Patents by Inventor John E. Otto

John E. Otto 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: 5305908
    Abstract: A compartmentalized tank divided into a plurality of compartments are fluidly connected to a filling chamber wherein the filling chamber has an overflow fluid passage to each of the plurality of compartments and a fluid channel elevationally below the overflow fluid passage which conducts fluid flow during filling of the compartments but does not conduct fluid flow between the compartments when the tank is improperly oriented. Each of the plurality of compartments may include an orientation restrictive air vent, such as one formed by an elongated air channel positioned to reduce the loss of fluid in the event the tank is tipped on its side. The fluid channel has a plurality of orifices for conducting fluid flow from the filling chamber to the plurality of compartments which prevent fluid loss when a compartment is damaged.In another embodiment, the tank includes a supply line and a return line in each compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John E. Otto, Allen C. Bieber, Ronald H. Till
  • Patent number: 5186352
    Abstract: A compartmentalized tank divided into a plurality of compartments are fluidly connected to a filling chamber wherein the filling chamber has an overflow fluid passage to each of the plurality of compartments and a fluid channel elevationally below the overflow fluid passage which conducts fluid flow during filling of the compartments but does not conduct fluid flow between the compartments when the tank is improperly oriented. Each of the plurality of compartments may include an orientation restrictive air vent, such as one formed by an elongated air channel positioned to reduce the loss of fluid in the event the tank is tipped on its side. The fluid channel has a plurality of orifices for conducting fluid flow from the filling chamber to the plurality of compartments which prevent fluid loss when a compartment is damaged.In another embodiment, the tank includes a supply line and a return line in each compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John E. Otto, Allen C. Bieber, Ronald H. Till