Fault tolerant modular subsystems for computers

Patent 4754397 Issued on June 28, 1988. Estimated Expiration Date:

April 18, 2006. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventors

Assignee

Tandem Computers Incorporated

Application

No. 06/853537 filed on 04/18/1986

US Classes:

361/685, Disk drive support360/133, For disk360/86, Disk record360/97.01, Disk record361/683, Computer related support361/687, With cooling means361/694, With air circulating means361/727, Sliding component or commpartment369/12, Cabinet details714/7, Reconfiguration (e.g., adding a replacement storage component)720/654Modular mounting

Examiners

Primary: Richardson, Robert L.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Townsend and Townsend

International Classes

G06F 1/18 (20060101)
G06F 11/20 (20060101)
G11B 33/12 (20060101)

Abstract

A fault tolerant computing facility is disclosed. The facility includes a housing array for containing a plurality of hardware element modules such as disk drives, a plurality of modularized power supplies and plural power distribution modules, each being connected to a separate source of primary facility power. Each module is self aligning and blind-mateable with the housing and may be installed and removed without tools, without disturbing the electrical cabling within the cabinet, and automatically by a maintenance robot. The logical identity of each module is established by programming at a control panel and by corresponding physical location of installation of each module within the housing array.