Patents by Inventor Daniel Frank Cragel
Daniel Frank Cragel 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).
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Patent number: 11491867Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 14, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Brian Thomas Aitken
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Patent number: 11280287Abstract: Systems and methods are presented herein for detecting a degradation condition in a variable volume device of a fuel tank of a vehicle. In one example, the issues described above may be addressed by a diagnostic method for a vehicle with a valve and a fuel tank having a variable volume device internal to the tank, comprising: operating the fuel tank over a diurnal cycle; and differentiating between degradation of the fuel tank and the variable volume device based on a fuel tank pressure at a plurality of different valve conditions; and indicating the differentiated degradation.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Aed Dudar, Dennis Yang, Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce
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Patent number: 11274622Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing leaks in a fuel system. In one example, a method may include monitoring a fuel level in a vehicle fuel tank of the fuel system during refueling and indicating degradation of the vehicle fuel tank and/or a bellows coupled to the vehicle fuel tank based on the monitored fuel level. In some examples, indicating the degradation may further be based on a rate of fuel supplied to the vehicle fuel tank during the refueling and/or a vehicle fuel economy. In this way, degradation to the vehicle fuel tank and the bellows may be passively determined with minimal specialized components in the fuel system.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Aed Dudar, Dennis Yang, Russell Randall Pearce, Daniel Frank Cragel
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Publication number: 20200361313Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2019Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Brian Thomas Aitken
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Publication number: 20180141432Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a reservoir including a ratcheting support column. In one example, a support column for a reservoir includes a first portion and a second portion configured to move toward each other when pressed together. The first portion and second portion do not move away from each other when they are urged in opposite directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2016Publication date: May 24, 2018Inventors: Joseph Demaria, Dennis Michael Harrigan, SR., Frank Joseph Topolovec, Daniel Frank Cragel
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Publication number: 20180037105Abstract: A fuel tank is provided. The fuel tank includes a housing enclosing a fuel, the housing including a reinforcement region having two opposing interior surfaces in face sharing contact with one another and a mechanical fastener extending through the reinforcement region, the mechanical fastener including a first head positioned within an external depression of the reinforcement region.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2016Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Russell Randall Pearce, Daniel Frank Cragel
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Patent number: 9770979Abstract: A fuel tank having one or more support domes configured to engage with, and assist in positioning, a fuel tank insert.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2014Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Mark Edward Hipp
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Patent number: 9694672Abstract: A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle, comprising a housing and a compliance structure coupled to the housing, the compliance structure including a support element coupled to a first side of a structural element and a reinforcing element coupled to a second opposing side of the structural element.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
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Patent number: 9393863Abstract: A system for diffusing a fuel flow for a vehicle. The system includes a fuel tank, containing fuel in both liquid and vapor form. A fuel filler spud extends from a fuel inlet on the exterior of the vehicle into the fuel tank and defines a fuel outlet there. A diffuser is mounted on the fuel filler spud for diffusing fuel flowing into the tank. The diffuser can take the form of a tongue-like protrusion, which can have flow channels or grooves, as well as flow diverters, which can be arranged in a matrix in the fuel outlet.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Frank Topolovec, Dennis Michael Harrigan, Daniel Frank Cragel
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Patent number: 9321347Abstract: A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The distensible fuel tank includes a housing and a compliance structure coupled to the housing, the compliance structure including a base element coupled to a side of a structural element.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
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Publication number: 20150328981Abstract: A fuel tank having one or more support domes configured to engage with, and assist in positioning, a fuel tank insert.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2014Publication date: November 19, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Mark Edward Hipp
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Publication number: 20150231967Abstract: A system for diffusing a fuel flow for a vehicle. The system includes a fuel tank, containing fuel in both liquid and vapor form. A fuel filler spud extends from a fuel inlet on the exterior of the vehicle into the fuel tank and defines a fuel outlet there. A diffuser is mounted on the fuel filler spud for diffusing fuel flowing into the tank. The diffuser can take the form of a tongue-like protrusion, which can have flow channels or grooves, as well as flow diverters, which can be arranged in a matrix in the fuel outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2014Publication date: August 20, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: FRANK TOPOLOVEC, DENNIS MICHAEL HARRIGAN, DANIEL FRANK CRAGEL
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Patent number: 8881855Abstract: A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The distensible fuel tank includes a housing having an exterior surface and a lattice structure coupled to the exterior surface, the lattice structure including a plurality of intersecting wall members, at least two of the plurality of wall members having an unequal thickness.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2013Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
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Publication number: 20140131125Abstract: A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle, comprising a housing and a compliance structure coupled to the housing, the compliance structure including a support element coupled to a first side of a structural element and a reinforcing element coupled to a second opposing side of the structural element.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
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Patent number: 8657051Abstract: A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The distensible fuel tank includes a housing enclosing a lattice structure substantially spanning a portion of an interior defined by the housing, the lattice structure including a plurality of intersecting wall members, at least two of the wall members having an unequal thickness.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
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Publication number: 20130240539Abstract: A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The distensible fuel tank includes a housing and a compliance structure coupled to the housing, the compliance structure including a base element coupled to a side of a structural element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
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Publication number: 20130233861Abstract: A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The distensible fuel tank includes a housing having an exterior surface and a lattice structure coupled to the exterior surface, the lattice structure including a plurality of intersecting wall members, at least two of the plurality of wall members having an unequal thickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
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Publication number: 20130008911Abstract: A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The distensible fuel tank includes a housing enclosing a lattice structure substantially spanning a portion of an interior defined by the housing, the lattice structure including a plurality of intersecting wall members, at least two of the wall members having an unequal thickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
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Patent number: 8251171Abstract: A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The fuel tank may include a housing enclosing a lattice structure including at least two intersecting wall members, each wall member including a plurality of panels arranged in a repeating pattern, the plurality of panels having planar sides including a compliance panel having a first and second section configured to fold about a crease line. In this way, multi-directional compliance of the fuel tank can be achieved, while increasing structural integrity.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
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Publication number: 20110303684Abstract: A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The fuel tank may include a housing enclosing a lattice structure including at least two intersecting wall members, each wall member including a plurality of panels arranged in a repeating pattern, the plurality of panels having planar sides including a compliance panel having a first and second section configured to fold about a crease line. In this way, multi-directional compliance of the fuel tank can be achieved, while increasing structural integrity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2010Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan