Abstract: A multiphase voltage regulator device (VRD) includes powerstages coupled in parallel between a power input and a voltage regulator power output, each powerstage including a power output stage and a control circuit connected to the power output stage. The VRD further includes a controller connected with the control circuit of each powerstage and a plurality of current sensors, wherein each current sensor measures the amount of current passing through the power output stage of one of the powerstages. The controller is configured to assert a hard short signal to the control circuit of one or more powerstage in response to the measured amount of current passing through any of the powerstages being greater than a predetermined current threshold. Upon receiving the hard short signal, the control circuit is configured to hold the output power stage of the powerstage in a hard short condition by connecting the power input to ground.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rigid elongate shaft having a clip fastener at a distal end and a handle at a proximal end. The clip fastener has a laterally directed clip opening dimensioned to receive a strain relief member of a rigid electrical plug body of a flexible power cable. The clip fastener secures the strain relief member and is positioned between a rigid electrical plug body and a ridge of the strain relief member. With the clip fastener secured to the strain relief member, pushing the handle in a distal direction toward a receptacle of a power distribution unit (PDU) causes a set of electrically conductive elements secured to the rigid electrical plug body to connect electrically with the receptacle and pulling the handle in a proximal direction away from the receptacle of the PDU causes the set of electrically conductive elements to be disconnected from the receptacle.

Abstract: A multiphase voltage regulator device (VRD) includes powerstages coupled in parallel between a power input and a voltage regulator power output, each powerstage including a power output stage and a control circuit connected to the power output stage. The VRD further includes a controller connected with the control circuit of each powerstage and a plurality of current sensors, wherein each current sensor measures the amount of current passing through the power output stage of one of the powerstages. The controller is configured to assert a hard short signal to the control circuit of one or more powerstage in response to the measured amount of current passing through any of the powerstages being greater than a predetermined current threshold. Upon receiving the hard short signal, the control circuit is configured to hold the output power stage of the powerstage in a hard short condition by connecting the power input to ground.

Abstract: Electrical connector systems having connector components and removable heat sink modules are disclosed. According to an aspect, an electrical connector system includes a first connector component that is electrically conductive and that includes a first conductive interface. The electrical connector system also includes a second connector component that is electrically conductive and that includes a second conductive interface. The first and second conductive interfaces are configured to operatively connect to each other. Further, the electrical connector system includes a heat sink module configured to removably attach to the second connector component and configured to transfer heat energy away from the second connector component.

Abstract: A network cable is disclosed. The network cable includes a plurality of network cable conductors. The plurality of network cable conductors include a first end and a second end. The network cable includes a connector coupled to the first end of the network cable conductors. The connector is configured to engage with a jack. The network cable includes a fiber-optic cable attached to the plurality of network cable conductors along a length of the plurality of network cable conductors. The fiber-optic cable includes a first end positioned on the connector to align with a light source adjacent to the jack. Light from the light source is transmitted within the fiber-optic cable to a second end of the fiber-optic cable opposite to the first end.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining and improving a reliability metric of an electronic device based on environmental conditions are disclosed. According to an aspect, a system includes sensors configured to detect different environmental conditions proximate to an electronic device. The sensors are also configured to generate data representative of the detected different environmental conditions. The system also includes a maintenance manager configured to receive the generated data and to determine a reliability metric of the electronic device based on the generated data. Further, the system includes a communications device configured to communicate the reliability metric to a remote computing device.

Abstract: Corrosion resistant thermoelectric devices and methods of manufacturing them are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a corrosion resistant thermoelectric device includes a semiconductor layer; a corrosion resistant top metallization layer formed on a top surface of the semiconductor layer; and a corrosion resistant bottom metallization layer formed on a bottom surface of the semiconductor layer, where the bottom surface of the semiconductor layer is opposite of the top surface of the semiconductor layer. In this way, the corrosion resistance of the device is provided by the intrinsic properties of the materials used rather than provided by the packaging or a surface coating. As such, the corrosion protection can be ensured and verified by control of the materials used to construct the device. This approach is also less susceptible to damage from shipment, handling, integration, attachment, and assembly operations because the corrosion protection is intrinsic to the materials used in construction.