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).
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Patent number: 11008987Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 26, 2014Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: WALBRO LLCInventors: Kenneth J. Cotton, Elton J. Fisch, David D. Hacker, Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Roger N. Smith
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Patent number: 10549631Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Walbro LLCInventors: Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, Jr., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs, Russell R. Speirs
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Patent number: 10259313Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Walbro LLCInventors: Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, Jr., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs
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Publication number: 20180339585Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Inventors: Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, JR., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs, Russell R. Speirs
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Publication number: 20170284418Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, JR., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs
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Patent number: 9553440Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 5, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Walbro LLCInventors: Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, Jr., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs
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Patent number: 9217403Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 6, 2013Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.Inventors: Kenneth J. Cotton, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, Jr., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs
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Publication number: 20150136472Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Douglas W. Salowitz, JR., Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs
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Publication number: 20140239097Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: 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
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Patent number: 7827970Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 21, 2008Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.Inventors: Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs, Scott F. Stedry
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Publication number: 20090071448Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Applicant: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.CInventors: Roger N. Smith, David L. Speirs, Scott F. Stedry
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Patent number: 7175481Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 1, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.Inventors: Kenneth J. Cotton, Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Roger N. Smith, David L. Thomas
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Patent number: 7013878Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 3, 2004Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.Inventors: Kenneth J. Cotton, Eric L. King, Roger N. Smith
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Patent number: 6761193Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 13, 2003Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.Inventors: Kenneth J. Cotton, Jeffrey D. Hanby, Gerald A. Hill, Jeffrey C. Hoppe, Roger N. Smith
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Patent number: 6581579Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 19, 2002Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.Inventors: David L. Knight, Ronald H. Roche, Roger N. Smith
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Patent number: 4520772Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 2, 1984Date of Patent: June 4, 1985Assignee: Walbro CorporationInventors: William A. Scott, Roger N. Smith
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Patent number: RE41182Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 18, 2007Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.Inventors: Kenneth J. Cotton, Jeffrey D. Hanby, Kevin L. Israelson, Roger N. Smith, David L. Thomas