Abstract: The described embodiments relate to fans units. One exemplary fan unit includes a housing supporting a motor. The fan unit also includes an impeller coupled to the motor and configured to be rotated by the motor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for securing a captive rivet to a material. Briefly described, one embodiment is a captive rivet comprising a captive rivet head; a captive rivet shank coupled to the captive rivet head; and at least one capture region disposed on a lower portion of the captive rivet shank.

Abstract: Noise reduction methods and systems are described. In one embodiment, a user location system is configured to determine a user's location within a room. A noise profile processing unit is configured to produce a remedial noise profile specific to the user's location for use in reducing user-perceivable noise at the user's location.

Abstract: Heat sink retention assemblies and related methods are described. In one embodiment, a system comprises a base, a handle rotatably mounted on the base, and heat sink retention structure joined with the handle and moveable by the handle between an opened and a closed position effective to secure a heat sink on a substrate.

Abstract: A rotary flow inducing device having a rotary flow inducing blade and a protection mechanism including a trigger to move the protection mechanism between an operational flow configuration and a protective no-flow configuration with respect to the rotary flow inducing blade.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present invention includes a first electrical connector located on a computer component and a biasing mechanism having a leverage member, such that actuation of the leverage member biases the first electrical connector between engaged and disengaged positions with respect to a second electrical connector separate from the computer component.

Abstract: A cooling fan having motor and an impeller. The cooling fan may comprise a three-phase DC motor. The impeller may comprise a hub to house the three-phase DC motor and a plurality of blades extending from the hub. Each blade may have a height that is at least 25 % of the impeller diameter.

Abstract: A cooling fan having a three-phase DC motor. The three-phase DC motor is coupled to a fan impeller. The cooling fan is operable to induce a flow of air through an electronic device. The cooling fan may be a redundant, hot-plug cooling fan for operation within the electronic device.

Abstract: A system, comprising a circuit board having a heat sink spanning multiple components on the circuit board and at least one compliant pad flexibly interfacing the heat sink with the multiple components.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, the present technique provides a locking mechanism for coupling and uncoupling a removable component coupleable to and uncoupleable from a computing device. The exemplary locking mechanism includes a first member selectively positionable between secured and unsecured configurations of the removable component with respect to the computer device. The exemplary locking mechanism also includes a second member positionable between first and second configurations, wherein the first configuration extends the second member through the first member in the second configuration to secure the first member.

Abstract: An engageable assembly comprising a socket and a heat sink. The socket comprises a surface having an array of mounting holes that receive connector pins of an electronic device in order to mount the electronic device within the perimeter of the socket. The heat sink has a footprint extending beyond the perimeter of the socket and is in thermal contact with the electronic device when it is engaged with the socket. The socket and the heat sink include cooperative alignment tabs and alignment slots located outside the array of mounting holes. A locking lever is pivotally connected to an arm extending from the socket to a position outside of the footprint of the heat sink.

Abstract: A collapsible fan. The collapsible fan may be disposed in parallel or series with one or more other fans. If the collapsible fan becomes inactive or non-operable, such as by malfunction or failure, then its fan blades collapse to a less restrictive flow configuration allowing the remaining fans to operate more effectively. The fan blades may have any suitable expansion and contraction mechanism, such as a hinge, a pivot joint, or a multi-section inner or outer support structure having different sections of the fan blades.