Patents Examined by Margerite Macy
  • Patent number: 5511530
    Abstract: A modular fuel line heating apparatus is shown and described. In a preferred embodiment, a length of heat tape is coupled to a feed-through device, the feed-through device being adapted to detachably attach to various fittings, depending upon the desired location of the heat tape. The heat tape may be placed in a fuel draw tube, or in a hose of the fuel line, or in both, depending on the desired configuration and severity of operating conditions. A temperature sensor is provided in the fuel line to sense a temperature of the fuel as it flows through the fuel line, the temperature sensor activating the heat tape when the temperature of the fuel drops below a minimum desired temperature, and deactivating the heat tape when a maximum desired fuel temperature is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Paccar Inc.
    Inventors: Elmore S. Buringrud, Jan B. Stephens