Patents by Inventor Robert Gregory Twiss

Robert Gregory Twiss 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).

  • Publication number: 20240121932
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for a controlled-force thermal management device installation that helps thermal management of emerging, next-generation devices are provided. An apparatus includes at least two compression interfaces, each for compressing a mounting assembly of a thermal management device to a predetermined loading point. The apparatus further includes a frame configured to apply a preload force to the at least two compression interfaces. The frame has a pivoting joint at an assembly point for each of the at least two compression interfaces to balance the preload force between the at least two compression interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventor: Robert Gregory Twiss
  • Publication number: 20240022337
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving power delivered over a data fiber cable at an optical transceiver installed at a network communications device and transmitting data and the power from the optical transceiver to the network communications device. The network communications device is powered by the power received from the optical transceiver. An apparatus is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Joel Richard Goergen, Charles Calvin Byers, Robert Gregory Twiss, D. Brice Achkir, Chad M. Jones
  • Patent number: 11858458
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first member, a second member configured for coupling with the first member, an authentication module integrated into one of the first or second member, and a locking device operable to lock the second member to the first member, and unlock the second member from the first member upon receiving input from the authentication module. The authentication module is operable to authenticate an unlock request received from an external source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joel Richard Goergen, Mary Kathryn Savage, Kameron Rose Hurst, Robert Gregory Twiss
  • Patent number: 11838060
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving power delivered over a data fiber cable at an optical transceiver installed at a network communications device and transmitting data and the power from the optical transceiver to the network communications device. The network communications device is powered by the power received from the optical transceiver. An apparatus is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joel Richard Goergen, Charles Calvin Byers, Robert Gregory Twiss, D. Brice Achkir, Chad M. Jones
  • Publication number: 20230331112
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an electric vehicle system includes a power system for charging a battery installed in an electric vehicle and comprising a bi-directional power and data connector for receiving power and data from or transmitting the power and data to an electric vehicle charging device, a communications system comprising a server and configured for receiving power from the power system and receiving data from or transmitting the data to the power system for download or upload at the electric vehicle charging device, and an authentication module for authenticating the electric vehicle charging device. A method is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Joel Richard Goergen, Kameron Rose Hurst, Sean Ceballos-McGee, Anant Thakar, Robert Gregory Twiss, Ronald Lee Shaffer, II, Jared Pendleton, Chad M. Jones
  • Publication number: 20230311685
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a power source and a moveable charging arm coupled to the power source and comprising a charging plate for contact with an electric vehicle contact plate. The charging arm is operable to transmit direct current (DC) pulse power with testing performed between high voltage pulses directly from the charging plate to the electric vehicle contact plate to charge one or more batteries at the electric vehicle. A method for charging the electric vehicle is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Joel Richard Goergen, Chad M. Jones, Robert Gregory Twiss
  • Patent number: 11745613
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a power source and a moveable charging arm coupled to the power source and comprising a charging plate for contact with an electric vehicle contact plate. The charging arm is operable to transmit direct current (DC) pulse power with testing performed between high voltage pulses directly from the charging plate to the electric vehicle contact plate to charge one or more batteries at the electric vehicle. A method for charging the electric vehicle is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joel Richard Goergen, Chad M. Jones, Robert Gregory Twiss
  • Patent number: 11708002
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an electric vehicle system includes a power system for charging a battery installed in an electric vehicle and comprising a bi-directional power and data connector for receiving power and data from or transmitting the power and data to an electric vehicle charging device, a communications system comprising a server and configured for receiving power from the power system and receiving data from or transmitting the data to the power system for download or upload at the electric vehicle charging device, and an authentication module for authenticating the electric vehicle charging device. A method is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joel Richard Goergen, Kameron Rose Hurst, Sean Ceballos-McGee, Anant Thakar, Robert Gregory Twiss, Ronald Lee Shaffer, II, Jared Pendleton, Chad M. Jones
  • Patent number: 11682904
    Abstract: A method comprises, at a power balancing circuit for three-phase AC power: feeding three power phases to respective loads; measuring power drain on the three power phases by the respective loads; based on measuring, detecting an unbalanced power drain across the three power phases due to a relatively light power drain on one or more lightly loaded power phases and a relatively high power drain on one or more heavily loaded power phases; computing an amount of power to be drained from the one or more lightly loaded power phases and to be fed to the one or more heavily loaded power phases to balance the power drain across the three power phases; and transferring the amount of power from the one or more lightly loaded power phases to the one or more heavily loaded power phases to balance the power drain across the three power phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Xiqun Zhu, Sung Kee Baek, Robert Gregory Twiss
  • Publication number: 20230156971
    Abstract: A heat sink assembly for a cage for a field replaceable computing module includes a heat sink, a thermal interface material (TIM), and an actuation assembly. The heat sink includes a mating surface. The TIM includes a first surface that is coupled to the mating surface and a second surface that is opposite the first surface. Thus, the second surface can engage a heat transfer surface of a field replaceable computing module installed adjacent the heat sink. The actuation assembly includes a shape memory alloy (SMA) element. When the SMA element is in a first position, the second surface of the TIM contacts the heat transfer surface of the computing module. When the SMA element moves to a second position, the second surface of the TIM is moved a distance away from the heat transfer surface of the computing module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Rohit Dev Gupta, Robert Gregory Twiss
  • Publication number: 20230129211
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlled-force thermal management device installation that helps thermal management of emerging, next-generation devices are provided. A system includes a mounting assembly for a thermal management device. The mounting assembly includes a fastener and a coupler. The system further includes a compression and locking interface configured to lock with the coupler and compress the mounting assembly to a predetermined loading point using a controlled force. The fastener is installed when the mounting assembly is at the predetermined loading point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventor: Robert Gregory Twiss
  • Publication number: 20230122663
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes initiating a protection mode at a network device having a protective cover installed to filter airflow entering a network device, reducing one or more of a fan speed, processing functions, or power at the network device, exiting the protection mode upon removal of the protective cover from the network device, and increasing one or more of the fan speed, the processing functions, or the power to resume normal operation at the network device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joel Richard Goergen, J. Scott Scheeler, Kameron Rose Hurst, Robert Gregory Twiss
  • Publication number: 20230097568
    Abstract: A method comprises, at a power balancing circuit for three-phase AC power: feeding three power phases to respective loads; measuring power drain on the three power phases by the respective loads; based on measuring, detecting an unbalanced power drain across the three power phases due to a relatively light power drain on one or more lightly loaded power phases and a relatively high power drain on one or more heavily loaded power phases; computing an amount of power to be drained from the one or more lightly loaded power phases and to be fed to the one or more heavily loaded power phases to balance the power drain across the three power phases; and transferring the amount of power from the one or more lightly loaded power phases to the one or more heavily loaded power phases to balance the power drain across the three power phases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Xiqun Zhu, Sung Kee Baek, Robert Gregory Twiss
  • Patent number: 11589481
    Abstract: A heat sink assembly for a cage for a field replaceable computing module includes a heat sink, a thermal interface material (TIM), and an actuation assembly. The heat sink includes a mating surface. The TIM includes a first surface that is coupled to the mating surface and a second surface that is opposite the first surface. Thus, the second surface can engage a heat transfer surface of a field replaceable computing module installed adjacent the heat sink. The actuation assembly includes a shape memory alloy (SMA) element. When the SMA element is in a first position, the second surface of the TIM contacts the heat transfer surface of the computing module. When the SMA element moves to a second position, the second surface of the TIM is moved a distance away from the heat transfer surface of the computing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Rohit Dev Gupta, Robert Gregory Twiss
  • Patent number: 11526143
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes initiating a protection mode at a network device having a protective cover installed to filter airflow entering a network device, reducing one or more of a fan speed, processing functions, or power at the network device, exiting the protection mode upon removal of the protective cover from the network device, and increasing one or more of the fan speed, the processing functions, or the power to resume normal operation at the network device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joel Richard Goergen, J. Scott Scheeler, Kameron Rose Hurst, Robert Gregory Twiss
  • Publication number: 20220326142
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first printed circuit board (PCB), the first PCB including a first interface, and a corrosion sensor assembly. The corrosion sensor assembly including a second interface arranged to be coupled to the first interface. The corrosion sensor assembly further including a signal trace field and a plurality of components, where the signal trace field and the plurality of components are arranged to provide an indication of whether the apparatus is in an environment that is corrosive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Joel Goergen, Robert Gregory Twiss, Elizabeth Kochuparambil
  • Publication number: 20220330449
    Abstract: A computing device is secured in an enclosure by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a jaw, a transmission lever, and an arm. The jaw is configured to abut a portion of the enclosure for holding the computing device. The transmission lever includes an arm pivot at one end and an actuating pivot at the opposite end. The arm is configured to rotate open and closed about the arm pivot and be selectively decoupled from the transmission lever. When the arm is coupled to the transmission lever, opening the arm causes the transmission lever to rotate open about the actuating pivot. Rotating open the transmission lever about the actuating pivot releases the jaw from the portion of the enclosure, and allows the computing device to be removed from the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Li Xiaogang, Robert Gregory Twiss, Luyao Wang
  • Patent number: 11412634
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for securing a computing device in an enclosure includes a jaw, a transmission lever, and an arm. The jaw is configured to abut a portion of the enclosure for holding the computing device. The transmission lever includes an arm pivot at one end and an actuating pivot at the opposite end. The arm is configured to rotate open and closed about the arm pivot and be selectively decoupled from the transmission lever. When the arm is coupled to the transmission lever, opening the arm causes the transmission lever to rotate open about the actuating pivot. Rotating open the transmission lever about the actuating pivot releases the jaw from the portion of the enclosure, and allows the computing device to be removed from the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Li Xiaogang, Robert Gregory Twiss, Luyao Wang
  • Patent number: 11404350
    Abstract: A heat sink mounting configuration is provided that is configured to prevent the heat sink from damaging ball grid arrays (BGA) of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) when the line card is subjected to vibrations and shocks. The heat sink mounting configuration may include a set of screws configured to be at least partially disposed within the apertures of the heat sink to secure the heat sink to the PCB. The mounting configuration includes a resilient member and a spacer disposed around the screws proximate to the apertures. The resilient members are configured to bias the heat sink against the ASIC to maintain the heat sink in contact with the ASIC. The spacers are configured to prevent the heat sink from impacting the ASIC with forces large enough to damage the BGA when the line card is subjected to vibrations and shocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Vic Chia, Hong Huynh, Steven A. Hanssen, Robert Gregory Twiss
  • Patent number: 11402318
    Abstract: According to one aspect, an apparatus includes a first printed circuit board (PCB), the first PCB including a first interface, and a corrosion sensor assembly. The corrosion sensor assembly including a second interface arranged to be coupled to the first interface, the corrosion sensor assembly further including a signal trace field and a plurality of components, wherein the signal trace field and the plurality of components are arranged to provide an indication of whether the apparatus is in an environment that is corrosive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joel Goergen, Robert Gregory Twiss, Elizabeth Kochuparambil