Abstract: A portable computer includes a base having a heat producing electronic component mounted therein. A heat sink, also referred to as a remote heat exchanger, is positioned in the base adjacent to the heat producing component. A heat pipe has a first end permanently bonded to the heat sink and extends to a second end thermally engaged with the heat producing component. The heat sink and heat pipe assembly is rotatable about an axis of the heat sink so as to move the second end of the heat pipe into and out of thermal engagement with the heat producing component.

Abstract: A flow rack including a frame with a plurality of elongated channels attached to the frame. Each channel includes two spaced apart sides and a base wall extending between the sides. A plurality of rollers is movably mounted in each one of the channels. A portion of each roller extends above the respective channel at a first height. A reverse flow stop is pivotally mounted within each channel for movement between a stop position and a flow position. Each stop includes a stop arm. A weighted portion is attached to each stop for automatically biasing each stop to the stop position whereby the respective stop arm extends above the respective channel at a second height, greater than the first height. When the stop is in the flow position, the stop arm extends above the channel at a height equal to or less than the first height.

Abstract: A method and system of thermally connecting internal components of a computer system to a heat sink. The components are arranged as modular units, each having at least one component heat conductor extending from it. For each component heat conductor, an arterial heat conductor extends from the heat sink. Each module heat conductor is attached orthogonally to its associated arterial heat conductor, using a special thermal connector.

Abstract: A computer including a microprocessor, an input coupled to provide input to the microprocessor, a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor and a memory coupled to the microprocessor to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor. A heat pipe including spaced apart condenser regions and an evaporator region disposed between the condenser regions is provided. The evaporator region is positioned adjacent the microprocessor. A first heat dissipating device is attached to the heat pipe adjacent to a first one of the condenser regions. A second heat dissipating device is attached to the heat pipe adjacent to a second one of the condenser regions. The second heat dissipating device is of a different type than the first heat dissipating device. The reliability and effectiveness of the cooling apparatus are greatly increased through the use of a heat pipe having two condenser regions that are attached to different types of heat dissipating bodies.

Abstract: A housing for components of a computer system includes a portion having a material which is integral with an electrically conductive signal line. The material and the electrically conductive signal line are formed so as to physically break in response to application of a physical force on the material. Circuitry is coupled to the signal line for detecting a physical break in the material by detecting an open circuit caused by physically breaking the electrically conductive signal line. In response to the open circuit, an operation of the computer system is disabled.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a base and a cover pivotally connected to the base. The cover includes a substantially planar back plate and peripheral sides overhanging the base. An LCD panel is mounted in the cover and extends in a plane substantially parallel to the back plate. A hinge connection is mounted in an extended portion of one of the peripheral sides and substantially in the plane of the LCD panel. A hinge arm extends from the base and is extended to overhang a peripheral side of the base for pivotal attachment to the hinge connection in the extended portion of the cover.

Abstract: A computer, or other electronic device, according to which a handle is pivotally mounted to a component, such as a power supply, for installing the component supply in the computer chassis. After the component is inserted in the chassis, the handle is pivoted towards the component which establishes a fulcrum for forcing the component into the chassis. To remove the component from the chassis, the handle is pivoted away from the component which establishes a fulcrum to assist in the removal.

Abstract: A monitor stand which allows placement of a computer monitor above or to the side of the base of the docking apparatus. In one embodiment, the monitor stand includes spaced-apart side channel members and adjacent transverse channel members extending between the side members. Each transverse channel member has opposing ends attached to each respective side channel member. A first one of the adjacent transverse channel members is inverted with respect to a second one of the adjacent transverse channel members. A principal advantage of the embodiments presented herein is that the monitor stand can support the sustained loading of even the largest commercially available computer monitors without exhibiting appreciable deflection.

Abstract: An alignment tray for facilitating the docking of a computer to a docking device in which a tray member is adapted to receive the computer and guide the computer into a docking engagement with the docking device. The tray member is pivotal between an extended position in which it receives the computer and a folded position for storage or travel. A second tray member is provided which can either be connected to, or formed integrally with, the first-mentioned tray member and may be pivotally connected to the first-mentioned tray member so that the latter member pivots relative to the additional tray member and the docking device to and from its folded position.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus including a semiconductor device mounted on a substrate. A support member is disposed between the semiconductor device and the substrate. A heat dissipating body has a cavity formed therein. The heat dissipating body is positioned adjacent to the support member with the heat generating device received within the cavity. The cavity is sized to define a gap between the heat dissipating body and the semiconductor device. A flowable thermally conductive material is disposed within a portion of the gap. A sealing member is disposed between the heat dissipating body and the support member. A principal advantage is that the flowable material can be used in mass produced devices such as electronic packages for computers. Preferred interface materials are phase change materials and thermally conductive greases.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for testing the video subsystem of a PC in a manufacturing environment. Hsync and Vsync signals from a VGA connector of the PC are input to first and second trigger inputs, respectively, of a monostable multivibrator (“MM”) of the test device to drive respective outputs thereof. In particular, the presence of Hsync at the first trigger input triggers the MM to output a positive pulse at a first output thereof; similarly, the presence of Vsync at the second trigger input triggers the MM to output a positive pulse at a second output thereof. Each of the first and second outputs is used to drive an LED, such that the presence of Hsync and/or Vsync results in the illumination of a corresponding LED.

Abstract: A notebook computer system having a base unit, a display panel, and display panel indication circuit for identifying the display panel includes a table of display panel IDs and corresponding display panel identification characteristics stored within the base unit. A display panel indicator circuit is provided for being disposed with the display panel, the display panel indicator including a panel ID unique to the type, resolution, and manufacturer of the display panel, the panel ID further including a prescribed count. The indicator circuit further includes a counter and a comparator. A clock signal is provided from the base unit to the display panel indicator circuit while simultaneously monitoring a clock signal count within the base unit.

Abstract: A computer system includes a microprocessor, an an input coupled to provide signal inputs to the microprocessor, a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor, a video controller for coupling the microprocessor to a display, a memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor, and a multilayer printed circuit board for mounting the microprocessor thereon. The multilayer printed circuit board provides for reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI) and includes at least two layers. The multilayer printed circuit board further includes a first conductive segment on a first layer, a second conductive segment on the first layer, the second segment being separated from the first segment by a primary gap, and a conductive interconnect on a second layer, the interconnect for carrying a high frequency signal therein. The second layer is disposed laterally from and substantially parallel to the first layer.

Abstract: An extended cooling unit (“ECU”) for a portable PC is described. The ECU is connected to the portable PC having an MPP processor via a docking connector of the PC, thereby allowing the presence of the ECU to be detected by the processor. The ECU is connected to the portable PC via a docking connector of the PC, thereby allowing the presence of the ECU to be detected by the MPP processor of the PC. The ECU includes a horizontally projecting, thermally-conductive plate positioned such that, when the ECU is connected to the PC, the plate projects under the bottom of the PC to allow extension of a passive cooling solution. The ECU also includes a fan attached to a heat exchanger. Connection of the ECU to the PC results in a portion of the thermally conductive path of the ECU being brought into direct contact with the conductive path of the processor of the PC, thereby increasing the cooling capacity in the critical portion of the PC.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for installing and connecting one or more expansion boards in a computer system while the computer system is being manufactured as well as when a user upgrades or reconfigures the computer system. An expansion board bay for receiving the expansion board is located within the computer system, typically on a circuit board such as the motherboard. A connector module that is separate from the expansion board and the expansion board bay is positioned within the computer system. The connector module is positioned to provide easy external access to a contact portion of the connector module, thereby allowing a user to connect an external data signal line to the connector module. A connector cable operably connects the expansion board with the connector module to establish communication between the data processor and the external data line through the expansion board.

Abstract: An expansion card retention system and method. In one embodiment, the expansion card retention system includes an expansion card retaining unit which has a vertical axis, an extended member, and a vertical-axis extended member pressure application device operably connected to the extended member. In another embodiment, a data processing system includes the expansion card retention system. In yet another embodiment, the method includes securing an expansion card via the application of a wedging force.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described herein for mounting a power supply within a PC chassis such that it is ratchetably rotatable. The chassis includes a pivot receptacle, a hook, and a dimple. The power supply is received by a mounting bracket which includes a corresponding pivot point, a curved slot having a relatively wide portion disposed at one end for engaging the hook of the chassis and a relatively narrow portion for retaining the hook during rotation of the power supply, and a plurality of shorter slots oriented in a curve for engaging the dimple of the chassis thereby providing the ratcheting action and preventing the rotation of the power supply until force is applied. In an alterative embodiment, the power supply is mounted to be translatable and rotatable. The chassis includes two cams, and a hook.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for providing fault isolation in a computer system including a central processing unit (“CPU”) capable of issuing a signal to a memory to retrieve a requested instruction from the memory when the CPU is booted. The disclosed invention comprises an interception and substitution circuit, coupled to the CPU, capable of intercepting the signal and providing an alternative diagnostics instruction to the CPU in lieu of the requested instruction, the alternative diagnostics instruction providing an indication of proper functioning of the computer system when executed by the CPU. The circuit allows a user to determine whether the CPU and components proximate the CPU are functioning, even when a fault renders conventional, embedded power-on self-test routines non-functional.

Abstract: A computer system is disclosed which includes at least one microprocessor having an L2 cache, at least one memory, and basic input output system (BIOS) firmware. The L2 cache includes error checking and correcting capability (ECC). The at least one memory includes either all ECC capable memory or any combination of ECC capable and non-ECC capable memory. Lastly, the basic input output system (BIOS) firmware includes an L2 cache support feature. The L2 cache support feature includes three user-selectable options, the three options including i) L2 cache ECC ON, ii) L2 cache ECC OFF, and iii) L2 cache AUTO. Selection of L2 cache ECC ON is for enabling L2 cache ECC. Selection of L2 cache ECC OFF is for not enabling L2 cache ECC. Lastly, selection of L2 cache ECC AUTO is for automatically enabling or not enabling L2 cache ECC in response to a detection of the presence of a) all ECC capable memory or b) any combination of ECC and non-ECC capable memory, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus, computer system and method allow either redundant power supplies or a non-redundant power supply to be mounted in a computer chassis, efficiently fitting into the same space. The apparatus and computer system include a chassis with a power supply bay for holding one of a power supply of a first type and a plurality of power supplies of a second type wherein the power supply bay is capable of receiving either one of the power supply of the first type and the plurality of power supplies of the second type, the power supply of the first type fitting into the same space as the plurality of power supplies of the second type.