Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for heat management in a server rack. A server rack includes devices and a direct cooling element. A door coupleable to the server rack includes fluid-conducting conduits. An intake hose is coupled to a first fluid-conducting conduit and a fluid supply. The intake hose is coupleable to a fluid supply located below and above the server rack. An intermediate hose is coupled to a second fluid-conducting conduit and the direct cooling element. A return hose is coupled to a fluid return line and the direct cooling element. The return hose is coupleable to a fluid return line located below and above the server rack. The intake hose, the fluid-conducting conduits, the intermediate hose, the direct cooling element, and the return hose are connected to create a single path for the fluid.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for heat management in a server rack. A server rack includes devices and a direct cooling element. A door coupleable to the server rack includes fluid-conducting conduits. An intake hose is coupled to a first fluid-conducting conduit and a fluid supply. The intake hose is coupleable to a fluid supply located below and above the server rack. An intermediate hose is coupled to a second fluid-conducting conduit and the direct cooling element. A return hose is coupled to a fluid return line and the direct cooling element. The return hose is coupleable to a fluid return line located below and above the server rack. The intake hose, the fluid-conducting conduits, the intermediate hose, the direct cooling element, and the return hose are connected to create a single path for the fluid.

Abstract: Two system boards may be connected by a blind plug connector assembly. The top system board supports a first connector and has a hole adjacent the first connector that secures a guide bracket. The blind plug connector assembly is selectively received in the guide bracket to position a proximal connector on the assembly for connecting to the first connector on the top system board and position a distal connector on the assembly for connecting to a second connector on the lower system board. A flexible wired connection extends within the assembly between the proximal connector and the distal connector, and may form a scalability cable. The interaction between the assembly and the guide bracket provide alignment of the connectors.

Abstract: A system includes a chassis, first and second blade servers, and a scalability device. Each blade server is securable within the chassis and includes a scalability port, cam handle for selectively securing the blade server in the chassis, and handle latch for selectively latching the cam handle in a closed position, and lockout mechanism moveable into a position that blocks the handle latch in a latched position. The scalability device includes first and second scalability connectors, wherein positioning the scalability device so that the first scalability connector is coupled to a scalability port of the first blade server and the second scalability connector is coupled to a scalability port of the second blade server causes each lockout mechanism to move into the position that blocks the handle latches in the latched position. Accordingly, the scalability device must be removed before either of the blade servers can be removed.

Abstract: A system includes a chassis, first and second blade servers, and a scalability device. Each blade server is securable within the chassis and includes a scalability port, cam handle for selectively securing the blade server in the chassis, and handle latch for selectively latching the cam handle in a closed position, and lockout mechanism moveable into a position that blocks the handle latch in a latched position. The scalability device includes first and second scalability connectors, wherein positioning the scalability device so that the first scalability connector is coupled to a scalability port of the first blade server and the second scalability connector is coupled to a scalability port of the second blade server causes each lockout mechanism to move into the position that blocks the handle latches in the latched position. Accordingly, the scalability device must be removed before either of the blade servers can be removed.

Abstract: A blade server comprises first and second housing portions. Each housing portion includes a cover securing a first printed circuit board assembly, two sides extending from the cover, a bezel portion secured along a proximal end of the cover between the two sides, a first hinge member formed near the proximal end of one side, and a second hinge member formed near the proximal end of the other side. The hinge members on the first housing portion are selectively engagable with the hinge members on the second housing portion to enable the housing portions to pivot between an open position and a closed position with the first and second printed circuit board assemblies disposed between the first and second housing portions.

Abstract: Two system boards may be connected by a blind plug connector assembly. The top system board supports a first connector and has a hole adjacent the first connector that secures a guide bracket. The blind plug connector assembly is selectively received in the guide bracket to position a proximal connector on the assembly for connecting to the first connector on the top system board and position a distal connector on the assembly for connecting to a second connector on the lower system board. A flexible wired connection extends within the assembly between the proximal connector and the distal connector, and may form a scalability cable. The interaction between the assembly and the guide bracket provide alignment of the connectors.

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 method comprises engaging hinge members on a first housing portion with hinge members on a second housing portion so that the first and second housing portions are pivotally engaged in an open position. The first housing portion includes a first cover securing a first server and a first bezel portion secured along a proximal end of the first housing portion, and the second housing portion includes a second cover securing a second server and a second bezel portion secured along a proximal end of the first housing portion. The method further comprises pivoting the first housing portion relative to the second housing portion about a pivot axis of the hinge members until the first and second housing portions are in a closed position forming a common housing with the first server facing the second server. The first and second housing portions are then latched in the closed position.

Abstract: A blade server comprises first and second housing portions. Each housing portion includes a cover securing a first printed circuit board assembly, two sides extending from the cover, a bezel portion secured along a proximal end of the cover between the two sides, a first hinge member formed near the proximal end of one side, and a second hinge member formed near the proximal end of the other side. The hinge members on the first housing portion are selectively engagable with the hinge members on the second housing portion to enable the housing portions to pivot between an open position and a closed position with the first and second printed circuit board assemblies disposed between the first and second housing portions.

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: 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 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: A printed circuit board is configured as a daughterboard to include at least one lever pivotable between open and closed positions. The lever applies leverage to a card guide structure to selectively urge the daughterboard into or out of engagement with a connector of a motherboard. A manually operable pivotable latch member is mounted on the daughterboard for selectively retaining the lever(s) in a closed position. The latch member may be spring biased so that it maintains the lever(s) in the closed position and returns to a latch position after being manually pivoted to release the lever(s). The lever(s) may be spring biased toward the open position. An optical switch may be provided on the daughterboard to sense whether the lever is in a closed position, and to responsively interrupt power and/or bus signals to the daughterboard when the lever is not sensed in the closed position.

Abstract: A carrier for a hot-pluggable disk drive has a frame with a pair of side walls, a front bezel, and a rear connector assembly. The disk drive mounts to the frame within its confines. The carrier also has pipes for transmitting light to the front bezel. The light pipes extend along the side wall from the front bezel to the rear connector assembly. The carrier is installed in the disk drive docking bay of a computer system. The rear end of the docking bay has a docking connector for interconnecting with the rear connector assembly, which also interconnects with the drive. The rear connector assembly is provided with a retainer for supporting the rearward ends of the light pipes. When the carrier is seated in the docking bay, the light pipes precisely align with activity lights at the back of the docking bay. The light emitted by the activity lights is transmitted through the light pipes and displayed at the front bezel for viewing by the user.

Abstract: A carrier for a hot-pluggable hard disk drive has a frame with a pair of side walls, a front end, and a rear end. The hard disk drive mounts to the frame within its confines. A connector is provided for electrically coupling the hard disk drive to a computer system. A channel is formed in one side wall and a guide surface is formed on the other side wall of the frame. Each side wall has a recess at the front ends of the channel and guide surface. The recesses house shock dampening yokes. Each yoke is a C-shaped member with a hub and a pair of fingers. The carrier mounts in a computer system having a docking bay. Each side of the bay has a guide rib and a docking connector is mounted at the rear. As the carrier is inserted into the bay, the ribs simultaneously engage the channel and the guide surface in the side walls and are directed into the yokes. The yokes allow some compliant motion and deflect to a preload position against the ribs upon contact.

Abstract: A carrier for a hot-pluggable hard disk drive has a frame with a pair of side walls, a front bezel, and a rear connector assembly. The hard disk drive mounts to the frame within its confines. One of the side walls has a pair of channels in its outer surface. The carrier also has a visible light pipe mounted in each of its channels. The light pipes extend along the side wall from the front bezel to the rear connector assembly. The carrier is installed in the hard disk drive docking bay of a computer system. The rear end of the docking bay has a docking connector for interconnecting with the drive, and a pair of activity lights. When the carrier is seated in the docking bay, the rear ends of the light pipes are precisely aligned with the activity lights and separated from them by a small clearance. The light emitted by the activity lights is transmitted through the light pipes and displayed at the front bezel for viewing by the user.