Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-25
2001-05-08
Gandhi, Jayprakash N. (Department: 2841)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S725000, C361S730000, C361S752000, C361S759000, C439S260000, C439S342000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06229708
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates in general to field servicing microprocessors and in particular to a mechanism for hot plug docking a microprocessor.
2. Background Art
Modern computers often utilize multiple microprocessors to share the processing demand in order to achieve high levels of performance. At the same time, business-critical applications demand a high level of availability. These competing aspects create a requirement for field serviceability and upgradeability that can be performed without substantially disrupting the performance capability of the computer system. Specifically, the “hot plug” replacement or installation of individual microprocessors while the computer system remains operational is a requirement. Further, it is desirable that any “hot plug” replacement or installation of a microprocessor be accomplished with relative ease and with minimal disassembly of the computer system.
The service aspects of rack mounted drawer systems can be problematic due to limited accessibility. Accessibility is usually limited to the front or the rear, as opposed to the front, rear, side and top access associated with most non-rack floor standing computer systems. Rack drawers are sometimes displaced to the front or rear within a rack to provide service access from the top. However, this is undesirable due to the potential problems associated with cable management as well as the level of disassembly required to displace the drawer. Service-in-place, in which the rack drawer is not displaced but rather serviced through front and/or rear access only, is therefore the preferred approach.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A mechanism has a subassembly that contains a microprocessor. The mechanism allows the microprocessor to be easily installed through frontal or rear access into a rack drawer and subsequently docked into a receiving socket. The docking mechanism is multi-axis in that installation of the subassembly occurs along a single axis, but docking of the microprocessor occurs along an axis that is normal to the installation axis. Actuation of the installation mechanism is accomplished with a front-to-rear motion which sequentially provides a power connection to the microprocessor and displaces it in a vertical motion. This vertical motion registers and mates the microprocessor with the socket. The microprocessor is preloaded in its final latched position to restrain it from shock and vibration events while supporting the assembly in a fixed and stable position.
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patent: 4259931 (1981-04-01), Clark et al.
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Corbin, Jr. John Saunders
Hall David Allen
Larsen Kenneth Carl
Mueller Mark Wayne
Thomsen Peter Matthew
Dinh Tuan
Felsman Bradley Vaden Gunter & Dillon, LLP
Gandhi Jayprakash N.
International Business Machines - Corporation
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