Abstract: An electronic assembly includes a housing having a first portion and a remaining portion. The first portion includes a surface forming an outer wall of the housing. The electronic assembly also includes a component such as a CD ROM drive, for example, that may be mounted on the first portion of the housing. Further, at least one additional component, such as a motherboard, may be mounted on the remaining portion of the housing. The first portion of the housing is rotatably attached to the remaining portion of the housing. When the first portion of the housing is rotated into a closed position, the component and the additional component are positioned adjacent to each other. However, when the first portion of the housing is rotated into an open position, the component and the additional component are moved away from each other to allow access to the additional component.

Abstract: An airflow apparatus (e.g., a fan, a blower) is provided for impeding or facilitating airflow through a channel when the apparatus is inoperative. The apparatus comprises a set of blades or airfoils that, when operating, promote or force a flow of air through the channel. The apparatus includes a bias mechanism for biasing the blades of the apparatus toward failure positions blocking or opening the airflow when the apparatus is at rest or turned off. When the apparatus begins spinning, the bias mechanism is overcome and the blades take their normal operating positions. The bias mechanism may comprise a spring or elastic material that resists rotation, extension or other type of blade transition from the failure position to the operating position. Or, the bias mechanism may involve a blade design (e.g., edge weighting) that attempts to place a blade in its failure position.

Abstract: A multi-directional power distribution unit (PDU) provides flexibility in the configuration of a computer system, disk drive array or other enclosure. The power distribution unit may be installed in one orientation for a power feed having a first configuration (e.g., from the front of the enclosure), and may be installed in a second orientation for a power feed in a second configuration (e.g., from the rear of the enclosure). In either orientation, a set of external power connectors couples to one or more external power feeds. Depending on the orientation, either a first or second internal connector will interface with the system or enclosure (e.g., a midplane, a power supply). The PDU may include circuitry for filtering electrical power and may also include a heat sink.

Abstract: An airflow apparatus (e.g., a fan, a blower) is provided for impeding or facilitating airflow through a channel when the apparatus is inoperative. The apparatus comprises a set of blades or airfoils that, when operating, promote or force a flow of air through the channel. The apparatus includes a bias mechanism for biasing the blades of the apparatus toward failure positions blocking or opening the airflow when the apparatus is at rest or turned off. When the apparatus begins spinning, the bias mechanism is overcome and the blades take their normal operating positions. The bias mechanism may comprise a spring or elastic material that resists rotation, extension or other type of blade transition from the failure position to the operating position. Or, the bias mechanism may involve a blade design (e.g., edge weighting) that attempts to place a blade in its failure position.

Abstract: A control board controls operation of a plurality of ventilation fans and generates a fault signal upon occurrence of a predetermined fault condition. The control board includes a control circuit in a circuit board, an interface connector connected to the control circuit and mounted to the circuit board, and control connectors connected to the circuit and mounted to the circuit board. The control connectors are configured to connect the control circuit to ventilation fans or other components to be controlled. The control connectors are connected to a fault detection device of the control circuit operable to generate a fault signal upon occurrence of a predetermined fault condition at the control connectors.

Abstract: A control board controls operation of a plurality of ventilation fans and generates a fault signal upon occurrence of a predetermined fault condition. The control board includes a control circuit in a circuit board, an interface connector connected to the control circuit and mounted to the circuit board, and control connectors connected to the circuit and mounted to the circuit board. The control connectors are configured to connect the control circuit to ventilation fans or other components to be controlled. The control connectors are connected to a fault detection device of the control circuit operable to generate a fault signal upon occurrence of a predetermined fault condition at the control connectors.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly that includes a circuit board and a bracket. The bracket has a first flange, a second flange, and a third flange. The first flange and the second flange are coupled to the circuit board. The circuit board assembly also includes a switch mounting board. The switch mounting board is coupled to the third flange of the bracket. The circuit board assembly also includes a first switch and a second switch, which are coupled to the switch mounting board. The circuit board assembly further includes a connector that is coupled to the circuit board. At least a first portion of the connector is positioned between the circuit board and the first switch. At least a second portion of the connector is positioned between the circuit board and the second switch.

Abstract: A multi-directional power distribution unit (PDU) provides flexibility in the configuration of a computer system, disk drive array or other enclosure. The power distribution unit may be installed in one orientation for a power feed having a first configuration (e.g., from the front of the enclosure), and may be installed in a second orientation for a power feed in a second configuration (e.g., from the rear of the enclosure). In either orientation, a set of external power connectors couples to one or more external power feeds. Depending on the orientation, either a first or second internal connector will interface with the system or enclosure (e.g., a midplane, a power supply). The PDU may include circuitry for filtering electrical power and may also include a heat sink.

Abstract: A fan tray assembly for an electronics enclosure includes two opposing, spaced apart shells made of a sheet material. The opposing shells are attached to each other by attachment features formed in the sheet material of each shell. Advantageously, the attachment features reduce or eliminate the need for separate fasteners or adhesive to attach the shells. Each shell has openings forming a grill. The grill is aligned with a similarly formed grill of an opposing shell. Each shell also has retention features formed in the sheet material around a periphery of their respective grills. A ventilation fan is retained between the two shells by the retention features, in alignment with the grill of each shell. An electrical connector is connected to the ventilation fan and retained by at least one of the shells. The electrical connector is exposed by an opening of the fan tray assembly and oriented towards an exterior thereof.