Patents by Inventor Brett Burton
Brett Burton 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: 20230110627Abstract: The concept of the present invention describes configurations to provide uniform heat distribution of resistive heaters. This configuration allows successful anti-icing and deicing with relatively low applied power. One aspect involves the use of a thin film heater applied just underneath the topcoat to efficiently direct all heat to the surface, allowing anti-icing and de-icing with minimal power. This can be accomplished by employing a hybrid electrode interface, using a metal foil or metal braid that is attached to the aircraft surface with a structural adhesive that has been smoothed along the edges with metal-filled adhesive. Another aspect of the present invention uses an array of heater cells created as a single sheet and a heat spreading material, provided underneath or overtop of the heater cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Inventors: Brett Burton, Amy M. Heintz, Kurt Bosworth, Tony Duong, Mike Jansen
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Publication number: 20230090963Abstract: In a liquid level monitor for use with a liquid container of a liquid-consuming device, a light source transmits a light beam into the liquid container at a non-normal angle of incidence respective to a wall of the liquid container. A photodetector is positioned in the path of one of (i) the light beam after passing through the liquid container when the light beam is not refracted by liquid in the liquid container and (ii) the light beam after passing through the liquid container when the light beam is refracted by liquid in the liquid container. In another approach, the sensor for detecting empty includes a vibrator and a vibration sensor, and an electronic processor is programmed to determine whether the liquid container is empty of liquid based on the detected vibration of the liquid container.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Matthew Vaughan, Brett Burton, David Bartholomew, Trevor Tallos, David Chase, Bryan D. Balaban, Jackson Brengman
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Patent number: 11542018Abstract: Configurations are described that provide uniform heat distribution of resistive heaters. These configurations allow successful anti-icing and deicing with relatively low applied power. One aspect involves the use of a thin film heater applied just underneath the topcoat to efficiently direct all heat to the surface, allowing anti-icing and de-icing with minimal power. This can be accomplished by employing a hybrid electrode interface, using a metal foil or metal braid that is attached to the aircraft surface with a structural adhesive that has been smoothed along the edges with metal-filled adhesive. Another aspect uses an array of heater cells created as a single sheet and a heat spreading material, provided underneath or overtop of the heater cells.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2016Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Brett Burton, Amy M. Heintz, Kurt Bosworth, Tony Duong, Mike Jansen
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Patent number: 11414196Abstract: An ice protection system and method capable of anti-icing and de-icing aerodynamic structures and surfaces is provided comprising a Resistive Heat Coat (RHC) controller and a heating device. The RHC controller comprises a RHC power circuit topology having a processor and a buck converter. The RHC controller further comprises a RHC control algorithm. The heating device comprises a plurality of resistive heating elements, such as CNT-based resistive heaters. The ice protection systems and methods disclosed can achieve an efficiency of 98% or greater while employing a direct current (DC) power supply and “hard switching” with a switching frequency of at least 500 kHz.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2018Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTEInventors: Brett Burton, Donald R. Hohe, Matthew E. Huntwork, Gabe J. Stout
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Publication number: 20200240826Abstract: In a liquid level monitor for use with a liquid container of a liquid-consuming device, a light source transmits a light beam into the liquid container at a non-normal angle of incidence respective to a wall of the liquid container. A photodetector is positioned in the path of one of (i) the light beam after passing through the liquid container when the light beam is not refracted by liquid in the liquid container and (ii) the light beam after passing through the liquid container when the light beam is refracted by liquid in the liquid container. In another approach, the sensor for detecting empty includes a vibrator and a vibration sensor, and an electronic processor is programmed to determine whether the liquid container is empty of liquid based on the detected vibration of the liquid container.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2019Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Matthew Vaughan, Brett Burton, David Bartholomew, Trevor Tallos, David Chase, Bryan D. Balaban, Jackson Brengman
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Publication number: 20200237948Abstract: An air freshener includes an electrically powered fragrance dispenser having a connector configured to connect with a fragrance container. A light source transmits a light beam into the fragrance container at a non-normal angle of incidence respective to a wall of the fragrance container, and a photodetector is positioned in the path of one of (i) the light beam after passing through the fragrance container when the light beam is not refracted by fragrance liquid in the fragrance container and (ii) the light beam after passing through the fragrance container when the light beam is refracted by fragrance liquid in the fragrance container. In another approach, the sensor for detecting empty includes a vibrator and a vibration sensor, and an electronic processor is programmed to determine whether the fragrance container is empty of fragrance liquid based on the detected vibration of the fragrance container.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: Matthew Vaughan, Brett Burton, David Bartholomew, Trevor Tallos, David Chase, Bryan D. Balaban, Jackson Brengman
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Publication number: 20190176994Abstract: An ice protection system and method capable of anti-icing and de-icing aerodynamic structures and surfaces is provided comprising a Resistive Heat Coat (RHC) controller and a heating device. The RHC controller comprises a RHC power circuit topology having a processor and a buck converter. The RHC controller further comprises a RHC control algorithm. The heating device comprises a plurality of resistive heating elements, such as CNT-based resistive heaters. The ice protection systems and methods disclosed can achieve an efficiency of 98% or greater while employing a direct current (DC) power supply and “hard switching” with a switching frequency of at least 500 kHz.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2018Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Brett Burton, Donald R. Hohe, Matthew E. Huntwork, Gabe J. Stout
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Publication number: 20180319581Abstract: A dispense surface (12) for a nitrogen containing fluid, e.g. as incorporated into a beverage can (11) containing stout beer. The surface includes a stagnation zone of low pressure regions; and a nanostructured zone to lower the energy to nucleation and promote bubble nucleation out of the nitrogen containing fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2016Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Amy Heintz, Krenar Shqau, Brett Burton, David Chris Masterson, Kevin Lee Yugulis
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Patent number: 9873516Abstract: A low profile pass-through electrical connector is designed for aerospace applications. The connector allows voltage and current to pass-thru a conductive wing surface, while maintaining a low profile height for aerodynamic performance considerations. Examples of applications of the electrical connector include power for thin film heaters and communication antennae applications.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2013Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Brett Burton, Andrew Cox, Darren Wolfe
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Publication number: 20170305561Abstract: A low profile pass-through electrical connector is designed for aerospace applications. The connector allows voltage and current to pass-thru a conductive wing surface, while maintaining a low profile height for aerodynamic performance considerations. Examples of applications of the electrical connector include power for thin film heaters and communication antennae applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: Brett Burton, Andrew Cox, Darren Wolfe
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Patent number: 9623975Abstract: A low profile pass-through electrical connector is designed for aerospace applications. The connector allows voltage and current to pass-thru a conductive wing surface, while maintaining a low profile height for aerodynamic performance considerations. Examples of applications of the electrical connector include power for thin film heaters and communication antennae applications.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Brett Burton, Andrew Cox, Darren Wolfe
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Publication number: 20160221680Abstract: The concept of the present invention describes configurations to provide uniform heat distribution of resistive heaters. This configuration allows successful anti-icing and deicing with relatively low applied power. One aspect involves the use of a thin film heater applied just underneath the topcoat to efficiently direct all heat to the surface, allowing anti-icing and de-icing with minimal power. This can be accomplished by employing a hybrid electrode interface, using a metal foil or metal braid that is attached to the aircraft surface with a structural adhesive that has been smoothed along the edges with metal-filled adhesive. Another aspect of the present invention uses an array of heater cells created as a single sheet and a heat spreading material, provided underneath or overtop of the heater cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2016Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Brett Burton, Amy M. Heintz, Kurt Bosworth, Tony Duong, Mike Jansen
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Publication number: 20140151352Abstract: A low profile pass-through electrical connector is designed for aerospace applications. The connector allows voltage and current to pass-thru a conductive wing surface, while maintaining a low profile height for aerodynamic performance considerations. Examples of applications of the electrical connector include power for thin film heaters and communication antennae applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Inventors: Brett Burton, Andrew Cox, Darren Wolfe
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Publication number: 20140015733Abstract: A low profile pass-through electrical connector is designed for aerospace applications. The connector allows voltage and current to pass-thru a conductive wing surface, while maintaining a low profile height for aerodynamic performance considerations. Examples of applications of the electrical connector include power for thin film heaters and communication antennae applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventors: Brett BURTON, Andrew COX, Darren WOLFE
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Publication number: 20060005786Abstract: A sootblower for cleaning a plurality of surfaces within an interior volume of a combustion device is provided. The sootblower includes a combustion assembly configured to generate a pressure wave and a delivery assembly having an outlet for delivering the pressure wave into the interior volume of the combustion device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2005Publication date: January 12, 2006Inventors: Tony Habib, Brett Burton, Steven Shover, James Hipple