Patents by Inventor Charles Joseph Martin

Charles Joseph Martin 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: 8230873
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided that permits adjustable vent flow from the fuel tank vapor space through a bypass vent opening based on a condition in the vapor space after nozzle shutoff. The valve assembly including a first valve, also referred to as a main float, that provides rollover protection and controls venting of the vapor space prior to nozzle shutoff. A secondary closure device, also referred to as a second valve, moves independently of the first valve to control venting of the vapor space after nozzle shutoff through a bypass vent opening formed in the valve housing in response to at least one operating condition in the fuel tank outside of a chamber defined by the valve housing in which a main float moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporaton
    Inventors: Charles Joseph Martin, Emil Szlaga
  • Patent number: 8171952
    Abstract: A fuel vapor vent valve assembly is provided that may include a float valve and an isolation valve arranged in series with each other. Bypass openings in the valve assembly create multiple flow paths as the float valve and the isolation valve respond to changes in fuel tank pressure and fuel level. The control valve assembly may include a housing defining a chamber with a main opening configured to open the chamber to the tank, a vapor vent passage and a first bypass vent opening. A float in the chamber closes the vapor vent passage when fuel in the chamber is at or above a predetermined level. The first bypass vent opening vents the tank to the chamber even when the fuel covers the main opening. A feature on the float provides a metered opening of the vapor vent passage between closed and fully open based on float position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Joseph Martin, Emil Szlaga
  • Publication number: 20110005614
    Abstract: A vent valve assembly at least partially disposed within an interior of a fuel tank is provided. The vent valve assembly comprises a housing, a first venting orifice, a float configured to close the first venting orifice when the level of fuel in the housing reaches a predetermined level, a second venting orifice, and a stop configured to close the second venting orifice to facilitate a pressure differential between the housing and the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Lee Pifer, Charles Joseph Martin, Robert P. Benjey, Andrew McIntosh
  • Publication number: 20100059123
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided that permits adjustable vent flow from the fuel tank vapor space through a bypass vent opening based on a condition in the vapor space after nozzle shutoff. The valve assembly including a first valve, also referred to as a main float, that provides rollover protection and controls venting of the vapor space prior to nozzle shutoff. A secondary closure device, also referred to as a second valve, moves independently of the first valve to control venting of the vapor space after nozzle shutoff through a bypass vent opening formed in the valve housing in response to at least one operating condition in the fuel tank outside of a chamber defined by the valve housing in which a main float moves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles Joseph Martin, Emil Szlaga
  • Publication number: 20090194170
    Abstract: A fuel vapor vent valve assembly is provided that may include a float valve and an isolation valve arranged in series with each other. Bypass openings in the valve assembly create multiple flow paths as the float valve and the isolation valve respond to changes in fuel tank pressure and fuel level. The control valve assembly may include a housing defining a chamber with a main opening configured to open the chamber to the tank, a vapor vent passage and a first bypass vent opening. A float in the chamber closes the vapor vent passage when fuel in the chamber is at or above a predetermined level. The first bypass vent opening vents the tank to the chamber even when the fuel covers the main opening. A feature on the float provides a metered opening of the vapor vent passage between closed and fully open based on float position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles Joseph Martin, Emil Szlaga
  • Patent number: 7458385
    Abstract: A flapper valve for push-in snap-lock attachment to a spud to be welded to a fuel tank and attached to a flexible filler tube hose. The flapper has an annular flexible seal overmolded thereon, preferably of elastomeric material. The flapper has a pair of trunnions, one of which has an extension or spindle with a resilient member received thereover with one end of the resilient member slidably anchored to a post on the flapper to form a flapper subassembly. The opposite end of the resilient member is deflected to fit in a slot or groove in the body when the trunnions are snapped into a slot formed by at least one deflectable portion formed integrally on the exterior of the tubular valve body for pivoting the flapper. Deflector vanes are provided on the upstream side of the flapper to protect the seal from the end of a siphon hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Joseph Martin, Christopher Wayne Creager