James M Ralson

US Patent:

7148454, Dec 12, 2006

Filed:

Mar 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/090450

Inventors:

Thomas A. Chodacki - Stow MA, US
Kevin C. Solofra - Uxbridge MA, US
James M. Ralson - Naperville IL, US

Assignee:

Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc. - Worcester MA

International Classification:

H05B 1/02

US Classification:

219497, 219263

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.

US Patent:

7671305, Mar 2, 2010

Filed:

Jun 19, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/471271

Inventors:

Thomas A. Chodacki - Stow MA, US
Kevin C. Solofra - Uxbridge MA, US
James M. Ralson - Naperville IL, US

Assignee:

Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc. - Worcester MA

International Classification:

H05B 1/02

US Classification:

219497, 219263, 219260, 219501, 431 66, 361264

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.

US Patent:

20040209209, Oct 21, 2004

Filed:

Nov 3, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/700339

Inventors:

Thomas Chodacki - Stow MA, US
Kevin Solofra - Weare NH, US
James Ralson - Naperville IL, US

International Classification:

F23N005/00

US Classification:

431/066000

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.

US Patent:

58864300, Mar 23, 1999

Filed:

Mar 27, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/826142

Inventors:

James M. Ralson - Naperville IL
Gregory Jay Ramsey - Barrington IL

Assignee:

Gabriel, Inc. - Elgin IL

International Classification:

H01H 3500

US Classification:

307126

Abstract:

Disclosed is an electronics device for use with a refrigerator/freezer for controlling the dispensing of ice cubes by an ice auger through a door flap when a cradle is pressed. The electronics device comprises a solenoid in operative connection with the door flap, and the solenoid is powerably connectable to a 120 Volt AC line power source. The electronics device also comprises a relay switch controlled by two NPN bipolar transistors in a Darlington configuration which are in parallel connection with a diode and a capacitor. The relay switch is also connected to the power source and connects the power source to the solenoid when the cradle is pressed causing the door flap to open. The power source powers the ice auger to dispense ice cubes through the door flap, and the capacitor causes the transistors to be biased on while the capacitor is charged to a voltage greater than a voltage of the diode. When the cradle is pressed, the capacitor begins to de-charge and when the capacitor de-charges to a voltage less than the voltage of the diode, the relay switch disconnects the power source from the solenoid causing the door flap to close.

US Patent:

59177799, Jun 29, 1999

Filed:

Apr 16, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/842636

Inventors:

James M. Ralson - Naperville IL
Gregory Jay Ramsey - Barrington IL

Assignee:

Gabriel, Inc. - Elgin IL

International Classification:

G04C 1900
G04B 3712
G09G 500

US Classification:

368 83

Abstract:

A transformerless oven timer which uses a 20 pin microcontroller connected to light emitting diodes. The microcontroller has 2 Kbytes of 8 bit read only memory and has software etched therein. The microcontroller can transfer power and voltage to the light emitting diodes when the oven is connected to, and powered by, an electrical outlet. The software etched into the microcontroller detects whether a resistor is connected to the microcontroller and converts a pin on the microcontroller from an input into an output. The software also synchronizes the microcontroller with the frequency of the electrical outlet to provide that the microcontroller keeps track of time. The transformerless oven timer also includes electrical circuitry connected to the microcontroller, where the electrical circuitry reduces the voltage and current provided to the microcontroller and to the light emitting diodes without using a transformer. The electrical circuitry also provides real resistance to reject noise from the electrical outlet.