Hewlett-packard Company

Hewlett-packard Development Company, L.P.

James L Dowdy

Guenter Schkrohowsky

Darrel W Poulter

Richard G Sevier

Steven E Heidenreich

Herbert J Tanzer

David Dickey

Alicia G Mercer

Apparatus for securing a first electrical connector mounted to an electronic module to a second electrical connector supported by a support structure, such that the first and second electrical connectors mate in an electrically conductive manner. The support structure can be an electrical board supported by a chassis. The apparatus includes a latch having a first end configured to engage the chassis and a lever portion configured to exert a force on the chassis when in a first position. This force allows the first electrical connector to be urged towards the second electrical connector. The apparatus also has a compliant member configured to bias the lever portion away from the first position, and a catch configured to secure the latch in the first position.

Methods and apparatus for securing electrical connectors

Method and apparatus for securing electrical connectors

A data storage module alignment system and method for use in a data storage module and enclosure system including a module enclosure having a plurality of bay slots and at least one data storage module. The data storage module alignment system comprises at least one alignment guide that is adapted to be mounted at the module enclosure entrance and at least one guide rail that is adapted to be mounted to the data storage module. The alignment guide includes a plurality of guide channels having rounded edges. The guide rail is sized and shaped for receipt within the guide channels. Typically, the alignment guide further includes a plurality of guide flanges that are arranged asymmetrically along the alignment guide. The inner side of each guide flange defines an edge of one of the guide channels and includes chamfers which facilitate initial alignment of the data storage module within one of the bay slots of the module enclosure.

Data storage module alignment system and method

The data storage modules of a data storage system are slidably fitted in an enclosure and are integrated therein mechanically and electrically as a mass data storage system. Each data storage system shock mounts therewithin a disk drive on a four point elastomeric suspension secured to the disk drive. The data storage module has a split module housing having a lower module housing section and an upper module housing section. The elastomeric suspension includes four elastomeric members secured in longitudinally spaced pairs to opposite sides of the disk drive. Four respective pairs of opposed cradles in opposite sides of the upper and lower module housing sections clamp the respective elastomeric members therebetween, with end faces of the elastomeric members in contact with the opposite sides of the lower module housing section, when the upper and lower module housing sections are joined. When joined, the upper and lower module housing sections are secured by a separable hinge at one end and one or more cantilever latch members at the other end.

Data storage module having cradles on housing and elastomeric member

Device modules of an electrical system are slidably fitted in an enclosure and integrated therein as a part of an air duct system for cooling the modules. Other modules such as air mover modules, for the air duct system, are also slidably fitted in the enclosure to move air in the air ducts and the device modules. Each module carries a pivotally mounted flat latch lever in a recess in a surface at one end of the module. A latch member on one end of the latch lever engages a catch member on the enclosure as the module approaches its fully inserted position. Movement of the latch lever to latched position, when the latch member and catch member are engaged, pivots the latch lever about the catch member and applies force to the module at the pivotal mount, to drive the module into its fully inserted position. The mechanical advantage provided by the latch lever minimizes the manually applied forces acting on the module which significantly reduces the likelihood of damaging any device within the module. Reverse pivotal movement of the latch lever about the catch member withdraws the module from its fully inserted position. The mechanical advantage provided by the latch lever minimizes the application of pushing and pulling manual force to the module for its insertion and removal into and out of the fully inserted position.

Module enclosure and module latch mechanism

For cooling a plurality of device modules mounted in an enclosure, a redundant air moving system is coupled to the air duct system of the enclosure. The redundant air moving system has two, three, or more air movers. If one air mover fails, the remaining air mover(s) still provide the required air volume rate for adequate cooling. To make the air movers redundant, they are coupled in parallel to a common air plenum in the air duct system from which ducting to all devices to be cooled is provided. In case of an air mover failure, a flapper door is built into the exhaust path of the air mover. The flapper door is pendulously pivoted in the exhaust path. It is held open by exhaust air flow and is closed by gravity upon cessation of exhaust air flow and held closed by reverse air pressure for the purpose of preventing reverse air flow in the exhaust path, which would disrupt the air pressure in the air plenum and consequently also in the air duct system. The air mover modules are of exterior configuration and approximate dimension corresponding to the device modules, providing ease of insertion and removal with respect to the enclosure, without tools. An air mover can be replaced while the cooling system and the system comprising the devices to be cooled continue to function.

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Eagle, ID, United States of America

James L Dowdy