Patents by Inventor Michael Allen Pittenger

Michael Allen Pittenger 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).

  • Fuel tank vent valve
    Patent number: 7047997
    Abstract: A device and method for venting a tank comprising an intermediate shutoff valve as part of a cover that closes a tank opening. The intermediate shutoff valve is placed between an existing valve and a vent port in a liquid storage tank. The shutoff valve is operable to substantially fluidly seal the vent port when the vent valve is displaced greater than a predetermined amount. The intermediate shutoff valve facilitates complete removal of the existing vent valve during an impact wherein a wall of the storage tank impacts the existing valve. Upon impact, the intermediate shutoff valve is operable to close and seal a tank opening created by the displacement and removal of the existing vent valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sharon Elizabeth Beyer, Ulf Sawert, Mark K. Wolfenden, Chris I. Witherspoon, Robert A. Roth, Thomas J. Mott, Michael Allen Pittenger, William L. Villaire