Patents by Inventor Alan Pfeifer

Alan Pfeifer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7984605
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cable chain return system 100 that includes a spring 170 for assisting folding and organization of a cable chain 110. When a customer replaceable unit (CRU) 210 is extended from a chassis 140 to gain access to connectors on the back of the CRU 210, the cable chain 110 is extended. When the CRU 210 is moved back into the chassis 140, a plurality of folding curves 130 organize the cable chain 110, and cables 118 therein, without damaging the cables 118 or inhibiting positioning of the CRU 210 in the chassis 140. One of these curves 130 is initiated by the spring 170 and therefore aids in returning and organizing of the cable chain 110.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: NetAPP, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Pfeifer, John Dunham, Ryan Signer
  • Publication number: 20100058728
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cable chain return system 100 that includes a spring 170 for assisting folding and organization of a cable chain 110. When a customer replaceable unit (CRU) 210 is extended from a chassis 140 to gain access to connectors on the back of the CRU 210, the cable chain 110 is extended. When the CRU 210 is moved back into the chassis 140, a plurality of folding curves 130 organize the cable chain 110, and cables 118 therein, without damaging the cables 118 or inhibiting positioning of the CRU 210 in the chassis 140. One of these curves 130 is initiated by the spring 170 and therefore aids in returning and organizing of the cable chain 110.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Alan Pfeifer, John Dunham, Ryan Signer
  • Publication number: 20060118324
    Abstract: A wire bundle including a plurality of insulated wires forming a bundle having a chosen length, wherein the wires are disposed substantially parallel to one another and are joined together along the chosen length by a connecting material which is capable of being torn without the use of tools, such that the wires can be separated from one another without affecting the insulation thereof along at least a portion of the chosen length is described. Such a wire bundle permits the connection of wires to integrated circuits having small-pitch connection pins to be more readily made. By forming an electrical contact between one wire in the wire bundle and a connector pin of the integrated circuit by soldering, as an example of a connection process, the other wires in the bundle are automatically aligned and stabilized with respect to the other connector pins of the integrated circuit. Soldering of these other connections can then be more readily accomplished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Alan Pfeifer, Raymond Rowhuff
  • Publication number: 20050125189
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a system specific test by providing sophisticated error tracking mechanisms to trigger on a specific system event. The present invention addresses the problem of monitoring network traffic and isolating a point of error at the testing stage. The present invention defines a specific system event to be monitored. A trigger is created in the host system and routed to the analyzer, wherein the trigger is used to allow the analyzer to capture information related to the specific system event. When a signal is received at the analyzer, the signal automatically triggers the analyzer to capture and store a predetermined amount of data related to the specific system event before and after the trigger is executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Roger Clegg, Alan Pfeifer, Bonnie Mills