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).

  • Publication number: 20090126909
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Francis R. KRUG, JR., Robert K. MULLADY, Roger R. SCHMIDT, Edward J. SEMINARO
  • Patent number: 7506898
    Abstract: 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 articuable 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: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Gange, Francis R. Krug, Jr., Robert K. Mullady
  • Publication number: 20080274637
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pivoting apparatus comprising a pivot base defining a connection cavity, a pivot slot including an L-shape, and an alignment slot including a curvature that bulges towards a riser card, a key structure extending from at least one of the riser card and a processor in an electronic enclosure, the key structure being fixedly associated with the connection cavity of the pivot base, and a pivotor rotateably associated with the pivot base and fixedly associated with a power supply, the pivotor including an alignment ramp, an alignment pin, and a pivot pin, wherein the alignment pin is removably disposed in the alignment slot, and the pivot pin is pivotably disposed in the pivot slot. The pivotor supports an electrical connector joined to the supply. The connector mates with a riser card mounted in a processor to supply power to the riser card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert K. Mullady
  • Patent number: 7416431
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pivoting apparatus comprising a pivot base defining a connection cavity, a pivot slot including an L-shape, and an alignment slot including a curvature that bulges towards a riser card, a key structure extending from at least one of the riser card and a processor in an electronic enclosure, the key structure being fixedly associated with the connection cavity of the pivot base, and a pivotor rotateably associated with the pivot base and fixedly associated with a power supply, the pivotor including an alignment ramp, an alignment pin, and a pivot pin, wherein the alignment pin is removably disposed in the alignment slot, and the pivot pin is pivotably disposed in the pivot slot. The pivotor (14) supports an electrical connector (50) joined to the supply (32). The connector mates with a riser card (24) mounted in a processor (30) to supply power to the riser card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Robert K. Mullady
  • Patent number: 7403390
    Abstract: A server including a cooling fan assembly and an input/output assembly at opposite ends of the server, and a processor assembly located between the cooling fan assembly and input/output assembly. The server also includes a cover plate that covers the processor assembly and cooling fan assembly and that has a power supply on the face of the cover plate facing the processor assembly and is electrically connected to the processor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Keenan W. Franz, Raymond A. Longhi, Robert K. Mullady, Edward J. Seminaro
  • Publication number: 20080080135
    Abstract: A server including a cooling fan assembly and an input/output assembly at opposite ends of the server, and a processor assembly located between the cooling fan assembly and input/output assembly. The server also includes a cover plate that covers the processor assembly and cooling fan assembly and that has a power supply on the face of the cover plate facing the processor assembly and is electrically connected to the processor assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keenan W. Franz, Raymond A. Longhi, Robert K. Mullady, Edward J. Seminaro
  • Publication number: 20080070424
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pivoting apparatus comprising a pivot base defining a connection cavity, a pivot slot including an L-shape, and an alignment slot including a curvature that bulges towards a riser card, a key structure extending from at least one of the riser card and a processor in an electronic enclosure, the key structure being fixedly associated with the connection cavity of the pivot base, and a pivotor rotateably associated with the pivot base and fixedly associated with a power supply, the pivotor including an alignment ramp, an alignment pin, and a pivot pin, wherein the alignment pin is removably disposed in the alignment slot, and the pivot pin is pivotably disposed in the pivot slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert K. Mullady
  • Patent number: 7079381
    Abstract: An aligning apparatus comprising: a back plane, the back plane comprising at least one back plane connector; at least one daughter card, the daughter card comprising: a lower edge, the lower edge comprising a scalloped surface proximal to a rear surface of the lower edge, and a ramped surface proximal to a front surface of the lower edge; and a daughter card connector, the daughter card connector configured to be removably connectable to the back plane connector; and at least two guide rails extending from the back plane, the guide rail comprising a rear ramp and a front ramp. A method of aligning a daughter card to a back plane, the method comprising: sliding the daughter card towards the back plane; lifting the front end of the daughter; lifting the back end of the daughter card after lifting the front end of the daughter card; and providing the back end of the daughter card with a degree of freedom to lift and lower in order to align to the back plane, after lifting the back end of the daughter card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: George W. Brehm, Keith E. Barton, John J. Loparco, Robert K. Mullady, John G. Torok
  • Patent number: 6972960
    Abstract: An enclosure having a top which is folded over at the sides forming vertical side walls, and a bottom wall having large cut out portions. A vertical divider is positioned in the middle of the enclosure for forming two side-by-side receptacles, each for receiving an electronic module in drawer-like fashion. A front portion of the enclosure is hinged by a continuous hinge such that the front portion swings from a closed position to an open position. A tab on the front of the vertical divider engages with a slot in the front wall of the swingable front portion when the front portion is in the closed position for adding rigidity to the enclosure when the front portion is closed. A locking slide arm is provided for locking the hinged front portion in either the open or closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard M. Ecker, Robert K. Mullady
  • Patent number: 6663431
    Abstract: An electrical connector and method for making power connections between multiple power conductors in a shielded power cord and electrical components in a metal cabinet having a panel with a receptacle therein for receiving the electrical connector. A connector core has power contacts connected to power conductors in the power cord for electrical connection with contacts in the receptacle in the metal cabinet when the connector is seated in the receptacle. A conductive foam member is provided around the front edge of said connector core for contact with the face of the panel member when the electrical connector is seated in the receptacle. A metal shield around the connector core and over said conductive foam member makes electrical contact between the conductive foam member and the metal shield for forming an electrical shield around said connector core. The metal shield is in electrical contact with the shield of the power cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: George W. Brehm, Robert K. Mullady
  • Patent number: 6626688
    Abstract: A mechanism and method for seating and unseating a module in a rack having a floor with slidable engagement with the module. The mechanism includes a linear stop for stopping the movement of the module into the rack. A camming foot is provided for coacting with a hole in the floor of the rack for seating and unseating the module in the rack. An adjustment device provides for moving the linear stop from an inmost position to an outmost position, and simultaneously lowering the camming foot into the hole in the floor and moving the camming foot to urge the module into a fully seated position wherein the module is moved against the linear stop when the linear stop is in its outmost position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Robert K. Mullady