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).

  • 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
  • Patent number: 9308814
    Abstract: A method of controlling pressure of a fuel system of a hybrid vehicle including an engine fed with fuel stored in a tank made of plastics material, and an electric motor, the method including, when the engine is stopped, relaxing pressure inside the fuel tank in full or in part after a given safety duration and as a function of at least one stress accumulation parameter, each stress accumulation parameter being associated with an element of the fuel system and being defined by information concerning temperature, information concerning exposure duration, and information concerning a level of stress on the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Jean-Francois Berard
  • Patent number: 9302438
    Abstract: Method for producing a fuel tank provided with internal accessories and having a wall made of plastic made in a single piece by moulding a split parison or a parison in at least two parts, said method comprising the following steps: a) the parison is introduced in the heat-softened state into a mould comprising dies; b) a core on which the accessories are placed is introduced inside the parison; c) the parison is pressed onto the dies of the mould; d) the accessories are fastened to the parison with the aid of the core in an ideal layout; e) the core is withdrawn and the mould is closed; f) the tank is moulded from the parison; and g) the tank is removed from the mould.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Nadja Walling, Fabrice Laborde, Hervé Lemoine
  • Patent number: 9296164
    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: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (Société Anonyme)
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Stephane Leonard, Thierry Ferracin, Frederic Jannot
  • Publication number: 20160067905
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plastic fuel tank including lower and upper walls and at least one reinforcing element connecting these walls, includes molding the tank from molten plastic sheets which are optionally resulting from cutting a tubular parison. The method includes molding the molten plastic sheets in a mold including cavities and a core. The reinforcing element includes a hollow plastic pillar having an opening in its lower part and an opening in its upper part, the openings being situated at locations to allow, respectively, a filling of the pillar and a degassing thereof. At least one part of the pillar is a constitutive element of an accessory that has an active role in the tank. The pillar, or at least one part of an attachment structure for this pillar, is attached to the upper and lower walls of the tank during the molding thereof using the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: PLASTIC OMNIUM ADVANCED INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: Bjorn CRIEL, Vincent CUVELIER
  • Publication number: 20160060093
    Abstract: A method for controlling a filling operation of a vehicular liquid storage system including a tank equipped with a filler pipe and a shut-off valve, the method including detecting the start of a refilling event; while the shut-off valve is open, observing whether a measured fill level of the tank has reached a predetermined fill level; if the predetermined fill level has been reached, performing the following steps: closing the shut-off valve to induce a shut-off of a filling nozzle; when a first pressure criterion is met, opening the shut-off valve; and when a second pressure criterion is met, closing the shut-off valve. The second pressure criterion includes a decrease of pressure inside the tank below a predetermined pressure level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: Plastic Omnium Advanced Innovation and Research
    Inventors: Bjorn CRIEL, Antoine CHAUSSINAND, David HILL, Scott MCCLEARY, Jurgen DEDEURWAERDER, Mihai BAJA
  • Publication number: 20160061802
    Abstract: It is proposed a method for determining the volatility of fuel in a fuel storage system, the method comprising: determining that a refueling event has occurred (210) and that the fuel storage system has subsequently been sealed (220); performing a first pressure measurement (230) at a first time after the determining; performing a second pressure measurement (240) at a second time, the second time occurring after the first time; determining a pressure evolution rate (250) from the first pressure measurement at the first time and the second pressure measurement at the second time; and deriving an estimation (260) of the volatility of the fuel from the pressure evolution rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: Plastic Omnium Advanced Innovation and Research
    Inventors: Bjorn CRIEL, David Hill, Antoine Chaussinand
  • Publication number: 20160052386
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fuel tank or filling pipe including a wall made of thermoplastics material and a fibrous reinforcement over at least part of the surface thereof, the method including: heating the fibrous reinforcement to bring the fibrous reinforcement into an at least partially molten state; introducing the heated fibrous reinforcement, and the wall in at least partially molten state, into a mold; and welding the fibrous reinforcement to the wall using pressure of a gas which inflates the wall and presses the heated fibrous reinforcement firmly against the wall in the molten state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: Plastic Omnium Advanced Innovation and Research
    Inventors: Pierre DE KEYZER, Bjorn CRIEL, Eric BOUCAUX
  • Patent number: 9266427
    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. A method for manufacturing such tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (SociétéAnonyme)
    Inventors: David Hill, Bjorn Criel, Vincent Cuvelier, Scott McCleary
  • Publication number: 20160046183
    Abstract: A component is made for a vehicle plastic hollow article, such as a fuel tank, wherein the article includes a wall obtained from a plastic parison. The component is configured to be welded to the wall and includes a main hollow body including an external face, a shoulder protruding from the external face, and at least one recess configured to receive air when the shoulder contacts the wall during welding of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: PLASTIC OMNIUM ADVANCED INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: David HILL, Philippe BOURNONVILLE, Bjorn CRIEL
  • Patent number: 9242550
    Abstract: Process for reinforcing a plastic fuel tank comprising a wall defining an internal closed volume, according to which a structural member is fixed to the wall of the tank outside the closed volume, in at least two points being located in two different portions of said wall where a deflection induced when the tank is filled with fuel, is low; and said structure having at least one contact point with the tank wall in a portion of said wall where the deflection is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (Société Anonyme)
    Inventors: James Edward Thompson, David Hill, Bjorn Criel, Vincent Cuvelier, Jules-Joseph Van Schaftingen
  • Patent number: 9242551
    Abstract: A ventilation device including: a first enclosure including a first passage configured to be connected to a canister outlet and the atmosphere, and a normally closed shutter device configured to open to release the first passage; a second enclosure including a second passage configured to be connected to the canister inlet and a fuel tank, and a normally open shutter device configured to close to shut the second passage, the second passage being separate from and not in communication with the first passage; and a combined pressure/vacuum relief valve or OPR and UPR valve pair situated in or fastened to a bypass of the first passage configured to establish a connection between ends of the first passage when the shutter device is closed and when there is over- or under-pressure in the ends. A fuel system can include the device and a hybrid vehicle can include the fuel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Vincent Cuvelier, David Hill, Jules-Joseph Van Schaftingen