Patents by Inventor Darrin Hurley

Darrin Hurley 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: 20070137729
    Abstract: Reducing fuel vapor within a vehicle fuel tank is accomplished by employing a flexible fuel sock attached to spud near the top surface of the fuel tank. The fuel sock resides within the fuel tank and retains liquid fuel during tank refueling so that the fuel is confined within the fuel sock until the fuel reaches the bottom of the fuel tank or the current level of fuel within the tank. The fuel conduit may be flexible and buoyant to accommodate any level of fuel in the tank and reduction of fuel refueling vapors. A check valve may be situated within the spud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Darrin Hurley, Yarick Vitkovski
  • Publication number: 20060249126
    Abstract: An evaporative emission control and leak detection system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes an integrated valve module in fluid communication with a carbon canister and atmosphere. The module is arranged to vent the system when exposed to predetermined high negative and positive pressure conditions. The module includes a switch mechanism having a spring biasing member arranged to bias the switch mechanism to an open position. The switch is operable to indicate when the system is in a low negative pressure condition. The switch also includes a negative pressure valve coupled to a fluid passage between the canister, the atmosphere and the switch, and a positive pressure valve coupled to a fluid passage between the canister and atmosphere that bypasses the negative pressure valve and switch. The negative and positive pressure valves are positioned in a stacked arrangement in the integrated valve module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventor: Darrin Hurley
  • Publication number: 20050183701
    Abstract: An evaporative emission control and leak detection system for a motor vehicle is provided. The system is in fluid communication with a fuel tank, an engine, and a carbon canister and includes an integrated valve module that is in fluid communication with the carbon canister and the atmosphere. The module provides for venting of the system when the system is exposed to predetermined high negative and positive pressure conditions, and a predetermined low negative pressure condition. The module also includes a switch that is operable to indicate when the system is in a high or low negative pressure condition for leak detection verification of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventor: Darrin Hurley
  • Publication number: 20050056088
    Abstract: An evaporative emission control and leak detection system for a motor vehicle is provided. The system is in fluid communication with a fuel tank, an engine, and a carbon canister and includes an integrated valve module that is in fluid communication with the carbon canister and the atmosphere. The module provides for venting of the system when the system is exposed to predetermined high negative and positive pressure conditions, and a predetermined low negative pressure condition. The module also includes a switch that is operable to indicate when the system is in a high or low negative pressure condition for leak detection verification of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventor: Darrin Hurley
  • Patent number: 6675779
    Abstract: A tank venting apparatus or a fill-limit and tank ventilation valve is disclosed for use with a fuel tank. The valve has a housing which contains a first valve assembly, second valve assembly, third valve assembly and fourth valve assembly. The first valve assembly primarily communicates with the fuel tank. The fourth valve assembly communicates with a vapor recover canister and a filler neck to the tank. The first valve assembly also communicates with the third valve assembly and the second valve assembly. The second valve assembly generally communicates with the first valve assembly and the third valve assembly. The third valve assembly communicates with the first valve assembly, second valve assembly and fourth valve assembly. The third valve assembly prevents passage of liquid fuel from the tank to the canister. The fourth valve assembly manages flow from the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy King, Darrin Hurley
  • Publication number: 20030230288
    Abstract: A tank venting apparatus or a fill-limit and tank ventilation valve is disclosed for use with a fuel tank. The valve has a housing which contains a first valve assembly, second valve assembly, third valve assembly and fourth valve assembly. The first valve assembly primarily communicates with the fuel tank. The fourth valve assembly communicates with a vapor recover canister and a filler neck to the tank. The first valve assembly also communicates with the third valve assembly and the second valve assembly. The second valve assembly generally communicates with the first valve assembly and the third valve assembly. The third valve assembly communicates with the first valve assembly, second valve assembly and fourth valve assembly. The third valve assembly prevents passage of liquid fuel from the tank to the canister. The fourth valve assembly manages flow from the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy King, Darrin Hurley
  • Patent number: 5950659
    Abstract: A fuel vapor vent valve assembly for a vehicle fuel tank for venting fuel vapor from the fuel tank to a fuel vapor emission device disposed external of the fuel tank, wherein the assembly comprises a valve housing having a fuel vapor vent outlet opening or orifice defined by a valve seat and communicating with a fuel tank vapor space interior of the fuel tank and with a fuel vapor emission device, such as a charcoal canister, exterior of the fuel tank. A fuel level responsive valve-moving device, such as a float, is disposed in the housing for movement therein. A vapor vent valve is disposed on the device in a manner for closing and opening the vent orifice in response to the fuel level in the fuel tank. The vent valve includes a partial spherical, radius-defined sealing surface that mates with a sealing surface of the valve seat to provide liquid/vapor tight sealing relation therebetween when the valve is in the closed position relative to the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Saturn Electronics & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Emil Szlaga, Darrin Hurley