Patents Assigned to American Power Conversion
  • Publication number: 20100297874
    Abstract: A multi-port cabling system for use in installing cable to an equipment rack or enclosure or within an equipment room or data center includes a cabling assembly comprising at least one connector head having a plurality of ports and at least one cable operatively connected to the plurality of ports. The at least one cable terminates internally within the connector head to operatively couple the cable to the plurality of ports. The system further includes a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket and the connector head are each configured for tool-less attachment of one or more cabling assemblies to the bracket. The mounting bracket is further configured to removably mount to an equipment rack or enclosure, and/or to a wall, to thereby install one or more cables. The cabling assembly and the cabling system help to eliminate on-site cable termination and testing during installation of cables to rack-mounted equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION
    Inventors: James S. Spitaels, Daniel Bryan
  • Patent number: 7608944
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is provided that can alleviate difficulties in shipping electronic devices containing batteries, such as UPS devices by providing a battery connect/disconnect assembly that can connect and disconnect an internal battery from outside the chassis of the UPS. The UPS comprises an input, output, DC voltage source, electrical circuit, chassis, and connect/disconnect assembly. The input receives input power from an input power source, and the output provides output power to a load. The DC voltage source provides DC power and has first and second terminals. The electrical circuit is operably coupled to the DC voltage source and is capable of receiving the input power and providing the output power. The chassis houses at least the DC voltage source and the electrical circuit. The connect/disconnect assembly is operably coupled to the DC voltage source and is constructed and arranged to be operable from outside the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: American Power Conversion
    Inventors: John D. Stranberg, Brian McKenna, Joseph Goodfellow
  • Publication number: 20090142965
    Abstract: A multi-port cabling system for use in installing cable to an equipment rack or enclosure or within an equipment room or data center includes a cabling assembly comprising at least one connector head having a plurality of ports and at least one cable operatively connected to the plurality of ports. The at least one cable terminates internally within the connector head to operatively couple the cable to the plurality of ports. The system further includes a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket and the connector head are each configured for tool-less attachment of one or more cabling assemblies to the bracket. The mounting bracket is further configured to removably mount to an equipment rack or enclosure, and/or to a wall, to thereby install one or more cables. The cabling assembly and the cabling system help to eliminate on-site cable termination and testing during installation of cables to rack-mounted equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION
    Inventors: James S. Spitaels, Daniel Bryan
  • Patent number: 7129676
    Abstract: A method of charging a NiMH or NiCd battery such that charging does not occupy a substantial amount of time and such that the operating temperature of the battery is reduced during the lifetime of the battery, thereby extending the life of the battery. This invention is a method of charging that is accomplished using a temperature differential method to continuously regulate the rate of charge injected into the battery. An amplifier is used to amplify the difference in temperature between one or more cases in which the battery is contained and ambient temperature. In this method, the greater the difference in temperature, the lower the charging current is injected into the battery. The method of charging may be incorporated into uninterruptible power supply equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: American Power Conversion
    Inventors: C. Michael Hoff, James E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7100054
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for authenticating a user of a computer over a computer network. In one embodiment of the invention, the method includes transmitting an applet having a challenge string and a first encryption key, receiving a login packet having the challenge string and a password that is encrypted using the first encryption key, decrypting the password, receiving information from an authentication provider, and authenticating the password by using the information provided by the authentication provider. The challenge string can be either a sequence number or a session identifier. The authentication provider can be a software program or an authentication server. An advantage of embodiments of the present invention is that a computer can provide secure Internet communications using a web browser that does not support SSL and can provide secure integration with third party security systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: American Power Conversion
    Inventors: Thomas F. Wenisch, Stephen R. Berard, David J. Smith
  • Patent number: 6869309
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system using a battery pack may be potentially hazardous in its design, and in particular when users themselves connect or disconnect the battery from the UPS while the UPS is still active. A battery cap is provided that attaches to the battery to cover parts where the lead wires meet the terminals of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: American Power Conversion
    Inventors: William Ziegler, Michael Lysik
  • Patent number: 6865685
    Abstract: An event notification system for a plurality of power supplies coupled to a computer network is provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the notification system includes a computer system connected to the computer network, wherein the computer system includes a database, a data retrieval program, a comparison program and an electronic notification program. The data retrieval program obtains data from the plurality of power supplies. The comparison program compares the data from the plurality of power supplies with data of at least one predetermined event to determine if a predetermined event has occurred. The database stores information relating to an occurrence of the predetermined event and the number of the power supplies associated with the occurrence of the predetermined event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: American Power Conversion
    Inventors: Brad T. Hammond, Daniel J. Redmond, Jeffrey B. Collemer, Todd J. Giaquinto, Diane M. L'Heureux
  • Patent number: 6859366
    Abstract: A cooling solution is provided for a modular data center. The modular data center includes a plurality of racks, each of the racks having a front face and a back face, wherein the plurality of racks is arranged in a first row and a second row, such that the back faces of racks of the first row are facing the second row, and the back faces of the racks of the second row are facing the first row, a first end panel coupled between a first rack of the first row and a first rack of the second row, the first end panel having a bottom edge and a tope edge, a second end panel coupled between a second rack of the first row and a second rack of the second row, the second end panel having a top edge and a bottom edge, and a roof panel coupled between the top edge of the first panel and the top edge of the second panel. Cooling equipment within at least one of the equipment racks draws hot air from between the rows of racks and delivers cooled air out of the front face of one of the racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: American Power Conversion
    Inventor: James Fink
  • Patent number: 6775715
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply includes a multipurpose data port that facilitates a plurality of communication methods including USB, serial and other communication methods, between the uninterruptible power supply and a host computer system. The multipurpose data port is configured to prevent interference if a user mistakenly connects a phone line or other similar but inappropriate line to the uninterruptible power supply. The multipurpose data port reduces the machine footprint needed to support multiple communication ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: American Power Conversion
    Inventors: James S. Spitaels, Joseph Dechene
  • Patent number: 6745590
    Abstract: A condensate removal system is provided for use in association or connection with equipment that produces a liquid or condensate during operation. The condensate removal system is configured to receive a liquid or condensate produced by equipment and is configured to induce the liquid or condensate to flow from the system as liquid or condensate droplets and/or liquid or condensate vapor. The system is configured to contain and to vibrate a liquid or condensate received from equipment in an ultrasonic frequency zone to induce the liquid or condensate to form into droplets and/or vapors. The system is configured and arranged to force the droplets and vapors from the system and can be further configured to expel the droplets and vapors to an area external to the system and/or into a duct, for instance, to exhaust the droplets and vapors or to recirculate the droplets and vapor to equipment to provide cooling to the equipment and/or components of the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: American Power Conversion
    Inventors: Rollie R. Johnson, John M. McNally, John Bean, Gregory R. Uhrhan, David N. Susek
  • Patent number: 6728119
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an uninterruptible power supply for providing AC power to a load. In embodiments of the present invention, the uninterruptible power supply includes an input to receive AC power from an AC power source, an output that provides AC power, a DC voltage source that provides DC power, the DC voltage source having an energy storage device, an inverter operatively coupled to the DC voltage source to receive DC power and to provide AC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: American Power Conversion
    Inventors: David E. Reilly, Emanuel E. Landsman, Jeffrey Curtis
  • Patent number: 6721672
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring power in power distribution systems are provided. In one aspect, a system for monitoring power includes a power monitoring device that measures a value of at least one characteristic of power provided to a branch of a power distribution system. The power monitoring device includes an output that provides the value measured. The system further includes a controller having an input to receive the value measured and an output that couples to a first device powered by the branch to send a maximum power signal to the first device to command the first device to operate at a percentage of maximum power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: American Power Conversion
    Inventors: James Spitaels, Neil Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 6695577
    Abstract: A fan grill for use with a fan associated with an inlet ring is configured to flush mount in an inlet ring and to serve as a safety guard to help prevent finger insertion into, and to help inhibit debris from entering a fan. The fan grill can impede and disturb gas flow to a fan less than by using a non-flush mounted grill or guard. The fan grill includes radial ribs, concentric circular ribs and radial support ribs to form a grate, and tabs. The tabs and the radial support ribs are configured to bias the fan grill against a wall of an inlet ring to securely connect the fan grill in the inlet ring. The fan grill can be readily installed and securely connected to inlet rings or housings of existing fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: American Power Conversion
    Inventor: David N. Susek
  • Patent number: 6668565
    Abstract: A gas distribution unit for use in a rack, that holds rack-mounted equipment that produces heat during operation, includes a housing defining a cavity, an exhaust port in a top wall of the housing, and at least one intake port configured to provide fluid communication between the cavity and a volume of gas external to the housing, the at least one intake port being at least partially laterally displaced relative to the exhaust port, the housing being configured to be disposed in and coupled to the rack and to direct gas from the cavity substantially directly upward through the exhaust port when coupled to the rack, and at least one fan coupled to and disposed within the housing and configured to draw gas through the at least one intake port, and to force the drawn-in gas out of the gas distribution unit through the exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: American Power Conversion
    Inventors: Richard J. Johnson, Robert C. Pfleging, Timothy J. Anderson, Daniel C. Kroupa
  • Patent number: D509184
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: American Power Conversion
    Inventors: David L. Schuttler, James E. Briggs, Carlo Albano, Michael Falcinelli
  • Patent number: D511140
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: American Power Conversion
    Inventors: Arthur Joseph Blake, Jr., Jason Allen Morris
  • Patent number: D517484
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: American Power Conversion
    Inventors: Scott H. Wakefield, Ronnie L. Bell, Greg Fournier, Mark H. Germagian
  • Patent number: D518781
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: American Power Conversion
    Inventors: Scott H. Wakefield, Ronnie L. Bell, Greg Fournier, Mark H. Germagian
  • Patent number: D530276
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: American Power Conversion
    Inventors: Carlo Albano, Brian McKenna, Lou Perry, David L. Schuttler
  • Patent number: D493772
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: American Power Conversion
    Inventors: Clint Veino, William Owens, Jason A. Morris, Marwan Aylouche, Michael Tinstman