Patents by Inventor Rollie R. Johnson

Rollie R. Johnson 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: 8780555
    Abstract: A system for restricting mixing of air in a data center includes a plurality of racks, each of the racks having a front face and a back face. The system includes an enclosure for collecting air released from the back faces of the plurality of racks, the enclosure configured to substantially contain the air in an area between the first row and the second row and having a roof panel coupled to the first row of racks and the second row of racks configured to span a distance between the first row of racks and the second row of racks. The enclosure is configured to maintain a first air pressure inside of the enclosure that is substantially equal to a second air pressure outside the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Fink, John H. Bean, Stephen F. Held, Richard J. Johnson, Rollie R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8544289
    Abstract: An exhaust air removal system and method for use with a rack or enclosure containing equipment is provided. The system and method are configured for removal of exhaust air vented from equipment during operation to thereby remove heat from the equipment. In one aspect, the system includes a fan unit preferably configured to serve as a back door of an equipment rack or enclosure and configured to provide access to an interior of the rack or enclosure. The fan unit provides multiple fans coupled to internal exhaust ducts that are arranged to draw and to remove exhaust air vented from rack-mounted equipment. The fan unit is further configured to vent exhaust air to an area external to a rack or enclosure, such as an external exhaust duct or plenum. Removal of hot and warm exhaust air vented from rack-mounted equipment enables the equipment to operate effectively, drawing sufficient amounts of cooling air to meet its cooling requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Electric IT Corporation
    Inventors: Rollie R. Johnson, Neil Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8432690
    Abstract: A system for restricting mixing of air in a data center includes a plurality of racks, each of the racks having a front face and a back face. The system includes an enclosure for collecting air released from the back faces of the plurality of racks, the enclosure configured to substantially contain the air in an area between the first row and the second row and having a roof panel coupled to the first row of racks and the second row of racks configured to span a distance between the first row of racks and the second row of racks. The enclosure is configured to maintain a first air pressure inside of the enclosure that is substantially equal to a second air pressure outside the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Fink, John H. Bean, Jr., Stephen F. Held, Richard J. Johnson, Rollie R. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120231722
    Abstract: A system for restricting mixing of air in a data center includes a plurality of racks, each of the racks having a front face and a back face. The system includes an enclosure for collecting air released from the back faces of the plurality of racks, the enclosure configured to substantially contain the air in an area between the first row and the second row and having a roof panel coupled to the first row of racks and the second row of racks configured to span a distance between the first row of racks and the second row of racks. The enclosure is configured to maintain a first air pressure inside of the enclosure that is substantially equal to a second air pressure outside the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: James R. FINK, John H. BEAN, JR., Stephen F. HELD, Richard J. JOHNSON, Rollie R. JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20110103014
    Abstract: A system for restricting mixing of air in a data center includes a plurality of racks, each of the racks having a front face and a back face. The system includes an enclosure for collecting air released from the back faces of the plurality of racks, the enclosure configured to substantially contain the air in an area between the first row and the second row and having a roof panel coupled to the first row of racks and the second row of racks configured to span a distance between the first row of racks and the second row of racks. The enclosure is configured to maintain a first air pressure inside of the enclosure that is substantially equal to a second air pressure outside the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Fink, John H. Bean, JR., Stephen F. Held, Richard J. Johnson, Rollie R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7881057
    Abstract: A system for restricting mixing of air in a data center includes a plurality of racks, each of the racks having a front face and a back face. The system includes an enclosure for collecting air released from the back faces of the plurality of racks, the enclosure configured to substantially contain the air in an area between the first row and the second row and having a roof panel coupled to the first row of racks and the second row of racks configured to span a distance between the first row of racks and the second row of racks. The enclosure is configured to maintain a first air pressure inside of the enclosure that is substantially equal to a second air pressure outside the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Fink, John H. Bean, Jr., Stephen F. Held, Richard J. Johnson, Rollie R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7752858
    Abstract: An exhaust air removal system and method for use with a rack or enclosure containing equipment is provided. The system and method are configured for removal of exhaust air vented from equipment during operation to thereby remove heat from the equipment. In one respect, the system includes a fan unit preferably configured to serve as a back door of an equipment rack or enclosure and configured to provide access to an interior of the rack or enclosure. The fan unit provides multiple fans coupled to internal exhaust ducts that are arranged to draw and to remove exhaust air vented from rack-mounted equipment. The fan unit is further configured to vent exhaust air to an area external to a rack or enclosure, such as an external exhaust duct or plenum. Removal of hot and warm exhaust air vented from rack-mounted equipment enables the equipment to operate effectively, drawing sufficient amounts of cooling air to meet its cooling requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Rollie R. Johnson, Neil Rassmussen
  • Publication number: 20100165572
    Abstract: A system for restricting mixing of air in a data center includes a plurality of racks, each of the racks having a front face, and a back face. The system includes an enclosure for collecting air released from the back faces of the plurality of racks, the enclosure configured to substantially contain the air in an area between the first row and the second row and having a roof panel coupled to the first row of racks and the second row of racks configured to span a distance between the first row of racks and the second row of racks. The enclosure is configured to maintain a first air pressure inside of the enclosure that is substantially equal to a second air pressure outside the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Fink, John H. Bean, JR., Stephen F. Held, Richard J. Johnson, Rollie R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7684193
    Abstract: A system for restricting mixing of air in a data center includes a plurality of racks, each of the racks having a front face and a back face. The system includes an enclosure for collecting air released from the back faces of the plurality of racks, the enclosure configured to substantially contain the air in an area between the first row and the second row and having a roof panel coupled to the first row of racks and the second row of racks configured to span a distance between the first row of racks and the second row of racks. The enclosure is configured to maintain a first air pressure inside of the enclosure that is substantially equal to a second air pressure outside the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Fink, John H. Bean, Jr., Stephen F. Held, Richard J. Johnson, Rollie R. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20090308579
    Abstract: An exhaust air removal system and method for use with a rack or enclosure containing equipment is provided. The system and method are configured for removal of exhaust air vented from equipment during operation to thereby remove heat from the equipment. In one aspect, the system includes a fan unit preferably configured to serve as a back door of an equipment rack or enclosure and configured to provide access to an interior of the rack or enclosure. The fan unit provides multiple fans coupled to internal exhaust ducts that are arranged to draw and to remove exhaust air vented from rack-mounted equipment. The fan unit is further configured to vent exhaust air to an area external to a rack or enclosure, such as an external exhaust duct or plenum. Removal of hot and warm exhaust air vented from rack-mounted equipment enables the equipment to operate effectively, drawing sufficient amounts of cooling air to meet its cooling requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rollie R. Johnson, Neil Rassmussen
  • Publication number: 20090195977
    Abstract: A system for restricting mixing of air in a data center includes a plurality of racks, each of the racks having a front face and a back face. The system includes an enclosure for collecting air released from the back faces of the plurality of racks, the enclosure configured to substantially contain the air in an area between the first row and the second row and having a roof panel coupled to the first row of racks and the second row of racks configured to span a distance between the first row of racks and the second row of racks. The enclosure is configured to maintain a first air pressure inside of the enclosure that is substantially equal to a second air pressure outside the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Fink, John H. Bean, JR., Stephen F. Held, Richard J. Johnson, Rollie R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7529086
    Abstract: A system for restricting mixing of air in a data center includes a plurality of racks, each of the racks having a front face and a back face. The system includes an enclosure for collecting air released from the back faces of the plurality of racks, the enclosure configured to substantially contain the air in an area between the first row and the second row and having a roof panel coupled to the first row of racks and the second row of racks configured to span a distance between the first row of racks and the second row of racks. The enclosure is configured to maintain a first air pressure inside of the enclosure that is substantially equal to a second air pressure outside the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Fink, John H. Bean, Jr., Stephen F. Held, Richard J. Johnson, Rollie R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7500911
    Abstract: An exhaust air removal system and method for use with a rack or enclosure containing equipment is provided. The system and method are configured for removal of exhaust air vented from equipment during operation to thereby remove heat from the equipment. In one aspect, the system includes a fan unit preferably configured to serve as a back door of an equipment rack or enclosure and configured to provide access to an interior of the rack or enclosure. The fan unit provides multiple fans coupled to internal exhaust ducts that are arranged to draw and to remove exhaust air vented from rack-mounted equipment. The fan unit is further configured to vent exhaust air to an area external to a rack or enclosure, such as an external exhaust duct or plenum. Removal of hot and warm exhaust air vented from rack-mounted equipment enables the equipment to operate effectively, drawing sufficient amounts of cooling air to meet its cooling requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Rollie R. Johnson, Neil Rassmussen
  • Patent number: 7173820
    Abstract: A modular data center, for housing and cooling electronic equipment, includes multiple housings, a first portion of the housings configured to hold heat-producing electronic equipment and a second portion of the housings configured to hold at least one cooling unit, each of the housings of the first portion having a front and a back and configured to hold the heat-producing electronic equipment such that gas is drawn into the equipment from fronts of the equipment, heated by the equipment to become heated gas, and expelled by the electronic equipment is expelled through the backs of the housings, where the housings are disposed and coupled to form a laterally-enclosed arrangement laterally enclosing a hot region and defining a top opening allowing gas to vertically exit the hot region, and where backs of the housings of the first portion are disposed adjacent to the hot region such that the heat-producing equipment, when mounted to the housings, will expel the heated gas into the hot region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Fink, John H. Bean, Jr., Stephen F. Held, Richard J. Johnson, Rollie R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7046514
    Abstract: A modular data center, for housing and cooling electronic equipment, includes multiple housings, a first portion of the housings configured to hold heat-producing electronic equipment and a second portion of the housings configured to hold at least one cooling unit, each of the housings of the first portion having a front and a back and configured to hold the heat-producing electronic equipment such that gas is drawn into the equipment from fronts of the equipment, heated by the equipment to become heated gas, and expelled by the electronic equipment is expelled through the backs of the housings, and at least one panel coupled to a pair of the housings to bridge a gap between the pair of the housings, where the housings and the at least one panel are disposed and coupled to form a laterally-enclosed arrangement laterally enclosing a hot region and defining a top opening allowing gas to vertically exit the hot region, and where backs of the housings of the first portion are disposed adjacent to the hot region
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Fink, John H. Bean, Jr., Stephen F. Held, Richard J. Johnson, Rollie R. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040223300
    Abstract: A modular data center, for housing and cooling electronic equipment, includes multiple housings, a first portion of the housings configured to hold heat-producing electronic equipment and a second portion of the housings configured to hold at least one cooling unit, each of the housings of the first portion having a front and a back and configured to hold the heat-producing electronic equipment such that gas is drawn into the equipment from fronts of the equipment, heated by the equipment to become heated gas, and expelled by the electronic equipment is expelled through the backs of the housings, and at least one panel coupled to a pair of the housings to bridge a gap between the pair of the housings, where the housings and the at least one panel are disposed and coupled to form a laterally-enclosed arrangement laterally enclosing a hot region and defining a top opening allowing gas to vertically exit the hot region, and where backs of the housings of the first portion are disposed adjacent to the hot region
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: James R. Fink, John H. Bean, Stephen F. Held, Richard J. Johnson, Rollie R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6745590
    Abstract: A condensate removal system is provided for use in association or connection with equipment that produces a liquid or condensate during operation. The condensate removal system is configured to receive a liquid or condensate produced by equipment and is configured to induce the liquid or condensate to flow from the system as liquid or condensate droplets and/or liquid or condensate vapor. The system is configured to contain and to vibrate a liquid or condensate received from equipment in an ultrasonic frequency zone to induce the liquid or condensate to form into droplets and/or vapors. The system is configured and arranged to force the droplets and vapors from the system and can be further configured to expel the droplets and vapors to an area external to the system and/or into a duct, for instance, to exhaust the droplets and vapors or to recirculate the droplets and vapor to equipment to provide cooling to the equipment and/or components of the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: American Power Conversion
    Inventors: Rollie R. Johnson, John M. McNally, John Bean, Gregory R. Uhrhan, David N. Susek
  • Publication number: 20040099747
    Abstract: An exhaust air removal system and method for use with a rack or enclosure containing equipment is provided. The system and method are configured for removal of exhaust air vented from equipment during operation to thereby remove heat from the equipment. In one aspect, the system includes a fan unit preferably configured to serve as a back door of an equipment rack or enclosure and configured to provide access to an interior of the rack or enclosure. The fan unit provides multiple fans coupled to internal exhaust ducts that are arranged to draw and to remove exhaust air vented from rack-mounted equipment. The fan unit is further configured to vent exhaust air to an area external to a rack or enclosure, such as an external exhaust duct or plenum. Removal of hot and warm exhaust air vented from rack-mounted equipment enables the equipment to operate effectively, drawing sufficient amounts of cooling air to meet its cooling requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Rollie R. Johnson, Neil Rasmussen