Patents by Inventor James McKeever

James McKeever 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: 11622467
    Abstract: An assembly includes: a server rack; first side and second side outer rails attached to the rack and positionally fixed relative to the rack; a support device attached to the rack adjacent to a rear of the rack; a computer network switch having a port side positioned adjacent to the rear of the rack; and first side and second side inner rails attached to the network switch and positionally fixed relative to the network switch, the inner rails being slidably attached to the outer rails. The network switch is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and the support device is located such that the support device physically blocks the network switch from being removed from the rear of the server rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric James Mckeever, Edward J. Seminaro, David P. Graybill, Benjamin Lyndgaard, Wayne A. Barringer
  • Patent number: 11165183
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a connector cover and a lever arm coupled to the connector cover, the lever arm being shaped to accommodate a portion of an activating pin, wherein contact of the activating pin with the lever arm causes a movement of the connector cover from a first position to a second position. The apparatus includes a latch assembly comprising a clamp, the clamp in a clamped position preventing the connector cover from moving from the first position to a second position. The apparatus includes a first bracket with a first indentation, the first indentation being sized to accommodate a portion of a first locating pin, wherein an insertion of the first locating pin into the first indentation moves the clamp from the clamped position to an unclamped position, the unclamped position permitting the connector cover to move when activated by the insertion of the activating pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric James McKeever, Edward J. Seminaro, David P. Graybill, Thong N. Nguyen, Wayne A. Barringer
  • Publication number: 20210273367
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a connector cover and a lever arm coupled to the connector cover, the lever arm being shaped to accommodate a portion of an activating pin, wherein contact of the activating pin with the lever arm causes a movement of the connector cover from a first position to a second position. The apparatus includes a latch assembly comprising a clamp, the clamp in a clamped position preventing the connector cover from moving from the first position to a second position. The apparatus includes a first bracket with a first indentation, the first indentation being sized to accommodate a portion of a first locating pin, wherein an insertion of the first locating pin into the first indentation moves the clamp from the clamped position to an unclamped position, the unclamped position permitting the connector cover to move when activated by the insertion of the activating pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric James McKeever, Edward J. Seminaro, David P. Graybill, Thong N. Nguyen, Wayne A. Barringer
  • Publication number: 20210092859
    Abstract: An assembly includes: a server rack; first side and second side outer rails attached to the rack and positionally fixed relative to the rack; a support device attached to the rack adjacent to a rear of the rack; a computer network switch having a port side positioned adjacent to the rear of the rack; and first side and second side inner rails attached to the network switch and positionally fixed relative to the network switch, the inner rails being slidably attached to the outer rails. The network switch is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and the support device is located such that the support device physically blocks the network switch from being removed from the rear of the server rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Eric James MCKEEVER, Edward J. SEMINARO, David P. GRAYBILL, Benjamin LYNDGAARD, Wayne A. BARRINGER
  • Patent number: 8858250
    Abstract: A cable assembly structure, the structure including a connector having a connector body having a back end and a front end, a cam extending from and coupled to the back end of the connector body, a wire bundle extending from and coupled to the back end of the connector body; and a pair of guidance features extending from the front end of the connector body; and a receptacle having a receptacle body having a fixed end and an open end, and a pair of cam guides positioned on a top and a bottom surface of the receptacle. The cam is operable to couple the connector with the receptacle based on the guidance features aligning the connector with the receptacle, the cam guides being operable to receive the cam associated with the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Louis Brodsky, Mark Garrison Clark, Eric James McKeever, John G. Torok
  • Publication number: 20140080341
    Abstract: A cable assembly structure, the structure including a connector having a connector body having a back end and a front end, a cam extending from and coupled to the back end of the connector body, a wire bundle extending from and coupled to the back end of the connector body; and a pair of guidance features extending from the front end of the connector body; and a receptacle having a receptacle body having a fixed end and an open end, and a pair of cam guides positioned on a top and a bottom surface of the receptacle. The cam is operable to couple the connector with the receptacle based on the guidance features aligning the connector with the receptacle, the cam guides being operable to receive the cam associated with the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Louis Brodsky, Mark Garrison Clark, Eric James McKeever, John G. Torok
  • Publication number: 20120263559
    Abstract: A gap set device for an electronic component handler is provided. The electronic component handler includes a test accessory mounted to it. The test accessory is movable between a first position away from a tool and a second position closer to the tool. A gap set device is mounted to the test accessory and the tool and has a portion movable with respect to the test accessory. When the test accessory is in the second position, the portion of the gap set device contacts the component support structure to define a gap between the test accessory and the component support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRO SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: David James McKeever, Martin Frederick Bamberger, Blaine Michael, Doug J. Garcia
  • Patent number: 8231323
    Abstract: A gap set device for an electronic component handler is provided. The electronic component handler includes a linear bearing having a test accessory mounted to it. The test accessory is movable between a first position away from a tool and a second position closer to the tool. A setting post is extendable from the test accessory such that when the test accessory moves from the first position to the second position the setting post can fix a gap between the test accessory and the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David James McKeever, Martin Frederick Bamberger, Blaine Michael, Doug J. Garcia
  • Patent number: 7731146
    Abstract: An in-line node locking mechanism for supporting and locking a node within a rack system such forces applied on a node by the node locking mechanism generate consistent output forces. The in-line node locking mechanism utilizes dual swivel nuts and an in-line loading arrangement that evenly distributes forces along the length of a rail system to create evenly distributed forces and avoid the creation of stress points. An actuating screw causes the node locking mechanism to adjust between unlocked and locked positions. In the unlocked position, the mechanism causes the node to be lowered and move freely along the in-line rail system. In the locked position the mechanism causes the node to securely abut the rack system thereby locking the node within the rack system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Lee Colbert, Eric James Mckeever, John Allan Shurdalsvold, Daniel A. Wright
  • Publication number: 20100078397
    Abstract: An in-line node locking mechanism for supporting and locking a node within a rack system such forces applied on a node by the node locking mechanism generate consistent output forces. The in-line node locking mechanism utilizes dual swivel nuts and an in-line loading arrangement that evenly distributes forces along the length of a rail system to create evenly distributed forces and avoid the creation of stress points. An actuating screw causes the node locking mechanism to adjust between unlocked and locked positions. In the unlocked position, the mechanism causes the node to be lowered and move freely along the in-line rail system. In the locked position the mechanism causes the node to securely abut the rack system thereby locking the node within the rack system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Lee Colbert, Eric James Mckeever, John Allan Skurdalsvold, Daniel A. Wright
  • Publication number: 20080181751
    Abstract: A gap set device for an electronic component handler is provided. The electronic component handler includes a linear bearing having a test accessory mounted to it. The test accessory is movable between a first position away from a tool and a second position closer to the tool. A setting post is extendable from the test accessory such that when the test accessory moves from the first position to the second position the setting post can fix a gap between the test accessory and the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: ELECTRO SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: David James McKeever, Martin Frederick Bamberger, Blaine Michael, Doug J. Garcia
  • Publication number: 20070132188
    Abstract: A mechanical seal support system may facilitate feeding barrier fluid to a mechanical seal. A predetermined difference in pressure between the barrier fluid at a position before and after passage through the seal is detected. The flow of barrier fluid to the seal may be reduced when the predetermined pressure difference is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: Nadim Tahir, James McKeever
  • Publication number: 20060213574
    Abstract: A seal support system (1) for maintaining barrier fluid in a mechanical seal (2) comprising a vessel (10) for containing barrier fluid, feeding means for feeding barrier fluid between the vessel (10) and the mechanical seal (2), detecting means for automatically detecting barrier fluid within the vessel (10) and restoring means for automatically restoring barrier fluid within the vessel (10) and further comprising discharging means (100) for automatically draining barrier fluid from the vessel (10) after a predetermined period of time. The discharging means (100) may automatically drain barrier fluid from the vessel (10) for a predetermined period of time. The discharging means (100) may automatically drain barrier fluid from the vessel (10) with a predetermined rate of discharge. The discharging means (100) preferably comprise outlet means (120) for draining barrier fluid from the vessel (10) and a valve for automatically controlling the draining of barrier fluid from the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Applicant: AES Engineering LTD
    Inventors: James McKeever, Nadim Tahir, Desmond Hall
  • Publication number: 20050184464
    Abstract: A mechanical seal support system may facilitate feeding barrier fluid to a mechanical sea. A predetermined difference in pressure between the barrier fluid at a position before and after passage through the seal is detected. The flow of barrier fluid to the seal may be reduced when the predetermined pressure difference is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventors: Nadim Tahir, James McKeever
  • Publication number: 20050095978
    Abstract: A method of selecting a ventilation control strategy from among a plurality of ventilation control strategies. The method comprises the steps of: determining if a CO2 signal is present and valid; selecting a CO2 based ventilation control strategy if the CO2 signal is present and valid; selecting a second ventilation control strategy if the CO2 signal is not present or is invalid; and operating using the selected strategy. The selection step occurs in a zone controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: Brad Blunn, Tedd Johnson, Eugene Shedivy, James McKeever, Chad Bjorklund, Dwight Watercott
  • Publication number: 20050092368
    Abstract: A fluid flow control valve includes a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, which define a flowpath therebetween. Within the housing is a chamber located in the flowpath between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. A valve member is mounted within the chamber from movement between an open position, allowing for flow along the flowpath, and a closed position, which prevents such flow. The valve member is biassed to the open position. The fluid control valve further includes a device for regulating fluid pressure to enable the fluid pressure to be set on the inlet side of the valve member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: Nadim Tahir, James McKeever