Patents by Inventor Mario Ricco

Mario Ricco 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: 6874709
    Abstract: The injector has a hollow body housing the body of the metering valve, which has a discharge hole for discharging the usual control chamber. The hole comes out at a flat surface of the valve body, and is engaged by a flat surface of a plate, under the control of an armature of an electromagnet. The armature is in the form of a disk, has substantially no stem, is connected to the hollow body by a leaf spring hinge, and has a surface having a spherical-bowl-shaped recess. A ball is located between the recess and another recess carried by a second surface of the plate. The valve body is fixed to the hollow body by a ring nut of a given height. And, to cover the distance between the valve body and the armature, a spacer member is preferably formed in one piece with the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Ricco
  • Publication number: 20050067025
    Abstract: A safety valve for pressurized tanks, particularly for tanks for containing methane or LPG for motor vehicles, comprises an open/close element that is kept by elastic means in a closing position, in which it does not enable communication of the internal cavity of the tank with the external atmosphere. When a pre-set maximum value of the pressure inside the tank is exceeded, sufficient for overcoming the load of said elastic means, the open/close element is displaced from its closing position and enables discharge of the gas contained in the tank into the external atmosphere. The elastic means are arranged in series with a fuse element, which is set between the open/close element and the valve body. In this way, whenever the temperature -exceeds a pre-set maximum value, the fuse element melts, causing unloading of said elastic means, which consequently leaves the open/close element free to open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Sisto De Matthaeis, Annunziata Satriano, Onofrio De Michele, Raffaele Ricco
  • Patent number: 6869033
    Abstract: The injector has a hollow body supporting an ordinary injection nozzle and a metering valve for metering the fuel to be injected; and a support defined by a sleeve and by an end wall. The sleeve houses an electromagnet controlling the metering valve, and is fitted to the hollow body. For which purpose, there is provided a leaf spring having a ring-shaped portion engaging the end wall of the support; and a number of elastic blades, each terminating with a hook-shaped appendix which engages a corresponding retaining element on the hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Adriano Gorgoglione
  • Patent number: 6824082
    Abstract: A fuel injector has an injector body extending along a given axis; a tubular valve body housed inside a hole in the injector body and coaxial with the injector body; and an annular chamber defined by the injector body and the valve body. The method of producing the injector includes connecting the valve body to the injector body, and fixing the valve body in a given position along the axis with respect to the injector body by means of a driving operation to interference fit the valve body inside the hole in the injector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Adriano Gorgoglione
  • Publication number: 20040217214
    Abstract: A fuel injector has a fuel inlet, and a metering valve which is activated by an electromagnetic actuator to open and close an injection nozzle; the metering valve has a control chamber communicating with the inlet and defined by an end wall, in which is formed an outlet hole closed by a shutter moved along an axis by the actuator; the end wall and the shutter are defined by respective parallel, facing surfaces which rest against each other to compress the film of fuel issuing from the hole during closure by the shutter, and which have channeling formed about the hole to generate, in use, a counterpressure for the outflowing fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: Mario Ricco
  • Patent number: 6805104
    Abstract: In a system for feeding LPG by injection for an internal combustion engine, sensor means are provided for measuring the electrical current absorbed by the electric motor for driving the feed pump. The operation of said electric motor is interrupted when the measured electrical current absorbed drops below a predetermined threshold value. The system thereby prevents the operation of the motor-pump assembly, which is immersed in the LPG within the LPG tank, when the level of LPG in the tank drops below a minimum admissible value. Simultaneously to the interruption of the operation of the electric motor an auxiliary petrol feed system is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile Per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Sisto Luigi De Matthaeis, Claudio Amorese, Onofrio De Michele
  • Publication number: 20040188121
    Abstract: A fuel tank for motor vehicles, for example an LPG fuel tank, contains inside it at least one electrical component and has a wall or a plate bearing at least one connector for connection of the electrical component with an electrical line external to the tank. The electrical connector has a body made of synthetic material or of elastomer material directly moulded on one or more conductor pins so as to guarantee hermetic sealing of the tank even in the presence of a pressure jump between the internal cavity of the tank and the external environment. In the case where the body of the connector is made of synthetic material, it bears seats for seal rings made of elastomer material. In the case where it is made of elastomer material, it guarantees directly the function of tightness. In either case, there are provided means for exerting an axial compressive force on the part that performs the tightness function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: C.R.F. SOCIETA CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Sisto Luigi De Matthaeis, Claudio Amorese, Onofrio De Michele, Annunziata Anna Satriano
  • Publication number: 20040182452
    Abstract: An LPG fuel tank for motor vehicles is provided, inside, with a support, on which there can be installed in a rapid way a pump assembly including a supply pump and the corresponding electric actuating motor. Preferably, the support is also used for installing a level-sensor assembly within the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: C.R.F. SOCIETA CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Sisto Luigi De Matthaeis, Claudio Amorese, Onofrio De Michele, Annunziata Anna Satriano
  • Publication number: 20040182152
    Abstract: In a tank for liquid fuel, particularly a tank for LPG in a system for supply of LPG to the internal-combustion engine of a motor vehicle, the level-sensor device comprises a floating member guided so as to move in a substantially vertical direction within the tank according to the variations of level, and transducer means consisting of an aligned series of reed relays that are activated selectively by one or more permanent magnets carried by the floating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: C.R.F. SOCIETA CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Sisto Luigi De Matthaeis, Annunziata Anna Satriano, Claudio Amorese, Onofrio De Michele
  • Patent number: 6793158
    Abstract: A fuel injector has a fuel inlet, and a metering valve which is activated by an electromagnetic actuator to open and close an injection nozzle; the metering valve has a control chamber communicating with the inlet and defined by an end wall, in which is formed an outlet hole closed by a shutter moved along an axis by the actuator; the end wall and the shutter are defined by respective parallel, facing surfaces which rest against each other to compress the film of fuel issuing from the hole during closure by the shutter, and which have channeling formed about the hole to generate, in use, a counterpressure for the outflowing fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile Per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Ricco
  • Publication number: 20040149270
    Abstract: In a system for feeding LPG by injection for an internal combustion engine, sensor means are provided for measuring the electrical current absorbed by the electric motor for driving the feed pump. The operation of said electric motor is interrupted when the measured electrical current absorbed drops below a predetermined threshold value. The system thereby prevents the operation of the motor-pump assembly, which is immersed in the LPG within the LPG tank, when the level of LPG in the tank drops below a minimum admissible value. Simultaneously to the interruption of the operation of the electric motor an auxiliary petrol feed system is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: C.R.F. SOCIETA CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Sisto Luigi, Claudio Amorese, Onofrio De Michele
  • Patent number: 6748931
    Abstract: A LPG fuel system for an internal combustion engine, including a LPG fuel tank and a pump immersed in the fuel tank and driven by an electric motor, the pump being kept constantly running when the temperature is below 0° C. or above 80° C., whilst the supply voltage of the electric motor driving the pump is chopper-controlled when the temperature is between the two said values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Ricco
  • Patent number: 6729313
    Abstract: In a tank for a system for injection supply of LPG for internal-combustion engines, a number of hydraulic-connection elements associated to a service flange which closes the top opening of the tank are mounted on said flange by fixing to the bottom surface of the latter, without having any parts that are mounted via through holes of the flange. Provided inside the tank is an electrically operated pump which is fixed to the bottom wall of the tank structure and which in turn carries the structure of a level-sensing device of a capacitive type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Ricco
  • Patent number: 6685111
    Abstract: A fuel injector has an injector body and a fitting for connecting the injector body to a high-pressure fuel supply conduit. The injector body and the fitting are separate elements of the injector, and are connected to each other to connect the supply conduit and grip an end portion of the supply conduit between the injector body and the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Ricco
  • Patent number: 6672290
    Abstract: The fuel premetering device has a valve controlled by an electromagnet and located between a delivery conduit of a high-pressure pump supplying fuel to a common rail, and a drain conduit for draining surplus fuel. The valve is normally closed by a spring, and the electromagnet is energized to open the valve in opposition to the spring. The electromagnet is energized by a current varying in response to the operating conditions of the engine, and which is varied by a control unit from zero, at which the valve is closed completely by the spring, to a predetermined value, at which the electromagnet opens the valve completely, so that premetering is self-adaptive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Ricco
  • Patent number: 6668800
    Abstract: The system has a high-pressure pump having a number of mechanical pumping elements for pumping high-pressure fuel to a common rail; and a number of injectors communicating with the rail and activated to inject a quantity of fuel sequentially into the corresponding cylinders of the engine. Each pumping element has a delivery at least equal to the maximum draw of each injector, and is activated in phase with at least one of the injectors to minimize the variations in fuel pressure in the rail. Each pumping element may be activated by a cam, which may even have a segmented profile to effect a portion of the travel of the respective pumping element in phase with a corresponding injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Alfonso Di Meo, Silvio Canale
  • Patent number: 6666388
    Abstract: The nozzle has a conical wall with injection orifices; the pin has a tip activated by an axial force to engage the wall and close the orifices; the tip has a truncated-cone-shaped portion having an outer surface which rests entirely on the wall, possibly as a result of elastic deformation of the outer surface; and the outer surface forms with the wall a substantially zero angle with a tolerance of 0′ to ±10′.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Ricco
  • Patent number: 6666193
    Abstract: On-off valve intended to be arranged at the outlet of the gas accumulation reservoir in an electronic gas injection system for an internal combustion engine, presenting a valve member made of metallic material, co-operating with a valve seat made in a body, which is also made of metallic material, to ensure the good quality of tightness in all operative temperature and pressure conditions, with prolonged reliability in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Ricco
  • Patent number: 6619617
    Abstract: The metering valve has a shutter for a discharge conduit, and an electromagnet for controlling an armature disconnected from a relative stem and sliding along the stem by means of a sleeve. The armature is secured to the stem by a shoulder of the armature cooperating with a C-shaped ring fitted to the stem. A plate is interposed between the sleeve of the armature and a ring nut to reduce the overtravel of the armature, is locked transversely by a support of the electromagnet, and is kept resting on the ring nut by a compression spring. To secure the armature to the stem, the plate has an opening which is ineffective in reducing overtravel when the plate is moved transversely with respect to the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Antonio Gravina, Sergio Stucchi
  • Patent number: 6609500
    Abstract: The common rail supplies a number of injectors of the cylinders of the engine, and is supplied by a constant-displacement high-pressure pump in turn supplied by a low-pressure, variable-delivery, variable-pressure, motor-driven pump. The control device has an electronic control unit for receiving signals indicating operating conditions of the engine; the suction side of the high-pressure pump has a choke; and the control unit controls the motor-driven pump to vary the fuel pressure upstream from the choke between a predetermined maximum value and a predetermined minimum value, so as to regulate the fuel intake of the high-pressure pump within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: C.F.R. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Stefano Maria Borrione