Abstract: An electrical outlet assembly includes a molded housing having side walls, end walls extending between the side walls, a bottom wall interconnecting the side walls and the end walls, and an outlet core extending upwardly from the bottom wall into a space defined between the side and end walls. In one example, a first end wall of the end walls includes a latch portion that is deflectable relative to the space to selectively secure an electrical plug that is engaged with the outlet core. In another example, a biasing element is attached to the molded housing to bias the latch portion toward the outlet core.

Abstract: A server system can include a tank that contains cooling fluid and a server slide that is immersed within the cooling fluid to movably support a server chassis relative to the tank. In one example, the server slide may include a slide assembly that is extendable between a contracted orientation, in which the slide assembly supports the server chassis with the server chassis within the cooling fluid and an extended orientation, in which the slide assembly supports the server chassis with the server chassis outside the cooling fluid. The server system may further include a damping system having an enclosure that defines an interior volume and a piston slidably arranged within the interior volume. In one example, the interior volume is open to the tank via a fluid channel that receives the cooling fluid into the interior volume to dampen movement of the slide assembly.

Abstract: A power cord locking assembly includes a button projecting from an upper surface of an electrical outlet housing having an outlet core therein. The button is selectively positionable relative to the housing in a direction obliquely oriented to a plug insertion axis between a locked position, in which the button engages and secures a plug connector housing mated to the outlet core, and an unlocked position, in which the button is disengaged from the plug connector housing for removal of the mated plug connector housing from the outlet core.

Abstract: A combination outlet assembly includes a single piece integrally formed housing having first and second outlet cores respectively having a similar outer shape and profile but differently shaped sets of three terminal apertures, and three terminals associated with each respective set of three terminal apertures in the first outlet core and the second outlet core. The first outlet core and the second outlet core may be interchangeably used with power cord plug connectors of different types. Power cord latching features are also described. Power distribution units may include a number of combination outlet assemblies ganged together.

Abstract: A self-close drawer mechanism includes a housing, a slidable self-close latch selectively positionable within the housing, a rotatable cam element in the housing, a flexible link system extending around the cam element, and a spring applying stored force to the sliding self-close latch through the flexible link. Dual cam surfaces in the cam elements realize a decreasing pull force as the user opens the drawer and provides smoother opening and closing operations with an improved user experience.

Abstract: A combination outlet assembly includes a single piece integrally formed housing having first and second outlet cores respectively having a similar outer shape and profile but differently shaped sets of three terminal apertures, and three terminals associated with each respective set of three terminal apertures in the first outlet core and the second outlet core. The first outlet core and the second outlet core may be interchangeably used with power cord plug connectors of different types. Power cord latching features are also described. Power distribution units may include a number of combination outlet assemblies ganged together.

Abstract: A power cord locking assembly includes a button projecting from an upper surface of electrical outlet housing having an outlet core therein. The button is selectively positionable relative to the housing between a locked position and an unlocked position in a direction obliquely oriented to a plug insertion axis, with the locked position engaging and securing the plug connector housing in the mated position on the outlet core, and with the unlocked position disengaged from the plug connector housing for removal of the mated plug connector housing from the at least one outlet core.

Abstract: A combination outlet assembly includes a single piece integrally formed housing having first and second outlet cores respectively having a similar outer shape and profile but differently shaped sets of three terminal apertures, and three terminals associated with each respective set of three terminal apertures in the first outlet core and the second outlet core. The first outlet core and the second outlet core may be interchangeably used with power cord plug connectors of different types. Power cord latching features are also described. Power distribution units may include a number of combination outlet assemblies ganged together.

Abstract: A self-close drawer mechanism includes a housing, a slidable self-close latch selectively positionable within the housing, a rotatable cam element in the housing, a flexible link system extending around the cam element, and a spring applying stored force to the sliding self-close latch through the flexible link. Dual cam surfaces in the cam elements realize a decreasing pull force as the user opens the drawer and provides smoother opening and closing operations with an improved user experience.

Abstract: A power distribution unit includes a housing, a plurality of power outlets disposed within the housing, and a dynamic illumination element operable in a user selected one of a plurality of distinct colors. Systems and methods of color coding input power paths to power distribution units are also described. The power distribution units are universally used in different color coded combinations with increased manufacturing and supply chain efficiencies, and simplified customer order processing.

Abstract: A power distribution unit includes a housing, a plurality of power outlets disposed within the housing, and a dynamic illumination element operable in a user selected one of a plurality of distinct colors. Systems and methods of color coding input power paths to power distribution units are also described. The power distribution units are universally used in different color coded combinations with increased manufacturing and supply chain efficiencies, and simplified customer order processing.

Abstract: High power outlet count PDUs are disclosed having sufficient access to latching features in basic, metered, and managed PDUs. The power outlets may be oriented and spaced apart from one another to allow sufficient access to a latch of a corresponding plug such that plugs may individually be removed from the corresponding power outlets with ease. For example, the power outlets may be arranged longitudinally along the PDU, and staggered widthwise and/or rotated to allow access to the latch(es).

Abstract: A rack for supporting electronic devices and modules with adjustable rails. The rack has a vertical wall with a set of holes at various elevations, each set of holes including at least a proximal hole evenly spaced apart from a distal hole. A longitudinally-extending rail has a set of clips for selectively securing the rail to the vertical wall, wherein the set of clips includes at least a proximal clip selectively receivable in the proximal hole at a selected elevation for supporting a proximal end of the rail and a distal clip selectively receivable in the distal hole at the selected elevation for supporting a distal end of the rail. The system may include a second rail for securing to an opposing vertical wall of the rack to form a shelf or bay for an electronic device. Each rail may be latched in place and can be selectively installed and removed without use of tools.

Abstract: A system comprising a chassis that includes a plurality of modules and a fan assembly disposed in a distal end of the chassis for drawing air in parallel pathways through the plurality of modules. At least one of the modules is a compute module having a thermal sensor disposed to sense the temperature of air flowing across a processor mounted on a motherboard. The system further comprises a fan controller receiving output from the thermal sensor, wherein the fan controller operates the fan assembly to cool the plurality of modules and maintain the thermal sensor output within an operating temperature range. The fan controller controls the fan speed according to predetermined thermal profile settings associated with one of the compute modules received in the chassis. For example, the predetermined thermal profile settings may include a minimum fan speed, a maximum fan speed, and control loop feedback settings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for substantially preventing recirculation of heated air from an exhaust outlet of an expansion card to an air inlet of the expansion card, wherein the air inlet and exhaust outlet are both on the same end of the chassis. The apparatus comprises a chassis with a chassis fan, a motherboard within the chassis having an expansion card connector, and an expansion card in communication with the expansion card connector and secured to the front end of the chassis. The expansion card also includes a card fan configured to move cooling air through the air inlet to the exhaust outlet. An air duct redirects the hot air from the exhaust outlet to prevent recirculation into the expansion card and causes the heated air to exit through the chassis fan. The air duct may include a longitudinal segment through a computer module and a lateral segment selectively securable over the exhaust outlet.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for blind docking an electronic device or module with an electrical connector, for example within a rack for a computer system. A forwardly-directed power connector is secured to a distal end of at least one rail or shelf bracket for blind docking with a rearwardly-directed power connector on the electronic module. The shelf bracket securing the forwardly-directed electrical connector is included in a pair of longitudinally-extending shelf brackets secured to opposing vertical side walls of a rack at a common elevation to form a module bay. The electronic module may slide along the shelf bracket until a rearwardly-directed power connector of the electronic module blind docks with the forwardly-directed power connector. A boss or alignment stud may be included on the bracket to improve alignment of the connectors. The forwardly-direct electrical connector may also be secured to the bracket with a floating connection to enable minor adjustments in alignment during blind docking.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for securely positioning a cable connector plug for blind docking an electronic device or module with an electrical connector, for example within a rack for a computer system. A bracket includes a chip that is selectively securable to open and close the bracket. A cable connector plug collar is laterally receivable in the bracket when the bracket is open. The bracket retains the collar in a circumferential tongue and groove relationship when the bracket is closed. When the bracket is properly positioned and secured within a rack bay, the bracket positions the connector plug for blind docking without restricting operative access to the connector plug. A preferred bracket is sufficiently flexible to allow lateral movement of the connector plug when the bracket is closed about the collar.

Abstract: An electromagnetic shield comprising an electrically conductive frame for establishing electrical contact between a chassis wall and an expansion card mounting bracket. The frame has a plurality of spring fingers interconnected about a perimeter of a central opening in the frame, wherein each spring finger defines a central axis that extends outwardly away from the central opening. The frame may include a substantially planar portion adjacent the central opening in the frame, wherein the plurality of spring fingers incline along the central axis to extend out of the plane defined by the substantially planar portion. The incline of the spring fingers allows a mounting bracket to slide laterally without jamming against the side of a spring finger during installation, removal or side-to-side shifting of the mounting plate.

Abstract: A system for receiving and supporting a plurality of devices connected to a network. The system comprises a rack having a front side providing access to a plurality of chassis bays for receiving a chassis and aligning a back end of the chassis for blind docking with an electrical power source. The chassis includes a power supply, a fan, and a front side providing access to a plurality of module bays for receiving a module and aligning a back end of the module for blind docking with the power supply. A compute module is received in a module bay and directly blind docked to the power supply. The system further includes at least one other module received in a module bay within the same chassis as the compute module and directly blind docked with the same power supply along with the compute module.

Abstract: A cable clamp has a first clamp member secured to the chassis or to the rack adjacent to one of the module bays and a second clamp member movably secured to the first clamp member. The first clamp member defines a first clamp surface and the second clamp member defines a second clamp surface facing the first clamp surface. An elastic material is secured to a surface of one or both of the first and second clamp surfaces. The second clamp member is movable away from the first clamp member for receiving the one or more electronic cables between the first and second clamp surfaces. A biasing member biases the second clamp member toward the first clamp member sufficient to compress and frictionally engage the elastic material with the one or more electronic cables.