Abstract: A variable-length conductor assembly is configured for use within an IT component. The variable-length conductor assembly includes a bus bar assembly including at least one bus bar conductor. A sled assembly is configured to be longitudinal-displaceable along the bus bar assembly. The sled assembly includes at least one sled conductor slidably electrically-coupled to the at least one bus bar conductor.

Abstract: A variable-length conductor assembly is configured for use within an IT component. The variable-length conductor assembly includes a bus bar assembly including at least one bus bar conductor. A sled assembly is configured to be longitudinal-displaceable along the bus bar assembly. The sled assembly includes at least one sled conductor slidably electrically-coupled to the at least one bus bar conductor.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a memory, a processor coupled to the memory, one or more altitude sensors, one or more ambient temperature sensors, and one or more air movers. The processor implements an air mover control module configured to obtain at least one altitude reading from at least one of the one or more altitude sensors, to determine an altitude factor based on the at least one altitude reading, to obtain at least one ambient temperature reading from at least one of the one or more ambient temperature sensors, to determine target speeds for respective ones of the air movers utilizing the altitude factor and the at least one ambient temperature reading, and to control operation of the air movers based on the target speeds.

Abstract: A system board includes at least one microprocessor coupled to the system board. A VR module card includes a voltage regulator circuit, wherein the voltage regulator circuit is configured to provide electrical power to the at least one microprocessor. A circuit board region is configured to receive the VR module card.

Abstract: A system for detecting latent defects within a redundant power architecture includes a plurality of redundant power supplies, each having one or more output power rails, connected in a redundant fashion to a system load; each power supply output having fault-isolating OR'ing circuitry that prevents reverse current flow when free of defects; each power supply having means for adjusting its output voltage; each power supply having means for monitoring an internal voltage therein, and, based on characteristics of the monitored internal voltage, determining the presence of latent defect/s in the fault-isolating “OR'ing” circuitry. Further, the system operates to shift the load demanded from power supplies in redundant power architectures to allow the power supplies to run at their optimum electrical efficiency.

Abstract: A system board includes at least one microprocessor coupled to the system board. A first circuit board region is populated with a first model voltage regulator circuit. The first model voltage regulator circuit is configured to provide electrical power to the at least one microprocessor. A second circuit board region is unpopulated and configured to receive a second model voltage regulator circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus that may be used to facilitate securing or mounting of an assembly. The device may be constructed of a shaft and a torque managing device, where the shaft has two ends, the first end having an engagement portion. The torque managing device is coupled to the second end of the shaft having a portion of the torque managing device enabled to rotate independently from the shaft when a predetermined force used on the torque managing device has been met.

Abstract: A lockable infrastructure included a frame assembly, including a first portion of an electrical connector, configured for use within an IT infrastructure. A module assembly, including a second portion of the electrical connector, is configured to be removably positionable within the frame assembly. A locking system is configured to lock the module assembly within the frame assembly in one of a plurality of locked positions.

Abstract: A common form-factor battery backup system includes a battery system configured to provide electrical energy to an external system. A control circuit is configured to compare a monitored voltage level associated with the external system to a minimum acceptable voltage level and, if the monitored voltage is less than the minimum acceptable voltage level, provide electrical energy from the battery system to the external system. The battery backup system is configured to fit within a common form-factor storage space within a data system.

Abstract: A lockable infrastructure includes a frame assembly, including a first portion of an electrical connector, configured for use within an IT infrastructure. A module assembly, including a second portion of the electrical connector, is configured to be removably positionable within the frame assembly. An indication system is configured to visually indicate the position of the module assembly within the frame assembly.

Abstract: An adaptive connector assembly may include two or more conductors and at least one compliance member configured to allow for three dimensional movement of the two or more conductors with respect to a frame assembly. The frame assembly may be configured to be mounted within an information technology (IT) cabinet.

Abstract: A data storage drive carrier configured for insertion into 2U or 3U slots not an electrocal chassis. The carrier has opposing side members and front and back members. A first side member is fixedly attached to the front member to form a rigid L-shaped portion of the carrier; and a second side member and the back member are pivotally attached to the L-shaped portion. The second one of side members and the back member are pivotally attached to the L-shaped portion at first ends and second ends thereof are attached to together to form a closed frame after receiving therein the drive. A light pipe is disposed within a groove formed in one of the side members, one end of the pipe being disposed adjacent to a light source of a rearward interposer to receive optical signal emitted by the source and an opposite end disposed adjacent a front end of the carrier.

Abstract: A data storage drive carrier configured for insertion into 2U or 3U slots of an electrical chassis. The carrier has a pair of opposing side members, at least one of the members being a flexible, inwardly bowed member and front and back members. A first side member is fixedly attached to the front member to form a rigid L-shaped portion of the carrier; and a second side member and the back member are pivotally attached to the L-shaped portion. The second one of side members and the back member are pivotally attached to the L-shaped portion at first ends and second ends thereof are attached to together to form a closed frame after receiving therein the drive. A light pipe is disposed within a groove formed in one of the side members, one end of the pipe being disposed adjacent to a light source of a rearward interposer to receive optical signal emitted by the source and an opposite end disposed adjacent a front end of the carrier.

Abstract: A system for detecting latent defects within a redundant power architecture includes a plurality of redundant power supplies, each having one or more output power rails, connected in a redundant fashion to a system load; each power supply output having fault-isolating OR'ing circuitry that prevents reverse current flow when free of defects; each power supply having means for adjusting its output voltage; each power supply having means for monitoring an internal voltage therein, and, based on characteristics of the monitored internal voltage, determining the presence of latent defect/s in the fault-isolating “OR'ing” circuitry. Further, the system operates to shift the load demanded from power supplies in redundant power architectures to allow the power supplies to run at their optimum electrical efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed are ways of providing a highly flexible high availability storage system. Disk drive carriers for insertion into enclosures in a storage system include several disk drives. The enclosures accept carriers that include drives of different sizes, and drives compatible with different storage technologies, for instance Fibre Channel, SATA, or SAS. Drives oriented in their carriers in a manner that allows them to be connected to a common medium via identical flex circuits that are configured based on the orientation of the drives. Redundant controllers include redundant serial buses for transferring management information to the carriers. The carriers include a controller for monitoring the multiple serial buses and producing storage technology specific management commands for the disk drives.

Abstract: An electronic component housing system includes a cabinet having a front portion and a rear portion; a sliding mechanism mounted within the cabinet; and first and second electronic devices mounted to the sliding mechanism, the first and second electronic devices each having a front end and a back end. The sliding mechanism, in a first mode, enables the first and second electronic devices mounted thereto to be positioned within the cabinet between the front portion and the rear portion thereof, such that the front end of the first electronic device is disposed proximate the front portion of the cabinet and the back end of the second electronic device is disposed proximate the rear portion of the cabinet. The sliding mechanism, in a second mode, enables the first electronic device to be positioned beyond the front portion of the cabinet and the second electronic device to be positioned in a location substantially similar to the position occupied by the first electronic device in the first mode.

Abstract: A modular patch panel for interconnecting a data storage system controller to data storage enclosures is provided. The modular patch panel includes a chassis and modular interface circuitry. The chassis has a front end and a back end, the front end and the back end being horizontally opposed, the back end attaching to a panel portion of a rack system, the panel portion electrically connecting to the data storage enclosures over a set of point-to-point connections. The modular interface circuitry has (a) a data storage interface portion electrically connected to the set of point-to-point connections through the panel and (b) a controller interface portion electrically connecting to the data storage system controller through the front end. The modular interface circuitry is interchangeable through an opening in the front end.

Abstract: Described is a midplane-less storage system comprising an enclosure including a control board having an electrical connector attached thereto and a processing unit. The enclosure also includes a disk drive module with a disk drive for storing data and an adapter board electrically connected to the disk drive. The adapter board has a controller and an electrical connector that is mated to the electrical connector of the control board. A communication bus extends from the control board to the disk drive module through the mated electrical connectors. The processing unit of the control board communicates with the controller of the adapter board over the communication bus in accordance with a communication protocol in order to control operation of the disk drive.

Abstract: Described is a data storage system having a rack with opposing sidewalls, an open front side, an open rear side, front compartments for holding chassis received through the front side, and rear compartments for holding chassis received through the rear side. A first conduit is mounted vertically to one of the sidewalls of the rack between the front and rear compartments. A second conduit mounted vertically to the other of the sidewalls of the rack between the front and rear compartments. A first chassis and second chassis each houses disk drives and electrically connects to the first and second conduits. The first chassis residing in a front compartment of the rack with a front side of the first chassis facing the front side of the rack. The second chassis resides in a rear compartment of the rack with a front side of the second chassis facing the rear side of the rack.

Abstract: Described is a storage system comprising a communication bus, a disk drive, a control board having a processing unit connected to the communication bus, and an adapter board in electrical communication with the disk drive. The adapter board has a controller connected to the communication bus. The controller receives instructions over the communication bus from the processing unit and communicates with the disk drive in response to the instructions. Optionally, the storage system has a midplane having a first connector connected to an electrical connector of the control board and a second connector connected to an electrical connector of the adapter board. Attached to opposite sides of the midplane, the first and second connectors are aligned with and electrically connected to each other through the midplane. An electrical signal transmitted between the control board and the adapter board passes directly through the midplane through the first and second midplane connectors.