Patents by Inventor Ulf Sawert

Ulf Sawert 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: 8091578
    Abstract: A fill limiter vent valve (FLVV) adapted for suspension downward into a fuel tank has upper and lower housing members having openings in their cylindrical walls cooperating to define a spill-over level for fuel into the FLVV producing float-initiated vent valve closure during a fuel fill event. The lower housing member has a latching member fixedly engageable with one or more cooperating latching features of the upper housing member in a plurality of relative axial positions; and the spill-over level is varied by relative axial movement of the housing members between those positions. Axial alignment of the latching member and the cooperating latching features is maintained by axially aligned, interacting surface features of the housing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Roth, Sharon E. Beyer, Ulf Sawert
  • Publication number: 20100252125
    Abstract: A fill limiter vent valve (FLVV) adapted for suspension downward into a fuel tank has upper and lower housing members having openings in their cylindrical walls cooperating to define a spill-over level for fuel into the FLVV producing float-initiated vent valve closure during a fuel fill event. The lower housing member has a latching member fixedly engageable with one or more cooperating latching features of the upper housing member in a plurality of relative axial positions; and the spill-over level is varied by relative axial movement of the housing members between those positions. Axial alignment of the latching member and the cooperating latching features is maintained by axially aligned, interacting surface features of the housing members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Roth, Sharon Elizabeth Beyer, Ulf Sawert
  • Patent number: 7591178
    Abstract: A grounded wiper assembly for a fuel sensor includes a wiper housing for rotation relative to a variable resistor and a wiper with at least one contact operatively supported by the wiper housing for contacting the variable resistor as the wiper housing rotates. The grounded wiper assembly includes a float arm connected to the wiper housing and a float connected to the float arm such that the float moves the float arm and the wiper housing relative to the variable resistor as a level of fuel increases and decreases in the fuel tank. The grounded wiper assembly further includes a conductor interconnecting the float arm and the wiper to bleed off electrical charges attached to fuel to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh W. Ireland, Wayne F. Harris, Ulf Sawert, Sharon E. Beyer
  • Patent number: 7555946
    Abstract: A sealed fuel level sensor for a fuel tank is provided. The sealed fuel level sensor includes a frame having a cavity therein. The sealed fuel level sensor further includes a variable resistor disposed in the cavity and operatively supported by the frame. The sealed fuel level sensor further includes a wiper disposed in the cavity for rotation relative to the variable resistor and for contacting the variable resistor. The sealed fuel level sensor further includes a cover connected to the frame to enclose the cavity. The cover includes an aperture extending therethrough. The sealed fuel level sensor further includes a bushing disposed within the aperture. The bushing having a body portion and a lip seal portion disposed on the body portion. The lip seal portion and the body portion having a bore therein. The sealed fuel level sensor further includes a float arm having an end extending through the aperture of the cover and the bore of the bushing and connected to the wiper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ulf Sawert, Hugh Ireland
  • Publication number: 20080053219
    Abstract: A multifunction fuel gauge has a rotating wiper assembly turned by a float in a fuel tank, the wiper assembly having two wiper contacts having different radial lengths which make contact with a plurality of contacts which form two concentric arcuate rows on a board. The first row has several contacts connected to a resistive element to provide a voltage signal to a fuel gauge. The second row has at least one conductive strip which has a width such that one of the wiper contacts makes electrical contact with the conductive strip for a portion of the arc transversed by the wiper assembly. This contact can be used, for example, as a low fuel sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Hugh W. Ireland, Ulf Sawert
  • Publication number: 20070214882
    Abstract: A sealed fuel level sensor for a fuel tank is provided. The sealed fuel level sensor includes a frame having a cavity therein. The sealed fuel level sensor further includes a variable resistor disposed in the cavity and operatively supported by the frame. The sealed fuel level sensor further includes a wiper disposed in the cavity for rotation relative to the variable resistor and for contacting the variable resistor. The sealed fuel level sensor further includes a cover connected to the frame to enclose the cavity. The cover includes an aperture extending therethrough. The sealed fuel level sensor further includes a bushing disposed within the aperture. The bushing having a body portion and a lip seal portion disposed on the body portion. The lip seal portion and the body portion having a bore therein. The sealed fuel level sensor further includes a float arm having an end extending through the aperture of the cover and the bore of the bushing and connected to the wiper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Ulf Sawert, Hugh Ireland
  • Patent number: 7228847
    Abstract: A cover assembly for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a cover made of a metal material adapted to close an opening in the fuel tank having a fuel reservoir disposed therein and an insert molded to the cover to form a plurality of members to allow components to be attached thereto. The insert is integral, unitary, and one-piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Burke, Joanne Tersigni, Sharon Beyer, William Zimmerman, Ulf Sawert, Tom R. Paveglio, Christopher J. Czyzio
  • Patent number: 7047997
    Abstract: A device and method for venting a tank comprising an intermediate shutoff valve as part of a cover that closes a tank opening. The intermediate shutoff valve is placed between an existing valve and a vent port in a liquid storage tank. The shutoff valve is operable to substantially fluidly seal the vent port when the vent valve is displaced greater than a predetermined amount. The intermediate shutoff valve facilitates complete removal of the existing vent valve during an impact wherein a wall of the storage tank impacts the existing valve. Upon impact, the intermediate shutoff valve is operable to close and seal a tank opening created by the displacement and removal of the existing vent valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sharon Elizabeth Beyer, Ulf Sawert, Mark K. Wolfenden, Chris I. Witherspoon, Robert A. Roth, Thomas J. Mott, Michael Allen Pittenger, William L. Villaire
  • Publication number: 20060042379
    Abstract: A sealed fuel level sensor for a fuel tank includes a frame having a cavity therein and a variable resistor disposed in the cavity and operatively supported by the frame. The sealed fuel level sensor also includes a wiper disposed in the cavity for rotation relative to the variable resistor and for contacting the variable resistor. The sealed fuel level sensor includes a cover connected to the frame to enclose the cavity and a float arm extending through the cover and connected to the wiper. The sealed fuel level sensor further includes a float connected to the float arm such that the float moves the float arm and the wiper relative to the variable resistor as a level of fuel increases and decreases in the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: Hugh Ireland, Ulf Sawert
  • Patent number: 6966306
    Abstract: A fuel pump module assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle includes a reservoir adapted to be disposed in the fuel tank. The fuel pump module assembly also includes a fuel pump disposed in the reservoir to pump fuel from the fuel tank to an engine of the vehicle. The fuel pump module assembly includes a filter disposed in the reservoir and having an inlet fluidly connected to the fuel pump and having a first outlet fluidly connected to the engine and a second outlet. The fuel pump module assembly further includes a regulating valve disposed in the reservoir and fluidly connected to the second outlet to control fuel supply pressure to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ulf Sawert, William S. Zimmerman, David H. Burke, Joanne F. Tersigni, Rick E. Crandall, Robert A. Roth, Susan P. Tyndall, Nicholas D. Tenbrink
  • Publication number: 20050241845
    Abstract: A cover assembly for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a cover made of a metal material adapted to close an opening in the fuel tank having a fuel reservoir disposed therein and an insert molded to the cover to form a plurality of members to allow components to be attached thereto. The insert is integral, unitary, and one-piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: David Burke, Joanne Tersigni, Sharon Beyer, William Zimmerman, Ulf Sawert, Tom Paveglio, Christopher Czyzio
  • Patent number: 6951131
    Abstract: A fuel level indication assembly for a fuel tank includes at least one ultrasonic sensor having a drum to emit and receive a sonic signal. The at least one ultrasonic sensor is adapted to be disposed in either one of a liquid fuel and a fuel vapor/air space within the fuel tank to measure a level of liquid fuel within the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ulf Sawert, Hugh Wesley Ireland, Michael D. Lutton, Mark K. Wolfenden, Daniel Alexander Crawford
  • Patent number: 6945422
    Abstract: An in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle including a first member adapted to be disposed inside of the fuel tank and having a projection extending outwardly. The in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly also includes a second member adapted to be disposed inside of the fuel tank and having a cavity to receive the projection. The in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly further includes a seal ring disposed in the cavity to engage the first member. The second member has opposed latches adjacent the cavity and being movable to engage the projection for retaining the first member and the second member together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sharon Elizabeth Beyer, Ulf Sawert, Douglas James Golla, Matthew L. Catlin, William Stuart Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20050121003
    Abstract: A fuel pump module assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle includes a reservoir adapted to be disposed in the fuel tank. The fuel pump module assembly also includes a fuel pump disposed in the reservoir to pump fuel from the fuel tank to an engine of the vehicle. The fuel pump module assembly includes a filter disposed in the reservoir and having an inlet fluidly connected to the fuel pump and having a first outlet fluidly connected to the engine and a second outlet. The fuel pump module assembly further includes a regulating valve disposed in the reservoir and fluidly connected to the second outlet to control fuel supply pressure to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Ulf Sawert, William Zimmerman, David Burke, Joanne Tersigni, Rick Crandall, Robert Roth, Susan Tyndall, Nicholas Tenbrink
  • Publication number: 20050022869
    Abstract: A device and method for venting a tank comprising an intermediate shutoff valve as part of a cover that closes a tank opening. The intermediate shutoff valve is placed between an existing valve and a vent port in a liquid storage tank. The shutoff valve is operable to substantially fluidly seal the vent port when the vent valve is displaced greater than a predetermined amount. The intermediate shutoff valve facilitates complete removal of the existing vent valve during an impact wherein a wall of the storage tank impacts the existing valve. Upon impact, the intermediate shutoff valve is operable to close and seal a tank opening created by the displacement and removal of the existing vent valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Sharon Beyer, Ulf Sawert, Mark Wolfenden, Chris Witherspoon, Robert Roth, Thomas Mott, Michael Pittenger, William Villaire
  • Publication number: 20040079149
    Abstract: A fuel level indication assembly for a fuel tank includes at least one ultrasonic sensor having a drum to emit and receive a sonic signal. The at least one ultrasonic sensor is adapted to be disposed in either one of a liquid fuel and a fuel vapor/air space within the fuel tank to measure a level of liquid fuel within the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Ulf Sawert, Hugh Wesley Ireland, Michael D. Lutton, Mark K. Wolfenden, Daniel Alexander Crawford
  • Patent number: 6681628
    Abstract: A ceramic resistor card assembly for a fuel sensor includes a card portion made of a ceramic material. The ceramic resistor card assembly also includes a first conductive ink disposed on the card portion to form a fuel level portion. The ceramic resistor card assembly further includes a second conductive ink disposed on the card portion to form at least one contact for the fuel level portion. The first conductive ink is void of Silver and the second conductive ink contains Silver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ulf Sawert, Hugh Wesley Ireland, Wayne Frederick Harris
  • Patent number: 6679227
    Abstract: A grounded fuel delivery module for a fuel system of a vehicle includes a fuel pump adapted to pump fuel from a fuel tank to an engine of the vehicle. The grounded fuel delivery module also includes a retainer contacting the fuel pump and a cover adapted to cover an opening in the fuel tank. The grounded fuel delivery module further includes at least one guide rod interconnecting the cover and the retainer to complete an electrical circuit used for grounding of components attached to either one of the cover and the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ulf Sawert, Sharon Elizabeth Beyer, Bruce Albert Kuehnemund
  • Publication number: 20040007062
    Abstract: A grounded wiper assembly for a fuel sensor includes a wiper housing for rotation relative to a variable resistor and a wiper with at least one contact operatively supported by the wiper housing for contacting the variable resistor as the wiper housing rotates. The grounded wiper assembly includes a float arm connected to the wiper housing and a float connected to the float arm such that the float moves the float arm and the wiper housing relative to the variable resistor as a level of fuel increases and decreases in the fuel tank. The grounded wiper assembly further includes a conductor interconnecting the float arm and the wiper to bleed off electrical charges attached to fuel to ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Hugh W. Ireland, Wayne F. Harris, Ulf Sawert, Sharon E. Beyer
  • Patent number: 6655365
    Abstract: A fuel filter assembly for a fuel delivery module for a fuel system of a vehicle includes a filter housing adapted to be disposed in a fuel reservoir of the fuel delivery module and having a closed end and an open end. The fuel filter assembly also includes a fuel filter disposed in the filter housing and an end cap connected to the filter housing to close the open end. The fuel filter has an integral spring cooperating with the filter housing to urge the fuel filter toward the end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sharon E. Beyer, Dale R. Jones, Matthew Catlin, Ulf Sawert