Patents by Inventor Mark D. Pfeifer

Mark D. Pfeifer 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: 9918400
    Abstract: A server enclosure having a plurality of panels abutted to one another and constrained by a connector having a channel and at least one aperture. Each respective panel has at least one perpendicular portion being perpendicular to a face of the respective panel and adjoining a perimeter of the respective panel. Connectivity media coincident to the aperture can affix at least two panels and a connector to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott R. LaPree, Stephen P. Mroz, Mark D. Pfeifer
  • Publication number: 20170231106
    Abstract: A server enclosure having a plurality of panels abutted to one another and constrained by a connector having a channel and at least one aperture. Each respective panel has at least one perpendicular portion being perpendicular to a face of the respective panel and adjoining a perimeter of the respective panel. Connectivity media coincident to the aperture can affix at least two panels and a connector to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Scott R. LaPree, Stephen P. Mroz, Mark D. Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 9723757
    Abstract: A server enclosure having a plurality of panels abutted to one another and constrained by a connector having a channel and at least one aperture. Each respective panel has at least one perpendicular portion being perpendicular to a face of the respective panel and adjoining a perimeter of the respective panel. Connectivity media coincident to the aperture can affix at least two panels and a connector to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott R. LaPree, Stephen P. Mroz, Mark D. Pfeifer
  • Publication number: 20170156232
    Abstract: A server enclosure having a plurality of panels abutted to one another and constrained by a connector having a channel and at least one aperture. Each respective panel has at least one perpendicular portion being perpendicular to a face of the respective panel and adjoining a perimeter of the respective panel. Connectivity media coincident to the aperture can affix at least two panels and a connector to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Scott R. LaPree, Stephen P. Mroz, Mark D. Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 9655274
    Abstract: A server enclosure having a plurality of panels abutted to one another and constrained by a connector having a channel and at least one aperture. Each respective panel has at least one perpendicular portion being perpendicular to a face of the respective panel and adjoining a perimeter of the respective panel. Connectivity media coincident to the aperture can affix at least two panels and a connector to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott R. LaPree, Stephen P. Mroz, Mark D. Pfeifer
  • Publication number: 20170127547
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a server enclosure having a plurality of panels abutted to one another and constrained by a connector comprising a channel and at least one aperture. Each respective panel comprises at least one perpendicular portion being perpendicular to a face of the respective panel and adjoining a perimeter of the respective panel. Connectivity media coincident to the aperture can affix at least two panels and a connector to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Scott R. LaPree, Stephen P. Mroz, Mark D. Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 9572287
    Abstract: A server enclosure having a plurality of panels abutted to one another and constrained by a connector having a channel and at least one aperture. Each respective panel has at least one perpendicular portion being perpendicular to a face of the respective panel and adjoining a perimeter of the respective panel. Connectivity media coincident to the aperture can affix at least two panels and a connector to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott R. LaPree, Stephen P. Mroz, Mark D. Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 8898979
    Abstract: A modular panel unit according to one embodiment includes a major subunit adapted for being secured to a keyed backing panel, and at least one minor subunit. The major subunit includes at least one connector adapted for coupling to a corresponding connection feature of the keyed backing panel in order to secure the major subunit to the keyed backing panel; and one or more coupling features. Each minor subunit includes: one or more couplers adapted for coupling to the one or more coupling features of the major subunit in order to secure the minor subunit to the major subunit. Additional systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Paula Besterman, Aaron R. Cox, Scott R. LaPree, Michael J. MacPherson, Mark D. Pfeifer
  • Publication number: 20140062275
    Abstract: A modular panel unit according to one embodiment includes a major subunit adapted for being secured to a keyed backing panel, and at least one minor subunit. The major subunit includes at least one connector adapted for coupling to a corresponding connection feature of the keyed backing panel in order to secure the major subunit to the keyed backing panel; and one or more coupling features. Each minor subunit includes: one or more couplers adapted for coupling to the one or more coupling features of the major subunit in order to secure the minor subunit to the major subunit. Additional systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paula Besterman, Aaron R. Cox, Scott R. LaPree, Michael J. MacPherson, Mark D. Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 7558066
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a module cooling system, comprising, a module in operable communication with a circuit board, a stiffener abutting the circuit board, a heatsink abutting the module, a first biasing member biasing the heatsink towards the module, a plurality of non-influencing fasteners positionally fixing the heatsink, and a second biasing member biasing the circuit board and module towards the heatsink. Further disclosed herein is a method of mounting a module cooling system, comprising, connecting electrically a module to a circuit board, abutting a stiffener to the circuit board, abutting a heatsink to the module, biasing with a biasing member the heatsink in a direction towards the module, fixing the heatsink with non-influencing fasteners, and biasing with a second biasing member the circuit board and module towards the heatsink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric A. Eckberg, Michael S. Good, Mark D. Pfeifer
  • Publication number: 20080151504
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a module cooling system, comprising, a module in operable communication with a circuit board, a stiffener abutting the circuit board, a heatsink abutting the module, a first biasing member biasing the heatsink towards the module, a plurality of non-influencing fasteners positionally fixing the heatsink, and a second biasing member biasing the circuit board and module towards the heatsink. Further disclosed herein is a method of mounting a module cooling system, comprising, connecting electrically a module to a circuit board, abutting a stiffener to the circuit board, abutting a heatsink to the module, biasing with a biasing member the heatsink in a direction towards the module, fixing the heatsink with non-influencing fasteners, and biasing with a second biasing member the circuit board and module towards the heatsink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric A. Eckberg, Michael S. Good, Mark D. Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 7375963
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a module cooling system, comprising, a module in operable communication with a circuit board, a stiffener abutting the circuit board, a heatsink abutting the module, a first biasing member biasing the heatsink towards the module, a plurality of non-influencing fasteners positionally fixing the heatsink, and a second biasing member biasing the circuit board and module towards the heatsink. Further disclosed herein is a method of mounting a module cooling system, comprising, connecting electrically a module to a circuit board, abutting a stiffener to the circuit board, abutting a heatsink to the module, biasing with a biasing member the heatsink in a direction towards the module, fixing the heatsink with non-influencing fasteners, and biasing with a second biasing member the circuit board and module towards the heatsink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric A. Eckberg, Michael S. Good, Mark D. Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 7267550
    Abstract: A printed circuit board capable of receiving an on-board battery from multiple orientations is disclosed. The movement of the on-board battery on the printed circuit board is directed via one or more guide tabs on the on-board battery that fit within one or more guide rails attached to the printed circuit board. A cam lever is attached to the on-board battery and enables a user to utilize mechanical advantage to install and/or remove the on-board battery on the printed circuit board. A pull tab attached to the on-board battery provides additional surface area to distribute the force when a user removes the on-board battery. The on-board battery can be installed and/or removed orthogonally and/or horizontally to the printed circuit board during the operation of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric A. Eckberg, Michael S. Good, Ray C. Laning, Mark D. Pfeifer, Scott A. Shurson, Matthew C. Zehrer