Abstract: A latch apparatus and method to facilitate leveraged insertion of a component into a component bay to an interfaced position, securing of the component in the component bay when the component interfaces with a host computer, leveraged dislodgement of the component from its interfaced position for removal of the component from the component bay, and proper positioning of the latch apparatus upon insertion of the component housing to ensure proper engagement of the latch apparatus with the component bay for leveraged insertion and removal. One latch apparatus comprises a frame adapted to be secured to a proximal end of a component housing, a handle pivotally secured to the frame, and an extendable arm slidably secured to a distal end of the handle and biased toward an extended position, wherein the distal end of the extendable arm has a distally extending latch key for engaging a slot in the component bay.

Abstract: An improved carrier comprises a tray, an EMC component, and a bezel. The EMC component comprises a top spring set and a bottom spring set. Each spring set comprises a plurality of spring biased contacts connected by a plate and a bar so that each spring set moves in unison when depressed or released. Each tray has a first flange and a second flange and each of the flanges has a cut out portion. When an improved carrier is moved out of an array enclosure, the flanges depress the top spring of the EMC component of the carrier below. When the improved carrier is moved into the array enclosure, the flanges depress the top spring set of the carrier below until the top spring set of the carrier below is released by the cut-out portions of the flanges. When released, the top spring set of the carrier below contacts the bottom spring set of the carrier above to form a continuous EMC shield.

Abstract: A hard disk drive carrier having a latch apparatus to facilitate leveraged insertion of a hard disk drive into a receiving drive bay to an interfaced position, securing of the hard disk drive carrier in the drive bay when the hard disk drive secured to the carrier interfaces with a host computer, leveraged dislodgement of the hard disk drive from its interfaced position for removal of the hard disk drive from the drive bay, and proper positioning of the latch apparatus upon insertion of the hard disk drive carrier to ensure proper engagement of the latch apparatus with the drive bay for leveraged insertion and removal.

Abstract: An improved carrier comprises a tray, an EMC component, and a bezel. The EMC component comprises a top spring set and a bottom spring set. Each spring set comprises a plurality of spring biased contacts connected by a plate and a bar so that each spring set moves in unison when depressed or released. Each tray has a first flange and a second flange and each of the flanges has a cut out portion. When an improved carrier is moved out of an array enclosure, the flanges depress the top spring of the EMC component of the carrier below. When the improved carrier is moved into the array enclosure, the flanges depress the top spring set of the carrier below until the top spring set of the carrier below is released by the cut-out portions of the flanges. When released, the top spring set of the carrier below contacts the bottom spring set of the carrier above to form a continuous EMC shield.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a disk drive assembly and a disk drive cage for selectively receiving the disk drive assembly. The disk drive assembly includes first and second side rails secured to opposing sides of a disk drive, wherein the first side rail includes a distal end having a distally-opening slot configured to receive a rigid structure, such as a bent portion of the cage, fixedly extending from the disk drive cage. The slot in the first side rail enables the disk drive assembly to distally advance to a fully installed position within the disk drive cage. Incompatible disk drive assemblies do not include such a slot and are prevented from reaching the fully installed position. Preferably the distal end of first side rail extends beyond the distal end of the disk drive.

Abstract: A hard disk drive carrier having a latch apparatus to facilitate leveraged insertion of a hard disk drive into a receiving drive bay to an interfaced position, securing of the hard disk drive carrier in the drive bay when the hard disk drive secured to the carrier interfaces with a host computer, leveraged dislodgement of the hard disk drive from its interfaced position for removal of the hard disk drive from the drive bay, and proper positioning of the latch apparatus upon insertion of the hard disk drive carrier to ensure proper engagement of the latch apparatus with the drive bay for leveraged insertion and removal.

Abstract: A latch apparatus and method to facilitate leveraged insertion of a component into a component bay to an interfaced position, securing of the component in the component bay when the component interfaces with a host computer, leveraged dislodgement of the component from its interfaced position for removal of the component from the component bay, and proper positioning of the latch apparatus upon insertion of the component housing to ensure proper engagement of the latch apparatus with the component bay for leveraged insertion and removal. One latch apparatus comprises a frame adapted to be secured to a proximal end of a component housing, a handle pivotally secured to the frame, and an extendable arm slidably secured to a distal end of the handle and biased toward an extended position, wherein the distal end of the extendable arm has a distally extending latch key for engaging a slot in the component bay.

Abstract: A cable clamp has a first clamp member secured to the chassis or to the rack adjacent to one of the module bays and a second clamp member movably secured to the first clamp member. The first clamp member defines a first clamp surface and the second clamp member defines a second clamp surface facing the first clamp surface. An elastic material is secured to a surface of one or both of the first and second clamp surfaces. The second clamp member is movable away from the first clamp member for receiving the one or more electronic cables between the first and second clamp surfaces. A biasing member biases the second clamp member toward the first clamp member sufficient to compress and frictionally engage the elastic material with the one or more electronic cables.

Abstract: An automatic recirculation airflow damper for use in electronic enclosures utilizing multiple air moving devices to cool electronic components within the enclosure. When an air moving device is removed, the damper automatically closes an orifice associated with the absent air moving device, thus preventing the loss of cooling air from the vacated orifice and the subsequent reduction in cooling capacity. In some embodiments, the damper is attached to the enclosure with hinges. In certain embodiments, the damper is configured with elastomeric material such that the interface between the orifice and the damper offers high impedance to airflow while the damper is in a closed position. The automatic recirculation airflow damper reduces electronic thermal failures and therefore increases the reliability of a system equipped with the device.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus, system, and method for enabling the installation of an installable device configured with a required component in a receiving device. A component deactivated interlock obstructs the installation of the installable device when not configured with the required component. The invention makes use of an extendable and retractable plunger disposed upon the installable device, a stop barrier disposed upon the receiving device, and an actuator disposed upon the required component. The plunger normally extends beyond the installable device, and upon contacting the stop barrier of the receiving device obstructs the installation. Upon a physical connection of the required component with the installable device, the actuator retracts the plunger, thereby enabling the installation of the installable device.

Abstract: A handling system for use with a blade is disclosed. The blade is within a computer system. The handling system comprises a chassis for holding the blade and a first handle member coupled to the chassis. The handling system includes a second handle member coupled to the chassis and being oppositely disposed to the first handle member. Finally, the handling system includes a latching mechanism which holds the first and second handle member in a retracted position when engaged therewith. The latching member when activated causes the first and second handle members to spring out to a point where the first and second handle members can be used to remove the chassis from the computer system. A method and system in accordance with the present invention limits the handling system profile dimensionally by providing a spring-loaded latching mechanism for the handle members. In so doing, a blade server system is provided that has a smaller footprint than conventional server systems.

Abstract: A system and apparatus to mount devices to a rack is disclosed. Embodiments may comprise mounting hardware configured to adaptively accommodate attachment features of a rack to mount devices such as servers to the rack. A device attachment member may couple with the device, and some of these device attachment members may comprise a bent portion to facilitate coupling the device to vertical members of a rack. Many device attachment members may have in place of or in addition to the bent portion, a slide attachment member and rack attachment slidably coupled with the device attachment member to provide tool-less attachment of the device to the rack via pins. These rack attachments may also adaptively accommodate attachment features such as round openings, square openings, and/or threaded openings of a vertical member of the rack and may advantageously provide a threaded member to secure the device attachment member to vertical members.

Abstract: A handling system for use with a blade is disclosed. The blade is within a computer system. The handling system comprises a chassis for holding the blade and a first handle member coupled to the chassis. The handling system includes a second handle member coupled to the chassis and being oppositely disposed to the first handle member. Finally, the handling system includes a latching mechanism which holds the first and second handle member in a retracted position when engaged therewith. The latching member when activated causes the first and second handle members to spring out to a point where the first and second handle members can be used to remove the chassis from the computer system. A method and system in accordance with the present invention limits the handling system profile dimensionally by providing a spring-loaded latching mechanism for the handle members. In so doing, a blade server system is provided that has a smaller footprint than conventional server systems.

Abstract: The functionality of a blade is expanded by the installation of an expansion unit including expansion components. The blade and expansion unit are provided with connectors allowing the blade components to access and utilize the expansion components when the connectors are mated. The blade and expansion unit include elements ensuring that the connectors align properly as the expansion unit is installed onto the blade, making the installation simple and quick. The blade and expansion unit also include elements securing the connection between the two, once made.

Abstract: A server blade system includes a plurality of slots for receiving server blades. The system includes an air moving device to move air through each of the server blades installed in the system. When one of the server blades is removed, a bypass damper rotates into the empty slot to obstruct the flow of air through the slot. The bypass damper is pivotally mounted within each slot and includes a torsion spring to move the damper into the obstruction position. Two hinge pin mounts, which are “U” shaped in cross section, provide a snap fit for two hinge pins positioned at one end of the bypass damper. A spring mounting pin is positioned between the two hinge pins and a torsion spring is mounted over the spring mounting pin.

Abstract: A server blade system includes a plurality of slots for receiving server blades. The system includes an air moving device to move air through each of the server blades installed in the system. When one of the server blades is removed, a bypass damper rotates into the empty slot to obstruct the flow of air through the slot. The bypass damper is pivotally mounted within each slot and includes a torsion spring to move the damper into the obstruction position. Two hinge pin mounts, which are “U” shaped in cross section, provide a snap fit for two hinge pins positioned at one end of the bypass damper. A spring mounting pin is positioned between the two hinge pins and a torsion spring is mounted over the spring mounting pin.

Abstract: The functionality of a blade is expanded by the installation of an expansion unit including expansion components. The blade and expansion unit are provided with connectors allowing the blade components to access and utilize the expansion components when the connectors are mated. The blade and expansion unit include elements ensuring that the connectors align properly as the expansion unit is installed onto the blade, making the installation simple and quick. The blade and expansion unit also include elements securing the connection between the two, once made.

Abstract: A system and apparatus to mount devices to a rack is disclosed. Embodiments may comprise mounting hardware configured to adaptively accommodate attachment features of a rack to mount devices such as servers to the rack. A device attachment member may couple with the device, and some of these device attachment members may comprise a bent portion to facilitate coupling the device to vertical members of a rack. Many device attachment members may have in place of or in addition to the bent portion, a slide attachment member and rack attachment slidably coupled with the device attachment member to provide tool-less attachment of the device to the rack via pins. These rack attachments may also adaptively accommodate attachment features such as round openings, square openings, and/or threaded openings of a vertical member of the rack and may advantageously provide a threaded member to secure the device attachment member to vertical members.

Abstract: An air moving system such as a fan or blower system includes a back flow damper that functions in two orientations; non-inverted and inverted. First and second “end” baffles are pivotally attached at opposite ends of the damper, and three “middle” baffles are pivotally attached between the two end baffles. When the air moving system fails in the non-inverted orientation, the first end baffle and the three middle baffles are gravity operated to close off the air outlet to prevent the back flow of air, and the second end baffle pivots away from the outlet. When the air moving device fails in the inverted orientation, the second end baffle and the three middle baffles operate to close off the air outlet, and the first end baffle pivots away from the outlet. The three middle baffles are pivotally coupled to a connecting rod, which prevents the inadvertent jamming of baffles.