Patents by Inventor Calvin Whitaker

Calvin Whitaker 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: 20230349345
    Abstract: A fuel heating apparatus including a heat exchanger body having a first removable end plate, a main body, and a second removable end plate opposite the first removable end plate. The first and second removable end plates are secured to opposing sides of the heat exchanger main body by a plurality of threaded fasteners. The first removable end plate includes a fuel inlet line and a thermal fluid inlet line, and the second removable end plate includes a fuel outlet line and a thermal fluid outlet line. The main body includes a plurality of interior first fluid pathways and a plurality of interior thermal fluid pathways defined therein, the interior first fluid pathways being responsible for connecting the fuel inlet line to the fuel outlet line and the interior thermal fluid pathways being responsible for connecting the thermal fluid inlet line to the thermal fluid outlet line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Todd E. Smith, Calvin Whitaker
  • Patent number: 11725613
    Abstract: A method of improving fuel efficiency in a diesel fuel internal combustion engine on a vehicle includes providing a combustion system including a fuel tank, an engine, and a fuel line disposed between the fuel tank and the engine. A heat exchanger is positioned on the fuel line between the fuel tank and the engine. Working thermal fluid is passed from a reservoir through the heat exchanger while fuel is passed through the heat exchanger, increasing the temperature of the fuel passing through the heat exchanger. A vibration isolation mount is installed between the heat exchanger and the vehicle, thereby reducing vibration of the heat exchanger during use of the vehicle. Heated fuel from the heat exchanger is delivered to the engine, improving the fuel efficiency of the engine by burning the heated fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: CT Energy Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Todd E. Smith, Calvin Whitaker, Frederick M. Shofner, Rick P. Dye
  • Publication number: 20190211781
    Abstract: A method of improving fuel efficiency in a diesel fuel internal combustion engine on a vehicle includes providing a combustion system including a fuel tank, an engine, and a fuel line disposed between the fuel tank and the engine. A heat exchanger is positioned on the fuel line between the fuel tank and the engine. Working thermal fluid is passed from a reservoir through the heat exchanger while fuel is passed through the heat exchanger, increasing the temperature of the fuel passing through the heat exchanger. A vibration isolation mount is installed between the heat exchanger and the vehicle, thereby reducing vibration of the heat exchanger during use of the vehicle. Heated fuel from the heat exchanger is delivered to the engine, improving the fuel efficiency of the engine by burning the heated fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Todd E. Smith, Calvin Whitaker, Frederick M. Shofner, Rick P. Dye
  • Patent number: 10233874
    Abstract: A fuel heating apparatus includes a fuel filter head having an upper side, a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet. A fuel filter is disposed on the fuel filter head including an unfiltered fuel plenum and a filtered fuel plenum inside the fuel filter. A heating element is disposed inside the filtered fuel plenum inside the fuel filter. One or more temperature sensors are included inside the fuel filter in some embodiments. The heating element and temperature sensor are connected to a thermostat to regulate the temperature inside the fuel filter to prevent gelling of fuel. Additionally, in some embodiments, a heat exchanger is disposed on the fuel line between the fuel tank and the engine. A working thermal fluid passes through the heat exchanger in thermal contact with the fuel. Heat transfer between the working thermal fluid and the fuel preheats the fuel prior to delivery to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: CT Energy Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Todd E. Smith, Calvin Whitaker, Frederick M. Shofner, Rick P. Dye
  • Publication number: 20170254299
    Abstract: A fuel heating apparatus includes a fuel filter head having an upper side, a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet. A fuel filter is disposed on the fuel filter head including an unfiltered fuel plenum and a filtered fuel plenum inside the fuel filter. A heating element is disposed inside the filtered fuel plenum inside the fuel filter. One or more temperature sensors are included inside the fuel filter in some embodiments. The heating element and temperature sensor are connected to a thermostat to regulate the temperature inside the fuel filter to prevent gelling of fuel. Additionally, in some embodiments, a heat exchanger is disposed on the fuel line between the fuel tank and the engine. A working thermal fluid passes through the heat exchanger in thermal contact with the fuel. Heat transfer between the working thermal fluid and the fuel preheats the fuel prior to delivery to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Todd E. Smith, Calvin Whitaker, Frederick M. Shofner, Rick P. Dye