Patents by Inventor Robert W. Dobbs

Robert W. Dobbs 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: 8320120
    Abstract: A reversible air flow fan system is described. A fan tray assembly is coupled with a chassis and a removable fan and bracket assembly that is oriented in a first direction. This removable fan and bracket assembly is configured to be removable from the fan tray assembly and being recoupled with the fan tray assembly in a second direction opposite the first direction. An air duct is coupled with and enables the exchange of air between the removable fan and bracket assembly and a first surface of the chassis. A sensor coupled with the fan tray assembly is configured for coupling with at least one bracket of the removable fan and bracket assembly when the removable fan and bracket assembly is oriented in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Kum Cheong Adam Chan, Chi Hock Goh, Poh Boon Teo, Robert W. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 7453701
    Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis, a first printed circuit board having a surface facing the cavity and at least one component extending from the surface. The printed circuit board linearly moves between a first position in which the at least one component is at least partially received within the cavity and a second position in which the at least one component is removed from the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephan K. Barsun, Robert W. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 7276986
    Abstract: A method for decreasing high-frequency attenuation effects in a flexible cable includes communicatively coupling signal-enhancing circuitry to a signal layer of the flexible cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew H. Barr, Jeremy I. Wilson, Robert W. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 7236358
    Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis, a backplane coupled to the chassis and a card including a printed circuit board and an external connection bulkhead. The backplane extends in a vertical plane. The card has a major length and a minor width. The card is releasably connected to the backplane along the major length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert W. Dobbs, Stephan K. Barsun, Kevin M. Somervill
  • Patent number: 7136957
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a system for changing a bus configuration of a computing device. The system includes a first bus of the computing device, a second bus, and a third bus. Additionally, a multiplexing module is coupled with the first, second, and third buses. As such, the multiplexing module can selectively couple the first bus with the second bus or the third bus. A configuration module is coupled with the multiplexing module and controls its operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Somervill, Robert W. Dobbs, Loren Koehler
  • Patent number: 7136283
    Abstract: A multi-computer system includes a chassis and a plurality of computers within the chassis operable independent of one another. Each computer has a plurality of subassemblies. The subassemblies of different computers are physically grouped together within the chassis based upon at least one of size, function or configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert W. Dobbs, Stephan K. Barsun, Kevin M. Somervill
  • Patent number: 7095622
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a chassis, a backplane having a printed circuit board and at least one connector extending from the printed circuit board and a backplane stiffener. The backplane stiffener includes a portion adjacent the printed circuit board, wherein the printed circuit board is between the chassis and the portion. The portion is stationarily retained relative to the printed circuit board and the chassis without requiring perforation of the printed circuit board for the insertion of fasteners. In particular embodiments, stiffener portions may be provided on each face of the circuit board and ioined to one another by couplers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephan K. Barsun, Robert W. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 6967847
    Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis, a first printed circuit board having a surface facing the cavity and at least one component extending from the surface. The printed circuit board moves between a first position in which the at least one component is at least partially received within the cavity and a second position in which the at least one component is removed from the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephan K. Barsun, Robert W. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 6957544
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention recites a temperature control subsystem for use with an air conditioning system. The temperature control subsystem comprises a temperature sensor located in proximity to a heat-generating device disposed within a housing, where the temperature sensor generates data corresponding to the temperature of the heat-generating device. The temperature control subsystem further comprises an air-flow control feature coupled to the housing, whereby the air-flow control feature is configured to regulate the delivery of cooling air to the housing. Cooling air is provided by the air conditioning system. A local control subsystem is coupled to the air-flow control feature to control the air flow of cooling air to the housing so that the air flow is adjustable to correspond to the temperature data received from the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert W. Dobbs, Stephan K. Barsun, Andrew H. Barr
  • Patent number: 6956746
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a chassis, a first system component coupled to the chassis and having a first connector, a pivot member pivotally coupled to the chassis, a second system component having a second connector configured to mate with the first connector, and a link coupled to the second system component and slidably coupled to the pivoting member. Pivotal movement of the pivoting member moves the first connector and the second connector between a connected state and a disconnected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephan K. Barsun, Robert W. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 6891347
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for cooling a cabinet. In one embodiment, a method is provided that comprises the steps of controlling a speed of the at least one cooling fan in response to a temperature of the cabinet, and, controlling the speed of the at least one cooling fan in response to a position of an access panel relative to the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert W. Dobbs, James K. Koch, Jeremy I. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20040257777
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a chassis, a first system component coupled to the chassis and having a first connector, a pivot member pivotally coupled to the chassis, a second system component having a second connector configured to mate with the first connector, and a link coupled to the second system component and slidably coupled to the pivoting member. Pivotal movement of the pivoting member moves the first connector and the second connector between a connected state and a disconnected state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephan K. Barsun, Robert W. Dobbs
  • Publication number: 20040252464
    Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis, a backplane coupled to the chassis and a card including a printed circuit board and an external connection bulkhead. The backplane extends in a vertical plane. The card has a major length and a minor width. The card is releasably connected to the backplane along the major length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert W. Dobbs, Stephan K. Barsun, Kevin M. Somervill
  • Publication number: 20040252467
    Abstract: A multi-computer system includes a chassis and a plurality of computers within the chassis operable independent of one another. Each computer has a plurality of subassemblies. The subassemblies of different computers are physically grouped together within the chassis based upon at least one of size, function or configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert W. Dobbs, Stephan K. Barsun, Kevin M. Somervill
  • Publication number: 20040253842
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a chassis, a backplane having a printed circuit board and at least one connector extending from the printed circuit board and a backplane stiffener. The backplane stiffener includes a portion adjacent the printed circuit board, wherein the printed circuit board is between the chassis and the portion. The portion is stationarily retained relative to the printed circuit board and the chassis without requiring perforation of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephan K. Barsun, Robert W. Dobbs
  • Publication number: 20040252471
    Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis, a first printed circuit board having a surface facing the cavity and at least one component extending from the surface. The printed circuit board moves between a first position in which the at least one component is at least partially received within the cavity and a second position in which the at least one component is removed from the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephan K. Barsun, Robert W. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 6822878
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a circuit board support arrangement and associated methods are provided that facilitate hot plug access to circuit components in a server, computer system or other device. A circuit board support arrangement comprises a first circuit board and a second circuit board that is attached to a pivot joint. The second circuit board is juxtaposed over and pivotal relative to the first circuit board, and, an electronic coupling is attached between the first circuit board and the second circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert W. Dobbs, James K. Koch, Thane M. Larson
  • Patent number: 6791843
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a first system component having a first connector and a second system component having a second connector. One of the first system component having the second system component pivots between a first position in which the first connector and the second connector are disconnected and a second position in which the first connector and the second connector are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert W. Dobbs, Stephan K. Barsun, Andrew H. Barr
  • Publication number: 20040150486
    Abstract: A method for decreasing high-frequency attenuation effects in a flexible cable includes communicatively coupling signal-enhancing circuitry to a signal layer of the flexible cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Andrew H. Barr, Jeremy I. Wilson, Robert W. Dobbs
  • Publication number: 20040070955
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a circuit board support arrangement and associated methods are provided that facilitate hot plug access to circuit components in a server, computer system or other device. A circuit board support arrangement comprises a first circuit board and a second circuit board that is attached to a pivot joint. The second circuit board is juxtaposed over and pivotal relative to the first circuit board, and, an electronic coupling is attached between the first circuit board and the second circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Robert W. Dobbs, James K. Koch, Thane M. Larson