Patents by Inventor Mark W. Williams

Mark W. Williams 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: 8006028
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for enabling memory module slots in a computing system after a repair action, the computing system having a plurality of memory module slots and having at least one memory module installed in one of the memory module slots, that includes: determining, during a boot process for the computing system, whether any of the memory module slots are disabled; and if any of the memory module slots are disabled: retrieving, for each memory module installed in one of the memory module slots, a memory module identifier for that memory module, retrieving, from non-volatile memory of the computing system, previously stored memory module identifiers, determining whether the retrieved memory module identifiers match the previously stored memory module identifiers, and enabling the disabled memory module slots if the retrieved memory module identifiers do not match the previously stored memory module identifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tu T. Dang, Robert F. Kantner, Jr., Henry G. McMillan, Carl A. Morrell, Challis L. Purrington, Mark W. Williams
  • Publication number: 20090254732
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for enabling memory module slots in a computing system after a repair action, the computing system having a plurality of memory module slots and having at least one memory module installed in one of the memory module slots, that includes: determining, during a boot process for the computing system, whether any of the memory module slots are disabled; and if any of the memory module slots are disabled: retrieving, for each memory module installed in one of the memory module slots, a memory module identifier for that memory module, retrieving, from non-volatile memory of the computing system, previously stored memory module identifiers, determining whether the retrieved memory module identifiers match the previously stored memory module identifiers, and enabling the disabled memory module slots if the retrieved memory module identifiers do not match the previously stored memory module identifiers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tu T. Dang, Robert F. Kantner, JR., Henry G. McMillan, Carl A. Morrell, Challis L. Purrington, Mark W. Williams
  • Publication number: 20080148109
    Abstract: A computer system is provided that utilizes a plurality of indicator lights associated with components within the computer system. In this computer system, BIOS logic is configured to detect errors within the system and determine causes for the errors. A service processor, in communication with the BIOS logic, is configured to activate at least two indicator lights from the plurality of indicator lights to indicate possible sources for the detected errors. The service processor activates the at least two indicator lights to generate a visual pattern representative of the likelihood that a component within the computer system is the source for the detected error. The visual pattern comprises a pattern that ranges from a pattern that indicates a high likelihood of being the source for the detected error to a pattern that indicates a lower likelihood of being the source for the detected error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Paul D. Bashor, Challis L. Purrington, Terry L. Sawyers, Mark W. Williams
  • Patent number: 7387291
    Abstract: The present invention provides a collapsible shaft and control assembly that is useful for transferring rotational control valve movements to a control surface. The invention includes a housing, shaft, and actuator arm. The housing defines a hollow cylinder. The shaft has a resilient end with a plurality of flexible strips capable of radial bending so as to transition between an expanded position and a compressed position. The shaft is positioned in the hollow cylinder, in the expanded position, so that the shaft can rotate. The actuator arm is positioned within the resilient end of the shaft so as to maintain the resilient end of the shaft in the expanded position. Both the actuator arm and shaft include reciprocal engagement means, and the actuator arm and shaft are positioned so as to engage the reciprocal engagement means. A rotational movement of the actuator arm thus causes a rotational movement of the shaft. A flapper affixed to the shaft can direct air depending on the radial position of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Jira, Robert D. Sleeper, Mark W. Williams, Stuart K. Denike, Don J. Atkins
  • Patent number: 7311740
    Abstract: A filter bypass valve is disposed in parallel with an aircraft cabin air filtration system air filter. During normal operation, air is filtered through the air filter at an air flow that meets air flow requirements of the system. The bypass valve is designed to remain closed during normal use, and to open if the differential pressure across the air filter reaches a predetermined opening differential pressure to allow airflow to be partially or fully diverted around the air filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Williams, Robert D. Sleeper, Don J. Atkins, Stuart K. Denike
  • Patent number: 7264017
    Abstract: A regulator valve includes dual actuators that operate according to different principles to position a valve element to either an open or a closed position. One actuator, which is an electromechanical actuator, operates in response to electrical command signals. The other actuator, which is a pneumatic actuator, operates in response to a fluid pressure. The electromechanical actuator is responsive to the electrical command signals to rotate in either a valve open or a valve close direction, to move the valve element to either the open or closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart K. Denike, Don J. Atkins, Robert D. Sleeper, Mark W. Williams, Jay W. Lombardi
  • Patent number: 7093618
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lounge valve mounting housing and assembly. The housing and assembly are useful for directing air through ducts, and particularly the assembly is useful for directing air, or other fluid, through Y-shaped junctions. The housing comprises in part a plate and a supported platform. The plate mounts to a duct. An actuator assembly can be affixed to the platform. The housing further includes a cylinder; a shaft is disposed within the cylinder and extends into the duct. A flapper affixed to the shaft can direct air depending on the radial position of the shaft. The housing and assembly offers weight and capital advantages over dual valve assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Williams, Robert D. Sleeper, Stuart K. Denike, Don J. Atkins