Rackable Systems, Inc.

Silicon Graphics International Corporation

Jack E Randall

Giovanni Coglitore

Nikolai Gallo

Matthew Phillip Casebolt

This relates to the manner in which computers are configured in a given area in order to conserve space and to deal with cooling issues associated with the close housing of a large number of computers. Efficient arrangements for efficiently increasing the density of computer configurations are shown, particularly when used in a network server or host environment.

High density computer equipment storage system

A computer system comprising an interface assembly configured to support one or more I/O connections. In one variation, the computer system comprises a main board housed within a chassis, a chassis connector coupled to the chassis, and one or more I/O cables coupled to the chassis connector. In another variation, the computer assembly comprises a computer rack with a plurality of connector interfaces, each of which is adapted for engaging a computer through a chassis connector with a plurality of I/O ports.

Interface assembly

A computer system comprising an interface assembly configured to support one or more I/O connections. In one variations the computer system comprises a main board housed within a chassis, a chassis connector coupled to the chassis, and one or more I/O cables coupled to the chassis connector. In another variation, the computer assembly comprises a computer rack with a plurality of connector interfaces, each of which is adapted for engaging a computer through a chassis connector with a plurality of I/O ports.

An adaptable power supply for a computer system is provided, including: a power supply case, a power adapter, an input power connector, and a plurality of output connectors fixably mounted to the power supply case, and clustered into at least two clusters for connection to computer system components or subsystems via individual power cables. A method of manufacturing a computer system is also described, including: providing an adaptable power supply having output connectors, and connecting a plurality of computer system components to the power supply output connectors using individual cables. A computer system containing an adaptable power supply is also described.

Adaptable power supply

A computer system is provided, including: a computer chassis configured to retain a motherboard having a plurality of I/O (input/output) connectors mounted thereon; and an electrically conductive door movable from an open position to a closed position, wherein when said door is in the open position, the I/O connectors are exposed, and when said door is in the closed position, the I/O connectors are covered. A method of operating a computer including a motherboard having a plurality of I/O (input/output) connectors mounted thereon is provided. The method includes operating the computer to generate electromagnetic signals, and blocking the electromagnetic signals with an electrically conductive door movable from an open position to a closed position, wherein when said door is in the open position, the I/O connectors are exposed, and when said door is in the closed position, the I/O connectors are covered.

Electromagnetic interference shield for I/O ports

A computer system having a fan assembly is provided. In one example, the computer system includes a computer chassis for mounting with a computer rack, the computer chassis comprising a front portion and a rear portion and including a main board. The computer system further includes a fan assembly positioned adjacent to a rear portion of the computer chassis, the fan assembly configured to draw air through the computer toward the rear portion of the computer chassis along a first direction and to expel the air in a second airflow direction non-parallel with the first direction.

Directional fan assembly

Computer systems and methods of operating a computer system are described. The computer system can include a computer rack; a first stack and a second stack provided in the computer rack, each stack comprising one or more computers; a first cooling plenum configured such that cooling air can flow between the computers in the first stack and the first cooling plenum; and a second cooling plenum configured such that cooling air can flow between the computers in the second stack and the second cooling plenum. The method of operating a plurality of computers may include providing a first and a second computer in a partial back-to-back relationship in the computer rack such that an overlapping portion of the back of the first computer faces an overlapping portion of the back of the second computer; passing cooling air through the first computer and out of an exposed portion of the back of the first computer and into a first cooling plenum or passing cooling air from the first cooling plenum into the first computer; and passing cooling air through the second computer and out of an exposed portion of the back of the second computer and into a second cooling plenum or passing cooling air from the second cooling plenum into the second computer.

Computer rack cooling system

A computer is provided having a main board with I/O connectors mounted thereon, and a chassis including a front panel providing access to the I/O connectors and to all components requiring intermittent access provided for the computer.

High density computer equipment storage systems

A system including a computer rack and a plurality of computers provided in the computer rack is provided. Each computer includes a computer chassis containing at least a processor and a data storage device and a plenum extending from the computer rack for channeling cooling air from the plurality of computers provided in the computer rack to a location exterior to a site where the computer rack is located. The computer rack and the plurality of computers are configured to channel cooling air through each of the plurality of the computers and out of the computer rack through the plenum.

A computer chassis is provided having a front section, a rear section having a port positioned to align with a port in an auxiliary chassis, and mounting portions configured to interface with opposable portions across a rack.

This invention involves the efficient placement of a pair of main boards within a given computer chassis. The available density of CPUs and main boards that may be provided for a given chassis height is advantageously increased through the use of a dual opposing main board configuration. With this configuration, two main boards are mounted opposing each other within a chassis. They are placed such that their I/O connectors are on the same side of the main board to improve usability. They are also mounted within the chassis so the components on the main boards (such as the cards, CPU fans, CPU heat sinks, etc.) do not physically interfere with each other. This configuration improves CPU density and cooling, especially when stacked with like chassis.

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Felton, CA, United States of America

Jack E Randall