Patents by Inventor Robert K. Mullady
Robert K. Mullady 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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Publication number: 20130189863Abstract: A connector system is provided and includes a blind mate book including a chassis and a connector, which is extendable and retractable with respect to the chassis, a mating connector operably connectable with the connector and a blocking system defining a pathway through which the blind mate book travels toward and from a connect position defined as a position at which the connector is operably connectable with the mating connector. The blocking system is configured to at least one of prevent travel of the blind mate book toward and from the connect position with the connector partially extended, and to permit connector extension upon disposition of the blind mate book in the connect position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2012Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Robert R. Genest, Robert K. Mullady
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Publication number: 20130042708Abstract: A slim line mechanism is provided and includes a first body having a stationary track coupled thereto, a first mechanism, which is supportable between the stationary track and the first body and configured to be driven in a first direction, a second mechanism, which is configured to be driven by the first mechanism in a second direction transverse with respect to the first direction, a system by which the first and second mechanisms are coupled to one another and connectors by which the first body is supportively connectable with the first and second mechanisms such that movements thereof in the first and second directions, respectively, are permitted.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2011Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Robert K. Mullady, Mitchell L. Zapotoski
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Patent number: 8376479Abstract: A load balancing method and incorporated frame assembly is provided for a computer frame having side walls. The frame can have at least one reinforced side, and/or a top or bottom surface comprising of a skin base plate and a counterweight plate secured to one another by side stiffener plates. In an alternate embodiment, an integral extender can also be secured to a top portion of the frame. The extender has moveable sides and a hoist for raising and lowering components into and away from the frame.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Edward F. Furey, Robert K. Mullady, Steven C. McIntosh, Budy D. Notohardjono, Kevin R. Qualters, Howard P. Welz
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Publication number: 20120326432Abstract: A protective sleeve for quick connect fittings and couplings of a computer system environment. In one embodiment, a protective sleeve with a hollow center is provided that once disposed around the quick connect fittings will protect against leakage of liquids flowing into quick connect fittings during mating and unmating of them. The sleeve comprises an actuation collar area that extends over unmated portion of the quick connect fitting and a flare area disposed over the actuation collar to provide an additional gripping area for actuating the quick connect fitting.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Francis R. Krug, JR., Robert K. Mullady
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Patent number: 8272670Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for providing an insulating housing and a protective sleeve for quick connect fittings and couplings of a computer system environment. In one embodiment, the insulative housing has a hollow center to be placed around the couplings and further comprises an insulative sleeve having a plurality of complementary parts that fit together around the coupling as a singular unit and a fastener to open and close the sleeve such that the coupling is at least partially exposed. In an alternate embodiment, a protective sleeve with a hollow center is provided that once disposed around the quick connect fittings will protect against leakage of liquids flowing into quick connect fittings during mating and unmating of them. The sleeve comprises an actuation collar area that extends over unmated portion of the quick connect fitting and a flare area disposed over the actuation collar to provide an additional gripping area for actuating the quick connect fitting.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2008Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Francis R. Krug, Jr., Robert K. Mullady
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Patent number: 8248805Abstract: A system to improve an in-line memory module may include an edging carried by the in-line memory module to stiffen, support, protect, and/or aid in handling the in-line memory module. The system may also include guide ribs carried by the edging to facilitate positioning of the in-line memory module during installation. In one embodiment, the system includes a heat spreader to aid in cooling a plurality of heat sources carried by the in-line memory module. The system may further include a compliant member to regulate the heat spreader's positioning relative to the plurality of heat sources.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Mark A. Brandon, Shawn Canfield, David L. Edwards, Robert R. Genest, Randall G. Kemink, Robert K. Mullady, John G. Torok
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Publication number: 20120200997Abstract: A system to improve an in-line memory module may include an edging carried by the in-line memory module to stiffen, support, protect, and/or aid in handling the in-line memory module. The system may also include guide ribs carried by the edging to facilitate positioning of the in-line memory module during installation. In one embodiment, the system includes a heat spreader to aid in cooling a plurality of heat sources carried by the in-line memory module. The system may further include a compliant member to regulate the heat spreader's positioning relative to the plurality of heat sources.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Mark A. Brandon, Shawn Canfield, David L. Edwards, Robert R. Genest, Randall G. Kemink, Robert K. Mullady, John G. Torok
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Patent number: 8191575Abstract: Two independent poppets/valves that open and close independently as a quick connect coupling is mated and unmated are employed as part of a cooling system for high end data processing systems. More particularly, the present invention comprises a quick connect poppet valve having two internal, independently functioning sealing seats therein disposed within a serially connected flow path to prevent leakage and to minimize the effects of debris.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Francis R. Krug, Jr., Robert K. Mullady
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Publication number: 20120118534Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cooling an electronic system, which includes one or more electronic components across which air passing through the system flows. A cooling unit provides, via a coolant loop, system coolant to cool the electronic component(s), and to an air-to-liquid heat exchanger is coupled to the coolant loop downstream of the electronic component(s) to cool, in primary, liquid-cooling mode, air passing through the system. In primary, liquid-cooling mode, the cooling unit provides cooled system coolant to cool the electronic component(s), and provides system coolant to the air-to-liquid heat exchanger to cool at least a portion of air passing through the electronic system, and in a secondary, air-cooling mode, system coolant flows from cooling the electronic component(s) to the air-to-liquid heat exchanger for rejecting, via the system coolant, heat from the electronic component(s) to air passing across the air-to-liquid heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2010Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Gary F. GOTH, William P. KOSTENKO, Robert K. MULLADY, Allan C. VANDEVENTER
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Publication number: 20120093467Abstract: An apparatus and related method is provided for connecting fiber optic cables to devices. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an optical fiber connector enabled to receive a cable containing one or a bundle of optical fibers. An actuation sleeve with extendable features is disposed on opposing sides of the connector. The apparatus also includes an actuation sheath engageable with the connector with sleeve(s) and cable(s). The actuation sheath has a plurality of side members connected to one another by a handle area such that the handle area can be used to engage and disengage the actuation sheath with cable and connector as a single unit from the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2010Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Robert K. Mullady, Alan F. Benner
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Patent number: 8054638Abstract: A latching apparatus is coupled to a first electronic component for facilitating docking to a second electronic component. The apparatus includes a pivotable actuation handle, and slide and pivotable linkages. The slide linkage couples to the pivotable actuation handle and is slidable in directions which the first component docks to the second component. The pivotable linkage is also coupled to the slide linkage and includes a latching hook at its distal end. With the first component disposed for docking relative to the second component, pivotal actuation of the handle to open is translated to pivotal movement of the pivotable linkage to facilitate aligning the latching hook over a hook pocket of the second component, and pivotal actuation of the handle closed is translated to pivotal movement of the pivotable linkage to engage the hook pocket, and thereby draw the first component into docked relation with the second component.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2009Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: David P. Graybill, Robert K. Mullady
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Publication number: 20110069456Abstract: A system to improve an in-line memory module may include an edging carried by the in-line memory module to stiffen, support, protect, and/or aid in handling the in-line memory module. The system may also include guide ribs carried by the edging to facilitate positioning of the in-line memory module during installation. In one embodiment, the system includes a heat spreader to aid in cooling a plurality of heat sources carried by the in-line memory module. The system may further include a compliant member to regulate the heat spreader's positioning relative to the plurality of heat sources.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Mark A. Brandon, Shawn Canfield, David L. Edwards, Robert R. Genest, Randall G. Kemink, Robert K. Mullady, John G. Torok
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Publication number: 20110019962Abstract: A sleeve has a handle and extensions to engage a fiber optic connector for insertion into and removal from high density adapters. The sleeve may have multiple connectors installed in a single sleeve and it may be removable. The sleeve has first and second extensions to engage the inner and outer housings, respectively, to insert and remove the fiber optic connector from an adapter.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2009Publication date: January 27, 2011Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Myron Yount, Russell Granger, Joe Howard, Alan Benner, Robert K. Mullady
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Publication number: 20100264647Abstract: A spray shield for a quick-disconnect fitting of a liquid cooling system for a computing system. The spray shield includes a first shield element and a second shield element. The first shield element and the second shield element having interlocking members for removably engaging the first shield element to the second shield element, forming a shield sleeve suitable for surrounding a connection between a quick-disconnect fitting and an actuator fitting. The shield sleeve substantially shields surroundings from cooling liquid spray from the connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2009Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Charles C. Gange, Robert K. Mullady
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Publication number: 20100254106Abstract: A latching apparatus is coupled to a first electronic component for facilitating docking to a second electronic component. The apparatus includes a pivotable actuation handle, and slide and pivotable linkages. The slide linkage couples to the pivotable actuation handle and is slidable in directions which the first component docks to the second component. The pivotable linkage is also coupled to the slide linkage and includes a latching hook at its distal end. With the first component disposed for docking relative to the second component, pivotal actuation of the handle to open is translated to pivotal movement of the pivotable linkage to facilitate aligning the latching hook over a hook pocket of the second component, and pivotal actuation of the handle closed is translated to pivotal movement of the pivotable linkage to engage the hook pocket, and thereby draw the first component into docked relation with the second component.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2009Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: David P. GRAYBILL, Robert K. MULLADY
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Patent number: 7757506Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for cooling an electronics rack, which includes a heat-generating electronics subsystem across which air flows from an air inlet to an air outlet side of the rack. First and second modular cooling units (MCUs) are associated with the rack and configured to provide system coolant to the electronics subsystem for cooling thereof. System coolant supply and return manifolds are in fluid communication with the MCUs for facilitating providing of system coolant to the electronics subsystem, and to an air-to-liquid heat exchanger associated with the rack for cooling air passing through the rack. A controller monitors the system coolant and automatically shuts off flow of system coolant through the heat exchanger, using at least one isolation valve, upon detection of failure at one of the MCUs, while allowing the remaining operational MCU to provide system coolant to the electronics subsystem for liquid cooling thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2007Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Francis R. Krug, Jr., Robert K. Mullady, Roger R. Schmidt, Edward J. Seminaro
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Publication number: 20090255598Abstract: Two independent poppets/valves that open and close independently as a quick connect coupling is mated and unmated are employed as part of a cooling system for high end data processing systems. More particularly, the present invention comprises a quick connect poppet valve having two internal, independently functioning sealing seats therein disposed within a serially connected flow path to prevent leakage and to minimize the effects of debris.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2008Publication date: October 15, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Francis R. Krug, JR., Robert K. Mullady
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Publication number: 20090256351Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for providing an insulating housing and a protective sleeve for quick connect fittings and couplings of a computer system environment. In one embodiment, the insulative housing has a hollow center to be placed around the couplings and further comprises an insulative sleeve having a plurality of complementary parts that fit together around the coupling as a singular unit and a fastener to open and close the sleeve such that the coupling is at least partially exposed. In an alternate embodiment, a protective sleeve with a hollow center is provided that once disposed around the quick connect fittings will protect against leakage of liquids flowing into quick connect fittings during mating and unmating of them. The sleeve comprises an actuation collar area that extends over unmated portion of the quick connect fitting and a flare area disposed over the actuation collar to provide an additional gripping area for actuating the quick connect fitting.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2008Publication date: October 15, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Francis R. Krug, JR., Robert K. Mullady
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Patent number: 7543859Abstract: A connector assembly for a fluid cooling system for electronic components includes a first spray shield half having an open end and including a slot disposed in an outer surface of the first spray shield half. A sled is disposed at least partially in the slot and articulable therein. The sled has a ramp portion extending radially inwardly from a sled base. A male quick-release connector is disposed at least partially within the first spray shield half. A second spray shield half is insertable between the first spray shield half and the male quick-release connector. A female quick-release connector is disposed at least partially within the second spray shield half. The female quick-release includes a release feature, wherein articulation of the sled toward the female quick-release connector is capable of activating the release feature and disconnecting the male quick-release connector from the female quick-release connector.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Charles C. Gange, Francis R. Krug, Jr., Robert K. Mullady
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Publication number: 20090139887Abstract: A load balancing method and incorporated frame assembly is provided for a computer frame having side walls. The frame can have at least one reinforced side, and/or a top or bottom surface comprising of a skin base plate and a counterweight plate secured to one another by side stiffener plates. In an alternate embodiment, an integral extender can also be secured to a top portion of the frame. The extender has moveable sides and a hoist for raising and lowering components into and away from the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2007Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Edward F. Furey, Robert K. Mullady, Steven C. McIntosh, Budy D. Notohardjono, Kevin R. Qualters, Howard P. Welz