Patents Assigned to WALBRO LLC
  • Patent number: 11530671
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a fuel pump assembly includes a first fuel pump and a second fuel pump that each have an electric motor, a pumping element driven by the motor, an inlet and an outlet through which fuel is discharged. The assembly also includes a passage communicated with the outlet of the first fuel pump and with the outlet of the second fuel pump, a fuel outlet in communication with the passage and through which fuel exits the fuel pump assembly, and a valve having an inlet in communication with the passage between the outlet of the first fuel pump and the outlet of the second fuel pump. The valve also having an outlet through which fuel exits the passage and a valve body that controls fuel flow through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Talaski, Elton J. Fisch
  • Patent number: 11480142
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a device includes a fuel system component having a body through which fuel flows, and a retention member body connected to the body of the fuel system component, the retention member body having one or more retainers that are flexible and resilient, and that extend outwardly from the retention member body and that are arranged to engaged spaced apart portions of an interior of a fuel tank to retain the position in the fuel tank of the fuel system component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: William E. Galka, Bryan K. Gangler, Bradley J. Roche
  • Patent number: 11408383
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, an assembly includes a reservoir, a primary fuel pump having an inlet in communication with the reservoir's internal volume, an outlet, a motor and a pumping element driven by the motor and a secondary fuel pump with a body having first and second inlets and an outlet. The first inlet receives fuel from the primary fuel pump and a nozzle is communicated with the first inlet and fuel flows out of the nozzle into the body via the first inlet. The second inlet is in communication with the reservoir inlet, and the outlet is in communication with the internal volume. The flow of fuel through the nozzle draws fuel from the fuel source through the second fuel inlet and that fuel is combined with the flow of fuel from the nozzle and discharged into the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Elton J. Fisch, Douglas W. Salowitz, Jr., Edward J. Talaski
  • Patent number: 11378053
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a method of operating an ignition system for a combustion engine includes charging an energy storage device during at least a portion of the time when the engine is operating, permitting the level of energy stored on the charge storage device to decrease over time after the engine ceases to operate, determining the energy level on the energy storage device when the engine is restarted after having ceased operating, and setting at least one engine operational parameter as a function of the determined energy level. In at least some implementations, the at least one engine operational parameter may include one or more of: richness of a fuel and air mixture to be delivered to the engine, ignition timing, desired engine idle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Martin N. Andersson, Cyrus M. Healy
  • Patent number: 11373798
    Abstract: An ignition device includes a case having an opening and a bottom wall, a coil bobbin arranged in the case having a through hole, a first end and a second end, an ignition coil wound around the coil bobbin, a core made of magnetic material and projecting from the opening and from the bottom wall, and extending through the coil bobbin, a retainer having a ring portion and multiple leg portions extending from the ring, and a filling resin in the case. The core extends through the ring portion and the leg portions extend in between an inner surface of the coil bobbin and an outer peripheral surface of the core toward the bottom wall, and the case is filled with the filling resin in a manner that at least a part of the ring portion is not covered by the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Shunya Nakamura, Yuki Tanaka, Kazunori Tsubakino
  • Patent number: 11319900
    Abstract: A charge forming device includes a housing having an inlet chamber in which a supply of fuel is received, a vent passage communicating with the inlet chamber and a throttle bore with an inlet through which air is received, a throttle valve carried by the housing with a valve head movable relative to the throttle bore to control fluid flow through the throttle bore, a vent valve. The vent valve is carried by the housing and has a valve element that is movable between an open position wherein fluid may flow from the inlet chamber through the vent passage and a closed position where fluid is prevented or inhibited from flowing out of the inlet chamber through the vent passage, the vent valve being electrically actuated, and wherein the vent valve is actuated as a function of a pressure within the inlet chamber or the vent passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Gary J. Burns, Albert L. Sayers
  • Patent number: 11319901
    Abstract: A rotary throttle valve carburetor includes a main body, a throttle valve and a fuel nozzle. The main body has a main bore with an inlet and an outlet, a valve bore that intersects the main bore and a nozzle opening that communicates with the main bore. The throttle valve has a body received at least partially within the valve bore so that the valve body rotates about an axis and moves axially relative to the main body, and a valve passage therethrough. The fuel nozzle extends through the nozzle opening and into the valve passage, and has a fuel outlet received within the valve passage, an inner surface that defines part of a fuel passage through which fuel flows in the nozzle and to the fuel outlet, and an outer surface that includes a discontinuous portion with a varying radial dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Taketoshi Hirama, Takumi Konarita
  • Patent number: 11319902
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a charge forming device includes a body having a main bore, a fuel metering assembly including a diaphragm that defines at least part of a fuel chamber from which fuel is provided to the main bore and a reference chamber separate from the fuel chamber, a passage communicated with a subatmospheric pressure source and with the reference chamber, and an electrically actuated valve having an open position and a closed position, and wherein the valve at least substantially prevents communication of the pressure source with the reference chamber when the valve is in the closed position and permits communication of the pressure source with the reference chamber when the valve is in the open position to vary the rate of fuel flow from the fuel chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Martin N. Andersson, Dale P. Kus
  • Patent number: 11313328
    Abstract: In at least one implementation, a method of operating a combustion engine, includes determining a temperature equal or related to a temperature of an engine at an engine start and comparing the determined temperature to a temperature threshold, determining if an engine operating condition exceeds an engine threshold within a threshold time after the engine was started, and if the determined temperature is below the threshold temperature and the engine operating condition remains above the engine threshold and the threshold time has not passed, providing an enriched fuel and air mixture to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Hiroki Ogasawara, Tsuyoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11300090
    Abstract: A method of controlling operation of an engine includes providing power to a control module and/or a controller included in the control module, providing an engine start input where the engine start input is communicated with the controller, determining or detecting actuation of the engine start input, sending a signal from the controller to begin an engine starting procedure to start the engine, providing multiple engine operating mode inputs via the module, determining or detecting actuation of one of the engine operating mode inputs, and controlling the engine in accordance with one or more predetermined engine control instructions associated with the engine operating mode that is associated with the actuated engine operating input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: WALBRO LLC
    Inventors: Andreas D. Dixon, Justin T. Dolane, Sean M. Murphy, Duried F. Rabban, Bradley J. Roche, Elizabeth M. VanSipe
  • Patent number: 11293380
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a limiter cap assembly for a carburetor having a cavity in which one or more adjustable valves are received, includes a plug adapted to be received within a cavity of the carburetor and having an opening and a cavity aligned with the opening, a clasp engageable with the plug and having at least one retention feature and an opening aligned with the opening of the plug, and a limiter cap received within the opening of the plug and engaged with the retention feature of the clasp. Removal of the limiter cap from the plug opening is prevented by engagement of the retention feature with the limiter cap and by engagement of the clasp with the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Doyama, Teruhiko Tobinai
  • Patent number: 11274618
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a method of controlling a fuel-to-air ratio of a fuel and air mixture supplied to an engine, includes the steps of determining an engine deceleration event, determining the number of engine revolutions required for the engine speed to decrease from one speed threshold to another speed threshold, comparing the number of engine revolutions determined above against a revolution threshold, and making the fuel and air mixture richer if the number of engine revolutions determined above is greater than the revolution threshold. The method may also include determining if, before the engine stabilized at a stable engine speed (which may be an engine idle speed), the engine speed decreased below the stable engine speed as the engine decelerated to the stable engine speed from a speed above the stable engine speed, and making the fuel and air mixture leaner if the determination is affirmative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Martin N. Andersson, Cyrus M. Healy, Dale P. Kus
  • Patent number: 11274762
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, an assembly includes a float having a void with an inlet leading into the void in a first direction, and at least one retention surface that is not parallel to the first direction and a hinge received at least partially within the void. The hinge has at least one retention feature that cooperates with the at least one retention feature of the float to inhibit removal of the hinge from the float in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the hinge is formed from a polymeric material. In at least some implementations, the hinge has a melting point similar to or lower than the melting point of the material of the float, and the hinge is formed separately from and is pressed into the void in the float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Elton J. Fisch, Jeffrey D. Hanby
  • Patent number: 11268455
    Abstract: A throttle body may have a main bore for supplying a fuel and air mixture to an engine. A throttle valve head may be received in the main bore and movable between idle and wide open positions to control fluid flow through the main bore. A main fuel outlet and a boost venturi may open to the main bore and a flow directing feature may alter the velocity and/or direction of fluid flow in the main bore relative to the fuel outlet or boost venturi. The flow directing feature may be carried by the body, the throttle valve head, or the boost venturi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Gary J. Burns, William E. Galka, Bradley J. Roche, Albert L. Sayers, David L. Speirs
  • Patent number: 11255457
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a solenoid valve includes a housing, a bobbin and an armature. The bobbin is received at least partially within the housing and has a body about which a coil is provided. A fluid flow path including an inlet and an outlet and a valve seat is defined by at least one of the housing or the bobbin, and the armature is moveable relative to the valve seat to control flow through the fluid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Dale P. Kus, David L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 11233378
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a coupler for a spark plug includes a body formed from an electrically conductive material and including a first connecting portion defining a first cavity, and a second connecting portion defining a second cavity spaced from the first cavity, and the body includes an intermediate portion physically and electrically coupling the first connection portion and the second connecting portion. In at least some implementations, the first connecting portion is formed from a wire coiled to define the first cavity within the coil. In at least some implementations, the second connecting portion is formed from a wire coiled to define the second cavity within the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Cyrus M. Healy, Eric L. King
  • Patent number: 11231002
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a charge forming device for a combustion engine includes a throttle body and a throttle valve. The throttle body has a throttle bore with an inlet through which air flows into the throttle bore and an outlet from which a fuel and air mixture exits the throttle bore. The throttle bore has a throat between the inlet and outlet and the throat has a reduced flow area compared to at least one of the inlet and outlet. The throttle valve has a valve head received within the throat of the throttle bore and movable relative to the throttle body between a first position and a second position wherein the flow area between the valve head and the throttle body is greater when the valve head is in the second position than in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Takashi Abei, Katsuaki Hamataka, Takashi Horikawa, Tomoya Kawada, Dairoku Suzuki, Jun Takano
  • Patent number: 11215152
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, an adapter, for a fuel pump having a casing, has a base having an axis and an opening through which fluid may flow, and multiple tabs connected to the base. The tabs are circumferentially spaced apart with a void between at least part of the tabs, and at least two tabs have a contact portion that extends radially inwardly to define a minimum diameter opening between the tabs. Each contact portion extends along a portion less than all of the surface areas of the radially inner surface of the tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Darin R. Billot, Elton J. Fisch
  • Patent number: 11187191
    Abstract: A carburetor with a body with a cavity in which an adjustable fuel valve is received. To inhibit access to and manual adjustment of the valve, a cover may overlay at least a portion of the adjustable valve. In some forms, a releasable lock plate may be received between the cover and the adjustable valve. Specialty tools may release the lock plate and adjust the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Matthew A. Braun, Eric L. King
  • Patent number: 11156193
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a fuel pump assembly includes a fuel pump having an inlet through which fuel enters the fuel pump and a first outlet from which pressurized fuel is discharged for delivery to an engine, and a second outlet through which some of the fuel discharged from the fuel pump is routed wherein that fuel is not delivered to the engine, wherein the second outlet has a flow area that permits a flow of fuel through the second outlet that is sufficient to reduce the maximum pressure of fuel downstream of the first outlet for delivery to an engine to between 1/10th and 1/25th of the output pressure of the fuel pump without flow through the second outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Elton J. Fisch, Douglas W. Salowitz, Jr., Edward J. Talaski