Patents by Inventor Brian E. Wicks

Brian E. Wicks 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).

  • Patent number: 7882825
    Abstract: An air heater for heating air entering a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The air heater includes a heating element having a substantially planar portion and a flange portion. The flange portion is positioned at an angle to the planar portion. The planar portion is positioned within an air flow at an upstream location relative to the flange portion. A structure is operable to position the heating element in communication with the air entering the combustion chamber of the engine. In addition, a thermal expansion joint for interconnecting a heating element and a frame is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Brian E. Wicks
  • Publication number: 20100018508
    Abstract: An air heater for heating air entering a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The air heater includes a heating element having a substantially planar portion and a flange portion. The flange portion is positioned at an angle to the planar portion. The planar portion is positioned within an air flow at an upstream location relative to the flange portion. A structure is operable to position the heating element in communication with the air entering the combustion chamber of the engine. In addition, a thermal expansion joint for interconnecting a heating element and a frame is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Brian E. Wicks
  • Patent number: 7614388
    Abstract: An air heater for heating air entering a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The air heater includes a heating element having a substantially planar portion and a flange portion. The flange portion is positioned at an angle to the planar portion. The planar portion is positioned within an air flow at an upstream location relative to the flange portion. A structure is operable to position the heating element in communication with the air entering the combustion chamber of the engine. In addition, a thermal expansion joint for interconnecting a heating element and a frame is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Brian E. Wicks
  • Patent number: 6062206
    Abstract: A PCV heater including a fitting having a plug and a heat sink coupled to the fitting. The fitting and the heat sink define a gas flow path having a first end and a second end. The second end of the gas flow path defines a discharge port and the heat sink is proximate to the discharge port. The heater also includes a heating element coupled to the plug and electrically connectable to a power source. The heating element thermally engages the heat sink to communicate heat from the heating element to the heat sink when the heating element is electrically connected to the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk A. Nelson, Brian E. Wicks, Gary C. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5970962
    Abstract: A PCV heater including a plug and a heat sink coupled to the plug. The plug and the heat sink define a gas flow path having a first end and a second end. The second end of the gas flow path defines a discharge port and the heat sink is proximate to the discharge port. The heater also includes a heating element coupled to the plug and electrically connectable to a power source. The heating element thermally engages the heat sink to communicate heat from the heating element to the heat sink when the heating element is electrically connected to the power source. A method for manufacturing the PCV heater includes the steps of placing a heat sink into a mold cavity, coupling a heating element to the heat sink, electrically connecting a first lead wire and a second lead wire to the heating element, and providing a high temperature plastic to the mold cavity to overmold the heat sink and the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk A. Nelson, Brian E. Wicks, Gary C. Edwards