Patents by Inventor Kevin M. O'Connell

Kevin M. O'Connell 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: 20150136365
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus is disclosed, which may include multiple heat producing units. The cooling apparatus may also have a thermal interface material (TIM) to facilitate heat transfer away from the heat producing units. The cooling apparatus may also have multiple heat sink columns located above, and designed to conduct heat away from, corresponding heat producing units, through thermally conductive contact with corresponding portions of the TIM layer. The cooling apparatus may also have a load plate located above the heat sink columns, designed to hold the heat sink columns in a relatively fixed position above the heat producing units. The TIM layer may have an initial compressed state between the heat sink columns and the corresponding heat producing units. Each of the heat sink columns may be designed so that, in operation, the corresponding portion of the TIM layer may have a further compressed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip V. Mann, Kevin M. O'Connell, Arvind K. Sinha
  • Publication number: 20150138731
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus is disclosed, which may include multiple heat producing units. The cooling apparatus may also have a thermal interface material (TIM) to facilitate heat transfer away from the heat producing units. The cooling apparatus may also have multiple heat sink columns located above, and designed to conduct heat away from, corresponding heat producing units, through thermally conductive contact with corresponding portions of the TIM layer. The cooling apparatus may also have a load plate located above the heat sink columns, designed to hold the heat sink columns in a relatively fixed position above the heat producing units. The TIM layer may have an initial compressed state between the heat sink columns and the corresponding heat producing units. Each of the heat sink columns may be designed so that, in operation, the corresponding portion of the TIM layer may have a further compressed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip V. Mann, Kevin M. O'Connell, Arvind K. Sinha
  • Patent number: 8779585
    Abstract: A method and structures are provided for implementing enhanced thermal conductivity between a lid and heat sink for stacked modules. A chip lid and lateral heat distributor includes cooperating features for implementing enhanced thermal conductivity. The chip lid includes a groove along an inner side wall including a flat wall surface and a curved edge surface. The lateral heat distributor includes a mating edge portion received within the groove. The mating edge portion includes a bent arm for engaging the curved edge surface groove and a flat portion. The lateral heat distributor is assembled into place with the chip lid, the mating edge portion of the lateral heat distributor bends and snaps into the groove of the chip lid. The bent arm portion presses on the curved surface of the groove, and provides an upward force to push the flat portion against the flat wall surface of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin M. O'Connell, Arvind K. Sinha, Kory W. Weckman, II
  • Patent number: 8716597
    Abstract: A method and structure for implementing enhanced dimensional stability with a graphite nanotube hybrid socket. A socket housing wall includes a plurality of aligned graphite nanofibers. The plurality of aligned graphite nanofibers distributing heat and providing enhanced dimensional stability. For example, the plurality of aligned graphite nanofibers more evenly distributes heat when the socket is undergoing solder reflow processes, thereby reducing strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip V. Mann, Kevin M. O'Connell, Mark D. Plucinski, Sandra J. Shirk/Heath, Arvind K. Sinha
  • Publication number: 20140087586
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, an assembly having first and second components may be provided. The first component may include one or more connectors corresponding to one or more through-holes of a circuit board. The second component may include one or more receptacles to fixedly receive the connectors, wherein the first and second components are adapted to be located on opposing sides of the circuit board in an assembled position. In some embodiments, the first and second components may include electrical connectors soldered to the circuit board. In some embodiments, the connectors may include one or more pawls and the receptacles may include one or more ratchets. In other embodiments, the connectors may be threaded members and the receptacles may be threaded apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin M. O'Connell, Arvind K. Sinha, Kory W. Weckman
  • Publication number: 20130178092
    Abstract: A method and structure for implementing enhanced dimensional stability with a graphite nanotube hybrid socket. A socket housing wall includes a plurality of aligned graphite nanofibers. The plurality of aligned graphite nanofibers distributing heat and providing enhanced dimensional stability. For example, the plurality of aligned graphite nanofibers more evenly distributes heat when the socket is undergoing solder reflow processes, thereby reducing strain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Phillip V. Mann, Kevin M. O'Connell, Mark D. Plucinski, Sandra J. Shirk/Heath, Arvind K. Sinha
  • Publication number: 20130032935
    Abstract: A method and structures are provided for implementing enhanced thermal conductivity between a lid and heat sink for stacked modules. A chip lid and lateral heat distributor includes cooperating features for implementing enhanced thermal conductivity. The chip lid includes a groove along an inner side wall including a flat wall surface and a curved edge surface. The lateral heat distributor includes a mating edge portion received within the groove. The mating edge portion includes a bent arm for engaging the curved edge surface groove and a flat portion. The lateral heat distributor is assembled into place with the chip lid, the mating edge portion of the lateral heat distributor bends and snaps into the groove of the chip lid. The bent arm portion presses on the curved surface of the groove, and provides an upward force to push the flat portion against the flat wall surface of the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin M. O'Connell, Arvind K. Sinha, Kory W. Weckman