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).
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Patent number: 10761010Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 5, 2016Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Joel Goergen, Robert Gregory Twiss, Elizabeth Kochuparambil
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Patent number: 10734306Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 21, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Vic Chia, Hong Huynh, Steven A. Hanssen, Robert Gregory Twiss
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Patent number: 10718822Abstract: To reduce the rate at which a false alternating current (“AC”) loss alarming signal is generated, but at the same time detect an actual AC loss situation in a timely manner, the disclosed method describes an AC line power loss detection and active verification method. If the AC line input voltage dips momentarily lower than a standard sine wave amplitude, the AC line may not be considered lost as long as it still has energy to drive a load. The method inserts a momentary load across the AC line and compares the AC line voltage before and after the extra load is applied. If the AC power is present, this extra loading will increase the AC loading current momentarily, but will not affect the AC line voltage. However, if the AC power is lost, such loading will lower the AC line voltage, indicating a loss of power.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2019Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Xiqun Zhu, Sung Kee Baek, Robert Gregory Twiss
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Publication number: 20200221601Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes delivering power and data on a cable from a central network device to a splitter device for splitting and transmitting the power and data to a plurality of remote communications devices over a plurality of cables, each of the cables carrying the power and data, receiving at the central network device, monitoring information from the remote communications devices on the cable, processing the monitoring information, and allocating the power and data to each of the remote communications devices based on the monitoring information. The power and data comprises pulsed power and optical data. A system is also disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2020Publication date: July 9, 2020Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Charles Calvin Byers, Joel Richard Goergen, D. Brice Achkir, Robert Gregory Twiss
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Publication number: 20200221596Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an indication at a modular electronic system of initiation of online removal for a module removably inserted into a slot of the modular electronic system, increasing a fan speed at the modular electronic system before the module is removed, monitoring an internal temperature at the modular electronic system, and providing an indication that the module is ready for removal upon reaching a specified cooling state at the modular electronic system based on the temperature monitoring. A panel on an adjacent module is opened and extends into the slot upon removal of the module to substantially block airflow bypass from the slot and maintain cooling within the modular electronic system. An apparatus and logic are also disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2020Publication date: July 9, 2020Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Rohit Dev Gupta, Joel Richard Goergen, Sarma VMK Vedhanabhatla, Damaruganath Pinjala, Jatin Kohli, Robert Gregory Twiss
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Patent number: 10672537Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an interface module for coupling a cable delivering combined power, data, and cooling to a network device. The interface module includes an electrical interface for receiving power for powering the network device, an optical transceiver for receiving optical communications signals, a fluid interface for receiving coolant, and sensors for monitoring the power and cooling and providing information to a central network device delivering the combined power, data, and cooling.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2018Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Joel Richard Goergen, Charles Calvin Byers, Robert Gregory Twiss, D. Brice Achkir
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Publication number: 20200154600Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a fan for cooling electronics within a chassis, the fan comprising a rotor with a plurality of fan blades connected thereto for generating an axial airflow during operation of the fan, a sensor for detecting failure of the fan, and an airflow blocking device positioned at an exhaust side of the fan and configured to prevent airflow through the fan upon detection of the fan failure, wherein the airflow blocking device is stowed in a position removed from a path of the axial airflow generated by the fan during operation of the fan. A method for preventing airflow recirculation at a failed fan is also disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2018Publication date: May 14, 2020Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Rohit Dev Gupta, Robert Gregory Twiss
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Patent number: 10631443Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes delivering power, data, and cooling on a cable from a central network device to a splitter device for splitting and transmitting the power, data, and cooling to a plurality of remote communications devices over a plurality of cables, each of the cables carrying the power, data, and cooling, receiving at the central network device, monitoring information from the remote communications devices on the cable, processing the monitoring information, and allocating the power, data, and cooling to each of the remote communications devices based on the monitoring information. A system is also disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Charles Calvin Byers, Joel Richard Goergen, D. Brice Achkir, Robert Gregory Twiss
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Patent number: 10631424Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an indication at a modular electronic system of initiation of online removal for a module removably inserted into a slot of the modular electronic system, increasing a fan speed at the modular electronic system before the module is removed, monitoring an internal temperature at the modular electronic system, and providing an indication that the module is ready for removal upon reaching a specified cooling state at the modular electronic system based on the temperature monitoring. A panel on an adjacent module is opened and extends into the slot upon removal of the module to substantially block airflow bypass from the slot and maintain cooling within the modular electronic system. An apparatus and logic are also disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Rohit Dev Gupta, Joel Richard Goergen, Sarma VMK Vedhanabhatla, Damaruganath Pinjala, Jatin Kohli, Robert Gregory Twiss
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Publication number: 20200095074Abstract: In one embodiment, a mobile robot energizes its state-variable anchor into a released state while contacting a payload, and then de-energizes it to put it into an anchored state, attaching it to the payload. The mobile robot may then move the payload to a mounting location while the state-variable anchor is de-energized and attached to the payload. As such, the mobile robot may then energize a state-variable anchor of the payload to put it into a released state while at and contacting the mounting location, and then de-energizes it to put it into an anchored state to attach the payload to the mounting location. To then detach the state-variable anchor of the mobile robot and the mobile robot from the payload after the payload is attached to the mounting location, the mobile robot may then energize the state-variable anchor of the mobile robot to put it into a released state.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2018Publication date: March 26, 2020Inventors: Charles Calvin Byers, Robert Gregory Twiss
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Patent number: 10601658Abstract: A system of maintaining consumable physical components of networking equipment includes a physical network operations controller, having a controller and an interconnected memory device, which is configured to communicate with at least one notification device and consumable physical components for networking equipment.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2015Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventor: Robert Gregory Twiss
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Publication number: 20200044751Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Joel Richard Goergen, Charles Calvin Byers, Robert Gregory Twiss, D. Brice Achkir, Chad M. Jones
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Publication number: 20200041579Abstract: To reduce the rate at which a false alternating current (“AC”) loss alarming signal is generated, but at the same time detect an actual AC loss situation in a timely manner, the disclosed method describes an AC line power loss detection and active verification method. If the AC line input voltage dips momentarily lower than a standard sine wave amplitude, the AC line may not be considered lost as long as it still has energy to drive a load. The method inserts a momentary load across the AC line and compares the AC line voltage before and after the extra load is applied. If the AC power is present, this extra loading will increase the AC loading current momentarily, but will not affect the AC line voltage. However, if the AC power is lost, such loading will lower the AC line voltage, indicating a loss of power.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Xiqun Zhu, Sung Kee Baek, Robert Gregory Twiss
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Patent number: 10541758Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 18, 2017Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Joel Richard Goergen, Charles Calvin Byers, Robert Gregory Twiss, D. Brice Achkir, Chad M. Jones
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Patent number: 10473729Abstract: To reduce the rate at which a false alternating current (“AC”) loss alarming signal is generated, but at the same time detect an actual AC loss situation in a timely manner, the disclosed method describes an AC line power loss detection and active verification method. If the AC line input voltage dips momentarily lower than a standard sine wave amplitude, the AC line may not be considered lost as long as it still has energy to drive a load. The method inserts a momentary load across the AC line and compares the AC line voltage before and after the extra load is applied. If the AC power is present, this extra loading will increase the AC loading current momentarily, but will not affect the AC line voltage. However, if the AC power is lost, such loading will lower the AC line voltage, indicating a loss of power.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Xiqun Zhu, Sung Kee Baek, Robert Gregory Twiss
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Publication number: 20190304630Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an interface module for coupling a cable delivering combined power, data, and cooling to a network device. The interface module includes an electrical interface for receiving power for powering the network device, an optical transceiver for receiving optical communications signals, a fluid interface for receiving coolant, and sensors for monitoring the power and cooling and providing information to a central network device delivering the combined power, data, and cooling.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2018Publication date: October 3, 2019Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Joel Richard Goergen, Charles Calvin Byers, Robert Gregory Twiss, D. Brice Achkir
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Publication number: 20190281725Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes delivering power, data, and cooling on a cable from a central network device to a splitter device for splitting and transmitting the power, data, and cooling to a plurality of remote communications devices over a plurality of cables, each of the cables carrying the power, data, and cooling, receiving at the central network device, monitoring information from the remote communications devices on the cable, processing the monitoring information, and allocating the power, data, and cooling to each of the remote communications devices based on the monitoring information. A system is also disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2018Publication date: September 12, 2019Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Charles Calvin Byers, Joel Richard Goergen, D. Brice Achkir, Robert Gregory Twiss
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Publication number: 20190272011Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes delivering power, data, and cooling from a central network device to a plurality of remote communications devices over cables connecting the central network device to the remote communications devices, each of the cables carrying said power, data, and cooling, and receiving at the central network device, power and thermal data from the remote communications devices based on monitoring of power and cooling at the remote communications devices. The remote communications devices are powered by the power and cooled by the cooling delivered from the central network device. An apparatus is also disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2018Publication date: September 5, 2019Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Joel Richard Goergen, Charles Calvin Byers, Robert Gregory Twiss, D. Brice Achkir
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Publication number: 20190089467Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2017Publication date: March 21, 2019Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Joel Richard Goergen, Charles Calvin Byers, Robert Gregory Twiss, D. Brice Achkir, Chad M. Jones
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Publication number: 20190027422Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Vic Chia, Hong Huynh, Steven A. Hanssen, Robert Gregory Twiss