Patents by Inventor Eric B. Thorstensen

Eric B. Thorstensen 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: 5971288
    Abstract: A thermostatic control valve has an expansion composition held in a cavity thereof. The composition contains electrical conductor particles dispersed throughout an electrical isolator. The particles conduct electrical current through the isolator when the electrical isolator has a volumetric size that is less than a predetermined expanded volume. When the isolator expands to the predetermined expanded volume, the distance between the particles is increased to the extend that the electrical current cannot be conducted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Standard-Thomson Corporation
    Inventors: Lora L. Davis, James P. O'Shea, Eric B. Thorstensen
  • Patent number: 5410991
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for filling an engine cooling system with coolant fluid and for controlling fluid flow through the cooling system using three dimensional weirs in response to changes of an engine cooling system temperature. The apparatus includes a fill housing having an inlet section, an outlet section, and a fill section configured to receive a cap thereon. The inlet section is formed to include a valve seat and a flange for coupling the fill housing to an engine. The apparatus also includes a thermostat and means for coupling the thermostat to the flange to hold the thermostat within the inlet section beneath an outer surface of the flange. The fill housing is formed to include a venturi portion located between the inlet section and the outlet section to provide a pressure drop in the fill housing as fluid flows through the fill housing. The venturi portion is located adjacent the fill section to subject the fill section to the pressure drop as fluid flows through the fill housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Standard-Thomson Corporation
    Inventors: Edward R. Beaudry, Eric B. Thorstensen, Wayne R. Duprez