Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Meiller

Thomas C. Meiller 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: 9353710
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system for reducing the amount of fuel vapor emitted from a vehicle includes a canister containing a sorbent material and a cartridge heater disposed at least partially within the canister in direct contact with the sorbent material. Electrical terminals for applying power to a heating element within the heater are disposed external to the canister. At least one heat sink may be included within the canister in direct contact with the heater. A method of manufacturing an evaporative emission control system that includes a cartridge heater disposed in a canister is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Meiller
  • Publication number: 20140158094
    Abstract: An evaporative emissions control system for reducing the amount of fuel vapor emitted from a vehicle includes a canister containing a sorbent material and a cartridge heater disposed at least partially within the canister in direct contact with the sorbent material. Electrical terminals for applying power to a heating element within the heater are disposed external to the canister. At least one heat sink may be included within the canister in direct contact with the heater. A method of manufacturing an evaporative emission control system that includes a cartridge heater disposed in a canister is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: THOMAS C. MEILLER
  • Patent number: 7160361
    Abstract: Disclosed herein an evaporative emission treatment device comprising: a housing; and an adsorption member disposed in the housing, the adsorption member comprising an adsorption component comprising an activated carbon textile made from a novoloid precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Meiller, Charles H. Covert, Robert A. Zaso, Jonathan M. Oemcke, Christopher S. Tupps
  • Patent number: 7159579
    Abstract: An emissions control canister including an insert tube and a final scrubber inside the tube. Because a scrubber formed as a carbon monolith is relatively fragile and easily damaged, a flexible, porous, resilient sling is provided for installing and retaining scrubber within cylindrical tube in lieu of either seals or elastomeric gaskets. An end of the scrubber is placed on a center portion of the sling, and the straps are folded alongside the cylindrical surface of the scrubber to form a sub-assembly. The sling is die-cut from planar stock of either a loose, thick, woven polyester fabric or an open-cell resilient foam. Advantages of the sling over a resilient elastomeric gasket are cost, ease of assembly, and the outer surface of the scrubber is made available as additional vapor adsorption area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Meiller, Brian A. Tinch
  • Patent number: 7118716
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon emissions scrubber for use in an evaporative emissions control system of a motor vehicle includes a scrubber element having an elongate body. The body defines a plurality of passageways for the flow of fluid therethrough. The plurality of passageways are one of coated with or constructed of a sorbent material. The sorbent material is adsorptive of hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, INC
    Inventors: Thomas C. Meiller, Charles H. Covert, Susan S. LaBine
  • Patent number: 7051717
    Abstract: An emissions control canister including an insert having an elongate well and flange. The insert extends into a chamber such that a carbon adsorption column is a hollow cylinder around the insert. After vapors flow through the column of adsorbent, flow is directed through holes in the flange and out through an atmosphere port. The flow path through the hollow cylinder has an increased L/D ratio and improves emission performance. In a second embodiment, a cylindrical tube surrounds the exit port and extends into the insert, forcing vapor flow along a tortuous path between the cylindrical wall and the insert. In a third embodiment, a final scrubber is added inside the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Meiller, Alexander E. Shneydman
  • Patent number: 6896852
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon emissions scrubber for use in an evaporative emissions control system of a motor vehicle includes a scrubber element having an elongate body. The body defines a plurality of passageways for the flow of fluid therethrough. The plurality of passageways are one of coated with or constructed of a sorbent material. The sorbent material is adsorptive of hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Meiller, Charles H. Covert, Susan S. LaBine
  • Patent number: 6537354
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a vapor canister includes a partition adapted to be disposed in an interior chamber of the vapor canister and having at least one opening extending therethrough. The valve assembly also includes a valve connected to the partition and covering the at least one opening and being movable to provide variable flow of fluid therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Meiller, Gregory P. Weilnau, Charles H. Covert
  • Publication number: 20030024397
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a vapor canister includes a partition adapted to be disposed in an interior chamber of the vapor canister and having at least one opening extending therethrough. The valve assembly also includes a valve connected to the partition and covering the at least one opening and being movable to provide variable flow of fluid therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas C. Meiller, Gregory P. Weilnau, Charles H. Covert