Emc Corporation

Larry Pignolet

Lee Spechts

F William French

Paul T Tirrell

Scot C Tata

Tuvia Leneman

The invention is directed to techniques for cooling a disk drive using a louver to direct air from an air stream toward the disk drive. One arrangement is directed to a storage system which includes a cabinet assembly, and a fan assembly that provides an air stream through the cabinet assembly. The storage system further includes a disk drive assembly that fastens to the cabinet assembly. The disk drive assembly includes (i) a disk drive that stores and retrieves computerized data, and (ii) a support member that supports the disk drive. The support member defines an input louver that redirects air from the air stream toward the disk drive of the disk drive assembly. This arrangement enables forced convection air to adequately cool the disk drive thus reducing disk drive operating temperature and lowering the disk drive failure rate. This lowering of the failure rate translates into improved field reliability and lower repair costs. In one arrangement, the support member includes highly stiff material (e.g., sheet metal) which provides adequate stiffness to support the disk drive and allows (i) high convective cooling on both sides of the disk drive and (ii) low air impedance (i.e., pressure drop). In one arrangement, a louvered side of the support member directs air over a disk spindle bearing of the disk drive which is a substantial source of heat. In one arrangement, the support member acts as a cover to protect circuit board components against inadvertent handling that could damage the components.

Methods and apparatus for cooling a disk drive

A power interconnect system for electronic assemblies, for providing electrical connections between a power supply and a remote electrical conductor element, such as a power bus bar. An electrically insulating block is connected to a bus bar, and holds captive a power coupling connector element for engaging and connecting the bus bar to a power supply. The power coupling connector element includes a conductive end and an insulative end to prevent the supply from shorting out or shocking a maintenance person in contact with the insulative end even when the system is powered up. The conductive end has a larger diameter than the insulative end and the entire power coupling connector element is held captive within the block of insulating material when mounted to a power bus bar, to prevent the power coupling connector element from becoming loose within an electronic assembly.

Power interconnect system for electronic assemblies

An interconnect device for a power supply blade having two flat sides comprising a first portion having a fiat surface for contact with one flat side of the blade, and a second portion having a flat surface facing the first flat surface for contact with the other flat side of the blade. One flat surface is translatable toward and away from the other flat surface to engage and disengage the blade, respectively.

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Woonsocket, RI, United States of America

Larry Pignolet