Patents by Inventor STUART B. BENEFIELD

STUART B. BENEFIELD 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: 11855341
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a capillary containing a eutectic conductive liquid (e.g., EGaIn) and an electrolyte (e.g., NaOH) that is integrated into a printed circuit board (PCB). In one embodiment, the PCB includes a capillary, a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a plurality of insulation layers, and a conductive layer. The capillary extends through the PCB. The capillary includes a side surface forming an annular cylinder. A eutectic conductive liquid and an electrolyte are disposed within an aperture formed by the side surface. An electrode extends through the side surface and contacts at least the eutectic conductive liquid or the electrolyte. The negative electrode is disposed at a first end of the capillary. The positive electrode is disposed at a second end of the capillary. The conductive layer is disposed between two of the plurality of insulation layers. The electrode forms an electrical connection with the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Connor, Joseph Kuczynski, Matthew Doyle, Stuart B. Benefield
  • Patent number: 11412612
    Abstract: Methods and structures are provided for implementing embedded wire repair for printed circuit board (PCB) constructs. A repair wire layer is provided within the PCB stack with reference planes on opposite sides of the repair wire layer. When a repair connection is required, an appropriate plated through hole (PTH) is drilled to form the repair connection using the repair wire layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Connor, Stuart B. Benefield, Matthew S. Doyle, Joseph Kuczynski, Jonathan Jackson
  • Publication number: 20220094045
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a capillary containing a eutectic conductive liquid (e.g., EGaIn) and an electrolyte (e.g., NaOH) that is integrated into a printed circuit board (PCB). In one embodiment, the PCB includes a capillary, a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a plurality of insulation layers, and a conductive layer. The capillary extends through the PCB. The capillary includes a side surface forming an annular cylinder. A eutectic conductive liquid and an electrolyte are disposed within an aperture formed by the side surface. An electrode extends through the side surface and contacts at least the eutectic conductive liquid or the electrolyte. The negative electrode is disposed at a first end of the capillary. The positive electrode is disposed at a second end of the capillary. The conductive layer is disposed between two of the plurality of insulation layers. The electrode forms an electrical connection with the conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Samuel CONNOR, Joseph KUCZYNSKI, Matthew DOYLE, Stuart B. BENEFIELD
  • Patent number: 11201393
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a capillary containing a eutectic conductive liquid (e.g., EGaIn) and an electrolyte (e.g., NaOH) that is integrated into a printed circuit board (PCB). In one embodiment, the capillary is formed in a through-hole in the PCB and has negative and positive electrodes at its respective ends to seal the eutectic conductive liquid and the electrolyte. The capillary further includes one or more electrodes that extend through a side of the portion of the capillary containing the liquids. The wiper electrodes also make electrical contact with respective conductive layers in the PCB. Using a DC voltage between the negative and positive electrodes, the eutectic conductive liquid forms electrical connections between the wiper electrodes, which in turn, forms electrical connections between the conductive layers in the PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Connor, Joseph Kuczynski, Matthew Doyle, Stuart B. Benefield
  • Patent number: 10834829
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a variable inductor containing a capillary. The capillary includes an eutectic conductive liquid (e.g., EGaIn) containing suspended magnetic particles and an electrolyte (e.g., NaOH). In one embodiment, the variable inductor has a pair of electrodes (e.g., negative and positive electrodes) at the respective ends of the capillary to seal the eutectic conductive liquid and the electrolyte. The variable inductor also includes an inductor coil disposed around the capillary, and the inductor coil is connected to a circuit and provides inductance for the connected circuit. Using a DC voltage between the pair of electrodes, the eutectic conductive liquid can extend inside the capillary, which in turn, causes the variable inductor to have a desired inductance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stuart B. Benefield, Samuel R. Connor, Matthew S. Doyle
  • Patent number: 10685585
    Abstract: In an approach for providing dynamic services a computer receives a dietary plan for an individual. The computer tracks physical activity data for the individual. The computer creates one or more propositions for the individual based at least in part on the received dietary plan and the tracked physical activity data. The computer provides the created one or more propositions to the individual. The computer receives a selection from the created one or more propositions. The computer tracks the received selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stuart B. Benefield, Samuel R. Connor, Jonathan W. Jackson, Joseph P. Kuczynski
  • Publication number: 20200153089
    Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a capillary containing a eutectic conductive liquid (e.g., EGaIn) and an electrolyte (e.g., NaOH) that is integrated into a printed circuit board (PCB). In one embodiment, the capillary is formed in a through-hole in the PCB and has negative and positive electrodes at its respective ends to seal the eutectic conductive liquid and the electrolyte. The capillary further includes one or more electrodes that extend through a side of the portion of the capillary containing the liquids. The wiper electrodes also make electrical contact with respective conductive layers in the PCB. Using a DC voltage between the negative and positive electrodes, the eutectic conductive liquid forms electrical connections between the wiper electrodes, which in turn, forms electrical connections between the conductive layers in the PCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Samuel Connor, Joseph Kuczynski, Matthew Doyle, Stuart B. Benefield
  • Publication number: 20200037446
    Abstract: Methods and structures are provided for implementing embedded wire repair for printed circuit board (PCB) constructs. A repair wire layer is provided within the PCB stack with reference planes on opposite sides of the repair wire layer. When a repair connection is required, an appropriate plated through hole (PTH) is drilled to form the repair connection using the repair wire layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Samuel Connor, Stuart B. Benefield, Matthew S. Doyle, Joseph Kuczynski, Jonathan Jackson
  • Patent number: 10462901
    Abstract: Methods and structures are provided for implementing embedded wire repair for printed circuit board (PCB) constructs. A repair wire layer is provided within the PCB stack with reference planes on opposite sides of the repair wire layer. When a repair connection is required, an appropriate plated through hole (PTH) is drilled to form the repair connection using the repair wire layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Connor, Stuart B. Benefield, Matthew S. Doyle, Joseph Kuczynski, Jonathan Jackson
  • Publication number: 20190237896
    Abstract: A method and structures are provided for implementing a current indicator for electrical connectors, such as power plug connectors. A ferrofluid is embedded into a power plug connector. The ferrofluid is influenced by a magnetic field created by flowing current to expose a current indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Stuart B. Benefield, Joseph Kuczynski, Samuel Conner, Jonathan Jackson
  • Patent number: 10262553
    Abstract: In an approach for providing dynamic services a computer receives a dietary plan for an individual. The computer tracks physical activity data for the individual. The computer creates one or more propositions for the individual based at least in part on the received dietary plan and the tracked physical activity data. The computer provides the created one or more propositions to the individual. The computer receives a selection from the created one or more propositions. The computer tracks the received selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stuart B. Benefield, Samuel R. Connor, Jonathan W. Jackson, Joseph P. Kuczynski
  • Publication number: 20180374386
    Abstract: In an approach for providing dynamic services a computer receives a dietary plan for an individual. The computer tracks physical activity data for the individual. The computer creates one or more propositions for the individual based at least in part on the received dietary plan and the tracked physical activity data. The computer provides the created one or more propositions to the individual. The computer receives a selection from the created one or more propositions. The computer tracks the received selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Stuart B. Benefield, Samuel R. Connor, Jonathan W. Jackson, Joseph P. Kuczynski
  • Publication number: 20180374385
    Abstract: In an approach for providing dynamic services a computer receives a dietary plan for an individual. The computer tracks physical activity data for the individual. The computer creates one or more propositions for the individual based at least in part on the received dietary plan and the tracked physical activity data. The computer provides the created one or more propositions to the individual. The computer receives a selection from the created one or more propositions. The computer tracks the received selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Stuart B. Benefield, Samuel R. Connor, Jonathan W. Jackson, Joseph P. Kuczynski
  • Patent number: 10058014
    Abstract: An apparatus suitable for EMC shielding applications comprises a first component comprising an electrically conductive first surface, and a gasket member comprising an electrically conductive exterior surface. The exterior surface is configured to couple with an electrically conductive second surface of a second component. The apparatus further comprises an adhesive layer disposed between the first component and the gasket member. The adhesive layer comprises an arrangement of conductive fibers, the conductive fibers extending along respective long axes between the first surface and the exterior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel R. Connor, Joseph Kuczynski, Stuart B. Benefield, Jonathan Jackson
  • Publication number: 20180075218
    Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to wellness data management. A wellness engine detects a triggering event which indicates an anticipated nourishment event that relates to an expected location. Based on both a set of user wellness data and the expected location for the anticipated nourishment event, the wellness engine determines a set of nourishment items. As such, the wellness engine provides a set of nourishment item identifiers for the anticipated nourishment event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Stuart B. Benefield, Samuel R. Connor, Jonathan W. Jackson, Joseph Kuczynski
  • Patent number: 9717169
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for mitigating electromagnetic interference within a computing device. A base unit is coupled to an inside of a computing device. One or more conductive elements are coupled to the base unit. The one or more conductive elements are located within an air flow such that the one or more conductive elements are movable in response to air movement generated by the air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: LENOVO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Edward J. Bodette, Stuart B. Benefield, Michael H. Crowder, Brad E. Dillon
  • Publication number: 20170094846
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for mitigating electromagnetic interference within a computing device. A base unit is coupled to an inside of a computing device. One or more conductive elements are coupled to the base unit. The one or more conductive elements are located within an air flow such that the one or more conductive elements are movable in response to air movement generated by the air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: EDWARD J. BODETTE, STUART B. BENEFIELD, MICHAEL H. CROWDER, BRAD E. DILLON