Patents by Inventor Steven Michael Christensen

Steven Michael Christensen 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: 20240030635
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for mounting a compression attached memory module (CAMM) to a printed circuit board (PCB). The apparatus includes the CAMM, a fastener and a z-axis compression connector. The CAMM includes a mounting through-hole. The fastener includes a friction snap with a first diameter. The compression connector includes a profiled mounting through-hole. The profiled mounting through-hole has a narrowest portion having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter. When the fastener is inserted through the mounting through-hole and the profiled mounting through-hole, and when the friction snap comes into contact with the narrowest portion, the friction snap is pushed through the narrowest portion, and, after pushing the friction snap through the narrowest portion, the CAMM, the compression connector, and the fastener are aligned and retained as a unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Steven Michael Christensen, Jonathan C. Giffen
  • Patent number: 11853233
    Abstract: Described are an information handling system, peripheral devices, and methods to connect the information handling or host to the peripheral devices. Physical connections connect the host with the one or more peripheral devices and the peripheral devices with one another. Electrical and communication connections connect the host with the one or more peripheral devices and the peripheral devices with one another. Power and power management are provided by the host through the electrical connection. An input from the host to the peripheral devices is used to establish communication flow between the host and the peripheral devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Steven Michael Christensen, Yimin Xiao
  • Publication number: 20230116300
    Abstract: Described are an information handling system, peripheral devices, and methods to connect the information handling or host to the peripheral devices. Physical connections connect the host with the one or more peripheral devices and the peripheral devices with one another. Electrical and communication connections connect the host with the one or more peripheral devices and the peripheral devices with one another. Power and power management are provided by the host through the electrical connection. An input from the host to the peripheral devices is used to establish communication flow between the host and the peripheral devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Steven Michael Christensen, Yimin Xiao
  • Publication number: 20230090013
    Abstract: Described are display riser, height adjustable stand (HAS) and a method to support lift and tilt of multiple weight classes of displays. A lift includes a primary spring and one or more boost springs. The primary spring is used for all displays supported by the HAS and the one or more boost springs are engaged when supporting displays requiring additional lift support. A pivot assembly includes a primary torsion spring and one or more boost torsion springs. The primary spring torsion is used for all displays supported by the HAS and the one or more boost torsion springs are engaged when supporting displays requiring additional tilt support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventor: Steven Michael Christensen
  • Patent number: 11596083
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a liquid cooling module for an information handling system that may include a mounting card configured to mount the liquid cooling module to a card slot proximate to a graphics card; a radiator inlet configured to receive a heated liquid from a pump of the graphics card; a radiator inlet tube configured to transfer the heated liquid from the graphics card to the liquid cooling module; a radiator configured to receive the heated liquid via a radiator inlet; a blower configured to direct a surrounding air flow across the radiator to cool the heated liquid; a radiator outlet configured to receive the cooled liquid from the radiator; and a radiator outlet tube configured to transfer the cooled liquid from the liquid cooling module to the graphics card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Helberg, Steven Michael Christensen, Timothy Ray Graham, Eric N. Sendelbach
  • Publication number: 20220095482
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a liquid cooling module for an information handling system that may include a mounting card configured to mount the liquid cooling module to a card slot proximate to a graphics card; a radiator inlet configured to receive a heated liquid from a pump of the graphics card; a radiator inlet tube configured to transfer the heated liquid from the graphics card to the liquid cooling module; a radiator configured to receive the heated liquid via a radiator inlet; a blower configured to direct a surrounding air flow across the radiator to cool the heated liquid; a radiator outlet configured to receive the cooled liquid from the radiator; and a radiator outlet tube configured to transfer the cooled liquid from the liquid cooling module to the graphics card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Helberg, Steven Michael Christensen, Timothy Ray Graham, Eric N. Sendelbach
  • Patent number: 6389708
    Abstract: An alignment system has one or more paired tabs and slots. The tabs are located on one component and the slots are located in another component to provide alignment between the components in three dimensions even if the tabs and slots are beyond the view or not visible to the user. The tab is a flat protrusion having short side edges and tapered front edges that converge to a central tip. The slot is a large, generally diamond-shaped aperture with rectangular slits on two opposed corners. Initially, the tabs on the first component are misaligned in three dimensions relative to the slots in the second component. As the tips of the tabs move into the slots, the tips make contact with the diamond-shaped apertures. The large size and shape of the slots allow for a significant range of misalignment between the components. After initial capture, the tapered front edges of the tabs slide along the apertures to provide coarse deflection and centering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Steven Michael Christensen
  • Patent number: 6373698
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus for a computer system includes a fan operable to provide convective cooling to contents of a computer system housing. The fan is at least partly surrounded by a fan housing. A handle is hinged to a top side of the fan housing operable to engage the computer system housing for levering the fan housing in and out of the computer system housing. The handle is foldable into a position lying along the top of the fan housing. A latch includes a movable latch portion which is operable to fasten the handle into the folded position. With the handle in the folded position, a distinctive marking on the latch portion is visible from above the top side of the fan housing so that it is apparent how to release the handle and the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Steven Michael Christensen
  • Patent number: 6198629
    Abstract: A computer system including a chassis of substantially rectangular cross section suitable for receiving a circuit board. A rear face of the chassis includes upper and lower exhaust ports. A CPU board including one or more processors may be housed within the chassis. The expansion board is suitable for receiving a plurality of expansion cards via connectors attached to the board. The expansion board includes at least one void for facilitating air flow and is housed within the chassis wherein a rear side of the board is proximal to the rear face of the chassis between the upper and lower exhaust ports. An air moving device is positioned within the chassis for directing air flow across the expansion board toward the rear face of the chassis and, via the at least one void in the expansion card, through the upper and lower exhaust ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lonnie J. Cannon, Steven Michael Christensen, Howard Victor Mahaney, Jr., Bruce James Wilkie
  • Patent number: 6094358
    Abstract: A method and implementing system are described in which planar board or motherboard stiffness is provided through a support structure mounted to the planar. The support structure includes support bars connected together to form a stiffening structure for the motherboard. The support bars are mounted within planes which are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the motherboard and in proximity to electrical connectors on the motherboard which are arranged to have circuit boards connected thereto. A board mounting apparatus is connected to the support structure to enable and guide the insertion and extraction of circuit boards to the motherboard with only enclosure side panel access. In one example, the circuit boards include guide pins which are inserted into slots of a mounting bracket, and the mounting bracket is selectively moved to exert an insertion or extraction force on a pin connector attached to the circuit board relative to a corresponding connector on a motherboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Michael Christensen, Michael Paul Pierce, Ciro Neal Ramirez
  • Patent number: 6058579
    Abstract: A snap latch device has a handle with a pair of cam members extending from a lower end. The device also has a flexible snap which protrudes from the handle. The front end of the snap has a barbed lip. The device is designed to interlock a shuttle assembly to a stationary chassis. The device is pivotally mounted to the shuttle which carries a board with connectors. The device is movable between an engaged position and a retracted position. In the engaged position, the cam members engage an end wall on the chassis and the snap inserts through and engages a hole in the shuttle. The mechanical interlock between the cam members and the end wall rigidly secures the shuttle in the chassis. The device is moved to the retracted position by pulling back on the snap to dislodge the barbed lip. This release allows the device to rotate so that the cam members disengage the end wall. After the snap and cam members are clear of the hole and end wall, respectively, the shuttle may be completely removed from the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brandon Joel Brocklesby, Steven Michael Christensen, Ronald Armand Roy