Patents by Inventor Roger N. Smith

Roger N. Smith 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: 11008987
    Abstract: A fuel pump for a fuel system includes a nozzle, a venturi, a pump inlet and a flow controller. The nozzle has an orifice through which fuel is ejected and the venturi is downstream of the nozzle and has an inlet through which fuel discharged from the orifice flows, a passage downstream of the venturi inlet through which fuel flows to create a drop in pressure in the area of the venturi, and an outlet through which fuel is discharged from the venturi. Fuel is drawn through the pump inlet by the drop in the pressure created in the area of the venturi and the flow controller is downstream of the outlet and has a chamber in which fuel from the venturi outlet is received. The flow controller causes fuel to fill the venturi to ensure performance of the fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: WALBRO LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Cotton, Elton J. Fisch, David D. Hacker, Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Roger N. Smith
  • Patent number: 10549631
    Abstract: An in-tank fuel pump assembly may have a mounting flange with a plurality of first coupling features, a fuel pump, a carrier connected to the fuel pump, a plurality of second coupling features on at least one of the carrier and the fuel pump, and a plurality of supports each connected to one or the first and second coupling features to locate the pump relative to the mounting flange. In some embodiments, at least one coupling feature is movable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, Jr., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs, Russell R. Speirs
  • Patent number: 10259313
    Abstract: An in-tank fuel pump assembly may have a mounting flange with a plurality of first couplings, a fuel pump, a carrier connected to the fuel pump, a plurality of second couplings on at least one of the carrier and the fuel pump, and a plurality of supports each connected to one or the first and second couplings to locate the pump relative to the mounting flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, Jr., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs
  • Publication number: 20180339585
    Abstract: An in-tank fuel pump assembly may have a mounting flange with a plurality of first coupling features, a fuel pump, a carrier connected to the fuel pump, a plurality of second coupling features on at least one of the carrier and the fuel pump, and a plurality of supports each connected to one or the first and second coupling features to locate the pump relative to the mounting flange. In some embodiments, at least one coupling feature is movable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, JR., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs, Russell R. Speirs
  • Publication number: 20170284418
    Abstract: An in-tank fuel pump assembly may have a mounting flange with a plurality of first couplings, a fuel pump, a carrier connected to the fuel pump, a plurality of second couplings on at least one of the carrier and the fuel pump, and a plurality of supports each connected to one or the first and second couplings to locate the pump relative to the mounting flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, JR., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs
  • Patent number: 9553440
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a seal for a wire includes a body having at least one opening adapted to receive at least one wire therethrough, and an axially extending engagement surface disposed around at least a portion of each of said at least one openings. The engagement surface has at least a portion that is not parallel to an axis of the opening and is disposed at an acute included angle relative to the axis so that, when the engagement surface is contacted by another component, the size of the adjacent opening tends to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, Jr., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs
  • Patent number: 9217403
    Abstract: A mount for a level sensor assembly in a fuel tank may include an interconnect member adapted to couple a first tube to a second tube to permit fuel flow through the first tube, the interconnect member and the second tube. The first tube is adapted to be in fluid communication with a fuel pump and the second tube is in fluid communication with fuel in the fuel tank. A bracket is coupled to the interconnect member and adapted to carry at least a portion of the level sensor assembly. In this way, the level sensor assembly may be coupled to fluid tubes associated with the fuel pump, or other tubes, as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Cotton, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, Jr., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs
  • Publication number: 20150136472
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a seal for a wire includes a body having at least one opening adapted to receive at least one wire therethrough, and an axially extending engagement surface disposed around at least a portion of each of said at least one openings. The engagement surface has at least a portion that is not parallel to an axis of the opening and is disposed at an acute included angle relative to the axis so that, when the engagement surface is contacted by another component, the size of the adjacent opening tends to be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, JR., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs
  • Publication number: 20140239097
    Abstract: A fuel pump for a fuel system includes a nozzle, a venturi, a pump inlet and a flow controller. The nozzle has an orifice through which fuel is ejected and the venturi is downstream of the nozzle and has an inlet through which fuel discharged from the orifice flows, a passage downstream of the venturi inlet through which fuel flows to create a drop in pressure in the area of the venturi, and an outlet through which fuel is discharged from the venturi. Fuel is drawn through the pump inlet fuel by the drop in the pressure created in the area of the venturi and the flow controller is downstream of the outlet and has a chamber in which fuel from the venturi outlet is received. The flow controller causes fuel to fill the venturi to ensure performance of the fuel pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: WALBRO ENGINE MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Cotton, Elton J. Fisch, David D. Hacker, Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Roger N. Smith
  • Patent number: 7827970
    Abstract: A vapor separator includes a fuel pump, and a container at least partially defining a fuel reservoir to hold fuel and a pump chamber to hold the fuel pump. A closure is carried by the container to close the fuel reservoir and at least partially defines a vapor chamber above a level of fuel in the fuel reservoir and in fluid communication with the pump chamber. A vapor vent device is carried by the closure to allow fuel vapor to vent out of the vapor separator from the vapor chamber and prevent liquid fuel from flowing therethrough when the vapor separator is declined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs, Scott F. Stedry
  • Publication number: 20090071448
    Abstract: A vapor separator includes a fuel pump, and a container at least partially defining a fuel reservoir to hold fuel and a pump chamber to hold the fuel pump. A closure is carried by the container to close the fuel reservoir and at least partially defines a vapor chamber above a level of fuel in the fuel reservoir and in fluid communication with the pump chamber. A vapor vent device is carried by the closure to allow fuel vapor to vent out of the vapor separator from the vapor chamber and prevent liquid fuel from flowing therethrough when the vapor separator is declined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C
    Inventors: Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs, Scott F. Stedry
  • Patent number: 7175481
    Abstract: A pass-through electrical connector assembly with a body having at least one through-hole formed therein. A pin is forced into the through-hole and held by the body. The pin has a shank with opposed ends, each with a blind hole to receive a wire and a solid center portion that seals the wires and the pin. The pin has a tip with a barb at one end and a head with a shoulder at the other end which captures the pin in the body after the pin is forced into the through-hole when the shoulder engages the body. The shank has a circumferential surface that is press-fit within the through-hole to form a seal between the pin and the body. The body can then be sealed to a mating flange of a fluid-holding tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Cotton, Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Roger N. Smith, David L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7013878
    Abstract: A fuel vapor separator includes a polymeric body that preferably has a polymeric canister and a polymeric lid secured to the canister to define a liquid tight enclosure. The enclosure is preferably divided into at least two chambers. One chamber preferably receives liquid fuel and communicates with a heat exchanger to cool the supply of liquid fuel therein. Vapor is trapped in a vapor dome area above the liquid fuel and is vented through a vent valve carried by the fuel vapor separator. The other chamber of the enclosure preferably receives a high pressure fuel pump adapted to receive liquid fuel from the first chamber, and to deliver liquid fuel under pressure to the engine. Preferably, the chamber in which the fuel pump is received is communicated with a coolant to facilitate cooling the fuel pump in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Cotton, Eric L. King, Roger N. Smith
  • Patent number: 6761193
    Abstract: A level sensor and fuel pump assembly insertable through an access hole of a fuel tank so that an elongated fuel pump is disposed substantially completely within the fuel tank, and so that a flange of the assembly covers the hole and is engaged sealably to the wall of the fuel tank. The fuel level sensor has an arm which projects generally laterally when in a biased operating position from the elongated fuel pump to a float at a distal end. During insertion of the fully pre-assembled fuel sensor and pump assembly through the access hole of the fuel tank, the fuel level sensor is pivoted from the biased operating position to a collapsed position by an external force thus pivoting the fuel level sensor generally parallel, and closely orientated, to the fuel pump. This temporary orientation permits insertion of the fuel pump assembly through the relatively small access hole of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Cotton, Jeffrey D. Hanby, Gerald A. Hill, Jeffrey C. Hoppe, Roger N. Smith
  • Patent number: 6581579
    Abstract: A fuel pump assembly for use with a fuel injected combustion engine has a liquid cooled vapor separator from which conditioned fuel is drawn by a high pressure fuel pump. The vapor separator has an internal heat conductive sleeve which defines a fuel chamber or reservoir. A coolant chamber surrounds the heat conducting sleeve and is carried laterally between an exterior housing of the fuel pump assembly and the internal sleeve. A coiled baffle disposed within the coolant chamber forms a coolant channel which spirals about the sleeve. The channel has a first end which communicates with a coolant passage inlet and an opposing second end which communicates with a coolant passage outlet carried by the housing. The introduction of the baffle, therefore the channeling of coolant flow through the spiraling channel, improves the fuel cooling efficiency of the vapor separator by eliminating hot spots created by stagnate or non-flowing coolant areas within the coolant chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David L. Knight, Ronald H. Roche, Roger N. Smith
  • Patent number: 4520772
    Abstract: An automatic fuel shut-off valve for the fuel line of an internal combustion engine which is responsive to crankcase pressure to open and supply fuel to the engine carburetor when the engine is operating. Pressure in the fuel tank cannot open the valve and thus the shut-off valve provides a safety device especially useful in household equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Scott, Roger N. Smith
  • Patent number: RE41182
    Abstract: A pass-through electrical connector assembly with a body having at least one through-hole formed therein. A pin is forced into the through-hole and held by the body. The pin has a shank with opposed ends, each with a blind hole to receive a wire and a solid center portion that seals the wires and the pin. The pin has a tip with a barb at one end and a head with a shoulder at the other end which captures the pin in the body after the pin is forced into the through-hole when the shoulder engages the body. The shank has a circumferential surface that is press-fit within the through-hole to form a seal between the pin and the body. The body can then be sealed to a mating flange of a fluid-holding tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Cotton, Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Roger N. Smith, David L. Thomas