Patents by Inventor Eric R. Prather

Eric R. Prather 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: 9218028
    Abstract: A desktop computing system having at least a central core surrounded by housing having a shape that defines a volume in which the central core resides is described. The housing includes a first opening and a second opening axially displaced from the first opening. The first opening having a size and shape in accordance with an amount of airflow used as a heat transfer medium for cooling internal components, the second opening defined by a lip that engages a portion of the airflow in such a way that at least some of the heat transferred to the air flow from the internal components is passed to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene A. Whang, Christopher J. Stringer, Brett W. Degner, David H. Narajowski, Patrick Kessler, Eric R. Prather, Caitlin Elizabeth Kalinowski, Adam T. Stagnaro, Daniel L. McBroom, Matthew P. Casebolt, Michael D. McBroom
  • Patent number: 9176548
    Abstract: A desktop computing system having at least a central core surrounded by housing having a shape that defines a volume in which the central core resides is described. The housing includes a first opening and a second opening axially displaced from the first opening. The first opening having a size and shape in accordance with an amount of airflow used as a heat transfer medium for cooling internal components, the second opening defined by a lip that engages a portion of the airflow in such a way that at least some of the heat transferred to the air flow from the internal components is passed to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, David H. Narajowski, Eric R. Prather, Mark K. Sin, Paul A. Baker, Eugene A. Whang, Christopher J. Stringer, Frank F. Liang
  • Publication number: 20150253822
    Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding systems and methods for providing efficient heat rejection for a lightweight and durable compact computing system having a small form factor. The compact computing system can take the form of a desktop computer. The desktop computer can include a monolithic top case having an integrated support system formed therein, the integrated support system providing structural support that distributes applied loads through the top case preventing warping and bowing. A mixed flow fan is utilized to efficiently pull cooling air through the compact computing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Eric R. Prather, David H. Narajowski, Frank F. Liang, Jay S. Nigen, Jesse T. Dybenko, Connor R. Duke, Eugene A. Whang, Christopher J. Stringer, Joshua D. Banko, Caitlin Elizabeth Kalinowski, Jonathan L. Berk, Matthew P. Casebolt, Kevin S. Fetterman, Eric J. Weirshauser
  • Patent number: 9069535
    Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding systems and methods for providing efficient heat rejection for a lightweight and durable compact computing system having a small form factor. The compact computing system can take the form of a desktop computer. The desktop computer can include a monolithic top case having an integrated support system formed therein, the integrated support system providing structural support that distributes applied loads through the top case preventing warping and bowing. A mixed flow fan is utilized to efficiently pull cooling air through the compact computing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Eric R. Prather, David H. Narajowski, Frank F. Liang, Jay S. Nigen, Jesse T. Dybenko, Connor R. Duke, Eugene A. Whang, Christopher J. Stringer, Joshua D. Banko, Caitlin Elizabeth Kalinowski, Jonathan L. Berk, Matthew P. Casebolt, Kevin S. Fetterman, Eric J. Weirshauser
  • Publication number: 20140362522
    Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding systems and methods for providing efficient heat rejection for a lightweight and durable compact computing system having a small form factor. The compact computing system can take the form of a desktop computer. The desktop computer can include a monolithic top case having an integrated support system formed therein, the integrated support system providing structural support that distributes applied loads through the top case preventing warping and bowing. A mixed flow fan is utilized to efficiently pull cooling air through the compact computing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Eric R. Prather, David H. Narajowski, Frank F. Liang, Jay S. Nigen, Jesse T. Dybenko, Connor R. Duke, Eugene A. Whang, Christopher J. Stringer, Joshua D. Banko, Caitlin Elizabeth Kalinowski, Jonathan L. Berk, Matthew P. Casebolt, Kevin S. Fetterman, Eric J. Weirshauser
  • Publication number: 20140361672
    Abstract: A desktop computing system having at least a central core surrounded by housing having a shape that defines a volume in which the central core resides is described. The housing includes a first opening and a second opening axially displaced from the first opening. The first opening having a size and shape in accordance with an amount of airflow used as a heat transfer medium for cooling internal components, the second opening defined by a lip that engages a portion of the airflow in such a way that at least some of the heat transferred to the air flow from the internal components is passed to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Eugene A. Whang, Christopher J. Stringer, Brett W. Degner, David H. Narajowski, Patrick Kessler, Eric R. Prather, Caitlin Elizabeth Kalinowski, Adam T. Stagnaro, Daniel L. McBroom, Matthew P. Casebolt, Michael D. McBroom
  • Publication number: 20140362523
    Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding systems and methods for providing efficient heat rejection for a lightweight and durable compact computing system having a small form factor. The compact computing system can take the form of a desktop computer. The desktop computer can include a monolithic top case having an integrated support system formed therein, the integrated support system providing structural support that distributes applied loads through the top case preventing warping and bowing. A mixed flow fan is utilized to efficiently pull cooling air through the compact computing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Eric R. Prather, David H. Narajowski, Frank F. Liang, Jay S. Nigen, Jesse T. Dybenko, Connor R. Duke, Eugene A. Whang, Christopher J. Stringer, Joshua D. Banko, Caitlin Elizabeth Kalinowski, Jonathan L. Berk, Matthew P. Casebolt, Kevin S. Fetterman, Eric J. Weirshauser
  • Publication number: 20140362519
    Abstract: A desktop computing system having at least a central core surrounded by housing having a shape that defines a volume in which the central core resides is described. The housing includes a first opening and a second opening axially displaced from the first opening. The first opening having a size and shape in accordance with an amount of airflow used as a heat transfer medium for cooling internal components, the second opening defined by a lip that engages a portion of the airflow in such a way that at least some of the heat transferred to the air flow from the internal components is passed to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, David H. Narajowski, Eric R. Prather, Mark K. Sin, Paul A. Baker, Eugene A. Whang, Christopher J. Stringer, Frank F. Liang
  • Patent number: 7420806
    Abstract: Techniques for distributing airflow for cooling an electronic device are described. Vanes positioned immediately after a set of cooling fans direct airflow over a plurality of components within the device. For example, the vanes may be designed to segment the net fan blade travel area into equal sections—one section per component—to accomplish balanced airflow distribution. Components requiring cooling include cards, e.g., printed circuit boards and the like. A plurality of cards may form slots between the cards and the vanes may divide the airflow equally among the slots to provide consistent cooling for each of the cards. Embodiments of the invention may be directed to distributing cooling airflows within a computing device, e.g., a network router or a server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Lima, Eric R. Prather