Patents by Inventor Clayton J. Van Thiel

Clayton J. Van Thiel 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: 11815386
    Abstract: A fuel level circuit for dual tank configuration includes fuel level sensors in each of two tanks and a fuel level display that can display the fuel level in one tank. The tank to be displayed on the fuel level display is selected by a flow diverting valve that selects the tank from which fuel will be delivered to a prime mover. A magnetic element moves with the flow diverting valve to actuate a magnetic switch to open or close a circuit element. A fuel selection relay places the fuel level display in communication with the fuel level sensor of the selected fuel tank in response to the magnetic switch opening and closing the circuit element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Ariens Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Gindt, Nicholas R. Schrubbe, Clayton J. Van Thiel
  • Publication number: 20230122499
    Abstract: A battery-powered electric lawn mower includes battery packs mounted on a docking stations of a bus bar by way of a gravity-biased engagement. The lawn mower also includes a priority charging control logic for giving priority of charge to battery packs that have a state of charge over a threshold. The lawn mower also includes a live to drive system which alerts the user when the lawn mower is capable of moving in response to manipulation of controls. The lawn mower also includes a variable speed control which adjusts a sensitivity of speed controls such that more precise, slower speed control of the lawn mower is achieved when mowing around trees and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Michael J. Holeton, Clayton J. Van Thiel, William Tenorio
  • Publication number: 20220065684
    Abstract: A fuel level circuit for dual tank configuration includes fuel level sensors in each of two tanks and a fuel level display that can display the fuel level in one tank. The tank to be displayed on the fuel level display is selected by a flow diverting valve that selects the tank from which fuel will be delivered to a prime mover. A magnetic element moves with the flow diverting valve to actuate a magnetic switch to open or close a circuit element. A fuel selection relay places the fuel level display in communication with the fuel level sensor of the selected fuel tank in response to the magnetic switch opening and closing the circuit element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel J. Gindt, Nicholas R. Schrubbe, Clayton J. Van Thiel