Patents by Inventor Allan R. Hoeft

Allan R. Hoeft 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: 9402334
    Abstract: An air flow control assembly, system, and method for controlling air flow to a server rack. An example air flow control assembly includes a retractable barrier configured to block the air flow, at least partially, from passing through a perforated floor tile to the server rack. The air flow control assembly also includes a barrier mount configured to secure the retractable barrier proximate the perforated floor tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick A. Coico, David P. Graybill, Allan R. Hoeft, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Gerard V. Weber, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9045995
    Abstract: An electronics rack with a cooling apparatus and a liquid-coolant-driven, electricity-generating system. The generating system includes a housing coupled in fluid communication with a fluid transport pipe of the cooling apparatus, an impeller disposed within the housing and positioned to turn with flow of fluid across the impeller, one or more magnetic structures disposed to turn with turning of the impeller, and an electrical circuit. Electricity is generated for the electrical circuit with turning of the one or more magnetic structures, and is supplied to an electrical load disposed within or associated with the electronics rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David P. Graybill, Allan R. Hoeft, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Donald W. Porter, Enrico A. Romano, Roger R. Schmidt, Gerard V. Weber, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140090806
    Abstract: An air flow control assembly, system, and method for controlling air flow to a server rack. An example air flow control assembly includes a retractable barrier configured to block the air flow, at least partially, from passing through a perforated floor tile to the server rack. The air flow control assembly also includes a barrier mount configured to secure the retractable barrier proximate the perforated floor tile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. Coico, David P. Graybill, Allan R. Hoeft, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Gerard V. Weber, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130000736
    Abstract: An air flow control assembly, system, and method for controlling air flow to a server rack. An example air flow control assembly includes a retractable barrier configured to block the air flow, at least partially, from passing through a perforated floor tile to the server rack. The air flow control assembly also includes a barrier mount configured to secure the retractable barrier proximate the perforated floor tile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. Coico, David P. Graybill, Allan R. Hoeft, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Gerard V. Weber, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120286514
    Abstract: A fluid-driven, electricity-generating system and method are provided for a data center with a fluid transport pipe. The generating system includes a housing coupled in fluid communication with the fluid transport pipe, an impeller disposed within the housing and positioned to turn with flow of fluid across the impeller, one or more magnetic structures disposed to turn with turning of the impeller, and an electrical circuit. Electricity is generated for the electrical circuit with turning of the one or more magnetic structures, and is supplied to an electrical load disposed within or associated with the data center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David P. GRAYBILL, Allan R. HOEFT, Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Donald W. PORTER, Enrico A. ROMANO, Roger R. SCHMIDT, Gerard V. WEBER, JR.
  • Patent number: 8113012
    Abstract: An airflow arrester is provided and configured to reside between electronics racks disposed in a row within a data center. The airflow arrester includes a panel, which when operatively disposed, has a first vertical end, a second vertical end, and a central vertical hinge located intermediate the first and second vertical ends. The airflow arrester further includes an attachment mechanism at the first vertical end and at the second vertical end, and when operatively disposed between a first and second structures, the airflow arrester has a single V-shaped configuration, and is sized and constructed to block airflow from passing therebetween. The single V-shaped configuration provides operational stability to the airflow arrester by translating net twisting forces applied to the airflow arrester to normal forces applied to the first and second structures at the attachment points of the airflow arrester to the first and second structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Allan R. Hoeft, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Francis R. Krug, Jr., Steven C. McIntosh, Matthew A. Nobile, Donald W. Porter, Roger R. Schmidt, Howard P. Welz
  • Patent number: 7656660
    Abstract: An airflow arresting apparatus is provided configured to reside above an electronics rack within a data center. The apparatus includes an airflow arrester and a track mechanism. The airflow arrester includes a collapsible panel sized and configured to reside above the electronics rack, and when operatively positioned above the electronics rack, to extend vertically above the electronics rack and at least partially block airflow from passing over the electronics rack between the air outlet and air inlet sides of the rack. The track mechanism is sized and configured to reside above the electronics rack, and the airflow arrester is slidably engaged with the track mechanism. Positioning of the airflow arrester at a desired location above the electronics rack is facilitated by the airflow arrester slidably engaging the track mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Allan R. Hoeft, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Francis R. Krug, Jr., Steven C. McIntosh, Matthew A. Nobile, Donald W. Porter, Roger R. Schmidt, Howard P. Welz
  • Publication number: 20090129000
    Abstract: An airflow arrester is provided and configured to reside between electronics racks disposed in a row within a data center. The airflow arrester includes a panel, which when operatively disposed, has a first vertical end, a second vertical end, and a central vertical hinge located intermediate the first and second vertical ends. The airflow arrester further includes an attachment mechanism at the first vertical end and at the second vertical end, and when operatively disposed between a first and second structures, the airflow arrester has a single V-shaped configuration, and is sized and constructed to block airflow from passing therebetween. The single V-shaped configuration provides operational stability to the airflow arrester by translating net twisting forces applied to the airflow arrester to normal forces applied to the first and second structures at the attachment points of the airflow arrester to the first and second structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Allan R. HOEFT, Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Francis R. KRUG, JR., Steven C. McINTOSH, Matthew A. NOBILE, Donald W. PORTER, Roger R. SCHMIDT, Howard P. WELZ
  • Publication number: 20090129016
    Abstract: An airflow arresting apparatus is provided configured to reside above an electronics rack within a data center. The apparatus includes an airflow arrester and a track mechanism. The airflow arrester includes a collapsible panel sized and configured to reside above the electronics rack, and when operatively positioned above the electronics rack, to extend vertically above the electronics rack and at least partially block airflow from passing over the electronics rack between the air outlet and air inlet sides of the rack. The track mechanism is sized and configured to reside above the electronics rack, and the airflow arrester is slidably engaged with the track mechanism. Positioning of the airflow arrester at a desired location above the electronics rack is facilitated by the airflow arrester slidably engaging the track mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Allan R. HOEFT, Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Francis R. KRUG, JR., Steven C. McINTOSH, Matthew A. NOBILE, Donald W. PORTER, Roger R. SCHMIDT, Howard P. WELZ