Patents by Inventor Michael J. Connor

Michael J. Connor 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).

  • Publication number: 20090250402
    Abstract: One embodiment is a filter element including an outer filter media and an inner filter media. The outer filter media is operable to remove particulates present in a flow of fluid and/or coalesce water contained in the flow of fluid. The inner filter media is operable to remove particulates from the flow of fluid, separate water form the flow of fluid, and remove particulates from the flow of fluid. Other embodiments include unique apparatus, devices, systems, and methods relating to fuel filters and filtration. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits of the present application shall become apparent from the detailed description and figures included herewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP INC.
    Inventors: Zemin Jiang, Melvin Douglas McCormick, David P. Genter, Norman C. Blizard, Jeffrey A. Husband, Michael J. Connor, Wassem Abdalla, Barry M. Verdegan
  • Publication number: 20090193972
    Abstract: A dual stage coalescer includes a separator in a separator chamber separating gas and liquid by inertial impaction, and a coalescer filter element in a coalescer chamber separating gas and liquid by coalescence. A transfer tube extends between the separator chamber and a downstream subchamber in the coalescer chamber at the downstream face of the coalescer filter element, and supplies pre-separated liquid from the separator chamber through the transfer tube to the noted downstream subchamber as driven by pressure differential between the separator chamber and the downstream subchamber, to eliminate a dedicated housing drain outlet from the separator chamber. The coalescer may provide a crankcase ventilation filter for an internal combustion engine having blowby gas containing an air-oil mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Brian W. Schwandt, Christopher E. Holm, Mark V. Holzmann, Michael J. Connor
  • Patent number: 7540895
    Abstract: A filter includes a housing with multiple flow passages and filter elements, including at least first and second flow passages therethrough including respective first and second filter elements in parallel. Respective internal dividing walls separate flow passages in space saving relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Furseth, Michael J. Connor
  • Publication number: 20090113862
    Abstract: A filter includes a housing with multiple flow passages and filter elements providing volume-efficient bottom-in, top-out flow or top-in, bottom-out flow. In another embodiment, parallel filtering flow paths are provided with multiple filter elements having respective overlapped sections axially aligned, with at least one filter element having a radial extension section non-axially aligned with another of the filter elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Michael J. Connor, Michael J. Frame, Gary L. Rickle
  • Publication number: 20090025662
    Abstract: A crankcase ventilation system for an internal combustion engine has a jet pump suctioning scavenged separated oil from the oil outlet of an air/oil separator and pumping same to the crankcase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Peter K. Herman, Michael J. Connor, Christopher E. Holm, Mark V. Holzmann
  • Publication number: 20080203614
    Abstract: A filter includes a filter element formed of filter media, and a plastic framework molded and bonded to and structurally supporting the filter media. One embodiment desirably provides a two-component assembly consisting solely of two components, namely the filter media and the plastic framework molded thereon. In a further embodiment, the plastic framework includes a resilient seal integrally molded therewith and of the same plastic material thereof, eliminating a separate component for the seal. In a further embodiment, a filter combination includes a primary filter element and a secondary filter element. In a further embodiment, a resilient integrally molded seal is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Fleetguard, Inc., an Indiana corporation
    Inventors: Mark V. Holzmann, Kelly Ann Detra, Jim L. Alonzo, Chirag D. Parikh, Gregory J. Schoenmann, Michael J. Connor, Gary L. Rickle, Barry M. Verdegan
  • Patent number: 7413588
    Abstract: A filter includes a filter element formed of filter media, and a plastic framework molded and bonded to and structurally supporting the filter media. One embodiment desirably provides a two-component assembly consisting solely of two components, namely the filter media and the plastic framework molded thereon. In a further embodiment, the plastic framework includes a resilient seal integrally molded therewith and of the same plastic material thereof, eliminating a separate component for the seal. In a further embodiment, a filter combination includes a primary filter element and a secondary filter element. In a further embodiment, a resilient integrally. molded seal is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark V. Holzmann, Kelly Ann Detra, Jim L. Alonzo, Chirag D. Parikh, Gregory J. Schoenmann, Michael J. Connor, Gary L. Rickle, Barry M. Verdegan
  • Publication number: 20080179236
    Abstract: A filter with installation integrity permits fluid flow only in a first installation condition and not in a second undesired or mis-installation condition, including improper alignment or mounting of a filter element in a housing, an incorrect replacement filter element, absence of a filter element, and an incorrect housing cover. A magnetically actuated valve has a piston controlling fluid flow according to installation condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Mark T. Wieczorek, Chad M. Thomas, Mark V. Holzmann, Peter K, Herman, Jeffrey A. Husband, Hendrik N. Amirkhanian, Michael J. Connor
  • Patent number: 7303083
    Abstract: A filter element support tube has a pair of axially extending spines and first and second sets of oppositely laterally extending half-rings axially offset from each other. The support tube is efficiently manufacturable, and desirably provides a constant diameter along its axial length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Gildas Le Men, Robert A. Bannister, Michael J. Connor, Michael R. Furseth
  • Patent number: 7294161
    Abstract: A filter includes a filter element mounted to a base and having first and second end caps spaced axially along an axis. Fluid to be filtered flows laterally through the filter element and axially through a hollow interior and through an axial flow opening of the second end cap. The filter element is mounted to the base solely by the second end cap in rotational relationship independently of the first end cap, eliminating the third component traditionally needed for mounting a housing cover to the base and enclosing and/or sealing and/or retaining the filter element in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Connor, Michael R. Furseth
  • Publication number: 20070191025
    Abstract: A device, method and system for locating and/or monitoring a person or thing. The system may include a locating device for determining global position, a remote device for initiating a location or monitoring request and a central controller for communicating with each of the locating device and the remote device. Remote devices may include cellular phones, telephones, email devices and internet devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Jennifer K. McBrierty, Tracy L. Alves, Michael J. Connors, Gavin Teale, John Ho
  • Patent number: 7247183
    Abstract: A filter is provided by a panel filter element having a perimeter gasket having sealing planes axially between inlet and outlet axial ends of the panel filter element and having a merge point with the panel filter element axially between the sealing planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: FleetGuard, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Connor, Michael R. Furseth, Michael J. Frame, Paul B. Rear
  • Patent number: 7217361
    Abstract: A filter includes first and second axially spaced end caps having filter media extending axially between the end caps and extending in a closed-loop around a perimeter defining a hollow interior communicating with an axial flow opening through one of the end caps. One or more columns extend axially in the hollow interior between the end caps and are laterally spaced from the axial flow opening and have hollow sub-interiors for receiving one or more posts extending axially thereinto from a base for mounting the filter to the base in axial compression and with a wiper seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Connor, Rebecca Beier, Jessie Alan Knight, Michael E. Yost, Edwin A. Castellanos, Gary L. Rickle
  • Patent number: 7063730
    Abstract: A filter includes a filter element mounted to a base and having first and second end caps spaced axially along an axis. Fluid to be filtered flows laterally through the filter element and axially through a hollow interior and through an axial flow opening of the second end cap. The filter element is mounted to the base solely by the second end cap independently of the first end cap, eliminating the need for a third component traditionally needed for mounting a housing cover to the base and enclosing and/or sealing and/or retaining the filter element in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Connor, Rebecca Beier, Mark V. Holzmann, Robert A. Bannister, Michael R. Furseth
  • Patent number: 6641637
    Abstract: An open flow fluid filter has a pleated main filter element having a plurality of pleats in a closed loop having an outer perimeter defined by a plurality of outer pleat tips, and an inner perimeter defined by a plurality of inner pleat tips. The loop has a hollow interior extending along an axis. Fluid to be filtered flows through the main filter element from an upstream dirty side to a downstream clean side, and flows axially in the hollow interior. The main filter element has an axial flow passage extending along the axis and circumscribing the hollow interior and has a flow perimeter greater than the inner perimeter. A safety filter element downstream of the main filter element filters both the axial flow in the hollow interior and additional flow between the flow perimeter and the inner perimeter. A filter with additional flow is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Nelson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent J. Kallsen, Tadeusz Jaroszczyk, Stephen L. Fallon, Z. Gerald Liu, Jerald J. Moy, Jeffrey S. Morgan, Michael J. Connor, Scott P. Heckel, Jon S. Wake
  • Patent number: 6569219
    Abstract: An air filter element has a cylindrical filter media sleeve axially slidable along and around an inner liner from either axial end of the sleeve. First and second end caps at distally opposite axial ends of the liner and sleeve each have a central aperture, the aperture in the first end cap providing air flow therethrough in communication with the hollow interior of the liner, the aperture in the second end cap retaining a closing cover. The cylindrical filter media sleeve extends axially along the inner liner and is axially retained between the cover and the first end cap. The cover is removably mounted to the second end cap in snap-in relation and axially retains the sleeve on the inner liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Nelson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Connor, Kent J. Kallsen, Rebecca A. Beier, Carl P. Harris, Mark V. Holzmann, Robert A. Bannister
  • Patent number: 6568540
    Abstract: A filter (12) has a resiliently compressible thermally and chemically resistive combined unitary frame and gasket member (22) extending along its perimeter (18) and supporting a filter media element (16) and sealed to both the filter media element and the housing (20). One or more flange portions (34, 72, 94, 96, 118, 130) have one or more hollow channels (36, 74, 90, 92, 120, 132) deformed by engagement with the housing and reducing required closure force of the housing thereagainst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Nelson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark V. Holzmann, Michael J. Connor, Robert A. Bannister
  • Publication number: 20020152732
    Abstract: An open flow fluid filter has a pleated main filter element having a plurality of pleats in a closed loop having an outer perimeter defined by a plurality of outer pleat tips, and an inner perimeter defined by a plurality of inner pleat tips. The loop has a hollow interior extending along an axis. Fluid to be filtered flows through the main filter element from an upstream dirty side to a downstream clean side, and flows axially in the hollow interior. The main filter element has an axial flow passage extending along the axis and circumscribing the hollow interior and has a flow perimeter greater than the inner perimeter. A safety filter element downstream of the main filter element filters both the axial flow in the hollow interior and additional flow between the flow perimeter and the inner perimeter. A filter with additional flow is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Kent J. Kallsen, Tadeusz Jaroszczyk, Stephen L. Fallon, Z. Gerald Liu, Jerald J. Moy, Jeffrey S. Morgan, Michael J. Connor, Scott P. Heckel, Jon S. Wake
  • Patent number: 6416561
    Abstract: An open flow fluid filter has a pleated main filter element having a plurality of pleats in a closed loop having an outer perimeter defined by a plurality of outer pleat tips, and an inner perimeter defined by a plurality of inner pleat tips. The loop has a hollow interior extending along an axis. Fluid to be filtered flows through the main filter element from an upstream dirty side to a downstream clean side, and flows axially in the hollow interior. The main filter element has an axial flow passage extending along the axis and circumscribing the hollow interior and has a flow perimeter greater than the inner perimeter. A safety filter element downstream of the main filter element filters both the axial flow in the hollow interior and additional flow between the flow perimeter and the inner perimeter. A filter with additional flow is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Nelson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent J. Kallsen, Tadeusz Jaroszczyk, Stephen L. Fallon, Z. Gerald Liu, Jerald J. Moy, Jeffrey S. Morgan, Michael J. Connor, Scott P. Heckel, Jon S. Wake
  • Patent number: 6391076
    Abstract: A full flow fluid filter (300, FIG. 15) has a housing (302) extending axially along an axis (304), and a pleated filter element (318) having a plurality of pleats in a closed loop annulus having an outer perimeter (320) defined by a plurality of outer pleat tips, an inner perimeter (322) defined by a plurality of inner pleat tips, and a hollow interior (324) extending along the axis. Fluid flows substantially directly axially through the filter element, with minimal bending and change of direction, minimizing flow restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Nelson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadeusz Jaroszczyk, Stephen L. Fallon, Michael J. Connor, Kent J. Kallsen, Jeffrey S. Morgan, Scott P. Heckel