Patents by Inventor Gregory E. Rich

Gregory E. Rich 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).

  • Patent number: 7690363
    Abstract: A vapor fuel recovery system for fuel tanks is provided. The vapor recovery system comprises: a canister that captures vapor fuel expelled from the fuel tank; a vent valve that controls ventilation of vapor fuel from the fuel tank to the canister; and a vent bypass disposed between the canister and the vent valve that controls the flow of vapor fuel from the fuel tank to the on-board recovery canister when a fuel level in the fuel tank is full. The bypass includes a bypass valve and at least one orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy A. Giacomazzi, Eugene V. Gonze, Gregory E. Rich, Bernard Toton
  • Publication number: 20080230038
    Abstract: A vapor fuel recovery system for fuel tanks is provided. The vapor recovery system comprises: a canister that captures vapor fuel expelled from the fuel tank; a vent valve that controls ventilation of vapor fuel from the fuel tank to the canister; and a vent bypass disposed between the canister and the vent valve that controls the flow of vapor fuel from the fuel tank to the on-board recovery canister when a fuel level in the fuel tank is full. The bypass includes a bypass valve and at least one orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Roy A. Giacomazzi, Eugene V. Gonze, Gregory E. Rich, Bernard Toton
  • Patent number: 6886861
    Abstract: A trunk mounted fuel tank assembly including a cradle, a fuel tank, and at least one retention strap is disclosed. The cradle includes a back portion and bottom portion with a fuel feed passage that is placed over a surface of a trunk. The fuel tank includes a fuel line that is placed about the back portion and bottom portion of the cradle. The fuel line extends through the fuel feed passage and a passage in the surface of the trunk. The at least one retention strap includes a first leg and a second leg that is placed over a top portion of the fuel tank for retaining the fuel tank to the cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent J. Marsala, Gregory E. Rich
  • Publication number: 20040160052
    Abstract: A trunk mounted fuel tank assembly comprising a cradle, a fuel tank, and at least one retention strap is disclosed. The cradle includes a back portion and bottom portion with a fuel feed passage that is placed over a surface of a trunk. The fuel tank includes a fuel line that is placed about the back portion and bottom portion of the cradle. The fuel line extends through the fuel feed passage and a passage in the surface of the trunk. The at least one retention strap includes a first leg and a second leg that is placed over a top portion of the fuel tank for retaining the fuel tank to the cradle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Vincent J. Marsala, Gregory E. Rich
  • Patent number: 5437257
    Abstract: An evaporative emission control system of an internal combustion engine's fuel system including a vent valve. The vent valve provides a mechanism for closing the evaporative emission control system creating a pressure differential between system and atmospheric under various conditions whereby the system can be automatically diagnosed. The vent valve relieves pressure or vacuum in the system that exceeds a threshold necessary to detect the presence of leaks. The vent valve includes a vacuum actuator providing a low restriction flow path for system purges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Roy A. Giacomazzi, Gregory E. Rich, Chester W. Przeklas, Kenneth W. Turner
  • Patent number: 5070849
    Abstract: A modular fuel delivery system including a reservoir in a fuel tank, an electric fuel pump in the reservoir, and a jet pump for pumping fuel from the fuel tank into the reservoir wherein overflow from the reservoir is recirculated by the jet pump back into the reservoir to minimize mixing of potentially hot overflow with cooler bulk fuel in the fuel tank. A recirculation fluid flow path extends from the reservoir to a secondary inlet of the jet pump adjacent a small diameter end of a venturi passage in the latter. A valve closes the recirculation flow path when the reservoir is not overflowing and opens the recirculation flow path when the reservoir is overflowing. A portion of the recirculation flow path is above the maximum surface elevation of fuel in the fuel tank so that the pressure head at the recirculation inlet exceeds the pressure head at the main inlet of the jet pump open to the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory E. Rich, Donald J. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 4989572
    Abstract: Warmed returned fuel from a vehicle fuel injection system is returned only a segregating canister in the tank, and pumped back therefrom preferentially, with make up fuel allowed in only as needed. Overall heating of the stored fuel, and consequent running losses, are substantially reduced, with no ill effects on vehicle operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Roy A. Giacomazzi, S. Raghuma Reddy, Gregory E. Rich
  • Patent number: 4881578
    Abstract: A combined filler neck and vapor vent line valve is provided by inner and outer pipes that are maintained in concentric relation by a sleeve tightly inserted between the outer pipe and an out-turned flange at the end of the inner pipe. This provides a convenient path out of the fuel tank for displaced tank vapors. Vapor control is provided by a stepped cylindrical valve body that rides up and down within the upper end of the inner pipe and the sleeve so that a seal on the outside of the valve body can cover and uncover openings in the flange to block and un-block a vapor path to the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory E. Rich, Roy A. Giacomazzi, Jack C. Wilds
  • Patent number: 4762156
    Abstract: An on board refueling vapor recovery system employs a recirculation line and a regulating valve to prevent the entrainment of atmospheric air into the fuel, without the use of a tight or rubbing seal around the fuel nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporaton
    Inventor: Gregory E. Rich
  • Patent number: 4673009
    Abstract: A fuel tank has a filler neck terminating in an upwardly opening well, and a paddle overlying the well has a pivoted arm extending adjacent a vent valve. The arm causes the valve to restrict flow through a vent orifice when fuel is not being introduced through the filler neck, but pivots to allow the valve to open the orifice in response to introduction of liquid fuel through the filler neck. A float has an actuating member adapted to cause the valve to restrict flow through the orifice when the level of liquid fuel in the tank approaches the maximum level desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Roy A. Giacomazzi, Gregory E. Rich