Patents by Inventor Timothy Tofil

Timothy Tofil 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: 11153976
    Abstract: A method and structure are provided for implementing manufacture of a printed circuit board (PCB) with one of an infrared (IR) reflective mask or a novel solder mask to minimize coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between PCB laminate and plated through hole (PTH) copper. At least one of an IR-reflective mask and a solder mask composition for use in IR reflow processes is created such that radiant heat is reflected away from the major portion of the PCB yet permitted to impinge upon the PTHs. The copper within the PTH expands due to radiant heating while the bulk laminate expansion is significantly reduced due to the reflected IR radiation. Consequently, the CTE mismatch is minimized and tensile strain of the copper in the PTH is reduced, providing enhanced reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin O'Connell, Mark Plucinski, Timothy Tofil, Joseph Kuczynski
  • Patent number: 10969341
    Abstract: A method, device, and article of manufacture for detecting airborne sulfur, the method including obtaining a gel solution; applying the gel solution onto film; exposing a frame of the film on the film reel to surrounding air, where the surrounding air contains a concentration of airborne sulfur; and detecting a color change in the gel solution, where the color change is a response to a reaction between the amount of airborne sulfur and at least one component of the gel solution. The device may include a detector; a film; and a gel solution applied to a film. The article of manufacture may include a film; and a gel solution applied to a film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Kuczynski, Timothy Tofil, Sarah Czaplewski-Campbell, Eric Campbell
  • Patent number: 10923441
    Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing transient electronic circuits for security applications, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. Silver nanowire traces are fabricated forming a protection circuit in a soluble material. A frangible material is provided separating the soluble material from a solvent layer proximately located. During a tampering event the frangible material is ruptured releasing the solvent which contacts and dissolves the soluble material and disperses the silver nanowire traces creating an electrical open in the protection circuit. The electrical open enables enhanced tampering detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Campbell, Sarah Czaplewski-Campbell, Timothy Tofil, Joseph Kuczynski
  • Patent number: 10772215
    Abstract: A triggering condition is applied to a conductive polymer positioned in a drilled hole in a printed circuit board. The applied triggering condition causes the polymer to vertically expand within the drilled hole such that the expanded polymer creates an electrically conductive path between contact pads located in different layers of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Kuczynski, Timothy Tofil, Jeffrey N. Judd, Matthew Doyle, Scott D. Strand
  • Patent number: 10750622
    Abstract: A triggering condition is applied to a conductive polymer positioned in a drilled hole in a printed circuit board. The applied triggering condition causes the polymer to vertically expand within the drilled hole such that the expanded polymer creates an electrically conductive path between contact pads located in different layers of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Kuczynski, Timothy Tofil, Jeffrey N. Judd, Matthew Doyle, Scott D. Strand
  • Patent number: 10739832
    Abstract: A heat transfer device includes a base and a heat sink coupled to the base. The heat sink includes a fin with a surface for receiving a cooling medium to travel across, thereby defining an upstream end and a downstream end for the fin. An airflow projection is coupled to the surface of the fin, in which the airflow projection includes an upstream end and a downstream end with the downstream end of the airflow projection cantilevered above the surface of the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin O'Connell, Joseph Kuczynski, Phillip Mann, Timothy Tofil, Mark Plucinski
  • Publication number: 20200135611
    Abstract: Methods and structures are provided for implementing strain sensing thermal interface materials (TIMs). An in situ strain sensing thermal interface material (TIM) layer is provided within a packaging assembly structure. The strain sensing TIM is formed by graphene incorporated into the TIM layer. Electrical leads are coupled to the strain sensing TIM layer providing electrical contacts for measuring the electrical property change of the TIM which correlates to mechanical strain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Sarah K. Czaplewski-Campbell, Timothy Tofil, Eric J. Campbell, Joseph Kuczynski
  • Publication number: 20200117251
    Abstract: A heat transfer device includes a base and a heat sink coupled to the base. The heat sink includes a fin with a surface for receiving a cooling medium to travel across, thereby defining an upstream end and a downstream end for the fin. An airflow projection is coupled to the surface of the fin, in which the airflow projection includes an upstream end and a downstream end with the downstream end of the airflow projection cantilevered above the surface of the fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin O'CONNELL, Joseph KUCZYNSKI, Phillip MANN, Timothy TOFIL, Mark PLUCINSKI
  • Patent number: 10615095
    Abstract: Methods and structures are provided for implementing strain sensing thermal interface materials (TIMs). An in situ strain sensing thermal interface material (TIM) layer is provided within a packaging assembly structure. The strain sensing TIM is formed by graphene incorporated into the TIM layer. Electrical leads are coupled to the strain sensing TIM layer providing electrical contacts for measuring the electrical property change of the TIM which correlates to mechanical strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah K. Czaplewski-Campbell, Timothy Tofil, Eric J. Campbell, Joseph Kuczynski
  • Patent number: 10535617
    Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing transient electronic circuits for security applications, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. Silver nanowire traces are fabricated forming a protection circuit in a soluble material. A frangible material is provided separating the soluble material from a solvent layer proximately located. During a tampering event the frangible material is ruptured releasing the solvent which contacts and dissolves the soluble material and disperses the silver nanowire traces creating an electrical open in the protection circuit. The electrical open enables enhanced tampering detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Campbell, Sarah Czaplewski-Campbell, Timothy Tofil, Joseph Kuczynski
  • Publication number: 20200006257
    Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing transient electronic circuits for security applications, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. Silver nanowire traces are fabricated forming a protection circuit in a soluble material. A frangible material is provided separating the soluble material from a solvent layer proximately located. During a tampering event the frangible material is ruptured releasing the solvent which contacts and dissolves the soluble material and disperses the silver nanowire traces creating an electrical open in the protection circuit. The electrical open enables enhanced tampering detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Eric J. Campbell, Sarah Czaplewski-Campbell, Timothy Tofil, Joseph Kuczynski
  • Publication number: 20190364670
    Abstract: A method and structure are provided for implementing manufacture of a printed circuit board (PCB) with one of an infrared (IR) reflective mask or a novel solder mask to minimize coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between PCB laminate and plated through hole (PTH) copper. At least one of an IR-reflective mask and a solder mask composition for use in IR reflow processes is created such that radiant heat is reflected away from the major portion of the PCB yet permitted to impinge upon the PTHs. The copper within the PTH expands due to radiant heating while the bulk laminate expansion is significantly reduced due to the reflected IR radiation. Consequently, the CTE mismatch is minimized and tensile strain of the copper in the PTH is reduced, providing enhanced reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Kevin O'Connell, Mark Plucinski, Timothy Tofil, Joseph Kuczynski
  • Publication number: 20190348378
    Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing transient electronic circuits for security applications, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. Silver nanowire traces are fabricated forming a protection circuit in a soluble material. A frangible material is provided separating the soluble material from a solvent layer proximately located. During a tampering event the frangible material is ruptured releasing the solvent which contacts and dissolves the soluble material and disperses the silver nanowire traces creating an electrical open in the protection circuit. The electrical open enables enhanced tampering detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Eric J. Campbell, Sarah Czaplewski-Campbell, Timothy Tofil, Joseph Kuczynski
  • Publication number: 20190230797
    Abstract: A triggering condition is applied to a conductive polymer positioned in a drilled hole in a printed circuit board. The applied triggering condition causes the polymer to vertically expand within the drilled hole such that the expanded polymer creates an electrically conductive path between contact pads located in different layers of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph Kuczynski, Timothy Tofil, Jeffrey N. Judd, Matthew Doyle, Scott D. Strand
  • Patent number: 10334741
    Abstract: A triggering condition is applied to a conductive polymer positioned in a drilled hole in a printed circuit board. The applied triggering condition causes the polymer to vertically expand within the drilled hole such that the expanded polymer creates an electrically conductive path between contact pads located in different layers of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Kuczynski, Timothy Tofil, Jeffrey N. Judd, Matthew Doyle, Scott D. Strand
  • Publication number: 20190162671
    Abstract: A method, device, and article of manufacture for detecting airborne sulfur, the method including obtaining a gel solution; applying the gel solution onto film; exposing a frame of the film on the film reel to surrounding air, where the surrounding air contains a concentration of airborne sulfur; and detecting a color change in the gel solution, where the color change is a response to a reaction between the amount of airborne sulfur and at least one component of the gel solution. The device may include a detector; a film; and a gel solution applied to a film. The article of manufacture may include a film; and a gel solution applied to a film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph Kuczynski, Timothy Tofil, Sarah Czaplewski-Campbell, Eric Campbell
  • Patent number: 10285282
    Abstract: A triggering condition is applied to a conductive polymer positioned in a drilled hole in a printed circuit board. The applied triggering condition causes the polymer to vertically expand within the drilled hole such that the expanded polymer creates an electrically conductive path between contact pads located in different layers of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Kuczynski, Timothy Tofil, Jeffrey N. Judd, Matthew Doyle, Scott D. Strand
  • Publication number: 20190021173
    Abstract: A triggering condition is applied to a conductive polymer positioned in a drilled hole in a printed circuit board. The applied triggering condition causes the polymer to vertically expand within the drilled hole such that the expanded polymer creates an electrically conductive path between contact pads located in different layers of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph Kuczynski, Timothy Tofil, Jeffrey N. Judd, Matthew Doyle, Scott D. Strand
  • Publication number: 20190021174
    Abstract: A triggering condition is applied to a conductive polymer positioned in a drilled hole in a printed circuit board. The applied triggering condition causes the polymer to vertically expand within the drilled hole such that the expanded polymer creates an electrically conductive path between contact pads located in different layers of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph Kuczynski, Timothy Tofil, Jeffrey N. Judd, Matthew Doyle, Scott D. Strand
  • Publication number: 20190021172
    Abstract: A triggering condition is applied to a conductive polymer positioned in a drilled hole in a printed circuit board. The applied triggering condition causes the polymer to vertically expand within the drilled hole such that the expanded polymer creates an electrically conductive path between contact pads located in different layers of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph Kuczynski, Timothy Tofil, Jeffrey N. Judd, Matthew Doyle, Scott D. Strand