Patents by Inventor Stephane Seps

Stephane Seps 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: 8070187
    Abstract: A flange structure (10) is provided for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle. The flange structure includes at least one electrically conductive fuel port (16?) having a periphery and first and second ends (22, 23). The first end (22) includes first barb structure (28). A plastic flange (20?) is overmolded on at least a portion of the periphery of the fuel port between the first and second ends. A portion of the flange overmolded on the portion of the periphery of the fuel port defines fitting structure (25) having second barb structure (27). A hose (30) is coupled with the first end of the fuel port and with the fitting structure with the first and second barb structures engaging the hose thereby preventing fuel or fuel vapor from passing between the periphery of the fuel port and the overmolded flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Parag Athalye, Matthias Nederegger, Stephane Seps, John Patrick Wattai
  • Patent number: 7810846
    Abstract: A flange structure (10?) for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle includes at least one non-electrically conductive plastic fuel port (16?) having first and second ends. A non-electrically conductive plastic flange (20?) is integral with the fuel port between the first and second ends. The flange is constructed and arranged to be coupled with a fuel tank of a vehicle. Electrically conductive grounding structure (32) is associated with the fuel port and has an elongated portion (36) extending within the fuel port so as to be exposed to fuel, and an end (40) connected with the elongated portion. An electrically conductive hose (30) is coupled with the first end of the fuel port and is in contact with the end of the grounding structure thereby defining a discharge path such that static electricity generated when fuel flows through the fuel port can be dissipated through the discharge path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Parag Athalye, John Patrick Wattai, Matthias Nederegger, Stephane Seps
  • Patent number: 7690692
    Abstract: Fuel port structure (10) of a fuel pump (20) includes a fuel port (12) having a periphery (14), an internal portion defining a fuel passage (16), and a free end (18). An electrically conductive grounding structure (22) has a first portion (24) disposed at least partially within the fuel passage and a second portion (26) extending from the free end. A fuel delivery tube (28) is coupled to the periphery of the fuel port at the free end thereof. The fuel delivery tube has an electrically conductive portion (30) in contact with the second portion of the grounding structure to provide a discharge path for static electricity created when fuel flows through the fuel passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Parag Athalye, John Patrick Wattai, Matthias Nederegger, Stephane Seps
  • Publication number: 20080042436
    Abstract: A flange structure (10) is provided for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle. The flange structure includes at least one electrically conductive fuel port (16?) having a periphery and first and second ends (22, 23). The first end (22) includes first barb structure (28). A plastic flange (20?) is overmolded on at least a portion of the periphery of the fuel port between the first and second ends. A portion of the flange overmolded on the portion of the periphery of the fuel port defines fitting structure (25) having second barb structure (27). A hose (30) is coupled with the first end of the fuel port and with the fitting structure with the first and second barb structures engaging the hose thereby by preventing fuel or fuel vapor from passing between the periphery of the fuel port and the overmolded flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Parag Athalye, Matthias Nederegger, Stephane Seps, John P. Wattai
  • Publication number: 20080042437
    Abstract: A flange structure 10? for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle includes at least one non-electrically conductive plastic fuel port (16?) having first and second ends. A non-electrically conductive plastic flange (20?) is integral with the fuel port between the first and second ends. The flange is constructed and arranged to be coupled with a fuel tank of a vehicle. Electrically conductive grounding structure (32) is associated with the fuel port and has an elongated portion (36) extending within the fuel port so as to be exposed to fuel, and an end (40) connected with the elongated portion. An electrically conductive hose (30) is coupled with the first end of the fuel port and is in contact with the end of the grounding structure thereby defining a discharge path such that static electricity generated when fuel flows through the fuel port can be dissipated through the discharge path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Parag Athalye, John P. Wattai, Matthias Nederegger, Stephane Seps
  • Publication number: 20080042439
    Abstract: Fuel port structure (10) of a fuel pump (20) includes a fuel port (12) having a periphery (14), an internal portion defining a fuel passage (16), and a free end (18). An electrically conductive grounding structure (22) has a first portion (24) disposed at least partially within the fuel passage and a second portion (26) extending from the free end. A fuel delivery tube (28) is coupled to the periphery of the fuel port at the free end thereof. The fuel delivery tube has an electrically conductive portion (30) in contact with the second portion of the grounding structure to provide a discharge path for static electricity created when fuel flows through the fuel passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Parag Athalye, John Patrick Wattai, Matthias Nederegger, Stephane Seps
  • Publication number: 20080042435
    Abstract: A flange structure (10?) for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle includes an electrically conductive fuel port (16?) having a periphery and first and second ends (22, 23). The first end includes first barb structure (28). A plastic flange (20?) is overmolded on the periphery of the fuel port between the first and second ends. A portion of the overmolded flange defines fitting structure (25) having second barb structure (27). A hose (30) is provided having first and second inner diameter portions. The first barb structure (28) engages surfaces of the first inner diameter portion (32), and the second barb structure (27) engages surfaces of the second inner diameter portion, thereby by preventing fuel or fuel vapor from passing between the periphery of the fuel port and the overmolded flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Parag Athalye, Matthias Nederegger, Stephane Seps, John Wattai
  • Publication number: 20080011277
    Abstract: A flange structure (10?) for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle includes at least one electrically conductive fuel port (16?) having first and second ends (22, 24). A plastic flange (20?) is overmolded on at least a portion of the fuel port between the first and second ends. The flange is constructed and arranged to be coupled with a fuel tank of a vehicle. A welded connection (26) is provided between the fuel port and the plastic flange defining a barrier to prevent fuel or fuel vapor from passing between the periphery of the fuel port and the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Parag Athalye, John P. Wattai, Stephane Seps, Matthias Nederegger, Darren Matthew Berger