Patents by Inventor Andrew L. McAnally

Andrew L. McAnally 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: 9706688
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may include a structural element and a heat pipe. The structural element may be for mechanically supporting an information handling resource. The heat pipe may be thermally and mechanically coupled to the structural element, such that the heat pipe conducts heat generated by an information handling resource supported by the structural element to the structural element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Russell C. Smith, William K. Coxe, Corey Dean Hartman, Andrew L. McAnally
  • Publication number: 20160066468
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may include a structural element and a heat pipe. The structural element may be for mechanically supporting an information handling resource. The heat pipe may be thermally and mechanically coupled to the structural element, such that the heat pipe conducts heat generated by an information handling resource supported by the structural element to the structural element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Russell C. Smith, William K. Coxe, Corey Dean Hartman, Andrew L. McAnally
  • Patent number: 7336484
    Abstract: A chassis having a pivotable bracket is disclosed. The bracket pivots between an up position to permit an internal cable to be coupled to the bracket and pivots to a down position to form a hood for the passage of heated air into the interior of the computer system. When a component is inserted in the computer system, the component contacts the bracket and forces the bracket to move from the up position to the down position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew L. McAnally, Zachary A. Cravens
  • Patent number: 7324349
    Abstract: A modular component coupling apparatus includes a chassis and a plurality of guide members mounted in the chassis which define a component channel, the plurality of guide members each including a first end and a second end, the second end including a component securing member adjacent the component channel. A modular component may be coupled to the chassis by engaging the component rear securing member such that vibrations in the modular component are reduced relative to a conventional coupling apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Eric C. Wobig, Karl Hamand, Andrew L. McAnally
  • Patent number: 6580604
    Abstract: A single peripheral device bay including a frame can receive a variety of different adapter plates, and thereby accommodate the maximum number of devices for each of a variety of different types and/or sizes of peripheral devices when the adapter plates are chosen for the particular type and/or size of device. Such a peripheral device bay includes a frame that can be permanently attached to the chassis of a computer system or an external enclosure. The removable adapter plates are attached to the frame so as to accommodate different devices. Because the peripheral device bay can be permanently attached to the chassis or enclosure, it can provide either with additional structural stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Dell U.S.A., L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew L. McAnally, Steven L. Sands, Blake West, R. Steven Mills
  • Patent number: 6349042
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a system component in a chassis includes an electrically conductive chassis having a grounding frame mounted therein and electrically connected thereto. An access opening extends through the grounding frame. The access opening is defined by opposed longitudinal edges. An elongated contact member is attached to the grounding frame adjacent to each longitudinal edge of the access opening. Each one of the contact members is resiliently deflectable about a pivot axis adjacent the corresponding longitudinal edge. Discontinuities and obstructions along the edge portions of the expansion device do not engage and damage the contact members. Furthermore, a substantially continuous EMI gasket is provided along substantially the entire edge of the expansion card, improving the reliability of the ground between the chassis and the expansion device and reducing electromagnetic emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Richard S. Mills, Andrew L. McAnally
  • Patent number: 6297957
    Abstract: An apparatus including a base substrate including a reference voltage plane. A plurality of spaced apart printed circuit substrates are attached to the base substrate. Each one of the printed circuit substrates includes a reference voltage plane attached to the reference voltage plane of the base substrate. A system component is removably attached to a first side of at least one of the printed circuit substrates. The system component is electrically connected to the reference voltage plane of the printed circuit substrate. A support member is attached to a second side of each printed circuit substrate. Each support member is electrically coupled to the reference voltage plane of the printed circuit substrate. The support members are electrically connected to a reference voltage plane of the printed circuit substrate to provide a low impedance return current path for the electrical portion of the electromagnetic emissions, thereby reducing the magnitude of electromagnetic emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert W. Johnson, Richard L. Eddings, II, James D. Curlee, Andrew L. McAnally
  • Patent number: 6246576
    Abstract: A lock and release mechanism is disclosed which includes an elongated bendable member which engages a lock tab such that when the lock tab is disengaged with the chassis an electronics module can be moved into a plurality of positions, including a service position, a closed position and a removal position. Such a mechanism advantageously provides latch and release functionality using a single part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven L. Sands, Andrew L. McAnally, Eric B. Holloway
  • Patent number: 6229713
    Abstract: A device that includes multiple light channels for separating the light from adjacent indicating lights and preventing bleed-over can be constructed to include an electrically conductive material so that the device can also serve as an EMI shield to reduce the amount of EMI escaping from a computer system chassis. By reducing light bleed-over from one indicating light to the next, such a device reduces the likelihood that a user will be confused about whether an indicating light is on or off. Additionally, closely spaced indicating lights can be accommodated by slots in the chassis while EMI is reduced by the shielding effects of the light channel device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Dell U.S.A., L.P.
    Inventors: Ty R. Schmitt, Andrew L. McAnally
  • Patent number: 6075694
    Abstract: A drive bay for an alternately orientable computer chassis includes a first pair of parallel opposing side panels and a second pair of parallel opposing side panels, each side panel having an interior side surface and an exterior side surface, and a plurality of drive mounting features on the interior side surface of each side panel. The first pair of parallel opposing side panels and the second pair of parallel opposing side panels arranged to form an enclosure with a rectangular aperture. The drive bay allows drives to be mounted horizontally in the drive bay, whether the chassis is in a tower or a desktop/rack orientation, and without having to ever change the orientation of the drive bay with respect to the chassis. Because the drive bay need not be re-mounted when the orientation of the chassis is changed, the drive bay can provide additional structural support to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Dell USA L.P.
    Inventors: R. Steven Mills, Andrew L. McAnally
  • Patent number: 6070742
    Abstract: A foldable cable management apparatus for holding cables in a rack mounted system. The apparatus includes a plurality of segments pivotally attached to one another. One or more of the plurality of segments include cable trays for holding the cables and include cable fasteners. One or more of the plurality of segments is adapted to nest with other segments so that the combined depth of the apparatus is less than the sum of the depths of the individual segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew L. McAnally, Christopher S. Beall
  • Patent number: 6061237
    Abstract: A computer, or electronic device, according to which two fans are mounted on a mounting member which, in turn, is mounted to a wall of the chassis of the computer or component so that the fans establish an air flow in the chassis in a predetermined direction. The fans are mounted to the mounting member, and the mounting member is mounted to the wall, in a manner so that the fans extend at an angle to the wall and so that the space occupied by the fans is less than the space that the fans would occupy when mounted in a side-by-side relation and parallel to the wall. The fans are also positioned so that, if one fails, the other will cool the components normally cooled by the failed fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Steve Sands, Andrew L. McAnally, R. Steven Mills
  • Patent number: 5949652
    Abstract: A device for securing a power supply in a computer chassis includes a power supply housing having a handle movably mounted thereon. An insertion and extraction cam device extends from the handle and is pivotable into and out of engagement with a cam receiver in the chassis. A housing locking device extends from the handle and is slidable into and out of engagement with a lock receiver in the chassis. A power switch actuator tab is connected to extend from the handle and slide into and out of engagement with a power switch actuator arm mounted in the power supply. A power cord lock is connected to extend from the handle and slide to and from a lock position adjacent a power cord plug attached to the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Dell U.S.A., L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew L. McAnally, R. Steven Mills, Eric Holloway