Abstract: A disk drive enclosure system includes an enclosure, a cage configured to mount a plurality of disk drives, and foam between the cage and the enclosure. The foam is characterized by a compliance, and has a plurality of voids selectively formed therein. The voids can be selectively formed to thereby increase the compliance of the foam. The voids can be formed through the entire thickness of the foam, or through only a portion of the thickness. The voids can be configured to form cooling air passages for cooling air circulated in the disk drive enclosure system. The foam can be a foam system having foam components, and the voids can be formed only in selected ones of the foam components. The enclosure system can include a plurality of disk drives mounted to the cage, and the voids can be located near the disk drives.

Abstract: A switch integral to an insert/extract latch assembly. The switch is positioned between a latch and a retainer and may be compressed between the latch and the retainer. The switch is connected to a warning circuit and may function to de-energize the electronic assembly upon disengagement of the latch from the retainer. The retainer is movable between first and second positions. In the first position, the retainer is disengaged from the latch, the switch contacts are open and the latch is free to operate. In the second position, the retainer is engaged with the latch, the switch is compressed between the latch and the retainer and the switch contacts are closed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting a plurality of electronic, or electrical, devices include at least one elongated structural element that defines an elongated channel in which the devices can be supported. The structural element can be a singlepiece configuration. A plurality of support surfaces can be defined on the structural element, or can be defined on a support member which is mounted on the structural element. The support surfaces supportably contact each of the devices while the devices are supported on the structural element. Two or more structural elements can be connected to one another in a substantially parallel orientation to provide additional supporting capacity for additional devices. A fan can be employed to induce the flow of a stream of air through a respective structural element to facilitate cooling of the devices.

Abstract: The invention includes a plurality of first electrical pads which are supported on a first object which is configured to be supported in a first position, and a plurality of second electrical pads which are supported on a second object which is configured to be supported in a second position and adjacent to the first object. The first electrical pads are configured to electrically contact the second electrical pads while the objects are supported in the respective positions so as to electrically connect the objects together. Each of the objects is configured to be removed from the respective first and second positions by movement along parallel paths of movement in a first direction and are configured to be installed in the respective positions by movement along the paths in a second direction which is opposite the first direction. Furthermore, each object is configured to be installed into, or removed from, its respective supported position while the other object remains supported in its respective position.

Abstract: The invention includes a support structure which is configured to removably support at least one module which is a sub-component of a larger unit of equipment. The support structure also removably supports at least one plane which is configured to provide signal and/or power routing to the module. The support structure can be configured to removably support at least two planes which provide redundant electrical routing to the module or modules. The support structure can be configured so that multiple modules and the plane can be installed onto, and removed from, the support structure in any sequence. The support structure can also have at least one access face through which at least one plane and a plurality of modules can be placed onto, or removed from, the support structure in any sequence. The invention also includes a method of providing signal and/or power routing to various modules of a unit of equipment, which method includes providing redundant routing to the modules.