Patents by Inventor Robert B. Schlak
Robert B. Schlak 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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Publication number: 20240146063Abstract: A power distribution unit (PDU) of a disclosed embodiment comprises a configurable PDU architecture providing phase redundancy. The configurable PDU architecture comprises a switch bank having power inputs Phase A, Phase B, Phase C, and Neutral and providing respective phase outputs to respective connected loads. A switching control receives sense inputs and provides configuration controls to the switch bank. The switch bank switches in an alternate phase input when a primary phase fails providing phase redundancy and continued reliable operations with the loss of a single input phase. The PDU of one or more disclosed embodiments enables universal input power configurations including Single phase, Delta, and Wye configurations.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2022Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Robert B. SCHLAK, Enver CANDAN, Brian Charles TUCKER, Michael Joshua ARLAN
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Patent number: 11121569Abstract: A state-of-charge (SOC) circuit makes a continuous contact with terminals of a battery and monitors voltage of the battery to detect that the battery has an SOC greater than a threshold SOC. In response, the SOC circuit establishes a state of an SOC indicator to indicate that the battery has an SOC greater than the threshold SOC. The threshold SOC corresponds to an SOC of the battery for storing or transporting the battery, and can correspond to a governmental regulatory or commercial SOC. A container for storing and/or transporting a battery includes an SOC circuit and SOC indicator to detect and indicate that a battery, held in the container, has an SOC greater than the threshold SOC. A method uses an SOC circuit and SOC indicator to detect and indicate that a battery has an SOC greater than the threshold SOC.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2018Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: John S. Werner, Kenneth Arenella, Arkadiy O. Tsfasman, Byron S. Green, Robert B. Schlak
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Patent number: 11081738Abstract: An apparatus for cooling and containing packaged battery cells includes a first structure disposed on a printed circuit board for encasing a first battery cell, the first battery cell being electrically coupled to the circuit board, the first structure includes an external surface and an internal surface defining a first cavity in which the first battery cell is located. The apparatus further includes a first seal surrounding the first battery cell between the printed circuit board coupled to the first structure. The apparatus further includes a first thermal interface material located in the first cavity, wherein a first portion of the first thermal interface material is thermally coupled to an interior surface and a second portion of the first thermal interface material is thermally coupled to the first battery cell. The apparatus further includes a plurality of heatsink fins located on the external surface of the first structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2018Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Robert B. Schlak, Noah Singer, John Torok, Xiaojin Wei, Mitchell Zapotoski
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Patent number: 10957946Abstract: Described herein are techniques for battery management. The techniques include a method comprising initializing a battery management system (BMS) associated with a battery and calculating a degraded battery capacity by charging the battery from a first voltage threshold to a test voltage threshold, discharging the battery from the test voltage threshold to the first voltage threshold, collecting measurements of discharge capacity at predetermined voltage measurement points while discharging the battery from the test voltage threshold to the first voltage threshold, generating a polynomial fit function for discharge capacity as a function of voltage for the battery based on the measuring, and estimating the degraded battery capacity. The method further includes charging the battery based on the degraded battery capacity, the charging resulting in the battery maintaining an updated voltage threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Xing Li, Robert B Schlak, Richard John Fishbune
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Publication number: 20210050631Abstract: Described herein are techniques for battery management. The techniques include a method comprising initializing a battery management system (BMS) associated with a battery and calculating a degraded battery capacity by charging the battery from a first voltage threshold to a test voltage threshold, discharging the battery from the test voltage threshold to the first voltage threshold, collecting measurements of discharge capacity at predetermined voltage measurement points while discharging the battery from the test voltage threshold to the first voltage threshold, generating a polynomial fit function for discharge capacity as a function of voltage for the battery based on the measuring, and estimating the degraded battery capacity. The method further includes charging the battery based on the degraded battery capacity, the charging resulting in the battery maintaining an updated voltage threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2019Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Xing Li, Robert B. Schlak, Richard John Fishbune
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Patent number: 10797359Abstract: An air plenum assembly includes a first plenum for cooling, where the first plenum includes an inlet for air intake located at a first side of the first plenum. The air plenum assembly further includes a second plenum for exhausting heated air, where the second plenum includes an outlet for exhausting air located at a first side of the second plenum. The air plenum assembly further includes a first aperture located on a first side of the first plenum for directing air from the inlet at the first side of the first plenum to a first compartment and includes a first vent located on a first side of the second plenum for exhausting air away from the first compartment towards the outlet at the first side of the second plenum. The first compartment is isolated from surrounding battery compartments by at least two thermal separators.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2019Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Noah Singer, John Torok, Robert B. Schlak, Xiaojin Wei, Mitchell Zapotoski
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Patent number: 10700466Abstract: A connector system that includes first and second connector components. The first connector component includes a female connector. The second connector component includes a male connector having blades for insertion into the female connector; an enclosure enclosing the male connector and having an open end wherein the blades of the male connector face the open end; a locked shield within the open end of the enclosure to obscure the blades and to prevent contact with the blades; and an actuator to unlock the locked shield. Upon insertion of the first connector component into the enclosure, the first connector component causes the actuator to unlock the locked shield and upon further insertion of the first connector component into the enclosure, the first connector component opens the unlocked shield away from the male connector to expose the blades and to allow the female connector to engage the blades of the male connector.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2018Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: William L. Brodsky, Robert B. Schlak, Noah B. Singer, Mitchell L. Zapotoski
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Patent number: 10649933Abstract: A device to detect a select state and initiate a function based on detecting the select state. The device receives a signal sent over a bus to be used to communicate between one component of one unit and another component of another unit. The bus is defined based on a selected protocol, and the device is configured to communicate with the other component of the other unit. A determination is made as to whether the signal represents a select state, the select state being an unintended state of the bus. Based on determining that the signal represents the select state, a function is initiated.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2019Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Mark L. DeMarie, Robert B. Schlak, David Fratzke
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Patent number: 10643037Abstract: A displacement sensor that includes a stationary printed circuit board which includes a first capacitor pad, an indicator, and a battery electrically communicating with the first capacitor pad and the indicator and a sliding card which includes a second capacitor pad, the first capacitor pad and the second capacitor pad being orientated to face each other and in an overlapping relation to each other. An overlap being defined by the first capacitor pad and the second capacitor pad, wherein the overlap of the first capacitor pad and the second capacitor pad generates a capacitance, the generated capacitance changes as the sliding card moves as a result of a change in the overlap of the first capacitor pad and the second capacitor pad. The indicator is activated when the generated capacitance change reaches a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Matteo Cocchini, Robert K. Mullady, Budy D. Notohardjono, Jacob T. Porter, Kenneth Scea, Robert B. Schlak
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Publication number: 20200132746Abstract: Monitoring seating of a cable connector within a socket is provided by associating a seating monitor with the socket. The seating monitor includes an actuator and a detector. The actuator is partially exposed within the socket, and is engaged by the connector and moved from a cable unplugged position to a cable plugged position with seating of the connector within the socket. The detector monitors seating of the connector within the socket based on position of the actuator. The detector includes a fixed member fixedly positioned within the detector, and a slidable member slidable relative to the fixed member. The slidable member is coupled to the actuator to slide with movement of the actuator. The detector circuit generates a signal representative of position of the slidable member relative to the fixed member, and thus, representative of position of the cable connector within the socket.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Robert K. MULLADY, Matteo COCCHINI, Jacob T. PORTER, Budy D. NOTOHARDJONO, Robert B. SCHLAK, Kenneth SCEA
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Publication number: 20200136298Abstract: A connector system that includes first and second connector components. The first connector component includes a female connector. The second connector component includes a male connector having blades for insertion into the female connector; an enclosure enclosing the male connector and having an open end wherein the blades of the male connector face the open end; a locked shield within the open end of the enclosure to obscure the blades and to prevent contact with the blades; and an actuator to unlock the locked shield. Upon insertion of the first connector component into the enclosure, the first connector component causes the actuator to unlock the locked shield and upon further insertion of the first connector component into the enclosure, the first connector component opens the unlocked shield away from the male connector to expose the blades and to allow the female connector to engage the blades of the male connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: William L. Brodsky, Robert B. Schlak, Noah B. Singer, Mitchell L. Zapotoski
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Patent number: 10630084Abstract: Battery management systems and methods for optimizing and extending the service life of a battery generally include subjecting the battery to a test cycle that appropriately sets the state of charge for the battery to less than the nominal capacity of the battery, i.e., to less than 100% state of charge. The state of charge of other batteries in the system not being tested can be increased to insure that the system battery capacity is not degraded during the test cycle. Periodic testing of the battery and adjusting the state of charge maintains an optimal state of charge as the battery ages. Batteries that do not meet the required capacity can be readily identified and replaced on demand.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Richard J. Fishbune, Xing Li, Robert B. Schlak
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Patent number: 10615710Abstract: Electric power devices and control methods are provided which automatically select a line voltage or phase voltage of an AC voltage supply. The electric power device includes a switchable circuit, a sensor and a switch control. The switchable circuit connects to the AC voltage supply, and includes multiple switchable elements. The sensor ascertains a voltage level of the AC voltage supply, and the switch control automatically establishes a configuration of the switchable circuit through control of the multiple switchable elements. The switch control couples the electric power device in a line-line (delta) configuration to the AC voltage supply when the voltage level is in a first voltage range, and a line-neutral (wye) configuration when the voltage level is in a second voltage range.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2019Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Steven J. Ahladas, Kevin R. Covi, Luke L. Jenkins, Robert B. Schlak
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Patent number: 10587204Abstract: Electric power devices and control methods are provided which automatically select a line voltage or phase voltage of an AC voltage supply. The electric power device includes a switchable circuit, a sensor and a switch control. The switchable circuit connects to the AC voltage supply, and includes multiple switchable elements. The sensor ascertains a voltage level of the AC voltage supply, and the switch control automatically establishes a configuration of the switchable circuit through control of the multiple switchable elements. The switch control couples the electric power device in a line-line (delta) configuration to the AC voltage supply when the voltage level is in a first voltage range, and a line-neutral (wye) configuration when the voltage level is in a second voltage range.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2019Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Steven J. Ahladas, Kevin R. Covi, Luke L. Jenkins, Robert B. Schlak
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Publication number: 20190312447Abstract: A state-of-charge (SOC) circuit can activate an SOC indicator in response to detecting that a charge-storing device has an SOC exceeding a threshold SOC. The SOC circuit can deactivate the SOC indicator in response to detecting that the charge-storing device does not exceed a threshold SOC. The SOC circuit can minimally discharge a charge-storing device that does not exceed the threshold SOC. A container can include a retainer for a charge-storing device and an associated SOC circuit and SOC indicator. The SOC indicator can be observable external to the container. A method for indicating SOC of a charge-storing device can activate an indicator in response to a charge-storing having a voltage exceeding a threshold voltage, and deactivating the indicator in response to the charge-storing having a voltage that does not exceed the threshold voltage. The method can further include minimally discharging the charge-storing device below the threshold voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2018Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: John S. Werner, Kenneth Arenella, Arkadiy O. Tsfasman, Byron S. Green, Robert B. Schlak
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Publication number: 20190296402Abstract: An air plenum assembly includes a first plenum for cooling, where the first plenum includes an inlet for air intake located at a first side of the first plenum. The air plenum assembly further includes a second plenum for exhausting heated air, where the second plenum includes an outlet for exhausting air located at a first side of the second plenum. The air plenum assembly further includes a first aperture located on a first side of the first plenum for directing air from the inlet at the first side of the first plenum to a first compartment and includes a first vent located on a first side of the second plenum for exhausting air away from the first compartment towards the outlet at the first side of the second plenum. The first compartment is isolated from surrounding battery compartments by at least two thermal separators.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: Noah Singer, John Torok, Robert B. Schlak, Xiaojin Wei, Mitchell Zapotoski
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Publication number: 20190280354Abstract: An apparatus for containing battery cells includes a containment structure disposed on a printed circuit board for encasing a first battery cell, the first battery cell being electrically coupled to the printed circuit board, the containment structure being a first blast plate structure coupled a first blast tube structure. The apparatus further includes the first blast tube structure partially surrounding the first battery cell, where a bottom surface of a first end of the first blast tube structure is coupled to a top portion of the printed circuit board. The apparatus further includes the first blast plate structure coupled to a top surface of a second end of the first blast tube structure. The apparatus further includes a first thermal interface material at least partially surrounding the first battery cell, where the first thermal interface material is located between the first battery cell and the first blast tube structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2018Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Robert B. Schlak, Noah Singer, John Torok, Xiaojin Wei, Mitchell Zapotoski
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Publication number: 20190280352Abstract: An apparatus for cooling and containing packaged battery cells includes a first structure disposed on a printed circuit board for encasing a first battery cell, the first battery cell being electrically coupled to the circuit board, the first structure includes an external surface and an internal surface defining a first cavity in which the first battery cell is located. The apparatus further includes a first seal surrounding the first battery cell between the printed circuit board coupled to the first structure. The apparatus further includes a first thermal interface material located in the first cavity, wherein a first portion of the first thermal interface material is thermally coupled to an interior surface and a second portion of the first thermal interface material is thermally coupled to the first battery cell. The apparatus further includes a plurality of heatsink fins located on the external surface of the first structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2018Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Robert B. Schlak, Noah Singer, John Torok, Xiaojin Wei, Mitchell Zapotoski
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Patent number: 10374263Abstract: An air plenum assembly includes a first plenum for cooling, where the first plenum includes an inlet for air intake located at a first side of the first plenum. The air plenum assembly further includes a second plenum for exhausting heated air, where the second plenum includes an outlet for exhausting air located at a first side of the second plenum. The air plenum assembly further includes a first aperture located on a first side of the first plenum for directing air from the inlet at the first side of the first plenum to a first compartment and includes a first vent located on a first side of the second plenum for exhausting air away from the first compartment towards the outlet at the first side of the second plenum. The first compartment is isolated from surrounding battery compartments by at least two thermal separators.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Noah Singer, John Torok, Robert B. Schlak, Xiaojin Wei, Mitchell Zapotoski
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Patent number: 10374264Abstract: An air plenum assembly includes a first plenum for cooling, where the first plenum includes an inlet for air intake located at a first side of the first plenum. The air plenum assembly further includes a second plenum for exhausting heated air, where the second plenum includes an outlet for exhausting air located at a first side of the second plenum. The air plenum assembly further includes a first aperture located on a first side of the first plenum for directing air from the inlet at the first side of the first plenum to a first compartment and includes a first vent located on a first side of the second plenum for exhausting air away from the first compartment towards the outlet at the first side of the second plenum. The first compartment is isolated from surrounding battery compartments by at least two thermal separators.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Noah Singer, John Torok, Robert B. Schlak, Xiaojin Wei, Mitchell Zapotoski