Patents by Inventor Dean Edward Mackey

Dean Edward Mackey 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: 11332361
    Abstract: A fully-integrated, flow-control module for top-fill fuel tanks is designed to operate with a fuel line attached that supplies fuel under constant pressure. A main flow control valve within the flow-control module closes automatically when the fuel tank is full, and automatically opens when the fuel level drops a certain amount below the full level. A spring-biased valve plunger of the main flow control valve has a bleed aperture that diverts a small amount of incoming fuel to a bleed path that is controlled by a fuel level float that operates on a lever arm that either opens or closes the bleed path. When closed, fuel pressure beneath the valve plunger increases sufficiently that the plunger biasing spring is able to exert a force sufficient to close the valve plunger. Bleed path control hysteresis prevents rapid cycling of the main flow control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventor: Dean Edward Mackey
  • Publication number: 20210198094
    Abstract: A fully-integrated, flow-control module for top-fill fuel tanks is designed to operate with a fuel line attached that supplies fuel under constant pressure. A main flow control valve within the flow-control module closes automatically when the fuel tank is full, and automatically opens when the fuel level drops a certain amount below the full level. A spring-biased valve plunger of the main flow control valve has a bleed aperture that diverts a small amount of incoming fuel to a bleed path that is controlled by a fuel level float that operates on a lever arm that either opens or closes the bleed path. When closed, fuel pressure beneath the valve plunger increases sufficiently that the plunger biasing spring is able to exert a force sufficient to close the valve plunger. Bleed path control hysteresis prevents rapid cycling of the main flow control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventor: Dean Edward Mackey
  • Patent number: 10851910
    Abstract: A fully-integrated, flow-control module for top-fill fuel tanks operates with a fuel line attached that supplies fuel under pulsating pressure. There are two bleed paths in the module, which open and close sequentially in response to the position of a fuel float within the module. In order for a main valve plunger, which controls fuel entry into the tank, to fully close, both bleed paths must be closed. A first bleed path closes first, followed by closure of the second. For the main valve plunger to fully open, both bleed paths must be open. The second bleed path opens first. Movement of the main valve plunger is controlled by both a biasing spring and pressure beneath the plunger. Pressure beneath the plunger builds up to a level sufficient for the biasing spring to fully close the plunger against a valve seat when both bleed paths are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Charles Cooley, Dean Edward Mackey
  • Publication number: 20190113150
    Abstract: A fully-integrated, flow-control module for top-fill fuel tanks operates with a fuel line attached that supplies fuel under pulsating pressure. There are two bleed paths in the module, which open and close sequentially in response to the position of a fuel float within the module. In order for a main valve plunger, which controls fuel entry into the tank, to fully close, both bleed paths must be closed. A first bleed path closes first, followed by closure of the second. For the main valve plunger to fully open, both bleed paths must be open. The second bleed path opens first. Movement of the main valve plunger is controlled by both a biasing spring and pressure beneath the plunger. Pressure beneath the plunger builds up to a level sufficient for the biasing spring to fully close the plunger against a valve seat when both bleed paths are closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Charles Cooley, Dean Edward Mackey