Dennis L Floyd

Title: Dennis L. Floyd: Inventor of Configuration-Based Cooling Fan Control

Introduction

Dennis L. Floyd is an inventor associated with Fort Collins, Colorado, and Hewlett-Packard Company. His work includes a patented approach to controlling cooling fan speeds in computers and other heat-intensive electronic devices. The available information lists one patent for Floyd.

Latest Patents

Floyd’s listed patent, “Configuration Based Cooling Fan Speed Control,” describes a controller that uses an EEPROM and firmware to set cooling fan speeds. In manual mode, a speed selected by the computer’s manufacturer or service provider determines the fans’ starting speeds. In automatic mode, the controller detects the device configuration and retrieves suitable starting speeds from a fan-speed table stored in the EEPROM.

After selecting the lowest operating speeds, the controller adjusts fan speeds in response to temperature readings from an ambient air sensor. This approach is designed to limit audible fan noise while providing cooling as needed. It also allows manufacturers to program an appropriate fan-speed table into the controller at different stages of production, enabling the same fan type to serve in different electronic devices and applications.

Career Highlights

Floyd’s listed invention addresses the practical challenge of balancing device cooling with noise reduction. Its configurable design gives manufacturers flexibility to adapt fan behavior to a device’s configuration and intended use.

Collaborations

Floyd’s listed coworkers include Donna E. Ott and John P. Hoppal. The available information identifies Hewlett-Packard Company as his company affiliation.

Conclusion

Dennis L. Floyd’s patent presents a configurable method for managing cooling fan speeds, helping electronic devices respond to temperature demands while keeping fan noise low.