Patents by Inventor Brian C. Dolder

Brian C. Dolder 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).

  • Flame rod analysis system
    Patent number: 10697921
    Abstract: A flame rod analysis system, methods for determining a condition of a flame and a flame rod, and circuits for determining a condition of a flame and a flame rod. The flame rod analysis system comprises energy storage connectable to a flame rod, a pulsed source connected to the energy storage and providing a voltage pulse or a current pulse, and a buffer to allow a processor to measure a buffered voltage at various time points. Flame rod analysis systems can distinguish between various flame conditions (no flame, low flame, etc.) while simultaneously characterizing the condition of the flame rod (shorted to ground, contaminated, etc.). Some flame rod analysis systems can directly measure the resistance of the flame rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Brian T. Branecky, Brian C. Dolder, Charles J. Koehler, III
  • Flame rod analysis system
    Patent number: 10132770
    Abstract: A flame rod analysis system, methods for determining a condition of a flame and a flame rod, and circuits for determining a condition of a flame and a flame rod. The flame rod analysis system comprises energy storage connectable to a flame rod, a pulsed source connected to the energy storage and providing a voltage pulse or a current pulse, and a buffer to allow a processor to measure a buffered voltage at various time points. Flame rod analysis systems can distinguish between various flame conditions (no flame, low flame, etc.) while simultaneously characterizing the condition of the flame rod (shorted to ground, contaminated, etc.). Some flame rod analysis systems can directly measure the resistance of the flame rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian T. Branecky, Brian C. Dolder, Charles J. Koehler, III
  • FLAME ROD ANALYSIS SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20160274049
    Abstract: A flame rod analysis system, methods for determining a condition of a flame and a flame rod, and circuits for determining a condition of a flame and a flame rod. The flame rod analysis system comprises energy storage connectable to a flame rod, a pulsed source connected to the energy storage and providing a voltage pulse or a current pulse, and a buffer to allow a processor to measure a buffered voltage at various time points. Flame rod analysis systems can distinguish between various flame conditions (no flame, low flame, etc.) while simultaneously characterizing the condition of the flame rod (shorted to ground, contaminated, etc.). Some flame rod analysis systems can directly measure the resistance of the flame rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Brian T. Branecky, Brian C. Dolder, Charles J. Koehler, III
  • FLAME ROD ANALYSIS SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20100291494
    Abstract: A flame rod analysis system, methods for determining a condition of a flame and a flame rod, and circuits for determining a condition of a flame and a flame rod. The flame rod analysis system comprises energy storage connectable to a flame rod, a pulsed source connected to the energy storage and providing a voltage pulse or a current pulse, and a buffer to allow a processor to measure a buffered voltage at various time points. Flame rod analysis systems can distinguish between various flame conditions (no flame, low flame, etc.) while simultaneously characterizing the condition of the flame rod (shorted to ground, contaminated, etc.). Some flame rod analysis systems can directly measure the resistance of the flame rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Brian T. Branecky, Brian C. Dolder, Charles J. Koehler, III