Patents by Inventor Robert N. Olson

Robert N. Olson 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).

  • Patent number: 6972953
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing heat from heat generating elements is disclosed. The apparatus is a thermal management system having a thermal distribution assembly in either one of or both of conductive and radiative communication with heat generating elements. The thermal distribution assembly has thermal zones, each of which is associated with at least one heat generating element. The thermal distribution assembly includes a heat spreading frame and a heat conducting frame. Heat passes from the heat generating elements to the heat conducting frame and then to the heat spreading frame, from which the heat is removed via convection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas L. Heirich, David A. Lundgren, Robert N. Olson, Girish Upadhya, Larry Forsblad, Daniel J. Riccio
  • Patent number: 6757162
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing heat from heat generating elements is disclosed. The apparatus is a thermal management system having a thermal distribution assembly in either one of or both of conductive and radiative communication with heat generating elements. The thermal distribution assembly has thermal zones, each of which is associated with at least one heat generating element. The thermal distribution assembly includes a heat spreading frame and a heat conducting frame. Heat passes from the heat generating elements to the heat conducting frame and then to the heat spreading frame, from which the heat is removed via convection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas L. Heirich, David A. Lundgren, Robert N. Olson, Girish Upadhya, Larry Forsblad, Daniel J. Riccio
  • Publication number: 20030206400
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing heat from heat generating elements is disclosed. The apparatus is a thermal management system having a thermal distribution assembly in either one of or both of conductive and radiative communication with heat generating elements. The thermal distribution assembly has thermal zones, each of which is associated with at least one heat generating element. The thermal distribution assembly includes a heat spreading frame and a heat conducting frame. Heat passes from the heat generating elements to the heat conducting frame and then to the heat spreading frame, from which the heat is removed via convection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Douglas L. Heirich, David A. Lundgren, Robert N. Olson, Girish Upadhya, Larry Forsblad, Daniel J. Riccio
  • Patent number: 6594147
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing heat from heat generating elements is disclosed. The apparatus is a thermal management system having a thermal distribution assembly in either one of or both of conductive and radiative communication with heat generating elements. The thermal distribution assembly has thermal zones, each of which is associated with at least one heat generating element. The thermal distribution assembly includes a heat spreading frame and a heat conducting frame. Heat passes from the heat generating elements to the heat conducting frame and then to the heat spreading frame, from which the heat is removed via convection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas L. Heirich, David A. Lundgren, Robert N. Olson, Girish Upadhya, Larry Forsblad, Daniel J. Riccio
  • Publication number: 20030033153
    Abstract: An improved speech recognition device is provided. The speech recognition device comprises a display with at least two built in microphones and a speech recognition module electrically connected to the display. The speech recognition module uses an algorithm that may take into account the position of the built in microphone on the display. The display may have a first axis of rotation where the microphones may be placed an equal distance from the first axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert N. Olson, Lawrence F. Heyl, Noah M. Price, Kim E. Silverman
  • Publication number: 20020053419
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing heat from heat generating elements is disclosed. The apparatus is a thermal management system having a thermal distribution assembly in either one of or both of conductive and radiative communication with heat generating elements. The thermal distribution assembly has thermal zones, each of which is associated with at least one heat generating element. The thermal distribution assembly includes a heat spreading frame and a heat conducting frame. Heat passes from the heat generating elements to the heat conducting frame and then to the heat spreading frame, from which the heat is removed via convection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Douglas L. Heirich, David A. Lundgren, Robert N. Olson, Girish Upadhya, Larry Forsblad, Daniel J. Riccio
  • Patent number: 6362956
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing heat from heat generating elements is disclosed. The apparatus is a thermal management system having a thermal distribution assembly in either one of or both of conductive and radiative communication with heat generating elements. The thermal distribution assembly has thermal zones, each of which is associated with at least one heat generating element. The thermal distribution assembly includes a heat spreading frame and a heat conducting frame. Heat passes from the heat generating elements to the heat conducting frame and then to the heat spreading frame, from which the heat is removed via convection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas L. Heirich, David A. Lundgren, Robert N. Olson, Girish Upadhya, Larry Forsblad, Daniel J. Riccio
  • Publication number: 20010014013
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing heat from heat generating elements is disclosed. The apparatus is a thermal management system having a thermal distribution assembly in either one of or both of conductive and radiative communication with heat generating elements. The thermal distribution assembly has thermal zones, each of which is associated with at least one heat generating element. The thermal distribution assembly includes a heat spreading frame and a heat conducting frame. Heat passes from the heat generating elements to the heat conducting frame and then to the heat spreading frame, from which the heat is removed via convection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: DOUGLAS L. HEIRICH, DAVID A. LUNDGREN, ROBERT N. OLSON, GIRISH UPADHYA, LARRY FORSBLAD, DANIEL J. RICCIO
  • Patent number: 5993241
    Abstract: The present invention provides a floating-plate connector assembly which includes a mounting plate on which are mounted a combined power and signal pin connector, an alternating current connector and a pair of guide pins. The mounting plate is in turn mounted on the rear panel of a power supply module so that the connector plate may move within predetermined limits in two axes. The floating-plate connector assembly blind mates with a printed circuit board located within a power supply chassis. The present invention also provides a power supply system having means for securing power supply modules to the chassis that includes a handle which is pivotably connected to the power supply. The handle includes a cam and teeth which respectively engage a notch and apertures located on the base of the chassis when rotated in a first direction. The power supply module is disengaged from the chassis when the handle is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert N. Olson, William H. Bull
  • Patent number: 5761045
    Abstract: The present invention provides a floating-plate connector assembly which includes a mounting plate on which are mounted a combined power and signal pin connector, an alternating current connector and a pair of guide pins. The mounting plate is in turn mounted on the rear panel of a power supply module so that the connector plate may move within predetermined limits in two axes. The floating-plate connector assembly blind mates with a printed circuit board located within a power supply chassis. The present invention also provides a power supply system having means for securing power supply modules to the chassis that includes a handle which is pivotably connected to the power supply. The handle includes a cam and teeth which respectively engage a notch and apertures located on the base of the chassis when rotated in a first direction. The power supply module is disengaged from the chassis when the handle is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert N. Olson, William H. Bull
  • Patent number: 4879786
    Abstract: A tilt-lock mechanism for a pivotable panel assembly incorporates a pivotable locking link biased into locking engagement with a curved cam surface on the panel assembly to lock the assembly at a selected tilted position. A slight force applied opposite the bias of the link releases the link to return the panel to an initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Ampex Corporation
    Inventor: Robert N. Olson