Patents by Inventor Matthew Lorenz Erdmann

Matthew Lorenz Erdmann 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: 9139084
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a fuel tank for a small engine includes a housing. A membrane is supported by the housing such that the membrane covers a housing opening. The membrane allows the passage of vapor through the membrane and into the housing cavity and prevents the passage of liquid through the membrane. A pressure relief valve is supported by the housing to control flow of a vapor through the housing cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Lorenz Erdmann, Vaughn Kevin Mills
  • Patent number: 8968448
    Abstract: An emissions device for use with a container assembly with a vent opening is provided. The emissions device includes a housing configured to be mounted to the container. The housing includes a backing plate that has at least one opening. A membrane is supported by the backing plate and extends over the opening. The membrane is configured to allow passage of vapor and prevent passage of liquid. A filter is located within the housing such that vapor that passes from the at least one opening through the membrane then passes through the filter. At least one spring is positioned within the housing and is configured to compress the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Lorenz Erdmann
  • Publication number: 20140290628
    Abstract: A system for containing liquid and venting vapor includes a liquid containment tank having an interior space. A first conduit is external to and operatively connected with the tank. The first conduit has a first internal passage fluidly communicable with the interior space. A second conduit is external to the tank, and has a second internal passage. A liquid vapor discriminating (LVD) valve is external to the tank and has a housing defining an inlet connected to the first conduit, an outlet connected to the second conduit, and an internal housing cavity. The valve includes a membrane filter positioned in the internal housing cavity between the inlet and the outlet. The membrane filter is configured to prevent the passage of liquid through the membrane and allow the passage of vapor through the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Vaughn Kevin Mills, Matthew Lorenz Erdmann
  • Patent number: 8763635
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing. A membrane supported by the housing such that the membrane covers a vapor passage defined by the housing. The membrane allows the passage of vapor through the membrane and prevents the passage of liquid through the membrane. A flow control feature is supported by the housing and at least partially controls flow of a vapor to the vapor passage. The flow control feature enables variable flow of vapor to the vapor passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Lorenz Erdmann
  • Publication number: 20130269804
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a fuel tank for a small engine includes a housing. A membrane is supported by the housing such that the membrane covers a housing opening. The membrane allows the passage of vapor through the membrane and into the housing cavity and prevents the passage of liquid through the membrane. A pressure relief valve is supported by the housing to control flow of a vapor through the housing cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Matthew Lorenz Erdmann, Vaughn Kevin Mills
  • Patent number: 8485214
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a fuel tank for a small engine includes a housing. A membrane is supported by the housing such that the membrane covers a housing opening. The membrane allows the passage of vapor through the membrane and into the housing cavity and prevents the passage of liquid through the membrane. A pressure relief valve is supported by the housing to control flow of a vapor through the housing cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Lorenz Erdmann, Vaughn Kevin Mills
  • Publication number: 20120305099
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing. A membrane supported by the housing such that the membrane covers a vapor passage defined by the housing. The membrane allows the passage of vapor through the membrane and prevents the passage of liquid through the membrane. A flow control feature is supported by the housing and at least partially controls flow of a vapor to the vapor passage. The flow control feature enables variable flow of vapor to the vapor passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Lorenz Erdmann
  • Publication number: 20120297983
    Abstract: An emissions device for use with a container assembly with a vent opening is provided. The emissions device includes a housing configured to be mounted to the container. The housing includes a backing plate that has at least one opening. A membrane is supported by the backing plate and extends over the opening. The membrane is configured to allow passage of vapor and prevent passage of liquid. A filter is located within the housing such that vapor that passes from the at least one opening through the membrane then passes through the filter. At least one spring is positioned within the housing and is configured to compress the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Lorenz Erdmann
  • Patent number: 8272398
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a fuel tank includes a housing. A membrane supported by the housing such that the membrane covers a vapor passage defined by the housing. The membrane allows the passage of vapor through the membrane and prevents the passage of liquid through the membrane. A flow control feature is supported by the housing to assist in controlling flow of a vapor through the membrane and the vapor passage. The flow control feature assists in controlling flow by one of shielding liquid from the membrane and providing variable flow through the vapor passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Lorenz Erdmann
  • Patent number: 8261947
    Abstract: An emissions device for use with a portable fuel container assembly is provided. The emissions device includes an emissions housing configured to be mounted to the portable fuel container. The emissions housing defines at least one device opening. A membrane is supported by the emissions housing and allows the passage of the vapor and prevents the passage of a liquid. An emissions filter is also located within the emissions housing and is located such that vapor exiting through the device opening must pass the emissions filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Lorenz Erdmann
  • Publication number: 20110168715
    Abstract: A fuel tank cap for use with a fuel storage tank includes: a vapor storage receptacle; a purge path in fluid communication with the vapor storage receptacle; and a liquid discriminating membrane configured to be disposed at least in part between the vapor storage receptacle and fuel in the fuel storage tank. A fuel storage system includes: a fuel storage tank; a fill inlet connected to the fuel storage tank; and a fuel tank cap. The fuel tank cap includes: a vapor storage receptacle; a purge path in fluid communication with the vapor storage receptacle; and a liquid discriminating membrane configured to be disposed at least in part between the vapor storage receptacle and fuel in the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Lorenz Erdmann, Vaughn K. Mills
  • Publication number: 20110088662
    Abstract: A venting valve comprises a cover including a flow path in fluid communication with an evaporative emissions system and a liquid discriminating and vapor permeable membrane connected to the cover. At least a portion of the outer surface of the membrane comprises a plurality of alternating curved crests and valleys. In other embodiments, the membrane comprises a first and second layer defining a gap therebetween, wherein at least a portion of the membrane is spirally wound. In other embodiments, the venting valve includes at least one protrusion configured to support and shape the membrane, wherein at least a portion of the membrane is curved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Lorenz Erdmann
  • Publication number: 20100319789
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a fuel tank for a small engine includes a housing. A membrane is supported by the housing such that the membrane covers a housing opening. The membrane allows the passage of vapor through the membrane and into the housing cavity and prevents the passage of liquid through the membrane. A pressure relief valve is supported by the housing to control flow of a vapor through the housing cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Lorenz Erdmann, Vaughn Kevin Mills
  • Publication number: 20100294379
    Abstract: An emissions device for use with a portable fuel container assembly is provided. The emissions device includes an emissions housing configured to be mounted to the portable fuel container. The emissions housing defines at least one device opening. A membrane is supported by the emissions housing and allows the passage of the vapor and prevents the passage of a liquid. An emissions filter is also located within the emissions housing and is located such that vapor exiting through the device opening must pass the emissions filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Lorenz Erdmann
  • Publication number: 20100236640
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a fuel tank includes a housing. A membrane supported by the housing such that the membrane covers a vapor passage defined by the housing. The membrane allows the passage of vapor through the membrane and prevents the passage of liquid through the membrane. A flow control feature is supported by the housing to assist in controlling flow of a vapor through the membrane and the vapor passage. The flow control feature assists in controlling flow by one of shielding liquid from the membrane and providing variable flow through the vapor passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Matthew Lorenz Erdmann