Patents by Inventor Steven A. Mills

Steven A. Mills 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).

  • Publication number: 20140216711
    Abstract: A fluid level control system includes: a first immersion cooling tank having a first volume of immersion cooling liquid and an inlet/outlet pipe extending from a base wall of the tank by which immersion cooling liquid can flow into and out of the first immersion cooling tank; at least one second volume of cooling liquid held within a liquid containing unit having a corresponding inlet/outlet pipe; and a pipe distribution system that physically connects the second volume of immersion cooling liquid to the first volume of immersion cooling liquid via respective inlet/outlet pipes and which enables fluid equilibrium to be maintained between the first volume of liquid and the second volume of liquid via gravitational equilibrium and/or passive level control such that a first volume level of the first volume of immersion cooling liquid remains substantially equal to a second volume level of the second volume of immersion cooling liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Austin Michael Shelnutt, James D. Curlee, Edmond I. Bailey, Richard Steven Mills
  • Publication number: 20140218859
    Abstract: A system for cooling hard disk drives (HDDs) includes: an enclosure having a lower volume within which a cooling liquid is heated to a boiling point temperature to cause some of the cooling liquid to evaporate into a plume of rising vapor; a HDD cooling area with at least one HDD placed in the direct path of the rising vapor, which cools the at least one HDD during functional operation of the at least one HDD; and a heat source that dissipates heat into the lower volume of the enclosure, sufficient to heat the cooling liquid to the boiling point temperature. The system can also include a condenser located above both the HDD cooling area. A substantial portion of the rising vapor that passes through the HDD cooling area and cools the at least one HDD is condensed back into liquid phase on contact with the condenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Austin Michael Shelnutt, James D. Curlee, Edmond I. Bailey, Richard Steven Mills
  • Publication number: 20130319209
    Abstract: An apparatus for synchronized digital sheet music display and audio playback comprises an electronic appliance. The apparatus includes an audio output for playing an audio recording of a piece of music and a display for displaying the piece of music in notation form, including a first portion thereof and comprising elements representing discrete segments of the piece of music that may be identified, displayed, and highlighted. The apparatus further comprises software for controllably playing the recording of and displaying the piece of music, highlighting a second portion of the piece of music within and advancing through the first, and synchronizing the highlighted second portion with the audio played from the audio output. The software further supports an electronic book format, displaying and playing book contents containing both written language and music notation. Audio playback includes both music and a voice reading the language.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: MAKEMUSIC, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Good, Steven Mills
  • Publication number: 20130254566
    Abstract: DCMI functionality is extended to platforms of a datacenter by integrating a management controller in each of plural platforms and interfacing the management controllers with a management server through a network. End users interface with platforms of the datacenter using DCMI protocol communications. The management server supports communication with management controllers by receiving DCMI messages and translating the DCMI messages to a text-based protocol for communications with the management controllers. In one embodiment, the management controllers push sensor information for their associated platforms to a sensor cache of the management server so that the management sensor references the cache to respond to DCMI requests for sensor information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: German Florez-Larrahondo, Jimmy D. Pike, Joseph Andrew Vivio, John Stuewe, Joseph M. Sekel, Richard Steven Mills
  • Publication number: 20120229971
    Abstract: An information handling system tray component is selected for a depth to fit into chassis support components to provide processing resources in a space having different depths. An end user selects a chassis component having a depth that fits a data center and then installs tray components into the chassis component by selecting the tray component depths to fit in that of the chassis component. The tray component supports different processing components depending upon the selected depth so that information handling system features are adapted to chassis depth while using a common infrastructure component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Richard Steven Mills, German Florez-Larrahondo, Jimmy D. Pike, John Stuewe, Joseph M. Sekel
  • Patent number: 7916470
    Abstract: A docking plenum for a rack is disclosed. The docking plenum includes a pair of sides that are coupled to first and second panels at the top of the docking plenum. The panels at the top of the docking plenum are separated from one another by an aperture. The docking plenum includes a front opening and a rear opening between the two sides. Each of the front opening and the rear opening are sized to receive a rack. The placement of a first rack in the front opening and a second rack in the rear opening creates a heated air cavity that is formed by the racks, the floor of the docking plenum, and the panels at the top of the docking plenum. When the racks are placed in the opening, and when one or more fans in the computer systems are activated, the fans draw air from outside the plenum across the interior of the computer systems. Heated air exits the computer systems and enters the heated air cavity. The heated air exits the heated air cavity through the aperture in the top of the docking plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: R. Steven Mills, Ty R. Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20090257188
    Abstract: A docking plenum for a rack is disclosed. The docking plenum includes a pair of sides that are coupled to first and second panels at the top of the docking plenum. The panels at the top of the docking plenum are separated from one another by an aperture. The docking plenum includes a front opening and a rear opening between the two sides. Each of the front opening and the rear opening are sized to receive a rack. The placement of a first rack in the front opening and a second rack in the rear opening creates a heated air cavity that is formed by the racks, the floor of the docking plenum, and the panels at the top of the docking plenum. When the racks are placed in the opening, and when one or more fans in the computer systems are activated, the fans draw air from outside the plenum across the interior of the computer systems. Heated air exits the computer systems and enters the heated air cavity. The heated air exits the heated air cavity through the aperture in the top of the docking plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: R. Steven Mills, Ty R. Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20090255653
    Abstract: A rack and plenum system is disclosed in which a plenum is coupled to the back of a rack. At the top of the plenum a fan assembly is installed. The fan assembly may include a pair of fans stacked on top of one another, and the rotors of the fans may spin in the opposite direction, with the blades of each fan oriented to direct air out of the top of the plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: R. Steven Mills, Ty R. Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20090257187
    Abstract: A design for an information handling system and the chassis of an information handling system is disclosed in which an array of storage devices is included at the front and rear sides of the chassis. Each array of storage devices may include a number of columns and each column may include a number of storage devices. The power supply of the information handling system of the present disclosure is located within the interior of the information handling system. The placement of the power supply in the interior of the information handling system allows an array of storage devices to be located at both the front and rear sides of the chassis. Either the front or rear of the information handling system may include a connection point for data or power connections for the information handling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: R. Steven Mills, Ty R. Schmitt, Jimmy D. Pike, Joseph A. Vivio
  • Patent number: 7457110
    Abstract: A component carrier apparatus is provided that includes a resilient carrier frame operable to provide a component retaining force, a chassis guide member connected to the carrier frame, and a component locating member connected to the carrier frame. The component carrier apparatus may include a height that is less than or equal to the height of a component, and may be coupled to the component without the use of a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Michael Lo, Brently Lynn Cooper, Richard Steven Mills
  • Publication number: 20060224407
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system, method, and medium for automatically analyzing response pieces. The system may scan the response piece, identify the response piece, and generate an image from the response piece. The system also processes the image. Processing the image may include determining response piece identification information and sending the response piece identification information to an accounting system to update an account associated with the response piece identification information. Processing the image may also include reading information from the response piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventor: Steven Mills
  • Patent number: 6580604
    Abstract: A single peripheral device bay including a frame can receive a variety of different adapter plates, and thereby accommodate the maximum number of devices for each of a variety of different types and/or sizes of peripheral devices when the adapter plates are chosen for the particular type and/or size of device. Such a peripheral device bay includes a frame that can be permanently attached to the chassis of a computer system or an external enclosure. The removable adapter plates are attached to the frame so as to accommodate different devices. Because the peripheral device bay can be permanently attached to the chassis or enclosure, it can provide either with additional structural stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Dell U.S.A., L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew L. McAnally, Steven L. Sands, Blake West, R. Steven Mills
  • Patent number: 6349043
    Abstract: A computer system including a chassis having a microprocessor mounted thereon. A system memory is coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor. An input is coupled to provide input to the microprocessor and a display is coupled to the microprocessor by a video controller. A mass storage is coupled to the microprocessor. A shielding body is mounted on the chassis. A pair of spaced apart contact members are attached to the shielding body. A main spring member is attached to at least one of the contact members. The main spring member includes an elongated beam offset from the contact members and a plurality of spring fingers interconnecting the beam and at least one of the contact members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Ralph Warren Jensen, Richard Steven Mills, David Mark Wilcox, Tracey Wade Kannmacher
  • Patent number: 6315249
    Abstract: A cable management system (10) is disclosed for coupling and retaining cables (16) for rack-mounted electronic components. The cable management system (10) includes a cable arm (12) that can pivot between an extended position and a collapsed position to accommodate movement in the rack-mounted component. Coupled to the cable arm are cable retainers (14). Each cable retainer includes a platform (46) and prongs (42). Each prong includes a stem (48) and a tapered projection (54). The combination of the platform (46), and the stem (48) and tapered projection (54) of adjacent prongs (42) forms a cavity for receiving a cable (16). The cable arm includes a number of slots in the supports of the cable arm for receiving latches, locks, or other fasteners of the cable retainer (14) for coupling the cable retainer (14) to the cable arm (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Ralph Warren Jensen, David Scott Thornton, Richard Steven Mills
  • Patent number: 6181549
    Abstract: A chassis retaining system for securing a chassis supporting electronic equipment such as a computer system to a rack. The chassis retaining system includes a handle and a securing device with a retaining surface. The securing device is coupled to the handle, and the retaining surface is movable with respect to the handle. The chassis retaining system further includes a user interface device coupled to the handle and to the securing device. The user interface device is movable with respect to the handle. The user interface device is engageable by a user to move the retaining surface from a first position with respect to the handle wherein a surface of the electronics rack in which a chassis is mounted retains the retaining surface, to a second position wherein the surface of the electronics rack does not retain the retaining surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: R. Steven Mills, Steven L. Sands
  • Patent number: 6178091
    Abstract: A computer chassis includes a hook extending from a chassis surface. A component board is mounted in the chassis so that the hook extends through a slot in the board. A pair of grounding clips are surface mounted on the board on opposite sides of the slot so that a retainer portion of each clip engages opposite surfaces of the hook. The retainer portions have an opening for surface mounting the clips on the board by a pick-and-place vacuum workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Richard Steven Mills, George Thomas Holt, Patricia Herman
  • Patent number: 6075694
    Abstract: A drive bay for an alternately orientable computer chassis includes a first pair of parallel opposing side panels and a second pair of parallel opposing side panels, each side panel having an interior side surface and an exterior side surface, and a plurality of drive mounting features on the interior side surface of each side panel. The first pair of parallel opposing side panels and the second pair of parallel opposing side panels arranged to form an enclosure with a rectangular aperture. The drive bay allows drives to be mounted horizontally in the drive bay, whether the chassis is in a tower or a desktop/rack orientation, and without having to ever change the orientation of the drive bay with respect to the chassis. Because the drive bay need not be re-mounted when the orientation of the chassis is changed, the drive bay can provide additional structural support to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Dell USA L.P.
    Inventors: R. Steven Mills, Andrew L. McAnally
  • Patent number: 6061237
    Abstract: A computer, or electronic device, according to which two fans are mounted on a mounting member which, in turn, is mounted to a wall of the chassis of the computer or component so that the fans establish an air flow in the chassis in a predetermined direction. The fans are mounted to the mounting member, and the mounting member is mounted to the wall, in a manner so that the fans extend at an angle to the wall and so that the space occupied by the fans is less than the space that the fans would occupy when mounted in a side-by-side relation and parallel to the wall. The fans are also positioned so that, if one fails, the other will cool the components normally cooled by the failed fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Steve Sands, Andrew L. McAnally, R. Steven Mills
  • Patent number: 6040982
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a chassis with attachment features which may interchangeably accept and secure a connector assembly and paralleling board assembly. The connector assembly may be used in a lower cost nonredundant power supply configuration while the paralleling board assembly may be used in multiple power supply configurations. The power supply may be interchangeably connected to the connector assembly and the paralleling board assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Gandre, Steven L. Sands, R. Steven Mills, Arthur Lopez
  • Patent number: D709977
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventor: Steven Mills