Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Chodacki

Thomas A. Chodacki 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).

  • Publication number: 20140186779
    Abstract: Featured is an ignition system using miniaturized hot surface igniters of various types, configurations, and material systems. The ignition system includes an electronic microprocessor on which a software program is executed so as to control the operation of an igniter and all functions of the ignition system. The software program evaluates performance characteristics relating to operation of the igniter. Additionally, the software program determines operation parameters and characteristics for energizing the igniter when it determines that the operation parameters and characteristics for energizing should be updated or revised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: CoorsTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. CHODACKI, Michael J. HANAGAN
  • Publication number: 20110264269
    Abstract: Featured is an ignition system using miniaturized hot surface igniters of various types, configurations, and material systems. The ignition system includes an electronic microprocessor on which a software program is executed so as to control the operation of an igniter and all functions of the ignition system. The software program evaluates performance characteristics relating to operation of the igniter. Additionally, the software program determines operation parameters and characteristics for energizing the igniter when it determines that the operation parameters and characteristics for energizing should be updated or revised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas A. Chodacki
  • Publication number: 20110086319
    Abstract: Featured is a gas burner ignition system using miniaturized hot surface igniters of various types configurations and material systems: The ignition system includes an electronic microprocessor which controls both the igniter operation and all functions of the ignition system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Chodacki, Michael W. Tanguay
  • Patent number: 7786409
    Abstract: New igniter systems are provided that comprise a ceramic igniter element and an affixed encasing shield element. The shield element may be engaged or affixed to the igniter element in a variety of configurations, including by direct attachment to the igniter element or through another structure interposed between the igniter and shield elements. In preferred systems, a proximal end of an igniter element may be engaged in a mounting structure and a shield element that encases the igniter element is affixed to the mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. Hamel, Thomas A. Chodacki
  • Publication number: 20100116182
    Abstract: Featured is a resistance heater air heating device that includes a low thermal conductivity enclosure and an electric resistance heater that is disposed within such an enclosure. In more particular embodiments, such an enclosure is configured so as to provide a high surface area which in combination with the heater heats the air passing through the enclosure. In more particular embodiments, the ceramic enclosure is configured and arranged so as to include a through aperture in which is disposed the electric resistance heater and through which the air flows along the length of the through aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Chodacki, Louis Castriotta, III, Michael W. Tanguay
  • Publication number: 20100108658
    Abstract: Systems and methods for energizing a low voltage 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 regulated voltage is applied initially and for a time period and thereafter a second regulated 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 low voltage electrical resistance igniter to a temperature sufficient to ignite a fuel-air mixture while regulating the output voltage being delivered to the igniters to prevent over voltage damage to the igniters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Chodacki, Randolph Adams
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20070007278
    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: June 19, 2006
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Chodacki, Kevin Solofra, James Ralson
  • 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: 20060219691
    Abstract: New igniter systems are provided that comprise a ceramic igniter element and an affixed encasing shield element. The shield element may be engaged or affixed to the igniter element in a variety of configurations, including by direct attachment to the igniter element or through another structure interposed between the igniter and shield elements. In preferred systems, a proximal end of an igniter element may be engaged in a mounting structure and a shield element that encases the igniter element is affixed to the mounting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Hamel, Thomas Chodacki
  • 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