Abstract: A DIMM riser card that includes a PCB having a first edge, a second edge, and one or more faces. The first edge of the PCB is configured for insertion into a main board DIMM socket. The first edge includes electrical traces that electrically couple to a memory bus. The DIMM riser card includes an angled DIMM socket mounted on one face of the PCB, where the angled DIMM socket is configured to accept a DIMM at an angle not perpendicular to the PCB and electrically couple the DIMM to the memory bus. The DIMM riser card includes a straddle mount DIMM socket mounted on the second edge of the PCB. The straddle mount DIMM socket is configured to accept a DIMM and electrically couple the DIMM to the memory bus through the electrical traces on the first edge of the PCB.

Abstract: A DIMM riser card that includes a PCB having a first edge, a second edge, and one or more faces. The first edge of the PCB is configured for insertion into a main board DIMM socket. The first edge includes electrical traces that electrically couple to a memory bus. The DIMM riser card includes an angled DIMM socket mounted on one face of the PCB, where the angled DIMM socket is configured to accept a DIMM at an angle not perpendicular to the PCB and electrically couple the DIMM to the memory bus. The DIMM riser card includes a straddle mount DIMM socket mounted on the second edge of the PCB. The straddle mount DIMM socket is configured to accept a DIMM and electrically couple the DIMM to the memory bus through the electrical traces on the first edge of the PCB.

Abstract: A DIMM riser card that includes a PCB having a first edge, a second edge, and one or more faces. The first edge of the PCB is configured for insertion into a main board DIMM socket. The first edge includes electrical traces that electrically couple to a memory bus. The DIMM riser card includes an angled DIMM socket mounted on one face of the PCB, where the angled DIMM socket is configured to accept a DIMM at an angle not perpendicular to the PCB and electrically couple the DIMM to the memory bus. The DIMM riser card includes a straddle mount DIMM socket mounted on the second edge of the PCB. The straddle mount DIMM socket is configured to accept a DIMM and electrically couple the DIMM to the memory bus through the electrical traces on the first edge of the PCB.

Abstract: A low profile computer processor retention device, the computer processor including a processor substrate and a heat spreader mounted on the processor substrate. The retention device includes a retention housing. The retention housing is shaped to fit around a socket. The retention device also includes a load frame. The load frame is operatively coupled to the retention housing and is configured to retain the computer processor in the socket of a motherboard with direct contact between the load frame and the processor substrate. The load frame has a cutout. The retention device also includes a heat sink fastening member coupled to the retention housing and configured to fasten a heat sink to the retention housing and configured to couple the heat sink to the heat spreader through the cutout of the load frame.

Abstract: A low profile computer processor retention device, the computer processor including a processor substrate and a heat spreader mounted on the processor substrate. The retention device includes a retention housing. The retention housing is shaped to fit around a socket. The retention device also includes a load frame. The load frame is operatively coupled to the retention housing and is configured to retain the computer processor in the socket of a motherboard with direct contact between the load frame and the processor substrate. The load frame has a cutout. The retention device also includes a heat sink fastening member coupled to the retention housing and configured to fasten a heat sink to the retention housing and configured to couple the heat sink to the heat spreader through the cutout of the load frame.

Abstract: One embodiment includes the provision of a novel insert-and-rotate connection for a daughter card, such as in a blade computer system. The daughter card has both a card edge with a plurality of card edge contacts and a mezzanine connector spaced from the card edge. An interposer mounted on the motherboard has a card edge connector and a midplane connector in communication with the card edge connector. The card edge connector includes a socket for receiving the card edge of the daughter card with the daughter card at an acute angle to the motherboard, to avoid interference between the mezzanine connector on the daughter card and a corresponding mezzanine connector on the motherboard. Once the card edge is inserted into the socket of the card edge connector, the socket allows for rotation of the daughter card about the received card edge. The mezzanine connectors are aligned for connection in response to rotation of the daughter card about the received card edge.

Abstract: One embodiment includes the provision of a novel insert-and-rotate connection for a daughter card, such as in a blade computer system. The daughter card has both a card edge with a plurality of card edge contacts and a mezzanine connector spaced from the card edge. An interposer mounted on the motherboard has a card edge connector and a midplane connector in communication with the card edge connector. The card edge connector includes a socket for receiving the card edge of the daughter card with the daughter card at an acute angle to the motherboard, to avoid interference between the mezzanine connector on the daughter card and a corresponding mezzanine connector on the motherboard. Once the card edge is inserted into the socket of the card edge connector, the socket allows for rotation of the daughter card about the received card edge. The mezzanine connectors are aligned for connection in response to rotation of the daughter card about the received card edge.

Abstract: A mount for a bezel/air filter assembly for use in mounting the bezel/air filter assembly directly to the rack or cabinet in which electrical equipment is mounted or contained. The mount is affixed to the rack or cabinet rather than to the electrical equipment mounted or contained in the rack or cabinet, making use of the normally unused frontal area along the rail forming the front of the rack or cabinet, maximizing air flow to the equipment mounted in the rack or contained in the cabinet and allowing greater packaging density. Also, by using the rack or cabinet (rather than the equipment) as a support element, the mount is substantially stronger than if the mount was affixed to the chassis.

Abstract: Detecting a fouled air filter in a computer equipment enclosure that includes an air filter, a supply plenum connecting the air filter and the computer equipment enclosure, a fan operating at a current fan speed, and a filter monitoring module connected for data communications to a management module. Detecting a fouled air filter according to embodiments of the present invention includes calculating, by the filter monitoring module, a pressure differential across the air filter; determining, for the current fan speed by the filter monitoring module in dependence upon a pressure differential profile for the air filter, whether the calculated pressure differential across the air filter exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and if the calculated pressure differential across the air filter exceeds the predetermined threshold value, reporting, by the filter monitoring module to the management module, that the calculated pressure differential across the air filter exceeds the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A scalability card for use with a plurality of computer blades. The computer blades are releasably securable in a parallel configuration, wherein each blade includes a circuit board and a processor operatively coupled to the circuit board. Each processor is in electronic communication with a scalability connector on a floating plate that is loosely secured to the computer blade. Furthermore, each scalability connector is preferably disposed in a common plane extending perpendicular to the plurality of parallel computer blades. The scalability card includes a plurality of electronically interconnected scalability connectors arranged for rough alignment with the scalability connectors of each computer blade. In addition, the scalability card preferably includes at least one alignment feature for engaging each floating plate and, therefore, providing fine alignment of the scalability connector on each floating plate to one of the scalability connectors of the scalability card.

Abstract: Detecting a fouled air filter in a computer equipment enclosure that includes an air filter, a supply plenum connecting the air filter and the computer equipment enclosure, a fan operating at a current fan speed, and a filter monitoring module connected for data communications to a management module. Detecting a fouled air filter according to embodiments of the present invention includes calculating, by the filter monitoring module, a pressure differential across the air filter; determining, for the current fan speed by the filter monitoring module in dependence upon a pressure differential profile for the air filter, whether the calculated pressure differential across the air filter exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and if the calculated pressure differential across the air filter exceeds the predetermined threshold value, reporting, by the filter monitoring module to the management module, that the calculated pressure differential across the air filter exceeds the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A mount for a bezel/air filter assembly for use in mounting the bezel/air filter assembly directly to the rack or cabinet in which electrical equipment is mounted or contained. The mount is affixed to the rack or cabinet rather than to the electrical equipment mounted or contained in the rack or cabinet, making use of the normally unused frontal area along the rail forming the front of the rack or cabinet, maximizing air flow to the equipment mounted in the rack or contained in the cabinet and allowing greater packaging density. Also, by using the rack or cabinet (rather than the equipment) as a support element, the mount is substantially stronger than if the mount was affixed to the chassis.

Abstract: A dual motion docking apparatus for docking an electronics console to a component board in a chassis is disclosed. The electronics console and the component board lie in the same plane of the chassis, but the electronics console must be mated with the component board at an angle orthogonal to a direction of installation of the electronics console. Aspects of the present invention include a first docking mechanism for slidably inserting the electronics console into a chassis, such that connectors on the electronics console align with connectors on the component board.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fiber optic lens assembly and method of mounting a lens array in the same. The fiber optic lens assembly includes a housing including a lens mounting aperture formed therein. The housing includes at least one feature adjacent the lens mounting aperture. A lens array is positioned within the lens mounting aperture and adjacent the feature. At least one biasing member is positioned adjacent the lens array. The biasing member forces the lens array against the feature. The method includes positioning the lens array adjacent at least one feature formed in a lens mounting aperture of a housing. At least one biasing member is inserted in the lens mounting aperture adjacent the lens array. A cornering force is applied against the lens array with the biasing member.

Abstract: An optical transceiver is controlled through the use of a monitor optical signal generator and monitor optical signal detector mounted in close physical proximity to the optical signal generator and detector of the transceiver in a housing having a reflective surface. The monitor optical signal generator transmits a reference optical signal that is reflected and directed to the monitor optical signal detector by the reflective surface of the housing. Changes in the reference optical signal detected at the monitor optical signal detector are used for controlling the optical signal generator of the transceiver.

Abstract: A dual motion docking apparatus for docking an electronics console to a component board in a chassis is disclosed. The electronics console and the component board lie in the same plane of the chassis, but the electronics console must be mated with the component board at an angle orthogonal to a direction of installation of the electronics console. Aspects of the present invention include means for slidably inserting the electronics console into a chassis, such that connectors on the electronics console align with connectors on the component board; and means for laterally moving the electronics console towards the component board, such that the electronics console connectors engage the component board connectors, thereby enabling the blind docking between the electronics console and the component board.

Abstract: An optical transceiver is controlled through the use of a monitor optical signal generator and monitor optical signal detector mounted in close physical proximity to the optical signal generator and detector of the transceiver in a housing having a reflective surface. The monitor optical signal generator transmits a reference optical signal that is reflected and directed to the monitor optical signal detector by the reflective surface of the housing. Changes in the reference optical signal detected at the monitor optical signal detector are used for controlling the optical signal generator of the transceiver.

Abstract: An optical fiber link module comprises an upper connector and a lower portion. The upper connector comprises metal, and the lower portion is connected to the upper connector. The lower portion has a pair of arms for retaining a fiber optic cable.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for aligning a fiber optic cable with an optical component on a device carrier using a fiber optic lens assembly. One method provides that movement of the lens assembly is fixed with respect to the fiber optic cable. Light is sent through the lens assembly. The fixed lens assembly and fiber optic cable are moved with respect to the device carrier. The light sent though the fixed lens assembly is monitored, and movement of the fixed lens assembly is fixed with respect to the device carrier according to the monitored light. Another method provides that movement of the lens assembly is fixed with respect to the device carrier. Light is sent through the lens assembly. The fixed lens assembly and device carrier are moved with respect to the fiber optic cable. The light sent though the fixed lens assembly is monitored, and movement of the fixed lens assembly is fixed with respect to the fiber optic cable according to the monitored light.

Abstract: The packaging architecture for a multiple array transceiver using a flexible cable of the present invention provides a 90-degree transition between an optical signal input at a communications chassis bulkhead and an interior board within the communications chassis. The packaging architecture system comprises a forward vertical carrier having an optical converter, a paddle card, a flexible cable operably connected between the forward vertical carrier and the paddle card, and a rearward horizontal I/O block operably connected to the paddle card, the rearward horizontal I/O block oriented about 90 degrees from the forward vertical carrier. The multiple array transceiver makes the 90-degree transition within a narrow gap established by industry and manufacturer standards. The multiple array transceiver further provides cooling through a heat sink.