Patents by Inventor Brian E. Patterson

Brian E. Patterson 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).

  • Methods and apparatus for analyzing internal combustion engines
    Patent number: 7913546
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is analyzed by an apparatus having a data processing capability. The engine has a plurality of cylinders and a battery operative to power a starter motor. The apparatus measures a time dependence of voltage level or current draw at the battery while the engine is being cranked by the starter motor. The apparatus also measures a respective time dependence of pressure at each of one or more locations in the engine. From the measured time dependence of voltage level or current draw, the apparatus determines a respective value indicative of a compression for each of the plurality of cylinders. Furthermore, the apparatus determines the presence or absence of one or more defects in the engine from the one or more measured time dependences of pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Innovative Products of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Vinci, Brian E. Patterson, Richard A. Frantz, Ian R. Vinci
  • Methods and Apparatus for Analyzing Internal Combustion Engines
    Publication number: 20100126259
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is analyzed by an apparatus having a data processing capability. The engine has a plurality of cylinders and a battery operative to power a starter motor. The apparatus measures a time dependence of voltage level or current draw at the battery while the engine is being cranked by the starter motor. The apparatus also measures a respective time dependence of pressure at each of one or more locations in the engine. From the measured time dependence of voltage level or current draw, the apparatus determines a respective value indicative of a compression for each of the plurality of cylinders. Furthermore, the apparatus determines the presence or absence of one or more defects in the engine from the one or more measured time dependences of pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Innovative Products of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Vinci, Brian E. Patterson, Richard A. Frantz, Ian R. Vinci