Patents by Inventor Matthew L. Nickerson

Matthew L. Nickerson 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: 9519738
    Abstract: Selectively tuning frequency modes of a structure, including: identifying, by a finite element analysis module, a plurality of frequency modes of the structure; and selectively altering, by the finite element analysis module, a target frequency mode a greater amount than the other frequency modes of the structure, including modifying a local attribute of a portion of the structure associated with the target frequency mode without modifying the attribute over the entire structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: James A. Cooke, Kenton C. Green, Michael S. Green, Matthew L. Nickerson
  • Publication number: 20160275313
    Abstract: An apparatus for encrypting processor related noise is disclosed. A method and a computer program product also perform the functions of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a frequency selection module that selects frequencies for a first noise output. The frequencies are within a range of frequencies of a second noise output. The second noise output is produced by one or more first voltage regulating modules providing power to a processor. The apparatus includes an amplitude selection module that selects an amplitude for each frequency of the first noise output. The apparatus includes a noise scrambling module that produces the first noise output based on one or both of the frequency selection module and the amplitude selection module. The first noise output combines with the second noise output to produce a third noise output such that coherence between the third noise output and operations of the processor is below a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew L. Nickerson, Zachary B. Durham, William M. Megarity, Brian C. Totten
  • Patent number: 9430676
    Abstract: An apparatus for encrypting processor related noise is disclosed. A method and a computer program product also perform the functions of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a frequency selection module that selects frequencies for a first noise output. The frequencies are within a range of frequencies of a second noise output. The second noise output is produced by one or more first voltage regulating modules providing power to a processor. The apparatus includes an amplitude selection module that selects an amplitude for each frequency of the first noise output. The apparatus includes a noise scrambling module that produces the first noise output based on one or both of the frequency selection module and the amplitude selection module. The first noise output combines with the second noise output to produce a third noise output such that coherence between the third noise output and operations of the processor is below a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: LENOVO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Nickerson, Zachary B. Durham, William M. Megarity, Brian C. Totten
  • Patent number: 9288892
    Abstract: A transversely actuated piezoelectric bellows heatsink (TAPBH) has a linkage that includes multiple rigid sections coupled by flexible joints. A first fixed support is affixed to a first end of the linkage, and a piezoelectric element is mechanically coupled to a second end of the linkage. A diaphragm is mechanically affixed to a first side of the linkage, and an air enclosure, having an open area, is affixed to the diaphragm. A second fixed support is mechanically affixed to a second side of the linkage. Cyclic power from the power supply causes the piezoelectric element to expand and contract to force the linkage to expand and contract in an analogous manner, thus causing the diaphragm to move in an amplified motion to cause air to enter and be expelled from the air enclosure via air valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Zachary B. Durham, William M. Megarity, Matthew L. Nickerson, Brian C. Totten
  • Publication number: 20150351215
    Abstract: A transversely actuated piezoelectric bellows heatsink (TAPBH) has a linkage that includes multiple rigid sections coupled by flexible joints. A first fixed support is affixed to a first end of the linkage, and a piezoelectric element is mechanically coupled to a second end of the linkage. A diaphragm is mechanically affixed to a first side of the linkage, and an air enclosure, having an open area, is affixed to the diaphragm. A second fixed support is mechanically affixed to a second side of the linkage. Cyclic power from the power supply causes the piezoelectric element to expand and contract to force the linkage to expand and contract in an analogous manner, thus causing the diaphragm to move in an amplified motion to cause air to enter and be expelled from the air enclosure via air valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: ZACHARY B. DURHAM, WILLIAM M. MEGARITY, MATTHEW L. NICKERSON, BRIAN C. TOTTEN
  • Patent number: 8917504
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for modifying the spatial orientation of a thermal acoustic panel of a computing enclosure rack are provided. Embodiments include receiving, by a configuration controller, a configuration preference from a user; identifying, by the configuration controller, a spatial orientation configuration corresponding to the configuration preference received from the user; and coordinating, by the configuration controller, movement of the thermal acoustic panel relative to a body of the computing enclosure rack in accordance with the identified spatial orientation configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Billy W. Medlin, Matthew L. Nickerson, Nitin N. Pai
  • Publication number: 20140278288
    Abstract: Selectively tuning frequency modes of a structure, including: identifying, by a finite element analysis module, a plurality of frequency modes of the structure; and selectively altering, by the finite element analysis module, a target frequency mode a greater amount than the other frequency modes of the structure, including modifying a local attribute of a portion of the structure associated with the target frequency mode without modifying the attribute over the entire structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James A. Cooke, Kenton C. Green, Michael S. Green, Matthew L. Nickerson
  • Patent number: 8826049
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method of controlling memory in a computer system. Airflow is generated through an enclosure at a variable airflow rate to cool a plurality of memory banks at different locations within the enclosure. The airflow rate is controlled as a function of the temperature of one or more of the memory banks. Memory workload is selectively allocated to the memory banks according to expected differences in airflow, such as differences in airflow temperature, at each of the different locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ganesh Balakrishnan, Bejoy J. Kochuparambil, Matthew L. Nickerson, Aparna Vallury
  • Publication number: 20130229771
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for modifying the spatial orientation of a thermal acoustic panel of a computing enclosure rack are provided. Embodiments include receiving, by a configuration controller, a configuration preference from a user; identifying, by the configuration controller, a spatial orientation configuration corresponding to the configuration preference received from the user; and coordinating, by the configuration controller, movement of the thermal acoustic panel relative to a body of the computing enclosure rack in accordance with the identified spatial orientation configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Billy W. Medlin, Matthew L. Nickerson, Nitin N. Pai
  • Publication number: 20120164007
    Abstract: A reduced-vibration air mover assembly comprises a first blade housing to support a first motor housing and a first motor through a first set of struts, the first motor rotatably coupled to a first blade, and a second blade housing to support a second motor housing and a second motor through a second set of struts, the second motor rotatably coupled to a second blade, and a layer of damping material having a first surface adhered to at least one of the first motor housing, the first set of struts and the first blade housing, and a second surface adhered to at least one of the second motor housing, the second set of struts and the second blade housing. A method of reducing vibration transfer to a computer chassis comprises adhesively securing a layer of damping material intermediate a first air mover and a second air mover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric T. Gamble, Kenton C. Green, Billy W. Medlin, Matthew L. Nickerson
  • Publication number: 20120124590
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method of controlling memory in a computer system. Airflow is generated through an enclosure at a variable airflow rate to cool a plurality of memory banks at different locations within the enclosure. The airflow rate is controlled as a function of the temperature of one or more of the memory banks. Memory workload is selectively allocated to the memory banks according to expected differences in airflow, such as differences in airflow temperature, at each of the different locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ganesh Balakrishnan, Bejoy J. Kochuparambil, Matthew L. Nickerson, Aparna Vallury