International Business Machines Corporation

David J Gray

Ian Golledge

Ivor W Bolton

David S Gaunt

Frank E Castle

Albert N Hamper

Richard O'Regan

Steven R Spake

Removable electrical unit with combined grip and release mechanism

Modular electrical apparatus is provided which comprises a plurality of customer removable electrical devices 22 inserted in one end of a drawer type tubular chassis 10 and various field replaceable support units 44,46 mounted at the other end of the chassis. The devices and support units are all blind pluggable into a removable central electrical distribution unit which includes complementary connectors 52,54,56 on opposite sides and a set of electrical conductors for connecting the devices and units. Internal electrical connection of all the units in the drawer is via the electrical distribution unit and external electrical connection is made only to the outer end of the support units. Cooling fans for inducing an air flow through the tubular chassis to cool the devices and support units are mounted in the central electrical distribution unit. All the components can be removed for repair or replacement from either the front or rear entrance of the tubular chassis.

Electronic apparatus having modular front and back functional units and

A multimedia data storage system including a compartmentalized drawer which can be tailored to accommodate the differing cooling requirements of different device types thus allowing each device type to be mounted in any device position. A cover in the form of a frame having a plurality of openings fits onto the front of the drawer. A first device type includes a front bezel which fills one opening in the cover and is cooled by air passing through a number of holes located along the length of the lower surface of the frame. A second device type is cooled by air passing through a number of holes located along the length of the lower surface of the frame. A second device type is cooled by air passing through a louvred panel located in one opening in the cover. The panel includes a blanking member which blocks off the frame cooling holes located in front of the second device type. Thus, for this device type, there is no air flow through the cooling holes. In addition, noise coming through the holes from inside the drawer is reduced.

Data storage system with device dependent flow of cooling air

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Romsey, United Kingdom

David J Gray