Patents Represented by Attorney C. K. Veenstra

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  • Fuel tank venting
    Patent number: 4673009
    Abstract: A fuel tank has a filler neck terminating in an upwardly opening well, and a paddle overlying the well has a pivoted arm extending adjacent a vent valve. The arm causes the valve to restrict flow through a vent orifice when fuel is not being introduced through the filler neck, but pivots to allow the valve to open the orifice in response to introduction of liquid fuel through the filler neck. A float has an actuating member adapted to cause the valve to restrict flow through the orifice when the level of liquid fuel in the tank approaches the maximum level desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Roy A. Giacomazzi, Gregory E. Rich
  • Engine control
    Patent number: 4664091
    Abstract: A stream of water or a water-methanol mixture is injected into the induction passage of a spark ignition internal combustion engine, and a probe disposed in the induction passage is contacted by the stream to sense when the density of the engine charge can be increased, the air-fuel ratio of the engine charge can be leaned and the timing of ignition of the engine charge can be advanced beyond normal operating ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Royer
  • Multi-adaptive fuel pressure regulator
    Patent number: 4653528
    Abstract: A fuel pressure regulator has a multi-faceted extruded base that allows the outlet from the pressure regulator to be oriented in any of six different directions. A fuel body has a projecting snout and a fuel passage extending through the snout, and the inlet to the pressure regulator plugs directly onto the snout; the fuel passage thereby supplies fuel to the pressure regulator, and the pressure regulator thereby maintains the desired fuel pressure in the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Martin J. Field, Andrew J. Makusij, James L. Penwright
  • Fuel pressure regulator
    Patent number: 4635537
    Abstract: A pressure regulator base has a rim staked over the flange of a pressure regulator cover, and a compression ring concentrates the clamping effort of the cover on a circular area of the pressure regulator diaphragm sealing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Martin J. Field
  • Fuel rail
    Patent number: 4601275
    Abstract: A fuel rail containing injectors for delivering fuel to an engine has a large passage supplying fuel to the injectors and a small fuel return passage. The injectors are received in sockets each of which has a restricted vent extending to the return passage. The fuel rail is formed by molding or extruding a body with the supply and return passages, and a single circular plug at one end provides a closure for the associated ends of both the supply and return passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Louis H. Weinand
  • Fuel rail assembly
    Patent number: 4586477
    Abstract: A fuel rail assembly has a pair of fuel rail bodies each of which has a bore extending parallel to the fuel supply passage. Each bore has a plug dividing the bore into inlet and discharge regions. The inlet regions are interconnected by an inlet crossover tube, and each inlet region opens to its associated supply passage through a window and a restriction at one end of the associated fuel rail body to balance fuel flow to the supply passages. At the other end of each fuel rail body, a cross bore extends through the discharge region to the supply passage, and discharge tubes received in the cross bores discharge fuel from the supply passages to a pressure regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Martin J. Field, Donald A. Rosin
  • Throttle return spring assembly
    Patent number: 4576762
    Abstract: A throttle return spring assembly having inner and outer torsion springs contained between end housings is preassembled and then mounted as a unit about a throttle body shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Griffin, Ronald A. Waydelis
  • Fuel rail
    Patent number: 4570602
    Abstract: A compact central fuel rail supports injectors which deliver fuel to both banks of a V-engine. THe fuel rail is extruded with both fuel supply and fuel return passages, a single circular plug provides a closure for the associated ends of the passages, and a plug in the return passage limits interconnection of the passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Terrance J. Atkins, Martin J. Field, Donald J. Lamirande
  • Fuel rail assembly and method of fabrication
    Patent number: 4570600
    Abstract: A fuel rail assembly supports injectors for delivering fuel to an engine and includes a pressure regulator to establish the pressure of the fuel supplied to the injectors. The fuel rail body and the pressure regulator base are fabricated from sheet metal, and the pressure regulator base is secured directly to the fuel rail body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Terrance J. Atkins, Martin J. Field, Daniel Nolan
  • Shaft mounted valve position sensor
    Patent number: 4539963
    Abstract: In a throttle body fuel injection assembly, the rotor of a throttle position sensor is mounted directly on the throttle shaft and the sensor housing is supported on the rotor, thereby providing a compact sensor construction. A spring in the sensor tends to impart relative rotation between the rotor and the housing, biasing the housing toward engagement with the throttle body. With this invention, the housing rotates with the rotor away from engagement with the throttle body if the spring does not impart relative rotation between the housing and the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Roger M. Brisbane, Thomas R. Peffley
  • Fuel rail
    Patent number: 4539961
    Abstract: A fuel rail supporting injectors for delivering fuel to an engine has fuel supply and fuel return passages interconnected through a recess in a plug at each end of the fuel rail. The recesses are calibrated to direct the proper proportion of the fuel past the injectors. The fuel supply passage is configured to allow separation of fuel vapor from the liquid fuel received by the injector and to conform to the shape of the plug and the fuel return passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Terrance J. Atkins, Martin J. Field, Donald J. Lamirande
  • Fuel injection system with fuel flow limiting valve assembly
    Patent number: 4539959
    Abstract: In a fuel injection system having an injector which delivers fuel to an engine in discrete injection events, a valve assembly shuts off fuel flow to the injector if the fuel flow during an injection event exceeds a desired upper limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Donald L. Williams
  • Fuel injection system
    Patent number: 4539962
    Abstract: A fuel injection system has an electronic module mounted directly on a fuel body portion of the fuel injection system for cooling by fuel flow through the fuel body. The electronic module energizes a fuel pump to circulate fuel through the fuel body, even when the engine is not operating, if the temperature within the module exceeds a selected level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Gary A. Nichols
  • Fuel injection system
    Patent number: 4527528
    Abstract: A single pressure regulator controls fuel flow in series through a pair of throttle body injection assemblies adapted to be mounted in remotely spaced locations on an engine intake manifold. The pressure regulator is located in the second assembly, while the first assembly has an accumulator which minimizes pressure fluctuations. The injector in the second assembly has a greater fuel flow capacity than the injector in the first assembly to compensate for the pressure drop caused by the flow restriction between the two assemblies and permit the injectors to provide equal fuel delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Finn, Allan M. Ruckey, David C. Shuler
  • Pressure regulator
    Patent number: 4513775
    Abstract: A pressure regulator assembly, suitable for controlling the flow of compressed natural gas to fuel an internal combustion engine, has a small primary valve positioned by a regulator diaphragm to control the flow at high supply pressures and a large secondary valve to provide additional flow area at low supply pressures. Flow to the primary valve passes through a chamber having a restricted aperture from the inlet, and a control diaphragm responsive to the pressure in the chamber opens the secondary valve when the primary valve reaches its maximum flow capacity and the pressure in the chamber approaches the regulated pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Donald D. Stoltman
  • Fuel rail assembly
    Patent number: 4510909
    Abstract: A fuel rail assembly for a V engine has a pair of fuel rails connected by crossover and discharge conduits. The crossover and discharge conduits are secured to the fuel rails in a manner which permits relative motion between the fuel rails without loss of fuel from the fuel rail-conduit intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas G. Elphick, Edgar S. Eshleman, Martin J. Field
  • Valve shaft end float control
    Patent number: 4509720
    Abstract: A throttle valve shaft projecting from a boss on an internal combustion engine throttle body has a nut which is adjustable for establishing a selected clearance between the nut and the boss to thereby limit end float or axial displacement of the shaft. A lever or other retainer secured to the shaft has an interfering engagement with the nut to prevent rotation of the nut about the shaft and thereby maintain the selected clearance between the nut and the boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Griffin, John A. Gural, Donald J. Lamirande
  • Fuel pressure regulator
    Patent number: 4505296
    Abstract: A fuel supply member surrounds the perimeter of a pressure regulator diaphragm and sealingly engages the pressure regulator base and the pressure regulator cover to completely enclose the perimeter of the diaphragm in the fuel supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Martin J. Field, Andrew J. Makusij, Donald A. Rosin
  • Fuel injection apparatus
    Patent number: 4503826
    Abstract: An electronic injector drive module mounted on a fuel injection assembly is cooled by fuel flow through the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Kessler, David W. Beiswenger, Andrew J. Makusij
  • Dual fuel supply system
    Patent number: 4502453
    Abstract: A fuel supply passage has connections to two sources of fuel, and valves responsive to pressurization of the connections inhibit circulation of fuel from one of the sources to the other source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel F. Kabasin, Donald Stoltman