Brian A Engle

US Patent:

6467507, Oct 22, 2002

Filed:

Mar 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/102368

Inventors:

Brian A. Engle - Armada MI

Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16L 1100

US Classification:

138112, 138110, 138156, 138151, 2482053, 248 743

Abstract:

A clip for attaching a component to a mounting surface of a container has a generally tubular body with outwardly extending projections and a component retaining aperture. The clip and the container are formed from similar plastic materials with the container material having the same or lower melt index value. The component is assembled with the clip by insertion through a gap in the clip wall widened under a deflecting force. The clip is placed in contact with the mounting surface while the container has latent heat to melt at least one of the contacting projections and form a bond area attaching the component/clip assembly to the mounting surface of the container.

US Patent:

6502607, Jan 7, 2003

Filed:

Apr 10, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/120098

Inventors:

Gregory P. Brown - Connersville IN
Brian Allen Engle - Connersville IN

Assignee:

Stant Manufacturing Inc. - Connersville IN

International Classification:

B65B 104

US Classification:

141 1, 141 4, 141285, 141301, 141192, 141198, 137391, 137587

Abstract:

A fuel tank valve apparatus for use with a fuel tank. The fuel tank apparatus has an inlet neck defining a valve chamber, a valve housing positioned in the valve chamber, a valve positioned to move within the valve housing to regulate flow of liquid fuel into the fuel tank, and a retainer. The inlet neck is attachable to the fuel tank. The valve housing is retained in the inlet neck for communicating with the fuel tank. Connecting the inlet neck to the fuel tank maintains the integrity of the tank and inlet neck material.

US Patent:

6591857, Jul 15, 2003

Filed:

Nov 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/997736

Inventors:

Brian Allen Engle - Armada MI
James Fuller Potter - Livonia MI
Harold Edward Cunningham - Oxford MI

Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F16K 2404

US Classification:

137202, 137587

Abstract:

A venting system for venting a gaseous fluid from a tank having an aperture and a fuel delivery module cover. The tank is made of a predetermined material. The venting system comprises a venting valve disposed within the aperture. The venting valve includes a valve body having a top portion and a neck portion extending from the top portion. The top portion is disposed outside the tank and is engaged thereto. The venting system further includes a channel which connects to the valve body so that the venting valve is in fluid communication therewith and is attached to the fuel delivery module cover to allow the gaseous fluid in the tank to be vented therefrom. The venting system further includes a cover which is comprised of the same predetermined material and is welded to the tank to seal the valve between the cover and the tank.

US Patent:

6810569, Nov 2, 2004

Filed:

Jul 8, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/614999

Inventors:

Brian Engle - Armada MI
Harold E. Cunningham - Oxford MI
Larry D. Land - Grosse Ile MI
James F. Potter - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G01M 1900

US Classification:

2940704, 29701, 29705, 29709, 285319, 285 93, 285305, 285921

Abstract:

A method for manufacturing a workpiece, such as an automotive fuel tank, that includes a connection between a male connector and a female connector, one of which includes a tab that is only removable following the connection. The tab includes a computer-readable code that is read by the computer. During manufacturing, the workpiece is loaded into a workstation, the connection is made, and the tab is removed. The tab is presented to a computer to verify the connection. In the event that a command is received to release the workpiece and the computer has not verified the connection, the computer issues an alert. In a workstation that comprises a computer-controlled release mechanism, a preferred alert comprises a refusal to release the workpiece prior to verification of the connection.

US Patent:

8002315, Aug 23, 2011

Filed:

Dec 23, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/645972

Inventors:

Brian Allen Engle - Armada MI, US
Woojin Kim - Irvine CA, US
George Szabo - Ortonville MI, US

Assignee:

General Electric Corporation - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

F16L 37/00

US Classification:

285305, 137557

Abstract:

There is provided embodiments of a fluid fitting, and system incorporating the fluid fitting therein, which is compatible with harsh, caustic environments such as those environments found in the automotive industry. In one embodiment, the fluid fitting can comprise a conductive element with a fluid pathway for transporting a fluid, e. g. , fuel. The fluid fitting can also comprise a non-conductive element that is coupled to the conductive element in a manner discharging electrons from the conductive body. The non-conductive element can comprise a cavity with an opening exposing a sensing device with a sensing element disposed on a sensing element housing. The sensing element housing can be sealed to the conductive element, but expose the sensing element to the fluid in the fluid pathway.

US Patent:

8261618, Sep 11, 2012

Filed:

Nov 22, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/951330

Inventors:

Brian Allen Engle - Armada MI, US
Matthew Ingco - Palo Alto CA, US
Chris Wagner - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01L 9/06

US Classification:

73727, 73754

Abstract:

There are provided embodiments of a sensing device that comprise a sensing element, a substrate, and a bonding element, each being selected for environments that utilize caustic working fluids such as automotive fuel. Material for use as the bonding element can form molecular bonds with ceramics and glass. In one embodiment, the sensing device comprises a receptacle or cavity, in which are located the sensing element and the bonding element. This configuration facilitates the formation of bonds between the bonding element and each of the sensing element and a peripheral wall of the cavity. Such bonds are configured in a tensile bonding area and a shear bonding area, the combination of which is useful to secure the sensing element in the cavity. The sensing device can further comprise a seal such as an o-ring disposed in annular relation to the substrate to seal the sensing device to a peripheral device such as a fluid fitting, which may be found in a fuel system of an automobile.

US Patent:

20010025666, Oct 4, 2001

Filed:

Dec 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/728256

Inventors:

Gregory Brown - Connersville IN, US
Brian Engle - Connersville IN, US

International Classification:

B65B003/04
B65B001/04

US Classification:

141/001000

Abstract:

A fuel tank valve apparatus for use with a fuel tank. The fuel tank apparatus has an inlet neck defining a valve chamber, a valve housing positioned in the valve chamber, a valve positioned to move within the valve housing to regulate flow of liquid fuel into the fuel tank, and a retainer. The inlet neck is attachable to the fuel tank. The valve housing is retained in the inlet neck for communicating with the fuel tank. Connecting the inlet neck to the fuel tank maintains the integrity of the tank and inlet neck material.

US Patent:

20010029994, Oct 18, 2001

Filed:

Mar 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/816885

Inventors:

Gregory Brown - Connersville IN, US
Brian Engle - Connersville IN, US

International Classification:

B65B003/04
B65B001/04

US Classification:

141/001000

Abstract:

A fuel tank valve apparatus for use with a fuel tank. The fuel tank apparatus has an inlet neck defining a valve chamber, a valve housing positioned in the valve chamber, a valve positioned to move within the valve housing to regulate flow of liquid fuel into the fuel tank, and a retainer. The inlet neck is attachable to the fuel tank. The valve housing is retained in the inlet neck for communicating with the fuel tank. Connecting the inlet neck to the fuel tank maintains the integrity of the tank and inlet neck material.