Patents by Inventor Craig A. Weldon

Craig A. Weldon 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: 6658925
    Abstract: An on-board evaporative emission leak detection system and method that detects leakage from an evaporative emission space of a fuel system of an automotive vehicle. A test includes an initialization, or stabilization, phase during which a differential between pressure in the evaporative emission space and atmospheric pressure is created, and then varied, over time, within a range of differential pressures suitable for performing a leak detection test. This varying of pressure differential alternately increases the created pressure differential above a nominal pressure differential and decreases the created pressure differential below the nominal pressure differential. The leak detection test is then performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventors: John Cook, Craig A. Weldon, Paul D. Perry, Raymond Rasokas
  • Patent number: 6631634
    Abstract: An on-board evaporative emission leak detection system and method that detects leakage from an evaporative emission space of a fuel system of an automotive vehicle. A test includes an initialization, or stabilization, phase during which a differential between pressure in the evaporative emission space and atmospheric pressure is created, and then varied, over time, within a range of differential pressures suitable for performing a leak detection test. This varying of pressure differential alternately increases the created pressure differential above a nominal pressure differential and decreases the created pressure differential below the nominal pressure differential. The leak detection test is then performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventors: John Cook, Craig A. Weldon, Paul D. Perry, Raymond Rasokas
  • Publication number: 20030079533
    Abstract: An on-board evaporative emission leak detection system and method that detects leakage from an evaporative emission space of a fuel system of an automotive vehicle. A test includes an initialization, or stabilization, phase during which a differential between pressure in the evaporative emission space and atmospheric pressure is created, and then varied, over time, within a range of differential pressures suitable for performing a leak detection test. This varying of pressure differential alternately increases the created pressure differential above a nominal pressure differential and decreases the created pressure differential below the nominal pressure differential. The leak detection test is then performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventors: John Cook, Craig A. Weldon, Paul D. Perry, Raymond Rasokas
  • Publication number: 20020026826
    Abstract: An on-board evaporative emission leak detection system and method that detects leakage from an evaporative emission space of a fuel system of an automotive vehicle. A test includes an initialization, or stabilization, phase during which a differential between pressure in the evaporative emission space and atmospheric pressure is created, and then varied, over time, within a range of differential pressures suitable for performing a leak detection test. This varying of pressure differential alternately increases the created pressure differential above a nominal pressure differential and decreases the created pressure differential below the nominal pressure differential. The leak detection test is then performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventors: John Cook, Craig A. Weldon, Paul D. Perry, Raymond Rasokas
  • Patent number: 6283097
    Abstract: A leak detection system for detecting leakage from a portion of a vapor confinement space which is upstream of an inlet of a canister purge valve relative to an engine. During a test, an electric-motor-operated air pump pumps atmospheric air through a flowpath providing communication between the pump and the vapor confinement space. A flowmeter has a thermistor in the flowpath. The thermistor has a predetermined temperature vs. electric current characteristic that enables it to provide a signal correlated to flow of air through the flowpath. An electric circuit supplies and measures the electric current drawn by the thermistor to create a signal representative of the pumped airflow. The test is conducted in accordance with an algorithm that pre-heats the thermistor to a stable state before the pump is turned on. The pump is then turned on to create a predefined superatmospheric target pressure in the vapor confinement space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventors: John E. Cook, Paul D. Perry, Craig A. Weldon
  • Patent number: 6260410
    Abstract: An on-board evaporative emission leak detection system and method that detects leakage from an evaporative emission space of a fuel system of an automotive vehicle. A test includes an initialization, or stabilization, phase during which a differential between pressure in the evaporative emission space and atmospheric pressure is created, and then varied, over time, within a range of differential pressures suitable for performing a leak detection test. This varying of pressure differential alternately increases the created pressure differential above a nominal pressure differential and decreases the created pressure differential below the nominal pressure differential. The leak detection test is then performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventors: John Cook, Craig A. Weldon, Paul D. Perry, Raymond Rasokas
  • Patent number: 6050245
    Abstract: A vapor collection canister vent valve contains both an electric pressure sensor for measuring evaporative emission space pressure during a diagnostic test and an electric actuator for operating the vent valve closed during a diagnostic test. Use of the valve in an evaporative emission control system reduces the number of connections, both electrical and fluid, that are required to install the valve in a system. The remote location of the pressure sensor damps the effect of pressure transients, such as those due to tank fuel slosh, on the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventors: John E. Cook, Paul D. Perry, Craig A. Weldon
  • Patent number: 6044314
    Abstract: An on-board evaporative emission leak detection system and method that detects leakage from an evaporative emission space of a fuel system of an automotive vehicle. A test includes an initialization, or stabilization, phase during which a differential between pressure in the evaporative emission space and atmospheric pressure is created, and then varied, over time, within a range of differential pressures suitable for performing a leak detection test. A leak size measurement is then obtained using an algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: John Cook, Craig A. Weldon, Paul D. Perry, Raymond Rasokas
  • Patent number: 5987968
    Abstract: A module for an on-board evaporative emission leak detection system that detects leakage from an evaporative emission space of a fuel system of an automotive vehicle. A housing provides an inlet port, an outlet port, and a flow path between the inlet port and the outlet port. An electric-motor-operated impeller pump causes flow in one direction along the flow path when in a pumping mode of operation. The pump is open to flow in both the one direction and an opposite direction when in a non-pumping mode. A solenoid-operated valve is disposed in the flow path to block flow through the flow path when in a blocking mode and to pass flow through the flow path when in a passing mode. A pressure switch is exposed to the flow path at the outlet port. A lead frame assembly provides respective electric circuit connections to the motor, solenoid, and pressure switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventors: John Cook, Craig A. Weldon, Paul D. Perry, Raymond Rasokas
  • Patent number: 5803056
    Abstract: A vapor collection canister vent valve contains both an electric pressure sensor for measuring evaporative emission space pressure during a diagnostic test and an electric actuator for operating the vent valve closed during a diagnostic test. Use of the valve in an evaporative emission control system reduces the number of connections, both electrical and fluid, that are required to install the valve in a system. The remote location of the pressure sensor damps the effect of pressure transients, such as those due to tank fuel slosh, on the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Electric Limited
    Inventors: John E. Cook, Paul D. Perry, Craig A. Weldon