Patents by Inventor Alan T. Pfeifer

Alan T. Pfeifer 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: 8854805
    Abstract: Apparatus and devices for carrying a storage device and adapting it to a slot for a storage device having a different form factor. The system comprises an opening means for elastically deforming a shape of the system from an original shape so that the carrier may receive the storage device. The system also comprises restraining means for constraining the motion of the storage device within the system when the system returns to the original shape. Furthermore, the system comprises a spacing means for aligning the storage device with the slot while the storage device is restrained within the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Dunham, Alan T. Pfeifer
  • Publication number: 20140070682
    Abstract: Apparatus and devices for carrying a storage device and adapting it to a slot for a storage device having a different form factor. The system comprises an opening means for elastically deforming a shape of the system from an original shape so that the carrier may receive the storage device. The system also comprises restraining means for constraining the motion of the storage device within the system when the system returns to the original shape. Furthermore, the system comprises a spacing means for aligning the storage device with the slot while the storage device is restrained within the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: LSI CORPORTION
    Inventors: John M. Dunham, Alan T. Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 8644017
    Abstract: Apparatus and devices for carrying a storage device and adapting it to a slot for a storage device having a different form factor. The system comprises an opening means for elastically deforming a shape of the system from an original shape so that the carrier may receive the storage device. The system also comprises restraining means for constraining the motion of the storage device within the system when the system returns to the original shape. Furthermore, the system comprises a spacing means for aligning the storage device with the slot while the storage device is restrained within the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Dunham, Alan T. Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 8549831
    Abstract: Devices and systems for tool-less assembly of cable chains that are capable of being retractably stored. The device comprises a first contact element, a second contact element, and a lengthwise member. The first contact element is adapted for movable contact with a receiving member of a first cable chain segment. The second contact element is adapted for movable contact with a receiving member of a second cable chain segment. The lengthwise member is fixedly attached to the contact elements. When an angle between the first and the second cable chain segments is a first value, the lengthwise member experiences elastic deformation, generating a spring force at each contact element sufficient to pull the receiving member of the first cable chain segment rotatably towards the receiving member of the second cable chain segment, thereby reducing the angle between the first and the second cable chain segments to a second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Dunham, Alan T. Pfeifer
  • Publication number: 20130070422
    Abstract: Systems and methods are hereby provided for enclosures having integrated handle features for storing one or more storage devices. The system includes a rigid frame and multiple bays. Each bay includes a body movably attached to the frame, wherein repositioning of the body with respect to the frame is restricted by at least one holding element of the frame to a limited range of motion. The body defines a receptacle for receiving and holding a storage device. Each bay also includes a lever arm rotatably attached to the frame, the lever arm comprising a cam surface to engage with the body and to move the body upon rotation of the lever arm. When the lever arm achieves a first position, the body engages the storage device with a communication channel, and when the lever arm achieves a second position, the body disengages the storage device from the communication channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: LSI CORPORATION
    Inventors: John M. Dunham, Alan T. Pfeifer, Chen-Hsing Peng
  • Publication number: 20120311990
    Abstract: Devices and systems for tool-less assembly of cable chains that are capable of being retractably stored. The device comprises a first contact element, a second contact element, and a lengthwise member. The first contact element is adapted for movable contact with a receiving member of a first cable chain segment. The second contact element is adapted for movable contact with a receiving member of a second cable chain segment. The lengthwise member is fixedly attached to the contact elements. When an angle between the first and the second cable chain segments is a first value, the lengthwise member experiences elastic deformation, generating a spring force at each contact element sufficient to pull the receiving member of the first cable chain segment rotatably towards the receiving member of the second cable chain segment, thereby reducing the angle between the first and the second cable chain segments to a second value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: LSI CORPORATION
    Inventors: John M. Dunham, Alan T. Pfeifer
  • Publication number: 20120299453
    Abstract: Apparatus and devices for carrying a storage device and adapting it to a slot for a storage device having a different form factor. The system comprises an opening means for elastically deforming a shape of the system from an original shape so that the carrier may receive the storage device. The system also comprises restraining means for constraining the motion of the storage device within the system when the system returns to the original shape. Furthermore, the system comprises a spacing means for aligning the storage device with the slot while the storage device is restrained within the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: LSI CORPORATION
    Inventors: John M. Dunham, Alan T. Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 8228689
    Abstract: Disclosed is an internal cable system that communicates signals in an electronic device. The system uses a printed circuit board with active circuits that is connected to a standard communication cable. The printed circuit board is exposed to air flow from the cooling system of the electronic device for proper operation of the active components of the active circuits on the printed circuit board. The standard cable may include a SCSI internal cable or other similar signal communication cables. Signal integrity is enhanced using the active circuits that are mounted on the printed circuit board. Power is supplied to the printed circuit board through inactive conductors in the cable or conductors that would otherwise be used for grounding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventor: Alan T. Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 7715182
    Abstract: A rack mount drive blade system having a chassis and a drive blade. The chassis has at least one blade bay to accept a drive blade, where the chassis accepts the drive blade into the blade bay with the drive blade in a horizontal orientation. Each blade bay has chassis to blade electrical contacts including at least one cable having a length, for making electrical connections between the chassis and the drive blade. Each blade bay also has slot portions for engaging the drive blade along a length of the drive blade. The chassis has at least one module bay to accept a shared resource module, where each module bay has chassis to module electrical contacts, for making electrical connections between the chassis and the shared resource module. The drive blade has a printed circuit board for providing electrical connections to and from components on the drive blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan S. Signer, John Dunham, Alan T. Pfeifer
  • Publication number: 20100014598
    Abstract: Disclosed is an internal cable system that communicates signals in an electronic device. The system uses a printed circuit board with active circuits that is connected to a standard communication cable. The printed circuit board is exposed to air flow from the cooling system of the electronic device for proper operation of the active components of the active circuits on the printed circuit board. The standard cable may include a SCSI internal cable or other similar signal communication cables. Signal integrity is enhanced using the active circuits that are mounted on the printed circuit board. Power is supplied to the printed circuit board through inactive conductors in the cable or conductors that would otherwise be used for grounding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Alan T. Pfeifer
  • Publication number: 20100002368
    Abstract: A rack mount drive blade system having a chassis and a drive blade. The chassis has at least one blade bay to accept a drive blade, where the chassis accepts the drive blade into the blade bay with the drive blade in a horizontal orientation. Each blade bay has chassis to blade electrical contacts including at least one cable having a length, for making electrical connections between the chassis and the drive blade. Each blade bay also has slot portions for engaging the drive blade along a length of the drive blade. The chassis has at least one module bay to accept a shared resource module, where each module bay has chassis to module electrical contacts, for making electrical connections between the chassis and the shared resource module. The drive blade has a printed circuit board for providing electrical connections to and from components on the drive blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: LSI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan S. Signer, John Dunham, Alan T. Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 7552581
    Abstract: Disclosed is an articulated cable chain 102 that has a flat spring that initiates a first folding curve that holds the articulated cable chain 102 in a tight radius. Once the first folding curve 122 is properly initiated, the remaining folding curves in the articulated cable chain 102 are folded at the proper locations and have a small radii, even though the cable within the articulated cable chain tends to cause the cable chain to maintain a straighter configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Alan T. Pfeifer, Ryan Signer, John Dunham, Ben Karsak
  • Patent number: 6990424
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a system specific test by providing sophisticated error tracking mechanisms to trigger on a specific system event. The present invention addresses the problem of monitoring network traffic and isolating a point of error at the testing stage. The present invention defines a specific system event to be monitored. A trigger is created in the host system and routed to the analyzer, wherein the trigger is used to allow the analyzer to capture information related to the specific system event. When a signal is received at the analyzer, the signal automatically triggers the analyzer to capture and store a predetermined amount of data related to the specific system event before and after the trigger is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Roger T. Clegg, Alan T. Pfeifer, Bonnie C. Mills