Patents by Inventor Trevor L. Enge
Trevor L. Enge 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: 7698939Abstract: A system for sensing a fuel level includes sensors that sense the fuel level and a voltage source that applies a constant voltage to the sensors for a predetermined time. The system includes a control module that measures outputs of the sensors at a beginning and at an end of the predetermined time. The control module determines a number of the sensors that are submersed in fuel or air based on the outputs and calculates the fuel level based on the number of the sensors that are submersed in fuel or air.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Chrysler Group LLCInventors: Lavern M. Bremmer, Michael R. Teets, Trevor L. Enge, Greg Schoenberg
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Patent number: 7651171Abstract: A cap assembly for a wheel including a cup-shaped cap member having a plurality of annular ridges disposed around a circumference thereof, and a retainer ring having a plurality of axially extending flange portions disposed around a circumference thereof. The retainer ring is slidably coupled to the cup-shaped member, the axially extending flange portions are angled relative to a position normal to the ring, and the plurality of axially extending flange portions correspond to the plurality of annular ridges. When the cap assembly is inserted into the wheel, the retainer ring slides along the cup-shaped member and the annular ridges force the axially extending flange portions to the position normal to the ring to attach the flange portions to the wheel.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2007Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Chrysler Group LLCInventors: Kenneth A. Kinslow, Jack H. Preston, Trevor L. Enge, Edward G. Bajek, Paul J. Leibold, Dave Slone, Eric Krupitzer
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Patent number: 7509945Abstract: A fuel pump controller includes a detecting device for detecting environmental vibrational energy and converting the environmental vibrational energy into an electrical signal. A motor controller is coupled to a fuel pump motor wherein the electrical signal is used by the controller to command the fuel pump motor to operate at one of a plurality of speeds wherein the commanded speed is at least in part a function of the environmental vibrational energy.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2007Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Chrysler LLCInventors: Michael R. Teets, Trevor L. Enge, Lavern M. Bremmer, Jon R. Donegan, Greg Schoenberg
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Publication number: 20090021071Abstract: A cap assembly for a wheel including a cup-shaped cap member having a plurality of annular ridges disposed around a circumference thereof, and a retainer ring having a plurality of axially extending flange portions disposed around a circumference thereof. The retainer ring is slidably coupled to the cup-shaped member, the axially extending flange portions are angled relative to a position normal to the ring, and the plurality of axially extending flange portions correspond to the plurality of annular ridges. When the cap assembly is inserted into the wheel, the retainer ring slides along the cup-shaped member and the annular ridges force the axially extending flange portions to the position normal to the ring to attach the flange portions to the wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Inventors: Kenneth A. Kinslow, Jack H. Preston, Trevor L. Enge, Edward G. Bajek, Paul J. Leibold, Dave Slone, Eric Krupitzer
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Publication number: 20080202476Abstract: A fuel pump controller includes a detecting device for detecting environmental vibrational energy and converting the environmental vibrational energy into an electrical signal. A motor controller is coupled to a fuel pump motor wherein the electrical signal is used by the controller to command the fuel pump motor to operate at one of a plurality of speeds wherein the commanded speed is at least in part a function of the environmental vibrational energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Michael R. Teets, Trevor L. Enge, Lavern M. Bremmer, Jon R. Donegan, Greg Schoenberg
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Patent number: 6601617Abstract: A method for actuating an onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) valve to selectively enable passage of fuel vapor from a fuel tank to a collection canister for the fuel vapor. The method includes determining whether a filling event is occurring and determining a fuel level within the fuel tank. The ORVR valve is selectively opened and closed in connection with whether a fueling event occurs and whether the fuel tank is full.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2002Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Trevor L. Enge
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Patent number: 6516835Abstract: An electronic onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) system including an electrically operated ORVR valve that selectively opens and closes a fuel vapor path between a fuel tank and a collection canister. An electronic control circuit generates control signals to selectively open and close the ORVR valve. The electronic control circuit receives one or more inputs from one or a plurality of sensors and evaluates the one or more inputs to determine whether to activate the ORVR valve. The sensor inputs include at least a sensor indicating fuel is being introduced into the filler neck and may also include at least a sensor indicating a fuel level within the tank.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.Inventor: Trevor L. Enge
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Publication number: 20020189707Abstract: A method for actuating an onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) valve to selectively enable passage of fuel vapor from a fuel tank to a collection canister for the fuel vapor. The method includes determining whether a filling event is occurring and determining a fuel level within the fuel tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventor: Trevor L. Enge
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Patent number: 6443190Abstract: A method for actuating an onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) valve to selectively enable passage of fuel vapor from a fuel tank to a collection canister for the fuel vapor. The method includes determining whether a filling event is occurring and determining a fuel level within the fuel tank. The ORVR valve is selectively opened and closed in connection with whether a fueling event occurs and whether the fuel tank is full.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2000Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Trevor L. Enge
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Publication number: 20020074037Abstract: A refueling valve for a motor vehicle includes a body connected to the upper wall of a fuel tank in vertical depending relationship thereon and the body has a body top or cover with a vapor exit passage adapted to be connected to a fuel vapor storage canister, a baffle is connected to the valve body intermediate the ends thereof to form a fuel space and a vapor space; the body includes a portion depending from the cover that has a vapor exit port communicating with the vapor space and wherein the vent exit port has a valve seat closed by a valve mounted on one end of a connecting rod that has its opposite end connected to a float within the fuel space and wherein the vapor exit port remains open until the fuel tank is filled and/or fuel slosh in the tank raises the float to close the valve; the connecting rod is directed through a port in the baffle to provide for vapor exhaust across the baffle during tank fill and to restrict fuel bypass into the vapor space during fuel slosh within the tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2002Publication date: June 20, 2002Inventor: Trevor L. Enge
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Publication number: 20020023688Abstract: A method for actuating an onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) valve to selectively enable passage of fuel vapor from a fuel tank to a collection canister for the fuel vapor. The method includes determining whether a filling event is occurring and determining a fuel level within the fuel tank. The ORVR valve is selectively opened and closed in connection with whether a fueling event occurs and whether the fuel tank is full.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2000Publication date: February 28, 2002Inventor: Trevor L. Enge
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Publication number: 20010025668Abstract: An electronic onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) system including an electrically operated ORVR valve that selectively opens and closes a fuel vapor path between a fuel tank and a collection canister. An electronic control circuit generates control signals to selectively open and close the ORVR valve. The electronic control circuit receives one or more inputs from one or a plurality of sensors and evaluates the one or more inputs to determine whether to activate the ORVR valve. The sensor inputs include at least a sensor indicating fuel is being introduced into the filler neck and may also include at least a sensor indicating a fuel level within the tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2001Publication date: October 4, 2001Applicant: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.Inventor: Trevor L. Enge
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Patent number: 6253802Abstract: An electronic onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) system including an electrically operated ORVR valve that selectively opens and closes a fuel vapor path between a fuel tank and a collection canister. An electronic control circuit generates control signals to selectively open and close the ORVR valve. The electronic control circuit receives one or more inputs from one or a plurality of sensors and evaluates the one or more inputs to determine whether to activate the ORVR valve. The sensor inputs include at least a sensor indicating fuel is being introduced into the filler neck and may also include at least a sensor indicating a fuel level within the tank.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Trevor L. Enge
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Patent number: 6167920Abstract: A method for actuating an onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) valve to selectively enable passage of fuel vapor from a fuel tank to a collection canister for the fuel vapor. The method includes determining whether a filling event is occurring and determining a fuel level within the fuel tank. The ORVR valve is selectively opened and closed in connection with whether a fueling event occurs and whether the fuel tank is full.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1999Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Trevor L. Enge
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Patent number: 6158456Abstract: A refueling valve for a motor vehicle includes a body connected to the upper wall of a fuel tank in vertical depending relationship thereon and the body has a body top or cover with a vapor exit passage adapted to be connected to a fuel vapor storage canister, a baffle is connected to the valve body intermediate the ends thereof to form a fuel space and a vapor space; the body includes a portion depending from the cover that has a vapor exit port communicating with the vapor space and wherein the vent exit port has a valve seat closed by a valve mounted on one end of a connecting rod that has its opposite end connected to a float within the fuel space and wherein the vapor exit port remains open until the fuel tank is filled and/or fuel slosh in the tank raises the float to close the valve; the connecting rod is directed through a port in the baffle to provide for vapor exhaust across the baffle during tank fill and to restrict fuel bypass into the vapor space during fuel slosh within the tank.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1999Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Trevor L. Enge
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Patent number: 6058963Abstract: A refueling valve for a motor vehicle includes a body connected to the upper wall of a fuel tank in vertical depending relationship. The body has a cover with a vapor exit passage adapted to be connected to a fuel vapor storage canister and a portion depending from the cover that has a vapor exit port that communicates with the fuel tank interior adjacent the upper wall of the fuel tank. A vent tube has one end connected to the vapor exit passage and an opposite end that communicates with the vent exit port and defines a valve seat. The vapor exit port is located with respect to the valve seat so as to separate liquid fuel particles from vapor flow during fuel fill. The valve seat is closed by a float valve when the fuel tank is full.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1997Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.Inventors: Trevor L. Enge, Larry VanNatta, Manuel D. Rosas
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Patent number: 5992441Abstract: A fuel vapor vent valve for a motor vehicle is connected to an upper wall of a fuel tank in vertically depending relationship. The valve has a cover with a vapor exit passage connected to a fuel vapor storage canister and a body depending from the cover. One embodiment has a vapor exit port that communicates with the fuel tank interior adjacent the upper wall of the fuel tank. A vent tube has one end connected to the vapor exit passage and an opposite end that communicates with the vent exit port and defines a valve seat. The vapor exit port is located with respect to the valve seat so as to separate liquid fuel particles from vapor flow during fuel fill. The valve seat is closed by a valve element attached to a float when the fuel tank is full. Several further embodiments of the valve have the body connected to the cover to accommodate side impacts to the fuel tank.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1998Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.Inventors: Trevor L. Enge, Larry VanNatta, Manuel D. Rosas, Mark Osterbrink, Michael Wroblewski, Terry L. Miller