Patents by Inventor Thomas Meiller

Thomas 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).

  • Publication number: 20060065251
    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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Meiller, Alexander Shneydman
  • Publication number: 20060065252
    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: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Meiller, Brian Tinch
  • Publication number: 20050229787
    Abstract: A device and a method for maintaining composite materials substantially separate within a chamber is shown, which includes, for example, a device for capturing and storing evaporative emissions. The chamber is inside a housing, and contains first and second composite materials. A partition is inserted between the first and second composite materials, and is operable to move within the chamber while maintaining the first composite material substantially separate from the second composite material. The partition permits fluid communication between the first composite material and the second composite material. It also facilitates maintaining composite materials under compression with intent of maintaining evaporative emissions performance over the useful life of the device. This permits use of a common canister package for multiple applications that have varying inputs or varying regulatory requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Meiller, Alexander Shneydman
  • Publication number: 20050123458
    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: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Meiller, Charles Covert, Susan LaBine
  • Publication number: 20050081717
    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: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Meiller, Charles Covert, Robert Zaso, Jonathan Oemcke, Christopher Tupps
  • Publication number: 20050061301
    Abstract: A canister for an evaporative emissions control system that comprises a canister package with an interchangeable cartridge. The specific cartridge selected for use in the canister package is determined primarily based upon emissions regulatory requirements of the device that uses the canister. The need for a common canister package with an interchangeable cartridge simplifies packaging and assembly of the canister into any device, whether a vehicle or a stationary device, or a handheld tool. For example, a common canister package reduces need for testing, development and certification associated with use of multiple canister packages on a common vehicle platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Meiller, Alexander Shneydman