Abstract: A product, according to one embodiment, includes a support portion, the support portion being elongated in a first direction; and an insertion portion extending from the support portion in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the insertion portion having dimensions allowing insertion of the insertion portion in a card connector of a circuit board. At least an exterior of the insertion portion is electrically insulating. The support portion is wider than the insertion portion in a third direction orthogonal to each of the first and second directions.

Abstract: A product, according to one embodiment, includes a support portion, the support portion being elongated in a first direction; and an insertion portion extending from the support portion in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the insertion portion having dimensions allowing insertion of the insertion portion in a card connector of a circuit board. At least an exterior of the insertion portion is electrically insulating. The support portion is wider than the insertion portion in a third direction orthogonal to each of the first and second directions.

Abstract: A system, according to one embodiment, includes a first end having several first contacts configured for coupling with a circuit board, a second end oriented about orthogonal to the first end, and a plurality of leads connecting the first and second contacts. The second end has a plurality of second contacts configured for coupling directly with a card edge of an electronic device. The orientation of the second end relative to the first end is fixed. A system, according to another embodiment, includes a circuit board, a plurality of such connectors.

Abstract: A system, according to one embodiment, includes a first end having several first contacts configured for coupling with a circuit board, a second end oriented about orthogonal to the first end, and a plurality of leads connecting the first and second contacts. The second end has a plurality of second contacts configured for coupling directly with a card edge of an electronic device. The orientation of the second end relative to the first end is fixed. A system, according to another embodiment, includes a circuit board, a plurality of such connectors.

Abstract: A system, according to one embodiment, includes a first end having several first contacts configured for coupling with a circuit board, a second end oriented about orthogonal to the first end, and a plurality of leads connecting the first and second contacts. The second end has a plurality of second contacts configured for coupling directly with a card edge of an electronic device. The orientation of the second end relative to the first end is fixed. A system, according to another embodiment, includes a circuit board, a plurality of such connectors.

Abstract: A method of operating variable pitch fans in series to cool an operating computer system. The method comprises running a first variable pitch fan with blades positioned at an operational pitch to induce airflow through the computer system and through a second variable pitch fan disposed in series with the first fan, and, simultaneously, not running the second variable pitch fan with blades positioned for minimal impedance to the airflow. In response to detecting a failure condition of the first fan, the method includes running the second fan with blades positioned at an operational pitch to induce airflow through the computer system and through the first fan, and, simultaneously, not running the first fan with blades positioned for minimal impedance to the airflow. Preferably, the method includes locking the rotor of a fan that is not running, and locking the blades of the non-running fan in a minimal impedance position.

Abstract: A heatsink may be releasably secured to a substructure of an electronic system, such as a circuit board, in engagement with a heat-generating component, such as a processor.

Abstract: A heatsink may be releasably secured to a substructure of an electronic system, such as a circuit board, in engagement with a heat-generating component, such as a processor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for securing a heat sink to a heat-generating device on a circuit board. The apparatus clamps onto the heating-generating device and the circuit board in a manner that avoids bending of the circuit board. The apparatus includes a retention module having a plurality of retention features that extend through openings in the circuit board disposed about the perimeter of the heat-generating device, such as a processor. The apparatus also includes a heat sink having a heat sink base for contacting the heat-generating device in order to dissipate heat produced by the device. The heat sink is selectively securable to the retention features of the retention module using levers, such as a wire module, having a spring clip to engage the retention features and clamp the heat sink and retention module together.

Abstract: A power supply module configured for removable insertion into a power supply bay of an electronic system. A telescopic power connector disposed within the power supply housing includes a plurality of internal fixed contacts in electrical communication with an electrical socket and a movable member carrying a plurality of elongate sliding contacts in sliding contact with the internal fixed contacts. The movable member is movable generally perpendicular to an insertion direction of the power supply housing. A mechanical actuator is configured for moving the movable member of the telescopic power connector into connection with an external power connector, such as on a motherboard, so that ends of the sliding contacts are moved into electrical connection with terminals on the external power connector while remaining in sliding contact with the internal fixed contacts.

Abstract: A power supply module configured for removable insertion into a power supply bay of an electronic system. A telescopic power connector disposed within the power supply housing includes a plurality of internal fixed contacts in electrical communication with an electrical socket and a movable member carrying a plurality of elongate sliding contacts in sliding contact with the internal fixed contacts. The movable member is movable generally perpendicular to an insertion direction of the power supply housing. A mechanical actuator is configured for moving the movable member of the telescopic power connector into connection with an external power connector, such as on a motherboard, so that ends of the sliding contacts are moved into electrical connection with terminals on the external power connector while remaining in sliding contact with the internal fixed contacts.

Abstract: A method of operating variable pitch fans in series to cool an operating computer system. The method comprises running a first variable pitch fan with blades positioned at an operational pitch to induce airflow through the computer system and through a second variable pitch fan disposed in series with the first fan, and, simultaneously, not running the second variable pitch fan with blades positioned for minimal impedance to the airflow. In response to detecting a failure condition of the first fan, the method includes running the second fan with blades positioned at an operational pitch to induce airflow through the computer system and through the first fan, and, simultaneously, not running the first fan with blades positioned for minimal impedance to the airflow. Preferably, the method includes locking the rotor of a fan that is not running, and locking the blades of the non-running fan in a minimal impedance position.

Abstract: A connector with a dismount latch configured to separate unlatching from cable separation and method of release. A connector includes a housing having an interconnect end and a rear end, the front end configured for interfacing with a reciprocal connector in a linear motion to engage and disengage the reciprocal connector. A latch is held by the housing, wherein the latch includes support arms extending at the rear end of the housing and engaging ends proximate the interconnect end for maintaining the housing relative to the reciprocal connector when in an engaged position. An actuator is rotatably mounted within support arms of the latch for translating a force transverse to the direction of the linear motion and applying the translated force to the latch to move the engaging ends of the latch.

Abstract: A cable trough comprising a rigid trough securing a cable that terminates with a cable connector plug. The cable connector plug has a connector latch operable with a pull tab for selectively latching the cable connector plug to a blind mate connector inside an electronic device. The trough secures the connector plug in axial alignment with the trough and includes a release lever pivotally coupled to the proximal end of the trough. An elongate wire extends within the trough and is coupled between the release lever and the pull tab. Accordingly, the rigid trough may be directed into a guide passage aligned with the blind mate connector for coupling and latching of the connector plug to the blind mate connector. The release lever is pivotally operable to pull the wire and actuate the pull tab to release the connector latch.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for positioning a printed circuit board component. A clamping member applies a clamping force to a levering member linked to a positioning member. The levering member biases the positioning member toward a printed circuit board in response to the clamping force. The positioning member positions the printed circuit board and a component disposed on the printed circuit board in response to the positioning member bias. In one embodiment, the positioning member positions the component to contact a thermal device.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for securing a heat sink to a heat-generating device on a circuit board. The apparatus clamps onto the heating-generating device and the circuit board in a manner that avoids bending of the circuit board. The apparatus includes a retention module having a plurality of retention features that extend through openings in the circuit board disposed about the perimeter of the heat-generating device, such as a processor. The apparatus also includes a heat sink having a heat sink base for contacting the heat-generating device in order to dissipate heat produced by the device. The heat sink is selectively securable to the retention features of the retention module using levers, such as a wire module, having a spring clip to engage the retention features and clamp the heat sink and retention module together.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for securing a heat sink to a heat-generating device on a circuit board. The apparatus clamps onto the heating-generating device and the circuit board in a manner that avoids bending of the circuit board. The apparatus includes a retention module having a plurality of retention features that extend through openings in the circuit board disposed about the perimeter of the heat-generating device, such as a processor. The apparatus also includes a heat sink having a heat sink base for contacting the heat-generating device in order to dissipate heat produced by the device. The heat sink is selectively securable to the retention features of the retention module using levers, such as a wire module, having a spring clip to engage the retention features and clamp the heat sink and retention module together.

Abstract: Methods for inserting and/or removing a connector with a remote connector agent are disclosed. Embodiments may include inserting a connector into a remote connector agent to form a remote connector system and pushing the remote connector into a header of a board to insert the connector into the header. Embodiments may also include pulling the remote connector system to retract the remote connector from the header. In some embodiments, inserting the connector into the remote connector agent further comprises pushing back one or more insertion snap pushers to allow insertion of the connector. In some embodiments, pulling the remote connector system further comprises releasing a snap of the connector with a snap release actuator before retracting the remote connector system from the header.

Abstract: A cable trough comprising a rigid trough securing a cable that terminates with a cable connector plug. The cable connector plug has a connector latch operable with a pull tab for selectively latching the cable connector plug to a blind mate connector inside an electronic device. The trough secures the connector plug in axial alignment with the trough and includes a release lever pivotally coupled to the proximal end of the trough. An elongate wire extends within the trough and is coupled between the release lever and the pull tab. Accordingly, the rigid trough may be directed into a guide passage aligned with the blind mate connector for coupling and latching of the connector plug to the blind mate connector. The release lever is pivotally operable to pull the wire and actuate the pull tab to release the connector latch.

Abstract: A device for locking a USB device to a USB header includes a member secured to a USB header and selectively movable between a locked position that blocks outward movement of a spring finger of the USB header and an unlocked position that permits outward movement of the spring finger. The selectively moveable member may include a collar secured around the USB header. In one embodiment, the collar slides in an axial direction relative to the axis of the USB header. In another embodiment, the collar slides in a transverse direction relative to the axis of the USB header. In yet another embodiment, the selectively moveable member is a lever, button or dial coupled to a collar positioned around the USB header. For example, the member may be a lever pivotally coupled to the collar.