Patents by Inventor Frank Reiter

Frank Reiter 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: 7861695
    Abstract: A device for delivering fuel has a fuel delivery unit placed inside a fuel tank and which consists of a swirl pot with a fuel pump situated therein for delivering fuel out via a flow line to an internal combustion engine, and with a ventilation system located inside the fuel tank and serves to withdraw fuel vapors from the fuel tank. This ventilation system consists of ventilation lines and a liquid trap for precipitating fuel. The ventilation lines are arranged with one end in the upper area of the fuel tank, and, with the other end, lead into the liquid trap. An activated charcoal filter located downstream from the liquid trap has a connection to the atmosphere. The liquid trap and the activated charcoal filter are situated next and at the height of the swirl pot. At least the liquid trap is mechanically connected to the swirl pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Althof, Stefan Fuehling, Christian Krogull, Knut Meyer, Frank Reiter
  • Publication number: 20080302339
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel supply device (2) for a motor vehicle, which comprises a fuel tank (1). An intake connection (24) of a fuel pump (7) is located in a ventilation device (4). The fuel pump (7) simultaneously takes in fuel from the fuel tank (1) and from the ventilation device (4). For this purpose, the fuel pump (7) and a bubble removal container (8) of the ventilation device (4) are configured as a single structural unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Christian Krogull, Knut Meyer, Frank Reiter, Stefan Fuehling, Helmut Kohlhaas
  • Publication number: 20080251523
    Abstract: A ventilation device (1) for a fuel container (2) with a liquid trap (3) and a suction jet pump (8) which is provided for emptying the liquid trap (3) has a filling-level limit switch (11) for detecting the filling level of fuel in the liquid trap (3). A valve (10) which is connected to the filling-level limit switch (11) is connected upstream of the suction jet pump (8). The suction jet pump (8) is first activated by means of the valve (10) when the intended filling level of fuel in the liquid trap (3) is exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Christian Krogull, Knut Meyer, Frank Reiter
  • Publication number: 20080223865
    Abstract: A device for delivering fuel has a fuel delivery unit placed inside a fuel tank and which consists of a swirl pot with a fuel pump situated therein for delivering fuel out via a flow line to an internal combustion engine, and with a ventilation system located inside the fuel tank and serves to withdraw fuel vapors from the fuel tank. This ventilation system consists of ventilation lines and a liquid trap for precipitating fuel. The ventilation lines are arranged with one end in the upper area of the fuel tank, and, with the other end, lead into the liquid trap. An activated charcoal filter located downstream from the liquid trap has a connection to the atmosphere. The liquid trap and the activated charcoal filter are situated next and at the height of the swirl pot. At least the liquid trap is mechanically connected to the swirl pot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Andreas Althof, Stefan Fuehling, Christian Krogull, Knut Meyer, Frank Reiter
  • Patent number: 7185638
    Abstract: In a fuel tank (1), a condensate collector (13) of a venting line (12) with a closure lid (6) forms one structural unit. The closure lid (6) closes off an opening (7) in a wall (8) in the fuel tank (1). The condensate collector (13) has spring elements (17) for prestressing elastic venting lines (15) against the inside of the fuel tank (1) and the venting device (12) can be mounted through the opening (7) in the fuel tank (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengessellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Krogull, Frank Reiter
  • Patent number: 7121301
    Abstract: A fuel tank (1) has a constructional unit which can be preassembled and comprises a surge chamber (3) and venting device (6). The constructional unit is fastened to the bottom of the fuel tank (1) and has spring arms for prestressing openings (12, 13), which are provided for venting the fuel tank (1), against the upper wall of the fuel tank (1). The fuel tank (1) can be fitted in a particularly simple manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Krogull, Frank Reiter
  • Publication number: 20060144842
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel tank (1) for a motor vehicle, the upper section of which is provided with at least one opening (4) of a ventilation system. According to the invention, at least one chamber (5, 6) for receiving fuel (2) when the fuel tank (1) is in an inclined position, is configured in the upper section (8) of the fuel tank (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Andreas Boehmer, Martin Essing, Frank Reiter
  • Patent number: 7047949
    Abstract: In a venting device for a fuel tank (1), a venting line (5) has a movable section (6) and a spring element (14). The free end of the venting line (5) is prestressed against an upper wall of the fuel tank (1). This ensures that a valve (7) which is arranged at the free end of the venting line (5) is always arranged in the vicinity of the upper wall of the fuel tank (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventors: Frank Reiter, Oliver Schönert
  • Publication number: 20050039728
    Abstract: In a fuel tank (1), a condensate collector (13) of a venting line (12) with a closure lid (6) forms one structural unit. The closure lid (6) closes off an opening (7) in a wall (8) in the fuel tank (1). The condensate collector (13) has spring elements (17) for prestressing elastic venting lines (15) against the inside of the fuel tank (1) and the venting device (12) can be mounted through the opening (7) in the fuel tank (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Christian Krogull, Frank Reiter
  • Publication number: 20050016601
    Abstract: In a venting device for a fuel tank (1), a venting line (5) has a movable section (6) and a spring element (14). The free end of the venting line (5) is prestressed against an upper wall of the fuel tank (1). This ensures that a valve (7) which is arranged at the free end of the venting line (5) is always arranged in the vicinity of the upper wall of the fuel tank (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Frank Reiter, Oliver Schonert
  • Publication number: 20040244844
    Abstract: A fuel tank (1) has a constructional unit which can be preassembled and comprises a surge chamber (3) and venting device (6). The constructional unit is fastened to the bottom of the fuel tank (1) and has spring arms for prestressing openings (12, 13), which are provided for venting the fuel tank (1), against the upper wall of the fuel tank (1). The fuel tank (1) can be fitted in a particularly simple manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Christian Krogull, Frank Reiter
  • Publication number: 20030116537
    Abstract: In a fuel tank for a motor vehicle having shells tightly connected together, positioning aids are arranged in proximity to a weld. The positioning aids permit an accurately fitting assembly of the shells prior to welding. This makes the fuel tank particularly inexpensive to manufacture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Knut Meyer, Frank Reiter, Holger Schier, Heinz-Werner Trappmann, Hartwig Wanka
  • Patent number: 6581578
    Abstract: The fuel delivery and ventilation system according to the invention has a surge chamber in which the fuel pump is arranged, and a compensating container into which at least one ventilation line opens, the compensating container and the surge chamber being joined into a structural unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventor: Frank Reiter
  • Publication number: 20010054446
    Abstract: The fuel delivery and ventilation system according to the invention has a surge chamber in which the fuel pump is arranged, and a compensating container into which at least one ventilation line opens, the compensating container and the surge chamber being joined into a structural unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventor: Frank Reiter
  • Publication number: 20010054615
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closure device for a fuel tank in a motor vehicle. The closure device has a filling-level transmitter and a blocking element which both together form a constructional unit. The blocking element is adjustable so that is it movable to a position in which the blocking element closes an opening in the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Applicant: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Christian Krogull, Frank Reiter
  • Patent number: 6318423
    Abstract: A plug neck for a filler neck of a motor vehicle has exchanging means for refueling-venting adaptation to different refueling devices. In the case of a refueling device which removes gases from a refueling channel by suction, a compensation chamber is connected permanently to the refueling channel via a connecting channel. For adaptation to a refueling device without suction removal, the connecting channel is closed and the vent valve is provided with a cap which has a connection neck for a line leading to an activated carbon filter. This allows tool costs for producing the plug neck to be kept particularly low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Thomas Zapp, Frank Reiter
  • Patent number: 5560343
    Abstract: A pressure-limiting valve has a closure member (5) which, in its closed position, rests with initial stress against a valve seat (4) and has, on the side towards the valve seat (4), a shoulder (6) which can be formed by a circumferential flange (7) on the closure member (5). This induces enlargement of the opening stroke upon a slight opening of the closure member (5) as the flow strikes against the shoulder (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Werkmann, Frank Reiter, Ivan Grgec-Messner, Reiner Liebl
  • Patent number: 5527163
    Abstract: A holding flange (5) is detachably connected on its bottom to a coupling part (7) within a fuel chamber (2). A flexible hose (8) leading to a sucking-jet pump (9) and a spring action arm (10) for holding the sucking-jet pump (9) down on the bottom of the fuel chamber (2) are fastened to said coupling part (7). For mounting and removal, the coupling part (7) can be separated from the holding flange (5) together with the structural parts fastened to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignees: VDO Adolf Schindling AG, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Werkmann, Frank Reiter, Burkhard Dasbach, Manfred Bigalke