Abstract: A system that, in a natural convection embodiment, comprises a structure having an output cord and a stand coupled thereto for mounting a power module in a substantially vertical orientation. The stand has a base with a first vertical piece extending therefrom to a first fin that is parallel to the base and having a second vertical piece extending from the base to a second fin that is parallel to the base. The power module plugging into the stand defines a first gap along an edge of the first fin adjacent to the first side of the power module and defines a second gap along an edge of the second fin adjacent to the second side of the power module. The stand allows vertical heat dissipation generated by the power module with air flow vertically through the first and second gaps. Alternatively, an air fan is included for forced convention.

Abstract: An electrical adapter having a manually retractable cable assembly where the electrical contacts of the retractable cable assembly are disposed along an axis of rotation to minimize the friction between the cable and contacts therein when the cable is extended and retracted. The electrical adapter includes a housing; an electrical plug assembly including an interchangeable module coupled to an adapter module, the interchangeable module having a plurality of prongs for receiving a first voltage when mated with an electrical receptacle, and a converter electrically coupled to the assembly for converting the first voltage into a second voltage; and a retractable cable assembly supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the converter.

Abstract: An electrical adapter having a manually retractable cable assembly where the electrical contacts of the retractable cable assembly are disposed along an axis of rotation to minimize the friction between the cable and contacts therein when the cable is extended and retracted. The electrical adapter includes a housing; an electrical plug assembly including an interchangeable module coupled to an adapter module, the interchangeable module having a plurality of prongs for receiving a first voltage when mated with an electrical receptacle, and a converter electrically coupled to the assembly for converting the first voltage into a second voltage; and a retractable cable assembly supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the converter.

Abstract: An electrical adapter is supported by a housing and includes an electrical plug assembly having an input for receiving a high voltage, a converter electrically coupled to the assembly for converting the high voltage to a low voltage, and a retractable cable assembly supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the converter. The retractable cable assembly includes a cable coupled at one end to an electrical plug for outputting the low voltage to the electrical device, and is enabled to retract the cable. In a preferred embodiment, the retractable cable assembly includes slots defined within a bore of a cable reel to support a pair of first interengageable electrical contacts coupled to the other end of the low voltage cable. These electrical contacts rotationally mate with a pair of second interengageable electrical contacts disposed along the axis of rotation within the retractable cable assembly. One of the first contacts includes a pair of edges defining a gap therein.

Abstract: A power connector for coupling a power supply to an integrated circuit (IC) whose current requirements may vary abruptly over time to a power supply is disclosed. The male connector comprises parallel conductive plates separated by a thin sheet of insulation. A mounting structure positions the power supply a predefined distance above the surface of a PC board upon which is disposed the IC. The male connector is electrically coupled to the IC and mates with a female connector attached to the power supply. The parallel plate male connector improves the ability of the power supply to accomodate abrupt changes in the current requirements of the IC by several different mechanisms. First, voltage oscillations associated with abrupt changes in the current requirements of the IC are reduced by selecting the inductance of the male connector to be low, which corresponds to a comparatively wide width of the conductive plates and a comparatively thin insulation thickness separating the plates.

Abstract: The present invention is a mounting structure for a power supply. The mounting structure of the present invention allows power to be coupled from a power supply to a predetermined area on a motherboard adjacent one or more high power demand components, such as an IC microprocessor chip. The mounting structure includes a frame; a plurality of legs attached to the frame for supporting the frame on the motherboard; the ends of the legs opposite the frame being attached to the motherboard; a fastener coupled to the frame for releasably fastening the power supply to the mounting structure such that the power supply is positioned a predefined distance above the upper surface of the motherboard; and a plurality of power buses interconnecting the power supply and the motherboard at predetermined area on the motherboard adjacent a high power demand IC chip.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a mounting structure on which both a power supply and a integrated circuit (IC) chip module are mounted.