Patents by Inventor John P. Wattai

John P. Wattai 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: 8529216
    Abstract: A fuel supply unit includes a fuel reservoir (22) for holding fuel. A fuel pump (18) is in the reservoir for pumping fuel from the reservoir. A jet pump assembly (16) is within the reservoir for drawing fuel from a fuel tank into the reservoir. A seal structure (24) has a flange (28) with a living hinge (31). The seal structure is operatively coupled with a housing of the jet pump assembly and disposed between the housing and a portion of the reservoir, with a portion of the flange being pivoted about the living hinge such that the portion of the flange engages an interior surface of the reservoir, providing a seal between the housing of the jet pump assembly and the interior surface of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Briggs, Jeffery John Milton, Matthias Nederegger, John P. Wattai
  • Patent number: 7748949
    Abstract: A pump unit 12 includes a pump housing 14, a pump cover 16, and an impeller 18 between the pump housing and pump cover. The pump housing and pump cover define a first channel 32 and a second channel 34 each having an inlet and an outlet. The impeller has first vanes 36 cooperating with the first channel and second vanes 38 cooperating with the second channel. The outlet of the second channel is constructed and arranged to provide fuel to an engine upon rotation of the impeller. A jet pump 38 is fluidly connected with the outlet of the first channel such that as the impeller rotates, the jet pump causes fuel to be drawn into the reservoir 37. Connecting structure 44 fluidly connects the first and second channels such that upon rotation of the impeller, fuel in the second channel flows into the first channel to prime the first channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Continential Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Wattai, Matthias A. Vogel
  • Publication number: 20090035153
    Abstract: A fuel supply unit includes a fuel reservoir (22) for holding fuel. A fuel pump (18) is in the reservoir for pumping fuel from the reservoir. A jet pump assembly (16) is within the reservoir for drawing fuel from a fuel tank into the reservoir. A seal structure (24) has a flange (28) with a living hinge (31). The seal structure is operatively coupled with a housing of the jet pump assembly and disposed between the housing and a portion of the reservoir, with a portion of the flange being pivoted about the living hinge such that the portion of the flange engages an interior surface of the reservoir, providing a seal between the housing of the jet pump assembly and the interior surface of the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Paul F. Briggs, Jeffery John Milton, Matthias Nederegger, John P. Wattai
  • Publication number: 20090025692
    Abstract: A fuel delivery module (10) for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a mounting flange (37) constructed and arranged to be mounted to an opening in a fuel tank of a vehicle. A pump and filter structure (20) is provided and includes a fuel pump (14) having an inlet and an outlet, and a fuel filter (22) surrounding at least a portion of the fuel pump for filtering fuel exiting the outlet of the pump. A crimp connection (27) couples the pump and filter structure to the flange. An electrical connector (34) is provided through the flange and is constructed and arranged so as not to be exposed to fluid pressure of the module. The electrical connector is electrically connected to the fuel pump. A fuel regulator (28) is coupled to the pump and filter structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Wattai, Brandon J. Goll
  • Publication number: 20090025691
    Abstract: A reservoir-less fuel delivery module (10) for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a flange (26) constructed and arranged to be mounted to an opening in a fuel tank of a vehicle. The module includes a pump and filter structure (20) having a fuel pump (14) and a fuel filter (24) surrounding at least a portion of the fuel pump for filtering fuel exiting the fuel pump. The module includes a mounting member (30) to which the pump and filter structure is mounted. Clip structure (34) couples the mounting member to the flange so that the pump is decoupled from the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Wattai, Brandon J. Goll
  • Publication number: 20080042436
    Abstract: A flange structure (10) is provided for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle. The flange structure includes at least one electrically conductive fuel port (16?) having a periphery and first and second ends (22, 23). The first end (22) includes first barb structure (28). A plastic flange (20?) is overmolded on at least a portion of the periphery of the fuel port between the first and second ends. A portion of the flange overmolded on the portion of the periphery of the fuel port defines fitting structure (25) having second barb structure (27). A hose (30) is coupled with the first end of the fuel port and with the fitting structure with the first and second barb structures engaging the hose thereby by preventing fuel or fuel vapor from passing between the periphery of the fuel port and the overmolded flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Parag Athalye, Matthias Nederegger, Stephane Seps, John P. Wattai
  • Publication number: 20080042437
    Abstract: A flange structure 10? for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle includes at least one non-electrically conductive plastic fuel port (16?) having first and second ends. A non-electrically conductive plastic flange (20?) is integral with the fuel port between the first and second ends. The flange is constructed and arranged to be coupled with a fuel tank of a vehicle. Electrically conductive grounding structure (32) is associated with the fuel port and has an elongated portion (36) extending within the fuel port so as to be exposed to fuel, and an end (40) connected with the elongated portion. An electrically conductive hose (30) is coupled with the first end of the fuel port and is in contact with the end of the grounding structure thereby defining a discharge path such that static electricity generated when fuel flows through the fuel port can be dissipated through the discharge path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Parag Athalye, John P. Wattai, Matthias Nederegger, Stephane Seps
  • Publication number: 20080011277
    Abstract: A flange structure (10?) for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle includes at least one electrically conductive fuel port (16?) having first and second ends (22, 24). A plastic flange (20?) is overmolded on at least a portion of the fuel port between the first and second ends. The flange is constructed and arranged to be coupled with a fuel tank of a vehicle. A welded connection (26) is provided between the fuel port and the plastic flange defining a barrier to prevent fuel or fuel vapor from passing between the periphery of the fuel port and the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Parag Athalye, John P. Wattai, Stephane Seps, Matthias Nederegger, Darren Matthew Berger
  • Publication number: 20070251508
    Abstract: A pump unit 12 includes a pump housing 14, a pump cover 16, and an impeller 18 between the pump housing and pump cover. The pump housing and pump cover define a first channel 32 and a second channel 34 each having an inlet and an outlet. The impeller has first vanes 36 cooperating with the first channel and second vanes 38 cooperating with the second channel. The outlet of the second channel is constructed and arranged to provide fuel to an engine upon rotation of the impeller. A jet pump 38 is fluidly connected with the outlet of the first channel such that as the impeller rotates, the jet pump causes fuel to be drawn into the reservoir 37. Connecting structure 44 fluidly connects the first and second channels such that upon rotation of the impeller, fuel in the second channel flows into the first channel to prime the first channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Wattai, Matthias A. Vogel