Patents by Inventor Dave Dirkson

Dave Dirkson 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).

  • Leak detection method and associated valve and fuel system
    Patent number: 7908099
    Abstract: Method of detecting a leak in a fuel system comprising a fuel tank and an orifice with a controlled section between the tank and the atmosphere, according to which a) the controlled section is set to a value Al at a time T1 and a pressure differential ?p1 between the inside of the tank and the atmosphere is measured at least after an interval of time ?T from T1, for a constant fuel flow out of the tank; b) the controlled section is set to a value A2 at a time T2 and a pressure differential ?p2 between the inside of the tank and the atmosphere is measured at least after the same interval of time ?T from T2, for the same constant fuel flow; c) a ratio of the pressure differentials ?p1 and ?p2 is computed and is compared to a reference pressure differential ratio ?pL obtained with the same fuel system but comprising a calibrated leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (S.A.)
    Inventors: Ron Behar, Eric Grant, Ryan McCleary, David Hill, Scott Garabedian, Saurin Mehta, Kevin Slusser, Dave Dirkson
  • LEAK DETECTION METHOD AND ASSOCIATED VALVE AND FUEL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20090099795
    Abstract: Method of detecting a leak in a fuel system comprising a fuel tank and an orifice with a controlled section between the tank and the atmosphere, according to which a) the controlled section is set to a value A1 at a time T1 and a pressure differential ?p1 between the inside of the tank and the atmosphere is measured at least after an interval of time ?T from T1, for a constant fuel flow out of the tank; b) the controlled section is set to a value A2 at a time T2 and a pressure differential ?p2 between the inside of the tank and the atmosphere is measured at least after the same interval of time ?T from T2, for the same constant fuel flow; c) a ratio of the pressure differentials ?p1 and ?p2 is computed and is compared to a reference pressure differential ratio APL obtained with the same fuel system but comprising a calibrated leak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (S.A.)
    Inventors: Ron Behar, Eric Grant, Ryan McCleary, David Hill, Scott Garabedian, Saurin Mehta, Kevin Slusser, Dave Dirkson