Patents by Inventor Brian Lighthall

Brian Lighthall 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).

  • Publication number: 20200273618
    Abstract: In an example, a transformer can include a core that can include a composite material and have a first permeability. The transformer can further include a primary coil that can be wound about the core. The primary coil can be configured to vary a primary magnetic energy into the core based on a primary current. The transformer can include a secondary coil that can be wound about the core. The secondary coil can be configured to establish a secondary voltage based on the primary magnetic energy. The transformer can further include an outer return that can include a laminate material and have a second permeability. The second permeability can be greater than the first permeability. The outer return can provide a magnetic-return path for magnetic energy from a first end of the core to a second end of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: BRIAN A. LIGHTHALL, ALBERT ANTHONY SKINNER, DAVID LESTER LANGLEY, PAUL BRYAN DEIGNAN
  • Patent number: 9947451
    Abstract: An ignition coil includes a low voltage terminal for connection with a battery and a high voltage terminal for connection with a spark plug. An assembly of windings interconnects the terminals. The ignition coil further includes a case containing the windings and the terminals. The case is configured for use with a cylinder head cover having a cylindrical bore with a key projecting radially inward of the bore. A cylindrical portion of the case has a central axis, a rotational locator surface, and an insertion guide groove configured to receive the key in the bore. A helical section of the groove is configured to receive the key when the case is in a first rotational orientation. The helical section is further configured for the rotational locator surface to move into abutment with the key upon rotation of the case from the first rotational orientation to a second rotational orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: DIAMOND ELECTRIC MFG. CORP.
    Inventors: Brian A. Lighthall, Sean M. Kennedy, Paul Bryan Deignan
  • Publication number: 20180102208
    Abstract: An ignition coil includes a low voltage terminal for connection with a battery and a high voltage terminal for connection with a spark plug. An assembly of windings interconnects the terminals. The ignition coil further includes a case containing the windings and the terminals. The case is configured for use with a cylinder head cover having a cylindrical bore with a key projecting radially inward of the bore. A cylindrical portion of the case has a central axis, a rotational locator surface, and an insertion guide groove configured to receive the key in the bore. A helical section of the groove is configured to receive the key when the case is in a first rotational orientation. The helical section is further configured for the rotational locator surface to move into abutment with the key upon rotation of the case from the first rotational orientation to a second rotational orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: Diamond Electric Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: Brian A. Lighthall, Sean M. Kennedy, Paul Bryan Deignan
  • Patent number: 7083188
    Abstract: An airbag module may include an inflator, a cushion, and a retention apparatus that keeps the cushion in a stowed configuration until deployment. The retention apparatus may include a flexible member wrapped around the cushion and a hook-and-loop fastening strip attached to the flexible member via a sewn seam. The hook-and-loop fastening strip has hooks fastened to the flexible member to secure the flexible member around the cushion. The sewn seam is weak enough to permit the hook-and-loop fastening strip to break away from the flexible member. When the cushion begins to inflate, the sewn seam breaks to allow the hook-and-loop fastening strip to separate from one side of the flexible member while remaining attached to the opposite side. The cushion is able to inflate through the corresponding opening formed in the retention apparatus. In alternative embodiments, the flexible member, fastener, and attachment mechanism may be reconfigured or omitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: David Henderson, Brian A. Lighthall
  • Publication number: 20050104335
    Abstract: An airbag module may include an inflator, a cushion, and a retention apparatus that keeps the cushion in a stowed configuration until deployment. The retention apparatus may include a flexible member wrapped around the cushion and a hook-and-loop fastening strip attached to the flexible member via a sewn seam. The hook-and-loop fastening strip has hooks fastened to the flexible member to secure the flexible member around the cushion. The sewn seam is weak enough to permit the hook-and-loop fastening strip to break away from the flexible member. When the cushion begins to inflate, the sewn seam breaks to allow the hook-and-loop fastening strip to separate from one side of the flexible member while remaining attached to the opposite side. The cushion is able to inflate through the corresponding opening formed in the retention apparatus. In alternative embodiments, the flexible member, fastener, and attachment mechanism may be reconfigured or omitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Inventors: David Henderson, Brian Lighthall
  • Publication number: 20050062266
    Abstract: An airbag module is disclosed which, in one configuration, inflates from a vehicle seat to protect a vehicle occupant against lateral impact. The airbag module has a cushion with a pelvic chamber and a thoracic chamber. The airbag module also has an inflation assembly including an inflator within a housing inside the cushion. The housing has an aperture disposed within each of the chambers such that, when the inflator deploys, the pelvic chamber is inflated to a relatively higher pressure. The inflator may be moved axially within the housing to control the pressure ratio between the chambers. The housing is attached to the vehicle seat via attachment features that may be located at a variety of positions with respect to the remainder of the housing to facilitate adaptation of the inflation assembly to multiple cushion and vehicle configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventors: Daniel Steimke, Brian Lighthall