Patents by Inventor Patrick Epalle

Patrick Epalle 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: 11358732
    Abstract: A fuel tank with a venting system includes a flap for closing and opening a vent made in the tank. The flap is coupled to a float. The flap includes a valve coupled to a second float mounted in a hinged manner in the tank so that the valve adopts a closed position, being pushed by the second float when the level of fuel in the tank reaches a certain threshold, and an open venting position in order to prevent overpressure within the tank, being driven by the second float when the level of fuel is below the threshold and the force exerted by the internal pressure on the valve is less than the sum of the forces exerted on the valve by the atmospheric pressure and by the weight of the second float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Zodiac Aerotechnics
    Inventors: Patrick Epalle, Michel Vacher
  • Publication number: 20190233131
    Abstract: A fuel tank with a venting system includes a flap for closing and opening a vent made in the tank. The flap is coupled to a float. The flap includes a valve coupled to a second float mounted in a hinged manner in the tank so that the valve adopts a closed position, being pushed by the second float when the level of fuel in the tank reaches a certain threshold, and an open venting position in order to prevent overpressure within the tank, being driven by the second float when the level of fuel is below the threshold and the force exerted by the internal pressure on the valve is less than the sum of the forces exerted on the valve by the atmospheric pressure and by the weight of the second float.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Patrick Epalle, Michel Vacher
  • Patent number: 10293953
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tank for receiving fuel, said tank comprising a venting system comprising a flap for closing an opening made in the tank, said flap being subjected to a float and mounted in a hinged manner in the tank so as to adopt a closed position, pushed by the float when the level of fuel in the tank reaches a certain threshold, and an open, venting position, driven by the float when the level of fuel is below said threshold. According to the invention, the flap comprises a valve controlled by means that can open the valve when the flap is in a closed position and the level of fuel is below said threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Zodiac Aerotechnics
    Inventors: Patrick Epalle, Michel Vacher
  • Publication number: 20180009544
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tank for receiving fuel, said tank comprising a venting system comprising a flap for closing an opening made in the tank, said flap being subjected to a float and mounted in a hinged manner in the tank so as to adopt a closed position, pushed by the float when the level of fuel in the tank reaches a certain threshold, and an open, venting position, driven by the float when the level of fuel is below said threshold. According to the invention, the flap comprises a valve controlled by means that can open the valve when the flap is in a closed position and the level of fuel is below said threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: Zodiac Aerotechnics
    Inventors: Patrick Epalle, Michel Vacher