Patents by Inventor Clifton Ehrich Kerr
Clifton Ehrich Kerr 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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Patent number: 8306652Abstract: In one embodiment, a communication system for a multi-blade server system includes a multi-drop serial bus network interconnecting a management module with each of a plurality of servers in a multi-server chassis. A first transceiver subsystem is configured for communicating over the serial bus network between the management module and each server within a first frequency band. A second transceiver subsystem is configured for simultaneously communicating over the serial bus network between the management module and the servers within a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band. A first signal-filtering subsystem substantially filters out signals in the second frequency band from the first transceiver subsystem. A second signal-filtering subsystem substantially filters out the signals in the first frequency band from the second transceiver subsystem.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Justin Potok Bandholz, Clifton Ehrich Kerr, Pravin Patel, Bruce James Wilkie
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Patent number: 7696890Abstract: A system and method are used for electronically detecting the accumulation of dust within a computer system using a capacitive dust sensor. The dust detection system may be implemented on a smaller computer, such as an individual PC, or in a more expansive system, such as a rack-based server system (“rack system”) having multiple servers and other hardware devices. In one embodiment, each server in a rack system includes a capacitive sensor responsive to the accumulation of dust. The capacitive sensor may include one or more capacitive plates integral with a heatsink. As dust collects on the capacitive plates, the capacitance increases. When a capacitance setpoint is reached, indicating the dust has reached a critical level, an alert is generated. The alerts may be received by a management console for the attention of a system administrator. Each alert may contain the identity of the server generating the alert, so that the system administrator knows which server(s) are to be removed for cleaning.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2007Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Justin Potok Bandholz, Zachary Benson Durham, Clifton Ehrich Kerr, Joseph Eric Maxwell, Kevin Michael Reinberg, Kevin S. Vernon, Philip Louis Weinstein, Christopher Collier West
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Publication number: 20090234936Abstract: In one embodiment, a communication system for a multi-blade server system includes a multi-drop serial bus network interconnecting a management module with each of a plurality of servers in a multi-server chassis. A first transceiver subsystem is configured for communicating over the serial bus network between the management module and each server within a first frequency band. A second transceiver subsystem is configured for simultaneously communicating over the serial bus network between the management module and the servers within a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band. A first signal-filtering subsystem substantially filters out signals in the second frequency band from the first transceiver subsystem. A second signal-filtering subsystem substantially filters out the signals in the first frequency band from the second transceiver subsystem.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2008Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Justin Potok Bandholz, Clifton Ehrich Kerr, Pravin Patel, Bruce James Wilkie
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Publication number: 20090088008Abstract: Method and apparatus for installing a processor into electronic communication with a socket. The land grid array socket connector includes a socket housing secured to a circuit board and an array of upwardly extending pins for electronic communication with contact pads on the processor. The socket connector provides a carriage configured to receiving the processor through a lateral opening and support a perimeter edge of the processor. A mechanical linkage couples the carriage and the socket housing for substantially vertically translating the processor relative to the socket. A plurality of alignment features upwardly extends from the socket housing along the perimeter of the array of pins. Each of the alignment features has an inwardly-facing tapered surface for registering the edge of the processor and biasing the processor into a position where the array of contact pads are aligned with the array of pins as the processor is lowered.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Justin Potok Bandholz, Jonathan Randall Hinkle, Clifton Ehrich Kerr, John Frank Nations, Jr., William James Sommerville
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Patent number: 7507102Abstract: Method and apparatus for installing a processor into electronic communication with a socket. The land grid array socket connector includes a socket housing secured to a circuit board and an array of upwardly extending pins for electronic communication with contact pads on the processor. The socket connector provides a carriage configured to receiving the processor through a lateral opening and support a perimeter edge of the processor. A mechanical linkage couples the carriage and the socket housing for substantially vertically translating the processor relative to the socket. A plurality of alignment features upwardly extends from the socket housing along the perimeter of the array of pins. Each of the alignment features has an inwardly-facing tapered surface for registering the edge of the processor and biasing the processor into a position where the array of contact pads are aligned with the array of pins as the processor is lowered.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2007Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Justin Potok Bandholz, Jonathan Randall Hinkle, Clifton Ehrich Kerr, John Frank Nations, Jr., William James Sommerville
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Publication number: 20090045967Abstract: A system and method are used for electronically detecting the accumulation of dust within a computer system using a capacitive dust sensor. The dust detection system may be implemented on a smaller computer, such as an individual PC, or in a more expansive system, such as a rack-based server system (“rack system”) having multiple servers and other hardware devices. In one embodiment, each server in a rack system includes a capacitive sensor responsive to the accumulation of dust. The capacitive sensor may include one or more capacitive plates integral with a heatsink. As dust collects on the capacitive plates, the capacitance increases. When a capacitance setpoint is reached, indicating the dust has reached a critical level, an alert is generated. The alerts may be received by a management console for the attention of a system administrator. Each alert may contain the identity of the server generating the alert, so that the system administrator knows which server(s) are to be removed for cleaning.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2007Publication date: February 19, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Justin Potok Bandholz, Zachary Benson Durham, Clifton Ehrich Kerr, Joseph Eric Maxwell, Kevin Michael Reinberg, Kevin S. Vernon, Philip Louis Weinstein, Christopher Collier West
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Publication number: 20090021270Abstract: A system and method for electronically detecting the accumulation of dust within a computer system using a capacitive dust sensor. The dust detection system may be implemented on a smaller computer, such as an individual PC, or in a more expansive system, such as a rack-based server system (“rack system”) having multiple servers and other hardware devices. In one embodiment, each server in a rack system includes a capacitive sensor responsive to the accumulation of dust. The capacitive sensor may include one or more capacitive plates integral with a heatsink. As dust collects on the capacitive plates, the capacitance increases. When a capacitance setpoint is reached, indicating the dust has reached a critical level, an alert is generated. The alerts may be received by a management console for the attention of a system administrator. Each alert may contain the identity of the server generating the alert, so that the system administrator knows which server(s) are to be removed for cleaning.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Justin Potok Bandholz, Zachary Benson Durham, Clifton Ehrich Kerr, Joseph Eric Maxwell, Kevin Michael Reinberg, Kevin S. Vernon, Philip Louis Weinstein, Christopher Collier West
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Publication number: 20090016019Abstract: Airflow control and dust removal systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of blade servers is mounted in a chassis. A blower generates airflow through the chassis. Air enters the chassis uniformly across the blade servers and flows in parallel through the servers. An airflow directing mechanism is provided for allowing airflow through a selected one of the blade servers while reducing or closing airflow to the other blade servers, to individually clean and remove dust from the selected blade server. The airflow directing mechanism may include a movable vane actuated by a rotary or linear solenoid to selectively block airflow ports of the servers. The vane may be held in a closed position, assisted by an electromagnet. The airflow directing mechanism may alternatively comprise a rolled shade having a pattern of openings. The position of the rolled shade may be controlled to align openings in the shade with airflow ports in the servers, to control which servers airflow may pass through.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2007Publication date: January 15, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Justin Potok Bandholz, Zachary Benson Durham, Clifton Ehrich Kerr, Joseph Eric Maxwell, Kevin Michael Reinberg, Kevin S. Vernon, Philip Louis Weinstein, Christopher Collier West