Patents Assigned to TI Group Automotive System, LLC
  • Publication number: 20060285917
    Abstract: A quick connector coupling comprising a hollow female connector body, a male member having an enlarged annular upset received in the connector body, and a retainer releasably securing the male member in the connector body. A two piece insertion verifier assembly has a clip and a pull member connected together. The clip is attached to the connector body. The clip further includes a flexible cross member joining the two legs. The cross member includes an asymmetric tab, offset from its center toward one of the legs. The body has a protrusion on an outer surface. The tab and the protrusion insure proper orientation of the clip relative to the connector body and tube. With the upset secured by the retainer, it contacts the two legs of the clip to deform the legs apart to permit the clip to disengage from the connector body. However, the pull member and clip separate if a pulling force is exerted on the pull member with the male member not fully inserted into the connector body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Applicant: TI GROUP AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Pepe
  • Patent number: 7150478
    Abstract: A hose connector adapted to have a polymeric hose fitted on the outer periphery of the hose connector. The hose connector comprises a metal tubing and a sealing element. The sealing element includes a ring portion and a resilient member portion attached to the ring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventors: David M. Poirier, Jim Kerin
  • Patent number: 7140247
    Abstract: An in-tank fuel module apparatus arranged to provide an electrostatic discharge path from a conductive component to the ground plane. A conductive float arm is connected to a conductive support through an element in contact with the float arm and the conductive support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Forgue, Daniel A Gilmour
  • Patent number: 7128347
    Abstract: A quick connector coupling for forming a joint in a fluid line system. The quick connector coupling comprises a female connector body, a male member and a latch coupled to the connector body. The female connector body has slots formed therethrough and a bore extending from an end of the connector body. The male member extends through the end of the connector body and into the bore. The male member has a tubular surface and an annular upset. The upset has a diameter greater than the diameter of the tubular surface. The latch is in abutting relationship with the male member upset. The latch includes a passive transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Jim Kerin
  • Publication number: 20060219004
    Abstract: A grounding arrangement for an in-tank fuel system includes a fuel level sensor assembly of a fuel module comprising a conductive card body and a resister card supported on the conductive card body. The resister card includes a conductive trace in conductive contact with the conductive card body. The card body is conductively connected to a conductive fuel module component. The trace is adapted to be connected to the ground plane of a vehicle. Other traces on the resister card are in the electrical circuit of the fuel level sensor assembly. The fuel module further includes a conductive blade having a knife edge and in conductive contact with a conductive fuel module component. The knife edge cuts through the insulation of an insulated conductor to allow the knife edge to be in contact with the conductive element of the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Applicant: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventor: John Forgue
  • Publication number: 20060219318
    Abstract: A flange arrangement for a fuel module comprising a non-conductive flange member to connect the fuel module to a fuel tank includes tube posts that each connect to a conductive support tube, a conductive web in conductive contact with the support tubes and a conductive fuel supply port in conductive contact with the web. In one embodiment, the web and port are integral. In another, the web and port are separate parts. The flange arrangement is made of polymeric material and the web and port are overmolded into the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Applicant: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Lynwood Crary
  • Publication number: 20060202475
    Abstract: A quick connector coupling assembly comprising a body, a tube, and a retainer to secure the tube in the body. The body defines an internal cavity extending from an opening. The tube has an endform extending through the opening and into the internal cavity. The endform has a tip and an engagement surface. The engagement surface of the endform coacts with a locking surface associated with the body or the retainer to resist rotational movement of the tube relative to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicant: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Gunderson
  • Patent number: 7089918
    Abstract: An in-tank fuel module for a fuel tank having a conductive lead for connection to an electrical ground plane and at least a first electrically conductive component, and a conductive polymeric strand electrically connecting the component to the lead. A jet aspiration pump is made of conductive polymeric material. A conductive component is connected to the ground plane through the fuel level sensing assembly circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Ti Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gilmour, John R. Forgue, David H. Ford
  • Patent number: 7028764
    Abstract: An evaporator for disposition along an air flow for cooling the air. The evaporator comprises a continuous serpentine tube having an inlet and an outlet and a plurality of inner fins attached to the serpentine tube. The serpentine tube including at least one column of tube runs. The tube runs are grouped into tube run sets. Each tube run set is defined by at least one reverse bend and the tube runs extending from the ends of the at least one reverse bend. The centerline of each tube run set is not parallel to the centerline of an adjacent tube run set. Each inner fin extends between at least two tube runs of a tube run set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: TI Group Automotives Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Scot Reagen
  • Patent number: 6877373
    Abstract: An in-tank fuel module for a fuel tank having a conductive lead for connection to an electrical ground plane and at least a first electrically conductive component, and a conductive polymeric strand electrically connecting the component to the lead. A jet aspiration pump is made of conductive polymeric material. A conductive component is connected to the ground plane through the fuel level sensing assembly circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gilmour, John R. Forgue, David H. Ford
  • Publication number: 20040118148
    Abstract: An accumulator for use in a motor vehicle air conditioning system. The accumulator comprises an accumulator housing, an outlet fluid pipe assembly and an inlet fluid pipe assembly. The accumulator housing has a top wall, a bottom wall and a side wall connecting the top wall to the bottom wall. The outlet fluid pipe assembly has an inlet end. The inlet fluid pipe assembly includes a tubular first portion and a diverter/diffusing portion configured to direct refrigerant flowing through the first portion towards the sidewall and downwardly away from the top wall of the accumulator housing. The first tubular portion has an axis offset from the inlet end of the outlet fluid pipe assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: TI Group Automotives Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Ther, Charles Thrift
  • Patent number: 6689440
    Abstract: A coated metal tubing arrangement comprises a metal tube. An inner layer of a first polymeric material is bonded to the tube to provide corrosion protection. The first polymeric material has a high crystallinity, a dampening factor of less than 0.05, and a flexural modulus of at least 100 MPa. An outer layer of a second polymeric material is extruded around the inner layer to absorb impact energies and to eliminate mechanical vibrations and acoustic noises. The second polymeric material has a dampening factor of at least 0.05 and a flexural modulus of less than 50 Mpa. The second polymeric material is a multi-phase polymer having at least one polymer component with a glass-transition temperature below room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Henry S. Hsich, Dennis C. Soles
  • Patent number: 6688653
    Abstract: A fitting assembly for fluid and vapor connection comprising a first tube, a second tube and a thin strip of polymeric material. A male member is formed at the end of the first tube. A hollow female body is formed at end of the second tube. The male member is received in the female body. The strip of polymeric material has a layer of adhesive applied to one surface of the strip. The strip is bonded to the male member and unbonded to the female body. The strip is compressed between the male member and the female body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Charles D. Thrift, Darren Meacham
  • Patent number: 6679399
    Abstract: An integral fuel tank fastener having a unitary fastener feature or hollow protuberance carried by and formed into a preferably blow molded multi-layer plastic fuel tank shell. The fuel tank shell preferably has a continuous intermediate layer, or permeation barrier, between continuous inner and outer layers in which the protuberance is formed without producing any discontinuities that could degrade the permeation integrity of the fuel tank. The hollow protuberance projects into a fuel chamber defined by the inner layer and has an enlarged head at its distal end. The outer layer defines a blind cavity of the hollow protuberance which substantially follows the contours of the opposite side. A female clip, independent of the fuel tank, preferably engages the protuberance about the inner layer of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems LLC
    Inventors: Vladimir Franjo, Christopher K. Quick
  • Patent number: 6676171
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for providing a fluid connection comprising a female connector, a tube, a retainer and a cap. The female connector defines a bore. The bore extends axially inwardly into the connector from an entrance. An annular face is defined in the bore axially inwardly of the entrance. The tube is received within the bore. The tube has an enlarged upset. The retainer is disposed in the bore. The retainer has a member directly contacting the upset and extends to the annular face to retain the tube in the bore. The cap is slidably mounted on the tube and is attached to the female connector. The cap has a protrusion directly contacting the upset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Bucher, Bruce McLauchlan
  • Publication number: 20030196783
    Abstract: An evaporator for disposition along an air flow for cooling the air. The evaporator comprises a continuous serpentine tube having an inlet and an outlet and a plurality of inner fins attached to the serpentine tube. The serpentine tube including at least one column of tube runs. The tube runs are grouped into tube run sets. Each tube run set is defined by at least one reverse bend and the tube runs extending from the ends of the at least one reverse bend. The centerline of each tube run set is not parallel to the centerline of an adjacent tube run set. Each inner fin extends between at least two tube runs of a tube run set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: TI GROUP AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: Scot Reagen
  • Patent number: 6589617
    Abstract: A coated metal tubing arrangement comprises a metal tube. An inner layer of a first polymeric material is bonded to the tube to provide corrosion protection. The first polymeric material has a high crystallinity, a dampening factor of less than 0.05, and a flexural modulus of at least 100 MPa. An outer layer of a second polymeric material is extruded around the inner layer to absorb impact energies and to eliminate mechanical vibrations and acoustic noises. The second polymeric material has a dampening factor of at least 0.05 and a flexural modulus of less than 50 Mpa. The second polymeric material is a multi-phase polymer having at least one polymer component with a glass-transition temperature below room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Henry S. Hsich, Dennis C. Soles
  • Publication number: 20020182357
    Abstract: A coated metal tubing arrangement having a metal tube, a first layer of a first polymeric material and a second layer of a second polymeric material having a foamed structure. The second layer is located directly radially outwardly of the first layer. The second polymeric material is chemically similar to the first polymeric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis C. Soles, Henry S. Hsich, Greg Scarrow
  • Patent number: 6443501
    Abstract: A mid-line coupling comprising a first tube and a second tube. The first tube includes a male member formed of the first tube and an upset formed a given distance from the end of the first tube. The second tube includes a female body formed of the second tube. The male member is insertable into the female body until the terminal end of the female body abuts the upset of the first tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Mark G. Ketcham, Charles Thrift
  • Patent number: 6390137
    Abstract: This invention relates to a co-tube assembly for a heating and air conditioning system. The co-tube assembly comprises a connector an inner tube and an outer tube. The connector including a first opening, a second opening and a third opening. The inner tube extends through the first opening and the second opening of the connector. The inner tube has a first portion axially outwardly of the first opening of the connector and a second portion axially outwardly of the second opening of the connector. The outer tube is disposed over the first portion of said inner tube and inserted into said first opening of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Ewald, Charles Thrift, John Horst