Patents by Inventor James L. Creehan

James L. Creehan 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: 5513613
    Abstract: A fuel supply manifold in a returnless fuel system for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine has a fuel rail with a first end having a first opening and a second end having a second opening. A one piece end plug, which fits into the first opening to provide closure thereof, has a fuel hose connector with a fuel inlet therethrough to pass fuel to the fuel rail and a fuel temperature sensor in close proximity to the fuel inlet. The one piece end plug also has an electrical connector casing for receiving an electrical connector to conduct the fuel temperature signal to a remote location for processing. A flange on the end plug attaches to the fuel rail with a pair of bolts, and a core with O-rings thereon extends from the flange for locating and sealing the end plug to the fuel rail. The second end is capped so that fuel may not flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: James D. Taylor, Robert E. Wattleworth, James L. Creehan, Anthony M. Horvath
  • Patent number: 5307991
    Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine includes a preassembled permanently mated needle and valve body group contained in a main housing assembly. The valve body group is assembled so that the maximum allowable stroke of the needle is established by a stop abutment, which is permanently attached to the valve body. An injector assembled according to the present method does not require the use of various shims in order to set the air gap. Moreover, precision grinding is not needed to establish the needle lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Scott A. Hanson, James L. Creehan, John C. Hickey