Patents by Inventor Brian Thomas Aitken

Brian Thomas Aitken 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: 20230324009
    Abstract: A storage tank having a wire or wire winding embedded in the wall of the storage tank is disclosed. The wire may be positioned such that it is compromised if the storage tank is deformed to a certain degree. The wire, for example, may form a helical shape proximate to the outer surface of the wall of the storage tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Viswanath Akella, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Michael Jon Veenstra, Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Patent number: 11491867
    Abstract: A system and method for manufacture of the system are provided. In one example, the system comprises a first component, a second component securing the first component to a portion of the system, and a flexible strip with an abrasion resistant coating including a copolymer. The first component or the second component includes a corrosion coating on an exterior surface and the flexible strip is interposed between a surface of the first or second component and the corrosion coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Publication number: 20200361313
    Abstract: A system and method for manufacture of the system are provided. In one example, the system comprises a first component, a second component securing the first component to a portion of the system, and a flexible strip with an abrasion resistant coating including a copolymer. The first component or the second component includes a corrosion coating on an exterior surface and the flexible strip is interposed between a surface of the first or second component and the corrosion coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Patent number: 10273139
    Abstract: A refueling adapter is provided. The refueling adapter includes a nozzle section and an inlet section coupled to and positioned upstream of the nozzle section, the inlet section including a restrictor element extending across an inlet section flow passage and an anti-sealing rib coupled to an inlet section housing and axially extending along the inlet section flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Patent number: 9803592
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling and reducing current consumption of a vapor blocking valve are disclosed. In one example, current supplied to the vapor blocking valve is adjusted proportionately to fuel tank pressure to compensate for fuel tank pressure acting on the vapor blocking valve. Vapor blocking valve current is adjusted to reduce current consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Mark W. Peters, Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Patent number: 9783140
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive requests from a wireless device in wireless communication with the processor, the requests corresponding to one or more aspects of a refueling process. The processor is also configured to collect vehicle data corresponding to the one or more aspects of the refueling process and respond to the requests by sending the data relating to the one or more aspects of the refueling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory P. Brown, Brian Thomas Aitken, Phillip M. Pierron
  • Patent number: 9533872
    Abstract: A system includes a processor and an external fuel indicator. The processor is configured to instruct powering of a digital display in response to detection that one or more power-up indicators has been satisfied. The processor is also configured to obtain fuel-related readings as a vehicle is fueled. Also, the processor is further configured to determine at least one fuel-related statistic other than a current fuel level. Further, the processor is configured to output the at least one fuel-related statistic to the external fuel indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory P. Brown, Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Patent number: 9518677
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting and diagnosing a position of a fuel tank isolation valve (FTIV) of a fuel system. In one example, a method comprises adjusting a FTIV of a fuel system by sending an electrical pulse to the FTIV; and comparing a current draw of the FTIV to a known current draw profile to verify the position of the FTIV. In this way, the position of the FTIV may be diagnosed, thereby resulting in increased accuracy of subsequent valve control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Robert Roy Jentz, Robert Ognjanovski, Jr., Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Publication number: 20160355390
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling and reducing current consumption of a vapor blocking valve are disclosed. In one example, current supplied to the vapor blocking valve is adjusted proportionately to fuel tank pressure to compensate for fuel tank pressure acting on the vapor blocking valve. Vapor blocking valve current is adjusted to reduce current consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Mark W. Peters, Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Patent number: 9365404
    Abstract: A universal refueling funnel for a capless refueling system is provided. In one example approach the refueling funnel comprises a funnel body with a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end opposing the first end, the first opening larger than the second opening, and cross-sections of the funnel body decreasing from the first end towards the second end; and at least two opposing tabs at the second end, the opposing tabs deformable from a first position to a second position, a distance between outer surfaces of the opposing tabs at the second end being a first amount in the first position, the distance being a second, smaller amount, in the second position. Such a universal funnel may be used for both petrol and diesel size capless inserts, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mike Terrence Zitkovic, Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Publication number: 20150122229
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting and diagnosing a position of a fuel tank isolation valve (FTIV) of a fuel system. In one example, a method comprises adjusting a FTIV of a fuel system by sending an electrical pulse to the FTIV; and comparing a current draw of the FTIV to a known current draw profile to verify the position of the FTIV. In this way, the position of the FTIV may be diagnosed, thereby resulting in increased accuracy of subsequent valve control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Robert Roy Jentz, Robert Ognjanovski, JR., Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Patent number: 8950615
    Abstract: A capless nozzle for a vehicle fuel filler canal, includes a conical portion; and a non-conical portion having a stop formed therein configured to limit travel of a filler pipe in one direction when the pipe is inserted in the filler canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Thomas Aitken, Shahid Ahmed Siddiqui, Paul Chretien, Dennis Seung-Man
  • Publication number: 20140368329
    Abstract: A system includes a processor and an external fuel indicator. The processor is configured to instruct powering of a digital display in response to detection that one or more power-up indicators has been satisfied. The processor is also configured to obtain fuel-related readings as a vehicle is fueled. Also, the processor is further configured to determine at least one fuel-related statistic other than a current fuel level. Further, the processor is configured to output the at least one fuel-related statistic to the external fuel indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Gregory P. Brown, Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Patent number: 8836496
    Abstract: A system includes a processor and an external fuel indicator. The processor is configured to instruct powering of a digital display in response to detection that one or more power-up indicators has been satisfied. The processor is also configured to obtain fuel-related readings as a vehicle is fueled. Also, the processor is further configured to determine at least one fuel-related statistic other than a current fuel level. Further, the processor is configured to output the at least one fuel-related statistic to the external fuel indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory P. Brown, Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Publication number: 20140209209
    Abstract: A refueling adapter is provided. The refueling adapter includes a nozzle section and an inlet section coupled to and positioned upstream of the nozzle section, the inlet section including a restrictor element extending across an inlet section flow passage and an anti-sealing rib coupled to an inlet section housing and axially extending across the inlet section flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Publication number: 20140183192
    Abstract: A capless nozzle for a vehicle fuel filler canal, includes a conical portion; and a non-conical portion having a stop formed therein configured to limit travel of a filler pipe in one direction when the pipe is inserted in the filler canal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Brian Thomas Aitken, Shahid Ahmed Siddiqui, Paul Chretien, Dennis Seung-Man
  • Publication number: 20140137985
    Abstract: A universal refueling funnel for a capless refueling system is provided. In one example approach the refueling funnel comprises a funnel body with a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end opposing the first end, the first opening larger than the second opening, and cross-sections of the funnel body decreasing from the first end towards the second end; and at least two opposing tabs at the second end, the opposing tabs deformable from a first position to a second position, a distance between outer surfaces of the opposing tabs at the second end being a first amount in the first position, the distance being a second, smaller amount, in the second position. Such a universal funnel may be used for both petrol and diesel size capless inserts, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mike Terrence Zitkovic, Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Publication number: 20140077936
    Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to receive requests from a wireless device in wireless communication with the processor, the requests corresponding to one or more aspects of a refueling process. The processor is also configured to collect vehicle data corresponding to the one or more aspects of the refueling process and respond to the requests by sending the data relating to the one or more aspects of the refueling process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory P. Brown, Brian Thomas Aitken, Phillip M. Pierron
  • Publication number: 20140049387
    Abstract: A system includes a processor and an external fuel indicator. The processor is configured to instruct powering of a digital display in response to detection that one or more power-up indicators has been satisfied. The processor is also configured to obtain fuel-related readings as a vehicle is fueled. Also, the processor is further configured to determine at least one fuel-related statistic other than a current fuel level. Further, the processor is configured to output the at least one fuel-related statistic to the external fuel indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory P. Brown, Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Patent number: 8151837
    Abstract: A fuel filler closure device for an automotive vehicle includes a valve body adapted for mounting to a fuel filler pipe and having a filler passage. An access door mounted within the valve body has an open position allowing placement of a fuel nozzle within the filler passage and a closed position for blocking insertion of a filler nozzle. The locking mechanism selectively permits the access door to move from the closed position to the open position. The locking mechanism may include either a manual locking device, or an electronic or other type of remote lock which will be responsive to a vehicle condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Beier, Brian Thomas Aitken