Abstract: A method for monitoring the operating temperature of an item on a card shelf having a plurality of discrete electronic cards includes receiving a measured temperature for an item on a card shelf that is indicative of an operating temperature of the item. The method also includes determining whether the item is operating above a specified limit using the measured temperature and information stored in a memory that relates the measured temperature to the operating temperature of the item. Furthermore, the method includes determining whether there has been a restriction of air flow through the card shelf in response to determining whether the item is operating above a specified limit.

Abstract: A system is designed to facilitate heat transfer via radiation, convection and conduction from components within the system to the external environment and housing. The system includes a thermally conductive plate positioned between a surface of the housing and one or more heat generating components within the housing. A compliant thermally conductive material may then be placed between the heat generating components and the plate to facilitate conductive heat transfer from the component to the plate. From the plate, heat is transferred to the external environment through radiation and convection of air through perforations in the housing which cover a substantial portion of the surface area of the housing. The housing may also be inexpensively manufactured through stamping and may include two mating pieces which interlock using chamfered electrostatic discharge fingers. The housing may also incorporate a metal shroud for enveloping certain ESD sensitive connectors, such as optical couplers.

Abstract: A mounting plate that is secured between a substrate and a component is used to mount a heat sink. The plate includes holes to accommodate the leads of the component and mounting flanges that partially surround the component and are used to mount the heat sink. In the mounted position, the heat sink is held in thermal communication with the component directly or through a thermally conductive material.

Abstract: A wall-mounted cabinet has two components. The first, a back portion, is fixedly connected to a wall, and the second, a cover portion, is pivotally and detachably connected to the second. A vent is formed in the top of the cover portion, but in a manner that does not permit water to enter but does permit heated air generated from with the cabinet to exit. In order to accomplish this, a water-diverting plate is provided on the back portion. The plate is oriented to extend across the width of the vent at an angle, so that water entering the vent is directed towards a gap formed between the wall and the outer surface of the back portion.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the operating temperature of an item on a card shelf having a plurality of discrete electronic cards includes receiving a measured temperature for an item on a card shelf that is indicative of an operating temperature of the item. The method also includes determining whether the item is operating above a specified limit using the measured temperature and information stored in a memory that relates the measured temperature to the operating temperature of the item. Furthermore, the method includes determining whether there has been a restriction of air flow through the card shelf in response to determining whether the item is operating above a specified limit.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the operating temperature within a card shelf having a plurality of discrete electronic cards includes receiving a first temperature indicative of an operating temperature of an item on one of the electronic cards. A second temperature indicative of an ambient temperature in which the electronic card is operating is also received. Based on the first and second temperatures, a temperature controller determines whether the item is operating within specified limits.

Abstract: A water resistant enclosure providing protection to electrical or electronic equipment contained therein includes a three-sided removable cover pivotally coupled to a wall mounting bracket that includes a back panel-base plate combination. The three-sided removable cover further includes an enclosure door that covers the front opening. The three-sided removable cover also includes features to provide for water resistance. These features include an overhang extension from the top side wall of the three-sided removable cover extending to partially cover the front opening and in particular to cover the seam created between the enclosure door and the removable cover, and a gutter surrounding the front opening to divert water therefrom. In addition, the three-sided removable cover and the wall mounting bracket include elements to provide for the proper alignment and orientation thereof when being mated together.

Abstract: An electronic chassis providing front access for printed circuit board insertion and removal and for cable connectors. The electronic chassis includes a backplane assembly and a shelf assembly. The backplane assembly includes a motherboard having a first plurality of connectors for receiving respective daughter cards and/or modules and a second plurality of connectors for receiving signal and/or power cables. Both the first and second pluralities of connectors are mounted on the same side of the motherboard. The shelf assembly includes a housing with opposing sidewalls, a top cover, a bottom support section, and a front cover. The backplane assembly is coupled to the shelf assembly such that the first plurality of connectors is disposed in the housing of the shelf assembly opposite the front cover, and the second plurality of connectors is external to the shelf housing.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the operating temperature within a card shelf having a plurality of discrete electronic cards includes receiving a first temperature indicative of an operating temperature of an item on one of the electronic cards. A second temperature indicative of an ambient temperature in which the electronic card is operating is also received. Based on the first and second temperatures, a temperature controller determines whether the item is operating within specified limits.

Abstract: An equipment enclosure includes a set of features enabling alignment of an electronic component with an L-shaped wall bracket. The bottom of the component rests on a base of the bracket. A rear wall of the bracket includes fastener elements, such as threaded standoffs, and alignment posts that extend forward beyond the standoffs. The rear of the component likewise includes fastener elements, such as captive screws, and alignment openings. During installation, the component is brought into a position in which the alignment openings engage the alignment posts, and then the component is pushed rearward until it abuts the rear wall of the bracket. The fasteners become mutually aligned for subsequent fastening.

Abstract: A fiber cable storage and management apparatus. The apparatus includes front and rear sections interconnected by a hinge. The front section is configured to hold a length of fiber cable, and both the front and rear sections are slidingly mountable to an electronic chassis. The front section of the fiber cable storage and management apparatus may be alternately retracted out of and inserted into the housing of the electronic chassis. When the front section is retracted out of the electronic chassis housing, the hinge can pivot between a first position in which the front and rear sections of the apparatus are substantially coplanar and a second position in which the front section is rotated below the plane of the rear section. By sliding the front section of the apparatus out of the electronic chassis housing and then rotating the front section downward, easy access is provided to fiber cable stored on the front section.

Abstract: A fan tray assembly is adapted to be attached to an electronics enclosure. It draws in air from below and pushes the air upward toward the enclosure. The fan tray cools electronics in a card cage portion of the electronics enclosure that includes a backplane, the card cage, a plenum beneath the card cage and a card cage door. The fan tray has two sides, a front and a back, and a rectangular shape. The fan tray mounts under the plenum of the electronics enclosure by sliding into place. The fan tray bottom has apertures to allow entry of air and a plurality of fans disposed in an array, each fan positioned over an aperture. A filter is disposed beneath the tray and sized to filter air into all apertures. Power connector and signal connectors connect to cables transporting signals between the back plane and the fan tray and bring power to the fans. The fan tray cannot be slid from a home position when the power connector is engaged with a power connection. The front panel of the fan tray closes with slam locks.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the operating temperature within a card shelf having a plurality of discrete electronic cards includes receiving a first temperature indicative of an operating temperature of an item on one of the electronic cards. A second temperature indicative of an ambient temperature in which the electronic card is operating is also received. Based on the first and second temperatures, a temperature controller determines whether the item is operating within specified limits.

Abstract: A method for transferring thermal energy from an electronic card in a card shelf includes providing a divider configured for high absorption of thermal energy adjacent to an electronic card in the card shelf. Thermal energy generated by the electronic card is absorbed in the divider and transferred away from the electronic card via the divider. The divider may include a roughened surface texture, surface coating, or other dull surface exhibiting high thermal energy absorption properties. The divider may convectively transfer the thermal energy away from the electronic card. The divider may also be thermally coupled to a heatsink to conductively transfer the thermal energy away from the electronic card.

Abstract: A card shelf includes a backplane and a plurality of slots each configured to receive an electronic card. An electronic card disposed in one of the slots has a back including a connector adapted to engage the backplane and a front including an angled receptor adapted to engage a cable with a reduced projection from the electronic card. A cable holder is aligned with the slot containing the electronic card. The cable holder is operable to receive the cable from the angled receptor. A cable trough is operable to receive the cable from the cable holder and route the cable away from the card shelf. The cable holder may include a plurality of cable receivers aligned with each slot for an electronic card in the card shelf. Each cable receiver may include a portion for receiving one or more cables from each electronic card and a portion for retaining the cables within the cable receiver.

Abstract: A 180.degree. concealed hinge includes two pivots which are advantageously arranged to provide a deterministic opening sequence. The hinge comprises a frame leaf member and a door leaf member which are pivotally connected to a mounting leaf member. In one embodiment of the invention, the deterministic opening sequence is obtained by employing a loose fit pivot and a friction fit pivot. The deterministic opening sequence is such that rotation occurs first about the loose fit pivot from a closed position to an approximately 90.degree. open position when an opening rotational force is applied to the door leaf member. Upon reaching the 90.degree. open position, further rotation about the loose fit pivot is prevented by a unique stop arrangement. Then, rotation can occur about the friction fit pivot for an additional 90.degree.. Further rotation about the friction fit pivot is prevented by also employing another unique stop arrangement.