Patents by Inventor Eric A. Mihal

Eric A. Mihal 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: 5782258
    Abstract: A vapor recovery fuel system includes a fuel tank having at least one vent opening defined therein. A fuel vapor canister is in communication with the vent opening to receive and filter fuel vapors from the tank. A refueling control valve is configured in the vent opening and has a first inlet orifice and an outlet in communication with the vapor trap. The control valve includes a variably buoyant first float body extending into an interior of the fuel tank which rises over a predetermined range of movement in response to increasing fuel level. The control valve includes a second float body engaged by the first float body over at least a portion of its range of movement. The first float body has a buoyancy during refueling so as to rise with increasing fuel level to engage and move the second float body into a sealing position to seal the inlet orifice from the outlet at a predetermined height of fuel within the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignees: Alfmeier Corporation, Solvay Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Herbon, Eric A. Mihal, Karen R. Byrka, Scott C. Gaynor, Frederic Ramioulle