Patents by Inventor David L. Speirs
David L. Speirs 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: 10549631Abstract: An in-tank fuel pump assembly may have a mounting flange with a plurality of first coupling features, a fuel pump, a carrier connected to the fuel pump, a plurality of second coupling features on at least one of the carrier and the fuel pump, and a plurality of supports each connected to one or the first and second coupling features to locate the pump relative to the mounting flange. In some embodiments, at least one coupling feature is movable.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Walbro LLCInventors: Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, Jr., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs, Russell R. Speirs
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Publication number: 20190195144Abstract: A throttle body may have a main bore for supplying a fuel and air mixture to an engine. A throttle valve head may be received in the main bore and movable between idle and wide open positions to control fluid flow through the main bore. A main fuel outlet and a boost venturi may open to the main bore and a flow directing feature may alter the velocity and/or direction of fluid flow in the main bore relative to the fuel outlet or boost venturi. The flow directing feature may be carried by the body, the throttle valve head, or the boost venturi.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2017Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Gary J. Burns, William E. Galka, Bradley J. Roche, Albert L. Sayers, David L. Speirs
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Publication number: 20190120193Abstract: In at least some implementations, a throttle body assembly for a combustion engine includes a throttle body having a pressure chamber in which a supply of fuel is received and a throttle bore with an inlet through which air is received, a throttle valve carried by the throttle body with a valve head movable relative to the throttle bore to control fluid flow through the throttle bore, and a metering valve carried by the throttle body. The metering valve may have a valve element that is movable between an open position wherein fuel may flow from the pressure chamber into the throttle bore and a closed position where fuel is prevented or substantially prevented from flowing into the throttle bore through the metering valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2017Publication date: April 25, 2019Applicant: Walbro LLCInventors: Gary J. Burns, Andreas D. M. Dixon, Eric G. Zbytowski, Albert L. Sayers, Justin T. Dolane, David L. Speirs, William E. Galka, Duried F. Rabban, Bradley J. Roche
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Patent number: 10259313Abstract: An in-tank fuel pump assembly may have a mounting flange with a plurality of first couplings, a fuel pump, a carrier connected to the fuel pump, a plurality of second couplings on at least one of the carrier and the fuel pump, and a plurality of supports each connected to one or the first and second couplings to locate the pump relative to the mounting flange.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Walbro LLCInventors: Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, Jr., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs
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Publication number: 20180339585Abstract: An in-tank fuel pump assembly may have a mounting flange with a plurality of first coupling features, a fuel pump, a carrier connected to the fuel pump, a plurality of second coupling features on at least one of the carrier and the fuel pump, and a plurality of supports each connected to one or the first and second coupling features to locate the pump relative to the mounting flange. In some embodiments, at least one coupling feature is movable.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Inventors: Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, JR., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs, Russell R. Speirs
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Patent number: 10125696Abstract: In at least some implementations, a charge forming device includes a main body, a throttle valve and an adjuster. The main body includes a main bore through which fluid flows for delivery to an engine. The throttle valve is carried by the main body and moveable relative to the main bore to control fluid flow through the main bore. And the adjuster is moveable relative to the throttle valve and engageable with the throttle valve to adjust the range of motion of the throttle valve. In at least some implementations, the adjuster limits the range of motion of the throttle valve when the adjuster is engaged with the throttle valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Walbro LLCInventors: Bryan K. Gangler, Bradley J. Roche, Dairoku Suzuki, David L. Speirs, Eric G. Zbytowski
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Patent number: 10001095Abstract: In at least some implementations, a retainer for a fuel system component having an electrically conductive portion accessible from the exterior of the component includes a retaining feature and a grounding feature. The retaining feature is adapted to maintain the location of the fuel system component and the grounding feature electrically couples a ground wire to the electrically conductive portion of the fuel system component. The fuel system component is grounded through a path including the grounding feature and ground wire.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2014Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: Walbro LLCInventors: Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, Jr., David L. Speirs
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Publication number: 20170284418Abstract: An in-tank fuel pump assembly may have a mounting flange with a plurality of first couplings, a fuel pump, a carrier connected to the fuel pump, a plurality of second couplings on at least one of the carrier and the fuel pump, and a plurality of supports each connected to one or the first and second couplings to locate the pump relative to the mounting flange.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, JR., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs
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Patent number: 9765724Abstract: An engine system may include a fuel and air supply circuit and an exhaust circuit, a temperature sensor mounted on an exterior of the engine and an oxygen sensor located in the exhaust circuit. The fuel and air supply circuit may include a throttle body mounted on the engine and having a throttle valve to control the flow rate of air delivered to the engine, a fuel injector carried by the throttle body to deliver fuel to the engine and a fuel rail carried by at least one of the throttle body and the fuel injector and having an input to receive a supply of fuel and an outlet through which fuel is routed to the fuel injector. An engine control unit may be communicated with these components to control the fuel and air mixture provided to the engine as a function of the temperature and oxygen sensor outputs.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2016Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Walbro LLCInventors: Massimo Casoni, William E. Galka, Bradley J. Roche, David L. Speirs, Mark S. Swanson, Eric G. Zbytowski
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Patent number: 9567944Abstract: In at least some implementations, a carburetor has a metering system that controls fuel flow from a fuel source to an air-fuel passage. The metering system includes a metering diaphragm sealed to a body of the carburetor to at least partly define a metering chamber between the metering diaphragm and the body, and the metering diaphragm has a continuous layer and a discontinuous layer. The continuous layer is responsive to fluid pressure within the metering chamber and moves against the discontinuous layer to open a metering valve to allow fuel flow from the fuel source and into the metering chamber when said fluid pressure is below a reference pressure.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2013Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: WALBRO LLCInventors: George M. Pattullo, David L. Speirs
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Patent number: 9553440Abstract: In at least some implementations, a seal for a wire includes a body having at least one opening adapted to receive at least one wire therethrough, and an axially extending engagement surface disposed around at least a portion of each of said at least one openings. The engagement surface has at least a portion that is not parallel to an axis of the opening and is disposed at an acute included angle relative to the axis so that, when the engagement surface is contacted by another component, the size of the adjacent opening tends to be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Walbro LLCInventors: Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, Jr., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs
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Publication number: 20160305348Abstract: In at least some implementations, a charge forming device includes a main body, a throttle valve and an adjuster. The main body includes a main bore through which fluid flows for delivery to an engine. The throttle valve is carried by the main body and moveable relative to the main bore to control fluid flow through the main bore. And the adjuster is moveable relative to the throttle valve and engageable with the throttle valve to adjust the range of motion of the throttle valve. In at least some implementations, the adjuster limits the range of motion of the throttle valve when the adjuster is engaged with the throttle valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: Bryan K. Gangler, Bradley J. Roche, Dairoku Suzuki, David L. Speirs, Eric G. Zbytowski
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Patent number: 9464577Abstract: A rotary position sensor for determining the rotary position of a rotary component may include a sensor and a magnet. The sensor may be responsive to a characteristic of a magnetic field that changes as the magnetic field moves. The magnet may be carried by the rotary component for rotation with the rotary component. A buffer may be provided around the magnet to limit distortion of the magnet field. The buffer is effective against objects normally located in the area of a device with which the sensor is used (e.g. adjacent components) as well as against foreign objects not normally in the area of the device.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2012Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Walbro LLCInventors: William E. Galka, David L. Speirs
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Publication number: 20160252039Abstract: An engine system may include a fuel and air supply circuit and an exhaust circuit, a temperature sensor mounted on an exterior of the engine and an oxygen sensor located in the exhaust circuit. The fuel and air supply circuit may include a throttle body mounted on the engine and having a throttle valve to control the flow rate of air delivered to the engine, a fuel injector carried by the throttle body to deliver fuel to the engine and a fuel rail carried by at least one of the throttle body and the fuel injector and having an input to receive a supply of fuel and an outlet through which fuel is routed to the fuel injector. An engine control unit may be communicated with these components to control the fuel and air mixture provided to the engine as a function of the temperature and oxygen sensor outputs.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2016Publication date: September 1, 2016Inventors: Massimo Casoni, William E. Galka, Bradley J. Roche, David L. Speirs, Mark S. Swanson, Eric G. Zbytowski
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Patent number: 9371786Abstract: An engine system may include a fuel and air supply circuit and an exhaust circuit, a temperature sensor mounted on an exterior of the engine and an oxygen sensor located in the exhaust circuit. The fuel and air supply circuit may include a throttle body mounted on the engine and having a throttle valve to control the flow rate of air delivered to the engine, a fuel injector carried by the throttle body to deliver fuel to the engine and a fuel rail carried by at least one of the throttle body and the fuel injector and having an input to receive a supply of fuel and an outlet through which fuel is routed to the fuel injector. An engine control unit may be communicated with these components to control the fuel and air mixture provided to the engine as a function of the temperature and oxygen sensor outputs.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2012Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: WALBRO LLCInventors: Massimo Casoni, William E. Galka, Bradley J. Roche, David L. Speirs, Mark S. Swanson, Eric G. Zbytowski
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Publication number: 20160017850Abstract: In at least some implementations, a retainer for a fuel system component having an electrically conductive portion accessible from the exterior of the component includes a retaining feature and a grounding feature. The retaining feature is adapted to maintain the location of the fuel system component and the grounding feature electrically couples a ground wire to the electrically conductive portion of the fuel system component. The fuel system component is grounded through a path including the grounding feature and ground wire.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, Jr., David L. Speirs
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Patent number: 9217403Abstract: A mount for a level sensor assembly in a fuel tank may include an interconnect member adapted to couple a first tube to a second tube to permit fuel flow through the first tube, the interconnect member and the second tube. The first tube is adapted to be in fluid communication with a fuel pump and the second tube is in fluid communication with fuel in the fuel tank. A bracket is coupled to the interconnect member and adapted to carry at least a portion of the level sensor assembly. In this way, the level sensor assembly may be coupled to fluid tubes associated with the fuel pump, or other tubes, as desired.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2013Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.Inventors: Kenneth J. Cotton, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, Jr., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs
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Publication number: 20150176533Abstract: In at least some implementations, a carburetor has a metering system that controls fuel flow from a fuel source to an air-fuel passage. The metering system includes a metering diaphragm sealed to a body of the carburetor to at least partly define a metering chamber between the metering diaphragm and the body, and the metering diaphragm has a continuous layer and a discontinuous layer. The continuous layer is responsive to fluid pressure within the metering chamber and moves against the discontinuous layer to open a metering valve to allow fuel flow from the fuel source and into the metering chamber when said fluid pressure is below a reference pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2013Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventors: George M. Pattullo, David L. Speirs
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Publication number: 20150136472Abstract: In at least some implementations, a seal for a wire includes a body having at least one opening adapted to receive at least one wire therethrough, and an axially extending engagement surface disposed around at least a portion of each of said at least one openings. The engagement surface has at least a portion that is not parallel to an axis of the opening and is disposed at an acute included angle relative to the axis so that, when the engagement surface is contacted by another component, the size of the adjacent opening tends to be reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, JR., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs
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Patent number: 8939736Abstract: A fuel pump assembly may include a housing and a fuel pump within a fuel pump cavity. The fuel pump may include a motor, a pumping element driven for rotation by the motor, a pump body that maintains the position of the pumping element relative to the motor and the housing, and a flexible seal. The seal may be disposed between the pump body and the housing to provide a fluid tight seal between them. A portion of the seal may be disposed radially outwardly of a distal end of the pump body to radially position the pump body within the fuel pump cavity and a portion of the seal may be disposed axially outwardly of the distal end of the pump body to axially position the pump body within the fuel pump cavity.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.Inventors: Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, Jr., David L. Speirs