Patents by Inventor Raymond O. Butler, Jr.
Raymond O. Butler, Jr. 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: 7623966Abstract: Systems and methods for providing “point of interest” information to travelers. Large databases can be populated with information relating to a wide variety of different “points of interest.” Individual users can use the system to automatically focus on information that is likely to be interesting to the user, while ignoring information that is unlikely to be interest to the user. The position of the user can influence which “points of interest” on the database are selectively identified by the system.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2005Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Raymond O. Butler, Jr.
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Patent number: 7013882Abstract: An ignition control circuit (12) is responsive to a control signal (ESTC) to apply a drive signal (GD) to a power switching device (22) to conduct ignition coil current (IC) therethrough. A resistor (RS) included within the circuit (12) receives, and dissipates heat generated by, the coil current (IC). The circuit (12) includes a first transistor (QHOT) positioned adjacent to the resistor (RS) such that an operating temperature thereof is near that of the resistor (RS), and a second transistor (QREF) positioned remote from the resistor (RS) and having an operating temperature defining a reference temperature. The first and second transistors (QHOT, QREF) are configured to produce an output voltage (VOUT) proportional to a difference in operating temperatures thereof, and a latch circuit (L1) disables the control signal (ESTC) to thereby turn off the power switching device (22) when the output voltage (VOUT) difference exceeds a reference voltage (VREF).Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2003Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jerral A. Long, Scott B. Kesler, Raymond O. Butler, Jr.
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Patent number: 6948372Abstract: The present invention provides a spark plug coil and pressure sensor assembly for providing a spark to a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The assembly comprises a spark plug configured for mounting in a cylinder and a pressure sensor associated with the spark plug configured to detect a pressure in the cylinder and generate a pressure signal in response thereto. The assembly includes a first electrically conductive ring connector configured to receive the pressure signal and a housing having a main axis and having at least one electrically conductive leaf spring member. The leaf spring member is configured to resiliently engage the first electrically conductive ring connector over a first predetermined circumferential angle relative to the main axis of the coil housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2004Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Albert Anthony Skinner, Raymond O. Butler, Jr., Diane E. Hageman, Ronald J. Kiess
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Patent number: 6886547Abstract: A plurality of ignition coils having a combustion detection capability, such as an ion sense capability or cylinder pressure detection capability, are connected to a common communication line. The combustion signals for the plurality of ignition coils is multiplexed on the common communication line. The combustion signal for each ignition coil/cylinder is applied to the common line combined with a respective sync signal such as a current flag signal or a respective electronic spark timing (EST) signal. The sync signals allow each ignition coil to determine when it can transmit its combustion signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2003Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Raymond O. Butler, Jr.
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Patent number: 6877497Abstract: An ignition coil cassette having bushings retained by an irregularity of the bushings being encased by epoxy. As a result, the process by which the bushings are installed into the ignition coil cassette avoids the cost associated with the overmolding installation process, and further avoids the potential for damage associated with the ultrasonic insertion process. The irregularity is located generally adjacent one end of each of the bushings and may be, for example, in the form of an undercut or a protrusion.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2003Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Albert Anthony Skinner, Kenneth P. Senseman, Colin Hamer, Raymond O. Butler, Jr.
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Patent number: 6842007Abstract: An ignition coil durability testing apparatus and method utilizing an electronic spark timing circuit, a plurality of SCRs, a plurality of LEDs, and a voltage detection circuit. The electronic spark timing circuit activates an ignition switching transistor which applies a time varying voltage to a primary winding of an ignition coil. The plurality of SCRs are connected in series. A sustaining voltage device in the form of a spark gap or zener box is connected in series with the plurality of SCRs. The secondary winding of the ignition coil is connected to one end of the spark gap or an input of the zener box and to one input of a comparator through a voltage divider and a voltage reference is also connected to the other input of the comparator. When the output voltage of the secondary winding exceeds a preset breakdown voltage, the comparator turns on the plurality of LEDs which activate the plurality of SCRs.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2002Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Raymond O. Butler, Jr., Ronald J. Kiess
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Patent number: 6834538Abstract: A thick film resistor strain gauge is applied to a stainless steel shell portion of a spark plug. There are two preferable ways of applying a thick film resistor to the metal shell. In a first embodiment, the thick film resistor may be directly printed on to the shell portion with special screen printing equipment. In a second embodiment, the thick film resistor is printed and applied as a decal to the shell portion. The thick film resistors may be included in a quarter, a half, or a full wheatstone bridge strain gauge circuit. One of two embodiments of an automatic drift compensating circuit is used to determine the change in resistance experienced by the thick film resistors affixed to the spark plug. Either one of the automatic drift compensation circuits output a voltage signal which is proportional to the pressure changes occurring inside the engine cylinder into which the spark plug is threaded.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2003Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ronald J. Kiess, Lewis Henry Little, Marion E. Ellis, Raymond O. Butler, Jr.
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Patent number: 6814065Abstract: Staggered firing of first and second spark plugs in a dual-plug spark ignition engine is achieved by apparatus that fires the first spark plug based on an output signal produced by an engine control module and firing the second plug based on the output of a delay control circuit responsive to the output signal produced by the engine control module. The delay control circuit additionally detects engine speed based on the firing frequency of the first spark plug, and selects a delay time so that the firing of the second spark plug is delayed with respect to the firing of the first spark plug by a calibrated angle of engine rotation.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2003Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Raymond O. Butler, Jr.
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Patent number: 6758200Abstract: A product, product by process, and process according to the present invention integrates an ignition coil driver electronics or ignitor into a plughole coil housing. Electronic components are mounted directly to a printed circuit board serving as a direct connection to connector terminals and/or coil leads via plated-apertures. If required, at least one protective layer can be applied directly to an external surface of at least some of the electronic components mounted on the printed circuit board to compensate for differences in the coefficients of thermal expansion. The protective layer is selected from a group including a conformal coating, a soft buffer material, a hard epoxy globtop, and combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Diane E. Hageman, Raymond O. Butler, Jr., Albert Anthony Skinner
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Patent number: 6722183Abstract: An impulse noise suppression circuit for an integrator-based ion current signal processing system includes a one-shot circuit activated by a trigger signal that is produced when a noise transient in a bandpass filtered ion current signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. The output pulse of the one-shot circuit is selected to have a pulse width configured to mask a substantial portion of the noise transient without masking the remaining filtered ion current signal during the remainder of a knock window in which knock is detected.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ronald J. Kiess, Robert W. Koseluk, Raymond O. Butler, Jr., Philip Allen Karau, Jerral A. Long
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Patent number: 6700470Abstract: An ignition apparatus includes a central core extending along a main axis, and a primary winding disposed radially outwardly thereof. The ignition apparatus further includes a secondary winding. The primary winding has a greater axial length than the secondary winding, this additional axial length being implemented on the low-voltage axial end of the ignition apparatus, relative to the main axis. The extended primary winding provides an increased leakage inductance spike, which may be used by an ion sense system to (i) obtain increased bias voltages, and, (ii) increase the effective turns ratio, thereby reducing the amount of wire required for the secondary winding.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Raymond O. Butler, Jr., Mark Albert Paul, Albert Anthony Skinner
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Patent number: 6679236Abstract: An ignition apparatus includes a high resistivity ferrite central core with a secondary winding disposed directly thereon. The ignition apparatus also includes, in a progressively coaxial fashion, a primary spool, a primary winding disposed on the spool, a case, and an outer core or shield of magnetically permeable material. The ignition apparatus exhibits reduced capacitance, and eliminates radial partial discharge at the inside diameter of the secondary winding.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Albert Anthony Skinner, James Alva Boyer, Raymond O. Butler, Jr.
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Patent number: 6679100Abstract: A thick film resistor strain gauge is applied to a stainless steel shell portion of a spark plug. There are two preferable ways of applying a thick film resistor to the metal shell. In a first embodiment, the thick film resistor may be directly printed on to the shell portion with special screen printing equipment. In a second embodiment, the thick film resistor is printed and applied as a decal to the shell portion. The thick film resistors may be included in a quarter, a half, or a full wheatstone bridge strain gauge circuit. One of two embodiments of an automatic drift compensating circuit is used to determine the change in resistance experienced by the thick film resistors affixed to the spark plug. Either one of the automatic drift compensation circuits output a voltage signal which is proportional to the pressure changes occurring inside the engine cylinder into which the spark plug is threaded.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ronald J. Kiess, Lewis Henry Little, Marion E. Ellis, Raymond O. Butler, Jr.
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Patent number: 6679237Abstract: A drive circuit for an ignition system includes an ignition coil and spark plug associated with each cylinder of an internal combustion engine. Each ignition coil has a primary winding with the first end connectable to a power source and a second end opposite the first end connected to a silicon-control rectifier (SCR). Each coil also has a secondary winding connectable to a respective spark plug. The SCR may be integrated with the coil. A main driver device is connected between the other end of the SCR and ground. The driver device is configured to conduct a primary current in response to a drive signal. The SCRs are controlled into conduction by a respective gating signal. A control circuit is configured to generate the gating signals and the drive signal in response to one or more ignition control signals. An SCR for each coil is used to select which coil is allowed to carry current when the main driver is turned on.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Albert Anthony Skinner, Ronald J. Kiess, Raymond O. Butler, Jr.
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Patent number: 6679235Abstract: An ignition system for use with a spark plug in an internal combustion engine comprising an ignition apparatus for producing a breakdown voltage on a first output thereof configured to breakdown a spark gap of the spark plug a power source having a second output configured for connection to the spark plug, said source being further configured to sustain power to the spark gap during discharge and an impedance having first and second terminals coupled between the first and second outputs, the impedance having an electrical characteristic configured to allow application of the breakdown voltage and suppress high voltage transient.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2003Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Albert Anthony Skinner, Raymond O. Butler, Jr., Brian Dewayne Lively
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Patent number: 6622711Abstract: A method of assembling an ignition coil cassette assembly for use with an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinder assemblies each including a spark plug, and an ignition coil cassette assembly provided in accordance with the invention methodology. The cassette assembly includes a plurality of ignition coils for respective electrical coupling to the respective spark plugs, whereby to deliver high voltage charges to the spark plugs in accordance with a predetermined firing order, a cassette body structure interconnecting and mounting the ignition coils in spaced downstanding relation with respect to the body, a printed circuit board for delivering power to the coils, and electronic components mounted on the board.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2002Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Albert Anthony Skinner, Raymond O. Butler, Jr., Douglas Lynn Sprunger
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Patent number: 6615645Abstract: An ignition apparatus including a primary and a secondary winding for producing a spark voltage, an ion current detection circuit for producing an ion current signal, a slope detector and a knock detector. The slope detector determines when the ion current signal exhibits a slope indicative of a time period when knock is likely to occur, and de-asserts a knock reset signal. The knock reset signal holds the knock detector in reset, thus disallowing or masking the processing of signals by the knock detector that may be mistaken for knock.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2002Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Raymond O. Butler, Jr., Ronald J. Kiess, Daniel J. O'Connor, Max W Ellis
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Patent number: 6615811Abstract: An ignition coil having ion sense capability with combustion and knock outputs features improved determination of when to open and close a combustion window during which a combustion signal indicative of the level of combustion is calculated. The system also includes a knock window during which a knock signal indicative of the level of knock is determined. A PWM combustion signal is multiplexed on the same physical line as a current flag signal, and, a PWM knock intensity signal is multiplexed on the same physical line as a knock window signal, which reduces system connections. Closed loop multicharge ignition is provided with combustion detection during multicharging to ensure the availability of knock detection, thereby providing a longer effective spark burn time while still allowing for knock detection.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2002Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Raymond O. Butler, Jr.
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Patent number: 6520166Abstract: An improved method of identifying the cylinder combustion sequence of a four-stroke internal combustion engine accepts of rejects an assumed combustion sequence based on measured ion current combustion quality (CQ) indications. Individual CQ indications for the various engine cylinders are algebraically combined as a function of the assumed combustion sequence so that the combined CQ indication increases in a first polarity if the assumed combustion sequence is correct, and in a second polarity if the assumed combustion sequence is incorrect. When the absolute value of the combined CQ indication exceeds a threshold, the polarity of the combined CQ indication is used to either accept or reject the assumed combustion sequence.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Philip Allen Karau, Raymond O. Butler, Jr.
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Patent number: 6378513Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes an ignition coil coupled to a spark plug in a combustion chamber of the engine, and a switch responsive to an ignition control signal for causing a primary current to flow through a primary winding (16) of the ignition coil. A control circuit is configured to generate the ignition control signal so as to produce a plurality of sparks at the spark plug during a combustion event in the cylinder. A secondary current trip circuit in sensing relation to the secondary winding is configured to generate secondary current trip signal when the secondary current decays down past a secondary current trip threshold. The control circuit is further configured to trigger a recharge event of the multicharge operation in response to the secondary current trip signal, thereby minimizing variability in terms of the amount of energy delivered to the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John W. Boyer, Raymond O. Butler, Jr., Daniel J. O'Connor