US6683449B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for detecting a mechanical component on a computer system substrate
Assignee: Dell Products LP
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Filing: 2000-10-06
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Granted: 2004-01-27
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Expires: 2020-10-06
Abstract
Abstract An electrically conductive strap is connected to an electrically conductive first connector at one end and connected to an electrically conductive second connector at the other end. Both connectors are mounted on the substrate so that the connected strap extends over a portion of the mechanical component, or otherwise cooperates with the mechanical component, to secure the mechanical component in the desired position. Also, the connection between the strap and the first connector electrically couples the strap to the first connector while the connection between the strap and the second connector electrically couples the strap to the second connector. At least one of the connectors, the first connector for example, is also electrically coupled to a first reference voltage preferably available on the substrate. The electrical condition of the second connector may then be used to indicate whether the strap and therefore the mechanical component is in place on the substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 James Stephen Bell
- 👤 Matthew Bruce Mendelow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:26
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W40/00; H10W40/60; H10W40/641; G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/2801; G01R31/281; G01R31/2813
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
An apparatus for facilitating the detection of a mechanical component on a substrate, the apparatus including: (a) a first electrically conductive connector mounted on the substrate, the first connector being electrically coupled to a first reference voltage available on the substrate; (b) a second electrically conductive connector mounted on the substrate, the second connector being electrically coupled to a second reference voltage available on the substrate, the second reference voltage being different from the first reference voltage; (c) an electrically conductive strap connected and electrically coupled at one end to the first connector and connected and electrically coupled at an opposite end to the second connector, the electrically conductive strap connected to the first and second connectors being in position to secure the mechanical component on the substrate; and (d) a detection device electrically coupled to the second connector for detecting the electrical condition of the second connector.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
An apparatus for facilitating the detection of a mechanical component on a substrate, the apparatus including: (a) a first electrically conductive connector mounted on the substrate, the first connector being electrically coupled to a first reference voltage available on the substrate; (b) a second electrically conductive connector mounted on the substrate, the second connector being electrically coupled to a second reference voltage available on the substrate, the second reference voltage being different from the first reference voltage; (c) an electrically conductive strap connected and electrically coupled at one end to the first connector and connected and electrically coupled at an opposite end to the second connector, the electrically conductive strap connected to the first and second connectors being in position to secure the mechanical component on the substrate; and (d) a detection device electrically coupled to the second connector for detecting the electrical condition of the second connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first reference voltage is ground.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second connector is electrically coupled to the second reference voltage through a current limiting resistance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the detection devices includes: (a) a control logic device electrically coupled to the second connector for detecting the logical voltage state at the second connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the control logic device comprises a processor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the control logic device is mounted on the substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mechanical component comprises a heat sink and the strap secures the heat sink in an operating position on an integrated circuit chip mounted on the substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
132 words
A computer system including: (a) a printed circuit board assembly; (b) a first electrically conductive connector mounted on the printed circuit board assembly, the first connector being electrically coupled to a ground voltage available on the printed circuit board assembly; (c) a second electrically conductive connector mounted on the printed circuit board assembly and coupled through a current limiting resistance to a supply voltage available on the substrate; (d) an electrically conductive strap connected and electrically coupled at one end to the first connector and connected and electrically coupled at an opposite end to the second connector, the electrically conductive strap securing an object on the printed circuit board assembly; and (e) a control logic device electrically coupled to the second connector for detecting the logical voltage state at the second connector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
132 words
A computer system including: (a) a printed circuit board assembly; (b) a first electrically conductive connector mounted on the printed circuit board assembly, the first connector being electrically coupled to a ground voltage available on the printed circuit board assembly; (c) a second electrically conductive connector mounted on the printed circuit board assembly and coupled through a current limiting resistance to a supply voltage available on the substrate; (d) an electrically conductive strap connected and electrically coupled at one end to the first connector and connected and electrically coupled at an opposite end to the second connector, the electrically conductive strap securing an object on the printed circuit board assembly; and (e) a control logic device electrically coupled to the second connector for detecting the logical voltage state at the second connector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system of claim 8 , wherein the control logic device comprises a processor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system of claim 9 wherein the control logic device is mounted on the printed circuit board assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer system of claim 8 wherein the object comprises a heat sink and the strap secures the heat sink in an operating position on an integrated circuit chip mounted on the printed circuit board assembly.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for detecting the presence of an object mounted in an operating position directly or indirectly on a substrate, the method including the steps of: (a) connecting and electrically coupling an electrically conductive strap to a first connector supported on the substrate; (b) connecting and electrically coupling the electrically conductive strap to a second connector supported on the substrate with the strap positioned over a portion of the object in the operating position; (c) electrically coupling the first connector to a first reference voltage; and (d) monitoring the voltage state of the second connector.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for detecting the presence of an object mounted in an operating position directly or indirectly on a substrate, the method including the steps of: (a) connecting and electrically coupling an electrically conductive strap to a first connector supported on the substrate; (b) connecting and electrically coupling the electrically conductive strap to a second connector supported on the substrate with the strap positioned over a portion of the object in the operating position; (c) electrically coupling the first connector to a first reference voltage; and (d) monitoring the voltage state of the second connector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the first reference voltage comprises ground and further including the step of: (a) electrically coupling the second connector to a second reference voltage through a current limiting resistor, the second reference voltage having a value different from ground.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the step of monitoring the voltage state of the second connector includes the step of: (a) determining whether the second connector is at the second reference voltage or at ground.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the step of monitoring the voltage state of the second connector is performed in a system startup sequence for an electronic system which includes the substrate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 12 further including the step of: (a) placing an electronic system which includes the substrate in a safe operation mode in the event that the voltage state of the second connector indicates that the second connector is not electrically coupled to the first reference voltage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 12 further including the step of: (a) producing an error indication if the voltage state of the second connector indicates that the second connector is not electrically coupled to the first reference voltage.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
167 words
An apparatus for facilitating the detection of a mechanical component in an operating position on a substrate, the apparatus including: (a) a first electrically conductive connector supported on the substrate, the first connector being electrically coupled to a first reference voltage available through the substrate; (b) a second electrically conductive connector supported on the substrate, the second connector being electrically coupled to a second reference voltage available through the substrate, the second reference voltage being different form the first reference voltage; (c) an electrically conductive element connected in a monitoring position in which it is connected and electrically coupled at one point to the first connector and connected and electrically coupled at another point to the second connector, the electrically conductive element in the monitoring position contacting the mechanical component in the operating position so that such contact retains the electrically conductive strap in the monitoring position; and (d) a detection device electrically coupled to the second connector for detecting the electrical condition of the second connector.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
167 words
An apparatus for facilitating the detection of a mechanical component in an operating position on a substrate, the apparatus including: (a) a first electrically conductive connector supported on the substrate, the first connector being electrically coupled to a first reference voltage available through the substrate; (b) a second electrically conductive connector supported on the substrate, the second connector being electrically coupled to a second reference voltage available through the substrate, the second reference voltage being different form the first reference voltage; (c) an electrically conductive element connected in a monitoring position in which it is connected and electrically coupled at one point to the first connector and connected and electrically coupled at another point to the second connector, the electrically conductive element in the monitoring position contacting the mechanical component in the operating position so that such contact retains the electrically conductive strap in the monitoring position; and (d) a detection device electrically coupled to the second connector for detecting the electrical condition of the second connector.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the first reference voltage is ground.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the second connector is electrically coupled to the second reference voltage through a current limiting resistance.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the detection device includes a control logic device electrically coupled to the second connector for detecting a logical voltage state at the second connector.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-01-26 | 2007-07-28 | 2008-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-01-26 | 2011-07-28 | 2012-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-01-26 | 2015-07-28 | 2016-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |