Patents by Inventor Patrick Ganachaud

Patrick Ganachaud 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: 8347914
    Abstract: System for filling a tank comprising a pipe head and a fill pipe extending between the pipe head and the tank. The pipe head comprises a chamber with an inlet opening that connects to the atmosphere and an outlet opening that connects to the fill pipe and a stopper being movable between open and closed positions to open or close the access to the fill pipe, the head inlet and outlet openings being sized and arranged to allow introduction of a filling nozzle into the fill pipe through the pipe head when the stopper is in its open position. The fill pipe comprises or is preceded by a local restriction designed so that the cross section of the passage for the nozzle is substantially reduced to the outer diameter of the nozzle. A degassing connection links the fill pipe and the pipe head outside of its outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Société Anonyme)
    Inventors: Hervé Runarvot, Patrick Ganachaud, Mickaël Charrier
  • Publication number: 20100147404
    Abstract: System for filling a tank comprising a pipe head and a fill pipe extending between the pipe head and the tank. The pipe head comprises a chamber with an inlet opening that connects to the atmosphere and an outlet opening that connects to the fill pipe and a stopper being movable between open and closed positions to open or close the access to the fill pipe, the head inlet and outlet openings being sized and arranged to allow introduction of a filling nozzle into the fill pipe through the pipe head when the stopper is in its open position. The fill pipe comprises or is preceded by a local restriction designed so that the cross section of the passage for the nozzle is substantially reduced to the outer diameter of the nozzle. A degassing connection links the fill pipe and the pipe head outside of its outlet opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Hervé Runarvot, Patrick Ganachaud, Michaël Charrier
  • Patent number: 7318462
    Abstract: A closure device for a filler pipe of a tank intended to contain a liquid, the device including a valve that includes a valve body in communication with the pipe and a plug that can be moved in the valve body between a closed position and an open position of the valve. The body of the valve includes an inlet opening closed off by a flap that can be moved between an open position and a closed position, and an outlet opening. The flap is connected to the plug by a coupling such that a thrust exerted on the flap by a tubular end of a nozzle for admitting liquid into the tank causes the flap to tilt into the valve body and the plug to rotate, placing a cylindrical opening in the plug in alignment with inlet and outlet openings in the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Société Anonyme)
    Inventor: Patrick Ganachaud
  • Publication number: 20070074785
    Abstract: A closure device for a filler pipe of a tank intended to contain a liquid, the device including a valve that includes a valve body in communication with the pipe and a plug that can be moved in the valve body between a closed position and an open position of the valve. The body of the valve includes an inlet opening closed off by a flap that can be moved between an open position and a closed position, and an outlet opening. The flap is connected to the plug by a coupling such that a thrust exerted on the flap by a tubular end of a nozzle for admitting liquid into the tank causes the flap to tilt in the casing of the valve and the plug to rotate, placing a cylindrical opening in the plug in alignment with inlet and outlet openings in the valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: INERGY AUTO. SYSTEMS RESEARCH (SOCIETE ANONYME)
    Inventor: Patrick Ganachaud
  • Publication number: 20070068595
    Abstract: A fuel tank system includes a fill tube in communication with a tank; and a sealing device in the fill tube. A vent valve is mounted on the tank, the vent valve being open during a filling operation of the tank with a fuel and during periods of normal use of the tank. A vent pipe has a first end connected to the tank and with a second end in communication with the fill tube. The vent pipe is configured to allow vapors to escape from the tank without creating a substantial over pressure inside the tank so that the filling operation takes place without pressure in the tank, and the vent valve is open during the filling operation without pressure in the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: INERGY AUTO. SYSTEMS RESEARCH (SOCIETE ANONYME)
    Inventor: Patrick Ganachaud
  • Patent number: 7191810
    Abstract: Sealing and safety device made from flexible elastomer material, for filing a hollow body with a liquid using a delivery nozzle, which includes an annular seal for surrounding the nozzle and preventing the exit of gases from the hollow body and also a valve capable of opening, in the event of excess overpressure in the hollow body, only towards the external atmosphere so as to create a passage allowing the escape of liquid and/or of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Société Anonyme)
    Inventors: Patrick Ganachaud, Jacques Covet
  • Patent number: 7168466
    Abstract: Fuel safety system, made of plastic, comprising a liquid fuel tank equipped with a fill tube provided with a guide for a delivery nozzle, which includes a sealing device, a normally-open float valve, for degassing and venting the tank, and a vapour breather pipe that also fixes the maximum level of liquid in the tank, the pipe connecting the top of this tank to a point located downstream of the sealing device and being completely located inside both the tank and the fill tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research
    Inventors: Patrick Ganachaud, Jacques Covet
  • Patent number: 7152638
    Abstract: A fuel tank system includes a fill tube in communication with a tank, and a nozzle guide having surfaces oriented so as to guide a nozzle spout in the nozzle tube during a filling operation of said tank with a fuel. The system also includes a sealing device in the fill tube downstream from the nozzle guide, wherein the sealing device includes at least one lip configured to contact an outer surface of said nozzle spout during said filling operation that seals the fill tube from an outside environment during the filling operation. A vent valve is mounted on the tank, the vent valve being open during the filling operation and during periods of normal use of the tank and being closed at least when the tank is upside down or when the fuel reaches a predetermined level in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventor: Patrick Ganachaud
  • Publication number: 20060266415
    Abstract: Valve for the venting circuit of a liquid tank, said valve containing: a) a chamber (3) which opens into the tank and is connected via an aperture to the venting circuit; b) a float containing a head provided with a needle and able to slide vertically inside the chamber; and c) a closure member for closing off the venting aperture and itself having an aperture that can be closed off by the needle of the float, the closure member having a flexible seal which is capable of moving substantially vertically relative to the head of the float, said head being provided with a device for limiting the movement of the seal
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Applicant: INERGY AUTO. SYSTEMS RESEARCH (SOCIETE ANONYME)
    Inventors: Patrick Ganachaud, Thierry Rouxel, Vincent Cuvelier
  • Publication number: 20060169356
    Abstract: Sealing and safety device for filling a hollow body with a liquid Sealing and safety device made from flexible elastomer material, for filling a hollow body with a liquid using a delivery nozzle, comprising an annular seal for surrounding the nozzle and preventing the exit of gases from the hollow body and also a valve capable of opening, in the event of excess overpressure in the hollow body, only towards the external atmosphere so as to create a passage allowing the escape of liquid and/or of gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Applicant: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH (SA)
    Inventors: Patrick Ganachaud, Jacques Covet
  • Patent number: 7082973
    Abstract: Sealing and safety device made from flexible elastomer material, for filling a hollow body with a liquid using a delivery nozzle, comprising an annular seal for surrounding the nozzle and preventing the exit of gases from the hollow body and also a valve capable of opening, in the event of excess overpressure in the hollow body, only towards the external atmosphere so as to create a passage allowing the escape of liquid and/or of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Inergy Automative Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Patrick Ganachaud, Jacques Covet
  • Publication number: 20050205156
    Abstract: Fuel safety system, made of plastic, comprising a liquid fuel tank equipped with a fill tube provided with a guide for a delivery nozzle, which includes a sealing device, a normally-open float valve, for degassing and venting the tank, and a vapour breather pipe that also fixes the maximum level of liquid in the tank, the pipe connecting the top of this tank to a point located downstream of the sealing device and being completely located inside both the tank and the fill tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Patrick Ganachaud, Jacques Covet
  • Publication number: 20050205160
    Abstract: Sealing and safety device made from flexible elastomer material, for filling a hollow body with a liquid using a delivery nozzle, comprising an annular seal for surrounding the nozzle and preventing the exit of gases from the hollow body and also a valve capable of opening, in the event of excess overpressure in the hollow body, only towards the external atmosphere so as to create a passage allowing the escape of liquid and/or of gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: Inergy Auto. Systems Research SA
    Inventors: Patrick Ganachaud, Jacques Covet
  • Publication number: 20040144443
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic fuel safety system comprising (i) a liquid fuel tank which is fitted with a filler pipe that is equipped with a guide for a supply gun comprising a sealing device, (ii) a float valve, which is normally open, for the degassing and venting of the tank and (iii) a pipe for channelling the vapours and for fixing the maximum level of the liquid in the tank, said pipe connecting the upper part of the tank with an area located downstream of the sealing device. The invention also relates to a tank for a vehicle which is fitted with one such safety system and to an end plug for the filler pipe which, when in closed position, isolates the tank degassing and venting circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Patrick Ganachaud
  • Patent number: 6532983
    Abstract: Combination of a float valve for venting a fuel tank allowing venting in the inclined position, preventing the ejection of liquid, fulfilling the OPD and ROV functions and the function of degassing during filling, and of a capacity equipped with a draining system capable of trapping small quantities of liquid fuel entrained with the gases and of returning them to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Management
    Inventor: Patrick Ganachaud
  • Publication number: 20020011265
    Abstract: Combination of a float valve for venting a fuel tank allowing venting in the inclined position, preventing the ejection of liquid, fulfilling the OPD and ROV functions and the function of degassing during filling, and of a capacity equipped with a draining system capable of trapping small quantities of liquid fuel entrained with the gases and of returning them to the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventor: Patrick Ganachaud
  • Patent number: 6336466
    Abstract: System for the venting of a liquid tank, comprising a float valve, arranged in the tank, in communication with a pipe forming one end of a venting circuit, and a closed volume internal to the tank and provided with an emptying device, the closed volume functioning as a capacity intended for collecting any possible entrainments of liquid coming from the tank, the valve being located outside the volume of the capacity and being connected to the latter by means of the pipe of the venting circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Solvay
    Inventors: Patrick Ganachaud, Serge Percebois
  • Patent number: 6269832
    Abstract: Degassing circuit for a liquid tank, including a degassing duct connecting the upper part of the tank to a higher point, close to the upper end of the filling duct, via a section in the form of a syphon and a liquid/gas separating volume provided at its base with a device for purging the liquid phase present in the degassing duct, in which the purging device brings the degassing duct into communication with the filling duct and is combined with a device creating a Venturi effect conducive, when filling, to purging the liquid phase present in the degassing duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Pierric Besnard, Alain Iribarne, Patrick Ganachaud
  • Patent number: 6230732
    Abstract: Safety valve for venting a liquid tank, comprising means for ventilating the tank, including when the latter is inclined, for preventing liquid from being ejected if the tank is inclined or if waves of liquid are produced, for automatically closing in the event of inversion, for adjusting the useful volume and for allowing gas to escape during filling. As a preference, it also comprises means for ventilating it in the event of a depression or overpressure. The valve is characterized in that a flexible seal equips the seat of a valve element. As a preference, the head of the valve also comprises means for preventing dirt from getting into the tank. The valve is well suited to fuel tanks for diesel-engine motor cars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Solvay, S.A.
    Inventors: Patrick Ganachaud, Alain Denis
  • Patent number: 5839489
    Abstract: Filling adaptor for a fuel tank, including a tubular body having a first open end communicating upstream with the filling orifice and a second open end communicating downstream with the filler pipe, the tubular body comprising downstream an internally frustoconical final portion whose cross-section decreases in the downstream direction, the cone vertex angle of which is no greater than 10.degree. and the smallest internal diameter of which is equal to or slightly greater than the external diameter of the spout of the filler nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Patrick Ganachaud, Jacques Turpin, Eddy Maignan, Jean-Philippe Rolinat