Patents by Inventor Neal BEARD

Neal BEARD 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: 11837192
    Abstract: A device information display system includes a device information display chassis with a display device, a device information display connector that is configured to connect to a computing device connector on any of a plurality of computing devices, and a device information retrieval subsystem coupled to each of the display device and the device information display connector. The device information retrieval subsystem automatically receives first device information associated with a first computing device from the first computing device in response to the device information display connector being connected to the first computing device and, while the device information display connector is connected to the first computing device, provides the first device information for display on the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Colin Montgomery, Neal Beard, Shree Rathinasamy
  • Patent number: 11839051
    Abstract: An information handling system may include a chassis configured to house components of the information handling system and a modular power supply module configured to be readily removable from the chassis. The modular power supply module may include an enclosure, power supply components housed within the enclosure, an air mover configured to drive airflow to cool one or more components of the information handling system, and a mechanical assembly configured to mechanically couple the air mover to the enclosure that enables a user to remove the air mover from the enclosure while still coupled to the enclosure via the mechanical assembly, rotate the air mover 180 degrees relative to the enclosure while still coupled to the enclosure via the mechanical assembly, and reinsert the air mover into the enclosure, in order to modify a direction of airflow driven by the air mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Shree Rathinasamy, Neal Beard, Kannan Karuppiah
  • Publication number: 20230380098
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing networking devices includes providing circuit boards each having an NPU mounted to that circuit board, and respective cable connectors mounted to that circuit board and coupled to that NPU. First networking devices are manufactured by providing one of the circuit boards in a chassis in each first networking device, and cabling at least some of the cable connectors on that circuit board to first subsystem(s) in that first networking device in order to configure that first networking device to perform first functionality. Second networking devices are manufactured by providing a respective one of the circuit boards in a chassis in each second networking device, and cabling at least some of the cable connectors on that circuit board to second subsystem(s) in that second networking device in order to configure that second networking device to perform second functionality that is different than the first functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Shree Rathinasamy, Neal Beard, Colin Montgomery, Per Henrik Fremrot
  • Patent number: 11822406
    Abstract: A powering patch panel system includes a patch panel device coupled to a power source, and including a first port that is coupled to a networking device via a first cable and a second port that is coupled to the powered device via a second cable. The patch panel device receives data that is directed to the powered device from the networking device through the first port and via the first cable, and receives power from the power source. The patch panel device then transmits both the data and a subset of the power through the second port and via the second cable to the powered device. The first port may be provided by optical-fiber-based port and the first cable may be provided by an optical-fiber-based cable, while the second port may be provided by a hybrid conductive-material/optical-fiber-based port and the second cable may be provided by a hybrid conductive-material/optical-fiber-based cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Neal Beard, Shree Rathinasamy
  • Patent number: 11822810
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a network switch for an information handling system includes: a central processing unit (CPU); and a fan module removably coupled to the network switch, the fan module including: a housing having a front end and a back end; a plurality of fans disposed within the housing proximate to the back end; a memory interface disposed within the housing proximate to the front end, the memory interface communicably coupled to the CPU; a memory device disposed within the housing proximate to the memory interface, the memory device storing information associated with the networking operations and communicably coupled to the memory interface, the memory device removably coupled to the fan module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Neal Beard, Colin John Montgomery, Shree Ramakrishna Rathinasamy, Padmanabhan Narayanan
  • Publication number: 20230324964
    Abstract: A computing device liquid cooling system includes a multi-device chassis, a computing device, and a multi-device-chassis/device movable coupling liquid cooling system that moveably couples the computing device to the multi-device chassis. The multi-device-chassis/device movable coupling liquid cooling system includes a computing device mounting element that is mounted to the computing device and configured to transfer heat generated by the computing device, a multi-device chassis mounting element that includes a liquid cooling subsystem and that is mounted to the multi-device chassis, and a movable coupling that is configured to allow the computing device mounting element to move relative to the multi-device chassis mounting element. The multi-device chassis mounting element is configured to receive the heat generated by the computing device and transferred by the computing device mounting element, and transfer the heat received from the computing device mounting element using the liquid cooling subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Colin Montgomery, Shree Rathinasamy, Neal Beard
  • Publication number: 20230291161
    Abstract: An inter-device cabling movement system includes a base and a plurality of cable attachment devices that extend from the base in a port identification sequence. Each of the plurality of cable attachment devices includes a cable engagement element that is configured to engage a respective cable, and a cable securing element that is configured to secure the cable engagement element to the respective cable. The cable engagement elements and cable securing elements may be utilized to secure each cable attachment device to respective cables connected to first ports on a first device so that those respective cables may be disconnected from the first pots on the first device and reconnected to second ports on a second device based on the port identification sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Shree Rathinasamy, Kannan Karuppiah, Neal Beard
  • Patent number: 11677471
    Abstract: A cable assembly may include a cable having a plurality of electrically-conductive wires and an optical port termination at a first end of the cable for terminating the plurality of electrically-conductive wires and configured to electrically couple to an optical network port integral to an information handling system and configured to receive an optical transceiver module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Shree Rathinasamy, Neal Beard, Kannan Karuppiah
  • Patent number: 11677205
    Abstract: An inter-device cabling movement system includes a base and a plurality of cable attachment devices that extend from the base in a port identification sequence. Each of the plurality of cable attachment devices includes a cable engagement element that is configured to engage a respective cable, and a cable securing element that is configured to secure the cable engagement element to the respective cable. The cable engagement elements and cable securing elements may be utilized to secure each cable attachment device to respective cables connected to first ports on a first device so that those respective cables may be disconnected from the first pots on the first device and reconnected to second ports on a second device based on the port identification sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Shree Rathinasamy, Kannan Karuppiah, Neal Beard
  • Patent number: 11646532
    Abstract: A connector includes a connector base with a first end that may be inserted in a port, and a second end located opposite the connector base from the first end. A connector release tab extends from the connector base adjacent the first end and moves relative to the connector base. A connector securing feature on the connector release tab may engage a port to secure the connector base in that port. A connector release system includes a connector release linkage coupled to the connector release tab and extending through the connector base, and a connector release actuator adjacent the second end of the connector base and coupled to the connector release linkage. The connector release actuator may be actuated to move, via the connector release linkage, the connector release tab to disengage the connector securing feature from a port such that the connector base may be removed from that port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Neal Beard, Shree Rathinasamy, Kevin E. Locklear
  • Publication number: 20230139605
    Abstract: A connector includes a connector base with a first end that may be inserted in a port, and a second end located opposite the connector base from the first end. A connector release tab extends from the connector base adjacent the first end and moves relative to the connector base. A connector securing feature on the connector release tab may engage a port to secure the connector base in that port. A connector release system includes a connector release linkage coupled to the connector release tab and extending through the connector base, and a connector release actuator adjacent the second end of the connector base and coupled to the connector release linkage. The connector release actuator may be actuated to move, via the connector release linkage, the connector release tab to disengage the connector securing feature from a port such that the connector base may be removed from that port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Neal Beard, Shree Rathinasamy, Kevin E. Locklear
  • Publication number: 20230126639
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a network switch for an information handling system includes: a central processing unit (CPU); and a fan module removably coupled to the network switch, the fan module including: a housing having a front end and a back end; a plurality of fans disposed within the housing proximate to the back end; a memory interface disposed within the housing proximate to the front end, the memory interface communicably coupled to the CPU; a memory device disposed within the housing proximate to the memory interface, the memory device storing information associated with the networking operations and communicably coupled to the memory interface, the memory device removably coupled to the fan module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Neal Beard, Colin John Montgomery, Shree Ramakrishna Rathinasamy, Padmanabhan Narayanan
  • Publication number: 20230089775
    Abstract: An information handling system may include a chassis configured to house components of the information handling system and a modular power supply module configured to be readily removable from the chassis. The modular power supply module may include an enclosure, power supply components housed within the enclosure, an air mover configured to drive airflow to cool one or more components of the information handling system, and a mechanical assembly configured to mechanically couple the air mover to the enclosure that enables a user to remove the air mover from the enclosure while still coupled to the enclosure via the mechanical assembly, rotate the air mover 180 degrees relative to the enclosure while still coupled to the enclosure via the mechanical assembly, and reinsert the air mover into the enclosure, in order to modify a direction of airflow driven by the air mover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Shree Rathinasamy, Neal Beard, Kannan Karuppiah
  • Patent number: 11599174
    Abstract: A combined data/power coupling device includes a chassis having first and second powering device connectors and a powered device connector each coupled to a data/power coupling subsystem. The data/power coupling subsystem configures each of the first and second powering device connectors to receive power from at least one powering device, configures the first powering device connector to receive data from the at least one powering device, and provides data and power received via the first powering device connector to a powered device via the powered device connector. When the data/power coupling subsystem determines that data and power are not available via the first powering device connector, it configures the second powering device connector to receive data from the at least one powering device, and provides data and power received via the second powering device connector to the powered device via the powered device connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Shree Rathinasamy, Neal Beard, Maunish Shah
  • Publication number: 20230041511
    Abstract: A device information display system includes a device information display chassis with a display device, a device information display connector that is configured to connect to a computing device connector on any of a plurality of computing devices, and a device information retrieval subsystem coupled to each of the display device and the device information display connector. The device information retrieval subsystem automatically receives first device information associated with a first computing device from the first computing device in response to the device information display connector being connected to the first computing device and, while the device information display connector is connected to the first computing device, provides the first device information for display on the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Colin Montgomery, Neal Beard, Shree Rathinasamy
  • Publication number: 20230024116
    Abstract: A combined data/power coupling device includes a chassis having first and second powering device connectors and a powered device connector each coupled to a data/power coupling subsystem. The data/power coupling subsystem configures each of the first and second powering device connectors to receive power from at least one powering device, configures the first powering device connector to receive data from the at least one powering device, and provides data and power received via the first powering device connector to a powered device via the powered device connector. When the data/power coupling subsystem determines that data and power are not available via the first powering device connector, it configures the second powering device connector to receive data from the at least one powering device, and provides data and power received via the second powering device connector to the powered device via the powered device connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Shree Rathinasamy, Neal Beard, Maunish Shah
  • Publication number: 20230013300
    Abstract: An inter-device cabling movement system includes a base and a plurality of cable attachment devices that extend from the base in a port identification sequence. Each of the plurality of cable attachment devices includes a cable engagement element that is configured to engage a respective cable, and a cable securing element that is configured to secure the cable engagement element to the respective cable. The cable engagement elements and cable securing elements may be utilized to secure each cable attachment device to respective cables connected to first ports on a first device so that those respective cables may be disconnected from the first pots on the first device and reconnected to second ports on a second device based on the port identification sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Shree Rathinasamy, Kannan Karuppiah, Neal Beard
  • Publication number: 20220413577
    Abstract: A powering patch panel system includes a patch panel device coupled to a power source, and including a first port that is coupled to a networking device via a first cable and a second port that is coupled to the powered device via a second cable. The patch panel device receives data that is directed to the powered device from the networking device through the first port and via the first cable, and receives power from the power source. The patch panel device then transmits both the data and a subset of the power through the second port and via the second cable to the powered device. The first port may be provided by optical-fiber-based port and the first cable may be provided by an optical-fiber-based cable, while the second port may be provided by a hybrid conductive-material/optical-fiber-based port and the second cable may be provided by a hybrid conductive-material/optical-fiber-based cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Neal Beard, Shree Rathinasamy
  • Publication number: 20220393766
    Abstract: A cable assembly may include a cable having a plurality of electrically-conductive wires and an optical port termination at a first end of the cable for terminating the plurality of electrically-conductive wires and configured to electrically couple to an optical network port integral to an information handling system and configured to receive an optical transceiver module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Shree RATHINASAMY, Neal BEARD, Kannan KARUPPIAH
  • Patent number: 11509491
    Abstract: Presented herein are embodiments of a power-over-Ethernet (PoE) breakout system that may be used to breakout a PoE port from a PoE information handling system into a number of breakout ports. In one or more embodiments, a PoE breakout system comprises: a PoE port for connecting to a PoE information handling system, such as a PoE switch; a plurality of breakout ports for connecting to powered devices, wherein each breakout port is configured to supply power to a powered device; and a power management module electrically coupled to the PoE port and configured to supply power to each breakout port according to a configuration that sets a power level for that breakout port. In one or more embodiments. the PoE breakout system comprises a data communications module that switches data traffic to a correct PoE breakout port according to its intended powered device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Shree Rathinasamy, Robert Neal Beard, Victor Teeter