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).

  • Patent number: 11491867
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Patent number: 11280287
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed Dudar, Dennis Yang, Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce
  • Patent number: 11274622
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed Dudar, Dennis Yang, Russell Randall Pearce, Daniel Frank Cragel
  • Publication number: 20200361313
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Publication number: 20180141432
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph Demaria, Dennis Michael Harrigan, SR., Frank Joseph Topolovec, Daniel Frank Cragel
  • Publication number: 20180037105
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Russell Randall Pearce, Daniel Frank Cragel
  • Patent number: 9770979
    Abstract: A fuel tank having one or more support domes configured to engage with, and assist in positioning, a fuel tank insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Mark Edward Hipp
  • Patent number: 9694672
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9393863
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Topolovec, Dennis Michael Harrigan, Daniel Frank Cragel
  • Patent number: 9321347
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20150328981
    Abstract: A fuel tank having one or more support domes configured to engage with, and assist in positioning, a fuel tank insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Mark Edward Hipp
  • Publication number: 20150231967
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: FRANK TOPOLOVEC, DENNIS MICHAEL HARRIGAN, DANIEL FRANK CRAGEL
  • Patent number: 8881855
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20140131125
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8657051
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20130240539
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20130233861
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20130008911
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8251171
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20110303684
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan