International Business Machines Corporation

Wayne J Casanova

Stephen E Wheeler

Roger F Dimmick

James R Thorpe

William D Corfits

Arthur P Reckinger, Jr

Paul W Schaefer

Gary Allen Thompson

Gordon W Westphal

Bradley Lewis Martin

Conrad J Aug

Claude J Mosley

Michael D Seyfert

William A Hall

Zanti D Squillace

Lester C Homan

Frank J Lukes

A double-sided central electronics complex (CEC) is provided for increasing the logic card density in a logic cage or CEC. Specifically, two logic cages or sub-enclosures are integrated, sharing one backplane card so that logic elements may be plugged into the CEC from both sides. The CEC is formed by unitary sheet metal side plates, top and bottom cast or guides and a single double-sided backplane assembly.

Double-sided logic cage

A double-sided backplane assembly is provided for increasing the logic element density in a logic cage or CEC. The backplane assembly is multi-layered with a backplane card centrally located between a stiffener and an EMC shield affixed to each side thereof. Connectors for connecting logic elements to the backplane card are provided on both sides of the backplane card, so that a logic cage having two sub-cages may be provided, the two sub-cages sharing the one backplane assembly.

Double-sided backplane assembly

An enclosure is provided for containing the logic elements and ancillary components for computing systems. The enclosure is a unitized central electronics enclosure (CEC) wherein the primary structural element is the enclosure for the logic elements. This enclosure or logic cage includes unitary side plates, a double-sided backplane and top and bottom cast guides. The integrated structural and enclosure functions accommodate the structural needs of a CEC, as well as containing and supporting the logic elements and ancillary equipment.

Unitized central electronics complex construction

A data processing system is shown packaged in an enclosure wherein the system frame or chassis and a cable carrier are separately fabricated and thereafter merged to provide an enclosure with open ends and a central cable carrier that mounts connections for the system components. The system components are slideably received by the enclosure and are self docking as the electrical connections with the system power and signal lines are completed as the components arrive at the fully inserted, latched position. Keying means are also provided to require the user to install the components at both the correct location and with the correct orientation.

System cable assembly and component packaging

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Rochester, MN, United States of America

Wayne J Casanova