Patents by Inventor David K. McElfresh

David K. McElfresh 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: 11586195
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that estimates a remaining useful life (RUL) for a fan. During operation, the system receives telemetry data associated with the fan during operation of the critical asset, wherein the telemetry data includes a fan-speed signal. Next, the system uses the telemetry data to construct a historical fan-speed profile, which indicates a cumulative time that the fan has operated in specific ranges of fan speeds. The system then computes an RUL for the fan based on the historical fan-speed profile and empirical time-to-failure (TTF) data, which indicates a TTF for the same type of fan as a function of fan speed. Finally, when the RUL falls below a threshold, the system generates a notification indicating that the fan needs to be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Kenny C. Gross, Anton A. Bougaev, Aleksey M. Urmanov, David K. McElfresh
  • Publication number: 20220187821
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that estimates a remaining useful life (RUL) for a fan. During operation, the system receives telemetry data associated with the fan during operation of the critical asset, wherein the telemetry data includes a fan-speed signal. Next, the system uses the telemetry data to construct a historical fan-speed profile, which indicates a cumulative time that the fan has operated in specific ranges of fan speeds. The system then computes an RUL for the fan based on the historical fan-speed profile and empirical time-to-failure (TTF) data, which indicates a TTF for the same type of fan as a function of fan speed. Finally, when the RUL falls below a threshold, the system generates a notification indicating that the fan needs to be replaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Kenny C. Gross, Anton A. Bougaev, Aleksey M. Urmanov, David K. McElfresh
  • Patent number: 11307568
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that estimates a remaining useful life (RUL) for a fan. During operation, the system receives telemetry data associated with the fan during operation of the critical asset, wherein the telemetry data includes a fan-speed signal. Next, the system uses the telemetry data to construct a historical fan-speed profile, which indicates a cumulative time that the fan has operated in specific ranges of fan speeds. The system then computes an RUL for the fan based on the historical fan-speed profile and empirical time-to-failure (TTF) data, which indicates a TTF for the same type of fan as a function of fan speed. Finally, when the RUL falls below a threshold, the system generates a notification indicating that the fan needs to be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Kenny C. Gross, Anton A. Bougaev, Aleksey M. Urmanov, David K. McElfresh
  • Publication number: 20200241520
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that estimates a remaining useful life (RUL) for a fan. During operation, the system receives telemetry data associated with the fan during operation of the critical asset, wherein the telemetry data includes a fan-speed signal. Next, the system uses the telemetry data to construct a historical fan-speed profile, which indicates a cumulative time that the fan has operated in specific ranges of fan speeds. The system then computes an RUL for the fan based on the historical fan-speed profile and empirical time-to-failure (TTF) data, which indicates a TTF for the same type of fan as a function of fan speed. Finally, when the RUL falls below a threshold, the system generates a notification indicating that the fan needs to be replaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Kenny C. Gross, Anton A. Bougaev, Aleksey M. Urmanov, David K. McElfresh
  • Patent number: 10591383
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that characterizes I/O performance of a computing device in terms of energy consumption across a range of vibrational operating environments. During operation, the system executes a test script on a computing device that is affixed to a programmable vibration table, wherein the test script causes the computing device to perform a predetermined I/O workload. While the test script is executing, the system controls the programmable vibration table to subject the computing device to different vibrational operating environments. At the same time, the system obtains test results by monitoring a progress of the test script and an associated power consumption of the computing device. Finally, the system uses the obtained test results to characterize the I/O performance of the computing device in terms of energy consumption across the range of vibrational operating environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Kenny C. Gross, Anton A. Bougaev, Aleksey M. Urmanov, Kalyanaraman Vaidyanathan, David K. McElfresh
  • Publication number: 20180058976
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that characterizes I/O performance of a computing device in terms of energy consumption across a range of vibrational operating environments. During operation, the system executes a test script on a computing device that is affixed to a programmable vibration table, wherein the test script causes the computing device to perform a predetermined I/O workload. While the test script is executing, the system controls the programmable vibration table to subject the computing device to different vibrational operating environments. At the same time, the system obtains test results by monitoring a progress of the test script and an associated power consumption of the computing device. Finally, the system uses the obtained test results to characterize the I/O performance of the computing device in terms of energy consumption across the range of vibrational operating environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Kenny C. Gross, Anton A. Bougaev, Aleksey M. Urmanov, Kalyanaraman Vaidyanathan, David K. McElfresh
  • Patent number: 9557301
    Abstract: A system for characterizing vibration of a rack structure having at least one hard disk drive disposed therein and a vibration exciter operatively associated with the rack structure includes one or more computers. The one or more computers are configured to command the vibration exciter to provide vibration input to the rack structure and to command a plurality of reads from the at least one hard disk drive such that, for each of the plurality of reads, data stored on the at least one hard disk drive is retrieved from the at least one hard disk drive. The one or more computers are also configured to obtain read rate information related to the plurality of reads and to identify at least one resonant frequency of the rack structure based on the read rate information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenny C. Gross, Aleksey M. Urmanov, Anton A. Bougaev, David K. McElfresh
  • Patent number: 9229045
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system for in-situ characterization of a solid-state light. First, a voltage and a current of the solid-state light source are monitored. Then, the health of the solid-state light source is characterized based on an analysis of the monitored voltage and current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ORACLE AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: David K. McElfresh, Dan Vacar, Leoncio D. Lopez, Kenny C. Gross
  • Patent number: 8843330
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that characterizes a response of a component in a computer system to vibrations generated by the computer system. First, the system measures the response of the component to vibrations in a frequency range while the component is located outside of the computer system. The system also measures vibrations generated by the computer system in the frequency range during operation of the computer system, wherein the vibrations are measured at a location in the computer system which is configured to receive the component. The system then characterizes the response of the component to vibrations generated by the computer system based on the measured response of the component to vibrations in the frequency range and the measured vibrations in the frequency range at the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton A. Bougaev, Aleksey M. Urmanov, Kenny C. Gross, David K. McElfresh
  • Patent number: 8798944
    Abstract: A method for generating a service action for a computer system is described. During the method, a longevity index value for a packaging technology in the computer system is calculated using a longevity model and thermal and vibration telemetry data that is collected in the computer system. This longevity model may be based on accelerated failure testing of the packaging technology, field failures of the packaging technology in a group of computer systems that includes the computer system, and/or thermal and vibration telemetry data for the group of computer systems. Furthermore, using the longevity index value, the service action for the computer system is determined. Based on the longevity index value, remedial as action, e.g., repairs to the computer system, may be scheduled and performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksey M. Urmanov, Anton A. Bougaev, David K. McElfresh, Leoncio D. Lopez
  • Publication number: 20140109674
    Abstract: A system for characterizing vibration of a rack structure having at least one hard disk drive disposed therein and a vibration exciter operatively associated with the rack structure includes one or more computers. The one or more computers are configured to command the vibration exciter to provide vibration input to the rack structure and to command a plurality of reads from the at least one hard disk drive such that, for each of the plurality of reads, data stored on the at least one hard disk drive is retrieved from the at least one hard disk drive. The one or more computers are also configured to obtain read rate information related to the plurality of reads and to identify at least one resonant frequency of the rack structure based on the read rate information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Oracle America, Inc., formerly known as Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenny C. Gross, Aleksey M. Urmanov, Anton A. Bougaev, David K. McElfresh
  • Patent number: 8666912
    Abstract: An electronic system includes an accelerometer. A method for excessive mechanical shock feature extraction for overstress event registration and cumulative tracking includes obtaining a sample from the accelerometer. Feature extraction is performed on the sample using empirical mode decomposition (EMD) to produce a plurality of modes. A pattern classifier is utilized for processing the plurality of modes to determine if the sample classifies as a shock event. If the sample classifies as a shock event, a shock event counter is incremented. If the shock event counter reaches a specified count, an indication to a user is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Anton A. Bougaev, Aleksey M. Urmanov, David K. McElfresh, Kenny C. Gross
  • Patent number: 8635048
    Abstract: A system for characterizing vibration of a rack structure having at least one hard disk drive disposed therein and a vibration exciter operatively associated with the rack structure includes one or more computers. The one or more computers are configured to command the vibration exciter to provide vibration input to the rack structure and to command a plurality of reads from the at least one hard disk drive such that, for each of the plurality of reads, data stored on the at least one hard disk drive is retrieved from the at least one hard disk drive. The one or more computers are also configured to obtain read rate information related to the plurality of reads and to identify at least one resonant frequency of the rack structure based on the read rate information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenny C. Gross, Aleksey M. Urmanov, Anton A. Bougaev, David K. McElfresh
  • Patent number: 8601212
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that schedules read operations for disk drives in a set of disk drives. During operation, the system monitors a write rate for write operations to a given disk drive in the set of disk drives, wherein vibrations generated by the read operations directed to disk drives in the set of disk drives are transmitted to the given disk drive. Then, the read operations for disk drives in the set of disk drives are scheduled based on the write rate for the given disk drive, thereby limiting interference between the write operations and the vibrations generated by the read operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Anton A. Bougaev, David K. McElfresh, Aleksey M. Urmanov
  • Patent number: 8543346
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a system that analyzes a target electromagnetic signal radiating from a monitored system. During operation, the system monitors the target electromagnetic signal using a near-isotropic antenna that includes a set of receiving surfaces arranged in a regular polyhedron. Next, the system obtains a set of received target electromagnetic signals from the receiving surfaces. Finally, the system assesses the integrity of the monitored system by separately analyzing each of the received target electromagnetic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenny C. Gross, Robert P. Masleid, Ramakrishna C. Dhanekula, David K. McElfresh
  • Publication number: 20130230272
    Abstract: A chip assembly configuration includes an substrate with an integrated circuit on one side and a conversion mechanism on the other side. The integrated circuit and the conversion mechanism are electrically coupled by a short electrical transmission line through the substrate. Moreover, the conversion mechanism converts signals between an electrical and an optical domain, thereby allowing high-speed communication between the integrated circuit and other components and devices using optical communication (for example, in an optical fiber or an optical waveguide).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kannan Raj, Dawei Huang, Nicholas E. Aneshansley, Theresa Sze, David K. McElfresh
  • Patent number: 8489343
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that detects the presence of constrained motion in one or more components in a computer system. First, a vibrational spectrum of the computer system is monitored while the computer system operates. Then, the vibrational spectrum is analyzed using a pattern-recognition model to detect constrained motion in one or more components in the computer system, wherein the pattern-recognition model classifies the vibrational spectrum as indicating constrained motion or as not indicating constrained motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksey M. Urmanov, Anton A. Bougaev, David K. McElfresh
  • Publication number: 20130138419
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that analyzes telemetry data from a computer system. During operation, the system obtains the telemetry data as a set of telemetric signals using a set of sensors in the computer system. Next, for each component or component location from a set of components in the computer system, the system applies an inferential model to the telemetry data to determine an operating environment of the component or component location, and uses the operating environment to assess a reliability of the component. Finally, the system manages use of the component in the computer system based on the assessed reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Leoncio D. Lopez, Anton A. Bougaev, Kenny C. Gross, David K. McElfresh, Alan P. Wood
  • Publication number: 20130090889
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that analyzes telemetry data from a computer system. During operation, the system obtains the telemetry data as a set of telemetric signals using a set of sensors in the computer system. Next, the system uses a regularization technique to calculate a temperature derivative with respect to time for a component in the computer system from the telemetric signals. Finally, the system controls a subsequent value of the temperature derivative with respect to time by modulating a fan speed in the computer system based on the calculated temperature derivative with respect to time and the telemetric signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Kalyanaraman Vaidyanathan, Kenny C. Gross, Aleksey M. Urmanov, David K. McElfresh
  • Patent number: 8340923
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for predicting a remaining useful life (RUL) for a component in a set of components within a computer system. The system starts by collecting values of at least one degradation-related parameter associated with the operation of a monitored component within the computer system. Note that the degradation-related parameter is a direct measurement of a degree of degradation of the monitored component. The system additionally collects values of at least one stress-based parameter from the computer system. Note that the stress-based parameter measures an accumulative stress in the operating environment of the set of components which can cause degradation of the set of components. The system then uses the values of the at least one degradation-related parameter and the values of the at least one stress-based parameter to predict an RUL for a component in the set of components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Paul Wood, Kenny C. Gross, David K. McElfresh