Abstract: A method is provided for detecting the type of print media provided to a thermal printer. A printer has a heat source disposed adjacent a temperature sensor to transfer heat upon activation across a portion of an introduced print media to the temperature sensor and a controller to receive a signal from the temperature sensor and to obtain a temperature signature generally identifying attributes of the introduced print media and to adjust print head settings in response to the identified attributes. The printer may further comprise a sensor to detect access to a print media storage compartment and to initiate examination of the heat transfer properties of the introduced print media upon detecting that the print storage compartment has been accessed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include computer-implemented methods for selectively applying remedial actions, according to a predefined order, for reducing the error rate in a computer memory system. In one embodiment, an ordered set of remedial actions are sequentially invoked in response to a single-bit error (SBE) in a DIMM reaching successive error thresholds. For example, in an air-cooled system, the remedial actions may include dynamically increasing a DIMM refresh rate, dynamically increasing a rate of airflow used to cool the DIMMs, and dynamically throttling the DIMMs. The remedial actions may be layered as they are successively invoked, to provide a cumulative remedial effect. At least two of the remedial actions may be simultaneously invoked in response to a multi-bit error rate reaching an associated threshold.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an adaptive system and method for cooling a computer system. A plurality of interchangeable fans may be provided for cooling the computer system. Each fan may have different operational limits, but with a minimum fan speed selected so that all of the fans produce substantially the same airflow rate at the respective minimum fan speed. In one embodiment, the operational limits are stored in a computer-readable storage medium on a computer system cooling fan. The stored fan speeds are electronically retrieved from the fan, and a fan speed table is automatically generated from the retrieved maximum and minimum fan speeds. The fan speed table includes cooling state values indexed to specific fan speed values. The fan is operated at a fan speed associated with a dynamically selected cooling state.

Abstract: One embodiment involves detecting the fouling of an air filter used to filter airflow entering a computer system. An expected airflow rate is obtained from a current fan speed. An expected temperature rise between two positions is computed as a function of the expected airflow rate and the power consumption of heat-generating components, such as servers. An actual temperature rise is obtained from temperature sensors. An electronic alert is automatically generated in response to the actual temperature rise exceeding the expected temperature rise by a setpoint. Different setpoints may be used to trigger distinct electronic alerts.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for improving the airflow exiting a blower that has one or more adjustable guide vanes that are affixed to the blower at one or more pivot points located in an outlet of the blower that include: determining a rotational speed of an impeller in the blower and adjusting a position of at least one of the adjustable guide vanes in dependence upon the rotational speed of the impeller.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for improving the airflow exiting a blower that has one or more adjustable guide vanes that are affixed to the blower at one or more pivot points located in an outlet of the blower that include: determining a rotational speed of an impeller in the blower and adjusting a position of at least one of the adjustable guide vanes in dependence upon the rotational speed of the impeller.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for improving the airflow exiting a blower that has one or more adjustable guide vanes that are affixed to the blower at one or more pivot points located in an outlet of the blower that include: determining a rotational speed of an impeller in the blower and adjusting a position of at least one of the adjustable guide vanes in dependence upon the rotational speed of the impeller.

Abstract: DIMMs are cooled by positioning a thermally conductive base between adjacent DIMMs. The thermally conductive base, such as a heat pipe or metal rod, receives heat from the DIMMs through thermally conductive elements that are selectively biased outward against the installed DIMMs. The base transfers the heat to a liquid conduit extending along the end of the DIMMs, where a circulating liquid carries away the heat. The thermally conductive elements provide an adjustable span to accommodate variations in distance between the DIMM surfaces. Embodiments of the invention may be installed without extending above the height of the DIMM.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a heatsink having a flexible base and height-adjusted cooling fins. The flexible base includes a single base plate, with cooling fins and heat pipes secured directly to an upper surface of the single base plate. The use of the single base plate allows the length of the cooling fins to be increased. The use of a single base plate also allows the base to flex when mounted at the outer region of the base plate to a circuit board using fasteners. The flexure of the base biases the heatsink against the heat-generating component. The flexure also displaces the outer cooling fins, and the length of the outer cooling fins is further increased to compensate for the anticipate displacement.

Abstract: Detecting a fouled air filter in a computer equipment enclosure that includes an air filter, a supply plenum connecting the air filter and the computer equipment enclosure, a fan operating at a current fan speed, and a filter monitoring module connected for data communications to a management module. Detecting a fouled air filter according to embodiments of the present invention includes calculating, by the filter monitoring module, a pressure differential across the air filter; determining, for the current fan speed by the filter monitoring module in dependence upon a pressure differential profile for the air filter, whether the calculated pressure differential across the air filter exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and if the calculated pressure differential across the air filter exceeds the predetermined threshold value, reporting, by the filter monitoring module to the management module, that the calculated pressure differential across the air filter exceeds the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A data storage library includes a drive enclosure bay which can be adapted to work with multiple air-flow configuration requirements. This is accomplished by creating air-flow ports in the top and bottom of the drive enclosure bay, by forming drive tray slots and printed circuit board ports in associated drive trays, by creating frame ports and PCB notches in associated interface cards, and replacing traditional connectors with slimmer but longer connectors that provide additional standoff and improved air-flow.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating air-cooling of an electronics system employing a vapor-compression heat exchange system, and front and back covers. An evaporator housing of the heat exchange system is mounted to a system housing of the electronics system and extends at least partially between air inlet and outlet sides of the system housing. The evaporator housing includes air inlet and outlet openings, and an evaporator. The front cover is mounted to the system or evaporator housing adjacent to the air inlet side or air outlet opening, and the back cover is mounted to the system or evaporator housing adjacent to the air outlet side or air inlet opening. Together, the system housing, back cover, evaporator housing and front cover define a closed loop airflow path passing through the system housing and evaporator housing, with the vapor-compression heat exchange system cooling air circulating therethrough.

Abstract: Detecting a fouled air filter in a computer equipment enclosure that includes an air filter, a supply plenum connecting the air filter and the computer equipment enclosure, a fan operating at a current fan speed, and a filter monitoring module connected for data communications to a management module. Detecting a fouled air filter according to embodiments of the present invention includes calculating, by the filter monitoring module, a pressure differential across the air filter; determining, for the current fan speed by the filter monitoring module in dependence upon a pressure differential profile for the air filter, whether the calculated pressure differential across the air filter exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and if the calculated pressure differential across the air filter exceeds the predetermined threshold value, reporting, by the filter monitoring module to the management module, that the calculated pressure differential across the air filter exceeds the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: An assembly used to scrape clean a vent pattern with a blade and catch or the scrapings.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating liquid cooling one or more components of an electronic subsystem chassis disposed within an electronics rack. The apparatus includes a rack-level coolant manifold assembly and at least one movable chassis-level manifold subassembly. The rack-level coolant manifold assembly includes a rack-level inlet manifold and a rack-level outlet manifold, and each movable chassis-level manifold subassembly includes a chassis-level coolant inlet manifold coupled in fluid communication with the rack-level inlet manifold, and a chassis-level coolant outlet manifold coupled in fluid communication with the rack-level outlet manifold. The chassis-level manifold subassembly is slidably coupled to the electronics rack to facilitate access to one or more removable components of the electronic subsystem chassis. In one embodiment, the electronics subsystem chassis is a multi-blade center system having multiple removable blades, each blade being an electronics subsystem.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating liquid cooling one or more components of an electronic subsystem chassis disposed within an electronics rack. The apparatus includes a rack-level coolant manifold assembly and at least one movable chassis-level manifold subassembly. The rack-level coolant manifold assembly includes a rack-level inlet manifold and a rack-level outlet manifold, and each movable chassis-level manifold subassembly includes a chassis-level coolant inlet manifold coupled in fluid communication with the rack-level inlet manifold, and a chassis-level coolant outlet manifold coupled in fluid communication with the rack-level outlet manifold. The chassis-level manifold subassembly is slidably coupled to the electronics rack to facilitate access to one or more removable components of the electronic subsystem chassis. In one embodiment, the electronics subsystem chassis is a multi-blade center system having multiple removable blades, each blade being an electronics subsystem.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating air-cooling of an electronics system employing a vapor-compression heat exchange system, and front and back covers. An evaporator housing of the heat exchange system is mounted to a system housing of the electronics system and extends at least partially between air inlet and outlet sides of the system housing. The evaporator housing includes air inlet and outlet openings, and an evaporator. The front cover is mounted to the system or evaporator housing adjacent to the air inlet side or air outlet opening, and the back cover is mounted to the system or evaporator housing adjacent to the air outlet side or air inlet opening. Together, the system housing, back cover, evaporator housing and front cover define a closed loop airflow path passing through the system housing and evaporator housing, with the vapor-compression heat exchange system cooling air circulating therethrough.

Abstract: A cooling system includes a cooling fan with an outlet and an inlet and a shroud surrounding at least a portion of the cooling fan. The cooling fan includes a plurality of fan blades, and each fan blade includes an inlet portion and an outlet portion that define an outer periphery of the fan blade. The outlet portion has a profile defined by a radial distance, perpendicular from a central axis of the fan, increasing in a direction towards the outlet. The average angle, relative to a central axis of the fan, of either a profile of the outlet portion or a profile of a portion of the shroud surrounding the outlet portion is between about ±15° of an average angle to the central axis at which a flow of fluid exits the outer periphery of the fan blades or between about 20° and about 70°.

Abstract: A fan sink that includes a dual impeller push-pull axial fan and a heat sink to cool a hot electronic device is presented. The axial fan has a hub motor, a first impeller that is radially proximate to the hub motor, and a second impeller that is radially distal to the hub motor, wherein the first impeller pushes air in a first direction and the second impeller pulls air in a second direction. The heat sink is oriented between the axial fan and the hot electronic device such that the hot electronic device, the heat sink, and the axial fan are axially oriented, wherein cool air is forced onto the heat sink by one impeller in the axial fan, and wherein heated air from the heat sink is removed by an other impeller in the axial fan.

Abstract: A fan sink that includes a dual impeller push-pull axial fan and a heat sink to cool a hot electronic device is presented. The axial fan has a hub motor, a first impeller that is radially proximate to the hub motor, and a second impeller that is radially distal to the hub motor, wherein the first impeller pushes air in a first direction and the second impeller pulls air in a second direction. The heat sink is oriented between the axial fan and the hot electronic device such that the hot electronic device, the heat sink, and the axial fan are axially oriented, wherein cool air is forced onto the heat sink by one impeller in the axial fan, and wherein heated air from the heat sink is removed by an other impeller in the axial fan.