Patents by Inventor John Antony Burrows
John Antony Burrows 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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Patent number: 11901705Abstract: An electrode tip assembly for a spark plug includes an electrode tip that is formed on an electrode base using an additive manufacturing process, such as a powder bed fusion technique, after which the electrode base is welded to an electrode body. The electrode base includes a welding side and an additive manufacturing side, and the electrode tip includes a plurality of laser deposition layers built on the additive manufacturing side of the electrode base.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION GMBHInventors: Andreas Zeh, Rene Trebbels, John Antony Burrows
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Publication number: 20230198232Abstract: An electrode tip assembly for a spark plug includes an electrode tip that is formed on an electrode base using an additive manufacturing process, such as a powder bed fusion technique, after which the electrode base is welded to an electrode body. The electrode base includes a welding side and an additive manufacturing side, and the electrode tip includes a plurality of laser deposition layers built on the additive manufacturing side of the electrode base.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2022Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Andreas Zeh, Rene Trebbels, John Antony Burrows
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Patent number: 11557882Abstract: A corona comprises a central electrode surrounded by an insulator, which is surrounded by a conductive component. The conductive component includes a shell and an intermediate part both formed of an electrically conductive material. The intermediate part is a layer of metal which brazes the insulator to the shell. An outer surface of the insulator presents a lower ledge, and the layer of metal can be applied to the insulator above the lower ledge prior to or after inserting the insulator into the shell. The conductive inner diameter is less than an insulator outer diameter directly below the lower ledge such the insulator thickness increases toward the electrode firing end. The insulator outer diameter is also typically less than the shell inner diameter so that the corona igniter can be forward-assembled.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2021Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Tenneco Inc.Inventors: John Antony Burrows, John E. Miller, Kristapher I. Mixell, James D. Lykowski
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Publication number: 20210359494Abstract: A corona comprises a central electrode surrounded by an insulator, which is surrounded by a conductive component. The conductive component includes a shell and an intermediate part both formed of an electrically conductive material. The intermediate part is a layer of metal which brazes the insulator to the shell. An outer surface of the insulator presents a lower ledge, and the layer of metal can be applied to the insulator above the lower ledge prior to or after inserting the insulator into the shell. The conductive inner diameter is less than an insulator outer diameter directly below the lower ledge such the insulator thickness increases toward the electrode firing end. The insulator outer diameter is also typically less than the shell inner diameter so that the corona igniter can be forward-assembled.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2021Publication date: November 18, 2021Inventors: John Antony Burrows, John E. Miller, Kristapher I. Mixell, James D. Lykowski
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Patent number: 11075504Abstract: A corona comprises a central electrode surrounded by an insulator, which is surrounded by a conductive component. The conductive component includes a shell and an intermediate part both formed of an electrically conductive material. The intermediate part is a layer of metal which brazes the insulator to the shell. An outer surface of the insulator presents a lower ledge, and the layer of metal can be applied to the insulator above the lower ledge prior to or after inserting the insulator into the shell. The conductive inner diameter is less than an insulator outer diameter directly below the lower ledge such the insulator thickness increases toward the electrode firing end. The insulator outer diameter is also typically less than the shell inner diameter so that the corona igniter can be forward-assembled.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2019Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Tenneco Inc.Inventors: John Antony Burrows, John E. Miller, Kristapher I. Mixell, James D. Lykowski
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Patent number: 11050222Abstract: A system and method for detecting resonant frequency of a corona igniter concurrent with operation of the corona igniter is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of pulses of energy to the corona igniter, each having a pulse duration and spaced from one another by a deadtime duration during which no energy is provided to the corona igniter. Each pulse duration is ceased before current flowing in the corona igniter crosses zero, and each zero crossing of the current occurs during one of the deadtime durations. The next pulse of energy is provided to the corona igniter in response to the zero crossing of the current. A resonant frequency value is then obtained based on a sum of the pulse and deadtime durations of two consecutive cycles, or the time between zero crossings. The resonant frequency values become more accurate over time, and the drive frequency is adjusted accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Tenneco Inc.Inventor: John Antony Burrows
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Patent number: 11022086Abstract: An insulator for a corona igniter, referred to as a barrier discharge ignition (BDI) device, for use in an internal combustion engine, is provided. A central electrode is disposed in a slot of the insulator and an electrode tip is spaced from a round insulator tip by insulating material. A shell formed of metal surrounds a portion of the insulator. The insulator has a thickness tapering between a shell firing surface and the insulator tip. The tapering insulator thickness is unidirectional and thus does not increase between a start of the taper and the insulator tip. A method of manufacturing an insulator for a corona igniter is also provided. Equations can be used to determine if a taper in the insulator thickness is needed to encourage corona propagation along a core nose projection of the insulator, and if so, the location and size of the taper.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Tenneco Inc.Inventors: John Antony Burrows, Fu Xing Chan, James D. Lykowski
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Patent number: 10774805Abstract: An igniter assembly comprising an ignition coil assembly connected to a firing end assembly by an extension, with a valve assembly disposed in a pressure chamber of the extension, is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve stem biased toward the ignition coil assembly by a spring to seal the pressure chamber. The valve assembly is used to evacuate contents from the pressure chamber by pressing the valve stem toward the spring and allowing contents of the pressure chamber to travel through and past the valve stem and out of the pressure chamber. The valve assembly is also used to fill the pressure chamber with an insulating medium by pressing the valve stem toward the spring and allowing the insulating medium to travel through and past the valve stem and into the pressure chamber after evacuating the contents out of the pressure chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2019Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Tenneco Inc.Inventors: Kristapher I. Mixell, Yusuf Esmail Neemuchwala, John E. Miller, James D. Lykowski, John Antony Burrows
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Patent number: 10707653Abstract: A spark plug, including a metallic shell, an insulator, a center electrode, and a ground electrode. The insulator includes a first outer surface at least partly along an exposed portion and a second outer surface at least partly along an unexposed portion. The first outer surface extends between the exposed-unexposed interface to a tip merge portion adjacent a distal end of the insulator. The first outer surface and the second outer surface meet at a nose surface transition. At the nose surface transition, the first outer surface is disposed at a first angle with respect to a central axis of the spark plug, and the second outer surface is disposed at a second angle with respect to the central axis of the spark plug. The first angle is larger than the second angle, and the nose surface transition is located within the unexposed portion or at the exposed-unexposed interface.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2019Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: FEDERAL-MOGUL IGNITION LLCInventors: Nathan Alan Thomson, John Antony Burrows, Samuel Owen Roe
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Publication number: 20200124017Abstract: An insulator for a corona igniter, referred to as a barrier discharge ignition (BDI) device, for use in an internal combustion engine, is provided. A central electrode is disposed in a slot of the insulator and an electrode tip is spaced from a round insulator tip by insulating material. A shell formed of metal surrounds a portion of the insulator. The insulator has a thickness tapering between a shell firing surface and the insulator tip. The tapering insulator thickness is unidirectional and thus does not increase between a start of the taper and the insulator tip. A method of manufacturing an insulator for a corona igniter is also provided. Equations can be used to determine if a taper in the insulator thickness is needed to encourage corona propagation along a core nose projection of the insulator, and if so, the location and size of the taper.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: John Antony Burrows, Fu Xing Chan, James D. Lykowski
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Publication number: 20200119529Abstract: A spark plug, including a metallic shell, an insulator, a center electrode, and a ground electrode. The insulator includes a first outer surface at least partly along an exposed portion and a second outer surface at least partly along an unexposed portion. The first outer surface extends between the exposed-unexposed interface to a tip merge portion adjacent a distal end of the insulator. The first outer surface and the second outer surface meet at a nose surface transition. At the nose surface transition, the first outer surface is disposed at a first angle with respect to a central axis of the spark plug, and the second outer surface is disposed at a second angle with respect to the central axis of the spark plug. The first angle is larger than the second angle, and the nose surface transition is located within the unexposed portion or at the exposed-unexposed interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Nathan Alan Thomson, John Antony Burrows, Samuel Owen Roe
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Publication number: 20200059073Abstract: A corona comprises a central electrode surrounded by an insulator, which is surrounded by a conductive component. The conductive component includes a shell and an intermediate part both formed of an electrically conductive material. The intermediate part is a layer of metal which brazes the insulator to the shell. An outer surface of the insulator presents a lower ledge, and the layer of metal can be applied to the insulator above the lower ledge prior to or after inserting the insulator into the shell. The conductive inner diameter is less than an insulator outer diameter directly below the lower ledge such the insulator thickness increases toward the electrode firing end. The insulator outer diameter is also typically less than the shell inner diameter so that the corona igniter can be forward-assembled.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: John Antony Burrows, John E. Miller, Kristapher I. Mixell, James D. Lykowski
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Patent number: 10490982Abstract: A corona comprises a central electrode surrounded by an insulator, which is surrounded by a conductive component. The conductive component includes a shell and an intermediate part both formed of an electrically conductive material. The intermediate part is a layer of metal which brazes the insulator to the shell. An outer surface of the insulator presents a lower ledge, and the layer of metal can be applied to the insulator above the lower ledge prior to or after inserting the insulator into the shell. The conductive inner diameter is less than an insulator outer diameter directly below the lower ledge such the insulator thickness increases toward the electrode firing end. The insulator outer diameter is also typically less than the shell inner diameter so that the corona igniter can be forward-assembled.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2018Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Tenneco Inc.Inventors: John Antony Burrows, John E. Miller, Kristapher I. Mixell, James D. Lykowski
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Publication number: 20190353136Abstract: An igniter assembly comprising an ignition coil assembly connected to a firing end assembly by an extension, with a valve assembly disposed in a pressure chamber of the extension, is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve stem biased toward the ignition coil assembly by a spring to seal the pressure chamber. The valve assembly is used to evacuate contents from the pressure chamber by pressing the valve stem toward the spring and allowing contents of the pressure chamber to travel through and past the valve stem and out of the pressure chamber. The valve assembly is also used to fill the pressure chamber with an insulating medium by pressing the valve stem toward the spring and allowing the insulating medium to travel through and past the valve stem and into the pressure chamber after evacuating the contents out of the pressure chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2019Publication date: November 21, 2019Inventors: KRISTAPHER I. MIXELL, YUSUF ESMAIL NEEMUCHWALA, JOHN E. MILLER, JAMES D. LYKOWSKI, JOHN ANTONY BURROWS
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Patent number: 10364788Abstract: An igniter assembly comprising an ignition coil assembly connected to a firing end assembly by an extension, with a valve assembly disposed in a pressure chamber of the extension, is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve stem biased toward the ignition coil assembly by a spring to seal the pressure chamber. The valve assembly is used to evacuate contents from the pressure chamber by pressing the valve stem toward the spring and allowing contents of the pressure chamber to travel through and past the valve stem and out of the pressure chamber. The valve assembly is also used to fill the pressure chamber with an insulating medium by pressing the valve stem toward the spring and allowing the insulating medium to travel through and past the valve stem and into the pressure chamber after evacuating the contents out of the pressure chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2018Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Tenneco Inc.Inventors: Kristapher I. Mixell, Yusuf Esmail Neemuchwala, John E. Miller, James D. Lykowski, John Antony Burrows
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Publication number: 20190123516Abstract: A system and method for detecting resonant frequency of a corona igniter concurrent with operation of the corona igniter is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of pulses of energy to the corona igniter, each having a pulse duration and spaced from one another by a deadtime duration during which no energy is provided to the corona igniter. Each pulse duration is ceased before current flowing in the corona igniter crosses zero, and each zero crossing of the current occurs during one of the deadtime durations. The next pulse of energy is provided to the corona igniter in response to the zero crossing of the current. A resonant frequency value is then obtained based on a sum of the pulse and deadtime durations of two consecutive cycles, or the time between zero crossings. The resonant frequency values become more accurate over time, and the drive frequency is adjusted accordingly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventor: John Antony Burrows
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Patent number: 10193313Abstract: A corona ignition system including a corona igniter, switches, and a programmable controller capable of rapidly adjusting to changes in resonant frequency is provided. Energy at a drive frequency and an output current is provided to the corona igniter. Switches provide energy to the corona igniter at the drive frequency and are activated at different times. The controller obtains the output current provided to the corona igniter, typically once every half cycle, and activates the first switch a predetermined amount of time after a first zero crossing of the output current, wherein the first zero crossing is a zero crossing of the most recent full cycle of the output current. The second switch is activated a predetermined amount of time after a second zero crossing occurring after the first zero crossing. The delay of the system is accounted for by the controller, rather than other components.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2014Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition LLCInventor: John Antony Burrows
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Patent number: 10170895Abstract: A power amplifier circuit for a corona ignition system is provided. The circuit includes an inductor and capacitor connected to one end of a secondary winding of an RF transformer. The other end of the secondary winding is connected to a current sensor which is connected to ground. The transformer also has a primary winding with one end connected to a voltage supply and the other end attached to a pair of switches. The windings are wound around a core. Current flowing from the DC voltage supply to the switches causes a magnetic flux in the core. A voltage is generated on the secondary winding by the current that flows through the igniter. This voltage is fed back to the switches, controlling on and off timing. Voltage is provided to the corona igniter or pulled from the igniter when the current traveling into or from the igniter is at zero.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Tenneco Inc.Inventors: Keith Hampton, Alfred Permuy, John Antony Burrows
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Publication number: 20180331509Abstract: A corona comprises a central electrode surrounded by an insulator, which is surrounded by a conductive component. The conductive component includes a shell and an intermediate part both formed of an electrically conductive material. The intermediate part is a layer of metal which brazes the insulator to the shell. An outer surface of the insulator presents a lower ledge, and the layer of metal can be applied to the insulator above the lower ledge prior to or after inserting the insulator into the shell. The conductive inner diameter is less than an insulator outer diameter directly below lower ledge such the insulator thickness increases toward the electrode firing end. The insulator outer diameter is also typically less than the shell inner diameter so that the corona igniter be forward-assembled.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: John Antony Burrows, John E. Miller, Kristapher I. Mixell, James D. Lykowski
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Publication number: 20180274514Abstract: An igniter assembly comprising an ignition coil assembly connected to a firing end assembly by an extension, with a valve assembly disposed in a pressure chamber of the extension, is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve stem biased toward the ignition coil assembly by a spring to seal the pressure chamber. The valve assembly is used to evacuate contents from the pressure chamber by pressing the valve stem toward the spring and allowing contents of the pressure chamber to travel through and past the valve stem and out of the pressure chamber. The valve assembly is also used to fill the pressure chamber with an insulating medium by pressing the valve stem toward the spring and allowing the insulating medium to travel through and past the valve stem and into the pressure chamber after evacuating the contents out of the pressure chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventors: Kristapher I. MIXELL, Yusuf Esmail NEEMUCHWALA, John E. MILLER, James D. LYKOWSKI, John Antony BURROWS