Abstract: A method is performed in an electronic system having (i) hardware configured to perform electronic operations and (ii) an air filter configured to remove contamination from an air stream that cools the hardware. The method, which identifies when to change an air filter, involves obtaining, from a set of particle sensors, a set of sensor signals in response to sensed particles in the air stream. The method further involves generating particle count data and processing the data based on the set of sensor signals, and providing an output signal having one of a first value and a second value based on the particle count data. The output signal indicates that the air filter should be changed when the output signal has the first value. The output signal indicates that the air filter should not be changed when the output signal has the second value.

Abstract: A heat sink attachment mechanism includes a fastener having an associated compressible member. The fastener defines a flange that, as the fastener secures a heat sink to a circuit board component, is configured to contact a circuit board surface associated with the circuit board component. Contact between the flange and the circuit board minimizes the travel of the fastener relative to the circuit board component and limits the stress generated on the circuit board component or on the solder balls of a ball grid array associated with the circuit boards component by the heat sink. Also, as the fastener secures the heat sink to the circuit board component, the fastener compresses the compressible member against the heat sink, thereby causing the compressible member to expand. Expansion of the compressible member allows the compressible member to absorb changes in the stress applied by the fastener to the heat sink and circuit board component over time.

Abstract: A panel member attaches to a frame that supports electronic circuitry. The panel member includes a mounting portion configured to mount to the frame, and a face portion coupled to the mounting portion. The face portion defines a plane and multiple openings within the plane. The panel member further includes multiple brimmed portions coupled to the face portion. Each brimmed portion (i) extends around an opening defined by the face portion and (ii) projects from that opening in a direction which is away from the plane. The use of such a panel member provides improved airflow and stagnation pressure as well as robust electromagnetic interference protection.

Abstract: A tool device for selectively extracting, installing, and removing a plurality of optical connectors is disclosed. The tool device has a prying end coupled to a grasping end. The prying and the grasping end are intercoupled by a pair of arms, which is disposed to transmit a grasping force to the grasping end. With respect to the various types of optical connectors and their receptacles that it can be used to extract, install, or remove, the tool device is versatile. The tool can be used on optical connectors of types including ‘MTP’, ‘MPO’, ‘MT-RJ’, ‘MU’, ‘LC’, ‘SC’, and on SFP optical connector receptacles.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing the routing of a cable intercoupling two components in an installation is disclosed. The apparatus has a drawer for storing a portion of the cable and a drawer for cross-connecting the cable, which is connected to one component, with another cable, which is connected to the other component. The apparatus can be used with optical and electrical cables.