Patents by Inventor Steven Mark Groff
Steven Mark Groff 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: 9081004Abstract: A circuit for detecting antigens on biosample tracks comprising a processor, an electromagnetic write head for magnetizing nanoparticles attached to the antigens via antibodies in response to a write signal from the processor, and a first amplifier for supplying power to the write head. The circuit further comprises a magneto-resistive read sensor for detecting the magnetized nanoparticles upon receiving a read signal from the processor, and a second amplifier for supplying power to the read sensor. The write head and read sensor may be part of a head module in a magnetic tape drive. Nanoparticles of differing magnetic properties may be selectively paired with antibodies associated with different antigens to allow different antigens to be detected upon a single scan by the read-sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2010Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Dylan Joseph Boday, Louie Arthur Dickens, Steven Mark Groff, Icko Eric Timothy Iben, Wayne Alan McKinley, Lee Curtis Randall, Stephen Leonard Schwartz, Anna W. Topol, Daniel James Winarski
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Patent number: 8097978Abstract: A system for extending backup times using networks of direct current (DC) uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) is provided. A first DC UPS has a first input and a first output. A second DC UPS has a second input coupled to the first output of the first DC UPS, a second output coupled to at least one electrical load, and a third output coupled to the first input of the first DC UPS. Battery current from the first and second DC UPS is shared with the at least one electrical load in the event of a power loss.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Steven Mark Groff, Trung Le
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Patent number: 8039990Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a direct current (DC) uninterruptible power supply (UPS) configured as an intrinsic power transfer switch are provided. One method includes providing multiple inputs, multiple rectifiers coupled to the inputs, a common node coupled to the rectifiers, and at least one DC output coupled to the common node. The DC output(s) is/are adapted for connection to at least one electrical load and a first input is adapted for connection to a first electrical service. A second input is adapted for connection to a second electrical service, the DC UPS continuing to supply power to the at least one electrical load in the event of a loss of either the first or second electrical services. Also provided are methods of manufacturing an intrinsic power transfer switch for a high-power electrical load requiring at least two electrical service inputs.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2010Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Steven Mark Groff, Trung Le
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Patent number: 8022579Abstract: A circuit for dynamically increasing the drop-out voltage of an electromechanical automatic transfer switch (ATS) into a brownout voltage range is provided. The automatic transfer switch includes a first input, a first coil connected to the first input, and a first, normally-open auxiliary contact in magnetic communication with the first coil. The circuit includes a first resistor adapted to connect to the first, normally-open auxiliary contact, and a first transformer having a primary winding connected to the first resistor, and a secondary winding adapted to connect to the first coil. An operating voltage across the first coil is reduced a proportional amount by a secondary voltage across the secondary winding when the first, normally-open auxiliary contact is closed.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2008Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Steven Mark Groff, Trung Le
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Patent number: 7962776Abstract: A method to detect component removal while operating in a battery backup mode, comprising providing power from a battery backup unit (BBU) to a control card memory device, and measuring the current drawn by the control card memory device. If the current drawn by the control card memory device is less than or equals a pre-determined disconnect current, the method determines if a BBU release pin has been asserted. If the BBU release pin has been asserted, the method encodes in an event log a battery backup removal event. If the BBU release pin has not been asserted, the method encodes in the event log a control card removal event.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2007Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Steven Mark Groff, Larry Juarez, Joseph Dean Ohrazda, Kenny Nian Gan Qiu
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Publication number: 20110077869Abstract: A circuit for detecting antigens on biosample tracks comprising a processor, an electromagnetic write head for magnetizing nanoparticles attached to the antigens via antibodies in response to a write signal from the processor, and a first amplifier for supplying power to the write head. The circuit further comprises a magneto-resistive read sensor for detecting the magnetized nanoparticles upon receiving a read signal from the processor, and a second amplifier for supplying power to the read sensor. The write head and read sensor may be part of a head module in a magnetic tape drive. Nanoparticles of differing magnetic properties may be selectively paired with antibodies associated with different antigens to allow different antigens to be detected upon a single scan by the read-sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Dylan Joseph Boday, Louie Arthur Dickens, Steven Mark Groff, Icko Eric Timothy Iben, Wayne Alan McKinley, Lee Curtis Randall, Stephen Leonard Schwartz, Anna W. Topol, Daniel James Winarski
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Patent number: 7898106Abstract: A direct current (DC) uninterruptible power supply (UPS) configured as an intrinsic power transfer switch is provided. The DC UPS includes first and second inputs. First and second rectifiers are coupled to the first and second inputs. A common node is coupled to the first and second rectifiers. At least one DC output is coupled to the common node. The at least one DC output is adapted for connection to at least one electrical load. The first input is adapted for connection to a first electrical service, and the second input is adapted for connection to a second electrical service. The DC UPS continues to supply power to the at least one electrical load in the event of a loss of either the first or second electrical services.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2008Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Steven Mark Groff, Trung Le
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Publication number: 20110041323Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a direct current (DC) uninterruptible power supply (UPS) configured as an intrinsic power transfer switch are provided. One method includes providing multiple inputs, multiple rectifiers coupled to the inputs, a common node coupled to the rectifiers, and at least one DC output coupled to the common node. The DC output(s) is/are adapted for connection to at least one electrical load and a first input is adapted for connection to a first electrical service. A second input is adapted for connection to a second electrical service, the DC UPS continuing to supply power to the at least one electrical load in the event of a loss of either the first or second electrical services. Also provided are methods of manufacturing an intrinsic power transfer switch for a high-power electrical load requiring at least two electrical service inputs.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2010Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Steven Mark GROFF, Trung LE
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Patent number: 7868484Abstract: A multi-coil automatic transfer switch (ATS) adapted for automatically switching an appropriately rated component to render the ATS operational over a worldwide voltage range is provided. A low voltage contactor includes a low voltage coil magnetically linked with a normally open low voltage main contact. A high voltage contactor is coupled in parallel with the low voltage contactor. The high voltage contactor includes a high voltage coil magnetically linked with a normally open high voltage main contact. A normally closed high voltage auxiliary contact is magnetically linked with the high voltage coil. The normally closed high voltage auxiliary contact has a phase opposite the normally open high voltage main contact. The high voltage contactor opens the normally closed high voltage auxiliary contact to disconnect the low voltage coil.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2008Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Steven Mark Groff, Trung Le
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Patent number: 7847435Abstract: An intrinsically phase-balanced direct current (DC) uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is provided. The DC UPS includes first, second, and third alternating current (AC) phase inputs. First, second, and third rectifiers are coupled to the first, second, and third AC phase inputs. A common node is coupled to the first, second, and third rectifiers. At least one DC output is coupled to the common node. The at least one DC output is adapted for connection to at least one electrical load. A battery is coupled to the common node. A blocking diode is coupled between the battery and the common node.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2008Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Steven Mark Groff, Trung Le
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Patent number: 7763993Abstract: A direct current (DC) uninterruptible power supply (UPS) having auto-ranging battery backup voltage capability is provided. At least one input is configured. A rectifier is connected to the at least one input. A common node is connected to the rectifier. At least one output is connected to the common node. A battery backup circuit is connected to the common node. The battery backup circuit includes first and second strings of batteries, a switch connected between a positive terminal of the first string of batteries and a negative terminal of the second string of batteries, and a plurality of steering diodes connected to the first and second strings of batteries and the switch to maintain current flow in a first direction. The switch is operable to place the first and second strings of batteries in series when closed, and operable to place the first and second strings of batteries in parallel when open.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2008Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Steven Mark Groff, Trung Le
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Publication number: 20100033274Abstract: A circuit for dynamically increasing the drop-out voltage of an electromechanical automatic transfer switch (ATS) into a brownout voltage range is provided. The automatic transfer switch includes a first input, a first coil connected to the first input, and a first, normally-open auxiliary contact in magnetic communication with the first coil. The circuit includes a first resistor adapted to connect to the first, normally-open auxiliary contact, and a first transformer having a primary winding connected to the first resistor, and a secondary winding adapted to connect to the first coil. An operating voltage across the first coil is reduced a proportional amount by a secondary voltage across the secondary winding when the first, normally-open auxiliary contact is closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2008Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Steven Mark GROFF, Trung LE
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Publication number: 20100033275Abstract: A multi-coil automatic transfer switch (ATS) adapted for automatically switching an appropriately rated component to render the ATS operational over a worldwide voltage range is provided. A low voltage contactor includes a low voltage coil magnetically linked with a normally open low voltage main contact. A high voltage contactor is coupled in parallel with the low voltage contactor. The high voltage contactor includes a high voltage coil magnetically linked with a normally open high voltage main contact. A normally closed high voltage auxiliary contact is magnetically linked with the high voltage coil. The normally closed high voltage auxiliary contact has a phase opposite the normally open high voltage main contact. The high voltage contactor opens the normally closed high voltage auxiliary contact to disconnect the low voltage coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2008Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Steven Mark GROFF, Trung LE
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Publication number: 20100013312Abstract: A direct current (DC) uninterruptible power supply (UPS) having auto-ranging battery backup voltage capability is provided. At least one input is configured. A rectifier is connected to the at least one input. A common node is connected to the rectifier. At least one output is connected to the common node. A battery backup circuit is connected to the common node. The battery backup circuit includes first and second strings of batteries, a switch connected between a positive terminal of the first string of batteries and a negative terminal of the second string of batteries, and a plurality of steering diodes connected to the first and second strings of batteries and the switch to maintain current flow in a first direction. The switch is operable to place the first and second strings of batteries in series when closed, and operable to place the first and second strings of batteries in parallel when open.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2008Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Steven Mark GROFF, Trung LE
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Publication number: 20100013313Abstract: A direct current (DC) uninterruptible power supply (UPS) configured as an intrinsic power transfer switch is provided. The DC UPS includes first and second inputs. First and second rectifiers are coupled to the first and second inputs. A common node is coupled to the first and second rectifiers. At least one DC output is coupled to the common node. The at least one DC output is adapted for connection to at least one electrical load. The first input is adapted for connection to a first electrical service, and the second input is adapted for connection to a second electrical service. The DC UPS continues to supply power to the at least one electrical load in the event of a loss of either the first or second electrical services.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2008Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Steven Mark GROFF, Trung LE
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Publication number: 20100013314Abstract: A system for extending backup times using networks of direct current (DC) uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) is provided. A first DC UPS has a first input and a first output. A second DC UPS has a second input coupled to the first output of the first DC UPS, a second output coupled to at least one electrical load, and a third output coupled to the first input of the first DC UPS. Battery current from the first and second DC UPS is shared with the at least one electrical load in the event of a power loss.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2008Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Steven Mark GROFF, Trung LE
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Publication number: 20100013311Abstract: An intrinsically phase-balanced direct current (DC) uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is provided. The DC UPS includes first, second, and third alternating current (AC) phase inputs. First, second, and third rectifiers are coupled to the first, second, and third AC phase inputs. A common node is coupled to the first, second, and third rectifiers. At least one DC output is coupled to the common node. The at least one DC output is adapted for connection to at least one electrical load. A battery is coupled to the common node. A blocking diode is coupled between the battery and the common node.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2008Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Steven Mark GROFF, Trung LE
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Publication number: 20090100282Abstract: A method to detect component removal while operating in a battery backup mode, comprising providing power from a battery backup unit (“BBU”) to a control card memory device, and measuring the current drawn by the control card memory device. If the current drawn by the control card memory device is less than or equals a pre-determined disconnect current, the method determines if a BBU release pin has been asserted. If the BBU release pin has been asserted, the method encodes in an event log a battery backup removal event. If the BBU release pin has not been asserted, the method encodes in the event log a control card removal event.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2007Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: STEVEN MARK GROFF, LARRY JUAREZ, JOSEPH DEAN OHRAZDA, KENNY NIAN GAN QIU