Patents by Inventor Chris I. Witherspoon

Chris I. Witherspoon 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).

  • Fuel tank vent valve
    Patent number: 7047997
    Abstract: A device and method for venting a tank comprising an intermediate shutoff valve as part of a cover that closes a tank opening. The intermediate shutoff valve is placed between an existing valve and a vent port in a liquid storage tank. The shutoff valve is operable to substantially fluidly seal the vent port when the vent valve is displaced greater than a predetermined amount. The intermediate shutoff valve facilitates complete removal of the existing vent valve during an impact wherein a wall of the storage tank impacts the existing valve. Upon impact, the intermediate shutoff valve is operable to close and seal a tank opening created by the displacement and removal of the existing vent valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sharon Elizabeth Beyer, Ulf Sawert, Mark K. Wolfenden, Chris I. Witherspoon, Robert A. Roth, Thomas J. Mott, Michael Allen Pittenger, William L. Villaire
  • Grounded jet pump assembly for fuel system
    Patent number: 6776185
    Abstract: A grounded jet pump assembly for a fuel system of a vehicle includes a fuel reservoir and a grounded fuel component disposed in the fuel reservoir. The grounded jet pump assembly also includes a jet pump having an outlet extending into the fuel reservoir and a grounding member at the outlet of the jet pump for contacting flow of fuel from the jet pump and contacting the grounded fuel component to complete an electrical circuit for grounding the jet pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Farrar, Chris I. Witherspoon, Anthony P. Nedella
  • Grounded jet pump assembly for fuel system
    Publication number: 20040003851
    Abstract: A grounded jet pump assembly for a fuel system of a vehicle includes a fuel reservoir and a grounded fuel component disposed in the fuel reservoir. The grounded jet pump assembly also includes a jet pump having an outlet extending into the fuel reservoir and a grounding member at the outlet of the jet pump for contacting flow of fuel from the jet pump and contacting the grounded fuel component to complete an electrical circuit for grounding the jet pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Robert L. Farrar, Chris I. Witherspoon, Anthony P. Nedella
  • Grounded fuel delivery module for fuel system
    Publication number: 20030101971
    Abstract: A grounded fuel delivery module for a fuel system of a vehicle includes a fuel reservoir and a fuel pump disposed in the fuel reservoir and adapted to pump fuel from a fuel tank of the fuel system to an engine of the vehicle. The grounded fuel delivery module also includes a fuel component disposed in the fuel reservoir and at least one grounding clip contacting the fuel pump and the fuel component to complete an electrical circuit used for grounding the fuel component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Robert L. Farrar, Chris I. Witherspoon