Patents by Inventor Vincent J. Marsala

Vincent J. Marsala 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: 9522592
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a fuel tank, a first vapor line having a first open end, a second vapor line having a second open end, a valve including a check valve, a vent outlet, and wherein the first vapor line and second vapor line may be in fluid communication with the valve and the vent outlet and may be constructed and arranged to allow fluid to flow from the valve, through the first or second vapor line, or the first or second open end, or the vent outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Vincent J. Marsala
  • Patent number: 9290373
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising: a mechanical seal fuel fill system including a fill line for transporting fuel into a fuel tank. The fill line may be operatively connected to a fill cup to receive a fill nozzle. The fuel fill system may also include a vapor canister to receive fuel vapors displaced during refueling from the fuel tank. The vapor canister may be fed via a canister vent valve inside the fuel tank. The fuel system may also include a recirculation line connecting the fuel tank to the fill line. The recirculation line may include an auxiliary valve in the fuel tank. The recirculation valve and the auxiliary valve may be in a parallel arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Vincent J. Marsala, Philip A. Yaccarino
  • Publication number: 20150239338
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a fuel tank, a first vapor line having a first open end, a second vapor line having a second open end, a valve including a check valve, a vent outlet, and wherein the first vapor line and second vapor line may be in fluid communication with the valve and the vent outlet and may be constructed and arranged to allow fluid to flow from the valve, through the first or second vapor line, or the first or second open end, or the vent outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Vincent J. Marsala
  • Publication number: 20150210528
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising: a mechanical seal fuel fill system including a fill line for transporting fuel into a fuel tank. The fill line may be operatively connected to a fill cup to receive a fill nozzle. The fuel fill system may also include a vapor canister to receive fuel vapors displaced during refueling from the fuel tank. The vapor canister may be fed via a canister vent valve inside the fuel tank. The fuel system may also include a recirculation line connecting the fuel tank to the fill line. The recirculation line may include an auxiliary valve in the fuel tank. The recirculation valve and the auxiliary valve may be in a parallel arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Vincent J. Marsala, Philip A. Yaccarino
  • Patent number: 8573513
    Abstract: An inlet check valve assembly with flame arresting feature. An internal flame arresting feature utilizes a flame arrester body attached to a valve member which protrudes into the valve throat. An external flame arresting feature utilizes a hood concentrically disposed relative to the valve member. The flame arresting feature is configured relative to movement of the valve member with respect to the throat such that fluidic communication between the fuel fill pipe and the fuel tank is limited to less than the minimum flame propagation distance of the fuel and air mixture in which a combustible mixture may exist in the fuel fill pipe, whereby any flame front in the fuel fill pipe will quench thereat before reaching the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Vincent J. Marsala, Scott W. Jorgensen, Robert Halsall
  • Publication number: 20120298385
    Abstract: An inlet check valve assembly with flame arresting feature. An internal flame arresting feature utilizes a flame arrester body attached to a valve member which protrudes into the valve throat. An external flame arresting feature utilizes a hood concentrically disposed relative to the valve member. The flame arresting feature is configured relative to movement of the valve member with respect to the throat such that fluidic communication between the fuel fill pipe and the fuel tank is limited to less than the minimum flame propagation distance of the fuel and air mixture in which a combustible mixture may exist in the fuel fill pipe, whereby any flame front in the fuel fill pipe will quench thereat before reaching the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPEARATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Vincent J. Marsala, Scott W. Jorgensen, Robert Halsall
  • Patent number: 7497290
    Abstract: A fuel tank shield is provided for mounting between a fuel tank and a rotating drive shaft of the type having a generally smooth cylindrical outer surface from which a hard edge extends adjacent the fuel tank shield. A recess is provided in the fuel tank shield and a block of cushion material is mounted in the recess to fill the recess. In an event that would cause the rotating drive shield to encroach into the space normally occupied by the fuel tank shield, the cushion material will be subjected to wearing away by the contact of the hard edge of the rotating drive shaft so that the hard edge becomes absorbed within the pocket formed by wearing away of a portion of the cushion material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent J. Marsala, Philip A. Yaccarino
  • Publication number: 20080017430
    Abstract: A fuel tank shield is provided for mounting between a fuel tank and a rotating drive shaft of the type having a generally smooth cylindrical outer surface from which a hard edge extends adjacent the fuel tank shield. A recess is provided in the fuel tank shield and a block of cushion material is mounted in the recess to fill the recess. In an event that would cause the rotating drive shield to encroach into the space normally occupied by the fuel tank shield, the cushion material will be subjected to wearing away by the contact of the hard edge of the rotating drive shaft so that the hard edge becomes absorbed within the pocket formed by wearing away of a portion of the cushion material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Vincent J. Marsala, Philip A. Yaccarino
  • Patent number: 7234451
    Abstract: A dual fuel pump fuel extraction system for saddle fuel tanks. A primary modular reservoir assembly (MRA) includes an electric primary fuel pump located in the primary sump of a saddle fuel tank and a secondary MRA including an electric secondary fuel pump located in the secondary sump of the saddle fuel tank, wherein both the primary and secondary fuel pumps extract fuel from the primary sump and simultaneously transfer fuel between the primary and secondary sumps so as to thereby ensure both the primary and secondary fuel pumps have fuel, without starving one before the other, until fuel becomes depleted from the saddle fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard G. Betz, II, Robert Halsall, Richard H. Krentz, Vincent J. Marsala, Philip A. Yaccarino
  • Patent number: 6886861
    Abstract: A trunk mounted fuel tank assembly including a cradle, a fuel tank, and at least one retention strap is disclosed. The cradle includes a back portion and bottom portion with a fuel feed passage that is placed over a surface of a trunk. The fuel tank includes a fuel line that is placed about the back portion and bottom portion of the cradle. The fuel line extends through the fuel feed passage and a passage in the surface of the trunk. The at least one retention strap includes a first leg and a second leg that is placed over a top portion of the fuel tank for retaining the fuel tank to the cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent J. Marsala, Gregory E. Rich
  • Publication number: 20040160052
    Abstract: A trunk mounted fuel tank assembly comprising a cradle, a fuel tank, and at least one retention strap is disclosed. The cradle includes a back portion and bottom portion with a fuel feed passage that is placed over a surface of a trunk. The fuel tank includes a fuel line that is placed about the back portion and bottom portion of the cradle. The fuel line extends through the fuel feed passage and a passage in the surface of the trunk. The at least one retention strap includes a first leg and a second leg that is placed over a top portion of the fuel tank for retaining the fuel tank to the cradle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Vincent J. Marsala, Gregory E. Rich
  • Patent number: 5985009
    Abstract: A versatile waste disposal apparatus for separating and disposing the liquid waste from vacuum cleaning of soiled carpets. The air, liquid and accumulated dirt in a mixture from a conventional vacuum cleaner are separated in one large tank, and the filtered liquid is passed on either to an integrated or non-integrated smaller tank with cutoff, air venting, and pump controls. The filtered liquid is ultimately passed on to a wastewater system so that the tanks are empty after use. The waste disposal apparatus can be integrated with a dwelling's central vacuuming system and operated on house current. The apparatus can be installed in a vehicle and powered by the vehicle's battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Vincent J. Marsala