Patents by Inventor Henry W Harper

Henry W Harper 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: 7827971
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine defining a cylinder bore, a fuel tank, a fuel supply assembly in fluid communication with the fuel tank and the cylinder bore, a fuel return assembly in fluid communication with the fuel supply assembly and the fuel tank, and a fuel filter assembly. The fuel filter assembly may include a filter casing having an inlet, an outlet and a bypass opening, and a filter media located within the filter casing. The filter media may be located between the inlet and the outlet, defining a dirty fuel region of the filter assembly between the inlet and the filter media and a clean fuel region between the filter media and the filter outlet. The bypass opening may be in fluid communication with the dirty fuel region and the fuel return assembly to draw gases out of the dirty fuel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Raj P. Ranganathan, Henry W Harper, Robert D. Straub
  • Publication number: 20100186724
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine defining a cylinder bore, a fuel tank, a fuel supply assembly in fluid communication with the fuel tank and the cylinder bore, a fuel return assembly in fluid communication with the fuel supply assembly and the fuel tank, and a fuel filter assembly. The fuel filter assembly may include a filter casing having an inlet, an outlet and a bypass opening, and a filter media located within the filter casing. The filter media may be located between the inlet and the outlet, defining a dirty fuel region of the filter assembly between the inlet and the filter media and a clean fuel region between the filter media and the filter outlet. The bypass opening may be in fluid communication with the dirty fuel region and the fuel return assembly to draw gases out of the dirty fuel region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Raj P. Ranganathan, Henry W. Harper, Robert D. Straub
  • Patent number: 7669570
    Abstract: A fuel injection priming system includes a fuel supply line connected to a fuel supply rail. A plurality of piezoelectric fuel injectors are connected to the fuel supply rail. An injector return fuel line is connected to the fuel injectors and in communication with a fuel supply line via a diverter device to allow high pressure fuel from the fuel supply line to pressurize the injector return fuel line to backfill the injectors during a priming operation. A one-way valve is in communication with the diverter device to manage the pressurized fuel provided to the plurality of fuel injectors during the priming operation and to allow fuel to pass to the fuel tank during normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hubl, Henry W Harper
  • Patent number: 7568471
    Abstract: A fuel injection priming system includes a fuel supply line connected to a fuel supply rail. A plurality of piezoelectric fuel injectors are connected to the fuel supply rail. An injector return fuel line is connected to the fuel injectors and in communication with a fuel supply line via a diverter valve to allow pressure fuel from the high pressure fuel pump return line to pressurize the injector return fuel line to backfill the injectors during a priming operation. A fuel restriction device is in communication with the diverter valve to restrict fuel flow through the injector return line to provide sufficient backfill for the fuel injectors during the priming operation and to allow fuel to pass to the fuel tank from the injector return fuel line during normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry W Harper, Peter Hubl, Bryan A Kuieck
  • Publication number: 20090084334
    Abstract: A fuel injection priming system includes a fuel supply line connected to a fuel supply rail. A plurality of piezoelectric fuel injectors are connected to the fuel supply rail. An injector return fuel line is connected to the fuel injectors and in communication with a fuel supply line via a diverter device to allow high pressure fuel from the fuel supply line to pressurize the injector return fuel line to backfill the injectors during a priming operation. A one-way valve is in communication with the diverter device to manage the pressurized fuel provided to the plurality of fuel injectors during the priming operation and to allow fuel to pass to the fuel tank during normal operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Hubl, Henry W. Harper
  • Publication number: 20090084361
    Abstract: A fuel injection priming system includes a fuel supply line connected to a fuel supply rail. A plurality of piezoelectric fuel injectors are connected to the fuel supply rail. An injector return fuel line is connected to the fuel injectors and in communication with a fuel supply line via a diverter valve to allow pressure fuel from the high pressure fuel pump return line to pressurize the injector return fuel line to backfill the injectors during a priming operation. A fuel restriction device is in communication with the diverter valve to restrict fuel flow through the injector return line to provide sufficient backfill for the fuel injectors during the priming operation and to allow fuel to pass to the fuel tank from the injector return fuel line during normal operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Henry W. Harper, Peter Hubl, Bryan A. Kuieck
  • Patent number: 6609732
    Abstract: A quick connect multi-hose connector includes a first carrier assembly characterized by a male housing which carries a plurality of quick connects that are trapped thereon and which are preferably free to rotate with respect thereto, and further includes a second carrier assembly characterized by a female housing which integrally carries a plurality of male configured connectors. The male housing is couplably matable with respect to female housing, wherein the male and female housings have an asymmetrical feature which allows mating to occur only in one predetermined relative orientation therebetween. A coupling feature holds the male and female housings in the mated state until a user elects to release the coupling feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Achille Souvatzidis, Henry W Harper
  • Publication number: 20030146619
    Abstract: A quick connect multi-hose connector includes a first carrier assembly characterized by a male housing which carries a plurality of quick connects that are trapped thereon and which are preferably free to rotate with respect thereto, and further includes a second carrier assembly characterized by a female housing which integrally carries a plurality of male configured connectors. The male housing is couplably matable with respect to female housing, wherein the male and female housings have an asymmetrical feature which allows mating to occur only in one predetermined relative orientation therebetween. A coupling feature holds the male and female housings in the mated state until a user elects to release the coupling feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Achille Souvatzidis, Henry W. Harper
  • Patent number: 6470860
    Abstract: A venting system for a tank in the form of a vapor bypass tube which is interfaced with a melt plug such that the bypass tube provides vapor pressure bypass of the melt plug hole. The vapor bypass tube has a first end mounted to the tank body circumscribably in relation to the melt plug. The vapor bypass tube has a second end, opposite the first end, which is open and located deep inside the tank. A vent aperture is provided in the vapor bypass tube adjacent the first end which provides vapor displacement from within the vapor bypass tube when the tank is being refueled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel H McClure, Thomas J Large, Raymond P Harrod, Henry W Harper