Patents by Inventor Craig Willkens

Craig 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).

  • Ceramic Heating Device
    Publication number: 20110253696
    Abstract: New ceramic resistive igniter elements are provided that comprise one or more portions provided with one or more surface patterns to thereby modify the electrical pathway and, further, modify the resistance in the one or more portions. New methods for fabricating resistive igniter elements are also provided wherein one or more surface patterns are provided, for example post densification, wherein the surface pattern(s) modify the electrical pathway through the elements as compared with the electrical pathway prior to disposition of the surface pattern(s). In particular, one or more interruptions are provided in the electrical pathway of an element such that the electrical pathway is modified and, further the resistance through the element is modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Michael J. Hanagan, Thomas Sheridan, Craig Willkens
  • Ceramic heating elements
    Publication number: 20070295709
    Abstract: In one aspect, ceramic resistive heating elements are provided that comprise three or more electrically segregated conductive zones. In another aspect, ceramic heating elements are provided that comprise a plurality of conductive zones, wherein only a portion of the conductive zones pass current during use of the heating element. In a further aspect, heating elements of the invention can be readily modified to operate at a variety of voltages. The multiple conductive zones can provide extended heating element operating lifetimes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Willkens
  • Ceramic igniters
    Publication number: 20060201925
    Abstract: New methods are provided or manufacture ceramic resistive igniter elements that include extrusion of one or more layers of the formed element. Ceramic igniters also are provided that are obtainable from fabrication methods of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc
    Inventors: Taehwan Yu, Suresh Annavarapu, Norman Arsenault, Craig Willkens, Thomas Sheridan
  • Particulate filter for purifying exhaust gases of internal combustion engines comprising hot spot ceramic ignitors
    Patent number: 6989048
    Abstract: A particulate filter for purifying exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a diesel engine, comprises a filtering body and heating elements for initiating combustion of soot particles accumulated on and in the filtering body. The heating elements comprise at least a hot spot ceramic ignitor (3). The invention is applicable in the automotive industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Centre de Recherches et d'Etudes Europeen
    Inventors: Sébastien Bardon, Craig Willkens
  • Particulate filter for purifying exhaust gases of internal combustion engines comprising hot spot ceramic ignitors
    Publication number: 20040025500
    Abstract: A particulate filter for purifying exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a diesel engine, comprises a filtering body and heating elements for initiating combustion of soot particles accumulated on and in the filtering body. The heating elements comprise at least a hot spot ceramic ignitor (3). The invention is applicable in the automotive industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Sebastien Bardon, Craig Willkens