Patents by Inventor Robert A. Noel

Robert A. Noel 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).

  • Spark generating apparatus having strain gage cylinder pressure measurement feature
    Patent number: 6799451
    Abstract: An ignition coil, spark plug, and pressure sensor for an internal combustion engine are, in a preferred embodiment, integrated into a single assembly and mounted directly on a plug hole of an internal combustion engine. A hard spark plug shell serves as a pressure member and on which a strain gage is affixed. Changes in the pressure in the combustion chamber deform the shell, causing a corresponding change in the resistance of the strain gage. A bridge circuit or the like is used to measure the resistance change thereby providing a direct indication of cylinder pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Kiess, Robert A. Noel, James Tordt Wright, James Alva Boyer, Matthew W. Bell
  • Spark apparatus with pressure signal response amplification
    Patent number: 6668632
    Abstract: An ignition coil, spark plug, and pressure sensor for an internal combustion engine are, in a preferred embodiment, integrated into a single assembly and mounted directly on a plug hole of an internal combustion engine. A hard spark plug shell serves as a pressure member and on which a strain gage is affixed. Changes in the pressure in the combustion chamber deform the shell, causing a corresponding change in the resistance of the strain gage. A bridge circuit or the like is used to measure the resistance change thereby providing a direct indication of cylinder pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean M. Ford, Diane E. Hageman, Ronald J. Kiess, Robert A. Noel
  • Spark apparatus with pressure signal response amplification
    Publication number: 20020189334
    Abstract: An ignition coil, spark plug, and pressure sensor for an internal combustion engine are, in a preferred embodiment, integrated into a single assembly and mounted directly on a plug hole of an internal combustion engine. A hard spark plug shell serves as a pressure member and on which a strain gage is affixed. Changes in the pressure in the combustion chamber deform the shell, causing a corresponding change in the resistance of the strain gage. A bridge circuit or the like is used to measure the resistance change thereby providing a direct indication of cylinder pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Dean M. Ford, Diane E. Hageman, Ronald J. Kiess, Robert A. Noel
  • Spark generating apparatus having strain gage cylinder pressure measurement feature
    Publication number: 20020121127
    Abstract: An ignition coil, spark plug, and pressure sensor for an internal combustion engine are, in a preferred embodiment, integrated into a single assembly and mounted directly on a plug hole of an internal combustion engine. A hard spark plug shell serves as a pressure member and on which a strain gage is affixed. Changes in the pressure in the combustion chamber deform the shell, causing a corresponding change in the resistance of the strain gage. A bridge circuit or the like is used to measure the resistance change thereby providing a direct indication of cylinder pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Ronald J. Kiess, Robert A. Noel, James Tordt Wright, James Alva Boyer, Matthew W. Bell
  • Pre-ignition detector
    Patent number: 6360587
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a pre-ignition combustion condition in an internal combustion engine. An ion sensing circuit measures an ion current during the ignition coil charging time. An ion current level above a predetermined reference level indicates pre-ignition combustion. A powertrain control module is responsive to a pre-ignition signal for discontinuing delivery of fuel to the cylinder in which the ion current was measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Noel