Patents by Inventor Robert Douglas Jefford

Robert Douglas Jefford 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: 10253900
    Abstract: A latching valve assembly which controls the flow of air and purge vapor between a fuel module and a carbon canister, where a change in an electrical property of the latching valve assembly is used to detect whether the latching valve is in the open position or the closed position. The latching valve assembly of the present invention eliminates the need for a physical switch solution, mechanical or non contact solutions, eliminates complexity of valve hardware requirements, and only adds minor electric components and software to identify the latch position. This system eliminates valve complexity and mechanical connections required for electrical conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Douglas Jefford, William John Boucher, David William Balsdon, Raymond Rasokas
  • Patent number: 10030780
    Abstract: A valve assembly for an air flow system, where the air flow system has a turbocharger unit and a venturi valve member for receiving a portion of the pressurized air from the turbocharger unit, and generating back pressure. The valve assembly includes a bypass switching valve and a bypass check valve. During a first mode of operation, the valve assembly is exposed to vacuum pressure, and the bypass check valve is exposed to the vacuum pressure such that the bypass check valve is placed in a closed position. During a second mode of operation the turbocharger unit is activated, pressurized air flows through the bypass switching valve, and places the bypass check valve in an open position, and the back pressure generated by the venturi valve member and the pressurized air from the turbocharger unit creates a pressure differential in the bypass check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Douglas Jefford, Benjamin Dominick Manton Williams, Adrian Ovidiu Crisan
  • Patent number: 9890747
    Abstract: A valve assembly providing flow control between a fuel tank and a carbon canister, which includes two valves providing two different flow paths, where the first valve provides active vacuum relief along the first flow path, and the second valve provides passive vacuum relief along the second flow path. A reservoir is added to the cap which is common for both flow paths. The second valve has a sealing valve member and a biasable member that passively relieves fuel tank vacuum pressure at a predetermined vacuum level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Dominick Williams, David William Balsdon, Robert Douglas Jefford, David Rene Forgeron, Brian Gordon Woods
  • Patent number: 9726119
    Abstract: A valve assembly, such as a canister purge solenoid (CPS) having one or more interchangeable components which may be used to reconfigure the valve assembly to have one or more additional vacuum ports. The design of the valve assembly eliminates the need to mold these ports into the intake manifold, simplifying the design of the manifold, and the tooling needed to make the manifold. The direct mount design of the CPS of the present invention includes at least one additional port to serve as an additional vacuum port to be used for any other purpose, such as a PCV valve, brake booster, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Douglas Jefford, Benjamin Dominick Manton Williams, David William Balsdon, David Rene Forgeron
  • Patent number: 9506428
    Abstract: A system which includes a turbo bypass switching valve (BSV) positioned at a beneficial location as a direct mount on an air box to achieve compliance to OBD hose-off requirement via electronic actuation of the BSV and monitoring of the fuel tank pressure sensor for pressure change. When the turbocharger unit is generating pressurized air, the turbo BSV is open, and vapor is passing through the purge valve, some level of vacuum in the fuel tank is sensed. By closing the BSV, flow through the venturi is reduced, producing both less vacuum and a change in fuel tank pressure. The pressure change does not occur if any of the hoses become disconnected. This results in a simple OBD “venture hose off” check without additional components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Douglas Jefford, Benjamin Dominick Manton Williams, David William Balsdon, David Rene Forgeron, Adrian Ovidiu Crisan
  • Patent number: 9360125
    Abstract: An integrated valve assembly, which integrates two check valves and a solenoid assembly which functions as a purge valve. When the solenoid assembly is in an open position, during a first mode of operation, vacuum pressure places the first check valve in an open position and the second check valve in a closed position, and during a second mode of operation, pressurized air places the first check valve in a closed position, and vacuum pressure generated by a venturi valve member places the second check valve in an open position. Each check valve utilizes a nylon insert along with an over molded rubber seal. The design of the check valves prevents actuation at low vacuums and flows when the vehicle is shut off. The integrated valve assembly eliminates the need for an OBD relief valve, and simplifies the EVAP system, saving costs, complexity, and eliminates several possible leak connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Douglas Jefford, John Nelson Lloyd
  • Publication number: 20150345652
    Abstract: A latching valve assembly which controls the flow of air and purge vapor between a fuel module and a carbon canister, where a change in an electrical property of the latching valve assembly is used to detect whether the latching valve is in the open position or the closed position. The latching valve assembly of the present invention eliminates the need for a physical switch solution, mechanical or non contact solutions, eliminates complexity of valve hardware requirements, and only adds minor electric components and software to identify the latch position. This system eliminates valve complexity and mechanical connections required for electrical conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Douglas Jefford, William John Boucher, David William Balsdon, Raymond Rasokas
  • Publication number: 20150316007
    Abstract: A valve assembly providing flow control between a fuel tank and a carbon canister, which includes two valves providing two different flow paths, where the first valve provides active vacuum relief along the first flow path, and the second valve provides passive vacuum relief along the second flow path. A reservoir is added to the cap which is common for both flow paths. The second valve has a sealing valve member and a biasable member that passively relieves fuel tank vacuum pressure at a predetermined vacuum level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Ben Dominick Williams, David William Balsdon, Robert Douglas Jefford, David Rene Forgeron, Brian Gordon Woods
  • Publication number: 20140345709
    Abstract: A mounting assembly which provides for a rigid connection between a valve assembly, such as a canister purge valve (CPV), and a component in an air flow system of a vehicle, such as an intake manifold, air box, or the like. The mounting assembly includes two brackets that are connected to the CPV, and the brackets are used to connect the CPV to an intake manifold. The first bracket includes an isolator having a slot, and a blade or flange extends into the slot, providing only one way of attachment between the CPV and the intake manifold. The second bracket includes a single bolt through a molded tab providing a second connection. The second bracket also has a second isolator; both isolators are made of rubber or other type of material suitable for isolating vibration. Each isolator provides vibration isolation between the intake manifold and the CPV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Douglas Jefford, Benjamin Dominick Manton Williams, Daniel Clayton Todd Jackson, David Rene Forgeron
  • Publication number: 20140345573
    Abstract: A system which includes a turbo bypass switching valve (BSV) positioned at a beneficial location as a direct mount on an air box to achieve compliance to OBD hose-off requirement via electronic actuation of the BSV and monitoring of the fuel tank pressure sensor for pressure change. When the turbocharger unit is generating pressurized air, the turbo BSV is open, and vapor is passing through the purge valve, some level of vacuum in the fuel tank is sensed. By closing the BSV, flow through the venturi is reduced, producing both less vacuum and a change in fuel tank pressure. The pressure change does not occur if any of the hoses become disconnected. This results in a simple OBD “venture hose off” check without additional components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Douglas Jefford, Benjamin Dominick Manton Williams, David William Balsdon, David Rene Forgeron, Adrian Ovidiu Crisan
  • Publication number: 20140345707
    Abstract: A valve assembly, such as a canister purge solenoid (CPS) having one or more interchangeable components which may be used to reconfigure the valve assembly to have one or more additional vacuum ports. The design of the valve assembly eliminates the need to mold these ports into the intake manifold, simplifying the design of the manifold, and the tooling needed to make the manifold. The direct mount design of the CPS of the present invention includes at least one additional port to serve as an additional vacuum port to be used for any other purpose, such as a PCV valve, brake booster, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Douglas Jefford, Benjamin Dominick Manton Williams, David William Balsdon, David Rene Forgeron
  • Publication number: 20140326337
    Abstract: A valve assembly for an air flow system, where the air flow system has a turbocharger unit and a venturi valve member for receiving a portion of the pressurized air from the turbocharger unit, and generating back pressure. The valve assembly includes a bypass switching valve and a bypass check valve. During a first mode of operation, the valve assembly is exposed to vacuum pressure, and the bypass check valve is exposed to the vacuum pressure such that the bypass check valve is placed in a closed position. During a second mode of operation the turbocharger unit is activated, pressurized air flows through the bypass switching valve, and places the bypass check valve in an open position, and the back pressure generated by the venturi valve member and the pressurized air from the turbocharger unit creates a pressure differential in the bypass check valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Douglas Jefford, Benjamin Dominick Manton Williams, Adrian Ovidiu Crisan
  • Publication number: 20140311602
    Abstract: An integrated valve assembly, which integrates two check valves and a solenoid assembly which functions as a purge valve. When the solenoid assembly is in an open position, during a first mode of operation, vacuum pressure places the first check valve in an open position and the second check valve in a closed position, and during a second mode of operation, pressurized air places the first check valve in a closed position, and vacuum pressure generated by a venturi valve member places the second check valve in an open position. Each check valve utilizes a nylon insert along with an over molded rubber seal. The design of the check valves prevents actuation at low vacuums and flows when the vehicle is shut off. The integrated valve assembly eliminates the need for an OBD relief valve, and simplifies the EVAP system, saving costs, complexity, and eliminates several possible leak connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Douglas Jefford, John Nelson Lloyd