from the enclosure to a tube by using fins positioned within the tube and exposed to airflow through the tube;

sensing a temperature associated with the enclosure;

providing airflow through the tube via convection if the temperature is above a level; and

restricting the airflow through the tube if the temperature is below the level.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein providing the airflow comprises opening a shutter and wherein restricting the airflow comprises closing the shutter.

23. The method of claim 21 , wherein restricting the airflow comprises occluding the tube.

24. The method of claim 21 , wherein the restricting step comprises:

producing a dimensional change in a first member in response to a change in the temperature;

the dimensional change in the first member moving a second member; and

the second member restricting the airflow in response to the movement of the first member.

25. The method of claim 21 , wherein the providing step further comprises:

expanding a bimetallic strip in response to an increase in the temperature; and

moving an obstruction of the tube in response to expanding the bimetallic strip.

26. The method of claim 21 , wherein providing the airflow comprises rotating a member, disposed in the tube, about a hinge.

27. The method of claim 21 , further comprising the step of heating an internal space with a communication device contained within the enclosure in response to restricting the airflow.