Patents by Inventor Gerard V. Weber, Jr.

Gerard V. Weber, Jr. 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: 9655282
    Abstract: A method is presented for adjusting coolant flow resistance through one or more liquid-cooled electronics racks. Flow restrictors are employed in association with multiple heat exchange tube sections of a heat exchange assembly, or in association with a plurality of coolant supply lines or coolant return lines feeding multiple heat exchange assemblies. Flow restrictors associated with respective heat exchange tube sections (or respective heat exchange assemblies) are disposed at the coolant channel inlet or coolant channel outlet of the tube sections (or of the heat exchange assemblies). These flow restrictors tailor coolant flow resistance through the heat exchange tube sections or through the heat exchange assemblies to enhance overall heat transfer within the tube sections or across heat exchange assemblies by tailoring coolant flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wayne A. Barringer, David P. Graybill, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, James J. Steffes, Gerard V. Weber, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9480186
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating air cooling of an electronics rack. The apparatus includes a tile assembly, temperature sensor and controller. The tile assembly is disposed adjacent to the electronics rack, and includes a perforated tile and one or more controllable air-moving devices associated with the perforated tile for moving air through the perforated tile. The temperature sensor is positioned for sensing air temperature adjacent and external to, or within, the electronics rack, and the controller is coupled to the tile assembly and the temperature sensor for controlling operation of the air-moving device. Airflow through the tile assembly is adjusted based on air temperature sensed, thereby facilitating air cooling of the electronics rack. In one embodiment, the tile assembly is a floor tile assembly with an air-to-liquid heat exchanger disposed between the perforated tile and the air-moving device for cooling air passing through the floor tile assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven J. Ahladas, David P. Graybill, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Prabjit Singh, Gerard V. Weber, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9402334
    Abstract: An air flow control assembly, system, and method for controlling air flow to a server rack. An example air flow control assembly includes a retractable barrier configured to block the air flow, at least partially, from passing through a perforated floor tile to the server rack. The air flow control assembly also includes a barrier mount configured to secure the retractable barrier proximate the perforated floor tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick A. Coico, David P. Graybill, Allan R. Hoeft, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Gerard V. Weber, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9386727
    Abstract: Flow restrictors are employed in association with multiple heat exchange tube sections of a heat exchange assembly, or in association with multiple coolant supply lines or coolant return lines feeding multiple heat exchange assemblies. Flow restrictors associated with respective heat exchange tube sections (or respective heat exchange assemblies) are disposed at the coolant channel inlet or coolant channel outlet of the tube sections (or of the heat exchange assemblies). These flow restrictors tailor coolant flow resistance through the heat exchange tube sections or through the heat exchange assemblies to control overall heat transfer within the tube sections or across heat exchange assemblies. In one embodiment, the flow restrictors tailor a coolant flow distribution differential across multiple heat exchange tube sections or across multiple heat exchange assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wayne A. Barringer, David P. Graybill, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, James J. Steffes, Gerard V. Weber, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9045995
    Abstract: An electronics rack with a cooling apparatus and a liquid-coolant-driven, electricity-generating system. The generating system includes a housing coupled in fluid communication with a fluid transport pipe of the cooling apparatus, an impeller disposed within the housing and positioned to turn with flow of fluid across the impeller, one or more magnetic structures disposed to turn with turning of the impeller, and an electrical circuit. Electricity is generated for the electrical circuit with turning of the one or more magnetic structures, and is supplied to an electrical load disposed within or associated with the electronics rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David P. Graybill, Allan R. Hoeft, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Donald W. Porter, Enrico A. Romano, Roger R. Schmidt, Gerard V. Weber, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140231061
    Abstract: A method is presented for adjusting coolant flow resistance through one or more liquid-cooled electronics racks. Flow restrictors are employed in association with multiple heat exchange tube sections of a heat exchange assembly, or in association with a plurality of coolant supply lines or coolant return lines feeding multiple heat exchange assemblies. Flow restrictors associated with respective heat exchange tube sections (or respective heat exchange assemblies) are disposed at the coolant channel inlet or coolant channel outlet of the tube sections (or of the heat exchange assemblies). These flow restrictors tailor coolant flow resistance through the heat exchange tube sections or through the heat exchange assemblies to enhance overall heat transfer within the tube sections or across heat exchange assemblies by tailoring coolant flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wayne A. BARRINGER, David P. GRAYBILL, Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Roger R. SCHMIDT, James J. STEFFES, Gerard V. WEBER, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140090806
    Abstract: An air flow control assembly, system, and method for controlling air flow to a server rack. An example air flow control assembly includes a retractable barrier configured to block the air flow, at least partially, from passing through a perforated floor tile to the server rack. The air flow control assembly also includes a barrier mount configured to secure the retractable barrier proximate the perforated floor tile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. Coico, David P. Graybill, Allan R. Hoeft, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Gerard V. Weber, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130000736
    Abstract: An air flow control assembly, system, and method for controlling air flow to a server rack. An example air flow control assembly includes a retractable barrier configured to block the air flow, at least partially, from passing through a perforated floor tile to the server rack. The air flow control assembly also includes a barrier mount configured to secure the retractable barrier proximate the perforated floor tile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. Coico, David P. Graybill, Allan R. Hoeft, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Gerard V. Weber, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120286514
    Abstract: A fluid-driven, electricity-generating system and method are provided for a data center with a fluid transport pipe. The generating system includes a housing coupled in fluid communication with the fluid transport pipe, an impeller disposed within the housing and positioned to turn with flow of fluid across the impeller, one or more magnetic structures disposed to turn with turning of the impeller, and an electrical circuit. Electricity is generated for the electrical circuit with turning of the one or more magnetic structures, and is supplied to an electrical load disposed within or associated with the data center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David P. GRAYBILL, Allan R. HOEFT, Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Donald W. PORTER, Enrico A. ROMANO, Roger R. SCHMIDT, Gerard V. WEBER, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120201005
    Abstract: A method is presented for adjusting coolant flow resistance through one or more liquid-cooled electronics racks. Flow restrictors are employed in association with multiple heat exchange tube sections of a heat exchange assembly, or in association with a plurality of coolant supply lines or coolant return lines feeding multiple heat exchange assemblies. Flow restrictors associated with respective heat exchange tube sections (or respective heat exchange assemblies) are disposed at the coolant channel inlet or coolant channel outlet of the tube sections (or of the heat exchange assemblies). These flow restrictors tailor coolant flow resistance through the heat exchange tube sections or through the heat exchange assemblies to enhance overall heat transfer within the tube sections or across heat exchange assemblies by tailoring coolant flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wayne A. BARRINGER, David P. GRAYBILL, Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Roger R. SCHMIDT, James J. STEFFES, Gerard V. WEBER, JR.
  • Patent number: 8077462
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus and method are provided which include an air-to-liquid heat exchanger and system coolant inlet and outlet plenums mounted to an electronics rack door along an edge of the door remote from the edge hingedly mounted to the rack. The plenums are in fluid communication with the heat exchanger and respectively include an inlet and outlet. Coolant supply and return hoses are disposed above the electronics rack and couple the inlet plenum to a coolant supply header and the outlet plenum to a coolant return header. The hoses are sufficiently long and flexible to open or close the door. A stress relief structure is attached to the top of the door and clamps the supply and return hoses in fixed relation to relieve stress on connect couplings at the ends of the hoses to the plenum inlet and outlet during opening or closing of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne A. Barringer, David P. Graybill, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, James J. Steffes, Gerard V. Weber, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110056675
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are presented for adjusting coolant flow resistance through one or more liquid-cooled electronics racks. Flow restrictors are employed in association with multiple heat exchange tube sections of a heat exchange assembly, or in association with a plurality of coolant supply lines or coolant return lines feeding multiple heat exchange assemblies. Flow restrictors associated with respective heat exchange tube sections (or respective heat exchange assemblies) are disposed at the coolant channel inlet or coolant channel outlet of the tube sections (or of the heat exchange assemblies). These flow restrictors tailor coolant flow resistance through the heat exchange tube sections or through the heat exchange assemblies to enhance overall heat transfer within the tube sections or across heat exchange assemblies by tailoring coolant flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wayne A. Barringer, David P. Graybill, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, James J. Steffes, Gerard V. Weber, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110051372
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus and method are provided which include an air-to-liquid heat exchanger and system coolant inlet and outlet plenums mounted to an electronics rack door along an edge of the door remote from the edge hingedly mounted to the rack. The plenums are in fluid communication with the heat exchanger and respectively include an inlet and outlet. Coolant supply and return hoses are disposed above the electronics rack and couple the inlet plenum to a coolant supply header and the outlet plenum to a coolant return header. The hoses are sufficiently long and flexible to open or close the door. A stress relief structure is attached to the top of the door and clamps the supply and return hoses in fixed relation to relieve stress on connect couplings at the ends of the hoses to the plenum inlet and outlet during opening or closing of the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wayne A. BARRINGER, David P. GRAYBILL, Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Roger R. SCHMIDT, James J. STEFFES, Gerard V. WEBER, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110036540
    Abstract: An environmental conditioning system for a computer room includes a perforated tile, a heat exchanger mounted to the perforated tile, and a forced air system mounted to the heat exchanger. The forced air system being configured and disposed to direct a flow of air having a first temperature into the heat exchanger. The flow of air exits the heat exchanger at a second temperature and passes through the perforated tile into the computer room. The second temperature is distinct from the first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven J. Ahladas, David P. Graybill, Donald W. Porter, Roger R. Schmidt, Gerard V. Weber, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090156114
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating air cooling of an electronics rack. The apparatus includes a tile assembly, temperature sensor and controller. The tile assembly is disposed adjacent to the electronics rack, and includes a perforated tile and one or more controllable air-moving devices associated with the perforated tile for moving air through the perforated tile. The temperature sensor is positioned for sensing air temperature adjacent and external to, or within, the electronics rack, and the controller is coupled to the tile assembly and the temperature sensor for controlling operation of the air-moving device. Airflow through the tile assembly is adjusted based on air temperature sensed, thereby facilitating air cooling of the electronics rack. In one embodiment, the tile assembly is a floor tile assembly with an air-to-liquid heat exchanger disposed between the perforated tile and the air-moving device for cooling air passing through the floor tile assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven J. AHLADAS, David P. GRAYBILL, Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Roger R. SCHMIDT, Prabjit SINGH, Gerard V. WEBER, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090157333
    Abstract: An automated method and system are provided for facilitating monitoring of energy usage within a data center. The method includes automatically determining energy usage of one or more electronics racks of a data center by automatically ascertaining time-based energy usage of the electronics racks. The automatically ascertaining includes obtaining multiple measurements of instantaneous energy usage by each of the electronics racks in the data center over a period of time, and then separately averaging the multiple measurements for each electronics rack to obtain the time-based energy usage of each electronics racks. The method also includes outputting the time-based energy usage of the electronic(s) racks to facilitate monitoring of the data center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ronald P. CORRADO, Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Jeffrey A. NEWCOMER, Roger R. SCHMIDT, Gerard V. WEBER, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090154159
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for facilitating servicing of an electronics rack. The apparatus includes a light source, which includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes. The plurality of light-emitting diodes are secured to the electronics rack or a floor tile disposed adjacent to the electronics rack, and are configured to illuminate at least a lower portion of the electronics rack at either the air inlet or air outlet side of the rack. A power supply is also provided for selectively supplying power to the plurality of light-emitting diodes. In one implementation, the light source includes an elongate light bar, which is configured to mount to either the inlet door or outlet door of the electronics rack, and the plurality of light-emitting diodes are secured to an elongate housing structure which pivotally couples to a base plate for adjustment of a direction of illumination by the light-emitting diodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David P. GRAYBILL, Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Jeffrey A. NEWCOMER, Roger R. SCHMIDT, Prabjit SINGH, Gerard V. WEBER, JR.
  • Patent number: 7285962
    Abstract: A system for injecting noise signals onto power generated by a power source comprising: a voltage source; a device under test having a power input in operable communication with the noise introduction apparatus; and a noise introduction apparatus interposed between the power source and device under test in operable communication with the voltage source, the noise introduction apparatus comprising, a switching device configured to provide a low impedance conductive path when commanded, and a current limiting device in series with the switching device, the current limiting device configured to provide a low impedance conductivity for a selected current and a selected duration. The switching device and current limiting device cooperate to shunt the voltage source to the power input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph W. Bogdanski, King M. Chu, William M. Lorenz, Tuan D. Ngo, Andrew Rybak, Kwok M. Soohoo, Gerard V. Weber, Jr., William T. Winkler
  • Patent number: 6108164
    Abstract: A direct access storage device comprises a frame, a rotating magnetic storage structure positioned within the frame generating air flow within the frame, at least one head writing and reading to and from the rotating storage structure, thermally insulating spacers connected to the frame, a condensation plate connected to the thermally insulating spacers and positioned within the frame, a thermal core connected to the condensation plate and extending through the frame, a heat sink connected to the thermal core and positioned outside the frame and an air ram for directing the air flow toward the condensation plate, wherein the condensation plate, the thermal core and the heat sink are thermally insulated from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Gerard V. Weber, Jr.