Patents by Inventor Eric J. McKeever

Eric J. McKeever 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: 20160363243
    Abstract: Tapering couplers and coupling methods for connecting fluid flow components are provided. In one embodiment, the tapering coupler includes a housing with a first opening and a second opening in fluid communication through the housing. The first opening is sized for a first fluid flow component to couple to the housing, and the second opening for a second fluid flow component. The first and second fluid flow components include first and second fluid-carrying channels of different diameter, with the first fluid-carrying channel having a first channel diameter that is larger than the second channel diameter of the second fluid-carrying channel. A tapering element is associated with the housing and extends into the first fluid-carrying channel. The tapering element includes a tapering fluid-carrying channel which tapers in a direction back towards the housing, for instance, from about the first channel diameter to about the second channel diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Amilcar R. ARVELO, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Eric J. McKEEVER
  • Publication number: 20160341342
    Abstract: Coupling assemblies for connecting fluid-carrying components are provided. The coupling assemblies include, for instance: a socket fitting with a first opening and a second opening in fluid communication through the fitting, the first opening being sized to accommodate a first fluid-carrying component, and the second opening being sized to accommodate a second fluid-carrying component; a sleeve, the sleeve encircling the socket fitting and being rotatable relative to the fitting, and the sleeve including a first locking feature; and a second locking feature associated with one of the fluid-carrying components. The second locking feature is positioned and sized to engage the first locking feature of the sleeve when the one fluid-carrying component is inserted into the socket fitting. Once engaged, rotating of the sleeve locks the first and second locking features together to secure the one fluid-carrying component to the socket fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Amilcar R. ARVELO, Alan F. BENNER, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Eric J. McKEEVER
  • Publication number: 20160345466
    Abstract: Coupling assemblies for connecting fluid-carrying components are provided. The coupling assemblies include, for instance: a socket fitting with a first opening and a second opening in fluid communication through the fitting, the first opening being sized to accommodate a first fluid-carrying component, and the second opening being sized to accommodate a second fluid-carrying component; a sleeve, the sleeve encircling the socket fitting and being rotatable relative to the fitting, and the sleeve including a first locking feature; and a second locking feature associated with one of the fluid-carrying components. The second locking feature is positioned and sized to engage the first locking feature of the sleeve when the one fluid-carrying component is inserted into the socket fitting. Once engaged, rotating of the sleeve locks the first and second locking features together to secure the one fluid-carrying component to the socket fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Amilcar R. ARVELO, Alan F. BENNER, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Eric J. McKEEVER
  • Patent number: 9504184
    Abstract: A cooling assembly is provided which includes: one or more coolant-cooled heat sinks configured to couple to one or more electronic components to be cooled; one or more flexible coolant conduits; and one or more pivotable coolant manifolds. The flexible coolant conduit(s) couples in fluid communication the pivotable coolant manifold(s) and the coolant-cooled heat sink(s), and accommodates pivoting of the pivotable coolant manifold(s), while maintaining the coolant-cooled heat sink(s) in fluid communication with the pivotable coolant manifold(s). In one or more embodiments, the pivotable coolant manifold(s) pivots between a first position laterally offset from one or more of the coolant-cooled heat sink(s), and a second position above the one or more coolant-cooled heat sinks. First and second pivot arms may be provided at opposite ends of the pivotable coolant manifold(s) to facilitate pivotable movement of the manifold(s) between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Francis R. Krug, Jr., Eric J. McKeever, Robert K. Mullady, Donald W. Porter, Richard P. Snider, John G. Torok, Allan C. VanDeventer, Xiaojin Wei
  • Patent number: 9494763
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include an optical fiber routing mat for routing optical fibers. The optical fiber routing mat includes a first layer of material and a second layer of material. A surface of the first layer of material is adhesively coupled to a surface of the second layer of material. The optical fiber routing mat includes one or more optical fibers disposed between the first layer of material and the second layer of material. The one or more optical fibers are bent to a radius at least large enough to prevent damage to the one or more optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan F. Benner, Mark A. Brandon, Eric J. McKeever, Edward J. Seminaro
  • Patent number: 9494762
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include an optical fiber routing mat for routing optical fibers. The optical fiber routing mat includes a first layer of material and a second layer of material. A surface of the first layer of material is adhesively coupled to a surface of the second layer of material. The optical fiber routing mat includes one or more optical fibers disposed between the first layer of material and the second layer of material. The one or more optical fibers are bent to a radius at least large enough to prevent damage to the one or more optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan F. Benner, Mark A. Brandon, Eric J. McKeever, Edward J. Seminaro
  • Patent number: 9497888
    Abstract: Cooling apparatuses and coolant-cooled electronic assemblies are provided which include a thermal transfer structure configured to couple to one or more sides of an electronics card having one or more electronic components to be cooled. The thermal transfer structure includes a thermal spreader and at least one coolant-carrying channel associated with the thermal spreader to facilitate removal of heat from the thermal spreader to coolant flowing through the coolant-carrying channel(s). The cooling apparatus further includes a coolant manifold structure disposed adjacent to a socket of the electronic system within which the electronics card operatively docks, and a fluidic and mechanical attachment mechanism which facilitates selective, fluidic and mechanical coupling or decoupling the thermal transfer structure and coolant manifold structure, the attachment mechanism facilitating the flow of coolant between the coolant manifold structure and the coolant-carrying channel(s) of the thermal transfer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Amilcar R. Arvelo, Levi A. Campbell, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Eric J. McKeever, Richard P. Snider
  • Patent number: 9496194
    Abstract: A method of forming a custom module lid. The method may include placing a multichip module (MCM) between a module base and a temporary lid, target components are exposed through viewing windows in the temporary lid, a top surface of the target components is measured and mapped to create a target profile, the target profile is used to form custom pockets in a custom lid, and the custom pockets correspond to the target components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Amilcar R. Arvelo, Michael J. Ellsworth, Eric J. McKeever, Thong N. Nguyen, Edward J. Seminaro
  • Patent number: 9490188
    Abstract: A package for a multi-chip module includes a top cold plate and a bottom plate whose perimeters are in thermal communication so the plates together completely encase the module except for a connector passing through the bottom plate. The cold plate has copper tubing pressed into a groove formed in a serpentine pattern. The perimeter of the cold plate has thermal conduction fins which mate with thermal conduction slots in the perimeter of the bottom plate. Thermal interface material is disposed in gaps between the plates and chips on the module, the gaps having dimensions controlled by support ribs of plates which abut the module substrate. The cold plate is used on the hottest side of the module, e.g., the side having computationally-intensive chips such as ASICs. A densely packed array of these packages can be used in a central electronic complex drawer with a shared coolant circulation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Amilcar R. Arvelo, Michael J. Ellsworth, Eric J. McKeever, Thong N. Nguyen, Edward J. Seminaro
  • Publication number: 20160295741
    Abstract: A cooling assembly is provided which includes: one or more coolant-cooled heat sinks configured to couple to one or more electronic components to be cooled; one or more flexible coolant conduits; and one or more pivotable coolant manifolds. The flexible coolant conduit(s) couples in fluid communication the pivotable coolant manifold(s) and the coolant-cooled heat sink(s), and accommodates pivoting of the pivotable coolant manifold(s), while maintaining the coolant-cooled heat sink(s) in fluid communication with the pivotable coolant manifold(s). In one or more embodiments, the pivotable coolant manifold(s) pivots between a first position laterally offset from one or more of the coolant-cooled heat sink(s), and a second position above the one or more coolant-cooled heat sinks. First and second pivot arms may be provided at opposite ends of the pivotable coolant manifold(s) to facilitate pivotable movement of the manifold(s) between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Francis R. KRUG, Eric J. McKEEVER, Robert K. MULLADY, Donald W. PORTER, Richard P. SNIDER, John G. TOROK, Allan C. VanDEVENTER, Xiaojin WEI
  • Patent number: 9453972
    Abstract: A pluggable module is provided and includes a plug receptacle in which a plug is receivable, a housing coupled to the plug receptacle, a heat removal device partially disposable within the housing to assume and be movable between first and second positions and an armature. The armature is interposed between corresponding portions of the housing and the heat removal device and is configured for selective manipulation to thereby move the heat removal device from the second position to the first position. With the plug received in the plug receptacle and the heat removal device in the first position, the heat removal device forms a thermal pathway with the plug by which heat is removed from the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Amilcar R. Arvelo, Alan F. Benner, Michael J. Ellsworth, David P. Graybill, Eric J. McKeever
  • Patent number: 9456527
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating cooling apparatus are provided which facilitate cooling a multi-component assembly, such as a hub module assembly. The cooling apparatus includes a first liquid-cooled heat sink configured to facilitate removal of heat generated by one or more first electronic components of the multi-component assembly, and a second liquid-cooled heat sink configured to facilitate removal of heat generated by one or more second electronic components of the multi-component assembly. The first liquid-cooled heat sink is separably coupled to the multi-component assembly, and the second liquid-cooled heat sink is fixedly secured to the multi-component assembly. Fluid couplers fluidically couple the first and second liquid-cooled heat sinks to facilitate liquid coolant flow through the fixedly-secured, second liquid-cooled heat sink from the separably-coupled, first liquid-cooled heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Amilcar R. Arvelo, Levi A. Campbell, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Eric J. McKeever
  • Publication number: 20160242318
    Abstract: A cooling assembly is provided which includes: one or more coolant-cooled heat sinks configured to couple to one or more electronic components to be cooled; one or more flexible coolant conduits; and one or more pivotable coolant manifolds. The flexible coolant conduit(s) couples in fluid communication the pivotable coolant manifold(s) and the coolant-cooled heat sink(s), and accommodates pivoting of the pivotable coolant manifold(s), while maintaining the coolant-cooled heat sink(s) in fluid communication with the pivotable coolant manifold(s). In one or more embodiments, the pivotable coolant manifold(s) pivots between a first position laterally offset from one or more of the coolant-cooled heat sink(s), and a second position above the one or more coolant-cooled heat sinks First and second pivot arms may be provided at opposite ends of the pivotable coolant manifold(s) to facilitate pivotable movement of the manifold(s) between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Francis R. KRUG, JR., Eric J. McKEEVER, Robert K. MULLADY, Donald W. PORTER, Richard P. SNIDER, John G. TOROK, Allan C. VanDEVENTER, Xiaojin WEI
  • Publication number: 20160226592
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include an optical transceiver for providing transmission and reception of optical signals. The optical transceiver includes a carrier having two opposing surfaces and one or more openings extending from a first of the two opposing surfaces to a second of the two opposing surfaces. The optical transceiver includes a laser driver chip coupled to the first surface. The optical transceiver includes a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array chip coupled to the first surface. The optical transceiver includes a photodetector array chip coupled to the first surface. The optical transceiver includes a receiver amplifier chip coupled to the first surface. The optical transceiver includes an optical coupling element coupled to the second surface. The VCSEL array chip and the photodetector array chip are disposed such that optical signals can pass through the one or more openings in the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Amilcar Arvelo, Alan F. Benner, Michael J. Ellsworth, Eric J. McKeever, Thong N. Nguyen, Edward J. Seminaro
  • Publication number: 20160223773
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include an optical fiber routing mat for routing optical fibers. The optical fiber routing mat includes a first layer of material and a second layer of material. A surface of the first layer of material is adhesively coupled to a surface of the second layer of material. The optical fiber routing mat includes one or more optical fibers disposed between the first layer of material and the second layer of material. The one or more optical fibers are bent to a radius at least large enough to prevent damage to the one or more optical fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Alan F. Benner, Mark A. Brandon, Eric J. McKeever, Edward J. Seminaro
  • Publication number: 20160223772
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include an optical fiber routing mat for routing optical fibers. The optical fiber routing mat includes a first layer of material and a second layer of material. A surface of the first layer of material is adhesively coupled to a surface of the second layer of material. The optical fiber routing mat includes one or more optical fibers disposed between the first layer of material and the second layer of material. The one or more optical fibers are bent to a radius at least large enough to prevent damage to the one or more optical fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Alan F. Benner, Mark A. Brandon, Eric J. McKeever, Edward J. Seminaro
  • Publication number: 20160223763
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include an optical fiber connector for connecting optical fibers. The optical fiber connector includes a ferrule coupled to one or more optical fiber ribbons. The optical fiber connector includes a connector housing coupled with a radius controlled ribbon bending housing. The connector housing surrounds the ferrule on at least four sides, and the one or more optical fiber ribbons coupled to the ferrule are within the connector housing. The optical fiber connector includes a strain relief clamp coupled with the radius controlled ribbon bending housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Alan F. Benner, Mark A. Brandon, Michael J. Ellsworth, Eric J. McKeever, Thong N. Nguyen, Edward J. Seminaro
  • Publication number: 20160223757
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include an optical fiber connector for connecting optical fibers. The optical fiber connector includes a ferrule coupled to one or more optical fiber ribbons. The optical fiber connector includes a connector housing coupled with a radius controlled ribbon bending housing. The connector housing surrounds the ferrule on at least four sides, and the one or more optical fiber ribbons coupled to the ferrule are within the connector housing. The optical fiber connector includes a strain relief clamp coupled with the radius controlled ribbon bending housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Alan F. Benner, Mark A. Brandon, Michael J. Ellsworth, Eric J. McKeever, Thong N. Nguyen, Edward J. Seminaro
  • Publication number: 20160226591
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include an optical transceiver for providing transmission and reception of optical signals. The optical transceiver includes a carrier having two opposing surfaces and one or more openings extending from a first of the two opposing surfaces to a second of the two opposing surfaces. The optical transceiver includes a laser driver chip coupled to the first surface. The optical transceiver includes a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array chip coupled to the first surface. The optical transceiver includes a photodetector array chip coupled to the first surface. The optical transceiver includes a receiver amplifier chip coupled to the first surface. The optical transceiver includes an optical coupling element coupled to the second surface. The VCSEL array chip and the photodetector array chip are disposed such that optical signals can pass through the one or more openings in the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Amilcar Arvelo, Alan F. Benner, Michael J. Ellsworth, Eric J. McKeever, Thong N. Nguyen, Edward J. Seminaro
  • Publication number: 20160172259
    Abstract: A method of forming a custom module lid. The method may include placing a multichip module (MCM) between a module base and a temporary lid, target components are exposed through viewing windows in the temporary lid, a top surface of the target components is measured and mapped to create a target profile, the target profile is used to form custom pockets in a custom lid, and the custom pockets correspond to the target components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Amilcar R. Arvelo, Michael J. Ellsworth, Eric J. McKeever, Thong N. Nguyen, Edward J. Seminaro