Patents by Inventor Milnes P. DAVID

Milnes P. DAVID 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: 9148983
    Abstract: Methods are provided for automated coolant flow control for, for instance, facilitating cooling of multiple different electronic systems. The methods include, for instance, automatically controlling coolant flow to a plurality of coolant circuits, and for a coolant circuit i of the coolant circuits: automatically determining the heat load transferred to coolant flowing through coolant circuit i, and automatically controlling coolant flow through coolant circuit i based on the determined heat load transferred to the coolant. The different coolant circuits may have the same or different coolant flow impedances, and flow through the different coolant circuits may be controlled using different heat load-to-coolant ranges for the different circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 9110476
    Abstract: Energy efficient control of a cooling system cooling an electronic system is provided based, in part, on projected conditions. The control includes automatically determining an adjusted control setting(s) for an adjustable cooling component(s) of the cooling system. The automatically determining is based, at least in part, on projected power consumed by the electronic system at a future time and projected temperature at the future time of a heat sink to which heat extracted is rejected. The automatically determining operates to reduce power consumption of the cooling system and/or the electronic system while ensuring that at least one targeted temperature associated with the cooling system or the electronic system is within a desired range. The automatically determining may be based, at least in part, on an experimentally obtained model(s) relating the targeted temperature and power consumption of the adjustable cooling component(s) of the cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Milnes P. David, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9113581
    Abstract: Apparatuses are provided for cooling an electronic component(s), which include a heat sink coupled to the electronic component(s), and having a coolant-carrying channel for a first coolant. The first coolant provides two-phase cooling to the electronic component(s), and is discharged from the heat sink as coolant exhaust, which includes coolant vapor. The apparatus further includes a node-level condensation module coupled to the heat sink to receive the coolant exhaust. The condensation module is cooled via a second coolant, and facilitates condensing the coolant vapor in the coolant exhaust. A controller automatically controls the liquid-cooling of the heat sink and/or the liquid-cooling of the node-level condensation module. A control valve adjusts a flow rate of the second coolant of the node-level condensation module, with the valve being automatically controlled by the controller based on a characterization of the coolant vapor in the coolant exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 9102021
    Abstract: A heat sink, and cooled electronic structure and cooled electronics apparatus utilizing the heat sink are provided. The heat sink is fabricated of a thermally conductive structure which includes one or more coolant-carrying channels coupled to facilitate the flow of coolant through the coolant-carrying channel(s). The heat sink further includes a membrane associated with the coolant-carrying channel(s). The membrane includes at least one vapor-permeable region, which overlies a portion of the coolant-carrying channel(s) and facilitates removal of vapor from the coolant-carrying channel(s), and at least one orifice coupled to inject coolant onto at least one surface of the coolant-carrying channel(s) intermediate opposite ends of the channel(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 9095942
    Abstract: Cooling apparatus and methods are provided for facilitating cooling of electronic components of an electronic system. The cooling apparatus includes a housing at least partially surrounding and forming a compartment about the components, and an immersion-cooling fluid is disposed within the compartment. At least one component of the electronic system is at least partially non-immersed within the fluid in the compartment. A wicking film element is physically coupled to a main surface of the at least one component and partially disposed within the fluid within the compartment. A coupling element physically couples the wicking film element to the main surface of the at least one component without the coupling element overlying the main surface of the component(s). As an enhancement, the wicking film element wraps over the component to physically couple to two opposite main sides of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 9095889
    Abstract: Thermoelectric-enhanced air and liquid cooling of an electronic system is facilitated by providing a cooling apparatus which includes a liquid-cooled structure in thermal communication with an electronic component(s), and liquid-to-liquid and air-to-liquid heat exchangers coupled in series fluid communication via a coolant loop, which includes first and second loop portions coupled in parallel. The liquid-cooled structure is supplied coolant via the first loop portion, and a thermoelectric array is disposed with the first and second loop portions in thermal contact with first and second sides of the array. The thermoelectric array operates to transfer heat from coolant passing through the first loop portion to coolant passing through the second loop portion, and cools coolant passing through the first loop portion before the coolant passes through the liquid-cooled structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 9101078
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus and method are provided for cooling an electronics rack. The cooling apparatus includes an air-cooled cooling station, which has a liquid-to-air heat exchanger and ducting for directing a cooling airflow across the heat exchanger. A cooling subsystem is associated with the electronics rack, and includes a liquid-cooled condenser facilitating immersion-cooling of electronic components of the electronics rack, a liquid-cooled structure providing conductive cooling to electronic components of the electronics rack, or an air-to-liquid heat exchanger associated with the rack and cooling airflow passing through the electronics rack. A coolant loop couples the cooling subsystem to the liquid-to-air heat exchanger. In operation, heat is transferred via circulating coolant from the electronics rack, and rejected in the liquid-to-air heat exchanger of the cooling station to the cooling airflow passing across the liquid-to-air heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the cooling airflow is outdoor air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 9089936
    Abstract: A heat sink, and cooled electronic structure and cooled electronics apparatus utilizing the heat sink are provided. The heat sink is fabricated of a thermally conductive structure which includes one or more coolant-carrying channels coupled to facilitate the flow of coolant through the coolant-carrying channel(s). The heat sink further includes a membrane associated with the coolant-carrying channel(s). The membrane includes at least one vapor-permeable region, which overlies a portion of the coolant-carrying channel(s) and facilitates removal of vapor from the coolant-carrying channel(s), and at least one orifice coupled to inject coolant onto at least one surface of the coolant-carrying channel(s) intermediate opposite ends of the channel(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 9078379
    Abstract: A method is provided for facilitating extraction of heat from a heat-generating electronic component. The method includes providing a heat sink, the heat sink including a thermally conductive structure which has one or more coolant-carrying channels and one or more vapor-condensing channels. A membrane is disposed between the coolant-carrying channel(s) and the vapor-condensing channel(s). The membrane includes at least one vapor-permeable region, at least a portion of which overlies a portion of the coolant-carrying channel(s) and facilitates removal of vapor from the coolant-carrying channel(s) to the vapor-condensing channel(s). The heat sink further includes one or more coolant inlets coupled to provide a first liquid coolant flow to the coolant-carrying channel(s), and a second liquid coolant flow to condense vapor within the vapor-condensing channel(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 9075582
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus and method are provided for cooling one or more electronic components of an electronic subsystem of an electronics rack. The cooling apparatus includes a heat sink, which is configured to couple to an electronic component, and which includes a coolant-carrying channel for coolant to flow therethrough. The coolant provides two-phase cooling to the electronic component, and is discharged from the heat sink as coolant exhaust which comprises coolant vapor to be condensed. The cooling apparatus further includes a node-level condensation module, associated with the electronic subsystem, and coupled in fluid communication with the heat sink to receive the coolant exhaust from the heat sink. The condensation module is liquid-cooled, and facilitates condensing of the coolant vapor in the coolant exhaust. A controller automatically controls the liquid-cooling of the heat sink and/or the liquid-cooling of the node-level condensation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 9067288
    Abstract: A heat sink, and cooled electronic structure and cooled electronics apparatus utilizing the heat sink are provided. The heat sink is fabricated of a thermally conductive structure which includes one or more coolant-carrying channels coupled to facilitate the flow of coolant through the coolant-carrying channel(s). The heat sink further includes a membrane associated with the coolant-carrying channel(s). The membrane includes at least one vapor-permeable region, which overlies a portion of the coolant-carrying channel(s) and facilitates removal of vapor from the coolant-carrying channel(s), and at least one orifice coupled to inject coolant onto at least one surface of the coolant-carrying channel(s) intermediate opposite ends of the channel(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 9069532
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus and method are provided for cooling one or more electronic components of an electronic subsystem of an electronics rack. The cooling apparatus includes a heat sink, which is configured to couple to an electronic component, and which includes a coolant-carrying channel for coolant to flow therethrough. The coolant provides two-phase cooling to the electronic component, and is discharged from the heat sink as coolant exhaust which comprises coolant vapor to be condensed. The cooling apparatus further includes a node-level condensation module, associated with the electronic subsystem, and coupled in fluid communication with the heat sink to receive the coolant exhaust from the heat sink. The condensation module is liquid-cooled, and facilitates condensing of the coolant vapor in the coolant exhaust. A controller automatically controls the liquid-cooling of the heat sink and/or the liquid-cooling of the node-level condensation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madusudan K. Iyengar, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 9061383
    Abstract: A heat sink, and cooled electronic structure and cooled electronics apparatus utilizing the heat sink are provided. The heat sink is fabricated of a thermally conductive structure which includes one or more coolant-carrying channels coupled to facilitate the flow of coolant through the coolant-carrying channel(s). The heat sink further includes a membrane associated with the coolant-carrying channel(s). The membrane includes at least one vapor-permeable region, which overlies a portion of the coolant-carrying channel(s) and facilitates removal of vapor from the coolant-carrying channel(s), and at least one orifice coupled to inject coolant onto at least one surface of the coolant-carrying channel(s) intermediate opposite ends of the channel(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 9061382
    Abstract: A heat sink, and cooled electronic structure and cooled electronics apparatus utilizing the heat sink are provided. The heat sink is fabricated of a thermally conductive structure which includes one or more coolant-carrying channels coupled to facilitate the flow of coolant through the coolant-carrying channel(s). The heat sink further includes a membrane associated with the coolant-carrying channel(s). The membrane includes at least one vapor-permeable region, which overlies a portion of the coolant-carrying channel(s) and facilitates removal of vapor from the coolant-carrying channel(s), and at least one orifice coupled to inject coolant onto at least one surface of the coolant-carrying channel(s) intermediate opposite ends of the channel(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madusudan K. Iyengar, Robert E. Simons
  • Publication number: 20150173251
    Abstract: Cooling apparatuses, cooled electronic modules, and methods of fabrication are provided which facilitate heat transfer from an electronic component(s). The cooling apparatus includes a liquid-cooled heat sink with a thermally conductive structure having a coolant-carrying compartment including a region of reduced cross-sectional coolant flow area. The heat sink includes a coolant inlet and outlet in fluid communication with the compartment, and the region of reduced cross-sectional coolant flow area provides an increased effective heat transfer coefficient between a main heat transfer surface of the conductive structure and the coolant. The cooling apparatus further includes a coolant loop coupled to the coolant inlet and outlet to facilitate flow of coolant through the coolant-carrying compartment, and a coolant filter positioned to filter contaminants from the coolant passing through the heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Milnes P. DAVID, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, Jr., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Roger R. SCHMIDT, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Patent number: 9052722
    Abstract: Cooling methods are provided which include providing: one or more coolant-cooled structures associated with an electronics rack, a coolant loop coupled in fluid communication with one or more passages of the coolant-cooled structure(s), one or more heat exchange units coupled to facilitate heat transfer from coolant within the coolant loop, and N controllable components associated with the coolant loop or the heat exchange unit(s), wherein N?1. The N controllable components facilitate circulation of coolant through the coolant loop or transfer of heat from the coolant via the heat exchange unit(s). A controller is also provided to dynamically adjust operation of the N controllable components, based on Z input parameters and one or more specified constraints, and provide a specified cooling to the coolant-cooled structure(s), while limiting energy consumed by the N controllable components, wherein Z?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy J. Chainer, Milnes P. David, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Pritish R. Parida, Roger R. Schmidt, Mark D. Schultz
  • Patent number: 9042098
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus for an electronics rack is provided which includes a door assembly coupled to the electronics rack at an inlet or air outlet side of the rack. The door assembly includes: an airflow opening configured to facilitate ingress or egress of airflow through the electronics rack with the door assembly mounted to the rack; an air-to-coolant heat exchanger disposed so that airflow through the airflow opening passes across the air-to-coolant heat exchanger, the air-to-coolant heat exchanger being configured to extract heat from the airflow passing thereacross; and a vapor condenser configured to facilitate condensing of dielectric fluid vapor egressing from at least one immersion-cooled electronic component section of the electronics rack. The cooling apparatus, including the door assembly, facilitates air-cooling and immersion-cooling of different electronic components of the electronics rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 9043035
    Abstract: Cooling apparatuses and methods are provided which include one or more coolant-cooled structures associated with an electronics rack, a coolant loop coupled in fluid communication with one or more passages of the coolant-cooled structure(s), one or more heat exchange units coupled to facilitate heat transfer from coolant within the coolant loop, and N controllable components associated with the coolant loop or the heat exchange unit(s), wherein N?1. The N controllable components facilitate circulation of coolant through the coolant loop or transfer of heat from the coolant via the heat exchange unit(s). A controller is coupled to the N controllable components, and dynamically adjusts operation of the N controllable components, based on Z input parameters and one or more specified constraints, to provide a specified cooling to the coolant-cooled structure(s), while limiting energy consumed by the N controllable components, wherein Z?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy J. Chainer, Milnes P. David, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Pritish R. Parida, Roger R. Schmidt, Mark D. Schultz
  • Patent number: 9042099
    Abstract: A method is provided which includes providing a cooling apparatus which includes a door assembly coupled to the electronics rack at an inlet or air outlet side of the rack. The door assembly includes: an airflow opening configured to facilitate ingress or egress of airflow through the electronics rack with the door assembly mounted to the rack; an air-to-coolant heat exchanger disposed so that airflow through the airflow opening passes across the air-to-coolant heat exchanger, the air-to-coolant heat exchanger being configured to extract heat from the airflow passing thereacross; and a vapor condenser configured to facilitate condensing of dielectric fluid vapor egressing from at least one immersion-cooled electronic component section of the electronics rack. The cooling apparatus, including the door assembly, facilitates air-cooling and immersion-cooling of different electronic components of the electronics rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 9025331
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus for an electronics rack is provided which includes a door assembly configured to couple to an air inlet side of the electronics rack. The door assembly includes: one or more airflow openings facilitating passage of airflow through the door assembly and into the electronics rack; one or more air-to-coolant heat exchangers disposed so that airflow through the airflow opening(s) passes across the heat exchanger(s), which is configured to extract heat from airflow passing thereacross; and one or more airflow redistributors disposed in a direction of airflow through the airflow opening(s) downstream of, and at least partially aligned to, the heat exchanger(s). The airflow redistributor(s) facilitates redistribution of the airflow passing across the air-to-liquid heat exchanger(s) to a desired airflow pattern at the air inlet side of the electronics rack, such as a uniform airflow distribution across the air inlet side of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons, Daniel E. Zambrano