Patents by Inventor Stephen E. Wheeler

Stephen E. Wheeler 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: 5652410
    Abstract: A conductive insert for protecting an externally mounted microelectronic device is disclosed. The conductive insert is designed to prevent ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) or RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) destruction or inoperability of the microelectronic device. The conductive insert includes a first exterior surface and a second interior surface. The second interior surface has a conductor material applied thereon for providing ESD or RFI protection to the externally mounted electronic device. To protect the externally mounted microelectronic device, the conductive insert mounts within a mounting plate for covering the externally mounted electronic device. Instead of having a conductive material applied to the interior surface, the conductive insert may be manufactured from a conductive material initially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven P. Hobbs, Stephen E. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 5600565
    Abstract: Each item a system or order group carries a label having, in addition to a predetermined primary code denoting its item type, another, secondary, code representing a random identifier for that individual item. When a system or order group is to be packaged, a worker selects each item according to a list, scans its label, and physically places the item with the order group. The predetermined primary and random secondary codes are compared with those of previous items in the same order group. A complete match with the codes of another item in the same group causes the item to be rejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Wagner, Stephen E. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 5031075
    Abstract: A double-sided central electronics complex (CEC) is provided for increasing the logic card density in a logic cage or CEC. Specifically, two logic cages or sub-enclosures are integrated, sharing one backplane card so that logic elements may be plugged into the CEC from both sides. The CEC is formed by unitary sheet metal side plates, top and bottom cast or guides and a single double-sided backplane assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne J. Casanova, William D. Corfits, Roger F. Dimmick, Gary A. Thompson, James R. Thorpe, Stephen E. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 5023754
    Abstract: A double-sided backplane assembly is provided for increasing the logic element density in a logic cage or CEC. The backplane assembly is multi-layered with a backplane card centrally located between a stiffener and an EMC shield affixed to each side thereof. Connectors for connecting logic elements to the backplane card are provided on both sides of the backplane card, so that a logic cage having two sub-cages may be provided, the two sub-cages sharing the one backplane assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Conrad J. Aug, Wayne J. Casanova, William D. Corfits, Roger F. Dimmick, Stephen E. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 4984133
    Abstract: An enclosure is provided for containing the logic elements and ancillary components for computing systems. The enclosure is a unitized central electronics enclosure (CEC) wherein the primary structural element is the enclosure for the logic elements. This enclosure or logic cage includes unitary side plates, a double-sided backplane and top and bottom cast guides. The integrated structural and enclosure functions accommodate the structural needs of a CEC, as well as containing and supporting the logic elements and ancillary equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne J. Casanova, Arthur P. Reckinger, Jr., Michael D. Seyfert, James R. Thorpe, Stephen E. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 4922125
    Abstract: A data processing system is shown packaged in an enclosure wherein the system frame or chassis and a cable carrier are separately fabricated and thereafter merged to provide an enclosure with open ends and a central cable carrier that mounts connections for the system components. The system components are slideably received by the enclosure and are self docking as the electrical connections with the system power and signal lines are completed as the components arrive at the fully inserted, latched position. Keying means are also provided to require the user to install the components at both the correct location and with the correct orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne J. Casanova, Roger F. Dimmick, William A. Hall, Lester C. Homan, Frank J. Lukes, Bradley L. Martin, Claude J. Mosley, Arthur P. Reckinger, Jr., Paul W. Schaefer, Zanti D. Squillace, Gordon W. Westphal, Stephen E. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 4853830
    Abstract: A structure is shown having three stages for guiding a system component into an operatively mounted position within an enclosure while simultaneously making a blind attachment of the electrical connectors to complete the power and signal circuits between the component and system contained within the enclosure. A coarse positioning structure includes a guide rail means for directing the component toward the operative, mounted position; an intermediate positioning structure functions within the tolerance of the coarse positioning means to substantially align the component including the electrical connectors and a fine positioning means aligns the electrical connectors for the final positioning as the component is latched into the operating position and electrical connections are completed. The three positioning functions are intitated serially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Corfits, John T. Gullicksrud, Bradley L. Martin, Robert W. McCutcheon, Jerry R. Rasmussen, Gordon W. Westphal, Stephen E. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 4821145
    Abstract: A pluggable assembly for enclosing printed circuit cards used in electronic devices. The enclosure is completely shielded and is particularly adapted to use in circumstances where unskilled persons either plug or unplug the assembly into a backplane assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Corfits, Claude J. Mosley, Jerry R. Rasmussen, Stephen E. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 4363057
    Abstract: A disk file is equipped with a recirculating filter duct utilizing the pressure differentials within an enclosure imparted by the rotating disk to induce an air flow in the duct having an inlet near the disk periphery and an outlet effectively radially inward thereof. The flow of air through this duct is enhanced by a deflector adjacent the duct outlet at the side thereof initially approached by a given point on the rotating disk and a projection approaching the opposite surface of the disk or disk pack and generally axially aligned with the deflector to equalize the forces exerted and avoid instability of disk operation. The duct is configured to eliminate eddy currents and the air volume within the enclosure is limited to increase the rate at which air changes occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael M. Siverling, Stephen E. Wheeler
  • Patent number: RE29380
    Abstract: Magnetic disk recording apparatus including a pair of magnetic transducers contacting the opposite sides of a magnetic disk and each carried by a swingable arm. The arms are interconnected together so that the swinging movement of one of the arms is transmitted to the other arm to cause an opposite swinging movement of the other arm for simultaneously moving the transducers away from the magnetic disk. An electro-magnet actuates one of the arms so as to thereby also move the other arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel O. Castrodale, Steven G. Steele, William S. Wentink, Stephen E. Wheeler