Patents by Inventor George E. Perrault

George E. Perrault 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: 4688537
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing freeze-up of a pressure regulator valve in a liquified petroleum fuel system by heating the valve, a fuel expansion chamber and the fuel, after it has been expanded to a gaseous state, to counteract the refrigeration action produced by expansion of the gas at atmospheric pressure. A heat pipe transfers heat from an internal combustion engine to the fuel expansion chamber, regulator valve and fuel. The fuel is heated to a selected temperature in the range of 80.degree. F. to 140.degree. F. The heat pipe can provide structural support to the fuel expansion chamber to facilitate the installation of the fuel conversion system. The heat pipe can comprise a metal pipe or a corrugated metal hose which allows relative movement between the condenser and the evaporator ends of the pipe. Additionally, a heat pipe using a porous wick can be used so that the fuel expansion chamber can be located below the attachment point of the evaporator portion of the heat pipe to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Inventors: Noel C. Calkins, George E. Perrault