Patents by Inventor James D. Curlee

James D. Curlee 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: 11230221
    Abstract: A clamping device secures an equipment rack during shipping. The clamping device includes a gripping portion having first and second surfaces positionable along opposing sides of a respective one of a front and rear lateral logistic bar. The clamping device also includes a clamp mechanism attached to the gripping portion for movement between a disengaged position and an engaged position to selectively engage the first and second surfaces to the opposing sides of the respective one of the front and rear lateral logistic bars positioned adjacent to an equipment rack within a carrier shipping enclosure. A mounting feature is attached to the gripping portion to hold one end of a longitudinal logistic bar positioned along a lateral side of the equipment rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven Embleton, James D. Curlee, Rene J. Salas, Joseph A. Bartole, Bruce E. Lykins, Eric M. Tunks, Joshua S. Keup
  • Patent number: 10917998
    Abstract: A liquid cooled information handling system (LC_IHS) includes a first liquid cooled node coupled to a first chassis. The LC_IHS further includes a supply conduit in fluid communication with the first chassis to cool a first liquid cooled node. The supply conduit includes a plurality of fluid paths configured such that when a first fluid path of the plurality of fluid paths is interrupted, cooling of the first liquid cooled node continues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Austin Michael Shelnutt, Travis C. North, Christopher M. Helberg, Steven Embleton, Edmond I. Bailey, James D. Curlee
  • Publication number: 20200146188
    Abstract: A liquid cooled information handling system (LC_IHS) incudes a first liquid cooled node coupled to a first chassis. The LC_IHS further includes a supply conduit in fluid communication with the first chassis to cool a first liquid cooled node. The supply conduit includes a plurality of fluid paths configured such that when a first fluid path of the plurality of fluid paths is interrupted, cooling of the first liquid cooled node continues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: AUSTIN MICHAEL SHELNUTT, TRAVIS C. NORTH, CHRISTOPHER M. HELBERG, STEVEN EMBLETON, EDMOND I. BAILEY, JAMES D. CURLEE
  • Patent number: 10617042
    Abstract: A direct-interface liquid-cooled (DL) Rack Information Handling System (RIHS) includes liquid cooled (LC) nodes each comprising a chassis received in a respective chassis-receiving bay of a rack and containing heat-generating functional components. Each LC node is configured with a system of conduits to receive direct injection of cooling liquid to regulate the ambient temperature of the node and provide cooling to the functional components inside the node by removing heat generated by the heat-generating functional components. A cooling subsystem has a liquid rail formed by more than one node-to-node, Modular Liquid Distribution (MLD) conduits, each including first and second terminal connections attached on opposite ends of a central conduit that can be rack-unit dimensioned. The MLD conduits seal to and enable fluid transfer between a port of a selected LC node and a port of an adjacent LC node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Austin Michael Shelnutt, Travis C. North, Christopher M. Helberg, Steven Embleton, Edmond I. Bailey, James D. Curlee
  • Publication number: 20180272917
    Abstract: A clamping device secures an equipment rack during shipping. The clamping device includes a gripping portion having first and second surfaces positionable along opposing sides of a respective one of a front and rear lateral logistic bar. The clamping device also includes a clamp mechanism attached to the gripping portion for movement between a disengaged position and an engaged position to selectively engage the first and second surfaces to the opposing sides of the respective one of the front and rear lateral logistic bars positioned adjacent to an equipment rack within a carrier shipping enclosure. A mounting feature is attached to the gripping portion to hold one end of a longitudinal logistic bar positioned along a lateral side of the equipment rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: STEVEN EMBLETON, JAMES D. CURLEE, RENE J. SALAS, JOSEPH A. BARTOLE, BRUCE E. LYKINS, ERIC M. TUNKS, JOSHUA S. KEUP
  • Patent number: 10023099
    Abstract: A shipping apparatus utilizes logistic bars attached laterally across a carrier shipping enclosure such as truck trailer or shipping container. The logistic bars can engage tracks attached to lateral sidewalls of the carrier shipping enclosure. One or more equipment racks are positioned behind one of the lateral logistic bars. Another logistic bar is placed behind the one or more equipment racks. Each of the equipment racks are secured in place by clamping devices positioned along a respective lateral logistic bar to be proximate to a respective corner of the equipment rack. Longitudinal logistic bars are engaged to a pair of the clamping devices that are on opposing lateral sides of the equipment rack. The shipping apparatus provides a rigid structure that is appropriately positioned without damaging components within the equipment rack and preventing swaying during transport of the equipment rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven Embleton, James D. Curlee, Rene J. Salas, Joseph A. Bartole, Bruce E. Lykins, Eric M. Tunks, Joshua S. Keup
  • Patent number: 10018425
    Abstract: A system for heat exchange includes a first condenser that places a first working fluid vapor in proximity to a second working fluid liquid. The two working fluids have respective saturation temperatures that enable the second working fluid to absorb sufficient amounts of heat from the first working fluid vapor to vaporize, while the first working fluid vapor condenses back into a liquid. The second working fluid vapor exits the first condenser via a first conduit and enters a first heat exchanger which places the second working fluid vapor in proximity to a third working fluid. The relative saturation temperatures of the second and third working fluids enables the transfer of sufficient amounts of heat from the second working fluid vapor to cause the second working fluid vapor to condense back into liquid while at least a portion of the third working fluid liquid vaporizes into third working fluid vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Austin Michael Shelnutt, James D. Curlee, Travis C. North
  • Publication number: 20180126896
    Abstract: A shipping apparatus utilizes logistic bars attached laterally across a carrier shipping enclosure such as truck trailer or shipping container. The logistic bars can engage tracks attached to lateral sidewalls of the carrier shipping enclosure. One or more equipment racks are positioned behind one of the lateral logistic bars. Another logistic bar is placed behind the one or more equipment racks. Each of the equipment racks are secured in place by clamping devices positioned along a respective lateral logistic bar to be proximate to a respective corner of the equipment rack. Longitudinal logistic bars are engaged to a pair of the clamping devices that are on opposing lateral sides of the equipment rack. The shipping apparatus provides a rigid structure that is appropriately positioned without damaging components within the equipment rack and preventing swaying during transport of the equipment rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: STEVEN EMBLETON, JAMES D. CURLEE, RENE J. SALAS, JOSEPH A. BARTOLE, BRUCE E. LYKINS, ERIC M. TUNKS, JOSHUA S. KEUP
  • Publication number: 20180092254
    Abstract: A direct-interface liquid-cooled (DL) Rack Information Handling System (RIHS) includes liquid cooled (LC) nodes each comprising a chassis received in a respective chassis-receiving bay of a rack and containing heat-generating functional components. Each LC node is configured with a system of conduits to receive direct injection of cooling liquid to regulate the ambient temperature of the node and provide cooling to the functional components inside the node by removing heat generated by the heat-generating functional components. A cooling subsystem has a liquid rail formed by more than one node-to-node, Modular Liquid Distribution (MLD) conduits, each including first and second terminal connections attached on opposite ends of a central conduit that can be rack-unit dimensioned. The MLD conduits seal to and enable fluid transfer between a port of a selected LC node and a port of an adjacent LC node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: AUSTIN MICHAEL SHELNUTT, TRAVIS C. NORTH, CHRISTOPHER M. HELBERG, STEVEN EMBLETON, EDMOND I. BAILEY, JAMES D. CURLEE
  • Patent number: 9921622
    Abstract: A stand-alone immersion tank datacenter (SITDC) includes: a multi-phase heat transfer immersion cooling tank having external walls surrounding a tank volume within which a dielectric liquid is maintained and heated to a boiling point temperature; a plurality of servers having one or more processing and memory components submerged within the dielectric liquid for cooling of the one or more components via heat dissipation from the one or more components into the dielectric liquid when the one or more components are connected to an electric power supply; and a condenser located vertically above the plurality of servers and in a direct path of rising dielectric vapor created when the dielectric liquid absorbs sufficient heat from the one or more components to reach a boiling point temperature of the liquid. The condenser can be a passive heat exchanger, created by providing a heat conductive material as a top lid of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Austin Michael Shelnutt, James D. Curlee, Jimmy Pike
  • Patent number: 9839164
    Abstract: A direct-interface liquid-cooled (DL) Rack Information Handling System (RIHS) includes liquid cooled (LC) nodes each comprising a chassis received in a respective chassis-receiving bay of a rack and containing heat-generating functional components. Each LC node is configured with a system of conduits to receive direct injection of cooling liquid to regulate the ambient temperature of the node and provide cooling to the functional components inside the node by removing heat generated by the heat-generating functional components. A cooling subsystem has a liquid rail formed by more than one node-to-node, Modular Liquid Distribution (MLD) conduits, each including first and second terminal connections attached on opposite ends of a central conduit that can be rack-unit dimensioned. The MLD conduits seal to and enable fluid transfer between a port of a selected LC node and a port of an adjacent LC node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Austin Michael Shelnutt, Travis C. North, Christopher M. Helberg, Steven Embleton, Edmond I. Bailey, James D. Curlee
  • Publication number: 20170181323
    Abstract: A direct-interface liquid-cooled (DL) Rack Information Handling System (RIHS) includes liquid cooled (LC) nodes each comprising a chassis received in a respective chassis-receiving bay of a rack and containing heat-generating functional components. Each LC node is configured with a system of conduits to receive direct injection of cooling liquid to regulate the ambient temperature of the node and provide cooling to the functional components inside the node by removing heat generated by the heat-generating functional components. A cooling subsystem has a liquid rail formed by more than one node-to-node, Modular Liquid Distribution (MLD) conduits, each including first and second terminal connections attached on opposite ends of a central conduit that can be rack-unit dimensioned. The MLD conduits seal to and enable fluid transfer between a port of a selected LC node and a port of an adjacent LC node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS, L.P.
    Inventors: Austin Michael SHELNUTT, Travis C. NORTH, Christopher M. HELBERG, Steven EMBLETON, Edmond I. BAILEY, James D. CURLEE
  • Patent number: 9464854
    Abstract: A method that controls pressure within an immersion cooling tank having condensation fluid flowing through a condenser, includes: a controller receiving a signal that indicates a current level of vapor pressure within the tank; determining from the signal when the current level of vapor pressure exceeds or is below a first preset threshold pressure level; and in response to the current level of vapor pressure exceeding or being below the first preset threshold pressure level, signaling a flow control mechanism that modulates a flow rate of the condensation fluid through the condenser to increase or decrease the rate of flow from a current rate of flow. The controller receives the signal by a pressure sensor within the immersion cooling tank detecting the current vapor pressure, generating the signal and forwarding the signal to the controller. The pressure sensor can be a differential pressure transducer that measures a differential pressure internal to and outside of the immersion tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS, LP
    Inventors: Austin Michael Shelnutt, James D. Curlee
  • Patent number: 9351429
    Abstract: A fluid level control system includes: a first immersion cooling tank having a first volume of immersion cooling liquid and an inlet/outlet pipe extending from a base wall of the tank by which immersion cooling liquid can flow into and out of the first immersion cooling tank; at least one second volume of cooling liquid held within a liquid containing unit having a corresponding inlet/outlet pipe; and a pipe distribution system that physically connects the second volume of immersion cooling liquid to the first volume of immersion cooling liquid via respective inlet/outlet pipes and which enables fluid equilibrium to be maintained between the first volume of liquid and the second volume of liquid via gravitational equilibrium and/or passive level control such that a first volume level of the first volume of immersion cooling liquid remains substantially equal to a second volume level of the second volume of immersion cooling liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: DELL Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Austin Michael Shelnutt, James D. Curlee, Edmond I. Bailey, Richard Steven Mills
  • Patent number: 9335802
    Abstract: A system for cooling hard disk drives (HDDs) includes: an enclosure having a lower volume within which a cooling liquid is heated to a boiling point temperature to cause some of the cooling liquid to evaporate into a plume of rising vapor; a HDD cooling area with at least one HDD placed in the direct path of the rising vapor, which cools the at least one HDD during functional operation of the at least one HDD; and a heat source that dissipates heat into the lower volume of the enclosure, sufficient to heat the cooling liquid to the boiling point temperature. The system can also include a condenser located above both the HDD cooling area. A substantial portion of the rising vapor that passes through the HDD cooling area and cools the at least one HDD is condensed back into liquid phase on contact with the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS, L.P.
    Inventors: Austin Michael Shelnutt, James D. Curlee, Edmond I. Bailey, Richard Steven Mills
  • Patent number: 9328964
    Abstract: An immersion cooling tank includes: a tank comprised of a base wall, and perimeter walls, and having a lower tank volume in which a liquid can be maintained and heated to a boiling point to generate a rising plume of vapor; a rack structure within the tank volume that supports insertion of multiple, heat dissipating electronic devices in a side-by-side vertical configuration; and a condenser configured as a plurality of individually rotatable condenser sub-units, with each condenser sub-unit located above a vertical space that extends vertically from the lower tank volume and within which an electronic device can be inserted. Each individual condenser sub-unit can be opened independent of the other sub-units and each other condenser sub-unit can remain in a closed position while a first condenser sub-unit is opened to allow access to a first vertical space and any existing electrical device contained therein below the first condenser sub-unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS, L.P.
    Inventors: Austin Michael Shelnutt, James D. Curlee, Richard Steven Mills
  • Patent number: 9195282
    Abstract: An immersion server includes: a first surface that is exposed when the server is submerged within a cooling liquid; and at least one vapor bubble deflector physically abutting the first surface and extending away from the first surface at an angle. The deflector divides the first surface into an upper segment and a lower segment when the server is upright. When the server is submerged, the cooling liquid surrounding the lower segment absorbs sufficient heat to evaporate and generate vapor bubbles rising to the liquid surface. The vapor bubble deflector deflects the rising vapor bubbles away from the surface of the upper segment. This enables superior liquid contact with heat dissipating components at the upper segment and better cooling of those components. The deflector can be a device-level deflector separating two or more components or a component-level deflector separating a lower segment from an upper segment of a single component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Austin Michael Shelnutt, James D. Curlee
  • Patent number: 9144179
    Abstract: An immersion cooling tank comprises: a dielectric liquid disposed within a lower volume of the tank; at least one electronic equipment immersed within the dielectric liquid and which requires electrical power to operate; and at least one power distribution unit and/or a bus bar distribution system submerged beneath a surface of the dielectric liquid and providing electrical power to the at least one electronic equipment. The immersion cooling tank further includes a condenser located vertically above the dielectric fluid and the at least one electronic equipment, and through which is flowing a condensation fluid that has a lower density than the dielectric liquid. A leak of the condensation fluid into the tank volume results in the condensation fluid floating atop the dielectric liquid and prevents the condensation liquid from coming into contact with the power distribution unit. The bus bar distribution system enables blind mating of inserted electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Austin Michael Shelnutt, James D. Curlee, Edmond I. Bailey, Joseph M. Sekel, John R. Stuewe, Richard Steven Mills
  • Patent number: 9049800
    Abstract: An information handling system includes: an immersion server drawer (ISD) having: an impervious enclosure which holds a volume of dielectric cooling liquid within/at the enclosure bottom. The ISD is configured with dimensions that enable insertion of liquid-cooled servers within the enclosure bottom. A plurality of liquid-cooled servers can be placed in a side-by-side configuration along one dimension of the ISD, with one or more heat dissipating components of the servers being placed below a surface layer of the cooling liquid. Submerged components of the immersion server are liquid-cooled, while the other heat generating components above the liquid surface are air cooled by rising vapor generated by boiling and vaporization of the cooling liquid. The ISD is placed in an ISD cabinet, which is configured with an upper condenser that allows for multi-phase cooling of the electronic devices placed within the immersion server drawer. The ISD cabinet can be rack-mountable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Austin Michael Shelnutt, James D. Curlee, Jimmy Pike, Joseph M. Sekel, Stephen P. Rousset, Joseph Vivio
  • Publication number: 20150062806
    Abstract: An information handling system includes: an immersion server drawer (ISD) having: an impervious enclosure which holds a volume of dielectric cooling liquid within/at the enclosure bottom. The ISD is configured with dimensions that enable insertion of liquid-cooled servers within the enclosure bottom. A plurality of liquid-cooled servers can be placed in a side-by-side configuration along one dimension of the ISD, with one or more heat dissipating components of the servers being placed below a surface layer of the cooling liquid. Submerged components of the immersion server are liquid-cooled, while the other heat generating components above the liquid surface are air cooled by rising vapor generated by boiling and vaporization of the cooling liquid. The ISD is placed in an ISD cabinet, which is configured with an upper condenser that allows for multi-phase cooling of the electronic devices placed within the immersion server drawer. The ISD cabinet can be rack-mountable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Austin Michael Shelnutt, James D. Curlee, Jimmy Pike, Joseph M. Sekel, Stephen P. Rousset, Joseph Vivio