Patents by Inventor Larry VanNatta

Larry VanNatta 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: 6058963
    Abstract: A refueling valve for a motor vehicle includes a body connected to the upper wall of a fuel tank in vertical depending relationship. The body has a cover with a vapor exit passage adapted to be connected to a fuel vapor storage canister and a portion depending from the cover that has a vapor exit port that communicates with the fuel tank interior adjacent the upper wall of the fuel tank. A vent tube has one end connected to the vapor exit passage and an opposite end that communicates with the vent exit port and defines a valve seat. The vapor exit port is located with respect to the valve seat so as to separate liquid fuel particles from vapor flow during fuel fill. The valve seat is closed by a float valve when the fuel tank is full.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor L. Enge, Larry VanNatta, Manuel D. Rosas
  • Patent number: 5992441
    Abstract: A fuel vapor vent valve for a motor vehicle is connected to an upper wall of a fuel tank in vertically depending relationship. The valve has a cover with a vapor exit passage connected to a fuel vapor storage canister and a body depending from the cover. One embodiment has a vapor exit port that communicates with the fuel tank interior adjacent the upper wall of the fuel tank. A vent tube has one end connected to the vapor exit passage and an opposite end that communicates with the vent exit port and defines a valve seat. The vapor exit port is located with respect to the valve seat so as to separate liquid fuel particles from vapor flow during fuel fill. The valve seat is closed by a valve element attached to a float when the fuel tank is full. Several further embodiments of the valve have the body connected to the cover to accommodate side impacts to the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor L. Enge, Larry VanNatta, Manuel D. Rosas, Mark Osterbrink, Michael Wroblewski, Terry L. Miller
  • Patent number: 5687756
    Abstract: A refueling valve for a motor vehicle includes a body connected to the upper wall of a fuel tank in vertical depending relationship thereon and the body has a body top or cover with a vapor exit passage adapted to be connected to a fuel vapor storage canister, the body includes a portion depending from the cover that has a vapor exit port formed therein communicating with the fuel tank interior adjacent the upper wall of the fuel tank and a vent tube has one end connected to the vapor exit passage and an opposite end communicating with the vent exit port and defining a valve seat closed by a float valve during vehicle fill and wherein the vapor exit port remains open until the float valve is completely closed and wherein the vapor exit port is spaced higher than the valve seat to separate liquid fuel particles from vapor flow. In one embodiment a baffle is located on the body between the valve seat and the vapor exit port to form a liquid trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry VanNatta, Manuel D. Rosas, Terry L. Miller