Patents by Inventor Bradley J. Roche
Bradley J. Roche 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).
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Publication number: 20220145812Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Gary J. Burns, William E. Galka, Bradley J. Roche, Albert L. Sayers, David L. Speirs
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Patent number: 11300090Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 2, 2018Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: WALBRO LLCInventors: Andreas D. Dixon, Justin T. Dolane, Sean M. Murphy, Duried F. Rabban, Bradley J. Roche, Elizabeth M. VanSipe
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Patent number: 11268455Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 1, 2017Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Walbro LLCInventors: Gary J. Burns, William E. Galka, Bradley J. Roche, Albert L. Sayers, David L. Speirs
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Publication number: 20220034285Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: William E. Galka, Bryan K. Gangler, Bradley J. Roche
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Publication number: 20220003332Abstract: In at least some implementations, a method of assembling an electromechanical valve includes positioning the armature stop in a first position at a first distance from a valve seat, actuating the valve to move an armature away from the valve seat, providing a fluid flow to the valve, determining a fluid flow characteristic, and as a function of the fluid flow characteristic, moving the armature stop relative to the valve seat to a second position that is at a distance other than the first distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2019Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Bradley J. Roche, William E. Galka, David L. Speirs, Jeffrey C. Hoppe, Ernesto O. Basanez
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Publication number: 20210340926Abstract: In at least some implementations, a system for communicating threshold conditions for use of a powered device to a user, includes an engine, a controller coupled to the engine to control starting of the engine and a first indicator associated with a first threshold condition. The first indicator has a first state when the threshold condition is not satisfied and the first indicator has a second state when the threshold condition is satisfied, and the first indicator is coupled to the controller so that the controller is responsive to a change of the state of the first indicator, and wherein the controller is adapted to provide information for display that is indicative of the state of the first indicator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2019Publication date: November 4, 2021Inventor: Bradley J. Roche
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Publication number: 20210317809Abstract: A throttle body assembly for a combustion engine includes a throttle body having a pressure chamber including a supply of liquid fuel, and a throttle bore with an inlet through which air is received. A throttle valve is carried by the throttle body with a valve head movable relative to the throttle bore. A metering valve is coupled to the throttle body, and has a valve element that is movable between open and closed positions. A boost venturi is located in the throttle bore and has an inner passage that is open at both ends to the throttle bore. The boost venturi has an opening through which fuel flows into the inner passage when the valve element is in the open position, wherein fuel flows from the pressure chamber to the metering valve under the force of gravity or under a pressure of less than 6 psi.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2021Publication date: October 14, 2021Inventors: Gary J. Burns, Andreas D. M. Dixon, Eric G. Zbytowski, Albert L. Sayers, Justin T. Dolane, David L. Speirs, William E. Galka, Duried F. Rabban, Bradley J. Roche
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Patent number: 11073122Abstract: In at least some implementations, a throttle body assembly for a combustion engine includes a throttle body having a pressure chamber in which a supply of fuel is received and a throttle bore with an inlet through which air is received, a throttle valve carried by the throttle body with a valve head movable relative to the throttle bore to control fluid flow through the throttle bore, and a metering valve carried by the throttle body. The metering valve may have a valve element that is movable between an open position wherein fuel may flow from the pressure chamber into the throttle bore and a closed position where fuel is prevented or substantially prevented from flowing into the throttle bore through the metering valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2017Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Walbro LLCInventors: Gary J. Burns, Andreas D. M. Dixon, Eric G. Zbytowski, Albert L. Sayers, Justin T. Dolane, David L. Speirs, William E. Galka, Duried F. Rabban, Bradley J. Roche
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Patent number: 11047355Abstract: An engine control and input system for a device having a tool driven by an engine, includes an input and control module having one or more inputs and a controller responsive to actuation of the inputs to permit user control of at least one engine operating parameter by user actuation of the inputs. The system may include a touch screen display that displays icons to the user relating to the inputs and the at least one engine operating parameter, and wherein the touch screen display is responsive to the user selecting one of the inputs by touching an associated one of the icons provided by the display. At least one of the inputs may relate to one or more of changing engine speed, starting the engine, causing the engine to drive the tool, turning on a light, actuating a heater or warmer or stopping engine operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: WALBRO LLCInventors: Andreas D. Dixon, Justin T. Dolane, Sean M. Murphy, Duried F. Rabban, Bradley J. Roche, Elizabeth M. VanSipe
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Patent number: 11015560Abstract: An engine control and input system for a device having a tool driven by an engine, includes an input and control module having one or more inputs and a controller responsive to actuation of the inputs to permit user control of at least one engine operating parameter by user actuation of the inputs. The system may include a touch screen display that displays icons to the user relating to the inputs and the at least one engine operating parameter, and wherein the touch screen display is responsive to the user selecting one of the inputs by touching an associated one of the icons provided by the display. At least one of the inputs may relate to one or more of changing engine speed, starting the engine, causing the engine to drive the tool, turning on a light, actuating a heater or warmer or stopping engine operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: WALBRO LLCInventors: Andreas D. Dixon, Justin T. Dolane, Sean M. Murphy, Duried F. Rabban, Bradley J. Roche, Elizabeth M. VanSipe
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Patent number: 11008951Abstract: In at least some implementations, a throttle body assembly includes a body that has multiple throttle bores, multiple throttle valve heads received one in each of the throttle bores, at least one throttle valve shaft to which the throttle valve heads are coupled, and at least one of a fuel metering valve and a vapor separator carried by the body.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2018Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Walbro LLCInventors: Gary J. Burns, William E. Galka, Bradley J. Roche, Albert L. Sayers, David L. Speirs, Eric G. Zbytowski
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Patent number: 10995723Abstract: In at least some implementations, an ignition system for a combustion engine includes a controller, an ignition circuit, and a wire providing two-way communication between the ignition circuit and the controller. The ignition circuit may include a charge capacitor that is discharged to cause an ignition event. The ignition circuit may be an inductive discharge ignition circuit including a coil and may then also include a second wire that provides electrical power to the coil.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Walbro LLCInventors: Justin T. Dolane, Bradley J. Roche
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Publication number: 20200318553Abstract: An engine control and input system for a device having a tool driven by an engine, includes an input and control module having one or more inputs and a controller responsive to actuation of the inputs to permit user control of at least one engine operating parameter by user actuation of the inputs. The system may include a touch screen display that displays icons to the user relating to the inputs and the at least one engine operating parameter, and wherein the touch screen display is responsive to the user selecting one of the inputs by touching an associated one of the icons provided by the display. At least one of the inputs may relate to one or more of changing engine speed, starting the engine, causing the engine to drive the tool, turning on a light, actuating a heater or warmer or stopping engine operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2018Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: Andreas D. Dixon, Justin T. Dolane, Sean M. Murphy, Duried F. Rabban, Bradley J. Roche, Elizabeth M. VanSipe
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Publication number: 20200277923Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2018Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Andreas D. Dixon, Justin T. Dolane, Sean M. Murphy, Duried F. Rabban, Bradley J. Roche, Elizabeth M. VanSipe
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Publication number: 20200248635Abstract: In at least some implementations, a throttle body assembly includes a body that has multiple throttle bores, multiple throttle valve heads received one in each of the throttle bores, at least one throttle valve shaft to which the throttle valve heads are coupled, and at least one of a fuel metering valve and a vapor separator carried by the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2018Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: Gary J. Burns, William E. Galka, Bradley J. Roche, Albert L. Sayers, David L. Speirs, Eric G. Zbytowski
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Publication number: 20200132035Abstract: In at least some implementations, an ignition system for a combustion engine includes a controller, an ignition circuit, and a wire providing two-way communication between the ignition circuit and the controller. The ignition circuit may include a charge capacitor that is discharged to cause an ignition event. The ignition circuit may be an inductive discharge ignition circuit including a coil and may then also include a second wire that provides electrical power to the coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Justin T. Dolane, Bradley J. Roche
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Publication number: 20190195144Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2017Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Gary J. Burns, William E. Galka, Bradley J. Roche, Albert L. Sayers, David L. Speirs
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Publication number: 20190120193Abstract: In at least some implementations, a throttle body assembly for a combustion engine includes a throttle body having a pressure chamber in which a supply of fuel is received and a throttle bore with an inlet through which air is received, a throttle valve carried by the throttle body with a valve head movable relative to the throttle bore to control fluid flow through the throttle bore, and a metering valve carried by the throttle body. The metering valve may have a valve element that is movable between an open position wherein fuel may flow from the pressure chamber into the throttle bore and a closed position where fuel is prevented or substantially prevented from flowing into the throttle bore through the metering valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2017Publication date: April 25, 2019Applicant: Walbro LLCInventors: Gary J. Burns, Andreas D. M. Dixon, Eric G. Zbytowski, Albert L. Sayers, Justin T. Dolane, David L. Speirs, William E. Galka, Duried F. Rabban, Bradley J. Roche
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Patent number: 10125696Abstract: In at least some implementations, a charge forming device includes a main body, a throttle valve and an adjuster. The main body includes a main bore through which fluid flows for delivery to an engine. The throttle valve is carried by the main body and moveable relative to the main bore to control fluid flow through the main bore. And the adjuster is moveable relative to the throttle valve and engageable with the throttle valve to adjust the range of motion of the throttle valve. In at least some implementations, the adjuster limits the range of motion of the throttle valve when the adjuster is engaged with the throttle valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Walbro LLCInventors: Bryan K. Gangler, Bradley J. Roche, Dairoku Suzuki, David L. Speirs, Eric G. Zbytowski
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Patent number: 9765724Abstract: An engine system may include a fuel and air supply circuit and an exhaust circuit, a temperature sensor mounted on an exterior of the engine and an oxygen sensor located in the exhaust circuit. The fuel and air supply circuit may include a throttle body mounted on the engine and having a throttle valve to control the flow rate of air delivered to the engine, a fuel injector carried by the throttle body to deliver fuel to the engine and a fuel rail carried by at least one of the throttle body and the fuel injector and having an input to receive a supply of fuel and an outlet through which fuel is routed to the fuel injector. An engine control unit may be communicated with these components to control the fuel and air mixture provided to the engine as a function of the temperature and oxygen sensor outputs.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2016Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Walbro LLCInventors: Massimo Casoni, William E. Galka, Bradley J. Roche, David L. Speirs, Mark S. Swanson, Eric G. Zbytowski