Abstract: An apparatus and method provide a barrier in the cooling airflow of a component of a computing device that, when the barrier is extended, impedes the airflow, thereby diverting excess cooling airflow from the component to a different component with a different flow path. In response to increased pressure from the airflow, the barrier retracts to permit a greater airflow. Embodiments respond to an increase or decrease in airflow without requiring additional control input and include barriers that deform or pivot in response to increased pressure to permit greater airflow.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for ensuring the proper orientation of an electronic device within a rack slot. A constraint is added to one of a pair of rail assemblies and a corresponding constraint is added to the rack, the pair of constraints cooperating to allow the pair of rail assemblies to be installed only in the proper sides of the rack. Mounting holes are provided on the device and inner rails of the rail assemblies that allow the inner rail assemblies to be installed only on the proper sides of the device. A key and key slot combination is then provided in an inner rail and a middle rail of one rail assembly with the combination preventing the inner rail from being fully inserted into the incorrect middle rail. Thus, the correct orientation of the device is ensured by the pair of rail assemblies, the spacing of mounting holes in the device, and the rack constraint.

Abstract: An elevator provides for lifting and disconnecting an electronic device from a chassis circuit board and the subsequent removal of the device from a chassis slot. A sliding element between the device and the slot includes tracks within which travel followers associated with the electronic device. Motion in a first direction the tracks causes the tracks to move with respect to the followers, raising the device away from the circuit board. In a fully raised position, the device is disconnected and may be removed from the slot. Motion in the opposite direction causes the relative motion between the track and follower to lower the device toward the circuit board. In a fully seated position, the device is connected to the circuit board.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the simultaneous transferring of multiple storage devices from a chassis to reduce service time and associated server temperature fluctuations. The storage transfer device may be mounted to a chassis with a multitude of electronic devices, e.g., a JBOD with HDDs, above the devices to be removed. The storage device may then be manipulated to mechanically unlatch the devices from the chassis and simultaneously attach the devices to the transfer device. The devices may then be disconnected and withdrawn from the chassis and pulled into the storage transfer device. The devices may be re-installed later using the storage device and the reverse process.

Abstract: Embodiments promote the maintenance of a designed flow of cooling air through a chassis during the servicing of one or more electronic components contained by the chassis. A top opening created by the removal of server chassis from a rack may be significantly reduced by internal lids that provide access to groups of components. Gaps created by the partial removal of groups of components may be significantly reduced by air dams attached to the components that inhibit the flow of air between the components. And the opening created by the removal of a circuit board may be significantly reduced by a flap configured to cover the opening upon removal of the circuit board. The various embodiments may be used individually or in combination to reduce openings in the chassis that may allow air to flow in paths that negatively affect the designed air flow.

Abstract: A latch includes a housing, a leaf spring, a tooth, and an actuator. Motion of the actuator against the leaf spring causes the leaf spring to deform and the tooth to extend from the housing to engage a keeper.

Abstract: An interlock system is provided that limits the ability of a user or seismic event to dislodge or partially remove more than one chassis from a rack at any one time. Thus, embodiments reduce the potential for the rack to be toppled by the weight of too many chassis extending from the rack at the same time. The interlock system includes a dynamic rail with locking blocks that move to engage hooks on the rear of the chassis. A trigger at each chassis slot is depressed with installation of a chassis. Upon the removal of any chassis, the associated trigger extends and causes the dynamic rail to be pulled down into a locking position in which the locking blocks engage the hooks on the remaining chassis, which prevents their removal.

Abstract: A configurable PCI card for connecting to a PCI interface is disclosed. The configurable PCI card comprises a bus interface disposed on a base card for communicatively connecting to a bus of a computing device. The configurable PCI card further comprises a bracket for physically securing the base card to the computing device. The configurable PCI card also comprises a wire layout disposed on the base card for replicating a plurality of different power and heat generation profiles that correspond to a plurality of different chipsets.

Abstract: A carrier of an electronic device is provided with a soft stopper that may maintain the carrier at a service position within a chassis slot. As the carrier is inserted into the slot, at a determined point the soft stopper impinges upon a bumper. Further movement of the carrier into the slot requires the user to force the soft stopper to compress or flex and bypass the bumper. With the chassis slot vertically oriented the soft stopper may maintain the carrier and electronic device in service position, disconnected, while service is performed on a chassis circuit board.

Abstract: A decentralized certificate module generates a unique key pair. The decentralized certificate module creates a certificate signing request (CSR) based at least on a public key of the unique key pair. The decentralized certificate module signs the CSR with pre-installed system data to generate a signed trust certificate. The decentralized certificate module initiates a secure communication that includes the signed trust certificate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlling inrush current for a system comprising a plurality of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). The system may include a control circuit coupled to parallel series of gate drivers, where each gate driver is coupled to a different MOSFET. An inrush current may be received during charging of a capacitor of the switch circuit. During a first period of a ramp time, the control circuit may cause the inrush current to pass through a first gate driver. During a second period of the ramp time, the control circuit may cause the inrush current to pass through a second gate driver. By using a control circuit to cause the inrush current to pass through each MOSFET, a gate-source threshold voltage for the MOSFETs may remain below safe operating areas (SOAs) for the different MOSFETs.

Abstract: A latch includes a cam arm that follows a serpentine groove in the latch handle where curves of the groove create catch positions that define extended and retracted handle positions. In one of the handle positions, an arm of the handle abuts a toothed arm and urges the toothed arm to a latching position in which a tooth is extended. In the other handle position, the arm retracts from the toothed arm, allowing the tooth to retract.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling cooling in a computing device are provided. A measurement of power consumption of at least one of the computer components is received. A theoretical setting for the cooling system is determined based on the received measurement of power consumption. A current setting of the cooling system is identified. Based on a difference between the theoretical setting and the current setting, a next setting for the cooling system is determined. An output of the cooling system is controlled based on the next setting for the cooling system.

Abstract: An apparatus for bracing a face of a computer rack includes a brace mountable by hinges to one side of the face of the computer rack. A latch is mountable to the other side of the face of the computer rack. When the brace is closed against the face of the rack, the latch may be closed to capture elements of the brace and thereby provide rigidity to the face of the computer rack.

Abstract: An expansion device is disclosed for including a plurality of modular devices within a pre-defined volume, such as the drive bay of a computing device. The expansion device may include a standardized bus connection and circuitry connecting to a controller chip, circuitry electrically coupling the controller chip to a plurality of modular devices, and a housing that houses the controller chip, connecting circuitry, and modular devices and that fits within the pre-defined volume.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling cooling in a computing device are provided. A measurement of power consumption of at least one of the computer components is received. A theoretical setting for the cooling system is determined based on the received measurement of power consumption. A current setting of the cooling system is identified. Based on a difference between the theoretical setting and the current setting, a next setting for the cooling system is determined. An output of the cooling system is controlled based on the next setting for the cooling system.

Abstract: A multilevel rotating drive carrier includes stacked top, middle, and bottom drive-holding brackets. The top and middle brackets pivot about a parallel axis from a closed position to an open position to provide access to middle and bottom storage drives. The top bracket makes a storage drive accessible when the carrier is closed or open. Removing one storage drive does not require the disconnecting of another storage drive.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a cable access includes a first cable opening in a top plate of a server rack with a tray affixed to the interior side of the top plate and with a second cable opening that overlaps the first cable opening. A hatch element is movable in a space between the plate and tray to cover up the unneeded areas of the first and second cable openings after cables have been installed. A ratchet and pawl attached to the tray and hatch element cooperate to allow movement of the hatch element in a closing direction and resist movement of the hatch element in an opening direction, with a release element disengaging the ratchet and pawl to allow the hatch element to open.

Abstract: A ducting apparatus, switch, and rack of electronic devices are disclosed in which the ducting apparatus is configured to convey air from a cold aisle at a first face of the rack to a side air inlet of the switch. The ducting apparatus also hinders or prevents exhaust air from the switch from reaching the cold aisle.

Abstract: A carrier for securing a computer drive within a chassis facilitates the removal and installation of the computer drive in the carrier by using pins to engage the mounting holes of a computer drive.