Patents by Inventor Bjorn Criel

Bjorn Criel 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: 20170190564
    Abstract: A method for controlling a filling operation of a vehicular liquid storage system including a tank including a fill level limiting valve. The method includes: detecting start of a first filling event; measuring a first fill level of the tank; verifying whether the measured first fill level has reached a predetermined fill level; if the verifying is positive, starting a first timer for a first amount of time; upon expiry of the first timer, closing the fill level limiting valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: PLASTIC OMNIUM ADVANCED INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: Ed FURMANCZYK, David HILL, Bjorn CRIEL
  • Patent number: 9669575
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a plastic hollow body including extruding a molten plastic parison through a die. At least one longitudinal cut is made in the parison. The parison is introduced into a mold comprising two cavities. The hollow body is molded by conforming the parison to the mold cavities. The die includes a passage for the molten plastic which gradually modifies the shape of the parison so that it is substantially flattened on exiting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (S.A.)
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Philippe Bournonville, Pierre-François Tardy
  • Patent number: 9657638
    Abstract: A method for controlling depressurization of a fuel system mounted on board of a vehicle including a vehicle impact sensor, the method including: detecting, using the vehicle impact sensor, whether an impact on the vehicle is present; and when the impact on the vehicle is detected, using a controller for generating at least one signal for controlling an opening of at least one valve disposed in the fuel system, to release internal pressure of the fuel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (SOCIÉTÉ ANONYME)
    Inventor: Bjorn Criel
  • Patent number: 9649929
    Abstract: A fuel tank having two opposite wall portions and at least one reinforcing element connecting these two wall portions, such reinforcing element comprising at least two parts linked by at least one rotating link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: David Hill, Bjorn Criel, Vincent Cuvelier, Scott McCleary
  • Patent number: 9616744
    Abstract: A vehicle storage system with vapor control. The storage system includes: a vehicle tank including a vapor outlet, a filter unit including a filter inlet and outlet, a housing including a first port communicating with the vapor outlet, a second port communicating with the filter inlet, a third port communicating with the filter outlet, and a fourth port. A closure body is moveably arranged in the housing, the closure body configured to: close the third and fourth ports in a first position of the closure body, create in the housing a barrier between a first volume and a second volume in a second position of the closure body, the first volume forming a passage between the first and second ports, and the second volume forming a passage between the third and fourth ports, and close the first and second ports in a third position of the closure body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: PLASTIC OMNIUM ADVANCED INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: David Hill, Yazid Belkhelfa, Bjorn Criel, Jules-Joseph Van Schaftingen
  • Publication number: 20170008391
    Abstract: Method for stake-fastening an accessory (4) into a plastic fuel tank, whereby: the accessory (4) is equipped with at least one orifice (5) which passes right through the accessory (4); at least some of the plastic of which the wall of the tank (1) is made is melted; and some of the molten plastic is forced through the orifice (5) of the accessory without becoming detached from the remainder of the molten plastic; the protruding molten plastic is given an appropriate shape (8) to obtain a self-formed plastic rivet, and is left to solidify; the size and shape of the orifice (5) and/or of the solidified plastic (8) being such that the accessory (4) is mechanically fastened to the tank by at least some of the solidified plastic (8), the stake-fastening of the accessory (4) occurring at the time of manufacture of the tank (1) through the moulding of a split or at least two-part parison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: PLASTIC OMNIUM ADVANCED INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: Bjorn CRIEL, Jules-Joseph VAN SCHAFTINGEN, Pascal DE HENAU
  • Publication number: 20170001361
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plastic fuel tank including: a) inserting a plastic parison including two distinct parts into an open two-cavity mold; b) inserting a core, bearing at least part of a reinforcing element configured to create a link between the two parison parts, inside the parison; c) pressing the parison firmly against the mold cavities, for example by blowing through the core and/or creating suction behind the cavities; d) fixing the part of the reinforcing element to at least one of the parison parts using the core; e) withdrawing the core; f) closing the mold, bringing its two cavities together to grip the two parison parts around their periphery to weld them together; g) injecting a pressurized fluid into the mold and/or creating a vacuum behind the mold cavities to press the parison firmly against the mold cavities; and h) opening the mold and extracting the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicant: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (SOCIETE ANONYME)
    Inventors: BJORN CRIEL, STEPHANE LEONARD, THIERRY FERRACIN, FREDERIC JANNOT
  • Patent number: 9527225
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a plastic hollow body by molding two sheets of molten plastic in a mold including two cavities, the process including: a) two molten plastic sheets are manufactured by extrusion of at least one stream of molten plastic and transverse cutting thereof; b) these sheets are introduced between the mold cavities; c) the mold is closed and the hollow body is manufactured by conforming the two sheets to the mold cavities; d) the hollow body thus obtained is removed from the mold; e) all of operations a) to d) are repeated to manufacture another hollow body from two new sheets; and before, during, or after the transverse cutting operation, the lower portion of the two new sheets is cooled using a specific device that makes possible a local cooling of the sheets in the lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Pierre-Francois Tardy, Bjorn Criel, Jean-Claude Mur, Serge Dupont, Franck Bajor
  • Publication number: 20160368371
    Abstract: A vehicle storage system with vapor control. The storage system includes: a vehicle tank including a vapor outlet, a filter unit including a filter inlet and outlet, a housing including a first port communicating with the vapor outlet, a second port communicating with the filter inlet, a third port communicating with the filter outlet, and a fourth port. A closure body is moveably arranged in the housing, the closure body configured to: close the third and fourth ports in a first position of the closure body, create in the housing a barrier between a first volume and a second volume in a second position of the closure body, the first volume forming a passage between the first and second ports, and the second volume forming a passage between the third and fourth ports, and close the first and second ports in a third position of the closure body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: Plastic Omnium Advanced Innovation and Research
    Inventors: David HILL, Yazid BELKHELFA, Bjorn CRIEL, Jules-Joseph VAN SCHAFTINGEN
  • Patent number: 9523600
    Abstract: A gauging method for a plastic fuel tank mounted on a hybrid vehicle, the tank including a reservoir including a gauge for measuring an amount of fuel in the tank, the method including: measuring the amount of fuel in the tank using the gauge; estimating deformation of the tank using at least one sensor onboard the vehicle; and correcting the amount measured by the gauge based on the estimated deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Vincent Cuvelier
  • Patent number: 9488145
    Abstract: A vehicular liquid containment system including a tank, a pump arranged to pump a liquid from the tank to a vehicular system via a feed line, a pressure sensor arranged to detect a pressure in a vapor dome inside the tank, and a sprayer arranged within a branch of the feed line, the outlet of the sprayer being arranged inside the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Josh Butler, David Hill, Bjorn Criel
  • Patent number: 9452577
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plastic fuel tank including: a) inserting a plastic parison including two distinct parts into an open two-cavity mold; b) inserting a core, bearing at least part of a reinforcing element configured to create a link between the two parison parts, inside the parison; c) pressing the parison firmly against the mold cavities, for example by blowing through the core and/or creating suction behind the cavities; d) fixing the part of the reinforcing element to at least one of the parison parts using the core; e) withdrawing the core; f) closing the mold, bringing its two cavities together to grip the two parison parts around their periphery to weld them together; g) injecting a pressurized fluid into the mold and/or creating a vacuum behind the mold cavities to press the parison firmly against the mold cavities; and h) opening the mold and extracting the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Stephane Leonard, Thierry Ferracin, Frederic Jannot
  • Patent number: 9440403
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plastic fuel tank including: a) inserting a plastic parison including two distinct parts into an open two-cavity mold; b) inserting a core, bearing at least part of a reinforcing element configured to create a link between the two parison parts, inside the parison; c) pressing the parison firmly against the mold cavities, for example by blowing through the core and/or creating suction behind the cavities; d) fixing the part of the reinforcing element to at least one of the parison parts using the core; e) withdrawing the core; f) closing the mold, bringing its two cavities together to grip the two parison parts around their periphery to weld them together; g) injecting a pressurized fluid into the mold and/or creating a vacuum behind the mold cavities to press the parison firmly against the mold cavities; and h) opening the mold and extracting the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (Société Anonyme)
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Stephane Leonard, Thierry Ferracin, Frederic Jannot
  • Publication number: 20160243930
    Abstract: A tank manufactured from a plastic material. The tank includes a reinforcement member. The reinforcement member includes a first portion made of a first material weldable to the plastic material of the tank and a second portion made of a second material having a tensile stress at break which is three to nine times larger than the tensile stress at yield of the first material. The second portion includes at least one through-hole, and the first material extends in the at least one through-hole and at opposite sides of the second portion adjacent the at least one through-hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: Plastic Omnium Advanced Innovation and Research
    Inventor: Bjorn CRIEL
  • Patent number: 9399327
    Abstract: Method for stake-fastening an accessory (4) into a plastic fuel tank, whereby: the accessory (4) is equipped with at least one orifice (5) which passes right through the accessory (4); at least some of the plastic of which the wall of the tank (1) is made is melted; and some of the molten plastic is forced through the orifice (5) of the accessory without becoming detached from the remainder of the molten plastic; the protruding molten plastic is given an appropriate shape (8) to obtain a self-formed plastic rivet, and is left to solidify; the size and shape of the orifice (5) and/or of the solidified plastic (8) being such that the accessory (4) is mechanically fastened to the tank by at least some of the solidified plastic (8), the stake-fastening of the accessory (4) occurring at the time of manufacture of the tank (1) through the molding of a split or at least two-part parison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: PLASTIC OMNIUM ADVANCED INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Jules-Joseph Van Schaftingen, Pascal De Henau
  • Patent number: 9399326
    Abstract: Method for stake-fastening an accessory (4) into a plastic fuel tank, whereby: the accessory (4) is equipped with at least one orifice (5) which passes right through the accessory (4); at least some of the plastic of which the wall of the tank (1) is made is melted; and some of the molten plastic is forced through the orifice (5) of the accessory without becoming detached from the remainder of the molten plastic; the protruding molten plastic is given an appropriate shape (8) to obtain a self-formed plastic rivet, and is left to solidify; the size and shape of the orifice (5) and/or of the solidified plastic (8) being such that the accessory (4) is mechanically fastened to the tank by at least some of the solidified plastic (8), the stake-fastening of the accessory (4) occurring at the time of manufacture of the tank (1) through the moulding of a split or at least two-part parison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: PLASTIC OMNIUM ADVANCED INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Jules-Joseph Van Schaftingen, Pascal De Henau
  • Publication number: 20160158992
    Abstract: A method for attaching a portion of an accessory to a wall of a vessel made of plastic, including shaping a parison by blowing. The accessory portion includes an attachment base including an open cavity including an opening leading to outside of the accessory portion, the open cavity including a female engagement shape shaped such that a male engagement shape complementary to the female engagement shape cannot, once engaged in the female engagement shape, be separated therefrom except by deformation or destruction of at least one of the engagement shapes. The method includes shaping a portion of the parison that is in a molten state, by molding same inside the cavity by a pressure difference established on either side of the portion of the parison, until the portion of the parison has a male engagement shape complementary to the female engagement shape formed by the open cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: PLASTIC OMNIUM ADVANCED INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: Bjorn CRIEL, Eric BOUCAUX
  • Patent number: 9358742
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a fuel tank, including: inserting a plastic parison including two distinct parts into an open two-cavity mold; inserting a core inside the parison, the core including two parts of a reinforcing element capable of securing two different locations inside the parison; pressing the parison firmly against the mold cavities; fixing the two reinforcing element parts at the two locations of the parison using the core; withdrawing the core; closing the mold, bringing its two cavities together to grip the two parison parts around their periphery to weld them together; injecting a pressurized fluid into the mold and/or creating a vacuum behind the mold cavities to press the parison firmly against the mold cavities; opening the mold and extracting the tank; making an opening into the tank wall; and through the opening, putting at least a third reinforcing element part to link/connect the two first parts together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Vincent Cuvelier, David Hill
  • Patent number: 9327461
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plastic fuel tank including: a) inserting a plastic parison including two distinct parts into an open two-cavity mold; b) inserting a core, bearing at least part of a reinforcing element configured to create a link between the two parison parts, inside the parison; c) pressing the parison firmly against the mold cavities, for example by blowing through the core and/or creating suction behind the cavities; d) fixing the part of the reinforcing element to at least one of the parison parts using the core; e) withdrawing the core; f) closing the mold, bringing its two cavities together to grip the two parison parts around their periphery to weld them together; g) injecting a pressurized fluid into the mold and/or creating a vacuum behind the mold cavities to press the parison firmly against the mold cavities; and h) opening the mold and extracting the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (Société Anonyme)
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Stephane Leonard, Thierry Ferracin, Frederic Jannot
  • Publication number: 20160101683
    Abstract: A fuel tank having two opposite wall portions and at least one reinforcing element connecting these two wall portions, such reinforcing element comprising at least two parts linked by at least one rotating link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: David HILL, Bjorn CRIEL, Vincent CUVELIER, Scott MCCLEARY