Patents by Inventor Donna M. Hale

Donna M. Hale 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).

  • Fuel level sensor
    Patent number: 7062967
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for determining the fuel level in a fuel tank. The apparatus includes an acoustic transducer arranged to transmit an acoustic signal and receive a reflected signal. A float remains buoyant at the surface of the fuel in the tank and has a reflective portion for receiving the acoustic signal and reflecting the reflected signal therefrom. An interface circuit is connected to the transducer and measures an elapsed time between transmitting the acoustic signal and receiving the reflected signal. The interface then produces an output as a function of the elapsed time that is indicative of the fuel level in the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Donna M Hale, Nancy M Isles, Dan P Borza
  • Pivotal fuel sending unit
    Patent number: 6216908
    Abstract: A fuel sending unit for an off-road vehicle subject to upward impacts on a fuel tank of the vehicle. The fuel sending unit includes a cannister providing a reservoir for fuel. A frame for supporting the cannister in the fuel tank has legs which straddle the cannister. Side bars slidable vertically on the legs have horizontal pivot pins which pivotally support the cannister. The cannister is in the form of an elongated cylindrical body and is rotated to a vertical or upright position for insertion into the fuel tank. After insertion, the cannister is rotated to a horizontal position of use in which it is spaced a substantial distance above the bottom wall of the fuel tank. The legs are supported on the bottom wall of the fuel tank. The side bars are connected to the top wall of the fuel tank. Springs carried by the legs press upwardly on the side bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Hutter, Donna M. Hale, Patrick T. Muldoon
  • Fuel sending unit having a fuel filter combined with a fuel float
    Patent number: 6176133
    Abstract: A fuel sending unit assembly includes a pump for pumping fuel from a storage system to a combustion system, a float for measuring the level of fuel remaining in the storage system, and a filter for preventing debris contained in the fuel from entering the combustion system. The assembly is characterized by the filter being attached to the float. In this manner, the assembly intakes fuel from the fuel surface rather than debris or liquid contaminants which have settled on the bottom of the tank. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly further includes a tube for attaching the float to the pump and for channeling fuel from the filter to the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Inventors: Robert B. Hutter, Brian C. Lazarus, Stephen D. Lazarus, Donna M. Hale