Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Sharp

Thomas A. Sharp 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: 9470195
    Abstract: A fuel supply system with an accumulator that allows for the accumulation of fuel at a pressure greater than the nominal operating pressure of the fuel supply system. The accumulation of fuel allows for less frequent fuel pump operation and therefore a reduction in overall fuel consumption of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Michael R Teets, Joseph B Adams, Thomas A Sharp, Regina M Cook, Paul J Fitzgerald, Russell J Wakeman, John R Jaye, Glen E Tallarek, Paul J Luft
  • Publication number: 20150369189
    Abstract: A fuel supply system with an accumulator that allows for the accumulation of fuel at a pressure greater than the nominal operating pressure of the fuel supply system. The accumulation of fuel allows for less frequent fuel pump operation and therefore a reduction in overall fuel consumption of an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Michael R. Teets, Joseph B. Adams, Thomas A. Sharp, Regina M. Cook, Paul J. Fitzgerald, Russell J. Wakeman, John R. Jaye, Glen E. Tallarek, Paul J. Luft
  • Publication number: 20140165965
    Abstract: A fuel supply system with an accumulator that allows for the accumulation of fuel at a pressure greater than the nominal operating pressure of the fuel supply system. The accumulation of fuel allows for less frequent fuel pump operation and therefore a reduction in overall fuel consumption of an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Michael R. Teets, Joseph B. Adams, Thomas A. Sharp, Regina M. Cook, Paul J. Fitzgerald, Russell J. Wakeman, John R. Jaye, Glen E. Tallarek, Paul J. Luft
  • Publication number: 20130340723
    Abstract: A fuel system having a fuel module for use within a fuel tank of a vehicle is disclosed herein. The fuel module includes a fuel reservoir having an inlet for receiving fuel from the fuel tank, a pump for pumping fuel from the reservoir through a fuel supply line and a temperature sensitive valve having a first port for receiving fuel from a return line, a second port for outputting the received fuel into the fuel reservoir, and a third port for outputting the received fuel into the fuel tank and external to the fuel reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
    Inventor: Thomas A. Sharp
  • Patent number: 8397698
    Abstract: A fuel tank assembly comprising a fuel tank having a plurality of walls spaced apart by a floor, a flange having a top portion and a bottom portion, and extending downward from one of the plurality of walls, is provided. The fuel tank assembly further includes a housing, a crimp ring and a lip, wherein the crimp ring is fitted over the lip for engaging the flange and the housing. A fuel pump is housed within the housing, wherein the housing is arranged to fixedly position at least one inlet connected to the fuel pump at or in close proximity to the floor of the fuel tank. A fuel reservoir extends away from the floor having at least one passage formed therein, the fuel reservoir being positioned within the fuel tank so as to create an accumulated area of the fuel tank surrounding the at least one inlet, wherein fuel enters the accumulated area through the at least one passage for receipt by the at least one inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Sharp, Michael R. Teets
  • Publication number: 20090188473
    Abstract: A fuel tank assembly comprising a fuel tank having a plurality of walls spaced apart by a floor, a flange having a top portion and a bottom portion, and extending downward from one of the plurality of walls, is provided. The fuel tank assembly further includes a housing, a crimp ring and a lip, wherein the crimp ring is fitted over the lip for engaging the flange and the housing. A fuel pump is housed within the housing, wherein the housing is arranged to fixedly position at least one inlet connected to the fuel pump at or in close proximity to the floor of the fuel tank. A fuel reservoir extends away from the floor having at least one passage formed therein, the fuel reservoir being positioned within the fuel tank so as to create an accumulated area of the fuel tank surrounding the at least one inlet, wherein fuel enters the accumulated area through the at least one passage for receipt by the at least one inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas A. Sharp, Michael R. Teets