Daniel T Pimentel

US Patent:

51873494, Feb 16, 1993

Filed:

Aug 22, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/571374

Inventors:

Jeffery A. Curhan - Medway MA
Daniel R. Pimentel - Seekonk MA
Peter G. Berg - Attleboro Falls MA

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

B60L 102

US Classification:

219202

Abstract:

A system for heating the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle has a hot water heater receiving heat from a vehicle engine arranged in series with a self-regulating electrical resistance heater of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity, has a power source for energizing the electrical resistance heater, and has a fan for directing air in heat-transfer relation to the hot water heater and to the electrical resistance heater in sequence to provide a heated air output to the passenger compartment. Fan speed is controlled to regulate the volume of air directed in heat-transfer relation to the heaters so that the electrical resistance heater is promptly and consistently capable of heating that volume of air to at least a selected minimum temperature such as 100. degree. F. as the heated air output is furnished to the passenger compartment, thereby to give a vehicle passenger an immediate and continuing sensation of comfort beginning very promptly after engine start-up even on a very cold day. The fan speed is regulated to provide a large air volume for heating the compartment as quickly as possible with the available power while providing the immediate sensation of comfort to the vehicle passenger.

US Patent:

40688208, Jan 17, 1978

Filed:

Jan 15, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/649304

Inventors:

Daniel R. Pimentel - Seekonk MA

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

F16K 3100

US Classification:

251 11

Abstract:

A valve device particularly adapted for remote electrical operation at very low power levels has actuator means which are located outside a valve body but which are operatively connected to a valve member within the body through a flexible diaphragm which seals the valve body without excessively restricting movement of the valve member within the valve body. The actuator means are selectively operable for moving the valve member to open and close the valve. Preferably, at least the flexible diaphragm is exposed to fluid pressures within the valve body so that the valve member is normally moved to closed valve position with selected force in response to these pressures when fluid is introduced into the valve body. The actuator means preferably comprises a wire of a selected nickel-titanium alloy which is secured outside the valve body between the body and the valve operating member, the wire being of selected small diameter to be deformed from an original length to a greater length as the valve member is moved to closed valve position with said force while the wire alloy displays a relatively low modulus of elasticity below a transition temperature. However, the wire abruptly returns to its original length and displays a relatively higher modulus of elasticity to move the valve member to open valve position against this force when the wire alloy is heated above its transition temperature.

US Patent:

39748448, Aug 17, 1976

Filed:

Aug 26, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/500215

Inventors:

Daniel R. Pimentel - Seekonk MA

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

F16K 3102
F03G 706

US Classification:

137 1

Abstract:

A valve device particularly adapted for remote electrical operation at very low power levels has actuator means which are located outside a valve body but which are operatively connected to a valve member within the body through a flexible diaphragm which seals the valve body without excessively restricting movement of the valve member within the valve body. The actuator means are selectively operable for moving the valve member to open and close the valve. Preferably, at least the flexible diaphragm is exposed to fluid pressures within the valve body so that the valve member is normally moved to closed valve position with selected force in response to these pressures when fluid is introduced into the valve body. The actuator means preferably comprises a wire of a selected nickel-titanium alloy which is secured outside the valve body between the body and the valve operating member, the wire being of selected small diameter to be deformed from an original length to a greater length as the valve member is moved to closed valve position with said force while the wire alloy displays a relatively low modulus of elasticity below a transition temperature. However, the wire abruptly returns to its original length and displays a relatively higher modulus of elasticity to move the valve member to open valve position against this force when the wire alloy is heated above its transition temperature.

US Patent:

53619900, Nov 8, 1994

Filed:

Dec 20, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/810996

Inventors:

Daniel R. Pimentel - Seekonk MA

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

B05B 124

US Classification:

239133

Abstract:

A fuel injector system has a pair of half-cylindrical elements of a ceramic material of positive temperature coefficient resistivity held in nested relation with a nozzle tip of a fuel injector, preferably by an annular spring fitted over the elements, to serve as self-regulating electrical resistance heaters to heat the fuel injector to heat fuel passed through the nozzle tip to an internal combustion engine. A cup-shaped electrically insulating housing has an open end fitted over the spring and heater elements on the nozzle tip and has an aperture in the bottom of the housing cup through which fuel is sprayed to the engine.

US Patent:

52568571, Oct 26, 1993

Filed:

Aug 22, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/571379

Inventors:

Jeffrey A. Curhan - Medway MA
Daniel R. Pimentel - Seekonk MA
Peter G. Berg - Attleboro Falls MA

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H05B 102
H05B 314
H01C 702
F24H 304

US Classification:

219202

Abstract:

A heater particularly adapted for use in automotive applications as a passenger compartment heater or the like has a housing with an opening and has a plurality of heat-exchanging fin members and self-regulating electrical resistance heater discs of positive temperature coefficient resistivity (PTC) disposed in the housing to heat air or other fluid which is passed through the housing opening in heat-transfer relation to the fin members. A thermally conductive grease is positioned between the PTC heater discs and fin members to enhance heat transfer. Springs resiliently position the fin members, grease and heater discs in thermally and electrically conductive relation to each other between terminals accessible from the housing exterior to retain the fin members, grease and heater discs engaged during thermal expansion and vibration for reliably energizing the heater discs to heat the fin members over a long service life.