Patents by Inventor Kevin C. Solofra

Kevin C. Solofra 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: 7671305
    Abstract: Systems and methods for energizing an electrical resistance igniter are disclosed. The systems and methods determine the line voltage into the system and control the voltage being applied to the electrical resistance igniters so a first voltage is applied initially and for a time period and thereafter a second voltage is applied, the second voltage being the operating voltage for the igniter. The systems and methods decrease the amount of time required to heat-up the electrical resistance igniter to a temperature sufficient to ignite the gas while regulating the output voltage being delivered to the igniters to prevent over voltage damage to the igniters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Chodacki, Kevin C. Solofra, James M. Ralson
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7148454
    Abstract: Systems and methods for energizing an electrical resistance igniter include determining the line voltage into the system and controlling the voltage being applied to the electrical resistance igniters so a first voltage is applied initially and for a time period and thereafter a second voltage is applied, the second voltage being the operating voltage for the igniter. The systems and methods decrease the amount of time required to heat-up the electrical resistance igniter to a temperature sufficient to ignite the gas while regulating the output voltage being delivered to the igniters to prevent over voltage damage to the igniters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Chodacki, Kevin C. Solofra, James M. Ralson
  • Publication number: 20040209209
    Abstract: Featured is a gas control device being configured and arranged so as to control operation of a hot surface igniter so it is warmed-up to ignition temperatures of a gas when a call for heat is made and, following ignition, to control operation of the igniter so it is capable of rapidly re-igniting the gas without having to continuously maintain the igniter at or above gas ignition temperatures. More particularly, the gas control device includes circuitry that controls energization of the igniter for ignition of the gas and, after ignition of the gas is determined to have occurred, controls energization of the igniter so that the igniter can be warmed up to ignition temperature conditions within desired re-ignition time periods. Also featured are systems and apparatuses embodying such control devices as well as methods related thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas A. Chodacki, Kevin C. Solofra, James M. Ralson
  • Publication number: 20030164368
    Abstract: Systems and methods for energizing an electrical resistance igniter are disclosed. The systems and methods determine the line voltage into the system and control the voltage being applied to the electrical resistance igniters so a first voltage is applied initially and for a time period and thereafter a second voltage is applied, the second voltage being the operating voltage for the igniter. The systems and methods decrease the amount of time required to heat-up the electrical resistance igniter to a temperature sufficient to ignite the gas while regulating the output voltage being delivered to the igniters to prevent over voltage damage to the igniters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas A. Chodacki, Kevin C. Solofra, James M. Ralson
  • 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