Patents by Inventor John D. Gaither

John D. Gaither 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: 20150219226
    Abstract: A filter assembly comprises a housing open at one end and holding a filter element therein and a plate closing the open end of the housing and enclosing the filter element within the housing. The plate includes at least two first inlet openings, at least two second inlet openings, and a central outlet opening. The filter assembly further includes a fluid flow controller disposed between an end of the filter element and the plate. The flow controller includes a relief valve comprising a first portion cooperating with the first inlet openings and a second portion cooperating with the second inlet openings; and biasing means operatively connected to the relief valve and providing resistance to movement of the second portion of the relief valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Gerard W. Bilski, Michael Herald, Daniel Auxter, Gary J. Osterfeld, John D. Gaither, Zafar Hussain, Jake D. Whitman
  • Publication number: 20120037557
    Abstract: The filter may include a first end cap, a second end cap, and a filter media. The filter media may be located between the first end cap and the second end cap. The filter media and the end caps may be located in a shell. An insert including a projection may be connected to the shell. The projection may engage a valve in the filter head when the filter is mounted onto a filter head. The projection may include a curved portion. The curved portion may engage a ball in the valve. The filter media may be a coalescing media which may assist in separating water from a fuel and water mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Welby S. Atteberry, David E. Hahn, John D. Gaither, John W. Stockhowe, JR.
  • Publication number: 20080060991
    Abstract: A filter assembly has a housing closed at one end and open at the other end. An annular filter media/core assembly including first and second end caps is disposed in the housing. An end plate having a plurality of first and second inlet openings and an outlet opening is disposed in the open end of the housing. A combination valve, which is retained between the second end cap of the filter media/core assembly and the end plate, has a first anti-drainback portion that cooperates with the first inlet openings in the end plate and a second bypass portion that cooperates with the second inlet openings. One or more slits are provided in a circle in the first anti-drainback portion. The slits are constructed and arranged to cooperate with the first inlet openings to open to allow fluid flow through the first anti-drainback portion in a reverse direction during initial engine fill, and to close and provide a functional seal when the first anti-drainback portion operates normally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: John D. Gaither
  • Patent number: 6585887
    Abstract: An oil filter includes a housing 14 having an end plate 20 attached to the open end thereof. The end plate 20 includes an outlet opening and inlet openings 22. An anti-drainback valve 49 is provided adjacent the end plate. A filter element having an end cap at each end is positioned within the housing. The end cap 50 remote from the end plate includes a plurality of openings 52 spaced from a closed central portion 51. A spring valve 60 cooperates with the end cap 50 and the interior wall of the housing to alternately allow and disallow oil flow through the end cap openings depending upon the differential pressure across the end cap 50. The spring valve 60 and the end cap 50 can be operationally interengage to provide a relatively flat profile. Depressions 72 (FIG. 5) may be included between the arms 62 of the spring valve to provide a flow path should the spring valve be flattened against the housing during operation of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Champion Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Dean Michels, John D. Gaither, Richard Schwarzlose
  • Patent number: 6544412
    Abstract: A thermal sensitive material 61 is disposed between a spring valve 60 and an end cap 50 of an oil filter (FIG. 1). Upon reaching a predetermined pressure, e.g. when the media of the oil filter becomes clogged, an opening 52 in the end cap opens to allow the oil to bypass the filter media. However, the thermal sensitive material precludes bypass flow through the end cap (e.g. during initial operation of the engine when a pressure surge may occur) until a predetermined oil temperature is attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Champion Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Dean Michels, John D. Gaither
  • Publication number: 20020139731
    Abstract: An oil filter comprises a housing that is open at one end and has an end plate connected to the housing for closing the open end. The end plate has at least one inlet opening and an outlet opening therein. An anti-drain back valve is provided for precluding return flow of oil through the inlet opening. An annular filter media is disposed in said housing. An end cap is provided at each end of the filter media. The end cap remote from the end plate has at least one opening spaced radially outwardly from the central axis thereof. A spring cooperates with said end cap remote from the end plate. Normally, the opening in the spring is closed to oil flow. When the filter media becomes clogged, the pressure within the housing increases and when the pressure differential across the end cap remote from the end plate exceeds a predetermined value, the opening in the spring is opened for oil flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Larry Dean Michels, John D. Gaither
  • Publication number: 20020139733
    Abstract: An oil filter comprises a housing that is open at one end and has an end plate connected to the housing for closing the open end. The end plate has at least one inlet opening and an outlet opening therein. An anti-drain back valve is provided for precluding return flow of oil through the inlet opening. An annular filter media is disposed in said housing. An end cap is provided at each end of the filter media. The end cap remote from the end plate has at least one opening spaced radially outwardly from the central axis thereof. A spring cooperates with said end cap remote from the end plate. Normally, the opening in the spring is closed to oil flow. When the filter media becomes clogged, the pressure within the housing increases and when the pressure differential across the end cap remote from the end plate exceeds a predetermined value, the opening in the spring is opened for oil flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Larry Dean Michels, John D. Gaither, Richard Schwarzlose
  • Patent number: 4547287
    Abstract: A filter assembly comprises a housing, a liquid inlet in said housing, a liquid outlet in said housing, a filter pack in said housing, and valve means in said housing which is opened, for bypassing liquid about the filter pack when the liquid is cold and viscous and which is closed when the liquid is warmed and less viscous so that all liquid will pass through the filter pack. The liquid inlet and liquid outlet are each provided with one way check valves for controlling liquid flow into and out of the housing. A flow control orifice is provided in the liquid inlet to reduce housing pressure, without affecting flow of liquid through the filter pack and to reduce the possibility of leaks from housings with worn parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Champion Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Gaither