Patents by Inventor James A. Lacey

James A. Lacey 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: 8964375
    Abstract: Techniques for cooling in a data center are provided. In one aspect, a computer equipment rack is provided comprising one or more air inlets; one or more exhaust outlets; and one or more of: an air inlet duct mounted to the computer equipment rack surrounding at least a portion of the air inlets, the air inlet duct having a lateral dimension that approximates a lateral dimension of the computer equipment rack and a length that is less than a length of the computer equipment rack, and an air exhaust duct mounted to the computer equipment rack surrounding at least a portion of the exhaust outlets, the air exhaust duct having a lateral dimension that approximates the lateral dimension of the computer equipment rack and a length that is less than the length of the computer equipment rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Claassen, Hendrik F. Hamann, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, James A. Lacey, Yves C. Martin, Roger R. Schmidt, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Publication number: 20140063729
    Abstract: Techniques for cooling in a data center are provided. In one aspect, a computer equipment rack is provided comprising one or more air inlets; one or more exhaust outlets; and one or more of: an air inlet duct mounted to the computer equipment rack surrounding at least a portion of the air inlets, the air inlet duct having a lateral dimension that approximates a lateral dimension of the computer equipment rack and a length that is less than a length of the computer equipment rack, and an air exhaust duct mounted to the computer equipment rack surrounding at least a portion of the exhaust outlets, the air exhaust duct having a lateral dimension that approximates the lateral dimension of the computer equipment rack and a length that is less than the length of the computer equipment rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Claassen, Hendrik F. Hamann, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, James A. Lacey, Yves C. Martin, Roger R. Schmidt, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Patent number: 8636406
    Abstract: An apparatus determines cooling characteristics of an operational cooling device used for transferring heat from an electronic device. The operational cooling device is thermally coupled to a heat pipe. The heat pipe has an exposed surface for selective application of heat thereon. Heat from a localized heat source is selectively applied to at least one region of the exposed surface. The heat source is preferably capable of being varied both positionally relative to the exposed surface and in heat intensity. A heat shield is preferably positioned around the exposed surface of the heat pipe to isolate the operational cooling device from the heat from the localized heat source. A temperature detector repeatedly measures a temperature distribution across the exposed surface while the cooling device is in a heat transfer mode. The temperature distribution is then used to thermally characterize the operational cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, James A. Lacey, Roger R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8283636
    Abstract: A high resolution material observation system includes an object having at least one spatial dimension sufficient to support production of near-field infrared emissions, a holder adapted to receive a sample to be observed, the holder further adapted to position the sample in the near-field infrared emissions, and a thermal excitation unit, adapted to be thermally coupled to at least one of the object and the sample. The thermal excitation unit is further adapted to causing black body radiation in either the object or the sample within the infrared spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Snorri Ingvarsson, James A. Lacey
  • Patent number: 8210741
    Abstract: An apparatus determines cooling characteristics of an operational cooling device used for transferring heat from an electronic device. The operational cooling device is thermally coupled to a heat pipe. The heat pipe has an exposed surface for selective application of heat thereon. Heat from a localized heat source is selectively applied to at least one region of the exposed surface. The heat source is preferably capable of being varied both positionally relative to the exposed surface and in heat intensity. A heat shield is preferably positioned around the exposed surface of the heat pipe to isolate the operational cooling device from the heat from the localized heat source. A temperature detector repeatedly measures a temperature distribution across the exposed surface while the cooling device is in a heat transfer mode. The temperature distribution is then used to thermally characterize the operational cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, James A. Lacey, Roger R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8173965
    Abstract: A high resolution material observation system includes an object having at least one spatial dimension sufficient to support production of near-field infrared emissions, a holder adapted to receive a sample to be observed, the holder further adapted to position the sample in the near-field infrared emissions, and a thermal excitation unit, adapted to be thermally coupled to at least one of the object and the sample. The thermal excitation unit is further adapted to causing black body radiation in either the object or the sample within the infrared spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Snorri Ingvarsson, James A. Lacey
  • Patent number: 8038343
    Abstract: A novel computer program product and method for thermally characterizing a device used for cooling an electronic device is disclosed. A cooling device, being operated, is thermally coupled to a heat pipe having a surface to receive a test chip. A heater is patterned on a circuitry side of the test chip. The heater is separate from operational circuitry of the test chip. A localized heat source is applied to at least one region on a test chip thermally coupled to the heat pipe to locally heat more than one region on a second surface of the test chip to test more than one hot spot. The second surface is the circuitry side of the test chip. The heater provides a bias heat to the test chip, independent of operating the test chip, while the localized heat source is selectively applied directly to the test chip. A temperature detector is used to measure a temperature distribution on the second surface of the test chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, James A. Lacey, Roger R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8029186
    Abstract: What is disclosed is an apparatus for determining the cooling characteristics of a cooling device used for transferring heat from an electronic device. The apparatus comprising a cooling device thermally coupled to a heat pipe. The heat pipe having an exposed surface for the selective application of heat thereon. A localized heat source is selectively applied to at least one region of the exposed surface. The heat source preferably capable of being varied both positionally relative to the exposed surface and in heat intensity. A heat shield is preferably positioned around the exposed surface of the heat pipe to isolate the operational cooling device from the localized heat source. A temperature detector repeatedly measures a temperature distribution across the exposed surface while the cooling device is in a heat transfer mode. The temperature distribution is then used to thermally characterize the cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, James A. Lacey, Roger R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7756667
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the physical quantities of a data center during operation and method for servicing large-scale computing systems is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cart that supports a plurality of sensors. The cart is moveable within the data center. The sensors capture temperature or other physical parameters within the room. The sensor readings, along with position and orientation information pertaining to the cart are transmitted to a computer system where the data is analyzed to select the optimum temperature or other system environmental parameters for the data center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, James A. Lacey, Martin P. O'Boyle, Roger R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7739073
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the physical quantities of a data center during operation and method for servicing large-scale computing systems is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cart that supports a plurality of sensors. The cart is moveable within the data center. The sensors capture temperature or other physical parameters within the room. The sensor readings, along with position and orientation information pertaining to the cart are transmitted to a computer system where the data is analyzed to select the optimum temperature or other system environmental parameters for the data center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, James A. Lacey, Martin P. O'Boyle, Roger R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7698114
    Abstract: Techniques for enhancing thermal design of a system having a number of boundary values are provided. A method for such enhancement includes representing thermal response of the system to the boundary values, obtaining at least one constraining parameter, and determining spatial and/or temporal distribution of the boundary values. The thermal response is represented as a superposition of temperature fields associated with given boundary values. The spatial and/or temporal distribution of the boundary values is determined based on the thermal response represented in the representing step, so as to satisfy the constraining parameter. The boundary values can be, for example, power sources, and the at least one constraining parameter can be, for example, a spatial or temporal location of one of the power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, James A. Lacey, Jamil Wakil, Alan J. Weger
  • Publication number: 20100046574
    Abstract: What is disclosed is an apparatus for determining the cooling characteristics of a cooling device used for transferring heat from an electronic device. The apparatus comprising a cooling device thermally coupled to a heat pipe. The heat pipe having an exposed surface for the selective application of heat thereon. A localized heat source is selectively applied to at least one region of the exposed surface. The heat source preferably capable of being varied both positionally relative to the exposed surface and in heat intensity. A heat shield is preferably positioned around the exposed surface of the heat pipe to isolate the operational cooling device from the localized heat source. A temperature detector repeatedly measures a temperature distribution across the exposed surface while the cooling device is in a heat transfer mode. The temperature distribution is then used to thermally characterize the cooling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, James A. Lacey, Roger R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7651260
    Abstract: What is disclosed is an apparatus for determining the cooling characteristics of a cooling device used for transferring heat from an electronic device. The apparatus comprising a cooling device thermally coupled to a heat pipe. The heat pipe having an exposed surface for the selective application of heat thereon. A localized heat source is selectively applied to at least one region of the exposed surface. The heat source preferably capable of being varied both positionally relative to the exposed surface and in heat intensity. A heat shield is preferably positioned around the exposed surface of the heat pipe to isolate the operational cooling device from the localized heat source. A temperature detector repeatedly measures a temperature distribution across the exposed surface while the cooling device is in a heat transfer mode. The temperature distribution is then used to thermally characterize the cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, James A. Lacey, Roger R. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20080281551
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the physical quantities of a data center during operation and method for servicing large-scale computing systems is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cart that supports a plurality of sensors. The cart is moveable within the data center. The sensors capture temperature or other physical parameters within the room. The sensor readings, along with position and orientation information pertaining to the cart are transmitted to a computer system where the data is analyzed to select the optimum temperature or other system environmental parameters for the data center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, James A. Lacey, Martin P. O'Boyle, Roger R. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20080239539
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the physical quantities of a data center during operation and method for servicing large-scale computing systems is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cart that supports a plurality of sensors. The cart is moveable within the data center. The sensors capture temperature or other physical parameters within the room. The sensor readings, along with position and orientation information pertaining to the cart are transmitted to a computer system where the data is analyzed to select the optimum temperature or other system environmental parameters for the data center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: HENDRIK F. HAMANN, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, James A. Lacey, Martin P. O'Boyle, Roger R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7366632
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the physical quantities of a data center during operation and method for servicing large-scale computing systems is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cart that supports a plurality of sensors. The cart is moveable within the data center. The sensors capture temperature or other physical parameters within the room. The sensor readings, along with position and orientation information pertaining to the cart are transmitted to a computer system where the data is analyzed to select the optimum temperature or other system environmental parameters for the data center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, James A. Lacey, Martin P. O'Boyle, Roger R. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20080087825
    Abstract: A high resolution material observation system includes an object having at least one spatial dimension sufficient to support production of near-field infrared emissions, a holder adapted to receive a sample to be observed, the holder further adapted to position the sample in the near-field infrared emissions, and a thermal excitation unit, adapted to be thermally coupled to at least one of the object and the sample. The thermal excitation unit is further adapted to causing black body radiation in either the object or the sample within the infrared spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Snorri Ingvarsson, James A. Lacey
  • Patent number: 7316831
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes an alignment layer with constituent materials. The constituent materials have a stoichiometric relationship configured to provide a given pretilt angle. Liquid crystal material is provided in contact with the alignment layer. A method for forming an alignment layer for liquid crystal displays includes forming the alignment layer on a substrate by introducing an amount of material to adjust a stoichiometric ratio of constituent materials wherein the amount is determined to provide a given pretilt angle to the alignment layer. Ions are directed at the alignment layer to provide uniformity of the pretilt angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul S. Andry, Praveen Chaudhari, James P. Doyle, Eileen A. Galligan, James A. Lacey, Shui-Chih A. Lien, Minhua Lu
  • Patent number: 7176484
    Abstract: The present invention provides a substrate having thereon a patterned small molecule organic semiconductor layer. The present invention also provides a method and a system for the production of the substrate having thereon a patterned small molecule organic semiconductor layer. The substrate with the patterned small molecule organic semiconductor layer is prepared by exposing a region of a substrate having thereon a film of a precursor of a small organic molecule to energy from an energy source to convert the film of a precursor of a small organic molecule to a patterned small molecule organic semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Afzali-Ardakani, Hendrik Hamann, James A Lacey, David R Medeiros, Praveen Chaudhari, Robert Von Gutfeld
  • Patent number: 7167806
    Abstract: A present invention provides real-time temperature and power mapping of fully operating electronic devices. The method utilizes infrared (IR) temperature imaging, while an IR-transparent coolant flows through a specially designed cell directly over the electronic device. In order to determine the chip power distributions the individual temperature fields for each heat source of a given power and size on the chip (as realized by a scanning focused laser beam) are measured under the same cooling conditions. Then the measured chip temperature distribution is represented as a superposition of the temperature fields of these individual heat sources and the corresponding power distribution is calculated with a set of linear equations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, James A. Lacey, Martin P. O'Boyle, Robert J. von Gutfeld, Jamil A. Wakil, Alan J. Weger