Patents by Inventor Gerald S. Thomas

Gerald S. Thomas 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: 5517973
    Abstract: A fuel injection pump includes a pump barrel (12) against (12) against which is located in sealing relationship a valve block (22). A plunger (15) is reciprocably mounted in a bore (14) in the barrel (12) and the valve block (22) contains a spill valve (26) which can spill fuel from the bore (14) during the inward movement of the plunger. An inlet port (21) is formed in the wall of the bore (14) and is uncovered by the plunger (15) during its outward movement. The inlet port communicates with a first annular space (13) defined between the pump barrel and a surrounding pump body (10). The spilled fuel flows through the spill valve into a second annular space (55) defined between the valve block and the body. The first and second annular spaces have a respective inlet and outlet and are substantially isolated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: James M. A. Askew, Gerald S. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5462252
    Abstract: A spill valve for a fuel injection pump includes a valve member movable towards a seating to prevent spillage of fuel from the pumping chamber of a fuel injection pump. The valve member is actuated by a piston against which fluid pressure can be applied to close the valve member onto the seating. The movement of the valve member away from the seating is limited by a stop member but this can move to allow increased movement of the valve member when fuel at high pressure is spilled from the injection pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Lucas Industries plc
    Inventor: Gerald S. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5174734
    Abstract: A reciprocal plunger fuel injection pump has a plunger having an enlarged head at one end. A spring abutment is secured to the head, and has a flange for engagement by the plunger return spring and a surface engageable with the end of the plunger. A spring clip has an apertured base portion engaged beneath the head of the plunger and arms which extend at right angles to the base portion. Some of the arms are turned inwardly to define a hook portion which locate in a groove formed in the spring abutment thereby securing the abutment to the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: Gerald S. Thomas, Brian L. Maxey, James M. A. Askew
  • Patent number: 5171133
    Abstract: A reciprocable plunger fuel injection pump has a pump body and a plunger slidable in a bore in the body. The plunger is coupled to an arm extending outwardly from the body and movable about the axis of the plunger in order to vary the angular setting of the plunger. A spring clip partly embraces a cylindrical portion of the pump body. The clip defines an abutment surface for engagement by the arm to set the arm and plunger at a predetermined angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Lucas Industries
    Inventor: Gerald S. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4887944
    Abstract: A fuel injection pump for supplying fuel to internal combustion engines includes a pump plunger slidable within a bore in a pump body. The plunger is actuated by a rocker mechanism directly by the associated engine and in order to adjust the mechanism the plunger must be set at a known position. This is determined by a spring loaded pin contained within a housing, the pin can be depressed to engage with the side wall of a groove in the plunger to set the plunger at the predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Donald Worby, Gerald S. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4804143
    Abstract: A fuel injection nozzle unit has an inwardly opening valve member which can be moved by fuel pressure in a chamber connected to a fuel inlet to allow fuel flow through an outlet orifice. In order to circulate fuel through the chamber a passage leads therefrom to a fuel outlet. A restrictor is located in the passage and the valve member acts to prevent flow through the passage when it is open to allow fuel flow through the outlet orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Gerald S. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4531496
    Abstract: A fuel injection pump of the reciprocable plunger type has a pump plunger which is slidable within a pump barrel about which is mounted an angularly movable sleeve. The sleeve and plunger are interconnected so that they can move axially relative to each other but are restrained against relative angular movement. An arm is coupled to the sleeve its inner end lying within a slot in the sleeve, the arm being provided with limbs which lie within a circumferential groove, the arms embracing the sleeve to retain the inner end of the arm within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: Lucas Industries
    Inventors: Gerald S. Thomas, John Punshon, John A. Barr
  • Patent number: 4480623
    Abstract: A liquid fuel injection pump includes a reciprocable pumping plunger located in a bore formed in a pump barrel. The barrel is located in a pump body. The bore has first groove for collecting fuel leaking from the pumping chamber defined by the plunger and bore, a second groove through which lubricating oil can be delivered to the working clearance between the plunger and the bore. In order to prevent fuel contaminating the lubricating oil a third groove is provided between the first and second grooves. The third groove is connected to an outlet through which contaminated lubricating oil can flow to a drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Gerald S. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4355546
    Abstract: A reciprocable plunger fuel injection pump has a plunger extending from a pump barrel. A spring abutment is mounted at the outer end of the plunger and carries a thrust member engageable with the radiussed end of the plunger and by an actuating device such as a cam. A ring is carried by the plunger for engagement with an annular surface in a bore in the abutment through which the plunger extends. The abutment and the thrust member can rock about the end of the plunger to absorb side thrust applied by the actuating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited
    Inventors: Kieron J. Moloney, Gerald S. Thomas