Patent Publication Number: US-2010129140-A1

Title: Connector for a liquid cooling system in a computer

Description:
The present invention relates to a connector for a liquid-cooling system for a computer and more particularly to a connector for fluidly coupling an end of a section of tubing carrying cooling liquid to a component in a liquid cooling system for a computer. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Electrical components in computers (i.e. microprocessors, graphic cards, etc.) generate heat as they operate and some of this heat must be dissipated to keep the components operating properly. Allowing these electrical components to overheat or operate for long periods at elevated temperatures can adversely affect their performance (i.e. an overheating CPU can result in system freezes or crashes) and significantly shorten the life-span of the electrical components. 
     As electrical components in computer systems become more and more advanced, operating at ever increasing speeds, they also tend to generate more and more heat during their operation. Originally, air cooling was used to reduce the operating temperatures of electrical components in computer systems and air cooling systems are still the most common cooling system in computer systems today. In an air cooling system, air alone is used to cool electrical components with heat sinks used for components, such as the CPUs, that tend to generate more heat than other components. Typically, a fan is used to circulate air around the electrical components in the computer system. 
     While air cooling is sufficient to keep electrical components in many computer systems operating within acceptable temperature ranges, with the continuous development of ever higher performing computer components, liquid cooling systems for computers have been developed and made available. Liquid cooling systems use a liquid, such as water, to cool various electrical components, such as the CPU, in a computer system, especially those computer systems using high-end hardware or where components in the computer system have been set to run faster than recommended by the manufacturer (i.e. overclocked). Liquids, such as water, have a higher thermal capacity than air, allowing liquids to absorb and transfer more heat than air. This makes liquid cooling of electrical components more efficient than air cooling. While water or distilled water are commonly used as the cooling liquid in these systems, it will be appreciated that various liquid coolants, such as freon, alcohols, glycols, etc. are also known and used. 
     While liquid cooling systems for computers have the advantage of providing better cooling than more conventional air cooling systems, these systems are not without their disadvantages and one of their disadvantages is the use of liquid in close proximity to the electrical components. Under ideal circumstances, the cooling liquid is always contained within the cooling system so that the liquid never comes in contact with any of the electrical components of the computer system. However, if the cooling system is improperly installed or forms a leak, liquid from the cooling system may come in contact with electrical components in the computer, which can easily damage the components. Preventing leaks is a major focus with liquid cooling systems for computers and an improperly installed and connected liquid cooling system in a computer could be devastating. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first aspect, a connector for connecting to a liquid port on a component of a liquid cooling system for a computer system is provided, the liquid port having a fluid passage. The connector comprising: a cylindrical base having a first end, a second end and an outer surface; a sealing channel in the outer surface of the base and encircling the base; a sealing ring provided in the sealing channel and extending past the outer surface of the base; and a retaining channel in the outer surface of the base to receive a retaining device. The base is sized to fit within the liquid port so that when the base is inserted in the liquid port, the sealing ring is forced against an inner surface of the liquid port, forming a seal between the sealing ring and the inner surface of the liquid port. 
     In another aspect, a connection system for a liquid cooling system for a computer is provided. The system comprises: a component of a liquid cooling system for a computer system, the component having a liquid port having a cavity with an inner surface, an opening in fluid communication with the cavity and a fluid passage in fluid communication with the cavity; and a connector having a cylindrical base having a outer surface, a retaining channel in the outer surface of the base to receive a retaining device, a sealing channel in the outer surface of the base encircling the outer surface, and a sealing ring positioned in the sealing channel and extending past the outer surface of the base. The base of the connector is sized to fit through the opening of the liquid port into the cavity of the liquid port so that the sealing ring is forced against the inner surface of the liquid port. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the several views, several aspects of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in detail in the figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic pictorial view of a partially assembled tower-case personal computer with an embodiment of a liquid cooling system installed; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a connector for connecting components of a liquid cooling system for a computer; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a liquid port; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the connector of  FIG. 1  inserted in the liquid port of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side sectional view of the connector and liquid port along line AA′ in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a liquid port using a threaded aperture and a screw to hold a connector in place in the liquid port; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a liquid port using a biased ball detent to hold a connector in place in the liquid port; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of an elbow-type connector in a further aspect, where a barb of the connector is at an angle to a base of the connector; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of another elbow-type connector in a further aspect, where a barb of the connector is at an angle of approximately forty five degrees (45°) to a base of the connector; 
         FIG. 10  is side view of an adapter connector for connecting an end of a section of tubing to a connector, such as the connector of  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the adapter connector of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a side sectional view of the adapter connector of  FIG. 10 , along sectional line BB′ in  FIG. 11 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of a plug in a further aspect for insertion into a liquid port. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS 
     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments contemplated by the inventor. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a liquid cooling system  10  installed in a typical desktop personal computer (“PC”), generally indicated by reference numeral  50 . In  FIG. 1 , PC  50  is a tower-style personal computer; however, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that other styles of computer, such as a desktop-style, rack server, etc., could have the liquid cooling system  10  installed. PC  50  is shown with the cover and power supply removed to better show the liquid cooling system  10 . The PC  50  has a motherboard  52  containing a CPU microprocessor  54  mounted in a socket  56  in the motherboard  52 . Other conventional components are omitted. 
     The liquid cooling system  10  has a heat exchanger  12 , a liquid cooling module  14  and a pump module  16 . A number of sections of tubing  20 A,  20 B,  20 C are provided routing the cooling liquid between the heat exchanger  12 , the liquid cooling module  14  and the pump module  16 . The heat exchanger  12  is mounted in contact with the CPU microprocessor  54  so that heat generated by CPU microprocessor  54  can be transferred to liquid cooling passing through the heat exchanger  12 . The liquid cooling module  14  could be a heat sink for passively or actively dissipating heat from the cooling liquid as it passes through the liquid cooling module  14  into the surrounding air. The pump module  16  circulates the cooling liquid through the liquid cooling system  10 . 
     The liquid cooling module  14  is connected to the pump module  16  by a first tubing section  20 A. A second section of tubing  20 B connects the liquid cooling module  16  to the heat exchanger  12 . The heat exchanger  12  is connected to the pump module  16  by a third section of tubing  20 C. 
     In operation, the liquid cooling system  10  operates to absorb heat generated by the CPU microprocessor  54  in the cooling liquid where the heat is then removed from the cooling liquid by the liquid cooling module  14 . The pump module  16  circulates the cooling liquid through the first tubing section  20 A to the liquid cooling module  14 , where the cooling liquid circulates through the liquid cooling module  14 . Once the cooling liquid has passed through the liquid cooling module  14 , it is routed through the second tubing section  20 B to the heat exchanger  12  where the cooling liquid absorbs heat generated by the CPU microprocessor  54 . The cooling liquid, heated by the CPU microprocessor  54 , then passes from the heat exchanger  12  through the third section of tubing  20 C back to the pump module  16 . The cooling liquid is continuously circulated through the liquid cooling system  10 , absorbing and releasing heat generated by the CPU microprocessor  54 . 
     Although the liquid cooling system  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , has a single heat exchanger  12 , a person skilled in the art will appreciate that more than one heat exchanger could be used to cool more than one electrical component in the PC  50  and that more than three sections of tubing  20 A,  20 B,  20 C may be needed to implement a specific liquid cooling system for a computer. 
     For the liquid cooling system  10  to be installed in the PC  50 , the sections of tubing  20 A,  20 B,  20 C have to be connected to the various components in the liquid cooling system  10 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a connector  110  for connecting a section of tubing (not shown) to a component (not shown) in a liquid cooling system for a computer, such as the liquid cooling system  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . The connector  110  has a barb  120  and a base  130 . 
     The barb  120  has a first end  125 , a second end  127  and is tubular in shape with a number of knurls  124  extending out from an outer surface  122  of the barb  120 . The barb  120  is sized to allow an end of a section of tubing (not shown) to be slid and retained over the barb  120  with the knurls  124  on the barb  120  helping to secure the end of the section of tubing in position over the barb  120 . Typically, the barb  120  is sized to be only slightly smaller than the tubing, so that the tubing is slightly stretched around the barb  120  when the tubing is slid in place over the barb  120 . An opening  126  is provided at the first end  125  of the barb  120  leading to an inner passage  123  extending through the connector  110  so that cooling liquid from the section of tubing connected to the barb  120  can pass into the connector  110  through the opening  122  and into the inner passage  123 . 
     In an aspect, the knurls  124  encircles the barb  120  and have a wedge shaped profile, starting at the outer surface  122  of the barb  120  and sloping outwards towards the second end  127  of the barb  120 . 
     The base  130  has a first end  135  and a second end  137  and is connected at the first end  135  to the second end  127  of the barb  120 . The base  130  is sized to mate with a liquid port (not shown) provided in a component (such as the heat exchanger  12 , pump module  16  or liquid cooling module  14  of liquid cooling system  10  shown in  FIG. 1  or some other component in a liquid cooling system for a computer). The base  130  has an outer surface  132  with a retaining channel  142 , a first sealing channel  144  and a second sealing channel  146  provided in the outer surface  132 . The first sealing channel  144  and the second sealing channel  146  completely encircle the base  130 . The retaining channel  142  may completely encircle the base  130  or partially encircle only a portion of the base  130 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a liquid port  150  in a component  180  for receiving the base  130  of the connector  110  shown in  FIG. 2  to allow cooling liquid to enter the component  180 . The component  180  could be the heat exchanger  12 , pump module  16  or liquid cooling module  14  of liquid cooling system  10  shown in  FIG. 1  or some other component in a liquid cooling system for a computer. The liquid port  150  has an opening  160  opening into a cavity  165  sized to accept the base  120  of the connector  110 . The cavity  165  has an inner surface  155 . A first aperture  152  and a second aperture  154  pass through the liquid port  150  into the cavity  165 . The first aperture  152  and second aperture  154  are aligned so that when a retaining device (not shown), such as a pin, which can be in the form of a threaded fastener, a rod, a key, etc., is inserted through the first aperture  152  and into the cavity  165 , the retaining device can also be slid through the second aperture  154 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate the connector  110  inserted into the liquid port  150  of the component  180 , connecting an end  195  of a section of tubing  190  to the component  180 . The base  130  of the connector  110  is positioned within the cavity  165  of the liquid port  150  with the barb  120  exposed and extending away from the liquid port  150 . 
     The inner passage  123  of the connector  110  extends through the connector  110 , passing through the barb  120  and the base  130  of the connector  110 . This inner passage  123  aligns with a fluid passage  157  in the cavity  165  of the liquid port  150  in the component  180  allowing cooling liquid passing through the connector  110  to enter the component  180  through the fluid passage  157 . 
     A first sealing ring  145  and a second sealing ring  147  are provided in the first sealing channel  144  and the second sealing channel  145 , respectively, of the base  130  of the connector  110 . The first sealing ring  145  in the first sealing channel  144  and the second sealing ring  147  provided in the second sealing channel  146  extend past the outer surface  132  of the base  130  of the connector  110  so that the first sealing ring  145  and the second sealing ring  147  contact the inner surface  155  of the cavity  165  of the liquid port  150 . This contact between the first sealing ring  145 , the second sealing ring  147  and the inner surface  155  of the cavity  165  of the liquid port  150 , compresses the first sealing ring  145  and the second sealing ring  147 , forming a liquid-tight seal, preventing cooling liquid that is passing into the cooling element  180  through the connector  110  from passing between the outer surface  132  of the base  130  of the connector  110  and the inner surface  155  of the cavity  165  of the liquid port  150  and leaking into the computer in which the liquid cooling system is installed in. Note that inner surface  155  may include a sealing surface such as a polished interval. 
     With the base  130  of the connector  110  inserted into the cavity  165  of the liquid port  150 , the retaining channel  142  aligns with the first aperture  152  and the second aperture  154  in the liquid port  150  so that the first aperture  152  and the second aperture  154  open into the retaining channel  142 . A retaining device  160  which in this embodiment is shown in the form of a pin is used to secure the base  130  of the connector  110  in the liquid port  150 , preventing the connector  110  from being withdrawn from the liquid port  150  while the retaining device  160  is in place. The positioning and the alignment of the first aperture  152  and the second aperture  154  allow the retaining device  160 , when it is passed through the first aperture  152  and second aperture  154 , to pass through the retaining channel  142  of the base  130  of the connector  110  without being obstructed by the base  130  of the connector  110 . With the retaining device  160  in place, passing through the first aperture  152 , part of the retaining channel  142  and the second aperture  154 , the connector  110  is secured in the liquid port  150  preventing the base  130  of the connector  110  from being withdrawn from the cavity  165  of the liquid port  150  while the retaining device  160  is in place. However, the retaining channel  142  allows the connector  110  to be rotated in the cavity  165  while the retaining device  160  is in place. The connector  110  can be rotated  360 ° or more if the retaining channel  142  completely encircles the base  130  or the range of rotation of the connector  110  can be limited by the length of the retaining channel  142  if the retaining channel  142  partially encircles only a portion of the base  130 . 
     The retaining device  160  can be formed to be held in the first aperture  152  and the second aperture  154  by forming a close fit, forming in ends, providing caps, threading, barbs, etc. This forming inhibits the retaining device  160  from inadvertently being withdrawn from the first aperture  152  and/or the second aperture  154 . 
     In operation, the connector  110  is used to connect an end  195  of a section of tubing  190  to the component  180 . An end  195  of the section of tubing  190  to be connected to the component  180  is slid over the barb  120  of the connector  110 . Because the section of tubing  190  is typically at least slightly elastic, the end  195  of the section of tubing  190  is stretched over the barb  120  with the slight stretching of the end  195  of the section of tubing  190  around the barb  120  and the knurls  124  helping to secure the end  195  of the section of tubing  190  in position over the barb  120 . Additionally, in some installations a clamp, piece of tape, etc. is then placed around the end  195  of the section of tubing  190  covering the barb  120  to further aid in securing the end  195  of the section of tubing  190  in place over the barb  120 . Adhesive may be used to secure the end  195  of the section of tubing  190  in place over the barb  120 . 
     With the end  195  of the section of tubing  190  in position over the barb  120  of the connector  110 , the connector  110  can be connected to the component  180  so that cooling liquid passing through the section of tubing  190  can pass into the component  180 . To connect the section of tubing  190  to the component  180 , the base  130  of the connector  110  is inserted through the opening  160  of the liquid port  650  and into the cavity  165  of the liquid port  150  in the component  180 . The retaining device  160  is then inserted through the first aperture  152  and the second aperture  154 , securing the connector  110  in place in the liquid port  150 . 
     When cooling liquid passes through the section of tubing  190  and out the end  195  of the section of tubing  190 , the cooling liquid will pass through the inner passage  123  of the connector  110  and into the component  180  through the fluid passage  157  in the bottom of the liquid port  150 . The second sealing ring  147  and the first sealing ring  145  will prevent any of the cooling liquid from passing between the inner surface  155  of the cavity  165  and the outer surface  132  of the base  130  of the connector  110 . 
     The connector  110  allows the end  195  of the section of tubing  190  to be relatively quickly connected to the component  180  and the first sealing ring  145  and second sealing ring  147  provide a substantially leak-free seal. The connector  110  can also be repeatedly removed and reconnected in the liquid port  150  without affecting the sealing between the connector  110  and the liquid port  150 . 
     Because of the orientation of the retaining channel  142  and the retaining device  160 , the connector  110  can be rotated relative to the liquid port  150  without having to remove the base  130  of the connector  110  from the liquid port  150 . This can facilitate positioning and installation of a liquid cooling system without kinking or awkwardly bending the tubing connecting the components in the liquid cooling system. 
     The end  195  of the section of tubing  190  can be positioned over the barb  120  by a person installing the liquid-cooling system in a computer system. However, it is envisioned that in some circumstances the end of the section of tubing may be installed on the barb  120  of the connector  110  by the manufacturer of the liquid cooling system. This allows the manufacturer to ensure the end  195  of the section of tubing  190  is properly positioned over the barb  120 , but still allow the installer to connect all the components in the liquid cooling system to the tubing based using the connectors  110 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate the retaining device  160  installed through the first aperture  152  and the second aperture  154  to hold the base  130  of the connector  110  in liquid port  150 . However, various types of retaining devices can be used with the connector  110  to hold the base  130  of the connector  110  in a liquid port.  FIG. 6  illustrates a liquid port  250  with an opening  260  leading to a cavity  265 . A threaded aperture  252  and a retaining device in the form of a screw  260  is provided. The screw  250  is sized to thread into the threaded aperture  252  and secure a connector, such as connector  110  shown in  FIG. 2 , in the cavity  265 . With the screw  260  threaded in the threaded aperture  252 , the screw  260  extends into the retaining channel  142  of the connector  110  shown in  FIG. 2 , preventing the base  130  of the connector  110  from being withdrawn from the liquid port  250 , but still allowing the connector  110  to be rotated relative to the liquid port  250 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a liquid port  350 , having an opening  360  leading into a cavity  365 , where a retaining device is provided in the form of a biased catch, such as a detent  357  on an inner surface  355  of the cavity  365  of the liquid port  350  and biased inwards from the inner surface  355  of the cavity  365  of the liquid port  350 . The biased detent  357  is positioned on the inner surface  355  of the cavity  365  of the liquid port  350  so that the biased detent  357  protrudes into the retaining channel  142  on the base  130  of the connector  110  shown in  FIG. 2 , when the base  130  of the connector  110  is inserted in the cavity  365  of the liquid port  350 , the biased detent  357  can be urged against its biasing force to allow the base  130  to pass in and out of the cavity  365 . The biased detent  357  holds the base  130  in the cavity  365  of the liquid port  350 , but allows the connector  110  to rotate relative to the liquid port  350 . Alternatively, the biased catch can be in the form of a biased c-spring. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a connector  410  in a further aspect. The connector  410  has a barb  420 , with a number of knurls  424 , and a base  430  with an outer surface  432 , a retaining channel  442 , a first sealing channel  444 , a first sealing ring  445 , a second sealing channel  446  and a second sealing ring  447 . The barb  420  runs substantially along a first axis, A, and the base  430  runs substantially along a second axis, B, such that the connector takes the form of an elbow. 
     In operation, an end of a section of tubing (not shown) can be positioned over the barb  420  and the connector  410  inserted and secured in a liquid port of a component in a liquid cooling system (not shown). The direction of flow of cooling liquid exiting the end of the section of tubing and passing into the connector  410  is routed ninety degrees (90°) and before the flow of cooling liquid passes out of the connector  410  and into the component of the liquid cooling system. In this manner, connector  410  can be used when a sharp bend is needed to install the liquid cooling system and/or where a component of the liquid cooling system is installed close to another component in the computer system, preventing the tubing to be installed in a straight run directly into the component. 
     The connector  410  has the barb  420  at an angle of approximately ninety degrees ( 90 °) from the base  430  to allow installations where a sharp bend is needed or desired, however, it will be appreciated that the barb  420  could be provided at various angles to the base  430 . For example,  FIG. 9  illustrates an elbow-type connector  510  having a barb  520  positioned at an angle less than ninety degrees (90°) from a base  530 . Additionally, elbow-type connector  510  is illustrated in  FIG. 8  having a single sealing channel  544  holding a single sealing ring  545 . 
       FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  12  illustrate an adapter connector  610  for connecting two sections of tubing (not shown). The adapter connector  610  has a barb  620 , with a first end  625  and a second end  627 , and a liquid port  650 , with a first end  661  and a second end  663 . 
     The barb  620  has a number of knurls  624  on an outer surface  622  of the barb  620  and is sized so that an end of a section of tubing (not shown) can be slid over the barb  620 . An opening  656  on the first end  625  of the barb  620  opens into an inner passage  623  running through the barb  620 . 
     The liquid port  630  has an opening  660  leading to a cavity  665  that is sized to accept the base of a connector, such as the base  130  of connector  110  shown in  FIG. 2 . A fluid passage  657  places the cavity  665  in fluid communication with the inner passage  623  of the barb  620 . 
     A first aperture  652  and a second aperture  654  are provided passing into the cavity  665  of the liquid port  650 , through which a retaining device (not shown) can be inserted holding a base of a connector in the cavity  665 . A person skilled in the art will appreciate that adapter connector  650  could be altered so that other retaining devices, such as those illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , might be used with the adapter connector  610 . 
     The adapter connector  610  allows a connector, such as the connector  110  shown in  FIG. 2 , to be connected to the adapter connector  610 . In this manner, two sections of tubing (not shown) can be connected together. One section of tubing is connected to the barb  620  of the adapter connector  610  and the other section of tubing is connected to the barb  120  of the connector  110 . The two sections of tubing can then be connected by inserting the base  130  of the connector  110  through the opening  660  of the cavity  665  of the liquid port  650  and secured in place by inserting a retaining device (not shown), such as a pin, through the first aperture  652  and the second aperture  654  to extend through the retaining channel  142  on the base  130  of the connector  110 . In this manner, liquid coolant flowing out of the one section of tubing and through the inner passage  623  of the adapter connector  610  will pass through the fluid passage  657 , into the inner passage  123  of the connector  110  and into the other section of tubing position over the barb  120  of the connector  110 . Additionally, the adapter connector  610  could be used to transmit liquid coolant in the opposite direction, from a section of tubing connected to a connector  110 , through the adapter connector  610  and into the other section of tubing connected to the adapter connector  610 . 
     In some aspects, a component in a liquid cooling system may be provided with a number of liquid ports to allow the liquid cooling system to be installed in various different configurations. For some installations, fewer liquid ports may be needed than the number provided on the component, however, each of these liquid ports will have a fluid passage in them that could allow liquid coolant to flow out of the open liquid port if it is not in use. Therefore, in these cases a plug connector might be used to block the unneeded liquid ports.  FIG. 13  illustrates a plug connector  710  for insertion into a liquid port, such as the liquid port  150  in  FIG. 3 . Because the liquid port  150  has a fluid passage  157  in fluid communication with cooling liquid passing through the component  180  of the liquid cooling system, if the liquid port  150  is not used, the plug connector  710  can be inserted in the cavity  165  of the liquid port  150  to plug the liquid port  150 . 
     The plug connector  710  has a base  730  and a top  720 . The base  730  has a first end  735 , a second end  737  and an outer surface  732 . The base  730  is sized to fit inside a cavity of a liquid port (not shown) provided in a component (such as the heat exchanger  12 , pump module  16  or liquid cooling module  14  of liquid cooling system  10  shown in  FIG. 1  or some other component in a liquid cooling system for a computer). The base  730  has an outer surface  732  with a retaining channel  742 , a first sealing channel  744  and a second sealing channel  746  provided in the outer surface  732 . A first sealing ring  745  and a second sealing ring  747  are provided in the first sealing channel  744  and the second sealing channel  746 , respectively, such that the first sealing ring  745  and the second sealing ring  747  extend beyond the outer surface  732  of the base  730 . A bottom surface  739  of the base is unperforated. 
     In operation, the plug connector  710  is inserted into a liquid port, such as the liquid port  150  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The first sealing ring  745  and second sealing ring  747  are forced against the inner surface  155  of the cavity  165  of the liquid port  150 , forming a liquid-tight seal. The retaining device  160  is then used to hold the plug connector  710  in the cavity  165  of the liquid port  150 . The unperforated bottom surface  739  of the base  730 , the first sealing ring  745  and the second sealing ring  747  prevent cooling liquid from escaping out the fluid passage  157  of the component  180 , past the base  730  of the plug connector  710  and into the interior of the computer system the component  180  is installed in. 
     The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to those embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular, such as by use of the article “a” or “an” is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more”. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout the disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be encompassed by the elements of the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims.