Abstract: A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion.

Abstract: A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion.

Abstract: A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion.

Abstract: A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion.

Abstract: A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion.

Abstract: A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion.

Abstract: A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion.

Abstract: A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion.

Abstract: A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion.

Abstract: A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring vibration of a fan includes a frame having an opening for enclosing a fan; a plurality of accelerometers disposed on the frame; and an elastic support for supporting the frame. An apparatus for measuring fan vibration includes a frame having an opening for enclosing a fan; a plurality of accelerometers disposed on the frame. The plurality of accelerometers output a signal to the signal-analyzing device and at least three of the plurality of accelerometers are disposed on a different surface of the frame from each other. The apparatus for measuring fan vibration includes a mounting block that allows the fan to be secured in the opening of the frame and an elastic support for supporting the frame. A method of measuring fan vibration includes disposing a plurality of accelerometers on a frame; mounting a fan within the frame; turning on the fan; and outputting a signal from each of the plurality of accelerometers to a signal-analyzing device.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing noise generated by a plurality of fans for moving air includes setting a first fan of the plurality of fans at a predetermined speed; setting a second fan of the plurality of fans at the predetermined speed; and configuring the second fan of the plurality of fans to have a phase shift from the first fan of the plurality of fans. A system and method for reducing noise generated by a plurality of fans for moving air includes setting a first subgroup of fans of the plurality of fans at a predetermined speed; setting a second subgroup of fans of the plurality of fans at the predetermined speed; and configuring the second subgroup of fans of the plurality of fans to have a phase shift from the first subgroup of fans of the plurality of fans.

Abstract: A cable management system for a component mounted in a rack includes a cable management arm and a bracket. The cable management arm may include a rear link attached to the rack and a forward link coupled to the rear link. The bracket may be attached to the component. A hanger pin may provided on the forward link. The hanger pin may couple with the bracket in a slot in the bracket. The hanger pin may apply a force to the bracket such that the hanger pin carries a portion of the weight of the forward link. In some embodiments, the cable management arm includes a pivot pin. The pivot pin may couple with a second aperture in the bracket. The hanger pin may ride along a slot as the forward link is rotated about the pivot pin with respect to the bracket.

Abstract: Computing apparatus including a housing that defines a cavity. The computer apparatus further includes within the cavity multiple computing components, such as a processor, memory, and so on, and a fan for generating an airflow to cool these components. There is a first path defining an air inflow for the fan, and a second path defining an air outflow for the fan. One of these paths is externally ducted to a vent facility in a first wall of the housing, and the other one of the paths communicates with the cavity adjacent the first wall. Typically, the externally ducted airflow is arranged to cool a CPU, which is the component most vulnerable to over-heating.

Abstract: There is described a motion control device for preventing free-fall of electronics modules during vertical movement into or out of a supporting structure. The system comprises a rotatable element on the module or structure engageable with surface on the structure or module, respectively, for rolling movement therealong. The rotatable element is provided with a clutch or brake to provide resistance to rotation at least when the module is moving downward relative to the structure. The rotatable element may be a gear engageable with a toothed rack, or a friction roller engageable with a friction surface.

Abstract: Computing apparatus including a housing that defines a cavity. The computer apparatus further includes within the cavity multiple computing components, such as a processor, memory, and so on, and a fan for generating an airflow to cool these components. There is a first path defining an air inflow for the fan, and a second path defining an air outflow for the fan. One of these paths is externally ducted to a vent facility in a first wall of the housing, and the other one of the paths communicates with the cavity adjacent the first wall. Typically, the externally ducted airflow is arranged to cool a CPU, which is the component most vulnerable to over-heating.

Abstract: There is described a motion control device for preventing free-fall of electronics modules during vertical movement into or out of a supporting structure. The system comprises a rotatable element on the module or structure engageable with surface on the structure or module, respectively, for rolling movement therealong. The rotatable element is provided with a clutch or brake to provide resistance to rotation at least when the module is moving downward relative to the structure. The rotatable element may be a gear engageable with a toothed rack, or a friction roller engageable with a friction surface.

Abstract: An isolation mounting system attaches a computer component, such as a disk drive, to the structure of a computer system. In an embodiment, the isolation mounting system comprises a post bracket attached to the computer component, a plurality of isolators attached to posts extending from the post bracket, and a socket bracket attached to the isolators and to the structure of the computer system. An opening in the isolators fits over, onto, or around the posts of the post bracket. Outer surfaces of the isolators fit within receptacles of the socket bracket.

Abstract: A heat sink for a heat generating component of a computer system, such as a central processing unit (CPU), attaches to the computer system enclosure. The heat sink may be pressed against the component to establish thermal contact with the component. Because the heat sink attaches to the computer system enclosure and not the component, the component socket, or a circuit board; the heat sink may be unusually shaped and large, while still allowing easy access to the components mounted within the computer system enclosure. Removing the enclosure panel on which the sink is attached may allow easy access to the components within the computer enclosure. The heat sink may be particularly useful in computer systems that use only natural convection cooling.

Abstract: A computer system including a highly efficient forced air cooling subsystem is disclosed. The computer system includes an enclosure having a first (e.g., front) panel, a processor mounted upon a motherboard located within the enclosure, and a fan located within the enclosure for providing a flow of air through the enclosure. The fan draws air into the enclosure through an opening (e.g., an intake vent) in the first panel and produces a pressurized stream of air. The fan may be oriented such that the pressurized stream of air is directed toward the processor. The computer system may also include a plenum adjacent to the first panel, wherein the intake vent allows ambient air surrounding the enclosure to enter the plenum. The fan may be mounted within an opening in a wall of the plenum. The enclosure may also include a second (e.g., rear) panel opposed to the first (e.g., front) panel and having three openings (e.g., exhaust vents) therein.