Patents by Inventor Paul Douglas Freen

Paul Douglas Freen 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: 9605646
    Abstract: The disclosure relates methods and related systems for controlling corona discharge in a combustion chamber without causing an arc strike. The methods can include measuring a baseline impedance of a circuit in electrical communication with an electrode, measuring an actual impedance of the circuit, determining an impedance setpoint based at least in part on the baseline impedance, comparing the actual impedance to the impedance setpoint, and adjusting the actual impedance based at least in part on the comparison between the actual impedance and the impedance setpoint. The electrode is arranged to deliver a corona discharge to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Douglas Freen
  • Publication number: 20140226252
    Abstract: The disclosure relates methods and related systems for controlling corona discharge in a combustion chamber without causing an arc strike. The methods can include measuring a baseline impedance of a circuit in electrical communication with an electrode, measuring an actual impedance of the circuit, determining an impedance setpoint based at least in part on the baseline impedance, comparing the actual impedance to the impedance setpoint, and adjusting the actual impedance based at least in part on the comparison between the actual impedance and the impedance setpoint. The electrode is arranged to deliver a corona discharge to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Douglas Freen
  • Patent number: 8746218
    Abstract: The disclosure relates methods and related systems for controlling corona discharge in a combustion chamber without causing an arc strike. The methods can include measuring a baseline impedance of a circuit in electrical communication with an electrode, measuring an actual impedance of the circuit, determining an impedance setpoint based at least in part on the baseline impedance, comparing the actual impedance to the impedance setpoint, and adjusting the actual impedance based at least in part on the comparison between the actual impedance and the impedance setpoint. The electrode is arranged to deliver a corona discharge to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Douglas Freen
  • Publication number: 20110114071
    Abstract: The disclosure relates methods and related systems for controlling corona discharge in a combustion chamber without causing an arc strike. The methods can include measuring a baseline impedance of a circuit in electrical communication with an electrode, measuring an actual impedance of the circuit, determining an impedance setpoint based at least in part on the baseline impedance, comparing the actual impedance to the impedance setpoint, and adjusting the actual impedance based at least in part on the comparison between the actual impedance and the impedance setpoint. The electrode is arranged to deliver a corona discharge to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Douglas Freen
  • Patent number: 6883507
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for igniting a fuel-air mixture in a combustion chamber with a corona discharge. The system comprises an electrode inside of the combustion chamber, an electric circuit which provides radio frequency electric power to the electrode, and a ground formed by the combustion chamber walls. A radio frequency voltage differential formed between the electrode and the ground produces a radio frequency electric field therebetween which causes a fuel-air mixture to ionize resulting in combustion of the fuel-air mixture. The system can be utilized in engines such as internal combustion engines or gas turbine engines, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Etatech, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Douglas Freen
  • Publication number: 20040129241
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for igniting a fuel-air mixture in a combustion chamber with a corona discharge. The system comprises an electrode inside of the combustion chamber, an electric circuit which provides radio frequency electric power to the electrode, and a ground formed by the combustion chamber walls. A radio frequency voltage differential formed between the electrode and the ground produces a radio frequency electric field therebetween which causes a fuel-air mixture to ionize resulting in combustion of the fuel-air mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Paul Douglas Freen
  • Patent number: 5791145
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine can include a fuel molecular weight sensor to determine an actual and a desired Excess Air Ratio for an air/fuel mixture supplied to the engine. To prevent engine overload, the control system limits the amount of fuel delivered to the engine based on the amount of air available to the engine. High pressure exhaust gas can drive an air compressor which pressurizes inlet air. A exhaust bypass valve controls the amount of power delivered to the compressor, and the pressure and amount of inlet air delivered to the engine. Independent control of the main fuel flow and pilot fuel flow allows the control system to maintain a desired air/fuel ratio in the main combustion chamber and in the precombustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Cooper Cameron Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Douglas Freen