Patents by Inventor James S. Spitaels

James S. Spitaels 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: 7911083
    Abstract: A power supply system includes an AC power line with an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) device coupled to receive power from the AC power line. The UPS includes control circuitry that couples power conversion circuitry of the UPS to the AC power line when the available AC power is acceptable. The power supply system also includes a second UPS device coupled to receive power from the AC power line. The second UPS includes a timer delay, such that the control circuitry is configured to couple power conversion circuitry to the AC power line when the available AC power is acceptable, and upon expiration of the timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel C. Cohen, David A. Colucci, James S. Spitaels, Mark R. Melanson
  • Publication number: 20110066696
    Abstract: One aspect relates to a communication protocol for communicating between one or more entities, such as devices, hosts or any other system capable of communicating over a network. A protocol is provided that allows communication between entities without a priori knowledge of the communication protocol. In such a protocol, for example, information describing a data structure of the communication protocol is transferred between communicating entities. Further, an authentication protocol is provided for providing bidirectional authentication between communicating entities. In one specific example, the entities include a master device and a slave device coupled by a serial link. In another specific example, the communication protocol may be used for performing unbalanced transmission between communicating entities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel C. Cohen, James S. Spitaels, David A. Colucci, Matthew Fletcher Bush, C. Michael Hoff, Robert Joseph Backofen, Vishwas Mohaniraj Deokar
  • Publication number: 20100297874
    Abstract: A multi-port cabling system for use in installing cable to an equipment rack or enclosure or within an equipment room or data center includes a cabling assembly comprising at least one connector head having a plurality of ports and at least one cable operatively connected to the plurality of ports. The at least one cable terminates internally within the connector head to operatively couple the cable to the plurality of ports. The system further includes a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket and the connector head are each configured for tool-less attachment of one or more cabling assemblies to the bracket. The mounting bracket is further configured to removably mount to an equipment rack or enclosure, and/or to a wall, to thereby install one or more cables. The cabling assembly and the cabling system help to eliminate on-site cable termination and testing during installation of cables to rack-mounted equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION
    Inventors: James S. Spitaels, Daniel Bryan
  • Publication number: 20100244567
    Abstract: A system for guiding a user through a procedure corresponding to installing a battery in a UPS that is associated with the system. The system includes at least one programmed processor embedded within the UPS. The programmed processor is configured to retrieve at least one stored procedure corresponding to installing the battery in the UPS including at least one step to be performed by the user. The system further includes at least one device embedded within the UPS to provide information regarding a status indicator of the battery of the UPS. The programmed processor and the device are operatively coupled such that the programmed processor receives at least a portion of the information of the battery from the device. The system further includes a user interface forming part of the UPS. The user interface is coupled to the programmed processor for displaying the step of the stored procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyle Brookshire, James S. Spitaels, Vishwas Mohaniraj Deokar, Fred William Rodenhiser
  • Publication number: 20100246101
    Abstract: A system and method for altering a user interface of a power device is provided. The user interface includes an interface structure. The method includes acts of receiving user preference information, determining additional configuration information of the power device, adapting the interface structure based at least in part on the user preference information and the additional configuration information and providing at least a portion of the adapted interface structure to a user via the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vishwas Mohaniraj Deokar, James S. Spitaels, Himanshu Trivedi, Fred W. Rodenhiser, Kyle Brookshire
  • Publication number: 20100244566
    Abstract: A system and method for directing a user to configure a power device via an alphanumeric user interface is provided. The power device may include data storage storing a plurality of operational parameters. The method includes acts of prompting, during an initial power-up of the power device, a user to enter an indication of quality of power supplied to the power device, receiving the indication via the user interface, determining a first value for each of the plurality of operational parameters of the power device based at least in part on the indication and applying each first value of the plurality of operational parameters to the power device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Spitaels, Kyle Brookshire, Vishwas Mohaniraj Deokar, Fred W. Rodenhiser, Himanshu Trivedi
  • Publication number: 20100250160
    Abstract: A power device, such as a UPS, and a method for gathering system information using the power device are provided. In one aspect, a UPS receives system information associated with at least one other device, the system information including configuration management information, stores, in data storage, the system information associated with the at least one other device and provides the system information to an external entity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Spitaels, Vishwas Mohaniraj Deokar, Kyle Brookshire, Fred William Rodenhiser
  • Publication number: 20100250192
    Abstract: A method for estimating an efficiency of a power device includes identifying a state of operation of the power device, measuring power-related information produced by the power device, and determining an estimated efficiency of the power device based in part on the state of operation of the power device and power loss parameters associated with the power device by using the measured power-related information. Other methods and devices for measuring efficiency are further disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vishwas Mohaniraj Deokar, James S. Spitaels, Fred W. Rodenhiser, Lynn Ernest Schultz, Kyle Brookshire
  • Publication number: 20100250805
    Abstract: One aspect relates to a communication protocol for communicating between one or more entities, such as devices, hosts or any other system capable of communicating over a network. Another aspect relates to a system architecture that permits more than one slave system (e.g., a slave device) to be connected to a master system (e.g., a master device) in a communication system implementing a master/slave protocol. In one aspect, a pass-through device is provided that facilitates communication and authentication to one or more downstream slave devices. Yet another aspect relates to a star-based configuration of slave devices coupled to the master, and protocols for communicating and authenticating slave devices. Another aspect relates to a protocol that allows communication between entities without a priori knowledge of the communication protocol. In such a protocol, for example, information describing a data structure of the communication protocol is transferred between communicating entities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel C. Cohen, David A. Colucci, Mark R. Melanson, James S. Spitaels, Vishwas Mohaniraj Deokar
  • Publication number: 20100244571
    Abstract: Aspects in accord with the present invention are directed to a system or method for changing power states of an uninterruptible power supply. In one aspect, the present invention features a method of monitoring a power state of a power device. The method may comprise receiving from one of a plurality of sources a request to change the power state of the power device, initiating a change of power state based on the request, logging an identity of the one of the plurality of sources requesting the change of power state, a type of change of power state, and a time of change of power state, and communicating through a user interface the identity of the one of the plurality of sources requesting the change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: James S. Spitaels, Vishwas Mohaniraj Deokar, Kyle Brookshire, Fred William Rodenhiser
  • Patent number: 7796589
    Abstract: One aspect relates to a communication protocol for communicating between one or more entities, such as devices, hosts or any other system capable of communicating over a network. A protocol is provided that allows communication between entities without a priori knowledge of the communication protocol. In such a protocol, for example, information describing a data structure of the communication protocol is transferred between communicating entities. Further, an authentication protocol is provided for providing bidirectional authentication between communicating entities. In one specific example, the entities include a master device and a slave device coupled by a serial link. In another specific example, the communication protocol may be used for performing unbalanced transmission between communicating entities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel C. Cohen, James S. Spitaels, David A. Colucci, Matthew Fletcher Bush, C. Michael Hoff, Robert Joseph Backofen, Vishwas Mohaniraj Deokar
  • Patent number: 7786618
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a UPS includes an input configured to be coupled to an AC power source, a DC power source, an output configured to receive power from at least one of the AC power source and the DC power source, a first switched receptacle outlet coupled to the output and configured to be coupled to a first electrical load and a second receptacle outlet coupled to the output and configured to be coupled to a second electrical load. According to some embodiments, the UPS also includes a control unit configurable to provide a first configuration associated with the first switched receptacle outlet, where the first configuration is employed by the control unit to control a connection of the first switched receptacle outlet to the output independent of the second receptacle outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel C. Cohen, David A. Colucci, Mark R. Melanson, James S. Spitaels
  • Patent number: 7682187
    Abstract: A multi-port cabling system for use in installing cable to an equipment rack or enclosure or within an equipment room or data center includes a cabling assembly comprising at least one connector head having a plurality of ports and at least one cable operatively connected to the plurality of ports. The at least one cable terminates internally within the connector head to operatively couple the cable to the plurality of ports. The system further includes a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket and the connector head are each configured for tool-less attachment of one or more cabling assemblies to the bracket. The mounting bracket is further configured to removably mount to an equipment rack or enclosure, and/or to a wall, to thereby install one or more cables. The cabling assembly and the cabling system help to eliminate on-site cable termination and testing during installation of cables to rack-mounted equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Spitaels, Daniel Bryan
  • Publication number: 20100045107
    Abstract: A power supply system includes an AC power line with an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) device coupled to receive power from the AC power line. The UPS includes control circuitry that couples power conversion circuitry of the UPS to the AC power line when the available AC power is acceptable. The power supply system also includes a second UPS device coupled to receive power from the AC power line. The second UPS includes a timer delay, such that the control circuitry is configured to couple power conversion circuitry to the AC power line when the available AC power is acceptable, and upon expiration of the timer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel C. Cohen, David A. Colucci, James S. Spitaels, Mark R. Melanson
  • Publication number: 20090251002
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a UPS includes an input configured to be coupled to an AC power source, a DC power source, an output configured to receive power from at least one of the AC power source and the DC power source, a first switched receptacle outlet coupled to the output and configured to be coupled to a first electrical load and a second receptacle outlet coupled to the output and configured to be coupled to a second electrical load. According to some embodiments, the UPS also includes a control unit configurable to provide a first configuration associated with the first switched receptacle outlet, where the first configuration is employed by the control unit to control a connection of the first switched receptacle outlet to the output independent of the second receptacle outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel C. Cohen, David A. Colucci, Mark R. Melanson, James S. Spitaels
  • Publication number: 20090178991
    Abstract: “A blanking panel is provided for use with equipment racks or enclosures that house electronic components, and is configured to facilitate installation of the panel with a pair of vertical mounting rails or flanges of a rack or enclosure without the use of tools or other hardware. The blanking panel is constructed of one or more materials and/or defines one or more configurations such that when the blanking panel is installed into a rack or enclosure, portions of a body of the blanking panel interface with a surface of an equipment component or another blanking panel installed above or below the blanking panel to thereby form an air seal there between, which helps to reduce or prevent hot exhaust air from mixing with cooling air within a rack or enclosure, and further helps to reduce or prevent cooling air from bypassing equipment components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil Rasmussen, James S. Spitaels, Jeffrey Lee Mattlin, William Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20090142965
    Abstract: A multi-port cabling system for use in installing cable to an equipment rack or enclosure or within an equipment room or data center includes a cabling assembly comprising at least one connector head having a plurality of ports and at least one cable operatively connected to the plurality of ports. The at least one cable terminates internally within the connector head to operatively couple the cable to the plurality of ports. The system further includes a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket and the connector head are each configured for tool-less attachment of one or more cabling assemblies to the bracket. The mounting bracket is further configured to removably mount to an equipment rack or enclosure, and/or to a wall, to thereby install one or more cables. The cabling assembly and the cabling system help to eliminate on-site cable termination and testing during installation of cables to rack-mounted equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION
    Inventors: James S. Spitaels, Daniel Bryan
  • Patent number: 7506768
    Abstract: A blanking panel is provided for use with equipment racks or enclosures that house electronic components, and is configured to facilitate installation of the panel with a pair of vertical mounting rails or flanges of a rack or enclosure without the use of tools or other hardware. The blanking panel is constructed of one or more materials and/or defines one or more configurations such that when the blanking panel is installed into a rack or enclosure, portions of a body of the blanking panel interface with a surface of an equipment component or another blanking panel installed above or below the blanking panel to thereby form an air seal there between, which helps to reduce or prevent hot exhaust air from mixing with cooling air within a rack or enclosure, and further helps to reduce or prevent cooling air from bypassing equipment components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Rassmussen, James S. Spitaels, Jeffrey Lee Mattlin, William Ziegler
  • Patent number: 7488202
    Abstract: A multi-port cabling system for use in installing cable to an equipment rack or enclosure or within an equipment room or data center includes a cabling assembly comprising at least one connector head having a plurality of ports and at least one cable operatively connected to the plurality of ports. The at least one cable terminates internally within the connector head to operatively couple the cable to the plurality of ports. The system further includes a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket and the connector head are each configured for tool-less attachment of one or more cabling assemblies to the bracket. The mounting bracket is further configured to removably mount to an equipment rack or enclosure, and/or to a wall, to thereby install one or more cables. The cabling assembly and the cabling system help to eliminate on-site cable termination and testing during installation of cables to rack-mounted equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Spitaels, Daniel Bryan
  • Patent number: 7293666
    Abstract: An equipment enclosure for housing electronic components includes a front assembly having a front frame, the front assembly defining a front of the enclosure, and a rear assembly having a rear frame. The enclosure further includes at least two side brace members, each side brace member having a first end and a second, opposite end. A first connector is configured to releasably connect the first end of one of the side brace members to the front frame. A second connector is configured to releasably connect the second end of the one of the side brace members to the rear frame. Other embodiments and methods are further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lee Mattlin, Joseph H. Bergesch, Kevin Neil Thomas, Paul Thomas Smith, James S. Spitaels, Daniel Bryan