Patents by Inventor Stephen Benson
Stephen Benson 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: 20240141987Abstract: A method is proposed to complete a power-on upshift while a vehicle encounters wheel slip conditions such as driving in loose sand. The wheels slip conditions may be detected based on a maximum rate of change of an output shaft exceeding a threshold. In response to the wheel slip conditions, one or more shift parameters may be adjusted to bias the shift toward a tie-up and decrease the chance of a flare. These modified shift parameters may include an increased stroke pressure, a delayed off-going clutch release timing, and an increased ratio change capacity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2022Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Cory Benson LaRoche, Bradley Dean Riedle, Stephen Michael Cicala, Jianping Zhang
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Patent number: 11964797Abstract: A container may include a generally hollow body configured for holding a liquid and including a spout. A spout cap may be configured for removable engagement with the spout. The spout cap may include an inner boss and an outer boss in fluid communication with the inner boss. The inner boss may include an annular skirt disposed within an interior space of the spout cap. The outer boss may be configured to receive a connector of a hose assembly. A filter may have a connecting portion configured for removable insertion into the inner boss. The filter and the spout cap may form a fluid flow path from the body through the spout. Related filters, hose assemblies, and kits are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2023Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Turn 3 Holdings LLCInventors: Andrew Stephen Burns, Jr., Michael Thomas Benson
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Patent number: 11957163Abstract: The invention provides an article, such as an aerosol-generating smoking article that does not combust tobacco, that includes a tobacco rod and a filter element connected to the tobacco rod, the filter element having an end proximal to the tobacco rod and an end distal from the tobacco rod, wherein the filter element includes a first section of filter material and a second section of filter material, and further includes a smoke-altering flavorant.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2020Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyInventors: Steven Lee Alderman, Leigh Ann Blevins Joyce, Stephen Benson Sears, Kenneth Allen Beard, Timothy Brian Nestor
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Publication number: 20240114946Abstract: The present disclosure provides aerosol generating substrates and aerosol source members comprising aerosol generating substrates, as well as methods of manufacturing thereof. In an example implementation, an aerosol generating substrate may comprise a fibrous filler material, an aerosol forming material, and a plurality of heat conducting constituents, wherein the substrate is formed as a sheet, and wherein the heat conducting constituents are part of the sheet. The heat conducting constituents may be incorporated within the sheet, or may be formed on a surface of the sheet. In another example implementation, an aerosol source member may comprise a substrate portion formed of a collection of intermingled pieces cut from an aerosol substrate sheet. In addition, or alternatively, a substrate portion may be formed of a series of overlapping layers of an aerosol substrate sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Andries Sebastian, Stephen Benson Sears, Billy Tyrone Connor, Rajesh Sur, S. Keith Cole, Thaddeus Jackson, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Paul E. Braxton, Curtis Foster Doe, Vahid Hejazi, Kathryn Lynn Wilberding
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Publication number: 20240108076Abstract: Smoking articles, and methods for forming such smoking articles, such as an electronic smoking article, are provided. An exemplary smoking article comprises a control body portion having a control body engagement end, and having a first control component therein. A cartridge body portion includes a cartridge body engagement end configured to removably engage the control body engagement end of the control body portion. The cartridge body portion further includes a consumable arrangement comprising at least an aerosol precursor composition and at least one heating element operably engaged therewith, and a second control component. At least the consumable arrangement is configured to be in communication with the first control component upon engagement between the cartridge body and control body portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Stephen Benson Sears, Timothy Brian Nestor, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Steven Lee Alderman, Michael Ryan Galloway, Quentin Paul Guenther, JR., Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Raymond C. Henry, JR., Allen Michael East
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Publication number: 20240108844Abstract: A humidification system can include a heater base, a humidification chamber, and a breathing circuit. A cartridge can be removably coupled to the heater base. The cartridge can include various sensors, probes, sensor wire connectors, heater wire connectors, and/or other features. The cartridge can include features configured to mate with corresponding features on the humidification chamber and the heater base. The cartridge includes a memory, such as an EEPROM, or other suitable storage device. When the cartridge is installed on the heater base, the memory is electrically connected to a processor and/or memory of the heater base. Various models of cartridges can be produced for use with different humidification chambers, breathing circuits, and/or therapies. A connector can be configured to couple an inspiratory conduit to an outlet port of the humidification chamber. The connector can provide a pneumatic connection to the outlet port and an electrical connection to the cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Hamish Adrian OSBORNE, Gavin Walsh Millar, Stephen David Evans, Bruce Gordon Holyoake, James William Stanton, David Leon McCauley, Gareth Thomas McDermott, Nicholas James Michael McKenna, Myfanwy Jane Antica Norton, Adrian John Elsworth, Michael John Andresen, Jonathan Andrew George Lambert, Sandeep Singh Gurm, Tessa Hazel Paris, Joseph Nathaniel Griffiths, Ping Si, Christopher Gareth Sims, Elmo Benson Stoks, Dexter Chi Lun Cheung, Peter Alan Seekup, Po-Yen Liu, Richard Edward Lang, Paul James Tonkin, Ian Lee Wai Kwan
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Publication number: 20240099375Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods of forming such devices, and elements of such devices. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a heating member that can be formed of a heating element conformed to a heater substrate configured as a truncated cone (or similar shape) having a first end of a first size and a second end of greater size. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides methods of forming an aerosol delivery device, which can include providing a shell, providing a heating member formed of a heating element conformed to a substrate, configuring the heating member as a truncated cone (or similar shape) having a first end of a first size and a second end of greater size, and inserting the heating member within the shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.Inventors: Karen V. Taluskie, Stephen Benson Sears, Eric Taylor Hunt, William Robert Collett, Yi-ping Chang, Kristen Dodds Weight, Jeffrey A. Karg, Graham P. Eacock, Matthew C. Ebbs, Robert C. Uschold, Walker MacLaughlin Sloan, III
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Patent number: 11932254Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission, and a controller. The engine is configured to generate power. The transmission is configured to transfer power from the engine to at least one drive wheel to propel the vehicle. The controller is programmed to, in response to a command to shift the transmission and a corresponding command to decrease a torque of the engine to less than a threshold corresponding to a spark retard limit during the shift, (i) increase the pressure of an oncoming clutch to engage the oncoming clutch, (ii) retard an engine spark at the spark retard limit to reduce the torque of the engine to the threshold during the engagement of the oncoming clutch, and (iii) shutdown at least one cylinder of the engine to further reduce the torque of the engine to less than the threshold during the engagement of the oncoming clutch.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Cory Benson LaRoche, Stephen Michael Cicala, Jianping Zhang, Bradley Dean Riedle, Jesse D. L. Brunais, Michael Simon, Leonard Dziubinschi
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Publication number: 20240090086Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The cartridge may include a base, a reservoir substrate, and an atomizer. The reservoir substrate may define a cavity therethrough. The atomizer may comprise a liquid transport element and a heating element extending at least partially about the liquid transport element. The atomizer may extend through the cavity through the reservoir substrate such that the heating element is positioned proximate an end of the reservoir substrate. Ends of the liquid transport element may extend to an opposing end of the reservoir substrate. A related method for assembling a cartridge for a smoking article is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: John DePiano, David Smith, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Frank S. Silveira, Steven Lee Alderman, Grady Lance Dooly, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Timothy Brian Nestor, Quentin Paul Guenther, JR., Stephen Benson Sears, John William Wolber, Michael Laine
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Publication number: 20240065330Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods of forming such devices, and elements of such devices. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a heating member that can be formed of a heating element conformed to a heater substrate configured as a truncated cone (or similar shape) having a first end of a first size and a second end of greater size. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides methods of forming an aerosol delivery device, which can include providing a shell, providing a heating member formed of a heating element conformed to a substrate, configuring the heating member as a truncated cone (or similar shape) having a first end of a first size and a second end of greater size, and inserting the heating member within the shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INCInventors: Karen V. Taluskie, Stephen Benson Sears, Eric Taylor Hunt, William Robert Collett, Yi-ping Chang, Kristen Dodds Weight, Jeffrey A. Karg, Graham P. Eacock, Matthew C. Ebbs, Robert C. Uschold, Walker MacLaughlin Sloan, III
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Publication number: 20240065318Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices and related methods of delivering aerosol to a user. The aerosol delivery devices may include a housing providing multiple aerosol pathways having a mouth-end opening through which aerosol can be inhaled by a user, the housing defining a first aerosol delivery pathway in fluid communication with the mouth-end opening and a second aerosol delivery pathway separate from the first aerosol delivery pathway and in fluid communication with the mouth-end opening. An atomizer including a heating element or piezoelectric element and a liquid transport element in fluid communication with an aerosol precursor composition is provided in fluid communication with the first aerosol delivery pathway. A flavorant-infused material is positioned within the second aerosol delivery pathway and adapted to produce a second aerosol upon contact between the flavorant-infused material and flowing air.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Sawyer Hubbard, Eric Taylor Hunt, Karen V. Taluskie, Stephen Benson Sears, Donna Walker Duggins, Michael F. Davis
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Publication number: 20240041115Abstract: A smoking article is provided, having a component housing including a power source, and a tubular housing having a first end and a longitudinally-opposed second end, wherein the first or second end is configured to receive the component housing. The tubular housing includes an outer wall defining a cylindrical cavity. An aerosol-generating element is configured to be received within the cylindrical cavity, wherein the aerosol-generating element is configured to produce an aerosol in response to heat. An associated aerosol-generating element and related production methods are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Alfred Charles Bless, Michael Andrew Liberti, Stephen Benson Sears
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Patent number: 11882867Abstract: The present disclosure provides aerosol generating substrates and aerosol source members comprising aerosol generating substrates, as well as methods of manufacturing thereof. In an example implementation, an aerosol generating substrate may comprise a fibrous filler material, an aerosol forming material, and a plurality of heat conducting constituents, wherein the substrate is formed as a sheet, and wherein the heat conducting constituents are part of the sheet. The heat conducting constituents may be incorporated within the sheet, or may be formed on a surface of the sheet. In another example implementation, an aerosol source member may comprise a substrate portion formed of a collection of intermingled pieces cut from an aerosol substrate sheet. In addition, or alternatively, a substrate portion may be formed of a series of overlapping layers of an aerosol substrate sheet.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Andries Sebastian, Stephen Benson Sears, Billy Tyrone Conner, Rajesh Sur, S. Keith Cole, Thaddeus Jackson, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Paul E. Braxton, Curtis Foster Doe, Vahid Hejazi, Kathryn Lynn Wilberding
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Patent number: 11873091Abstract: An example UAV landing structure includes a landing platform for a UAV, a cavity within the landing platform, and a track that runs along the landing platform and at least a part of the cavity. The UAV may include a winch system that includes a tether that may be coupled to a payload. Furthermore, the cavity may be aligned over a predetermined target location. The cavity may be sized to allow the winch system to pass a tethered payload through the cavity. The track may guide the UAV to a docked position over the cavity as the UAV moves along the landing platform. When the UAV is in the docked position, a payload may be loaded to or unloaded from the UAV through the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: WING AVIATION LLCInventors: Jesse Blake, Jim Schmalzried, Trevor Shannon, Michael Simonian, Sindre Klepp, Stephen Benson, Adam Woodworth
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Patent number: 11871484Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The cartridge may include a base, a reservoir substrate, and an atomizer. The reservoir substrate may define a cavity therethrough. The atomizer may comprise a liquid transport element and a heating element extending at least partially about the liquid transport element. The atomizer may extend through the cavity through the reservoir substrate such that the heating element is positioned proximate an end of the reservoir substrate. Ends of the liquid transport element may extend to an opposing end of the reservoir substrate. A related method for assembling a cartridge for a smoking article is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.Inventors: John DePiano, David Smith, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Frank S. Silveira, Steven Lee ALderman, Grady Lance Dooly, Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Timothy Brian Nestor, Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr., Stephen Benson Sears, John William Wolber, Michael Laine
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Patent number: 11856997Abstract: Smoking articles, and methods for forming such smoking articles, such as an electronic smoking article, are provided. An exemplary smoking article comprises a control body portion having a control body engagement end, and having a first control component therein. A cartridge body portion includes a cartridge body engagement end configured to removably engage the control body engagement end of the control body portion. The cartridge body portion further includes a consumable arrangement comprising at least an aerosol precursor composition and at least one heating element operably engaged therewith, and a second control component. At least the consumable arrangement is configured to be in communication with the first control component upon engagement between the cartridge body and control body portions.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2020Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.Inventors: Stephen Benson Sears, Timothy Brian Nestor, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Steven Lee Alderman, Michael Ryan Galloway, Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr., Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Raymond C. Henry, Jr., Allen Michael East
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Patent number: 11851176Abstract: An example method of manufacturing a wing includes providing a wing frame. The wing frame includes a primary spar, a drag spar, a plurality of transverse frame elements having at least one spar joiner, and a plurality of mounting elements. The primary spar is coupled to the drag spar via the at least one spar joiner. The method further includes placing the wing frame into a mold, wherein the mold defines a shape of the wing. The method also includes injecting the mold with an air-filled matrix material, such that the air-filled matrix material substantially encases the wing frame and fills the defined shape of the wing, and such that the plurality of transverse frame elements provide torsional rigidity to the wing.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: WING AVIATION LLCInventors: Adam Woodworth, Adem Rudin, Stephen Benson
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Publication number: 20230381433Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device that includes a reservoir housing that defines a mouthpiece channel. The aerosol delivery device includes a sealing member configured to be received within the reservoir housing to define a reservoir chamber configured to retain an aerosol precursor composition therein. The aerosol delivery device also includes a substrate member that is configured to be received within the reservoir housing and to be directly engaged with a vaporizing assembly for forming an aerosol. The reservoir housing, sealing member, substrate member, and/or vaporizing assembly can be used for forming aerosols with precise and reproducible compositions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Eric Taylor Hunt, Timothy Brian Nestor, Paul Andrew Brinkley, Stephen Benson Sears, John DePiano, Matthew C. Ebbs, Kristen Dodds Weight, Michael F. Davis
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Patent number: 11819060Abstract: A smoking article is provided, having a component housing including a power source, and a tubular housing having a first end and a longitudinally-opposed second end, wherein the first or second end is configured to receive the component housing. The tubular housing includes an outer wall defining a cylindrical cavity. An aerosol-generating element is configured to be received within the cylindrical cavity, wherein the aerosol-generating element is configured to produce an aerosol in response to heat. An associated aerosol-generating element and related production methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Alfred Charles Bless, Michael Andrew Liberti, Stephen Benson Sears
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Patent number: D1017407Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2023Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Turn 3 Holdings LLCInventors: Andrew Stephen Burns, Jr., Michael Thomas Benson