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).

  • Patent number: 7362574
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus and a direct cooling impingement module are provided, along with a method of fabrication thereof. The cooling apparatus and direct impingement cooling module include a manifold structure and a jet orifice plate for injecting coolant onto a surface to be cooled. The jet orifice plate, which includes a plurality of jet orifices for directing coolant at the surface to be cooled, is a unitary plate configured with a plurality of jet orifice structures. Each jet orifice structure projects from a lower surface of the jet orifice plate towards the surface to be cooled, and includes a respective jet orifice. The jet orifice structures are spaced to define coolant effluent removal regions therebetween which facilitate removal of coolant effluent from over a center region of the electronic component being cooled to a peripheral region thereof, thereby reducing pressure drop across the jet orifice plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Publication number: 20080084667
    Abstract: A hybrid cooling system and method of fabrication are provided for a multi-component electronics system. The cooling system includes an air moving device for establishing air flow across at least one primary and at least one secondary heat generating component to be cooled; and a liquid-based cooling subsystem including at least one cold plate, physically coupled to the at least one primary heat generating component, and a thermally conductive coolant-carrying tube in fluid communication with the at least one cold plate. A thermally conductive auxiliary structure is coupled to the coolant-carrying tube and includes a plurality of thermally conductive fins extending from a surface thereof. The plurality of thermally conductive fins are disposed at least partially over the at least one secondary heat generating component to be cooled, and provide supplemental cooling of at least a portion of the air flow established across the multiple components of the electronics system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Publication number: 20080084668
    Abstract: A conductive heat transport cooling system and method are provided for cooling primary and secondary heat generating components of an electronics system. The cooling system includes a liquid-based cooling subsystem including at least one liquid-cooled cold plate physically coupled to at least one primary heat generating component of the electronics system, and a thermally conductive coolant-carrying tube coupled to and in fluid communication with the at least one liquid-cooled cold plate. A thermally conductive auxiliary structure is coupled to the coolant-carrying tube and to at least one secondary heat generating component of the electronics system. When in use, the thermally conductive auxiliary structure provides conductive heat transport from the at least one secondary heat generating component to the at least one thermally conductive coolant-carrying tube coupled thereto, and hence via convection to liquid coolant passing therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Randall G. Kemink, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Publication number: 20080084664
    Abstract: A system for cooling an electronics system is provided. The cooling system includes a monolithic structure preconfigured for cooling multiple electronic components of the electronics system when coupled thereto. The monolithic structure includes multiple liquid-cooled cold plates configured and disposed in spaced relation to couple to respective electronic components; a plurality of coolant-carrying tubes metallurgically bonded in fluid communication with the multiple liquid-cooled cold plates, and a liquid-coolant header subassembly metallurgically bonded in fluid communication with multiple coolant-carrying tubes. The header subassembly includes a coolant supply header metallurgically bonded to coolant supply tubes and a coolant return header metallurgically bonded to coolant return tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 7353861
    Abstract: A transpiration cooled heat sink, a self contained coolant supply and a method of using a transpiration cooled heat sink and a self contained coolant supply is provided and includes a heat sink base structure, the heat sink base structure having a coolant inlet for receiving a coolant and a coolant outlet for distributing a coolant, wherein the heat sink base structure defines at least one coolant channel disposed so as to be communicated with the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet and a coolant distribution structure, wherein the coolant distribution structure defines at least one distribution cavity and includes at least one distribution inlet communicated with the distribution cavity and wherein the coolant distribution structure is disposed relative to the heat sink base structure such that the distribution inlet is communicated with the coolant outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 7349209
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating cooling of an electronics rack employing an air delivery structure coupled to the electronics rack. The air delivery structure delivers air flow at a location external to the electronics rack and in a direction to facilitate mixing thereof with re-circulating exhausted inlet-to-outlet air flow from the air outlet side of the electronics rack to the air inlet side thereof. The delivered air flow is cooler than the re-circulating exhausted inlet-to-outlet air flow and when mixed with the re-circulating air flow facilitates lowering air inlet temperature at a portion of the air inlet side of the electronics rack, thereby enhancing cooling of the electronics rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 7349213
    Abstract: A coolant control unit for a liquid cooled electronics system is provided, which includes an external coolant inlet and outlet for receiving and returning external coolant; an internal coolant loop for circulating coolant to the electronics system; a first and second control valve coupling the external coolant inlet and outlet to the internal coolant loop; a heat exchanger connected between the first and second control valves; and control logic for controlling operation of the coolant control unit in one of an external coolant mode and an internal coolant mode. In the external coolant mode, the first and second control valves allow passage of external coolant through the internal coolant loop to the electronics system, and in the internal coolant mode, the first and second control valves isolate coolant within the internal coolant loop from the external coolant inlet and outlet, and pass the coolant therein through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 7348101
    Abstract: A high capacity, high charge rate lithium secondary cell includes a high capacity lithium-containing positive electrode in electronic contact with a positive electrode current collector, said current collector in electrical connection with an external circuit, a high capacity negative electrode in electronic contact with a negative electrode current collector, said current collector in electrical connection with an external circuit, a separator positioned between and in ionic contact with the cathode and the anode, and an electrolyte in ionic contact with the positive and negative electrodes, wherein the total area specific impedance for the cell and the relative area specific impedances for the positive and negative electrodes are such that, during charging at greater than or equal to 4C, the negative electrode potential is above the potential of metallic lithium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: A123 Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Antoni S. Gozdz, Andrew C. Chu, Yet Ming Chiang, Gilbert N. Riley
  • Publication number: 20080060368
    Abstract: A multi-fluid cooling system and method for cooling an electronic device are provided which employ freeze protection when in a shipping state. The cooling system includes a coolant loop having an expansion tank containing first and second fluids, which are immiscible and of different densities, and the second fluid freezes at a lower temperature than the first. The coolant loop further includes a first valve for facilitating coupling of the first fluid into the coolant loop and a second valve for facilitating coupling of the second fluid into the coolant loop, the first and second valves being independently controllable. Control logic electronically controls actuation of the first and second valves to automatically pass the first fluid through the coolant loop when the system is in an operational state and to automatically maintain the second fluid in the coolant loop when the system is in a shipping state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Publication number: 20080049396
    Abstract: Augmenting air cooling of electronics system using a cooling fluid to cool air entering the system, and to remove the heat dissipated by the electronics. A cooled electronics system includes a frame with drawers containing electronics components to be cooled. The frame includes a front with an air inlet and a back with an air outlet. A cabinet encases the frame, and includes a front cover positioned over the air inlet, a back cover positioned over the air outlet, and first and second side air returns at opposite sides of the frame. At least one air moving device establishes air flow across the electronics drawers. The air flow bifurcates at the back cover and returns to the air inlet via the first and second side air returns and the front cover. An air-to-liquid heat exchanger cools the air flowing across the electronics drawers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Publication number: 20080037221
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus and a direct cooling impingement module are provided, along with a method of fabrication thereof. The cooling apparatus and direct impingement cooling module include a manifold structure and a jet orifice plate for injecting coolant onto a surface to be cooled. The jet orifice plate, which includes a plurality of jet orifices for directing coolant at the surface to be cooled, is a unitary plate configured with a plurality of jet orifice structures. Each jet orifice structure projects from a lower surface of the jet orifice plate towards the surface to be cooled, and includes a respective jet orifice. The jet orifice structures are spaced to define coolant effluent removal regions therebetween which facilitate removal of coolant effluent from over a center region of the electronic component being cooled to a peripheral region thereof, thereby reducing pressure drop across the jet orifice plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 7330965
    Abstract: An aggregated server blade system includes a plurality of individual server blades and a management module which can be designated as a bootable device. A boot list maintained and executed in each server blade includes a management module entry in its list of bootable devices. In response to the management module entry being selected or otherwise made active as the bootable device for a particular blade, an alternative bootable-devices list maintained on the management module is referenced and the boot process proceeds according to the alternative list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Simon C. Chu, Richard A. Dayan, Eric R. Kern, William J. Piazza
  • Publication number: 20080017360
    Abstract: A heat exchanger, method of fabrication and cooled electronics system employing the heat exchanger are provided. The heat exchanger, which in one embodiment cools air provided to heat generating components of a computer system, is disposed at an angle with respect to a direction of airflow. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of primary fins oriented parallel, and at least one plurality of secondary fins extending from at least one of a leading edge and a trailing edge of the plurality of primary fins. Each secondary fin extends from a respective primary fin at an angle other than 0° to facilitate airflow through the heat exchanger. Additionally, the secondary fins are fixedly positioned relative to and integral with the primary fins, thereby providing an increased heat transfer surface area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Publication number: 20080005370
    Abstract: Identifying an operating system running on a computer system. In one aspect of the invention, an enumeration pattern is collected, the enumeration pattern describing an enumeration of a device that has been performed between the device and the operating system running on a host computer system. The type of the operating system running on the host computer system is identified based on the collected enumeration pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph E. BOLAN, Robert K. CHRISTNER, Simon C. CHU, Peter T. DONOVAN, Eric R. KERN
  • Publication number: 20080002364
    Abstract: A coolant control unit for a liquid cooled electronics system is provided, which includes an external coolant inlet and outlet for receiving and returning external coolant; an internal coolant loop for circulating coolant to the electronics system; a first and second control valve coupling the external coolant inlet and outlet to the internal coolant loop; a heat exchanger connected between the first and second control valves; and control logic for controlling operation of the coolant control unit in one of an external coolant mode and an internal coolant mode. In the external coolant mode, the first and second control valves allow passage of external coolant through the internal coolant loop to the electronics system, and in the internal coolant mode, the first and second control valves isolate coolant within the internal coolant loop from the external coolant inlet and outlet, and pass the coolant therein through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Publication number: 20070295481
    Abstract: A dual-chamber fluid pump is provided for a multi-fluid electronics cooling system and method. The pump has a first fluid path for pumping a first fluid coolant and a second fluid path for pumping a second fluid coolant, with the first fluid path including a first pumping chamber and the second fluid path including a second pumping chamber. The first and second pumping chambers are separated by at least one diaphragm, and an actuator is coupled to the diaphragm for transitioning the diaphragm between a first position and a second position. Transitioning of the diaphragm to the first position pumps first fluid coolant from the first pumping chamber while concurrently drawing second fluid coolant into the second pumping chamber, and transitioning of the diaphragm to the second position pumps second fluid coolant from the second pumping chamber while concurrently drawing first fluid coolant into the first pumping chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Publication number: 20070295480
    Abstract: A multi-fluid cooling system and methods of fabrication thereof are provided for removing heat from one or more electronic devices. The cooling system includes a multi-fluid manifold structure with at least one first fluid inlet orifice and at least one second fluid inlet orifice for concurrently, separately injecting a first fluid and a second fluid onto a surface to be cooled when the cooling system is employed to cool one or more electronic devices, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are immiscible, and the first fluid has a lower boiling point temperature than the second fluid. When the cooling system is employed to cool the one or more electronic devices and the first fluid boils, evolving first fluid vapor condenses in situ by direct contact with the second fluid of higher boiling point temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 7313115
    Abstract: Apparatus communicating with a mobile and a remote base station. The mobile is assumed to have a coding unit capable of operating in at least one mode selected from a set, each mode in the set being associated with a coding requirement. The set is characterized in that it has at least one mode that is associated with a greater coding requirement than a “designated” mode. Also, the apparatus comprises a control entity suitable to establish a tandem-free transfer of data received from the mobile to the remote base station. The control entity is operative to send control information to the mobile to cause the coding unit therein to operate in the designated mode prior to establishment of the tandem-free transfer. By forcing the mobile to operate in the designated mode, it is guaranteed that the tandem-free transfer can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventor: Chung Cheung C. Chu
  • Publication number: 20070289729
    Abstract: A composite interface and methods of fabrication are provided for coupling a cooling assembly to an electronic device. The interface includes a plurality of thermally conductive wires formed of a first material having a first thermal conductivity, and a thermal interface material at least partially surrounding the wires. The interface material, which thermally interfaces the cooling assembly to a surface to be cooled of the electronic device, is a second material having a second thermal conductivity, wherein the first thermal conductivity is greater than the second thermal conductivity. At least some wires reside partially over a first region of higher heat flux and extend partially over a second region of lower heat flux, wherein the first and second regions are different regions of the surface to be cooled. These wires function as thermal spreaders facilitating heat transfer from the surface to be cooled to the cooling assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Keith E. Fogel, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: D557287
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: Henry C. Chu