Patents by Inventor Michael A. Knappers

Michael A. Knappers 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: 6702383
    Abstract: An electric seat assist device having a seat pivotally secured to a base. One or more cam members extend in generally opposing relationship from the seat and base and are seated on one or more sets of rollers which are linearly adjusted to raise and lower the seat by a drive member which is pivotally mounted relative to the base and the rollers of the seat assist device. Stroke detectors are used to control motor drivingly connected to the drive member after being activated to initiate raising or lowering of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventors: Duncan Newman, Michael A. Knappers
  • Publication number: 20030090135
    Abstract: An electric seat assist device having a seat pivotally secured to a base. One or more cam members extend in generally opposing relationship from the seat and base and are seated on one or more sets of rollers which are linearly adjusted to raise and lower the seat by a drive member which is pivotally mounted relative to the base and the rollers of the seat assist device. Stroke detectors are used to control motor drivingly connected to the drive member after being activated to initiate raising or lowering of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Duncan Newman, Michael A. Knappers
  • Patent number: 6044825
    Abstract: A fuel vaporizer and method of fuel vaporization are described for use with a fuel such as propane, that is know to tend to liquefy at low temperatures and to vaporize at high temperatures. The vaporizer and method described pertain to a series of internal walls and cavities which promote heat-exchange and transfers heat from a fluid engine coolant to the fuel. The transfer of heat and vaporization of fluid occurs by virtue of movement of the fuel through a series of countercurrent passages created by the walls and cavities, with increasing cross-sectional dimensions in the passages to accomodate the expansion of fuel from the liquid to the gaseous state. The heat is transferred by conduction across a metallic interface which forms part of the vaporizer and which separates the fuel from the coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: GFI Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven A. Carter, Michael Knappers, Neil M. Khadim
  • Patent number: 5797425
    Abstract: The present invention provides a supplementary pressure regulator that can be used with conventional single or multi-stage pressure regulators. It may also conveniently be used with a novel two stage balanced pressure regulator to form a three-stage vacuum demand pressure regulation system which may be used to regulate the pressure of compressed gases used as fuel in engines, such as natural gas used in natural gas powered vehicles. The pressure regulator of the present invention is a robust, compact, high flow, low droop, low pressure drop, low set-point drift and low creep regulator which is suitable for both OEM and after market use. It is particularly useful in mono-, bi-, and dual fuel engine applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Sherex Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Carter, Michael A. Knappers
  • Patent number: 5755254
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved two-stage pressure regulators for various compressed gases, and more particularly to pressure regulators used for gaseous fuels such as compressed or liquified natural gas. The pressure regulator of the present invention is a robust, compact, high flow, low droop, low pressure drop and low creep regulator which is suitable for both OEM and aftermarket use. It can be used by itself, or with an optional third stage to provide a three stage regulator such as the atmospheric (or zero pressure differential) types commonly used to regulate the fuel pressure for gaseous carburetion systems. It is particularly useful in mono-, bi-, and dual fuel engine applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Sherex Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Carter, Michael A. Knappers