Patents by Inventor Craig A. Willkens

Craig A. Willkens 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: 8193469
    Abstract: Ceramic igniters are provided that comprise at least three zones of differing electrical resistance, preferably in sequence a first conductive zone of relatively low resistance, a power booster or enhancement zone of intermediate resistance, and a further hot or ignition zone of high resistance. Igniters of the invention can provide extremely high speeds (low time-to-temperature).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Coorstek, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig A. Willkens
  • Publication number: 20100035747
    Abstract: A ceramic material formed from a mixture including between about 50 wt % and about 85 wt % of a first zirconia-based material comprising between about 2 mol % and about 6 mol % yttria and between about 5 wt % and about 50 wt % of a second zirconia-based material comprising not greater than about 1 mol % yttria. The mixture can further include between about 1 wt % and about 10 wt % of an alumina material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Qiang Zhao, Richard A. Gorski, Oh-Hun Kwon, Craig A. Willkens
  • Publication number: 20080314890
    Abstract: Ceramic igniters are provided that comprise at least three zones of differing electrical resistance, preferably in sequence a first conductive zone of relatively low resistance, a power booster or enhancement zone of intermediate resistance, and a further hot or ignition zone of high resistance. Igniters of the invention can provide extremely high speeds (low time-to-temperature).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig A. Willkens
  • Publication number: 20080145672
    Abstract: New methods are provided for manufacture ceramic elements that include injection molding of two, three or more distinct ceramic layers or regions that form the element. Ceramic elements also are provided that are obtainable from fabrication methods of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Willkens, Taehwan Yu, Suresh Annavarapu
  • Publication number: 20080116192
    Abstract: The invention provides new methods for manufacture ceramic resistive heating elements that include forming a heating element body comprising comprises two or more regions of differing resistivity, and processing a portion of the element body to form a heating element. Heating elements such as igniters and glow plugs also are provided obtainable from fabrication methods of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Annavarapu, Taehwan Yu, Norman P. Arsenault, Craig A. Willkens
  • Patent number: 7329837
    Abstract: Ceramic igniters are provided that comprise at least three zones of differing electrical resistance, preferably in sequence a first conductive zone of relatively low resistance, a power booster or enhancement zone of intermediate resistance, and a further hot or ignition zone of high resistance. Igniters of the invention can provide extremely high speeds (low time-to-temperature).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig A. Willkens
  • Patent number: 7195722
    Abstract: Ceramic igniter compositions are provided that contain components of conductive material and insulating material, where the insulating material component includes a relatively high concentration of metal oxide. Ceramic igniters of the invention are particularly effective for high voltage use, including throughout the range of from about 187 to 264 volts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics and Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger J. Lin, Craig A. Willkens, Kevin C. Solofra, Thomas J. Sheridan
  • Publication number: 20030160220
    Abstract: Ceramic igniter compositions are provided that contain components of conductive material and insulating material, where the insulating material component includes a relatively high concentration of metal oxide. Ceramic igniters of the invention are particularly effective for high voltage use, including throughout the range of from about 187 to 264 volts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger J. Lin, Craig A. Willkens, Kevin C. Solofra, Thomas J. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 6582629
    Abstract: Ceramic igniter compositions are provided that contain components of conductive material and insulating material, where the insulating material component includes a relatively high concentration of metal oxide. Ceramic igniters of the invention are particularly effective for high voltage use, including throughout the range of from about 187 to 264 volts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics and Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger J. Lin, Craig A. Willkens, Kevin C. Solofra, Thomas J. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 6562745
    Abstract: This invention relates to an aging resistant SiC igniter having a second layer of recrystallized SiC within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics and Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Willkens, Normand P. Arsenault, James Olson, Roger Lin
  • Patent number: 6474492
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ceramic igniter devices, and more particularly, to such devices that contain two or more segregated hot zone regions that are electrically connected such as in series or in parallel. These devices are suitably incorporated in a variety of devices, including diesel fuel filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics and Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Willkens, Normand P. Arsenault, Sebastien R. Bardon
  • Publication number: 20020150851
    Abstract: Ceramic igniters are provided that comprise at least three zones of differing electrical resistance, preferably in sequence a first conductive zone of relatively low resistance, a power booster or enhancement zone of intermediate resistance, and a further hot or ignition zone of high resistance. Igniters of the invention can provide extremely high speeds (low time-to-temperature).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Craig A. Willkens
  • Publication number: 20020113051
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ceramic igniter devices, and more particularly, to such devices that contain two or more segregated hot zone regions that are electrically connected such as in series or in parallel. These devices are suitably incorporated in a variety of devices, including diesel fuel filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Craig A. Willkens, Normand P. Arsenault, Sebastien R. Bardon
  • Publication number: 20020010067
    Abstract: This invention relates to an aging resistant SiC igniter having a second layer of recrystallized SiC within the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Craig A. Willkens, Normand P. Arsenault, James Olson, Roger Lin
  • Patent number: 6297183
    Abstract: This invention relates to an aging resistant SiC igniter having a second layer of recrystallized SiC within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics and Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Willkens, Normand P. Arsenault, James Olson, Roger Lin
  • Patent number: 6278087
    Abstract: Ceramic igniters are provided that comprise two cold zones with an interposed hot zone, the hot zone having an electrical path length of from 0.51 cm to about 2 cm. Igniters of the invention can effectively diffuse power density throughout the igniter hot zone region, without producing isolated temperature gradients which can lead to premature igniter degradation and failure. The invention also provides new methods for forming ceramic igniters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Willkens, James M. Olson, Scott M. Hamel
  • Patent number: 6028292
    Abstract: This invention relates to a support zone for a hairpin-style ceramic igniter, the support zone comprising AlN and SiC, and preferably alumina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Willkens, Linda S. Bateman, Roger Lin
  • Patent number: 6002107
    Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a continuously energized ceramic igniter in providing a "relight" function in stovetop cooking applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Willkens, Linda S. Bateman, Dean Croucher
  • Patent number: 5892201
    Abstract: The present invention relates a ceramic igniter comprising:a) a pair of electrically conductive portions, each portion having a first end,b) a hot zone disposed between and in electrical connection with each of the first ends of the electrically conductive portions, the hot zone having an electrical path length of less than 0.5 cm, andc) an electrically non-conductive heat sink material contacting the hot zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Croucher, Craig A. Willkens, Linda S. Bateman
  • Patent number: 5820789
    Abstract: A method of heating, comprising the step of providing a line voltage of between 120V and 230 V across a ceramic igniter having a hot zone composition comprising:(a) between 50 and 80 v/o of an electrically insulating ceramic having a resistivity of at least about 10.sup.10 ohm-cm;(b) between 10 and 45 v/o of a semiconductive material having a resistivity of between about 1 and about 10.sup.8 ohm-cm;(c) between 5 and 25 v/o of a metallic conductor having a resistivity of less than about 10.sup.-2 ohm-cm; and(d) between 2.0 and 20 v/o of a resistivity-enhancing compound selected from the group consisting of metallic oxides, metallic oxynitrides, rare earth oxides, rare earth oxynitrides, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Saint Gobain/Norton Industrail Ceramics Corp.
    Inventors: Craig A. Willkens, Linda S. Batemen