Patents by Inventor Lawrence A. Staat

Lawrence A. Staat 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: 9752539
    Abstract: A vapor purge system for an engine, includes a purge valve having a housing including an input port in communication with a purge canister and including an output port in communication with an intake system component defining a first bore portion receiving the output port with a first seal member disposed therebetween. The intake system component includes a second bore portion receiving a housing portion of the purge valve with a second seal member disposed therebetween. The first and second seal members are spaced such that when the housing is pulled away from the intake system component and the first seal member is out of engagement between the first bore and the output port, the second seal member can remain in engagement so that a diagnostic module can diagnose detachment of the purge valve from the intake system before any hydrocarbon vapor can be released into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Darrell W. Burleigh, Sergio Quelhas, Lawrence A. Staat, Kenneth C. Swartz
  • Publication number: 20160369714
    Abstract: A vapor purge system for an engine, includes a purge valve having a housing including an input port in communication with a purge canister and including an output port in communication with an intake system component defining a first bore portion receiving the output port with a first seal member disposed therebetween. The intake system component includes a second bore portion receiving a housing portion of the purge valve with a second seal member disposed therebetween. The first and second seal members are spaced such that when the housing is pulled away from the intake system component and the first seal member is out of engagement between the first bore and the output port, the second seal member can remain in engagement so that a diagnostic module can diagnose detachment of the purge valve from the intake system before any hydrocarbon vapor can be released into the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Darrell W. BURLEIGH, Sergio QUELHAS, Lawrence A. STAAT, Kenneth C. SWARTZ
  • Patent number: 7591173
    Abstract: A process is provided for monitoring the filter restriction level of a filter element. The filter element is utilized by an air induction system deployed on a vehicle that includes a mass air flow sensor, a manifold pressure sensor, and a throttle position sensor. The process includes receiving (i) throttle position from the throttle position sensor, (ii) mass flow rate from the mass air flow sensor, and (iii) manifold pressure from the manifold pressure sensor. A reference pressure is determined from the received mass flow rate and the received throttle position, a pressure differential is established between the reference pressure and the received manifold pressure, and a filter restriction level is identified from the established pressure differential and the received mass flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Benscoter, Lawrence A. Staat, Dennis P. Stenson, Steven J. Mc Cormick, Roger G. Van Vechten
  • Publication number: 20080229720
    Abstract: A process is provided for monitoring the filter restriction level of a filter element. The filter element is utilized by an air induction system deployed on a vehicle that includes a mass air flow sensor, a manifold pressure sensor, and a throttle position sensor. The process includes receiving (i) throttle position from the throttle position sensor, (ii) mass flow rate from the mass air flow sensor, and (iii) manifold pressure from the manifold pressure sensor. A reference pressure is determined from the received mass flow rate and the received throttle position, a pressure differential is established between the reference pressure and the received manifold pressure, and a filter restriction level is identified from the established pressure differential and the received mass flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Scott J. Benscoter, Lawrence A. Staat, Dennis P. Stenson, Steven J. Mc Cormick, Roger G. Van Vechten
  • Patent number: 6056297
    Abstract: An intermediate shaft seal for installation at an opening in a dash panel of a vehicle remove extra space includes an inner shell, an overmold and a bushing assembly. The bushing assembly includes a pair of bushings and is disposed within the inner shell to rotatably support an intermediate shaft of a steering column of a vehicle. The inner shell includes a rigid base plate and sealing ridges for mounting against a dash panel of a vehicle and providing a seal against water, fumes and dirt intrusion. The overmold engages locking features on the inner shell and forms air gaps therebetween cooperating with the sealing ridges and bushings to establish a sound attenuating structure. The inner shell and the overmold include cooperating sinuous shaped sections allowing angular flexibility of the seal for installation in various model vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Lee Harkrader, Richard E. Jayroe, Lawrence A. Staat