Patents by Inventor Michael A. Faulkner

Michael A. Faulkner 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: 9548627
    Abstract: A system for detecting latent defects within a redundant power architecture includes a plurality of redundant power supplies, each having one or more output power rails, connected in a redundant fashion to a system load; each power supply output having fault-isolating OR'ing circuitry that prevents reverse current flow when free of defects; each power supply having means for adjusting its output voltage; each power supply having means for monitoring an internal voltage therein, and, based on characteristics of the monitored internal voltage, determining the presence of latent defect/s in the fault-isolating “OR'ing” circuitry. Further, the system operates to shift the load demanded from power supplies in redundant power architectures to allow the power supplies to run at their optimum electrical efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLC
    Inventors: Joseph P. King, Jr., Phillip J. Roux, Michael A. Faulkner, Robert M. Beauchamp, Robert A. Guenther
  • Patent number: 9323305
    Abstract: A power supply unit includes two or more power converters. Each power converter provides power at a corresponding output terminal of the power supply unit. The power supply unit also includes a controller to determine an operating mode of the power supply unit. When the power supply unit is operating in one mode, the controller disables transmission of power at one output terminal in response to detecting a fault associated with another output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Dell Products, LP
    Inventors: Michael A. Faulkner, Jason D. Adrian, Kevin W. Mundt
  • Publication number: 20140189379
    Abstract: A power supply unit includes two or more power converters. Each power converter provides power at a corresponding output terminal of the power supply unit. The power supply unit also includes a controller to determine an operating mode of the power supply unit. When the power supply unit is operating in one mode, the controller disables transmission of power at one output teiniinal in response to detecting a fault associated with another output terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS, LP
    Inventors: Michael A. Faulkner, Jason D. Adrian, Kevin W. Mundt
  • Patent number: 8340933
    Abstract: A system for detecting latent defects within a redundant power architecture includes a plurality of redundant power supplies, each having one or more output power rails, connected in a redundant fashion to a system load; each power supply output having fault-isolating OR'ing circuitry that prevents reverse current flow when free of defects; each power supply having means for adjusting its output voltage; each power supply having means for monitoring an internal voltage therein, and, based on characteristics of the monitored internal voltage, determining the presence of latent defect/s in the fault-isolating “OR'ing” circuitry. Further, the system operates to shift the load demanded from power supplies in redundant power architectures to allow the power supplies to run at their optimum electrical efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph P. King, Jr., Phillip J. Roux, Michael A. Faulkner, Robert M. Beauchamp, Robert A. Guenther
  • Patent number: 7502954
    Abstract: A data storage system includes a disk drive array including a plurality of disk drives; a first storage processor for controlling the operation of the data storage system; a second storage processor for controlling the operation of the data storage system; a first arbiter for controlling communication of data from the first storage processor and the second storage processor to a first group of disk drives of the disk drive array; and a second arbiter for controlling communication of data from the first storage processor and the second storage processor to a second group of disk drives of the disk drive array. Selected data is redundantly stored on disk drives in the first group of disk drives and the second group of disk drives, such that, upon failure of the first arbiter, the selected data is available to the first storage processor and the second storage processor through the second arbiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen E. Strickland, Timothy Dorr, John V. Burroughs, Michael A. Faulkner, Steven D. Sardella
  • Patent number: 7477502
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a power supply; a load coupled to the power supply via a power supply line to receive a voltage therefrom; and a circuit protection device. The circuit protection device includes at least one switch device coupled between the power supply and the load on the power supply line; a first controller coupled to the at least one switch for: A. monitoring current flow through the at least one switch; B. maintaining the at least one switch in an ON state while current flows through the at least one switch in a first direction; and C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Faulkner, Phillip J. Roux, Paul H. Maier, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7243248
    Abstract: A data storage system includes a disk drive assembly having a plurality of disk drives, a first processor for controlling access to the disk drive assembly, a second processor for controlling access to the disk drive assembly, a first power supply for supplying power to the first processor and to the disk drive assembly and a second power supply for supplying power to the second processor and to the disk drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip J. Roux, Michael A. Faulkner, Paul H. Maier, Jr.