Patents by Inventor Shaun L. Harris
Shaun L. Harris 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).
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Patent number: 9071083Abstract: Super capacitor supplemented server power is described. In embodiments, a power system manager is implemented to monitor the capability of one or more power supplies to provide power for a server system. The power system manager can determine that the capability of the power supplies to provide the power is deficient, and then engage one or more super capacitor power modules to provide supplemental power for the server system to mitigate the power deficiency.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2010Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Shaun L. Harris, Scott Thomas Seaton, Allan J. Wenzel, Daniel G. Costello, Christian L. Belady
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Patent number: 9069103Abstract: Described herein are various technologies pertaining to predicting an amount of electrical power that is to be generated by a power system at a future point in time, wherein the power system utilizes a renewable energy resource to generate electrical power. A camera is positioned to capture an image of sky over a geographic region of interest. The image is analyzed to predict an amount of solar radiation that is to be received by the power source at a future point in time. The predicted solar radiation is used to predict an amount of electrical power that will be output by the power system at the future point in time. A computational resource of a data center that is powered by way of the power source is managed as a function of the predicted amount of power.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Charles Joseph Williams, Gabriel Kliot, Chia-Chi Lin, Shaun L. Harris, Christian L. Belady, Eric C. Peterson
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Patent number: 8952566Abstract: A chassis includes a component interconnect board having multiple multi-function slots coupled thereto. Each of the multi-function slots is configured to accept different types of modules, including a battery module and one or more other types of modules, such as server modules or storage modules. The component interconnect board also includes a power bus coupled to receive external power and route the external power to the multiple multi-function slots.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2010Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Shaun L. Harris, Christian L. Belady, Eric C. Peterson
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Publication number: 20150029643Abstract: Computational enclosures may be designed to distribute power from power supplies to load units (e.g., processors, storage devices, or network routers). The architecture may affect the efficiency, cost, modularity, accessibility, and space utilization of the components within the enclosure. Presented herein are power distribution architectures involving a distribution board oriented along a first (e.g., vertical) axis within the enclosure, comprising a power interconnect configured to distribute power among a set of load boards oriented along a second (e.g., lateral) axis and respectively connecting with a set of load units oriented along a third (e.g., sagittal) axis, and a set of power supplies also oriented along the third axis. This orientation may compactly and proximately position the loads near the power supplies in the distribution system, and result in a comparatively low local current that enables the use of printed circuit boards for the distribution board and load boards.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Eric C. Peterson, Shaun L. Harris
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Patent number: 8804313Abstract: Computational enclosures may be designed to distribute power from power supplies to load units (e.g., processors, storage devices, or network routers). The architecture may affect the efficiency, cost, modularity, accessibility, and space utilization of the components within the enclosure. Presented herein are power distribution architectures involving a distribution board oriented along a first (e.g., vertical) axis within the enclosure, comprising a power interconnect configured to distribute power among a set of load boards oriented along a second (e.g., lateral) axis and respectively connecting with a set of load units oriented along a third (e.g., sagittal) axis, and a set of power supplies also oriented along the third axis. This orientation may compactly and proximately position the loads near the power supplies in the distribution system, and result in a comparatively low local current that enables the use of printed circuit boards for the distribution board and load boards.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2012Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Eric C. Peterson, Shaun L. Harris
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Patent number: 8782443Abstract: Resource-based adaptive server loading is described. In embodiments, a current load level can be determined for a resource that is utilized by an adaptive server system to process computer-executable instructions that are a dynamic computational demand on the adaptive server system. The current load level is compared with a target load level for the resource to establish a resource load level comparison. The adaptive server system can then be reconfigured, based on the resource load level comparison, to change the current load level on the resource for resource overload protection.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2010Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Christian L. Belady, Shaun L. Harris, Ame M. Josefsberg
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Publication number: 20140167504Abstract: A parallel boost voltage power supply with local energy storage comprises a local energy storage and a local energy storage boost converter that boosts the voltage of the local energy storage and provides it to existing DC bulk storage circuitry. Diodes in series with the boost converter and an existing power factor correction boost converter enable the DC bulk storage circuitry to receive power from both the local energy storage and external power sources. Transition between local energy storage and external power sources is performed in a controlled manner to avoid overloading external power sources. Additionally, local energy storage devices are recharged from an existing isolation transformer circuit in the power supply if the power being drawn from external sources is below a threshold. Operation without external power is extended via communications with server computing devices resulting in decreased power consumption by deactivating components or throttling down processors.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Shaun L. Harris, Brandon Aaron Rubenstein, Allan Joseph Wenzel
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Publication number: 20140173299Abstract: Computing devices receive power from multiple fuel cells, consuming natural gas and outputting electrical energy natively consumable by the computing devices. The fuel cells are sized to provide power to a set of computing devices, such as a rack thereof. The computing devices of a failed fuel cell can receive power from adjacent fuel cells. Additionally, the fuel cells and computing devices are positioned to realize thermal symbiotic efficiencies. Controllers instruct the computing devices to deactivate or throttle down power consuming functions during instances where the power consumption demand is increasing faster than the power being sourced by fuel cells, and instruct the computing devices to activate or throttle up power consuming functions during instances where the power consumption demand is decreasing faster than the power being sourced by the fuel cells. Supplemental power sources, supplementing the fuel cells' inability to quickly change power output, are not required.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Gregory Joseph McKnight, Shaun L. Harris, Sean M. James
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Publication number: 20140036452Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to racking equipment in a data center. A modular equipment rack system can include an upper track, a lower track, a vertical support, a power and network distribution unit, and a tray. The upper track and the lower track can respectively include incrementally spaced mounting locations at which the vertical support and the power and network distribution unit can be attachable. The tray can be attachable to the vertical support and the power and network distribution unit when the vertical support is attached to the upper track at a first upper mounting location and attached to the lower track at a corresponding first lower mounting location, and the power and network distribution unit is attached to the upper track at a second upper mounting location and attached to the lower track at a corresponding second lower mounting location.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Eric C. Peterson, Shaun L. Harris, Mark Edward Shaw, Matthew Allen Faist, Christian L. Belady, Darren Shakib
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Publication number: 20130342968Abstract: Computational enclosures may be designed to distribute power from power supplies to load units (e.g., processors, storage devices, or network routers). The architecture may affect the efficiency, cost, modularity, accessibility, and space utilization of the components within the enclosure. Presented herein are power distribution architectures involving a distribution board oriented along a first (e.g., vertical) axis within the enclosure, comprising a power interconnect configured to distribute power among a set of load boards oriented along a second (e.g., lateral) axis and respectively connecting with a set of load units oriented along a third (e.g., sagittal) axis, and a set of power supplies also oriented along the third axis. This orientation may compactly and proximately position the loads near the power supplies in the distribution system, and result in a comparatively low local current that enables the use of printed circuit boards for the distribution board and load boards.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Eric C. Peterson, Shaun L. Harris
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Patent number: 8582302Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to racking equipment in a data center. A modular equipment rack system can include an upper track, a lower track, a vertical support, a power and network distribution unit, and a tray. The upper track and the lower track can respectively include incrementally spaced mounting locations at which the vertical support and the power and network distribution unit can be attachable. The tray can be attachable to the vertical support and the power and network distribution unit when the vertical support is attached to the upper track at a first upper mounting location and attached to the lower track at a corresponding first lower mounting location, and the power and network distribution unit is attached to the upper track at a second upper mounting location and attached to the lower track at a corresponding second lower mounting location.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Eric C. Peterson, Shaun L. Harris, Mark Edward Shaw, Matthew Allen Faist, Christian L. Belady, Darren Shakib
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Publication number: 20130257160Abstract: Described is a technology by which magnetic flux is used to provide backup power. A transformer has a line power source controllably coupled to a first input winding, and secondary power source controllably coupled to a second input winding. A controller monitors the line power and switches to the secondary power source if the line power voltage drops too low, or uses the secondary power source to augment the line power source if the line power current gets too high. Also described is incrementally transitioning from the secondary power source back to the line power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Shaun L. Harris, Eric C. Peterson
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Patent number: 8487473Abstract: Power is provided to one or more devices in a system that includes a hierarchical power smoothing environment having multiple tiers. In response to a peak in power usage by the one or more devices, power is provided from a first power smoothing component in a first tier of the multiple tiers. Additionally, power is provided to the one or more devices from power smoothing components in each of other tiers of the multiple tiers if the power smoothing component in a next lower tier of the multiple tiers is unable to provide sufficient power for the peak in power usage. If the power smoothing components in the multiple tiers are unable to provide sufficient power for the peak in power usage, then performance of at least one of the one or more devices is reduced in response to the peak in power usage.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Eric C. Peterson, Shaun L. Harris, Christian L. Belady, Frank J. Wirtz
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Publication number: 20130120941Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to racking equipment in a data center. A modular equipment rack system can include an upper track, a lower track, a vertical support, a power and network distribution unit, and a tray. The upper track and the lower track can respectively include incrementally spaced mounting locations at which the vertical support and the power and network distribution unit can be attachable. The tray can be attachable to the vertical support and the power and network distribution unit when the vertical support is attached to the upper track at a first upper mounting location and attached to the lower track at a corresponding first lower mounting location, and the power and network distribution unit is attached to the upper track at a second upper mounting location and attached to the lower track at a corresponding second lower mounting location.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Eric C. Peterson, Shaun L. Harris, Mark Edward Shaw, Matthew Allen Faist, Christian L. Belady, Darren Shakib
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Patent number: 8384244Abstract: A rack power unit is configured to be inserted into a device rack of a data center. The rack power unit includes one or more power supplies and one or more battery packs. The one or more power supplies are each configured to receive power (e.g., AC power) when the apparatus is in the device rack, and convert the received power to a DC power. The one or more power supplies are further configured to output the DC power to a DC power bus of the device rack. The one or more battery packs are each configured to provide, in response to an interruption in the received power, DC power to the DC power bus of the device rack.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Eric C. Peterson, Shaun L. Harris, Christian L. Belady, Darren A. Shakib, Sompong Paul Olarig, Frank J. Wirtz
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Publication number: 20120324245Abstract: A framework that enables a local computing cloud infrastructure for rural (and third world) populations with the ability to connect into the global cloud. The framework include is a low cost architecture of long distance, wireless based, renewable energy powered, and small datacenter (DC) (referred to as a pico-DC) nodes that can fully operate off-grid, both power-wise and Internet connection-wise at a very low cost. Additionally, the framework includes power management and storage techniques that effectively enable low power and efficient power use. Thus, systems are self-sufficient, low maintenance and weather proof with no need for power or data connections.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Suyash Sinha, Sreenivas Addagatla, Christian L. Belady, Charles Joseph Williams, Shaun L. Harris, Eric C. Peterson
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Publication number: 20120155704Abstract: Described herein are various technologies pertaining to predicting an amount of electrical power that is to be generated by a power system at a future point in time, wherein the power system utilizes a renewable energy resource to generate electrical power. A camera is positioned to capture an image of sky over a geographic region of interest. The image is analyzed to predict an amount of solar radiation that is to be received by the power source at a future point in time. The predicted solar radiation is used to predict an amount of electrical power that will be output by the power system at the future point in time. A computational resource of a data center that is powered by way of the power source is managed as a function of the predicted amount of power.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Charles Joseph Williams, Gabriel Kliot, Chia-Chi Lin, Shaun L. Harris, Christian L. Belady, Eric C. Peterson
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Publication number: 20120098343Abstract: A chassis includes a component interconnect board having multiple multi-function slots coupled thereto. Each of the multi-function slots is configured to accept different types of modules, including a battery module and one or more other types of modules, such as server modules or storage modules. The component interconnect board also includes a power bus coupled to receive external power and route the external power to the multiple multi-function slots.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Shaun L. Harris, Christian L. Belady, Eric C. Peterson
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Publication number: 20120065788Abstract: A method described herein includes an act of receiving data that is indicative of predicted weather conditions for a particular geographic region, wherein the particular geographic region has an energy generation system therein, and wherein the energy generation system utilizes at least one renewable energy resource to generate electrical power. The method also includes the act of scheduling a computational workload for at least one computer in a data center based at least in part upon the data that is indicative of the predicted weather conditions for the particular geographic region.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: David Tennyson Harper, III, Eric C. Peterson, Shaun L. Harris, Christian L. Belady
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Publication number: 20110316338Abstract: Power is provided to one or more devices in a system that includes a hierarchical power smoothing environment having multiple tiers. In response to a peak in power usage by the one or more devices, power is provided from a first power smoothing component in a first tier of the multiple tiers. Additionally, power is provided to the one or more devices from power smoothing components in each of other tiers of the multiple tiers if the power smoothing component in a next lower tier of the multiple tiers is unable to provide sufficient power for the peak in power usage. If the power smoothing components in the multiple tiers are unable to provide sufficient power for the peak in power usage, then performance of at least one of the one or more devices is reduced in response to the peak in power usage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2010Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Eric C. Peterson, Shaun L. Harris, Christian L. Belady, Frank J. Wirtz