Patents by Inventor Brendan G. Metz

Brendan G. Metz 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: 10308404
    Abstract: A valve assembly is configured to be coupled to a fluid container. The valve assembly includes a housing defining a fluid path extending between an inlet and an outlet, and a plunger sub-assembly secured within the fluid path. The plunger sub-assembly includes a retainer secured to the housing within the fluid path, a plunger, and a linear coil spring having a first end secured to the retainer and a second end secured to the plunger. The linear coil spring biases the plunger into the outlet in a closed position. The plunger sealingly closes the outlet in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. LeBlanc, Brendan G. Metz, Willow L. Curtin
  • Patent number: 9957932
    Abstract: A filter assembly is configured to prevent water from infiltrating a fuel tank and/or engine. The filter assembly may include a housing having a fuel inlet line and a fuel outlet line. The housing defines an internal chamber in fluid communication with the fuel inlet line and the fuel outlet line. Fuel passes into the internal chamber through the fuel inlet, and filtered fuel passes out of the internal chamber to the fuel tank and/or the engine through the fuel outlet line. A filtering frame may be secured within the internal chamber, and may include a coalescing frame portion that is configured to allow water to coalesce thereon and sink toward a bottom of the internal chamber, and a hydrophobic frame portion that is configured to repel the water from a valve coupled to the fuel outlet line. A flow restrictor is configured to float on the water toward the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan G Metz, Gina L Powers, Jonathan P LeBlanc, Christopher J Cichelli
  • Publication number: 20180037378
    Abstract: A valve assembly is configured to be coupled to a fluid container. The valve assembly includes a housing defining a fluid path extending between an inlet and an outlet, and a plunger sub-assembly secured within the fluid path. The plunger sub-assembly includes a retainer secured to the housing within the fluid path, a plunger, and a linear coil spring having a first end secured to the retainer and a second end secured to the plunger. The linear coil spring biases the plunger into the outlet in a closed position. The plunger sealingly closes the outlet in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. LeBlanc, Brendan G. Metz, Willow L. Curtin
  • Publication number: 20150292455
    Abstract: A filter assembly is configured to prevent water from infiltrating a fuel tank and/or engine. The filter assembly may include a housing having a fuel inlet line and a fuel outlet line. The housing defines an internal chamber in fluid communication with the fuel inlet line and the fuel outlet line. Fuel passes into the internal chamber through the fuel inlet, and filtered fuel passes out of the internal chamber to the fuel tank and/or the engine through the fuel outlet line. A filtering frame may be secured within the internal chamber, and may include a coalescing frame portion that is configured to allow water to coalesce thereon and sink toward a bottom of the internal chamber, and a hydrophobic frame portion that is configured to repel the water from a valve coupled to the fuel outlet line. A flow restrictor is configured to float on the water toward the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Brendan G. Metz, Gina L. Powers, Jonathan P. LeBlanc, Christopher J. Cichelli