IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,237,664
Granted Patent B2
US 9,237,664 · App. 14/081,837 · Granted Jan 12, 2016

Multi-module keying system

Inventor: Victor B. Teeter (Round Rock, TX)
Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
H05K5/0208H05K5/0221H05K7/1408H05K7/1489H05K7/20736
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,237,664
App. No.
14/081,837
Filed
Nov 15, 2013
Granted
Jan 12, 2016
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2835
USPC
361/732
Abstract

Multi-module keying systems and methods include a chassis. A first module slot and a second module slot are located on the chassis. A keying device is movably coupled to the chassis and includes a first keying member that is located adjacent the first module slot and a second keying member that is located adjacent the second module slot. The keying device is configured to move in response to a first keyed module being positioned in the first module slot such that the first keyed module engages the first keying member. The movement of the keying device positions the second keying member adjacent the second module slot to restrict modules that may be positioned in the second module slot to second keyed modules. The systems and methods allow the second module slot to be keyed for second keyed modules based on the first keyed module positioned in the first module slot.

Claims (37)

1. A multi-module keying system, comprising:

a chassis;

a first fan module slot that is located on the chassis;

a second fan module slot that is located on the chassis; and

a keying device that is movably coupled to the chassis and that includes a first keying member that is located adjacent the first fan module slot and a second keying member that is located adjacent the second fan module slot, wherein the keying device moves in response to a first keyed fan module being positioned in the first fan module slot such that the first keyed fan module engages an interior of the first keying member, and wherein the movement of the keying device positions the second keying member adjacent the second fan module slot to restrict fan modules that may be positioned in the second fan module slot to only second keyed fan modules that are the same airflow direction type fan modules as the first keyed fan module.

2. The multi-module keying system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first fan module connector that is located in the first fan module slot and that mates with the first keyed fan module when the first keyed fan module is positioned in the first fan module slot; and

a second fan module connector that is located in the second fan module slot and that mates with a second keyed fan module when the second keyed fan module is positioned in the second fan module slot.

3. The multi-module keying system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a biasing member coupled to the keying device to bias the keying device into a first position, wherein the movement of the keying device in response to the first keyed fan module being positioned in the first fan module slot such that the first keyed fan module engages the first keying member and moves the keying device to a second position that is different from the first position.

4. The multi-module keying system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a third fan module slot that is located on the chassis, wherein the keying device includes a third keying member that is located adjacent the third fan module slot, and wherein the movement of the keying device positions the third keying member adjacent the third fan module slot to restrict fan modules that may be positioned in the third module slot to only third keyed fan modules.

5. The multi-module keying system of claim 4 , wherein the first keyed fan module and the third keyed fan modules are different types of fan modules.

6. An information handling system (IHS), comprising:

an IHS chassis that houses a processing system and a memory system coupled to the processing system;

a first IHS fan component slot that is located on the IHS chassis;

a second IHS fan component slot that is located on the IHS chassis; and

a keying device that is movably coupled to the IHS chassis and that includes a first keying member that is located adjacent the first IHS fan component slot and a second keying member that is located adjacent the second IHS fan component slot, wherein the keying device moves in response to a first keyed IHS fan component being positioned in the first IHS fan component slot such that the first keyed IHS fan component engages an interior of the first keying member, and wherein the movement of the keying device positions the second keying member adjacent the second IHS fan component slot to restrict IHS fan components that may be positioned in the second IHS fan component slot to only second keyed IHS fan components that are the same airflow direction type IHS fan components as the first keyed IHS fan component.

7. The IHS of claim 6 , further comprising:

a first IHS fan component connector that is located in the first IHS fan component slot and coupled to the processing system, wherein the first IHS fan component connector mates with the first keyed IHS fan component when the first keyed IHS fan component is positioned in the first IHS fan component slot; and

a second IHS fan component connector that is located in the second IHS fan component slot and coupled to the processing system, wherein the second IHS fan component connector mates with a second keyed IHS fan component when the second keyed IHS fan component is positioned in the second IHS fan component slot.

8. The IHS of claim 6 , further comprising:

a biasing member coupled to the keying device to bias the keying device into a first position, wherein the movement of the keying device in response to the first keyed IHS fan component being positioned in the first IHS fan component slot such that the first keyed IHS fan component engages the first keying member and moves the keying device to a second position that is different from the first position.

9. The IHS of claim 6 , further comprising:

a third IHS fan component slot that is located on the chassis, wherein the keying device includes a third keying member that is located adjacent the third IHS fan component slot, and wherein the movement of the keying device positions the third keying member adjacent the third IHS fan component slot to restrict IHS fan components that may be positioned in the third IHS component slot to only third keyed IHS fan components.

10. The IHS of claim 9 , wherein the first keyed IHS fan component and the third keyed IHS fan components are different types of IHS fan components.

11. A method for coupling IHS components to an IHS chassis, comprising:

providing an IHS chassis including a first IHS fan component slot, a second IHS fan component slot, and a keying device having a first keying member positioned adjacent the first IHS fan component slot and a second keying member positioned adjacent the second IHS fan component slot;

positioning a first keyed IHS fan component in the first IHS fan component slot such that the first keyed IHS fan component engages an interior of the first keying member;

moving the keying device in response to the engagement of the first keyed IHS fan component and the first keying member such that the position of the second keying member relative to the second IHS fan component slot changes; and

restricting IHS fan components that may be positioned in the second IHS fan component slot to only second keyed IHS fan components that are the same airflow direction type IHS fan components as the first keyed IHS fan component based on the position of the second keying member relative to the second IHS fan component slot.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

mating the first keyed IHS fan component with a first IHS fan component connector that is located in the first IHS fan component slot when the first keyed IHS fan component is positioned in the first IHS fan component slot; and

mating a second keyed IHS fan component with a second IHS fan component connector that is located in the second IHS fan component slot when the second keyed IHS fan component is positioned in the second IHS fan component slot.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

biasing the keying device into a first position, wherein the movement of the keying device in response to the first keyed IHS fan component being positioned in the first IHS fan component slot such that the first keyed IHS fan component engages the first keying member moves the keying device to a second position that is different from the first position.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the IHS chassis includes a third IHS fan component slot, and wherein the keying device includes a third keying member that is located adjacent the third IHS fan component slot, and wherein the movement of the keying device positions the third keying member adjacent the third IHS fan component slot to restrict IHS fan components that may be positioned in the third IHS fan component slot to only third keyed IHS fan components.

Assignments (15)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053546/0001) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 071642/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061324/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053546/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 21, 2019
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049452/0223 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST OF REEL 032809 FRAME 0930 (TL) Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
Reel/Frame 040045/0255 →
RELEASE OF REEL 032810 FRAME 0206 (NOTE) Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
Reel/Frame 040027/0204 →
RELEASE OF REEL 032809 FRAME 0887 (ABL) Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
Reel/Frame 040017/0314 →
SUPPLEMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded May 1, 2014
From: COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032809/0930 →
SUPPLEMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded May 1, 2014
From: COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032810/0206 →
SUPPLEMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded May 1, 2014
From: COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 032809/0887 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 15, 2013
From: TEETER, VICTOR B.
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 031615/0950 →
Continuity (1)
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