Patents Assigned to Server Technology, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9537522
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication between a PDU and one or more devices within a limited communications range are described. A power distribution unit may be provided with a wireless communications module that may operate to communicate with user devices within a relatively close proximity. The wireless communications module may provide information reporting and may, in some examples, provide a user of the user device with configuration and other command capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, James P. Maskaly, Erich Beyer, Yael Campo, Benjamin Haas, Brian P. Auclair
  • Patent number: 9531215
    Abstract: An automatic transfer switch for a power system receiving multiple alternating current sources and delivering multiple alternating current output is described. A transfer switch control circuit can sense a power loss in one or both AC sources. Each power supply can deliver current to drive a load but, if one of the power supplies fails, the other can supply power to drive both loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly, Dennis W. McGlumphy
  • Patent number: 9484692
    Abstract: Systems and apparatuses are provided in which outlets are coupled to a power distribution unit (PDU) or PDU module in various configurations. The outlets may be coupled to a recessed surface within a PDU housing. The outlets may be coupled to a printed circuit board that is at least partially disposed within the PDU housing. The outlets may extend away from the recessed surface or printed circuit board towards or beyond a front face of the PDU housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Travis Irons
  • Patent number: 9450386
    Abstract: A vertical-mount electrical power distribution plugstrip comprises a long, thin plugstrip body with several power outlet plugs distributed along the length of one face. A power input cord is provided at one end, and this supplies operating power to each of the power outlet plugs through individual relay control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Brian P. Auclair, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly, Dennis W. Mcglumphy, Mark J. Bigler
  • Patent number: 9438017
    Abstract: Apparatuses and devices are provided that allow for a power input cord to be placed in two or more different orientations relative to a power distribution unit. A power distribution unit may be provided with one or more input cord assemblies that allow an input cord to be swiveled such that the cord exits an outside plane of the power distribution unit at a different angle. Such an assembly allows a power distribution unit to be placed in an equipment rack and coupled with an input power source in a flexible and convenient manner. Clearances and dimensions of equipment racks may be modified to provide enhanced space usage, efficiency, and/or density in a facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Irons, Mark Ramsey, Chris Connolly
  • Patent number: 9419416
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses provide power from multiple input power sources to adjacent outputs efficiently and reliably. Aspects of the disclosure provide a power distribution unit (PDU) that includes a number of power outputs including first and second adjacent power outputs. The PDU includes a printed circuit board having a first conducting layer electrically interconnected to a first power input connection and the first power output, a second conducting layer that is at least partially above the first conducting layer and in facing relationship thereto. The second conducting layer is electrically insulated from the first conducting layer and electrically interconnected with a second power input connection and the second power output, the first and second power outputs thereby connected to different power inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly
  • Patent number: 9406467
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided in which power control relay switches may be configured to switch at or near a predetermined time during an AC cycle and/or that are configured to control a velocity of an armature of the relay switch during switching. An input power source may provide alternating current (AC) power and a voltage or current level of the AC power may be sensed. A relay controller may switch the relay switch based on a time at which the voltage or current is at or near a zero-crossing. The relay controller may be configured to close the relay switch based on when a voltage of the power input is at a zero-crossing, and is configured to open the relay switch based on when a current of the power input is at a zero-crossing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Avery
  • Patent number: 9400726
    Abstract: A method of monitoring power usage includes 1) accessing power usage data for power distribution unit infeeds of a plurality of power distribution units; 2) accessing stored circuit descriptions describing interconnections of the power distribution unit infeeds to a number of power feed circuits; 3) transforming the plurality of power distribution units into a power usage monitor for monitoring power usage of the power feed circuits by aggregating at least some of the power usage data based on the interconnections of the power distribution unit infeeds to the number of power feed circuits; and 4) outputting representations of the aggregated power usage data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Calvin Nicholson, Michael Gordon
  • Patent number: 9287688
    Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of a power distribution unit having modular components. For example, according to one embodiment, a power distribution unit can include a component portion that comprises at least two modules including outlet modules, circuit protection modules, power input modules, communications I/O modules, and display modules. Each of the at least two modules of the component portion can comprise at least one connection element and can be removably secured to one or more other of the at least two modules via the connection elements. The power distribution unit can also include a housing that defines an interior cavity. The component portion can be removably secured to the housing at least partially within the interior cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly, Dave Greenblat, Brandon W. Ewing
  • Patent number: 9276388
    Abstract: An electrical power distribution unit can include a power distribution unit enclosure, a power input associated with the power distribution unit enclosure, and a plurality of power outputs associated with the power distribution unit enclosure. At least certain power outputs can be connectable to one or more electrical loads external to the power distribution unit enclosure and to the power input. In some embodiments, an intelligent power section can communicate with at least one of the power outputs and can connect to a communications network external to the power distribution unit enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Brian P. Auclair, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly, Dennis W. McGlumphy, Mark J. Bigler
  • Patent number: 9223002
    Abstract: A system and a method are provided for determining the position of an underwater vehicle while the vehicle is operating underwater. A buoyant float stays on or near the surface of the water and is attached to the vehicle by thin tether that can include insulated wires. The vehicle moves under the water and pulls the float behind it. The float can receive a localization signal, such as a signal indicating its GPS position, and so can determine its position precisely. The position can be transmitted to the underwater vehicle over the wires located in the tether. The underwater vehicle can use sensors and/or calculations to determine the positional offset of the vehicle from the float buoy and generates its true position based on the known position of the float and the positional offset. The float can be constructed with attributes that will allow the float it operate with a greater tether length, and in turn allow the underwater vehicle to operate at greater depths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Ocean Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan C. Crowell
  • Patent number: 9219353
    Abstract: An equipment-rack power distribution system is described which includes a PDU housing, a power input penetrating the housing, a plurality of power outlets disposed on a surface of the housing, circuitry enclosed in the housing interconnecting the power input and the power outlets, one or more air inlets associated with the housing, one or more air outlets associated with the housing, and an air flow device in fluid communication with one or more of the air inlets and the air outlets. An environmental sensor may activate the air flow device upon detection of predetermined environmental conditions, such as a temperature that is above a defined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Brandon Ewing, Edi Murway
  • Patent number: 9190842
    Abstract: A polyphase power distribution and monitoring apparatus having sets of outputs for each phase of power and monitors for each phase of power disposed in the housing. Each monitor provides a visible display of current for an associated phase of power and an audible alarm for each phase of power if the current exceeds a predetermined value or falls below a predetermined value. In three-phase wye power systems, the apparatus preferably includes a neutral line monitor, including a neutral line current display and audio alarm, for the neutral line of the wye power circuit. The apparatus preferably is lightweight, elongated, portable, and mountable to the side of an electronic equipment rack. It may also include additional power monitoring systems such as network power monitoring tools for remotely monitoring the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly
  • Patent number: 9166382
    Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of a power distribution unit having modular components. For example, according to one embodiment, a power distribution unit can include a component portion that comprises at least two modules including outlet modules, circuit protection modules, power input modules, communications I/O modules, and display modules. Each of the at least two modules of the component portion can comprise at least one connection element and can be removably secured to one or more other of the at least two modules via the connection elements. The power distribution unit can also include a housing that defines an interior cavity. The component portion can be removably secured to the housing at least partially within the interior cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly, Dave Greenblat, Brandon W. Ewing
  • Patent number: 9142971
    Abstract: Managing electrical power usage in a power distribution system. Power usage data indicative of electrical current flow through electrical outlets in the system are collected and displayed for a user. The user may select an outlet and issue a command to control current flow through that outlet. Environmental data may also be collected and displayed. Outlets in different Cabinet Power Distribution Units (CDUs) in different locations may be clustered for reporting and control. A database structure provides a “system” table for data descriptive of the system, a “tower” table for data descriptive of outlets and other elements in the system, an “infeed” table for data descriptive of input electrical power, and an “outlet” table for data descriptive of electrical power flowing through the outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly, Dennis W. McGlumphy, Brian P. Auclair, Marc Eisenberg, Calvin Nicholson, Andy Szeto
  • Patent number: 9104393
    Abstract: A power management system embodiment of the present invention comprises a power manager with a network agent in communication over a network with a network manager. The power manager is connected to control the operating power flowing to various pieces of computer network equipment at a single site. A user is able to assign names to each control port, and the power manager maintains a list of enrolled users who have access. Many operational mode choices are possible, and each can be configured by the user while remote from the power manager. The power manager can be commanded to upload a user configuration list, and it can be commanded to accept a downloaded user configuration list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Brian P. Auclair, Mark J. Bigler, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly, Jay Henley Williams
  • Patent number: 9009288
    Abstract: An SNMP network comprises a power manager with an SNMP agent in TCP/IP communication over a network with an SNMP network manager. The power manager is connected to control several intelligent power modules each able to independently control the power on/off status of several network appliances. Power-on and load sensors within each intelligent power module are able to report the power status of each network appliance to the SNMP network manager with MIB variables in response to GET commands. Each intelligent power module is equipped with an output that is connected to cause an interrupt signal to the network appliance being controlled. The SNMP network manager is able to test which network appliance is actually responding before any cycling of the power to the corresponding appliance is tried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Brian P. Auclair, James P. Maskaly
  • Publication number: 20150070808
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided in which power control relay switches may be configured to switch at or near a predetermined time during an AC cycle and/or that are configured to control a velocity of an armature of the relay switch during switching. An input power source may provide alternating current (AC) power and a voltage or current level of the AC power may be sensed. A relay controller may switch the relay switch based on a time at which the voltage or current is at or near a zero-crossing. The relay controller may be configured to close the relay switch based on when a voltage of the power input is at a zero-crossing, and is configured to open the relay switch based on when a current of the power input is at a zero-crossing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William Avery
  • Publication number: 20140285018
    Abstract: A vertical-mount electrical power distribution plugstrip comprises a long, thin plugstrip body with several power outlet plugs distributed along the length of one face. A power input cord is provided at one end, and this supplies operating power to each of the power outlet plugs through individual relay control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Brian P. Auclair, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly, Dennis W. Mcglumphy, Mark J. Bigler
  • Publication number: 20140236372
    Abstract: Managing electrical power usage in a power distribution system. Power usage data indicative of electrical current flow through electrical outlets in the system are collected and displayed for a user. The user may select an outlet and issue a command to control current flow through that outlet. Environmental data may also be collected and displayed. Outlets in different Cabinet Power Distribution Units (CDUs) in different locations may be clustered for reporting and control. A database structure provides a “system” table for data descriptive of the system, a “tower” table for data descriptive of outlets and other elements in the system, an “infeed” table for data descriptive of input electrical power, and an “outlet” table for data descriptive of electrical power flowing through the outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly, Dennis W. McGlumphy, Brian P. Auclair, Marc Eisenberg, Calvin Nicholson, Andy Szeto