Patents by Inventor Sean James

Sean James 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: 20260121441
    Abstract: A hybrid battery system (HBS) for supplying power during long-term outages and short-term outages for a datacenter and related methods are described. An example HBS comprising a set of solid-state hydrogen batteries (SSHBs) and a set of rechargeable batteries (RBs) is configured to supply power to compute resources associated with a datacenter. The hybrid battery system is coupled to fuel cells to supply hydrogen to the fuel cells by heating an SSHB. A power control system is configured to: (1) during a short-term outage associated with the datacenter, selectively cause a subset of the set of RBs to supply power to the compute resources, and (2) during a long-term outage associated with the datacenter, selectively cause heat to be supplied to the set of SSHBs, resulting in a supply of hydrogen to one or more of the fuel cells, allowing supply of power to the compute resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2024
    Publication date: April 30, 2026
    Inventors: Ehsan NASR AZADANI, Sonia MALEKY, Sean JAMES
  • Patent number: 12562573
    Abstract: Power draw stabilization is provided. A target power consumption of a source load is determined. The source load is generated by electronics supplied power by a primary power source through a power rail. The power rail is coupled to a capacitor bank by a bi-directional converter configured to smooth fluctuations in power drawn from the primary power source by performing mode switch operations. The mode switch operations include, in response to the source load exceeding a target power consumption, controllably switching to a second directional mode that directs current released from the capacitor bank to the power rail. The mode switch operations further include, in response to the source load dropping below the target power consumption, controllably switching the operational mode of the bi-directional converter to a first directional mode to direct current from the power rail into the capacitor bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ehsan Nasr Azadani, Scot Edward Heath, Shaun L Harris, Paul Andrew Churnock, Sean James, Christian L. Belady
  • Publication number: 20250132568
    Abstract: Power draw stabilization is provided. A target power consumption of a source load is determined. The source load is generated by electronics supplied power by a primary power source through a power rail. The power rail is coupled to a capacitor bank by a bi-directional converter configured to smooth fluctuations in power drawn from the primary power source by performing mode switch operations. The mode switch operations include, in response to the source load exceeding a target power consumption, controllably switching to a second directional mode that directs current released from the capacitor bank to the power rail. The mode switch operations further include, in response to the source load dropping below the target power consumption, controllably switching the operational mode of the bi-directional converter to a first directional mode to direct current from the power rail into the capacitor bank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2023
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventors: Ehsan NASR AZADANI, Scot Edward HEATH, Shaun L. HARRIS, Paul Andrew CHURNOCK, Sean JAMES, Christian L. BELADY
  • Patent number: 11368021
    Abstract: This document relates to electricity management using modulated waveforms. One example modulates electricity to obtain modulated electricity having at least two different alternating current frequencies including a first alternating current frequency and a second alternating current frequency. The example delivers the modulated electrical power having the at least two different alternating current frequencies to multiple different electrical devices, including a first electrical device configured to utilize the first alternating current frequency and a second electrical device configured to utilize the second alternating current frequency. The modulated electricity can be delivered at least partly over an electrical line shared by the first electrical device and the second electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Jie Liu, Brian Janous, Gregory Joseph McKnight, Sean James, Ricardo Bianchini
  • Patent number: 11235986
    Abstract: Waste heat generated by devices as a byproduct of their operation is utilized to increase and maintain the temperature of non-potable water to neutralize biological contaminants, thereby rendering such water potable. The potable water can then be utilized for evaporative cooling of the devices. A temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the non-potable water and a controller controls the pump to provide sufficient time for the water to remain in the heat exchanger above a predetermined temperature to neutralize biological contaminants and render such water potable. To the extent that different devices generate different quantities and intensities of waste heat, multiple heat exchangers are utilized, with lower intensity waste heat serving to preheat the water and, thereby, reduce the amount of time needed to reach the target temperature in a primary heat exchanger. Waste heat not utilized to generate potable water can be utilized for other heat-driven processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Sean James
  • Patent number: 10539993
    Abstract: Techniques for providing backup power to distributed computing systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, via the computer network, data indicating a power failure of the main power source configured to provide electrical power to the servers. The method also includes instructing, via the computer network, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) system to provide emergency power to the servers. The HVAC system includes an air mover having blades and a motor-generator mechanically coupled to the blades of the air mover. The motor-generator includes a motor that is configured to rotate the blades of the air mover and a generator that is configured to convert kinetic energy of the rotating blades of the air mover into electrical energy during a power failure of the main power source and provide the generated electrical energy as the emergency power to the servers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer Goodward, Sean James
  • Patent number: 10499532
    Abstract: An infrastructure floor tile for supporting and positioning a server rack in a datacenter includes a body including top, bottom and side surfaces and a first alignment surface on the top surface. The first alignment surface includes at least one of a projection and a recess. When a server rack is positioned on the first alignment surface of the infrastructure floor tile, the server rack is aligned by the first alignment surface relative to the body. N horizontal channels extend from one of the side surfaces to an opposite one of the side surfaces, where N is an integer greater than one. N vertical channels extending from the top surface of the body to the N horizontal channels, respectively. Power, cooling fluid and/or data lines are connected to the server rack through at least one of the N horizontal channels and at least one of the N vertical channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Andrew Keehn, Winston Allen Saunders, Sean James, Saurabh Shrivastava
  • Publication number: 20190357377
    Abstract: An infrastructure floor tile for supporting and positioning a server rack in a datacenter includes a body including top, bottom and side surfaces and a first alignment surface on the top surface. The first alignment surface includes at least one of a projection and a recess. When a server rack is positioned on the first alignment surface of the infrastructure floor tile, the server rack is aligned by the first alignment surface relative to the body. N horizontal channels extend from one of the side surfaces to an opposite one of the side surfaces, where N is an integer greater than one. N vertical channels extending from the top surface of the body to the N horizontal channels, respectively. Power, cooling fluid and/or data lines are connected to the server rack through at least one of the N horizontal channels and at least one of the N vertical channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Nicholas Andrew KEEHN, Winston Allen SAUNDERS, Sean JAMES, Saurabh SHRIVASTAVA
  • Patent number: 10285309
    Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards a submerged datacenter, which may be made up of modules, into a body of water such as the ocean. The submersion facilitates cooling of the datacenter as well as providing protection of the datacenter from environmental conditions that exist at or near the surface. Power may be generated from the datacenter heat, and power generated by or near the body of water (e.g., via waves, tides, wind, currents, temperature differences) may be used to help power the datacenter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Sean James, Todd Robert Rawlings
  • Patent number: 10234835
    Abstract: This document relates to management of computing devices using modulated electricity. One example includes assigning a set of time slices to a computing device for drawing electricity and subsequently causing the computing device to adjust consumption of the electricity by assigning a different set of time slices to the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Jie Liu, Brian Janous, Gregory Joseph McKnight, Sean James, Ricardo Bianchini
  • Patent number: 10191499
    Abstract: Electrical power is provided to power consuming, heat-exhausting devices by multiple gas-fueled electrical power sources located near such devices. Exhaust heat from such devices is utilized as intake cooling air for the gas-fueled power sources, thereby excluding them from cooling capacity requirements. The gas piping delivering gas to gas-fueled power sources is positioned so as to be within hot aisles comprising exhaust heat. The gas piping is located up high for lighter than air gasses and near the floor for heavier than air gasses, with leak detection located nearby. Additionally, gas piping is externally coated with material that visually indicates a leak. By locating gas piping in the hot aisle, exhausted heat increases temperature and, thereby, pressure of the gas, resulting in more efficient gas distribution through the piping and preventing valve freezing. Furthermore, the gas piping is located after potential ignition sources in the airstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Sean James, Christian L. Belady, Stephan W. Gilges, Sriram Sankar, John Siegler, Brian Andersen, Eric C Peterson, J Darrin Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20180370817
    Abstract: Waste heat generated by devices as a byproduct of their operation is utilized to increase and maintain the temperature of non-potable water to neutralize biological contaminants, thereby rendering such water potable. The potable water can then be utilized for evaporative cooling of the devices. A temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the non-potable water and a controller controls the pump to provide sufficient time for the water to remain in the heat exchanger above a predetermined temperature to neutralize biological contaminants and render such water potable. To the extent that different devices generate different quantities and intensities of waste heat, multiple heat exchangers are utilized, with lower intensity waste heat serving to preheat the water and, thereby, reduce the amount of time needed to reach the target temperature in a primary heat exchanger. Waste heat not utilized to generate potable water can be utilized for other heat-driven processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventor: Sean James
  • Patent number: 10087088
    Abstract: Waste heat generated by devices as a byproduct of their operation is utilized to increase and maintain the temperature of non-potable water to neutralize biological contaminants, thereby rendering such water potable. The potable water can then be utilized for evaporative cooling of the devices. A temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the non-potable water and a controller controls the pump to provide sufficient time for the water to remain in the heat exchanger above a predetermined temperature to neutralize biological contaminants and render such water potable. To the extent that different devices generate different quantities and intensities of waste heat, multiple heat exchangers are utilized, with lower intensity waste heat serving to preheat the water and, thereby, reduce the amount of time needed to reach the target temperature in a primary heat exchanger. Waste heat not utilized to generate potable water can be utilized for other heat-driven processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Sean James
  • Publication number: 20180267589
    Abstract: Techniques for providing backup power to distributed computing systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, via the computer network, data indicating a power failure of the main power source configured to provide electrical power to the servers. The method also includes instructing, via the computer network, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) system to provide emergency power to the servers. The HVAC system includes an air mover having blades and a motor-generator mechanically coupled to the blades of the air mover. The motor-generator includes a motor that is configured to rotate the blades of the air mover and a generator that is configured to convert kinetic energy of the rotating blades of the air mover into electrical energy during a power failure of the main power source and provide the generated electrical energy as the emergency power to the servers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Jennifer Goodward, Sean James
  • Publication number: 20180205227
    Abstract: This document relates to electricity management using modulated waveforms. One example modulates electricity to obtain modulated electricity having at least two different alternating current frequencies including a first alternating current frequency and a second alternating current frequency. The example delivers the modulated electrical power having the at least two different alternating current frequencies to multiple different electrical devices, including a first electrical device configured to utilize the first alternating current frequency and a second electrical device configured to utilize the second alternating current frequency. The modulated electricity can be delivered at least partly over an electrical line shared by the first electrical device and the second electrical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Jie LIU, Brian JANOUS, Gregory Joseph MCKNIGHT, Sean JAMES, Ricardo BIANCHINI
  • Patent number: 9954365
    Abstract: This document relates to electricity management using modulated waveforms. One example modulates electricity to obtain modulated electricity having at least two different alternating current frequencies including a first alternating current frequency and a second alternating current frequency. The example delivers the modulated electrical power having the at least two different alternating current frequencies to multiple different electrical devices, including a first electrical device configured to utilize the first alternating current frequency and a second electrical device configured to utilize the second alternating current frequency. The modulated electricity can be delivered at least partly over an electrical line shared by the first electrical device and the second electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Jie Liu, Brian Janous, Gregory Joseph McKnight, Sean James, Ricardo Bianchini
  • Patent number: 9933804
    Abstract: This document relates to analyzing electrical grid conditions using server installations. One example obtains first grid condition signals describing first grid conditions detected by a first server installation during a first time period. The first server installation is connected to a first electrical grid and first previous grid failure events have occurred on the first electrical grid during the first time period. The example also obtains second grid condition signals describing second grid conditions detected by a second server installation during a second time period. The second server installation is connected to a second electrical grid that is geographically remote from the first electrical grid and second previous grid failure events have occurred on the second electrical grid during the second time period. The example also includes using the first grid condition signals and the second grid condition signals to predict a future grid failure event on the second electrical grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Janous, Gregory Joseph McKnight, Sean James, Ricardo Bianchini, Jie Liu
  • Patent number: 9812925
    Abstract: Processing units and electrical power generation are integrated with a botanical environment to form a closed loop system whereby the outputs of one component serve as the inputs of another. Additionally, humans can be added to the system while maintaining the closed loop nature. Heat generated by the electrical power generation and processing units aids in the growth of botanicals and in the conversion of waste organic materials into both fertilizer and fuel for the electrical power generation. Additionally, carbon dioxide output by the electrical power generation is consumed by the botanicals, which, in turn, output oxygen consumed by the electrical power generation. Water is obtained by passing the exhaust of the electrical power generation across condenser coils, and is utilized for adiabatic cooling, as well as a heat transfer medium. Water is also consumed by the botanicals, aiding their growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Christian L. Belady, Brian Janous, Sean James
  • Publication number: 20170215299
    Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards a submerged datacenter, which may be made up of modules, into a body of water such as the ocean. The submersion facilitates cooling of the datacenter as well as providing protection of the datacenter from environmental conditions that exist at or near the surface. Power may be generated from the datacenter heat, and power generated by or near the body of water (e.g., via waves, tides, wind, currents, temperature differences) may be used to help power the datacenter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Sean James, Todd Robert Rawlings
  • Patent number: 9713290
    Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards a datacenter or partial datacenter (e.g., a datacenter module) contained in a sealed container. The container may be filled with a cooling fluid, such as a dielectric fluid, to help cool the datacenter components. The container and its internal datacenter or datacenter portion may be submerged in water, in which event the fluid also helps to equalize the external water pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Sean James, Todd Robert Rawlings