Patents by Inventor Douglas J. Callahan

Douglas J. Callahan 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: 7762240
    Abstract: A fuel system comprising a fuel tank having an opening. A cap is removably coupled to the fuel tank and operable for sealingly closing the opening to prevent ingress and egress of air through the opening. An overfill chamber is in communication with the fuel tank, and a hydrocarbon collection chamber is in communication with the overfill chamber. A valve is disposed between the hydrocarbon collection chamber and the overfill chamber. The valve includes a reference axis and is configured to permit fluid communication between the overfill chamber and the hydrocarbon collection chamber only when an angle between a vertical axis and the reference axis is less than about thirty-five degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Miniature Precision Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Callahan, Juris Julijs Pruzinskis, Brent J. Ertl, Hans Henning Bishop
  • Patent number: 7610905
    Abstract: An emission control module (14) includes a housing (52) that includes an atmospheric air opening (102) and a vapor emission inlet (104) for communication with a vapor region (32) of a fuel reservoir (16). A hydrocarbon filter (56) is disposed between the atmospheric air opening (102) and the vapor emission inlet (104) to passively filter vapor emissions within the vapor region (32). The housing (52) is configured for purging of the hydrocarbon filter (56) due to a low-pressure draw from the vapor emission inlet (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Inventors: Douglas J. Callahan, Brent J. Ertl, Juris J. Pruzinskis, Michael P. Farrey, Hans Bishop
  • Patent number: 7547350
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon trap that includes a sheet paper element and a plurality of fingers. The paper element is at least partially formed of a material capable of adsorbing and desorbing gaseous hydrocarbons. The paper element is arranged into a plurality of adjacent sheet members. The fingers are disposed between and support adjacent pairs of the sheet members so that each adjacent pair of the sheet members forms a flow channel. A method for filtering gaseous hydrocarbons from an air flow is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Miniature Precision Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J Callahan, Mark T Van de Bogert
  • Patent number: 7497478
    Abstract: A duct assembly comprises a collar that defines a bore and has a first plurality of slots and a second plurality of slots formed therethrough. The collar includes an annular wall formed within the bore and an end groove formed at one end thereof. A duct has an end fitted within the end groove. A ring is disposed within the collar and abuts the annular wall. A ring retainer is disposed within the collar and abuts the ring. The ring retainer has a plurality of tabs formed thereon that fit within the first plurality of slots. An end of a port extends into the collar. The port has an annular groove formed along its circumference. A clip that has a plurality of arcs formed along its length extends around the collar. The arcs extend through the second plurality of slots into the annular groove of the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Miniature Precision Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Callahan
  • Patent number: 7318424
    Abstract: A fuel system comprising a fuel tank having an opening. A cap is removably coupled to the fuel tank and operable for sealingly closing the opening to prevent ingress and egress of air through the opening. An overfill chamber is in communication with the fuel tank, and a hydrocarbon collection chamber is in communication with the overfill chamber. A valve is disposed between the hydrocarbon collection chamber and the overfill chamber. The valve includes a reference axis and is configured to permit fluid communication between the overfill chamber and the hydrocarbon collection chamber only when an angle between a vertical axis and the reference axis is less than about thirty-five degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Miniature Precision Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Callahan, Juris Julijs Pruzinskis, Brent J Ertl, Hans Henning Bishop
  • Patent number: 7316226
    Abstract: A PCV system includes heated PCV valve for metering a flow of crankcase gases therethrough and a heated inlet manifold fitting for receiving a flow of crankcase gases therethrough. The PCV valve and the heated inlet manifold fitting are in communication with a current source to apply current to heaters associated with each as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Miniature Precision Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Callahan
  • Patent number: 6546921
    Abstract: A heated PCV valve (30) includes a valve body (80) for metering a flow of crankcase gases therethrough. The valve body (80) has an intermediate portion (82) with a heating element (50) integrally disposed therein for heating the crankcase gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Miniature Precision Components
    Inventor: Douglas J. Callahan