Patents by Inventor Neil Benjamin

Neil Benjamin 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: 11946017
    Abstract: The current invention relates to a method of separating polyunsaturated fatty acids containing lipids from a lipids containing biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignees: Evonik Operations GmbH, DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Manfred Bärz, Marc Beiser, Georg Borchers, Stephen Robert Cherinko, Mathias Dernedde, Michael Diehl, Xiao Daniel Dong, Jürgen Haberland, Michael Benjamin Johnson, Robert Cody Kertis, Jochen Lebert, Neil Francis Leininger, Kirt Lyvell Matthews, Sr., Holger Pfeifer, Christian Rabe, Shannon Elizabeth Ethier Resop, Ginger Marie Shank, Vinod Tarwade, David Allen Tinsley, Daniel Verkoeijen
  • Publication number: 20230081942
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses where a controller can automatically manage a physical infrastructure of a computer system based on a plurality of system rules, a system state for the computer system, and a plurality of templates. Techniques for automatically adding resources such as computer, storage, and/or networking resources to the computer system are described. Also described are techniques for automatically deploying applications and services on such resources. These techniques provide a scalable computer system that can serve as a turnkey scalable private cloud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Parker John Schmitt, Sean Michael Richardson, Neil Benjamin Semmel, Cameron Tyler Spry
  • Patent number: 11533311
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses where a controller can automatically manage a physical infrastructure of a computer system based on a plurality of system rules, a system state for the computer system, and a plurality of templates. Techniques for automatically adding resources such as computer, storage, and/or networking resources to the computer system are described. Also described are techniques for automatically deploying applications and services on such resources. These techniques provide a scalable computer system that can serve as a turnkey scalable private cloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Net-Thunder, LLC
    Inventors: Parker John Schmitt, Sean Michael Richardson, Neil Benjamin Semmel, Cameron Tyler Spry
  • Publication number: 20220174096
    Abstract: Systems and methods for deploying IT computer systems are disclosed. According to example embodiments, the system may include a controller that provisions and manages inter-related services within the system. As an example, clean up rules can be created and maintained to manage how modifications can be unwound in the event of a deletion of a service that has inter-dependencies with other services. According to additional example embodiments, the system may include a controller that provisions storage to compute resources and/or provisions and connects resources to cloud instances. Innovative techniques for backing up system components are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Parker John Schmitt, Sean Michael Richardson, Neil Benjamin Semmel, Cameron Tyler Spry, Arianna Osar
  • Publication number: 20220121502
    Abstract: A system can be configured to automatically deploy clusters of clusterable services. For example, controller can deploy a plurality of copies of an application, and these applications can interdepend on each other. The controller can also configure a scheduler to manage (which may include load balancing) these applications. A service template used by the controller can include clustering rules, and these clustering rules can tell the controller how to connect those services. The clustering rules can be a set of logic instructions and/or templates that provide for the deployment of a service to a plurality of resources. Coupling instructions in the clustering rules define the coordination and interaction of separately booked physical and/or virtual resources and set up dependencies. The clustering rules define the use of information to scale up or scale down resources being used by a service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Parker John Schmitt, Sean Michael Richardson, Neil Benjamin Semmel, Cameron Tyler Spry, Arianna Osar, Kevin Cammack, Alec Ari
  • Publication number: 20220116394
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses where a controller can automatically manage a physical infrastructure of a computer system based on a plurality of system rules, a system state for the computer system, and a plurality of templates. Techniques for automatically adding resources such as computer, storage, and/or networking resources to the computer system are described. Also described are techniques for automatically deploying applications and services on such resources. These techniques provide a scalable computer system that can serve as a turnkey scalable private cloud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Parker John Schmitt, Sean Michael Richardson, Neil Benjamin Semmel, Cameron Tyler Spry
  • Patent number: 11212286
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses where a controller can automatically manage a physical infrastructure of a computer system based on a plurality of system rules, a system state for the computer system, and a plurality of templates. Techniques for automatically adding resources such as computer, storage, and/or networking resources to the computer system are described. Also described are techniques for automatically deploying applications and services on such resources. These techniques provide a scalable computer system that can serve as a turnkey scalable private cloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: NET-THUNDER, LLC
    Inventors: Parker John Schmitt, Sean Michael Richardson, Neil Benjamin Semmel, Cameron Tyler Spry
  • Patent number: 10770363
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate support for supporting a semiconductor substrate in a plasma processing chamber includes a heater array comprising thermal control elements operable to tune a spatial temperature profile on the semiconductor substrate, the thermal control elements defining heater zones each of which is powered by two or more power supply lines and two or more power return lines wherein each power supply line is connected to at least two of the heater zones and each power return line is connected to at least two of the heater zones. A power distribution circuit is mated to a baseplate of the substrate support, the power distribution circuit being connected to each power supply line and power return line of the heater array. A switching device is connected to the power distribution circuit to independently provide time-averaged power to each of the heater zones by time divisional multiplexing of a plurality of switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Keith William Gaff, Tom Anderson, Keith Comendant, Ralph Jan-Pin Lu, Paul Robertson, Eric A. Pape, Neil Benjamin
  • Patent number: 10720346
    Abstract: A substrate support in a semiconductor plasma processing apparatus, comprises multiple independently controllable thermal zones arranged in a scalable multiplexing layout, and electronics to independently control and power the thermal zones. A substrate support in which the substrate support is incorporated includes an electrostatic clamping electrode and a temperature controlled base plate. Methods for manufacturing the substrate support include bonding together ceramic or polymer sheets having thermal zones, power supply lines, power return lines and vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harmeet Singh, Keith Gaff, Neil Benjamin, Keith Comendant
  • Publication number: 20190334909
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses where a controller can automatically manage a physical infrastructure of a computer system based on a plurality of system rules, a system state for the computer system, and a plurality of templates. Techniques for automatically adding resources such as computer, storage, and/or networking resources to the computer system are described. Also described are techniques for automatically deploying applications and services on such resources. These techniques provide a scalable computer system that can serve as a turnkey scalable private cloud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Parker John Schmitt, Sean Michael Richardson, Neil Benjamin Semmel, Cameron Tyler Spry
  • Patent number: 10403475
    Abstract: A tunable multi-zone injection system for a plasma processing system for plasma processing of substrates such as semiconductor wafers. The injector can include an on-axis outlet supplying process gas at a first flow rate to a central zone and off-axis outlets supplying the same process gas at a second flow rate to an annular zone surrounding the central zone. The arrangement permits modification of gas delivery to meet the needs of a particular processing regime by allowing independent adjustment of the gas flow to multiple zones in the chamber. In addition, compared to consumable showerhead arrangements, a removably mounted gas injector can be replaced more easily and economically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Cooperberg, Vahid Vahedi, Douglas Ratto, Harmeet Singh, Neil Benjamin
  • Patent number: 10276348
    Abstract: A capacitively-coupled plasma (CCP) processing system having a plasma processing chamber for processing a substrate is provided. The capacitively-coupled Plasma (CCP) processing system includes an upper electrode and a lower electrode for processing the substrate, which is disposed on the lower electrode during plasma processing. The capacitively-coupled Plasma (CCP) processing system also includes an array of inductor coils arrangement configured to inductively sustain plasma in a gap between the upper electrode and the lower electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Alexei Marakhtanov, Eric A Hudson, Rajinder Dhindsa, Neil Benjamin
  • Patent number: 10236193
    Abstract: A substrate support is provided, is configured to support a substrate in a plasma processing chamber, and includes first, second and third insulative layers, conduits and leads. The first insulative layer includes heater zones arranged in rows and columns. The second insulative layer includes conductive vias. First ends of the conductive vias are connected respectively to the heater zones. Second ends of the conductive vias are connected respectively to power supply lines. The third insulative layer includes power return lines. The conduits extend through the second insulative layer and into the third insulative layer. The leads extend through the conduits and connect to the heater zones. The heater zones are connected to the power return lines by the leads and are configured to heat corresponding portions of the substrate to provide a predetermined temperature profile across the substrate during processing of the substrate in the plasma processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harmeet Singh, Keith Gaff, Neil Benjamin, Keith Comendant
  • Publication number: 20180374763
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate support for supporting a semiconductor substrate in a plasma processing chamber includes a heater array comprising thermal control elements operable to tune a spatial temperature profile on the semiconductor substrate, the thermal control elements defining heater zones each of which is powered by two or more power supply lines and two or more power return lines wherein each power supply line is connected to at least two of the heater zones and each power return line is connected to at least two of the heater zones. A power distribution circuit is mated to a baseplate of the substrate support, the power distribution circuit being connected to each power supply line and power return line of the heater array. A switching device is connected to the power distribution circuit to independently provide time-averaged power to each of the heater zones by time divisional multiplexing of a plurality of switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Keith William Gaff, Tom Anderson, Keith Comendant, Ralph Jan-Pin Lu, Paul Robertson, Eric A. Pape, Neil Benjamin
  • Patent number: 10153136
    Abstract: A feed tube for a substrate processing system includes an outer tube and a feed rod. The feed rod is arranged within the outer tube. The feed rod is arranged to provide radio frequency power to the substrate processing system and the outer tube provides a return for the radio frequency power. At least one conductor is routed within the feed rod. The conductor is arranged to provide electrical power to at least one component of the substrate processing system separate from the radio frequency power provided by the feed rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Augustino, John Drewery, Alex Paterson, Neil Benjamin
  • Patent number: 10049948
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate support for supporting a semiconductor substrate in a plasma processing chamber includes a heater array comprising thermal control elements operable to tune a spatial temperature profile on the semiconductor substrate, the thermal control elements defining heater zones each of which is powered by two or more power supply lines and two or more power return lines wherein each power supply line is connected to at least two of the heater zones and each power return line is connected to at least two of the heater zones. A power distribution circuit is mated to a baseplate of the substrate support, the power distribution circuit being connected to each power supply line and power return line of the heater array. A switching device is connected to the power distribution circuit to independently provide time-averaged power to each of the heater zones by time divisional multiplexing of a plurality of switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith William Gaff, Tom Anderson, Keith Comendant, Ralph Jan-Pin Lu, Paul Robertson, Eric A. Pape, Neil Benjamin
  • Patent number: 9997381
    Abstract: An edge ring assembly is disclosed for use in a plasma processing chamber, which includes an RF conductive ring positioned on an annular surface of a base plate and configured to surround an upper portion of the baseplate and extend underneath an outer edge of a wafer positioned on the upper surface of the baseplate, and a wafer edge protection ring positioned above an upper surface of the RF conductive ring and configured to extend over the outer edge of the wafer. The protection ring has an inner edge portion with a uniform thickness, which extends over the outer edge of the wafer, a conical upper surface extending outward from the inner edge portion to a horizontal upper surface, an inner annular recess which is positioned on the upper surface of the RF conductive and configured to extend over the outer edge of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian McMillin, Arthur Sato, Neil Benjamin
  • Patent number: 9824904
    Abstract: A chuck for a plasma processor comprises a temperature-controlled base, a thermal insulator, a flat support, and a heater. The temperature-controlled base is controlled in operation a temperature below the desired temperature of a workpiece. The thermal insulator is disposed over at least a portion of the temperature-controlled base. The flat support holds a workpiece and is disposed over the thermal insulator. A heater is embedded within the flat support and/or mounted to an underside of the flat support. The heater includes a plurality of heating elements that heat a plurality of corresponding heating zones. The power supplied and/or temperature of each heating element is controlled independently. The heater and flat support have a combined temperature rate change of at least 1° C. per second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil Benjamin, Robert Steger
  • Patent number: 9775194
    Abstract: A heating plate for a substrate support assembly in a semiconductor plasma processing apparatus, comprises multiple independently controllable heater zones arranged in a scalable multiplexing layout, and electronics to independently control and power the heater zones. A substrate support assembly in which the heating plate is incorporated includes an electrostatic clamping electrode and a temperature controlled base plate. Methods for manufacturing the heating plate include bonding together ceramic or polymer sheets having heater zones, branch transmission lines, common transmission lines and vias. The heating plate is capable of being driven by AC current or direct current phase alternating power, which has an advantage of minimizing DC magnetic field effects above the substrate support assembly and reduce plasma non-uniformity caused by DC magnetic fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Pease, Neil Benjamin
  • Patent number: RE47276
    Abstract: System and method for providing isolated power to a component that is also subject a set of RF signals that includes at least a first RF signal having a first RF frequency is provided. There is included providing a DC voltage signal and modulating the DC voltage signal into an isolated power signal using an isolation transformer. The isolated power signal has an intermediate frequency that is higher than 60 Hz and lower than the first RF frequency. There is included supplying the DC voltage signal to the primary winding and obtaining the isolated power signal from the secondary winding; and delivering the isolated power to the component using the isolated power signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: Neil Benjamin