Abstract: An airflow sensor for a heat sink has a substantially flat base portion and a deformable upper portion electrically coupled to the base portion that contacts a conductive strip. As airflow increases, the deformable upper portion deforms and moves away from the source of airflow, which moves the point of contact between the deformable upper portion and the conductive strip farther away from the source of the airflow. The difference in the point of contact is measured, and is used to characterize the airflow sensor for different airflows. Data from the airflow sensor can then be logged during system operation. When needed, the data from the airflow sensor can be read from the log and converted to airflow using the airflow sensor characterization data. In this manner the airflow through a heat sink may be dynamically measured, allowing analysis and correlation between system events and airflow through the heat sink.

Abstract: A method affixes a heat sink to a module lid. A module lid is mounted to a substrate by use of a lid adhesive. The module lid has a threaded exterior portion. The module lid is thermally interfaced to a die by use of a thermal interface material. The heat sink is then screwed onto a module lid, where the heat sink includes a threaded heat sink base pocket that mates with the threaded exterior portion of the module lid, and wherein the heat sink is screwed down onto the module lid until 1) a solid mechanical and thermal contact is established between the heat sink and the module lid, and 2) an airflow from an air moving device flows unobstructed across vanes on the heat sink.

Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus, and method of forming the apparatus, are disclosed. The apparatus includes a thermally conductive substrate with a metal microlattice structure adhered to the thermally conductive substrate and in thermal communication with the thermally conductive substrate, the metal microlattice structure comprising a region containing an electroless metal. A method of making the apparatus includes forming a polymer lattice, applying the polymer lattice to a thermally conductive substrate, forming an electroless plated metal layer on the polymer lattice, forming an electroplated metal layer on the electroless metal layer, and forming a metal microlattice of the electroless metal layer and the electroplated metal layer.

Abstract: A cable, system, and method for cooling a semiconductor chip on an active cable. The active cable includes a heat sink that is thermally coupled to the semiconductor chip and movable from a retracted position to an extended position. The heat sink is in the retracted position when the active cable is not installed in a card connector in a computer case. After the active cable is installed in the card connector, the heat sink is urged to the extended position in which the heat sink is exposed to air flow circulation within the computer case.

Abstract: A method and system for a dynamic keying system is disclosed. The method and system can include a male connector device having a first plurality of settings for one or more key features, and a female connector device having a second plurality of settings for one or more key features. The female connector device can be configured to operate in an initial mode in which it is configured to, in response to the introduction of the male connector device, correspond a first setting of the first plurality of settings to a second setting of the second plurality of settings. The female connector device can also be configured to operate in a subsequent mode, in which it can permit coupling with at least one male connector device having the first setting and consistently deny access to at least one male connector device having a third setting different than the first setting.

Abstract: A method and system for a dynamic keying system is disclosed. The method and system can include a male connector device having a first plurality of settings for one or more key features, and a female connector device having a second plurality of settings for one or more key features. The female connector device can be configured to operate in an initial mode in which it is configured to, in response to the introduction of the male connector device, correspond a first setting of the first plurality of settings to a second setting of the second plurality of settings. The female connector device can also be configured to operate in a subsequent mode, in which it can permit coupling with at least one male connector device having the first setting and consistently deny access to at least one male connector device having a third setting different than the first setting.

Abstract: A method and structure are provided for implementing enhanced via creation without creating a via barrel stub. The need to backdrill vias during printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing is eliminated. After the vias have been drilled, but before plating, a plug is inserted into each via and the plug is lowered to a depth just below a desired signal trace layer. A thin anti-electroplate coating is applied onto the walls of the via below the signal trace. Then the plugs are removed and a standard board plating process for the PCB is performed.

Abstract: A method and system for a dynamic keying system is disclosed. The method and system can include a male connector device having a first plurality of settings for one or more key features, and a female connector device having a second plurality of settings for one or more key features. The female connector device can be configured to operate in an initial mode in which it is configured to, in response to the introduction of the male connector device, correspond a first setting of the first plurality of settings to a second setting of the second plurality of settings. The female connector device can also be configured to operate in a subsequent mode, in which it can permit coupling with at least one male connector device having the first setting and consistently deny access to at least one male connector device having a third setting different than the first setting.

Abstract: Disclosed aspects include an apparatus having a card edge connector which has first and second positions. The apparatus may include a set of contacts to connect with a set of card edges in the second position. To adjust the set of contacts between the first position and the second position, the apparatus may include a set of electroactive polymers. Disclosed aspects include card edge connector management. It may be detected that a card edge connector is in a first position. A request for the card edge connector to be in a second position can be received. It is determined to adjust the card edge connector. The card edge connector is adjusted using a set of electroactive polymers. In embodiments, such adjustment can include introducing a voltage which causes the set of electroactive polymers to adjust a set of contacts between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A heat pipe includes one or more reservoirs of liquid that are closed at lower temperatures and open at higher temperatures. The opening of the reservoirs at higher temperatures caused by higher power levels dynamically increases the amount of liquid in the heat pipe, which increases performance of the heat pipe at higher power levels. As the heat pipe cools, the liquid condenses and flows back into the reservoirs. As the heat pipe continues to cool, the reservoirs close. The result is a heat pipe that is more efficient at lower power levels and still maintains high efficiency at higher power levels due to the demand-based charging of the liquid based on temperature.

Abstract: A method and structure are provided for implementing enhanced via creation without creating a via barrel stub. The need to backdrill during printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing is eliminated. After the vias have been drilled, but before plating, a via plug with a specialized geometry and including a capillary is inserted into each via to allow electroplating on only preferred wall surfaces of the vias. Then a board plating process of the PCB manufacturing is performed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a component bay having an operational height and an expanded height. The component bay is moveable between the operational height and the expanded height. A thermal element divides the component bay into one or more compartments, each compartment configured to receive a system component. The component bay at the operational height provides thermal contact between the received system component and the thermal element.

Abstract: A heat pipe includes a reservoir of liquid that is connected to a horizontal portion of the heat pipe via a capillary connection. The heat pipe includes a temperature sensor in proximity to a heat interface in the horizontal portion and a controller that controls a heater for the reservoir. As power into the heat pipe increases, the controller turns on the heater, causing the temperature of the liquid in the reservoir to rise. Liquid then passes from the reservoir through the capillary connection into the horizontal portion, thereby dynamically increasing the amount of liquid in the heat pipe, which increases performance of the heat pipe at higher power levels. When the heater is off, as the heat pipe cools, the liquid condenses and flows back through the capillary connection into the reservoir. The result is a heat pipe that provides demand-based charging of the liquid based on power level.

Abstract: An airflow sensor for a heat sink has a first portion having a first electrical point of contact, a second portion have a second electrical point of contact, and a deformable portion made of an electroactive material electrically coupled to the first and second portions. The deformable portion has first electrical properties measured between the first and second electrical points of contact when there is no airflow and the deformable portion is in a first position, and has second electrical properties different than the first electrical properties when a source of airflow blows air against the deformable portion, thereby causing the deformable portion to extend to a second position farther away from the source of airflow than the first position. The airflow sensor can be incorporated into a heat sink for an electronic component.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, an electronic component assembly may be provided. The electronic component assembly may include an electronic component body. The electronic component assembly may also include one or more elastic members affixed to the electronic component body. The electronic component assembly may also include a catch mechanism affixed to each elastic member adapted to allow insertion of the elastic member and the catch mechanism through a hole of a circuit board in an extended position, and upon release from the extended position, hold the electronic component body in a fixed position by the tension of the elastic member and the catch mechanism grasping an edge of a surface of the circuit board opposite a surface upon which the electronic component body rests.

Abstract: A cable, system, and method for cooling a semiconductor chip on an active cable. The active cable includes a heat sink that is thermally coupled to the semiconductor chip and movable from a retracted position to an extended position. The heat sink is in the retracted position when the active cable is not installed in a card connector in a computer case. After the active cable is installed in the card connector, the heat sink is urged to the extended position in which the heat sink is exposed to air flow circulation within the computer case.

Abstract: A method and structure are provided for implementing enhanced via creation without creating a via barrel stub. The need to backdrill during printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing is eliminated. After the vias have been drilled, but before plating, a via plug with a specialized geometry and including a capillary is inserted into each via to allow electroplating on only preferred wall surfaces of the vias. Then a board plating process of the PCB manufacturing is performed.

Abstract: A method and structure are provided for implementing enhanced via creation without creating a via barrel stub. The need to backdrill vias during printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing is eliminated. After the vias have been drilled, but before plating, a plug is inserted into each via and the plug is lowered to a depth just below a desired signal trace layer. A thin anti-electroplate coating is applied onto the walls of the via below the signal trace. Then the plugs are removed and a standard board plating process for the PCB is performed.

Abstract: A method and structure are provided for implementing enhanced via creation without creating a via barrel stub. The need to backdrill vias during printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing is eliminated. After the vias have been drilled, but before plating, a plug is inserted into each via and the plug is lowered to a depth just below a desired signal trace layer. A thin anti-electroplate coating is applied onto the walls of the via below the signal trace. Then the plugs are removed and a standard board plating process for the PCB is performed.

Abstract: An airflow sensor for a heat sink has a first portion having a first electrical point of contact, a second portion have a second electrical point of contact, and a deformable portion made of an electroactive material electrically coupled to the first and second portions. The deformable portion has first electrical properties measured between the first and second electrical points of contact when there is no airflow and the deformable portion is in a first position, and has second electrical properties different than the first electrical properties when a source of airflow blows air against the deformable portion, thereby causing the deformable portion to extend to a second position farther away from the source of airflow than the first position. The airflow sensor can be incorporated into a heat sink for an electronic component.