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).
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Publication number: 20160153595Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2015Publication date: June 2, 2016Inventors: Amilcar R. ARVELO, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, Jr., Eric J. McKEEVER
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Publication number: 20160157359Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2015Publication date: June 2, 2016Inventors: Amilcar R. Arvelo, Michael J. Ellsworth, Eric J. McKeever, Thong N. Nguyen, Edward J. Seminaro
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Patent number: 9341418Abstract: Cooling apparatuses and coolant-cooled electronic assemblies are provided which include a thermal transfer structure configured to couple to and cool one or more electronic components. The thermal transfer structure includes a thermal spreader, and at least one coolant-carrying tube coupled to the thermal spreader. The coolant-carrying tube(s) includes multiple tube lengths disposed substantially in a common plane, and an out-of-plane tube bend. The out-of-plane tube bend is couples in fluid communication first and second tube lengths of the multiple tube lengths, and extends out-of-plane from the multiple tube lengths disposed in the common plane. The first and second tube lengths may be spaced apart, with a third tube length disposed between them, and the coolant-carrying tube(s) further includes an in-plane tube bend which couples in fluid communication the third tube length and a fourth tube length of the multiple tube lengths.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Amilcar R. Arvelo, Mark A. Brandon, Levi A. Campbell, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Randall G. Kemink, Eric J. McKeever
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Patent number: 9298231Abstract: Methods of fabricating cooling apparatuses and coolant-cooled electronic assemblies are provided, which include providing 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).Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Amilcar R. Arvelo, Levi A. Campbell, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Eric J. McKeever, Richard P. Snider
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Publication number: 20160081197Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventors: Amilcar R. Arvelo, Michael J. Ellsworth, Eric J. McKeever, Thong N. Nguyen, Edward J. Seminaro
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Publication number: 20160079140Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2014Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventors: Amilcar R. Arvelo, Michael J. Ellsworth, Eric J. McKeever, Thong N. Nguyen, Edward J. Seminaro
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Publication number: 20160050790Abstract: A coolant-cooled electronic module is provided which includes a multi-component assembly and a module lid with openings aligned over respective electronic components. Thermally conductive elements are disposed within the openings, each including opposite coolant-cooled and conduction surfaces, with the conduction surface being thermally coupled to the respective electronic component. A manifold assembly disposed over the module lid includes inner and outer manifold elements, with the inner element configured to facilitate flow of coolant onto the coolant-cooled surfaces. The outer manifold element is disposed over the inner manifold element and coupled to the module lid, with the inner and outer manifold elements defining a coolant supply manifold, and the outer manifold element and module lid defining a coolant return manifold. The coolant supply openings are in fluid communication with the coolant supply manifold, and the coolant exhaust channels are in fluid communication with the coolant return manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2015Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventors: Amilcar R. ARVELO, Levi A. CAMPBELL, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Eric J. McKEEVER
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Patent number: 9265178Abstract: 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 coupled to the one side of the electronics card, and the apparatus further includes a coolant-cooled structure disposed adjacent to the socket of the electronic system. The coolant-cooled structure includes: one or more low-profile cold rails sized and configured to thermally couple to the thermal spreader along a bottom edge of the thermal spreader with operative docking of the electronics card within the socket; and one or more coolant-carrying channels associated with the low-profile cold rail(s) for removing heat from the low-profile cold rail(s) to coolant flowing through the coolant-carrying channel(s).Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Amilcar R. Arvelo, Levi A. Campbell, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Eric J. McKeever, Richard P. Snider
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Patent number: 9265177Abstract: Methods for fabricating a coolant-cooled component assembly are provided, which include providing a multi-component assembly and a module lid with openings aligned over respective electronic components. Thermally conductive elements are disposed within the openings, each including opposite coolant-cooled and conduction surfaces, with the conduction surface being thermally coupled to the respective electronic component. A manifold assembly disposed over the module lid includes inner and outer manifold elements, with the inner element configured to facilitate flow of coolant onto the coolant-cooled surfaces. The outer manifold element is disposed over the inner manifold element and coupled to the module lid, with the inner and outer manifold elements defining a coolant supply manifold, and the outer manifold element and module lid defining a coolant return manifold.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Amilcar R. Arvelo, Levi A. Campbell, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Eric J. McKeever
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Patent number: 9265176Abstract: A coolant-cooled electronic module is provided which includes a multi-component assembly and a module lid with openings aligned over respective electronic components. Thermally conductive elements are disposed within the openings, each including opposite coolant-cooled and conduction surfaces, with the conduction surface being thermally coupled to the respective electronic component. A manifold assembly disposed over the module lid includes inner and outer manifold elements, with the inner element configured to facilitate flow of coolant onto the coolant-cooled surfaces. The outer manifold element is disposed over the inner manifold element and coupled to the module lid, with the inner and outer manifold elements defining a coolant supply manifold, and the outer manifold element and module lid defining a coolant return manifold. The coolant supply openings are in fluid communication with the coolant supply manifold, and the coolant exhaust channels are in fluid communication with the coolant return manifold.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Amilcar R. Arvelo, Levi A. Campbell, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Eric J. McKeever
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Publication number: 20160043535Abstract: A method and system for installing and removing a row of cables from a cable array is provided. The method includes providing an installation tool having a first body with a plurality of arms extending from one side. The plurality of arms being configured to receive a cable connector body, the plurality of arms including at least one first projection extending from one of the plurality of arms. The installation tool is moved onto a row of cables held coupled together by a bracket, each of the cables in the row of cables having a cable connector body. The connector bodies are engaged into receptacles and the bracket is moved with the at least one first projection.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: Alan F. Benner, Eric J. McKeever, Thong N. Nguyen
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Patent number: 9258925Abstract: Methods of fabricating cooling apparatuses are provided which include: providing a thermal transfer structure configured to couple to an electronics card, the thermal transfer structure including a clamping structure movable between opened and clamped positions; and providing a coolant-cooled structure configured to reside within, and be associated with a receiving slot of, an electronic system within which the electronics card operatively inserts, the coolant-cooled structure residing between the electronics card and, at least partially, the clamping structure when the transfer structure is coupled to the electronics card and the card is operatively inserted into the receiving slot, wherein the opened position facilitates insertion of the electronics card into the electronic system, and movement of the clamping structure to the clamped position facilitates clamping of the thermal transfer structure to the coolant-cooled structure, and thermal conduction of heat from the electronics card to the coolant-cooledType: GrantFiled: October 30, 2014Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Amilcar R. Arvelo, Mark A. Brandon, Levi A. Campbell, Tan D. Doan, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Randall G. Kemink, Eric J. McKeever
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Patent number: 9253923Abstract: Methods of fabricating cooling apparatuses and coolant-cooled electronic assemblies are provided which include: coupling a thermal transfer structure configured to one or more sides of an electronics card having one or more electronic components to be cooled, the thermal transfer structure including a thermal spreader coupled to the one side of the electronics card; and disposing a coolant-cooled structure adjacent to the socket of the electronic system, the coolant-cooled structure including one or more low-profile cold rails sized and configured to thermally couple to the thermal spreader along a bottom edge of the thermal spreader with operative docking of the electronics card within the socket, and one or more coolant-carrying channels associated with the low-profile cold rail(s) for removing heat from the low-profile cold rail(s) to coolant flowing through the coolant-carrying channel(s).Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2014Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Amilcar R. Arvelo, Levi A. Campbell, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Eric J. McKeever, Richard P. Snider
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Patent number: 9252574Abstract: A method for installing and removing a row of cables from a cable array is provided. The method includes providing an installation tool having a first body with a plurality of arms extending from one side. The plurality of arms being configured to receive a cable connector body, the plurality of arms including at least one first projection extending from one of the plurality of arms. The installation tool is moved onto a row of cables held coupled together by a bracket, each of the cables in the row of cables having a cable connector body. The connector bodies are engaged into receptacles and the bracket is moved with the at least one first projection.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2014Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Alan F. Benner, Eric J. McKeever, Thong N. Nguyen
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Patent number: 9231387Abstract: A method and system for installing and removing a row of cables from a cable array is provided. The method includes providing an installation tool having a first body with a plurality of arms extending from one side. The plurality of arms being configured to receive a cable connector body, the plurality of arms including at least one first projection extending from one of the plurality of arms. The installation tool is moved onto a row of cables held coupled together by a bracket, each of the cables in the row of cables having a cable connector body. The connector bodies are engaged into receptacles and the bracket is moved with the at least one first projection.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Alan F. Benner, Eric J. McKeever, Thong N. Nguyen
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Publication number: 20150359140Abstract: Cooling apparatuses and coolant-cooled electronic assemblies are provided which include a thermal transfer structure configured to couple to an electronics card which operatively inserts into an electronic system. The thermal transfer structure includes a clamping structure movable between opened and clamped positions. A coolant-cooled structure, which is associated with the electronic system within which the electronics card is operatively inserted, resides between the electronics card and, at least partially, the clamping structure with insertion of the electronics card into the electronic system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Amilcar R. ARVELO, Mark A. BRANDON, Levi A. CAMPBELL, Tan D. DOAN, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Randall G. KEMINK, Eric J. McKEEVER
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Patent number: 9210831Abstract: Cooling apparatuses 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: GrantFiled: April 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Amilcar R. Arvelo, Levi A. Campbell, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Eric J. McKeever
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Patent number: 9144178Abstract: Cooling apparatuses and coolant-cooled electronic assemblies are provided which include a thermal transfer structure configured to couple to an electronics card which operatively inserts into an electronic system. The thermal transfer structure includes a clamping structure movable between opened and clamped positions. A coolant-cooled structure, which is associated with the electronic system within which the electronics card is operatively inserted, resides between the electronics card and, at least partially, the clamping structure with insertion of the electronics card into the electronic system.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Amilcar R. Arvelo, Mark A. Brandon, Levi A. Campbell, Tan D. Doan, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Randall G. Kemink, Eric J. McKeever
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Patent number: 9009968Abstract: A cooling method is provided which includes providing a cooling apparatus that includes one or more coolant-cooled structures attached to one or more electronic components, one or more coolant conduits, and one or more coolant manifolds. The coolant-cooled structure(s) includes one or more coolant-carrying channels, and the coolant manifolds includes one or more rotatable manifold sections. One coolant conduit couples in fluid communication a respective rotatable manifold section and the coolant-carrying channel(s) of a respective coolant-cooled structure. The respective rotatable manifold section is rotatable relative to another portion of the coolant manifold to facilitate detaching of the coolant-cooled structure from its associated electronic component while maintaining the coolant-cooled structure in fluid communication with the respective rotatable manifold section through the one coolant conduit, which in one embodiment, is a substantially rigid coolant conduit.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Eric J. McKeever, Robert E. Simons
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Publication number: 20150075755Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventors: Amilcar R. ARVELO, Levi A. CAMPBELL, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Eric J. McKEEVER