Patents by Inventor Robert G. Atkins
Robert G. Atkins 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).
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Patent number: 11973454Abstract: A system includes a driver monitor system configured to receive information about driver operation, a relationship table comprising information about an expected relationship between driver operation and a preload force, and a driver controller configured to control a driver in response to the information about driver operation and according to the relationship table. A method of managing a preload force includes providing a first component, providing a second component for compression against the first component, operating a driver to move the first component into contact with the second component, monitoring an operation of the driver, and determining an expected preload force in response to the operation of the driver.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Robert Reynolds, Charles Eric Covington, Carlos Alexander Fenny, Brady G. Atkins
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Publication number: 20170046718Abstract: A method of managing a component manufacturer warranty information is provided. The method may include collecting vital product data (VPD) of an array of components in a server into a database, where the VPD includes at least one of a component manufacturer name, a component manufacturer part number, a component serial number, a component firmware level, a component manufacturer warranty length, a warranty begin date, a warranty end date, a component replacement cost, monitoring the array of components for a failing component, confirming the failing component is covered under the component manufacturer warranty, determining a cost effectiveness for a repair action and a delay repair action, and initiating a service call based on the determined cost effectiveness.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2016Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventors: Robert G. Atkins, Francis X. Scanzano, Kyle Wonderly
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Publication number: 20170046662Abstract: A method of managing a component manufacturer warranty information is provided. The method may include collecting vital product data (VPD) of an array of components in a server into a database, where the VPD includes at least one of a component manufacturer name, a component manufacturer part number, a component serial number, a component firmware level, a component manufacturer warranty length, a warranty begin date, a warranty end date, a component replacement cost, monitoring the array of components for a failing component, confirming the failing component is covered under the component manufacturer warranty, determining a cost effectiveness for a repair action and a delay repair action, and initiating a service call based on the determined cost effectiveness.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2015Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventors: Robert G. Atkins, Francis X. Scanzano, Kyle Wonderly
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Patent number: 8988769Abstract: The embodiments herein provide a device and a method for extending the bandwidth of short wavelength and long wavelength fiber optic lengths. The embodiments herein provide for an optical transmitter package device comprising: a laser diode; and a semiconductor optical amplifier connected directly after and in close proximity to the laser diode, wherein the semiconductor optical amplifier is adapted to operate in a frequency domain such that the semiconductor optical amplifier filters and reshapes optical wavelengths from the laser diode, and wherein the semiconductor optical amplifier is biased below an amplification threshold for the semiconductor optical amplifier. The device may also comprises a feedback circuit which comprises an optical splitter, wherein the feedback circuit samples reshaped optical output from the semiconductor optical amplifier and dynamically adjusts one or both of the semiconductor optical amplifier and the laser diode.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2011Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert G. Atkins, Harry H. Bagheri, Casimer M. DeCusatis
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Patent number: 8576388Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for measuring the differential delay in a computer system having a disaster recovery secondary site. The device includes a transmitter for use at a primary site, the transmitter having a first laser and a second laser. The first laser is optically connected to an end of the transmission path and the second laser is optically connected to an end of the receive path. A receiver is located at the secondary site. The receiver has a first optical receiver optically connected to an end of the transmission path and a second optical receiver optically connected to an end of the receive path. The receiver includes a microprocessor to count the number of cycles between the receipt of light pulses simultaneously emitted from the first and second lasers. From this cycle count, the differential delay between the transmission and receive path is calculated.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2012Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert G. Atkins, Casimer M. DeCusatis
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Patent number: 8539274Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for load shedding during an emergency power off event. In one embodiment, power is supplied from a main power source to a plurality of electrical loads within a device enclosure. Power loss is detected from the main power source. Upon detecting the power loss, at least one of the electrical loads is disconnected from a supplemental power source such that power to at least one remaining load connected to the supplemental power source is sustained by the supplementary power source.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2010Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert G. Atkins, Edward N. Cohen, Philip M. Corcoran, William J. Petrowsky, Edward J. Seminaro
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Publication number: 20130182244Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for measuring the differential delay in a computer system having a disaster recovery secondary site. The device includes a transmitter for use at a primary site, the transmitter having a first laser and a second laser. The first laser is optically connected to an end of the transmission path and the second laser is optically connected to an end of the receive path. A receiver is located at the secondary site. The receiver has a first optical receiver optically connected to an end of the transmission path and a second optical receiver optically connected to an end of the receive path. The receiver includes a microprocessor to count the number of cycles between the receipt of light pulses simultaneously emitted from the first and second lasers. From this cycle count, the differential delay between the transmission and receive path is calculated.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Robert G. Atkins, Casimer M. DeCusatis
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Patent number: 8453398Abstract: A support system is provided and includes first and second raised floor tiles, a ramp and sheeting. The ramp includes first and second edges and is disposable with the first edge adjacent to the first raised floor tile and the second edge adjacent to the second raised floor tile. The ramp has a substantially similar thickness as the first raised floor tile at the first edge and a different thickness from the second raised floor tile at the second edge. The sheeting is disposable on the second raised floor tile to abut the second edge of the ramp and has a thickness such that a combined thickness of the sheeting and the second raised floor tile is substantially similar to the thickness of the ramp at the second edge.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2012Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert G. Atkins, Eric J. McKeever, Edward J. Seminaro
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Patent number: 8369092Abstract: An input/output (I/O) and disk expansion subsystem is provided for an electronics rack which provides expanded I/O and/or disk storage capabilities to electronic subsystems of the rack. The expansion subsystem includes a subsystem enclosure having first and second sides in opposing relation, with the first side accessible through a front of the rack and the second accessible through a back of the rack when the enclosure resides within the rack. A plurality of field-replaceable units reside within the subsystem enclosure, and are accessible and removable through the first or second sides of the enclosure without removing the enclosure from the rack. The field-replaceable units include an input/output adapter cage(s), a storage device cage, power and control supplies, fan assemblies, and a midplane connector assembly. The adapter cage, storage device cage, and power and control supply dock to and are electrically interconnected by the midplane connector assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2010Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert G. Atkins, Philip M. Corcoran, Edward J. Seminaro, Jeffrey A. Verkerke
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Patent number: 8352758Abstract: An energy management control method and controller reduce power supply current and/or subsystem cooling overhead that reduces system efficiency, may reduce system reliability and may increase ambient noise. Multiple device connectors are supplied from corresponding soft switches that are programmed to provide a current level that is sufficient to supply the maximum current for the device installed in the corresponding device connector. The current level may be determined from device information provided from the device during initialization, which may directly specify a maximum current requirement. Alternatively, the maximum current requirement can be determined from other device-identifying information such as a unique device identifier. As a result a guaranteed maximum current or power and power dissipation can be determined, and multiple power supplies and/or cooling devices such as air movement devices (AMDs) may be enabled, disabled or otherwise controlled accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert G. Atkins, Edward N Cohen, Philip M Corcoran, Edward J Seminaro
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Publication number: 20110274440Abstract: The embodiments herein provide a device and a method for extending the bandwidth of short wavelength and long wavelength fiber optic lengths. The embodiments herein provide for an optical transmitter package device comprising: a laser diode; and a semiconductor optical amplifier connected directly after and in close proximity to the laser diode, wherein the semiconductor optical amplifier is adapted to operate in a frequency domain such that the semiconductor optical amplifier filters and reshapes optical wavelengths from the laser diode, and wherein the semiconductor optical amplifier is biased below an amplification threshold for the semiconductor optical amplifier. The device may also comprises a feedback circuit which comprises an optical splitter, wherein the feedback circuit samples reshaped optical output from the semiconductor optical amplifier and dynamically adjusts one or both of the semiconductor optical amplifier and the laser diode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert G. Atkins, Harry H. Bagheri, Casimer M. DeCusatis
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Publication number: 20110261526Abstract: An input/output (I/O) and disk expansion subsystem is provided for an electronics rack which provides expanded I/O and/or disk storage capabilities to electronic subsystems of the rack. The expansion subsystem includes a subsystem enclosure having first and second sides in opposing relation, with the first side accessible through a front of the rack and the second accessible through a back of the rack when the enclosure resides within the rack. A plurality of field-replaceable units reside within the subsystem enclosure, and are accessible and removable through the first or second sides of the enclosure without removing the enclosure from the rack. The field-replaceable units include an input/output adapter cage(s), a storage device cage, power and control supplies, fan assemblies, and a midplane connector assembly. The adapter cage, storage device cage, and power and control supply dock to and are electrically interconnected by the midplane connector assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2010Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Robert G. ATKINS, Philip M. CORCORAN, Edward J. SEMINARO, Jeffrey A. VERKERKE
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Patent number: 8031398Abstract: The invention provides a device and a method for extending the bandwidth of short wavelength and long wavelength fiber optic lengths. The invention provides for an optical transmitter package device comprising: a laser diode; and a semiconductor optical amplifier connected directly after and in close proximity to the laser diode, wherein the semiconductor optical amplifier is adapted to operate in a frequency domain such that the semiconductor optical amplifier filters and reshapes optical wavelengths from the laser diode, and wherein the semiconductor optical amplifier is biased below an amplification threshold for the semiconductor optical amplifier. The device may also comprises a feedback circuit which comprises an optical splitter, wherein the feedback circuit samples reshaped optical output from the semiconductor optical amplifier and dynamically adjusts one or both of the semiconductor optical amplifier and the laser diode.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2008Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert G. Atkins, Harry H. Bagheri, Casimer M. DeCusatis
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Publication number: 20110231689Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for load shedding during an emergency power off event. In one embodiment, power is supplied from a main power source to a plurality of electrical loads within a device enclosure. Power loss is detected from the main power source. Upon detecting the power loss, at least one of the electrical loads is disconnected from a supplemental power source such that power to at least one remaining load connected to the supplemental power source is sustained by the supplementary power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2010Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert G. Atkins, Edward N. Cohen, Philip M. Corcoran, William J. Petrowsky, Edward J. Seminaro
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Publication number: 20110231676Abstract: An energy management control method and controller reduce power supply current and/or subsystem cooling overhead that reduces system efficiency, may reduce system reliability and may increase ambient noise. Multiple device connectors are supplied from corresponding soft switches that are programmed to provide a current level that is sufficient to supply the maximum current for the device installed in the corresponding device connector. The current level may be determined from device information provided from the device during initialization, which may directly specify a maximum current requirement. Alternatively, the maximum current requirement can be determined from other device-identifying information such as a unique device identifier. As a result a guaranteed maximum current or power and power dissipation can be determined, and multiple power supplies and/or cooling devices such as air movement devices (AMDs) may be enabled, disabled or otherwise controlled accordingly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2010Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert G. Atkins, Edward N. Cohen, Philip M. Corcoran, Edward J. Seminaro
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Patent number: 7734132Abstract: The embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for optical spectral filtering and dispersion control for wavelength multiplexed laser sources using fiber Bragg gratings. More specifically, the apparatus includes a laser diode having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end of the laser diode has a first semi-transparent portion; and, the second end of the laser diode has a second semi-transparent portion. The apparatus further includes an optical fiber connected to the second end of the laser diode. The optical fiber has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end of the optical fiber is connected to the second end of the laser diode. The laser diode comprises a laser cavity; and, the optical fiber comprises an extension of the laser cavity. Moreover, the second end of the optical fiber has a reflective surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2007Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert G. Atkins, Harry H. Bagheri, Casimer M. DeCusatis, Lawrence Jacobowitz
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Patent number: 7489440Abstract: The invention provides a device and a method for extending the bandwidth of short wavelength and long wavelength fiber optic lengths. The invention provides for an optical transmitter package device comprising: a laser diode; and a semiconductor optical amplifier connected directly after and in close proximity to the laser diode, wherein the semiconductor optical amplifier is adapted to operate in a frequency domain such that the semiconductor optical amplifier filters and reshapes optical wavelengths from the laser diode, and wherein the semiconductor optical amplifier is biased below an amplification threshold for the semiconductor optical amplifier. The device may also comprises a feedback circuit which comprises an optical splitter, wherein the feedback circuit samples reshaped optical output from the semiconductor optical amplifier and dynamically adjusts one or both of the semiconductor optical amplifier and the laser diode.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2006Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert G. Atkins, Harry H. Bagheri, Casimer M. DeCusatis
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Publication number: 20090022181Abstract: The embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for optical spectral filtering and dispersion control for wavelength multiplexed laser sources using fiber Bragg gratings. More specifically, the apparatus includes a laser diode having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end of the laser diode has a first semi-transparent portion; and, the second end of the laser diode has a second semi-transparent portion. The apparatus further includes an optical fiber connected to the second end of the laser diode. The optical fiber has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end of the optical fiber is connected to the second end of the laser diode. The laser diode comprises a laser cavity; and, the optical fiber comprises an extension of the laser cavity. Moreover, the second end of the optical fiber has a reflective surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Robert G. Atkins, Harry H. Bagheri, Casimer M. DeCusatis, Lawrence Jacobowitz
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Publication number: 20080298417Abstract: The invention provides a device and a method for extending the bandwidth of short wavelength and long wavelength fiber optic lengths. The invention provides for an optical transmitter package device comprising: a laser diode; and a semiconductor optical amplifier connected directly after and in close proximity to the laser diode, wherein the semiconductor optical amplifier is adapted to operate in a frequency domain such that the semiconductor optical amplifier filters and reshapes optical wavelengths from the laser diode, and wherein the semiconductor optical amplifier is biased below an amplification threshold for the semiconductor optical amplifier. The device may also comprises a feedback circuit which comprises an optical splitter, wherein the feedback circuit samples reshaped optical output from the semiconductor optical amplifier and dynamically adjusts one or both of the semiconductor optical amplifier and the laser diode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2008Publication date: December 4, 2008Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Robert G. Atkins, Harry H. Bagheri, Casimer M. DeCusatis
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Publication number: 20080094693Abstract: The invention provides a device and a method for extending the bandwidth of short wavelength and long wavelength fiber optic lengths. The invention provides for an optical transmitter package device comprising: a laser diode; and a semiconductor optical amplifier connected directly after and in close proximity to the laser diode, wherein the semiconductor optical amplifier is adapted to operate in a frequency domain such that the semiconductor optical amplifier filters and reshapes optical wavelengths from the laser diode, and wherein the semiconductor optical amplifier is biased below an amplification threshold for the semiconductor optical amplifier. The device may also comprises a feedback circuit which comprises an optical splitter, wherein the feedback circuit samples reshaped optical output from the semiconductor optical amplifier and dynamically adjusts one or both of the semiconductor optical amplifier and the laser diode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Robert G. Atkins, Harry H. Bagheri, Casimer M. DeCusatis