Patents by Inventor Timothy P. E. Williams

Timothy P. E. Williams 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: 9389809
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling the storage of data in a multi-device storage system. In some embodiments, a storage system includes an expander coupled to a controller via multiple parallel data channel pathways, and a plurality of data storage devices coupled to the expander. The expander includes a control circuit adapted to selectively disable at least one but less than all of the multiple parallel data channel pathways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Timothy P. E. Williams, David Michael Davis
  • Patent number: 9274548
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic apparatus (100) comprising a backplane (120) and methods of assembling and disassembling such an apparatus. The electronic apparatus (100) comprises a chassis (101) having plural walls and a circuit board (140) fastened to a wall of the chassis, a surface of the circuit board having a plurality of conductive pads (146). A backplane (120) is fastened in a received position in the chassis substantially perpendicular to the circuit board. The backplane has a connector (130) at an edge of the backplane, the connector comprising a plurality of sprung conductive elements (132,134) which extend outwards beyond the edge of the backplane to make electrical contact with respective conductive pads (146) on the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Paul Foisy, Robert I. Walker, Timothy P. E. Williams, Edward Janssen
  • Publication number: 20150081970
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling the storage of data in a multi-device storage system. In some embodiments, a storage system includes an expander coupled to a controller via multiple parallel data channel pathways, and a plurality of data storage devices coupled to the expander. The expander includes a control circuit adapted to selectively disable at least one but less than all of the multiple parallel data channel pathways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy P. E. Williams, David Michael Davis
  • Patent number: 8898382
    Abstract: A storage system and a method of control of a storage system including plural storage media, at least one SAS expander physically connected to each of the plural storage media and to a controller via plural parallel data channels, the controller being connected to a host CPU arranged in use to execute input/output operations to transfer data to and read data from the plural storage media, the method including: at the expander, varying the available bandwidth for communication with the plural storage media by varying the available number of the plural parallel data channels thereby providing control of the number of input/output operations executed by the host CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Timothy P. E. Williams, David Michael Davis
  • Publication number: 20140247569
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic apparatus (100) comprising a backplane (120) and methods of assembling and disassembling such an apparatus. The electronic apparatus (100) comprises a chassis (101) having plural walls and a circuit board (140) fastened to a wall of the chassis, a surface of the circuit board having a plurality of conductive pads (146). A backplane (120) is fastened in a received position in the chassis substantially perpendicular to the circuit board. The backplane has a connector (130) at an edge of the backplane, the connector comprising a plurality of sprung conductive elements (132,134) which extend outwards beyond the edge of the backplane to make electrical contact with respective conductive pads (146) on the circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Paul FOISY, Robert I. WALKER, Timothy P. E. WILLIAMS, Edward JANSSEN
  • Patent number: 8402196
    Abstract: A storage assembly includes a physical expander for connection in use to two or more SCSI initiators, and two or more storage devices, wherein the expander is controlled such that it presents plural virtual expanders. A method for connecting two or more storage devices to two or more SCSI initiators within a storage assembly, includes providing a physical expander for connection in use to the two or more SCSI initiators, and two or more storage devices, and controlling the single expander such that it presents plural virtual expanders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: David M. Davis, Neil A. Edmunds, Timothy P. E. Williams, Alan J. Westbury
  • Publication number: 20120226854
    Abstract: A storage system and a method of control of a storage system including plural storage media, at least one SAS expander physically connected to each of the plural storage media and to a controller via plural parallel data channels, the controller being connected to a host CPU arranged in use to execute input/output operations to transfer data to and read data from the plural storage media, the method including: at the expander, varying the available bandwidth for communication with the plural storage media by varying the available number of the plural parallel data channels thereby providing control of the number of input/output operations executed by the host CPU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Timothy P.E. WILLIAMS, David Michael Davis
  • Publication number: 20110219158
    Abstract: A storage assembly includes a physical expander for connection in use to two or more SCSI initiators, and two or more storage devices, wherein the expander is controlled such that it presents plural virtual expanders. A method for connecting two or more storage devices to two or more SCSI initiators within a storage assembly, includes providing a physical expander for connection in use to the two or more SCSI initiators, and two or more storage devices, and controlling the single expander such that it presents plural virtual expanders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: David M. DAVIS, Neil A. Edmunds, Timothy P. E. Williams, Alan J. Westbury