Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Vincent P Hileman

Clifford B Willis

Robert J Lajara

Steven J Furuta

Michael White

Victor E Jochiong

Thomas E Stewart

William L Grouell

Nagaraj P Mitty

William K Szaroletta

David Evans

Lawrence E Piercey

Benjamin Stolz

Rob J Lajara

Loren R Davidson

Joseph A Tombari

An EMI reduction element and a protection element are provided with an electrical component. The electrical component has a distal end, and the EMI reduction element has a height and a distal side. The EMI reduction element is secured to the electrical component. The protection element includes a middle portion that has a maximum height. The maximum height is based on the height of the EMI reduction element, and is preferably about 30% to about 50% of the reduction element height. The protection element is secured to the electrical component and is positioned adjacent to the EMI reduction element so that the middle portion is closer to the distal end of the electrical component than the distal side of the EMI reduction element. The protection element protects the reduction element from being sheared and/or torn by walls of an enclosure that the electrical component can be inserted into.

Protection element for an EMI reduction element

An expansion enclosure allows additional expansion cards to be used with a computer system. The enclosure exhibits a small footprint (e.g., one rack unit, or 1&frac34; inches) for installation in a rack or other area in which space is limited. The enclosure accepts one or more (e.g., four) expansion cards, which are connected to a removable expansion card cage. The removable cage forms part of the structure of the enclosure and provides strength and rigidity. A stabilizer may be removably but securely installed in the enclosure to stabilize or hold the removable cage as a card is installed in or removed from the cage.

Removable expansion card cage

An apparatus and method for selectably including a mass storage device in an expansion card space of a computer system, particularly an expansion card area lacking a space dedicated solely for the mass storage device. An apparatus according to the invention includes a mass storage frame, and an interface board to couple the mass storage device to an expansion card slot on backplane in the computer system. A computer system includes the apparatus. Another computer system includes a removable support frame for supporting a mass storage device, the removal of which allows a larger expansion card or an additional expansion card to be inserted into the backplane.

Apparatus and method for selectably including a mass storage device in a selectable space of a computer system

A device for preventing unauthorized access to female modular telephone jacks. A physical plug has been designed such that when it is inserted into an RJ-11, RJ-14, or RJ-45 modular telephone jack, it locks into place and cannot be removed without the use of a specialized tool. The specialized tool then acts as a key to unlock the plug. Several different pairs of plugs and corresponding tools have been created such that there are different `locks` and `keys`.

Methods and apparatus for providing a secure telecommunications port

The present invention is a computer housing with a low noise cooling system. The computer housing is comprised of two principal members, a cover and a base. Both a left surface and a right surface of the cover are perforated with vents to allowing the passage of air through the housing. The base additionally incorporates two air intake holes with a power source for the computer disposed over these air intake holes. The passage of air through the housing is facilitated through the use of three fans. These three fans are attached directly to the power source, and each of these fans operates at a different fan speed. The fan speeds are additionally adjusted in response to the outside ambient temperature. In operation, air enters the computer housing of the present invention through the vent array on the left surface of the cover, and the air intake holes in the base. The air is then channeled under the power source, dissipating the heat generated by the power source, blown across the components in the housing, and passed out of the housing through the vent array disposed on the left surface of the cover. The flow of air from one of the fans is advantageously deflected and channeled with a deflector.

Computer housing with low noise cooling system

A quick connect modular unit retainer assembly for easily installing or removing a modular unit such as a disk drive in a computer housing. Threaded inserts having elastomer sleeves are mounted to the modular unit. The insert assemblies are inserted first vertically, and then horizontally, into L-shaped channels on bosses projecting upward from the computer base. Cooperating fingers extending downward from a pivoted computer cover are maneuvered into the L-shaped channels adjacent to the insert assemblies, thereby locking the insert assemblies, and hence modular unit, into place.

Quick connect modular unit retainer assembly with damping

Removable peripheral module for an electronic peripheral

Growing community of inventors

Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Vincent P Hileman