Patents by Inventor Brian Gordon Woods

Brian Gordon Woods 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: 10844777
    Abstract: An electronic compressor bypass valve (eCBV) module includes a pedestal housing, and a compressor bypass valve mounted to the pedestal housing. An inlet port, a first outlet port, and a second outlet port are integrally formed as part of the pedestal housing, where pressurized air flows into the inlet port. The eCBV module also includes a venturi device at least partially disposed in the second outlet port. When the compressor bypass valve is in an open position, a portion of the pressurized air flows through the first outlet port, and a portion of the pressurized air flows from the inlet port through the venturi device and through the second outlet port. When the compressor bypass valve is in the closed position the pressurized air is prevented from flowing into the first outlet port, and all of the pressurized air flows through the venturi device and through the second outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Continental Powertrain USA, LLC
    Inventors: Ravinder Singh Gill, Brian Gordon Woods, Benjamin Dominick Manton Williams, Jaime Altes Sosa, David Rene Forgeron, Daniel Clayton Todd Jackson
  • Publication number: 20200309022
    Abstract: An electronic compressor bypass valve (eCBV) module includes a pedestal housing, and a compressor bypass valve mounted to the pedestal housing. An inlet port, a first outlet port, and a second outlet port are integrally formed as part of the pedestal housing, where pressurized air flows into the inlet port. The eCBV module also includes a venturi device at least partially disposed in the second outlet port. When the compressor bypass valve is in an open position, a portion of the pressurized air flows through the first outlet port, and a portion of the pressurized air flows from the inlet port through the venturi device and through the second outlet port. When the compressor bypass valve is in the closed position the pressurized air is prevented from flowing into the first outlet port, and all of the pressurized air flows through the venturi device and through the second outlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Continental Powertrain USA, LLC
    Inventors: Ravinder Singh Gill, Brian Gordon Woods, Benjamin Dominick Manton Williams, Jaime Altes Sosa, David Rene Forgeron, Daniel Clayton Todd Jackson
  • Patent number: 9890747
    Abstract: A valve assembly providing flow control between a fuel tank and a carbon canister, which includes two valves providing two different flow paths, where the first valve provides active vacuum relief along the first flow path, and the second valve provides passive vacuum relief along the second flow path. A reservoir is added to the cap which is common for both flow paths. The second valve has a sealing valve member and a biasable member that passively relieves fuel tank vacuum pressure at a predetermined vacuum level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Dominick Williams, David William Balsdon, Robert Douglas Jefford, David Rene Forgeron, Brian Gordon Woods
  • Patent number: 9863373
    Abstract: An active purge system module which includes a passive bypass valve assembly that allows for purge of a canister with engine vacuum or through the use of a pump, and also provides the functions of allowing air to escape the fuel tank during refueling. The valve assembly includes two valve members, which are moved between open and closed positions to direct air through the valve assembly during periods of engine vacuum, or when the valve assembly receives positive pressure from a pressure pump. The module is also used to perform a leak check when the valves are both in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Gordon Woods, Thierry Collet
  • Patent number: 9732705
    Abstract: A purge vapor system, which includes a fuel tank, a fuel tank isolation valve in fluid communication with the fuel tank, and a carbon canister in fluid communication with the fuel tank isolation valve. The purge vapor system also includes a canister vent valve in fluid communication with the carbon canister, an air filter in fluid communication with the canister vent valve, and a latching mechanism for changing the canister vent valve between an open position and a closed position, where the latching mechanism is part of the canister vent valve. The latching mechanism is energized as the latching mechanism changes the canister vent valve between the open position and the closed position, and the latching mechanism is de-energized as the canister vent valve is held in the open position or the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David William Balsdon, Brian Gordon Woods
  • Patent number: 9683523
    Abstract: A vapor purge system having a tank isolation valve and a canister vent valve, where each valve includes a latching mechanism for maintaining the valves in an open position, and a diagnostic test is performed on the purge system to prove that each of the valves are functioning correctly. Using latching valves in these applications reduces electricity draw from the battery and reduces electrical interference with integrated pressure sensors. The fuel tank is sealed by the tank isolation valve between the fuel tank and a vapor storage canister, and the canister vent valve provides sealing between the canister and the atmosphere, and controls venting of the canister. The diagnostic test is performed using the tank isolation valve and the canister vent valve under different operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David William Balsdon, Brian Gordon Woods
  • Patent number: 9631583
    Abstract: A vapor purge system having a tank isolation valve and a canister vent valve, where each valve includes a latching mechanism for maintaining the valves in an open position. A diagnostic test is performed on the purge system to prove that each of the valves are functioning correctly. Using latching valves in these applications reduces electricity draw from the battery and reduces electrical interference with integrated pressure sensors. The fuel tank is sealed by the tank isolation valve between the fuel tank and a vapor storage canister, and the canister vent valve provides sealing between the canister and the atmosphere, and controls venting of the canister. The tank isolation valve reduces power consumption from the battery, while the valve is being held in either an open position or a closed position by the latching mechanism, and uses only a single pulse of voltage to change the state of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David William Balsdon, Brian Gordon Woods
  • Patent number: 9310349
    Abstract: A system and method controls a ratio of fuel to gas delivered to an internal combustion engine. Fuel for the engine is stored in a fuel supply. The fuel supply generates fuel vapor that is retained in a canister. The canister is in fluid communication with the engine via a flow path. Hydrocarbon concentration of fuel vapor in the flow path is determined. Pressure drop across a restrictive orifice provided in the flow path is measured to determine a flow rate of the fuel vapor in the flow path. A flow of the fuel vapor through the flow path and to the engine is controlled and injection valves that inject fuel into the engine are controlled so that an amount of fuel injected into the engine is based on the determined concentration of hydrocarbons in the fuel vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David William Balsdon, Brian Gordon Woods
  • Publication number: 20150316007
    Abstract: A valve assembly providing flow control between a fuel tank and a carbon canister, which includes two valves providing two different flow paths, where the first valve provides active vacuum relief along the first flow path, and the second valve provides passive vacuum relief along the second flow path. A reservoir is added to the cap which is common for both flow paths. The second valve has a sealing valve member and a biasable member that passively relieves fuel tank vacuum pressure at a predetermined vacuum level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Ben Dominick Williams, David William Balsdon, Robert Douglas Jefford, David Rene Forgeron, Brian Gordon Woods
  • Patent number: 9115675
    Abstract: An evaporative emission control system for a vehicle includes a fuel tank, a vapor collection canister in communication with the fuel tank so as to receive hydrocarbons, a fuel cell in communication with the canister, and a pump constructed and arranged to pump hydrocarbons from the canister to the fuel cell so that the fuel cell can purge the canister by converting the hydrocarbons to water, carbon dioxide and electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Gordon Woods, David William Balsdon
  • Publication number: 20150211449
    Abstract: An active purge system module which includes a passive bypass valve assembly that allows for purge of a canister with engine vacuum or through the use of a pump, and also provides the functions of allowing air to escape the fuel tank during refueling. The valve assembly includes two valve members, which are moved between open and closed positions to direct air through the valve assembly during periods of engine vacuum, or when the valve assembly receives positive pressure from a pressure pump. The module is also used to perform a leak check when the valves are both in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Gordon Woods, Thierry Collet
  • Publication number: 20150160180
    Abstract: A system and method controls a ratio of fuel to gas delivered to an internal combustion engine. Fuel for the engine is stored in a fuel supply. The fuel supply generates fuel vapor that is retained in a canister. The canister is in fluid communication with the engine via a flow path. Hydrocarbon concentration of fuel vapor in the flow path is determined. Pressure drop across a restrictive orifice provided in the flow path is measured to determine a flow rate of the fuel vapor in the flow path. A flow of the fuel vapor through the flow path and to the engine is controlled and injection valves that inject fuel into the engine are controlled so that an amount of fuel injected into the engine is based on the determined concentration of hydrocarbons in the fuel vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David William Balsdon, Brian Gordon Woods
  • Publication number: 20150101677
    Abstract: A vapor purge system having a tank isolation valve and a canister vent valve, where each valve includes a latching mechanism for maintaining the valves in an open position, and a diagnostic test is performed on the purge system to prove that each of the valves are functioning correctly. Using latching valves in these applications reduces electricity draw from the battery and reduces electrical interference with integrated pressure sensors. The fuel tank is sealed by the tank isolation valve between the fuel tank and a vapor storage canister, and the canister vent valve provides sealing between the canister and the atmosphere, and controls venting of the canister. The diagnostic test is performed using the tank isolation valve and the canister vent valve under different operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: David William Balsdon, Brian Gordon Woods
  • Publication number: 20150102039
    Abstract: A vapor purge system having a tank isolation valve and a canister vent valve, where each valve includes a latching mechanism for maintaining the valves in an open position. A diagnostic test is performed on the purge system to prove that each of the valves are functioning correctly. Using latching valves in these applications reduces electricity draw from the battery and reduces electrical interference with integrated pressure sensors. The fuel tank is sealed by the tank isolation valve between the fuel tank and a vapor storage canister, and the canister vent valve provides sealing between the canister and the atmosphere, and controls venting of the canister. The tank isolation valve reduces power consumption from the battery, while the valve is being held in either an open position or a closed position by the latching mechanism, and uses only a single pulse of voltage to change the state of the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: David William Balsdon, Brian Gordon Woods
  • Publication number: 20150101577
    Abstract: A purge vapor system, which includes a fuel tank, a fuel tank isolation valve in fluid communication with the fuel tank, and a carbon canister in fluid communication with the fuel tank isolation valve. The purge vapor system also includes a canister vent valve in fluid communication with the carbon canister, an air filter in fluid communication with the canister vent valve, and a latching mechanism for changing the canister vent valve between an open position and a closed position, where the latching mechanism is part of the canister vent valve. The latching mechanism is energized as the latching mechanism changes the canister vent valve between the open position and the closed position, and the latching mechanism is de-energized as the canister vent valve is held in the open position or the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: David William Balsdon, Brian Gordon Woods
  • Publication number: 20150101689
    Abstract: A vapor purge system having a tank isolation valve and a canister vent valve, where each valve includes a latching mechanism for maintaining the valves in an open position, and a diagnostic test is performed on the purge system to prove that each of the valves are functioning correctly. Using latching valves in these applications reduces electricity draw from the battery and reduces electrical interference with integrated pressure sensors. The fuel tank is sealed by the tank isolation valve between the fuel tank and a vapor storage canister, and the canister vent valve provides sealing between the canister and the atmosphere, and controls venting of the canister. The diagnostic test is performed using the tank isolation valve and the canister vent valve under different operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: David William Balsdon, Brian Gordon Woods
  • Publication number: 20140150752
    Abstract: An evaporative emission control system for a vehicle includes a fuel tank, a vapor collection canister in communication with the fuel tank so as to receive hydrocarbons, a fuel cell in communication with the canister, and a pump constructed and arranged to pump hydrocarbons from the canister to the fuel cell so that the fuel cell can purge the canister by converting the hydrocarbons to water, carbon dioxide and electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Gordon Woods, David William Balsdon