Patents by Inventor Jan B. Stephens

Jan B. Stephens 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: 5511530
    Abstract: A modular fuel line heating apparatus is shown and described. In a preferred embodiment, a length of heat tape is coupled to a feed-through device, the feed-through device being adapted to detachably attach to various fittings, depending upon the desired location of the heat tape. The heat tape may be placed in a fuel draw tube, or in a hose of the fuel line, or in both, depending on the desired configuration and severity of operating conditions. A temperature sensor is provided in the fuel line to sense a temperature of the fuel as it flows through the fuel line, the temperature sensor activating the heat tape when the temperature of the fuel drops below a minimum desired temperature, and deactivating the heat tape when a maximum desired fuel temperature is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Paccar Inc.
    Inventors: Elmore S. Buringrud, Jan B. Stephens