Patents by Inventor C. Chu

C. Chu 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).

  • Publication number: 20110069453
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for two-phase dielectric cooling of an electronic device. The apparatus includes a coolant flow path, a vapor condenser and one or more vapor fans. The coolant flow path is in fluid communication with the electronic device, where liquid dielectric coolant within the flow path vaporizes upon contacting the electronic device, forming dielectric coolant vapor, and thereby facilitating cooling of the electronic device. The vapor condenser is also in fluid communication with the coolant flow path and facilitates condensate formation from the dielectric coolant vapor. The one or more vapor fans are disposed within the flow path to actively move dielectric coolant vapor into contact with the vapor condenser, and thereby enhance cooling of the electronic device by facilitating coolant condensate formation and thus recirculation of the coolant condensate as liquid dielectric coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Patent number: 7909402
    Abstract: An self adjusting back support assembly for a seat is provided comprising a plurality of pivotally adjustable back support members juxtaposed one another such that each of said back support members is able to pivot about an axis contained wholly within an adjacent back support member allowing the back support assembly to adopt a serpentine contour substantially following a contour of an occupant's back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Synergy Product Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Zooey C. Chu, Shun Jie Ju
  • Patent number: 7907406
    Abstract: System and method are provided for cooling an electronics rack. A modular cooling unit (MCU) is associated with the rack to provide system coolant to an electronics subsystem and a bulk power assembly. The MCU includes a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger, and defines portions of facility and system coolant loops. Chilled coolant from a facility source is passed through the liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger to cool system coolant flowing through the system coolant loop. The system also includes an air-to-liquid heat exchanger in fluid communication with the system coolant loop, a pump in fluid communication with the system coolant loop, and a controller. The controller controls operation of the pump to adjust flow of system coolant through the system coolant loop dependent upon a mode of operation. In a standby mode, system coolant flows through the air-to-liquid heat exchanger at a lower flow rate, and expels heat to ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 7905096
    Abstract: Dehumidifying and re-humidifying cooling apparatus and method are provided for an electronics rack. The apparatus includes a dehumidifying air-to-liquid heat exchanger disposed at an air inlet side of the rack and a re-humidifying air-to-liquid heat exchanger disposed at an air outlet side of the rack. The heat exchangers are in fluid communication with a coolant loop for passing chilled coolant through the heat exchangers, and the dehumidifying heat exchanger dehumidifies ingressing air to the electronics rack to reduce a dew point of air flowing through the rack. A condensate collector disposed at the air inlet side collects liquid condensate from the dehumidifying of ingressing air, and a condensate delivery mechanism delivers the condensate to the re-humidifying heat exchanger to humidify air egressing from the electronics rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Robert E. Simons
  • Publication number: 20110056225
    Abstract: A cooling system and method are provided for facilitating two-phase heat transfer from an electronics system including a plurality of electronic devices to be cooled. The cooling system includes a plurality of evaporators coupled to the electronic devices, and a coolant loop for passing system coolant through the evaporators. The coolant loop includes a plurality of coolant branches coupled in parallel, with each coolant branch being coupled in fluid communication with a respective evaporator. The cooling system further includes a control unit for maintaining pressure of system coolant at a system coolant supply side of the coolant branches within a specific pressure range at or above saturation pressure of the system coolant for a given desired saturation temperature of system coolant into the evaporators to facilitate two-phase heat transfer in the plurality of evaporators from the electronic devices to the system coolant at the given desired saturation temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Publication number: 20110056674
    Abstract: A cooling system and method are provided for facilitating cooling of multiple liquid-cooled electronics racks. The cooling system includes a main system coolant supply loop with a plurality of system coolant supply branch lines for facilitating supply of cooled system coolant to the electronics racks, and a main system coolant return loop with a plurality of system coolant return branch lines for facilitating return of exhausted system coolant from the electronics racks. When operational, cooled system coolant circulates through the coolant supply loop and exhausted system coolant circulates through the coolant return loop. A plurality of modular cooling units are coupled to the coolant supply loop and coolant return loop. Each modular cooling unit includes a heat exchanger to facilitate cooling of a portion of the exhausted coolant circulating through the main system coolant return loop for return as cooled system coolant to the main system coolant supply loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Publication number: 20110060470
    Abstract: A cooling system and method are provided for facilitating cooling of a liquid-cooled electronics rack. The cooling system includes a coolant flow controller, a modular cooling unit and a pressure controller. The flow controller is associated with a respective electronics rack and controls flow of coolant through that electronics rack based on its changing cooling requirements. The cooling unit includes an adjustable coolant pump for facilitating supply of coolant to the rack. The pressure controller is associated with the cooling unit for controlling pressure of coolant at an output of the cooling unit via control of pump speed of the pump. Responsive to adjusting coolant flow through the electronics rack, the pressure controller automatically adjusts pump speed of the adjustable pump to maintain pressure about a constant coolant pressure set point at an output of the cooling unit, thereby conserving power while still cooling the liquid-cooled electronics rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Publication number: 20110058637
    Abstract: A pressure control unit and method are provided for facilitating single-phase heat transfer within a liquid-based cooling system. The pressure control unit includes a pressure vessel containing system coolant, and a pressurizing mechanism associated with the pressure vessel. A coolant line couples system coolant in the pressure vessel in fluid communication with the coolant loop of the cooling system, and a regulator mechanism couples to the pressurizing mechanism to maintain pressure within the pressure vessel at or above a defined pressure threshold, thus maintaining pressure within the coolant loop above the pressure threshold. The defined pressure threshold is set to facilitate system coolant within the coolant loop remaining single-phase throughout an operational temperature range of the system coolant within the coolant loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, Jr., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Patent number: 7895428
    Abstract: Applying firmware updates to servers in a data center, the servers including one or more active servers and a standby server, each server mapped to separate remote computer boot storage, including applying the firmware updates to the standby server; selecting an active server for firmware updating; powering off the selected active server by the system management server; remapping the standby server to the remote computer boot storage for the selected active server; rebooting the standby server from the remote computer boot storage for the selected active server, designating the standby server as an active server; remapping the selected active server to the remote computer boot storage formerly mapped to the standby server; and rebooting the selected active server from the remote boot storage formerly mapped to the standby server, designating the selected active server as a standby server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James F. Boland, IV, Simon C. Chu, Gregory W. Dake, Eric R. Kern
  • Patent number: 7885070
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating pumped, immersion-cooling of an electronic system having multiple different types of electronic components. The apparatus includes a container sized to receive the electronic system, a coolant inlet port and a coolant outlet port for facilitating ingress and egress of coolant through the container, and a manifold structure associated with the container. The manifold structure includes a coolant jet plenum with an inlet opening in fluid communication with the coolant inlet port, and one or more jet orifices in fluid communication with the coolant jet plenum. The jet orifices are positioned to facilitate cooling of at least one electronic component of the multiple different types of electronic components by jet impingement of coolant thereon when the electronic system is operatively positioned within the container for immersion-cooling thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 7885074
    Abstract: Cooling apparatuses and methods are provided for facilitating cooling of an electronic device utilizing a cooling subassembly, a pump and a controller. The cooling subassembly includes a jet impingement structure, and a thermosyphon. The jet impingement structure directs coolant into a chamber of the subassembly onto a surface to be cooled when in a jet impingement mode, and the thermosyphon, which is associated with the chamber, facilitates convective cooling of the surface to be cooled via boiling of coolant within the chamber when in a thermosyphon mode. The controller, which is coupled to the pump to control activation and deactivation of the pump, also controls transitioning between the jet impingement mode and the thermosyphon mode based on a sensed temperature of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 7878007
    Abstract: Monitoring method and system are provided for dynamically determining airflow rate through and heat removal rate of an air-conditioning unit, such as a computer room air-conditioning unit. The method includes: sensing inlet and outlet temperatures of fluid passing through a heat exchanger associated with the air-conditioning unit; sensing air temperature at an air inlet side of the heat exchanger; automatically determining at least one of airflow rate through or heat removal rate of the air-conditioning unit, the automatically determining employing the sensed inlet temperature and outlet temperature of fluid passing through the heat exchanger, and the sensed air temperature at the air inlet side of the heat exchanger; and outputting the determined airflow rate through or heat removal rate of the air-conditioning unit. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger is an auxiliary air-to-air heat exchanger, and in another embodiment, the heat exchanger is the air-to-liquid heat exchanger of the air-conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Robert E. Simons
  • Publication number: 20110010151
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating simulation of heated airflow exhaust of an electronics subsystem, electronics rack or row of electronics racks. The apparatus includes a thermal simulator, which includes an air-moving device and a fluid-to-air heat exchanger. The air-moving device establishes airflow from an air inlet to air outlet side of the thermal simulator tailored to correlate to heated airflow exhaust of the electronics subsystem, rack or row of racks being simulated. The fluid-to-air heat exchanger heats airflow through the thermal simulator, with temperature of airflow exhausting from the simulator being tailored to correlate to temperature of the heated airflow exhaust of the electronics subsystem, rack or row of racks being simulated. The apparatus further includes a fluid distribution apparatus, which includes a fluid distribution unit disposed separate from the fluid simulator and providing hot fluid to the fluid-to-air heat exchanger of the thermal simulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew R. ARCHIBALD, Richard C. CHU, Hendrik F. HAMANN, Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Roger R. SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 7869662
    Abstract: A location system and a location system on a chip (LCoS) and method are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Janet Yun, David C. Chu, Matthew D. Tenuta, Raymond Yeung, Nhan T. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20100328888
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus and method of fabrication are provided for facilitating cooling of an electronic device. The cooling apparatus includes a thermally conductive porous material and a liquid coolant supply. The thermally conductive porous material (such as metal foam material) is coupled to a surface of the electronic device to be cooled, or a structure coupled to the electronic device. The liquid coolant supply includes a jet impingement structure, which includes one or more jet nozzles for directing liquid coolant onto the surface to be cooled. The jet nozzle(s) extends into the thermally conductive porous material, and facilitates delivery of liquid coolant onto the surface to be cooled. The thermally conductive porous material is in thermal contact with the surface to be cooled and facilitates cooling of the electronic device by boiling of the liquid coolant passing through the porous material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Publication number: 20100328890
    Abstract: Vapor condensers and cooling apparatuses are provided which facilitate vapor condensation cooling of a coolant employed in cooling an electronic device. The vapor condenser includes a thermally conductive base structure with a plurality of condenser fins extending from the base structure. The condenser fins have a proximal end coupled to the base structure and a remote end remote from the base structure. At least one exposed cavity is provided within each condenser fin extending from the remote end towards the proximal end. The exposed cavities are sized to provide greater condenser fin surface area for facilitating vapor condensate formation, and thereby facilitate cooling of an electronic device using a two-phase coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Publication number: 20100328882
    Abstract: Cooling apparatuses and methods are provided for facilitating cooling of an electronic device utilizing a cooling subassembly, a pump and a controller. The cooling subassembly includes a jet impingement structure, and a thermosyphon. The jet impingement structure directs coolant into a chamber of the subassembly onto a surface to be cooled when in a jet impingement mode, and the thermosyphon, which is associated with the chamber, facilitates convective cooling of the surface to be cooled via boiling of coolant within the chamber when in a thermosyphon mode. The controller, which is coupled to the pump to control activation and deactivation of the pump, also controls transitioning between the jet impingement mode and the thermosyphon mode based on a sensed temperature of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Publication number: 20100326628
    Abstract: Vapor condensers and cooling apparatuses are provided herein which facilitate vapor condensation cooling of a coolant employed in cooling an electronic device or electronic subsystem. The vapor condenser includes a thermally conductive base structure having an operational orientation when the condenser is facilitating vapor condensate formation, and a plurality of thermally conductive condenser fins extending from the thermally conductive base structure. The plurality of thermally conductive condenser fins have a varying cross-sectional perimeter along at least a portion of their length. The cross-sectional perimeters of the plurality of thermally conductive condenser fins are configured to increase in a direction of condensate travel when the thermally conductive base structure is in the operational orientation and the vapor condenser is facilitating vapor condensate formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Publication number: 20100328889
    Abstract: Cooled electronic modules and methods of fabrication are provided with pump-enhanced, dielectric fluid immersion-cooling of the electronic device. The cooled electronic module includes a substrate supporting an electronic device to be cooled. A cooling apparatus couples to the substrate, and includes a housing configured to at least partially surround and form a sealed compartment about the electronic device. Additionally, the cooling apparatus includes dielectric fluid and one or more pumps disposed within the sealed compartment. The dielectric fluid is in direct contact with the electronic device, and the pump is an impingement-cooling, immersed pump disposed to actively pump dielectric fluid within the sealed compartment towards the electronic device. Multiple condenser fins extend from the housing into the sealed compartment in an upper portion of the sealed compartment, and a liquid-cooled cold plate or an air-cooled heat sink is coupled to the top of the housing for cooling the condenser fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Publication number: 20100328891
    Abstract: Condenser structures and cooling apparatuses are provided which facilitate vapor condensation heat transfer of a coolant employed in cooling an electronic device. The condenser structure includes a thermally conductive condenser block with multiple exposed cavities therein extending from a first main surface towards a second main surface. The condenser block is a monolithic structure, and the first main surface is a coolant vapor condensate formation surface when the condenser structure is operationally facilitating cooling of an electronic device. The exposed cavities extend from the first main surface into the condenser block to increase a condensation surface area of the condenser block, thereby facilitating coolant vapor condensate formation on the condenser block, and thus cooling of the electronic device using a two-phase coolant. The condenser structure also includes coolant-carrying channels for facilitating cooling of the condenser block, and thus vapor condensate formation on the condenser block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS