Patents by Inventor Paul J. Porreca

Paul J. Porreca 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: 8477498
    Abstract: A circuit card enclosure comprises a backplane including a plurality of connectors. First and second conduction rails are thermally coupled to a heat exchanger, the first and second conduction rails each comprising an inner body at least partially encapsulated by an outer body. The inner body comprises a thermally conductive material. The outer body comprises a structural material. Card slots of the circuit card enclosure are defined between opposed card channels of the first and second conduction rails. Each card slot is constructed and arranged to register an inserted circuit card with at least one of the connectors, the card channels including a thermally conductive region constructed and arranged to thermally interface with a thermal frame of an inserted circuit card, the thermally conductive region of the card channels being thermally coupled to the inner body of the conduction rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Porreca, Todd P. Maille, Michael R. Palis
  • Publication number: 20110267776
    Abstract: A circuit card enclosure comprises a backplane including a plurality of connectors. First and second conduction rails are thermally coupled to a heat exchanger, the first and second conduction rails each comprising an inner body at least partially encapsulated by an outer body. The inner body comprises a thermally conductive material. The outer body comprises a structural material. Card slots of the circuit card enclosure are defined between opposed card channels of the first and second conduction rails. Each card slot is constructed and arranged to register an inserted circuit card with at least one of the connectors, the card channels including a thermally conductive region constructed and arranged to thermally interface with a thermal frame of an inserted circuit card, the thermally conductive region of the card channels being thermally coupled to the inner body of the conduction rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Paul J. Porreca, Todd P. Maille, Michael R. Palis
  • Patent number: 7450384
    Abstract: A card cage configured to hold a set of electronics cards comprises a set of walls having an input and an output and a set of flow paths formed in the set of walls to enable a fluid to flow therein. The set of flow paths includes a first flow path formed between the input and the output and in first wall from the set of walls and a second flow path formed between the input and the output and in a second wall from the set of walls. The first flow path and the second flow path are substantially the same length and a fluid flowing therein experiences substantially the same pressure drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Hybricon Corporation
    Inventors: Kamran Tavassoli, Paul J. Porreca, Robert C. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20080007913
    Abstract: A card cage configured to hold a set of electronics cards comprises a set of walls having an input and an output and a set of flow paths formed in the set of walls to enable a fluid to flow therein. The set of flow paths includes a first flow path formed between the input and the output and in first wall from the set of walls and a second flow path formed between the input and the output and in a second wall from the set of walls. The first flow path and the second flow path are substantially the same length and a fluid flowing therein experiences substantially the same pressure drop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: HYBRICON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert C. Sullivan, Kamran Tavassoli, Paul J. Porreca
  • Patent number: 6349041
    Abstract: A modular card cage allows for improved access to the rear panel of a backplane, while providing for enhanced EMI shielding. First and second side panels, in combination with top and bottom covers, form the card cage. The top and bottom covers are adapted for removably mounting to the side panels, and, when mounted, provide lateral rigidity to the card cage. At least one of the top and bottom covers comprises a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion of the cover is preferably separable from the rear portion such that one of the front and rear portions is removable from the side panels, while the other of the front and rear portions remains mounted for providing lateral rigidity. EMI shielding is provided in all portions of the cage, including the removably mounted covers, preferably by means of embedded, continuous gasketing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Hybricon Corporation
    Inventors: C. Michael Hayward, Richard N. Rehlander, Paul J. Porreca
  • Patent number: 5197448
    Abstract: An ignition system for hydrocarbon based fuels employing two energy sources, one to create a spark, and the other to sustain an arc. The ignition circuit is based in part on the principle of a strobe light circuit. The circuit increases ignition efficiency by increasing the power dissipated at the spark gap, particularly when used in conjunction with a surface gap spark plug. Maximum power transfer is achieved via impedance matching of the ignition system to a surface gap spark plug. The circuit is particularly appropriate for igniting extremely lean mixtures, highly diluted mixtures, and alternative fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Paul J. Porreca, Edward A. VanDuyne