Patents by Inventor Calvin Nicholson
Calvin Nicholson 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).
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Publication number: 20230152872Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for configuration of multiple power distribution units (PDUs) in an efficient manner. Power distribution units may be discovered on a network, and automatically configured according to a configuration defined for a particular location. A location may be, for example, a geographical region, a data center, a zone within a data center, a cabinet, or an individual PDU. All PDUs associated with a particular location may be provided with a common configuration file that defines operating parameters for the PDUs. In such a manner, a user may simply connect the PDU to the network, with the appropriate configuration provided without additional involvement of the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2023Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Calvin Nicholson, Michael Gordon
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Patent number: 11563296Abstract: A track busway power distribution unit including a housing, a power input coupled with the housing and connectable to an electrical busway, a securement mechanism moveably coupled to the housing and structured to secure the power distribution unit to the electrical busway, and at least one outlet module located at least partially within the housing. The outlet module can include at least one outlet core having a core outer surface configured to mate within a first connector type. The outlet core can include a plurality of electrical terminals each coupled to the power input and configured to connect with mating terminals corresponding to both the first connector type and a second connector type that is different than the first connector type. A removable shroud can be positioned around the outlet core, wherein the shroud includes a shroud inner surface configured to receive the first connector type.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2020Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mark Swift, Darrell Kochanski, Calvin Nicholson
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Patent number: 11550380Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for configuration of multiple power distribution units (PDUs) in an efficient manner. Power distribution units may be discovered on a network, and automatically configured according to a configuration defined for a particular location. A location may be, for example, a geographical region, a data center, a zone within a data center, a cabinet, or an individual PDU. All PDUs associated with a particular location may be provided with a common configuration file that defines operating parameters for the PDUs. In such a manner, a user may simply connect the PDU to the network, with the appropriate configuration provided without additional involvement of the user.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.Inventors: Calvin Nicholson, Michael Gordon
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Publication number: 20220109274Abstract: A track busway power distribution unit including a housing, a power input coupled with the housing and connectable to an electrical busway, a securement mechanism moveably coupled to the housing and structured to secure the power distribution unit to the electrical busway, and at least one outlet module located at least partially within the housing. The outlet module can include at least one outlet core having a core outer surface configured to mate within a first connector type. The outlet core can include a plurality of electrical terminals each coupled to the power input and configured to connect with mating terminals corresponding to both the first connector type and a second connector type that is different than the first connector type. A removable shroud can be positioned around the outlet core, wherein the shroud includes a shroud inner surface configured to receive the first connector type.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2020Publication date: April 7, 2022Inventors: Mark Swift, Darrell Kochanski, Calvin Nicholson
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Publication number: 20220075434Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for configuration of multiple power distribution units (PDUs) in an efficient manner. Power distribution units may be discovered on a network, and automatically configured according to a configuration defined for a particular location. A location may be, for example, a geographical region, a data center, a zone within a data center, a cabinet, or an individual PDU. All PDUs associated with a particular location may be provided with a common configuration file that defines operating parameters for the PDUs. In such a manner, a user may simply connect the PDU to the network, with the appropriate configuration provided without additional involvement of the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2021Publication date: March 10, 2022Inventors: Calvin Nicholson, Michael Gordon
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Patent number: 10983578Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for configuration of multiple power distribution units (PDUs) in an efficient manner. Power distribution units may be discovered on a network, and automatically configured according to a configuration defined for a particular location. A location may be, for example, a geographical region, a data center, a zone within a data center, a cabinet, or an individual PDU. All PDUs associated with a particular location may be provided with a common configuration file that defines operating parameters for the PDUs. In such a manner, a user may simply connect the PDU to the network, with the appropriate configuration provided without additional involvement of the user.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2017Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.Inventors: Calvin Nicholson, Michael Gordon
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Patent number: 10642299Abstract: Managing electrical power usage in a power distribution system. Power usage data indicative of electrical current flow through electrical outlets in the system are collected and displayed for a user. The user may select an outlet and issue a command to control current flow through that outlet. Environmental data may also be collected and displayed. Outlets in different Cabinet Power Distribution Units (CDUs) in different locations may be clustered for reporting and control. A database structure provides a “system” table for data descriptive of the system, a “tower” table for data descriptive of outlets and other elements in the system, an “infeed” table for data descriptive of input electrical power, and an “outlet” table for data descriptive of electrical power flowing through the outlets.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly, Dennis W. McGlumphy, Brian P. Auclair, Marc Eisenberg, Calvin Nicholson, Andy Szeto
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Publication number: 20180157284Abstract: Managing electrical power usage in a power distribution system. Power usage data indicative of electrical current flow through electrical outlets in the system are collected and displayed for a user. The user may select an outlet and issue a command to control current flow through that outlet. Environmental data may also be collected and displayed. Outlets in different Cabinet Power Distribution Units (CDUs) in different locations may be clustered for reporting and control. A database structure provides a “system” table for data descriptive of the system, a “tower” table for data descriptive of outlets and other elements in the system, an “infeed” table for data descriptive of input electrical power, and an “outlet” table for data descriptive of electrical power flowing through the outlets.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2017Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly, Dennis W. McGlumphy, Brian P. Auclair, Marc Eisenberg, Calvin Nicholson, Andy Szeto
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Patent number: 9916535Abstract: Systems and methods are provided relating to predictive analysis, and more specifically to predictive analysis of one or more data types in a data center environment. The data center environment itself includes a power manager in communication with at least one cabinet power distribution unit (CDU) that is in power-supplying communication with at least one electronic appliance in an electronic equipment rack. The predictive analysis approach estimates the rate of change over a future interval of time for at least one data type based on said historical data and predicts when said at least one data type will reach an associated user-defined threshold based on said rate of change. Results can be displayed graphically on an application program associated with the power manager.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2014Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.Inventors: Calvin Nicholson, Yael Campo, Michael Gordon
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Patent number: 9898026Abstract: Power distribution apparatus with input and output power sensing and a method of use. A power distribution unit includes a sensor that senses power parameters of power outputs and a power input, a processor, and a communication circuit. A power management system includes a power manager, a user interface, and a plurality of power distribution units that may be located in one or more equipment cabinets and data centers. The system may compute apparent power, RMS power, power factor, energy usage over time, power usage history, or environmental history for any or all of the power distribution units. The system may identify an under-utilized server connected to one of the power distribution units and initiate a shut-down of that server.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2012Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, James P. Maskaly, Dennis W. Mcglumphy, Brian P. Auclair, David Massey, Brandon W. Ewing, Andrew J. Cleveland, Calvin Nicholson, Paul Hunt
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Publication number: 20170269663Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for configuration of multiple power distribution units (PDUs) in an efficient manner. Power distribution units may be discovered on a network, and automatically configured according to a configuration defined for a particular location. A location may be, for example, a geographical region, a data center, a zone within a data center, a cabinet, or an individual PDU. All PDUs associated with a particular location may be provided with a common configuration file that defines operating parameters for the PDUs. In such a manner, a user may simply connect the PDU to the network, with the appropriate configuration provided without additional involvement of the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: Calvin Nicholson, Michael Gordon
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Patent number: 9703342Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for configuration of multiple power distribution units (PDUs) in an efficient manner. Power distribution units may be discovered on a network, and automatically configured according to a configuration defined for a particular location. A location may be, for example, a geographical region, a data center, a zone within a data center, a cabinet, or an individual PDU. All PDUs associated with a particular location may be provided with a common configuration file that defines operating parameters for the PDUs. In such a manner, a user may simply connect the PDU to the network, with the appropriate configuration provided without additional involvement of the user.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.Inventors: Calvin Nicholson, Michael Gordon
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Publication number: 20160305991Abstract: A method of monitoring power usage includes 1) accessing power usage data for power distribution unit infeeds of a plurality of power distribution units; 2) accessing stored circuit descriptions describing interconnections of the power distribution unit infeeds to a number of power feed circuits; 3) transforming the plurality of power distribution units into a power usage monitor for monitoring power usage of the power feed circuits by aggregating at least some of the power usage data based on the interconnections of the power distribution unit infeeds to the number of power feed circuits; and 4) outputting representations of the aggregated power usage data.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: Calvin Nicholson, Michael Gordon
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Patent number: 9400726Abstract: A method of monitoring power usage includes 1) accessing power usage data for power distribution unit infeeds of a plurality of power distribution units; 2) accessing stored circuit descriptions describing interconnections of the power distribution unit infeeds to a number of power feed circuits; 3) transforming the plurality of power distribution units into a power usage monitor for monitoring power usage of the power feed circuits by aggregating at least some of the power usage data based on the interconnections of the power distribution unit infeeds to the number of power feed circuits; and 4) outputting representations of the aggregated power usage data.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.Inventors: Calvin Nicholson, Michael Gordon
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Publication number: 20150362941Abstract: Managing electrical power usage in a power distribution system. Power usage data indicative of electrical current flow through electrical outlets in the system are collected and displayed for a user. The user may select an outlet and issue a command to control current flow through that outlet. Environmental data may also be collected and displayed. Outlets in different Cabinet Power Distribution Units (CDUs) in different locations may be clustered for reporting and control. A database structure provides a “system” table for data descriptive of the system, a “tower” table for data descriptive of outlets and other elements in the system, an “infeed” table for data descriptive of input electrical power, and an “outlet” table for data descriptive of electrical power flowing through the outlets.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2015Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly, Dennis W. McGlumphy, Brian P. Auclair, Marc Eisenberg, Calvin Nicholson, Andy Szeto
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Patent number: 9142971Abstract: Managing electrical power usage in a power distribution system. Power usage data indicative of electrical current flow through electrical outlets in the system are collected and displayed for a user. The user may select an outlet and issue a command to control current flow through that outlet. Environmental data may also be collected and displayed. Outlets in different Cabinet Power Distribution Units (CDUs) in different locations may be clustered for reporting and control. A database structure provides a “system” table for data descriptive of the system, a “tower” table for data descriptive of outlets and other elements in the system, an “infeed” table for data descriptive of input electrical power, and an “outlet” table for data descriptive of electrical power flowing through the outlets.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2013Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly, Dennis W. McGlumphy, Brian P. Auclair, Marc Eisenberg, Calvin Nicholson, Andy Szeto
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Publication number: 20150006440Abstract: Systems and methods are provided relating to predictive analysis, and more specifically to predictive analysis of one or more data types in a data center environment. The data center environment itself includes a power manager in communication with at least one cabinet power distribution unit (CDU) that is in power-supplying communication with at least one electronic appliance in an electronic equipment rack. The predictive analysis approach estimates the rate of change over a future interval of time for at least one data type based on said historical data and predicts when said at least one data type will reach an associated user-defined threshold based on said rate of change. Results can be displayed graphically on an application program associated with the power manager.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Calvin Nicholson, Yael Campo, Michael Gordon
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Publication number: 20140236372Abstract: Managing electrical power usage in a power distribution system. Power usage data indicative of electrical current flow through electrical outlets in the system are collected and displayed for a user. The user may select an outlet and issue a command to control current flow through that outlet. Environmental data may also be collected and displayed. Outlets in different Cabinet Power Distribution Units (CDUs) in different locations may be clustered for reporting and control. A database structure provides a “system” table for data descriptive of the system, a “tower” table for data descriptive of outlets and other elements in the system, an “infeed” table for data descriptive of input electrical power, and an “outlet” table for data descriptive of electrical power flowing through the outlets.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2013Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Server Technology, Inc.Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, Andrew J. Cleveland, James P. Maskaly, Dennis W. McGlumphy, Brian P. Auclair, Marc Eisenberg, Calvin Nicholson, Andy Szeto
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Publication number: 20130289789Abstract: Power distribution apparatus with input and output power sensing and a method of use. A power distribution unit includes a sensor that senses power parameters of power outputs and a power input, a processor, and a communication circuit. A power management system includes a power manager, a user interface, and a plurality of power distribution units that may be located in one or more equipment cabinets and data centers. The system may compute apparent power, RMS power, power factor, energy usage over time, power usage history, or environmental history for any or all of the power distribution units. The system may identify an under-utilized server connected to one of the power distribution units and initiate a shut-down of that server.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2012Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: SERVER TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, James P. Maskaly, Dennis W. McGlumphy, Brian P. Auclair, David Massey, Brandon W. Ewing, Andrew J. Cleveland, Calvin Nicholson, Paul Hunt
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Publication number: 20130253861Abstract: A method of monitoring power usage includes 1) accessing power usage data for power distribution unit infeeds of a plurality of power distribution units; 2) accessing stored circuit descriptions describing interconnections of the power distribution unit infeeds to a number of power feed circuits; 3) transforming the plurality of power distribution units into a power usage monitor for monitoring power usage of the power feed circuits by aggregating at least some of the power usage data based on the interconnections of the power distribution unit infeeds to the number of power feed circuits; and 4) outputting representations of the aggregated power usage data.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2012Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: SERVER TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Calvin Nicholson, Michael Gordon