Patents by Inventor Tyler B. Duncan
Tyler B. Duncan 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: 10772241Abstract: Cooling system of modular data center (MDC) has air handling unit (AHU) that circulates cooling air through information technology (IT) module(s). Transducer(s) sense first air characteristic value of cooling air directed to IT module(s) of MDC, the value being selected one of: (i) temperature value; and (ii) humidity value. AHU controller determines whether first air characteristic value satisfies first air characteristic criterion of one of: (i) a temperature value equal to or greater than minimum temperature threshold; and (ii) a humidity value equal to or less than maximum humidity threshold. In response to determining that first air characteristic criterion is not satisfied, AHU controller triggers supplemental heater to warm cooling air before cooling air comes into contact with IT module(s) inside of MDC to at least one of: (i) provide cooling air above minimum operating temperature of components within IT module(s); and (ii) prevent condensation.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.Inventors: Mark M. Bailey, Tyler B. Duncan, Trey S. Wiederhold, Michael M. Toulouse
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Patent number: 10754494Abstract: A large-scale information handling system (LIHS) includes a plurality of nodes each having at least one functional component. An Interactive, Component-Level Visual Monitoring and Control (ICVMC) system displays on a graphical user interface (GUI) of a display device a selected one of the different levels of visual representations of a plurality of nodes, including a system level, node levels, sub-node levels, and component levels. The ICVMC system displays a control affordance on the display device, receives a selection of the control affordance from a user input component that is capable of manipulating and/or interfacing with one or more items on the GUI, and performs a control action to an identical functional component in each of the plurality of nodes in response to the selection of the control affordance.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2015Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.Inventors: Tyler B. Duncan, Ty R. Schmitt, Anthony P. Middleton
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Patent number: 10736231Abstract: A data center may be organized into modules, wherein the modules are purchased pre-configured to provide certain functionality of an information handling system. The modules may include utility modules, information technology (IT) modules, and air handling unit (AHU) modules. The utility module may provide infrastructure for other modules, such as electrical power service infrastructure. The utility module may be passively cooled through openings to controlled environments in other modules. For example, the utility module may include openings for airflow to and from the warm air aisle and the cool air aisle of an information technology (IT) module that has an attached air handing unit (AHU) module. Space in the utility module may be cooled through airflow to and from the cooled IT module.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2016Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Mark Mcgrath Bailey, Trey S. Wiederhold, Tyler B. Duncan, Ty R. Schmitt
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Patent number: 10674638Abstract: One technique for improving cooling system efficiency is to operate cooling for a data center with a dynamic and distributed cooling system. A distributed cooling system may include multiple compressors operating cooperatively for cooling the data center. A dynamic cooling system may adjust operation of the compressors based on one or more parameters, such as inside temperature, outdoor temperature, inside humidity, outside humidity, and load on the data center. A dynamic cooling system may operate in a fail-on mode, adjusting the load placed on independent refrigeration circuits of an air handler system to compensate for a failure of one or more refrigeration circuits. By appropriately controlling speeds of the compressors, the power efficiency of the cooling system may be improved by ensuring that all activated compressors are operating within their efficient operating range.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2017Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Mark M. Bailey, Trey S. Wiederhold, Tyler B. Duncan
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Publication number: 20190327861Abstract: A cooling system, large-scale information handling system (LIHS), and method avoid vapor condensation in information technology (IT) modules by operating all air handling units (AHU) in the same mode of operation. An AHU supervisory controller of the cooling system determines whether a trigger condition exists that indicates a risk of vapor condensation in the at least one IT module within LIHS that is cooled by more than one AHU. Each AHU directs the intake of cooling air in a selected mode of operation from among: (i) an outside air mode; and (ii) a mechanically cooled air mode. In response to determining that the trigger condition exists, the AHU supervisory controller triggers all AHUs to operate in a mode of operation selected to avoid condensation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2018Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: TYLER B. DUNCAN, TREY S. WIEDERHOLD, MICHAEL M. TOULOUSE, TY R. SCHMITT
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Publication number: 20190327862Abstract: Cooling system of modular data center (MDC) has air handling unit (AHU) that circulates cooling air through information technology (IT) module(s). Transducer(s) sense first air characteristic value of cooling air directed to IT module(s) of MDC, the value being selected one of: (i) temperature value; and (ii) humidity value. AHU controller determines whether first air characteristic value satisfies first air characteristic criterion of one of: (i) a temperature value equal to or greater than minimum temperature threshold; and (ii) a humidity value equal to or less than maximum humidity threshold. In response to determining that first air characteristic criterion is not satisfied, AHU controller triggers supplemental heater to warm cooling air before cooling air comes into contact with IT module(s) inside of MDC to at least one of: (i) provide cooling air above minimum operating temperature of components within IT module(s); and (ii) prevent condensation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2018Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: MARK M. BAILEY, TYLER B. DUNCAN, TREY S. WIEDERHOLD, MICHAEL M. TOULOUSE
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Publication number: 20190323749Abstract: An automated refrigerant recharging system determines whether a cooling load parameter of a direct expansion (DX) cooling system that cools information technology (IT) modules of an information handling system (IHS) has reached a defined recharging threshold that results in a response of the pressure value for measurement by the pressure transducer. In response to the cooling load parameter being equal to or greater than the defined recharging threshold, a controller determines whether a pressure value of the refrigerant of the DX cooling system is less than a defined target pressure value corresponding to the defined recharging threshold. In response to determining that the pressure value of the refrigerant of the DX cooling system is less than the defined target pressure value, the controller autonomously opens a control valve to transfer refrigerant to the DX cooling system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2018Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: MICHAEL M. TOULOUSE, TYLER B. DUNCAN, TREY S. WIEDERHOLD
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Patent number: 10433466Abstract: A mixing module may be used in a modular data center to provide cooling of air by mixing exterior environment air with warm air exhausted from information handling systems in other modules of the modular data center. The mixing module may include a mixing aisle that provides a low-impedance path for warm and cool air to mix and for a homogenous air mass for cooling IT equipment. The mixing aisle may be divided into two portions separated by dampers to allow for control over the mixing of air in the mixing aisle. The dampers in the mixing aisle, as well as dampers on an intake and exhaust from the mix module, may be controlled to obtain a desired temperature and/or humidity level.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Mark Mcgrath Bailey, Trey S. Wiederhold, Tyler B. Duncan, Ty R. Schmitt
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Patent number: 10178794Abstract: A modular utility room a mobile enclosure is positionable adjacent to an information technology (IT) enclosure of a modular data center (MDC). One of a first and second equipment cabinet is selected for installing in the mobile enclosure. Each equipment cabinet contains functional equipment having a lower electrical coupling component that are connectable to substrate-installed conduits below the mobile enclosure and an upper electrical coupling component that connect to and support rack-based information handling systems (IHSs) in the IT enclosure. An interface panel is received in an interface panel opening in the mobile enclosure correspond to the selected equipment cabinet and will not receive the other equipment cabinet. The interface panel positions the lower electrical coupling over a conduit opening in alignment with a defined location relative to the mobile enclosure for alignment with the substrate-installed conduits at a deployed location of the mobile utility room.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2018Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.Inventors: Mark M. Bailey, Tyler B. Duncan, Trey S. Wiederhold, Ty R. Schmitt, Anthony P. Middleton
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Patent number: 10063629Abstract: An interactive component-level visual monitoring and control (ICVMC) system of a large-scale information handling system (LIHS) displays on a display device graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that include a visual representation of data centers (DCs) each having functional components operationally configured and interconnected in a system that operates based, at least in part, on one or more set points stored in respective registers. in response to receiving a user selection, ICVMC system changes set point/s respectively in registers in at least one DC based upon a test protocol or a locally-optimized operating protocol to obtain one of a test result and a local optimization of the at least one DC.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2015Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.Inventors: Tyler B. Duncan, Mark M. Bailey, Michael M. Toulouse
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Publication number: 20180213684Abstract: One technique for improving cooling system efficiency is to operate cooling for a data center with a dynamic and distributed cooling system. A distributed cooling system may include multiple compressors operating cooperatively for cooling the data center. A dynamic cooling system may adjust operation of the compressors based on one or more parameters, such as inside temperature, outdoor temperature, inside humidity, outside humidity, and load on the data center. A dynamic cooling system may operate in a fail-on mode, adjusting the load placed on independent refrigeration circuits of an air handler system to compensate for a failure of one or more refrigeration circuits. By appropriately controlling speeds of the compressors, the power efficiency of the cooling system may be improved by ensuring that all activated compressors are operating within their efficient operating range.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2017Publication date: July 26, 2018Applicant: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Mark M. Bailey, Trey S. Wiederhold, Tyler B. Duncan
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Patent number: 10009232Abstract: A controller of a large-scale information handling system (LIHS) includes a memory containing visual representations of architecture and sub-architecture associated with respective data center (DC) configurations. An interactive component-level visual monitoring and control (ICVMC) system includes a processor in communication with the component level monitors and the memory and includes an ICVMC module executing on the processor to receive identification information from one or more component-level monitors of a DC. The DC includes-functional components operationally configured and interconnected in a core architecture in a first DC configuration and monitored respectively by the one or more component-level monitors. The ICVMC module determines the first DC configuration and associated core architecture based on the received identification information.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2015Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.Inventors: Tyler B. Duncan, Michael M. Toulouse
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Publication number: 20180160570Abstract: One technique for improving cooling system efficiency is to operate cooling for a data center with a dynamic and distributed cooling system. A distributed cooling system may include multiple compressors operating cooperatively for cooling the data center. A dynamic cooling system may adjust operation of the compressors based on one or more parameters, such as inside temperature, outdoor temperature, inside humidity, outside humidity, and load on the data center. By appropriately controlling speeds of the compressors, the power efficiency of the cooling system may be improved by ensuring that all activated compressors are operating within their efficient operating range. By doing so, the cooling system may be controlled to obtain an approximately linear power consumption as a function of cooling load.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2016Publication date: June 7, 2018Applicant: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Mark Mcgrath Bailey, Trey S. Wiederhold, Tyler B. Duncan, Ty R. Schmitt
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Publication number: 20170367223Abstract: A mixing module may be used in a modular data center to provide cooling of air by mixing exterior environment air with warm air exhausted from information handling systems in other modules of the modular data center. The mixing module may include a mixing aisle that provides a low-impedance path for warm and cool air to mix and for a homogenous air mass for cooling IT equipment. The mixing aisle may be divided into two portions separated by dampers to allow for control over the mixing of air in the mixing aisle. The dampers in the mixing aisle, as well as dampers on an intake and exhaust from the mix module, may be controlled to obtain a desired temperature and/or humidity level.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2016Publication date: December 21, 2017Applicant: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Mark Mcgrath Bailey, Trey S. Wiederhold, Tyler B. Duncan, Ty R. Schmitt
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Publication number: 20170359922Abstract: A data center may be organized into modules, wherein the modules are purchased pre-configured to provide certain functionality of an information handling system. The modules may include utility modules, information technology (IT) modules, and air handling unit (AHU) modules. The utility module may provide infrastructure for other modules, such as electrical power service infrastructure. The utility module may be passively cooled through openings to controlled environments in other modules. For example, the utility module may include openings for airflow to and from the warm air aisle and the cool air aisle of an information technology (IT) module that has an attached air handing unit (AHU) module. Space in the utility module may be cooled through airflow to and from the cooled IT module.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2016Publication date: December 14, 2017Applicant: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Mark Mcgrath Bailey, Trey S. Wiederhold, Tyler B. Duncan, Ty R. Schmitt
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Publication number: 20160380850Abstract: A large-scale information handling system (LIHS) includes a plurality of nodes each having at least one functional component. An Interactive, Component-Level Visual Monitoring and Control (ICVMC) system displays on a graphical user interface (GUI) of a display device a selected one of the different levels of visual representations of a plurality of nodes, including a system level, node levels, sub-node levels, and component levels. The ICVMC system displays a control affordance on the display device, receives a selection of the control affordance from a user input component that is capable of manipulating and/or interfacing with one or more items on the GUI, and performs a control action to an identical functional component in each of the plurality of nodes in response to the selection of the control affordance.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2015Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Tyler B. Duncan, Ty R. Schmitt, Anthony P. Middleton
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Publication number: 20160380843Abstract: Interactive component-level visual monitoring and controlling an information handling system (IHS) includes displaying a visual representation of one of a plurality of different levels of the IHS based on a current level identified/selected on a graphical user interface (GUI). A current functional state is received of functional components of the IHS at each component level that are being monitored. A controller displays an operating status of at least one functional component on the physical representation at each level of the plurality of different levels. The operating status includes failed, malfunctioning state, and/or a check and/or repair operating state. In response to receiving a user input selecting a specific component level among the one or more levels that is different from a current level being displayed, the controller modifies the GUI to display the physical representation of the specific component level and identifying any components having the problem state.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2015Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Tyler B. Duncan, Ty R. Schmitt, Anthony P. Middleton, Mark M. Bailey
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Publication number: 20160380844Abstract: A controller of a large-scale information handling system (LIHS) includes a memory containing visual representations of architecture and sub-architecture associated with respective data center (DC) configurations. An interactive component-level visual monitoring and control (ICVMC) system includes a processor in communication with the component level monitors and the memory and includes an ICVMC module executing on the processor to receive identification information from one or more component-level monitors of a DC. The DC includes-functional components operationally configured and interconnected in a core architecture in a first DC configuration and monitored respectively by the one or more component-level monitors. The ICVMC module determines the first DC configuration and associated core architecture based on the received identification information.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2015Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Tyler B. Duncan, Michael M. Toulouse
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Publication number: 20160378314Abstract: An interactive component-level visual monitoring and control (ICVMC) system of a large-scale information handling system (LIHS) displays on a display device graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that include a visual representation of data centers (DCs) each having functional components operationally configured and interconnected in a system that operates based, at least in part, on one or more set points stored in respective registers. in response to receiving a user selection, ICVMC system changes set point/s respectively in registers in at least one DC based upon a test protocol or a locally-optimized operating protocol to obtain one of a test result and a local optimization of the at least one DC.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2015Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Tyler B. Duncan, Mark M. Bailey, Michael M. Toulouse
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Patent number: 7408773Abstract: An air shroud apparatus includes a base wall. A plurality of support walls extend from the base wall in a spaced apart orientation from each other. A component housing is defined between the support walls and the base wall. A reinforced section is located on the base wall and includes a reinforcing beam extending between the plurality of support walls and a plurality of reinforcing members extending between the base wall and the reinforcing beam and located in a spaced apart orientation between the plurality of support walls such that a plurality of air passageways are defined between the reinforcing beam and the reinforcing members. The air shroud may be coupled to an information handling system chassis in order to direct airflow from a fan in the chassis to components in the chassis.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Eric C. Wobig, David S. Thornton, Tyler B. Duncan