Patents by Inventor Loran W. Sutton

Loran W. Sutton 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: 6666968
    Abstract: An oil filter assembly has an outer canister in which full flow and bypass flow filtration sections are operatively housed in a nested relationship. Oil forced into the canister has imparted thereto a vortex flow pattern which forces contaminant particles in the oil away from the full flow filter section before the oil passes therethrough. The bypass filtration section is disposed within the full flow filtration section and creates a second vortex flow pattern in the oil which induces a small portion thereof to flow through a bypass filter element while at the same time causing the entire balance of the oil to bypass this filter element and be discharged from the canister after having traversed the filtering portion of only the full flow filtration portion of the filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Vortex International, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald F. Smith, Loran W. Sutton, Gary F. Krofchalk
  • Publication number: 20020134723
    Abstract: A fluid filtration apparatus includes a housing structure having an internal flow path through which a fluid to be filtered may be flowed, a filtration structure operably interposed in the internal flow path and a liner element disposed between an interior side surface of a side wall of the housing structure and the filtration structure operably interposed in the internal flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Gerald F. Smith, Loran W. Sutton, Gary F. Krofchalk
  • Publication number: 20020134725
    Abstract: An oil filter assembly has an outer canister in which full flow and bypass flow filtration sections are operatively housed in a nested relationship. Oil forced into the canister has imparted thereto a vortex flow pattern which forces contaminant particles in the oil away from the full flow filter section before the oil passes therethrough. The bypass filtration section is disposed within the full flow filtration section and creates a second vortex flow pattern in the oil which induces a small portion thereof to flow through a bypass filter element while at the same time causing the entire balance of the oil to bypass this filter element and be discharged from the canister after having traversed the filtering portion of only the full flow filtration portion of the filter assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Gerald F. Smith, Loran W. Sutton, Gary F. Krofchalk
  • Patent number: 5317998
    Abstract: A method of automatically starting and stopping an engine of a truck to conserve fuel while maintaining the engine in a ready-to-start condition, and while controlling the temperature of a truck sleeper unit. The method includes the steps of selecting predetermined system parameters via a password accessible interactive program, providing a first switch for selecting an automatic engine start-stop operating mode, providing a second switch for selecting an automatic temperature control mode for the truck sleeper unit, and providing safety apparatus which indicates when the truck engine may be safely operated in the automatic engine start-stop operating mode. The method further includes the step of overriding the ignition switch control of the engine in response to a predetermined condition when the first switch selects the automatic operating mode and the safety apparatus indicates the truck engine may be safely operated in the automatic operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Jay L. Hanson, Loran W. Sutton, Donald G. Knauff
  • Patent number: 5222469
    Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring an engine of a vehicle having an ignition switch operable between on and off positions, a vehicle power supply, and an electrical load, including the engine, selectively connectable to the vehicle power supply via the ignition switch. A controllable switching device is disposed between the vehicle power supply and the ignition switch. A timer accumulates time when the ignition switch is in the on position and the vehicle is stationary. If the timer reaches a predetermined time value the controllable switching device is actuated to disconnect the vehicle power supply from the ignition switch, to turn off the engine, if running, as well as disconnecting the electrical load energized via the ignition switch, limiting engine idle time, reducing engine wear and emissions, and terminating any drain on the vehicle power supply in the event the engine is not running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: Loran W. Sutton
  • Patent number: 5072703
    Abstract: Apparatus for the automatic starting, running and stopping of an internal combustion engine. Designed primarily for automotive applications, this invention provides significant improvements in convenience, safety, and reliability as compared to current state of the art engine controller designs. Included are means of automatic activation for ease of operation, means of automatic deactivation to insure safety, and means of automatically initiating an engine start sequence or disregarding an engine shutdown request in order to avoid a low probability of restart condition. Means are also provided for the actuation of fuel supply means, actuation of the starter, and actuation of accessories as with any automatic engine starting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: Loran W. Sutton
  • Patent number: RE36437
    Abstract: A .Iadd.system and .Iaddend.method .[.of.]. .Iadd.for .Iaddend.automatically starting and stopping an engine of a .[.truck.]. .Iadd.vehicle .Iaddend.to conserve fuel while maintaining the engine in a ready-to-start condition, and while controlling the temperature of .[.a truck sleeper unit.]. .Iadd.an interior portion of the vehicle.Iaddend.. The method includes the steps of selecting predetermined system parameters .[.via a password accessible interactive program, providing a first switch for selecting an automatic engine start-stop operating mode, providing a second switch for selecting an automatic temperature control mode for the truck sleeper unit, and providing safety apparatus which indicates when the truck engine may be safely operated in the automatic engine start-stop operating mode..]. The method further includes the step of overriding the .[.ignition switch.]. .Iadd.operator .Iaddend.control of the engine in response to a predetermined condition when .[.the.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Harvey A. Slepian
    Inventors: Jay L. Hanson, Loran W. Sutton, Donald G. Knauff